"As expected, my premonition wasn’t wrong."
Hei Yao’s lips curled into a smile; he still remembered the greed exhibited by everyone present during the auction of that item, along with the ashen face of the Silver Orchid Commerce Commerce Association President.
Afterward, he’d been bombarded with complaints from the Commerce Association President.
But those words were like a gentle breeze to his ears.
As an auctioneer, Hei Yao didn’t care what those in attendance thought.
His task was to sell the auctioned items for a higher price and to thoroughly enjoy the satisfaction that came from watching others fight over the merchandise under the influence of his smooth talk.
"It seems you might know that girl. Don’t tell me she’s a love debt you left behind? She looks a lot like me in my younger days; you’ve got good taste, kid."
Can’t you elders show a little ’13’ on your faces? I’ve seen your old portraits. The courage you must have to say such things, I have no idea where it comes from.
Of course, Hei Yao couldn’t voice these thoughts to Pomegranate Granny, or else he’d be blasted to smithereens on the spot by his own granny.
Thus, Hei Yao could only calm down and explain to Pomegranate Granny:
"Unfortunately, no. Plus, I don’t fancy the items I auction off."
"I see, that person was a slave?" Pomegranate Granny quickly grasped Hei Yao’s implication. "So, she’s come to track us down for revenge because you sold her?"
"That’s a possibility. But I was merely fulfilling a task assigned by the Commerce Association; I didn’t expect her to hold a grudge. Speaking of this woman, recently I heard about that thing with Silver Orchid Commerce joining forces with our Commerce."
Pomegranate Granny’s interest was piqued, "Now that you mention it, I indeed heard from the Commerce Association that two people infiltrated Silver Orchid Commerce and freed the slave they had bought. That woman couldn’t be..."
"Exactly, Pomegranate Granny. This woman’s presence here also means that the person Silver Orchid Commerce is looking for must be nearby."
"Well, this is a golden opportunity for advancement; if you can catch him, you’re sure to be heavily rewarded by the Commerce," Pomegranate Granny said, beaming with joy. "Don’t worry, with granny here, I definitely won’t let this opportunity slip away from you."
I’ve said it doesn’t matter to me whether I’m valued or not; you old bones should rest! As long as I can continue presiding over auctions, there are no problems.
Hei Yao kept his true thoughts to himself.
It had been a long time since the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce had a slave of Iyas’s quality.
If they captured that woman, the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t just hand her over; they’d likely hold a grand slave auction and auction her off again.
That would be his time to shine.
It was up to them to capture that woman and the ones who freed her.
If he made the request, the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce would probably not refuse, and he’d get to preside over another grand auction.
"Then I’ll be troubling you, Granny..."
Before he could finish, Hei Yao saw in the Magic Mirror the figure of the woman swiftly moving towards them, followed by a leap into the air, disappearing from the Magic Mirror.
The Magic Mirror Pomegranate Granny was using had a fixed view established through the glass of the carriage.
If the silhouette of someone being surveilled by the mirror suddenly vanished, one must search for the direction of movement and adjust the mirror imbued with magic.
To ensure her own and Hei Yao’s safety, Pomegranate Granny had been using Magic Perception to keep a constant vigil, which is how they detected Iyas approaching too closely.
Iyas was now very close to their carriage, and Pomegranate Granny easily caught sight of her.
However, just as Pomegranate Granny was about to aim the Magic Mirror at Iyas, her face changed color. She instantly dispelled the Magic Mirror and began chanting another spell.
An arrow whizzed through the air and struck the horse’s hindquarters, eliciting a pained neigh from the beast, which then bolted.
Standing on the rooftop, Iyas took aim at the horse’s heart and loosed another arrow. The galloping horse stumbled and fell to the ground, and Pomegranate Granny, who was in the midst of chanting, was thrown forward as the carriage tipped over.
Fortunately, Hei Yao reacted quickly, cushioning Pomegranate Granny with his arm, thus preventing her from being scattered all over the ground, looking for her teeth.
"Damn it. That woman actually launched an attack in broad daylight, she’s a madwoman!"
Using her cane, Pomegranate Granny supported herself and managed to stand up with difficulty. Then, within the range of her perception, several more bows and arrows came flying, pinning the risen coachman and accompanying servants to the ground, rendering them unable to move.
Hei Yao also slowly got up, but as soon as he did, he heard Pomegranate Granny’s voice,
"Hei Yao, get down now!"
As Pomegranate Granny’s words fell, a heavy weight landed on the overturned carriage, kicking open the carriage door and aiming at the two with bows and arrows from a higher position.
"Speak! Just where did you bastards take my brother?"
Without wasting time, Iyas got straight to the point.
"What a fiery young lady," said Pomegranate Granny, whose face showed no emotion amidst its wrinkles. "You’ve got some nerve coming here and doing this to our beloved carriage."
"Cut the crap, Granny. This has nothing to do with you! Step aside if you don’t want to get hurt; the man I’m after is behind you!"
Iyas had a cold gleam in her eyes; when she had jumped onto the carriage, she had taken off her hood, and her pretty face was fully exposed to Hei Yao and Pomegranate Granny.
Just as Hei Yao had thought, this woman was the elf he had sold, only he couldn’t figure out how she had managed to disguise herself as human.
"It has nothing to do with me? How can you say that when he’s my grandson? Protecting one’s progeny is the duty of an elder."
Pomegranate Granny lifted her cane, which emitted a burst of light from its tip, but before she could cast her spell, Hei Yao gently patted her shoulder,
"Wait, Granny. Don’t rush; she’s looking for me."
Hei Yao stood in front of Pomegranate Granny and asked:
"I wonder what grievance this young lady has with me, and who is this brother you speak of? I don’t recall ever having the pleasure of meeting such a beautiful young lady."
Iyas drew her bow tighter, "Don’t play dumb with me, you seem like a catch on the surface, but you know exactly the filth you deal with behind closed doors! I am the one you auctioned off to the Silver Orchid Commerce!"
Feigning remembrance, Hei Yao looked surprised, "You were that one from..."
"Looks like you finally remember! Answer me, where exactly did you take my brother? If you don’t want to answer, then go to hell!"
Iyas’s hand shook slightly due to the tightly drawn bowstring, and Hei Yao raised both hands to assure he would not resist,
"I’m truly sorry, but I didn’t want to sell you. I only do this job to scrape by..."
Before Hei Yao could finish, Iyas’s arrow screeched as it flew past him and pierced the ground beneath their feet,
"Stop with the useless talk, just get to the point, tell me where you took my brother!"