Once the final hammer fell, the grandeur of the Grand Radiance Auction Hall began to dim.
The chatter of nobles and cultivators faded as attendants guided them out, but Bai Zihan did not leave with the crowd.
Instead, he rose unhurriedly and made his way deeper into the hall, past velvet curtains and guarded corridors, toward the private chambers where only the highest dealings were conducted.
The scent of sandalwood lingered faintly in the air as he stepped into the manager’s office.
There, waiting with a jade ledger and several sealed chests stacked neatly at his side, was the Manager.
"Young Master Bai," The manager greeted with a deep bow, his hands carefully resting atop the ledger.
"The calculations have been finalized."
Bai Zihan nodded slightly, settling into the chair prepared for him.
The Manager opened the jade ledger, his fingers moving swiftly across the abacus beside him.
"The Celestial Feather Fan fetched ten million gold, as you know. Deducting the auction house’s fees..."
He paused for a slight bow, a hint of reverence in his tone.
"We’ve kept your commission at the minimum—0.1 percent—given the nature of the artifact you brought in."
Bai Zihan arched his brow. Normally, it would have been 5 % or more depending on the item.
"After all deductions, including the amount you bid for items, your earnings amount to twenty million gold."
The manager continued, his voice almost trembling with excitement.
What Bai Zihan had made was more than all the other auction items combined.
This was also the first time the manager had seen any single individual earn such a staggering amount.
If not for the money deducted from Bai Zihan’s own bids on a few high-priced items, his net income would have been closer to thirty million.
But he had nothing to complain about; after all, the auction had earned a fortune thanks to Bai Zihan’s aggressive bidding.
With ten million gold spent, Bai Zihan also became the single highest spender of the event.
Highest earner and highest spender—titles that shouldn’t have gone together, yet somehow Bai Zihan was that person.
A faint, approving smile curved Bai Zihan’s lips.
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
Bai Zihan rose smoothly to his feet, brushing an invisible speck of dust from his sleeve.
"If that’s all, then I’ll be on my way."
He turned, already moving toward the door, when the manager’s voice hurried after him.
"Young Master Bai, please wait a moment!"
Bai Zihan paused, his gaze sliding back lazily over his shoulder.
The manager bowed deeply, both hands presenting a small lacquered box.
With utmost care, he opened it, revealing a jade-etched token shimmering faintly with golden light.
"This is the Grand Radiance Hall VVVIP Card," the manager explained reverently.
"It is issued only to our most honored patrons. With it, you will be granted a twenty percent discount at any of our branches throughout the Desolate Heaven Empire. Please take it!"
Bai Zihan glanced at the card, then casually took it, slipping it into his sleeve as though it were nothing more than a trinket.
"And if, in the future, you wish to consign more treasures... Please, consider our Grand Radiance Auction House first. We will ensure you the finest rates, no matter the rarity or grade."
Bai Zihan studied him for a brief moment, then waved a hand dismissively.
"Sure, sure. We’ll see."
Without giving it another thought, he strode out of the sandalwood-scented chamber, his figure soon swallowed by the guarded corridors beyond.
The manager remained bowing long after Bai Zihan had gone.
Wealth was a fickle thing.
Money in hand was nothing but stagnant water. Left untouched, it would eventually turn foul.
But when set into motion, it became a tide that could wash away obstacles and carve out new paths.
Bai Zihan understood this well.
Five million gold was placed into Kong Zhanghong’s hands.
It was meant for the Black Lantern Society—to expand its influence and plant ears across the empire so that no whisper would escape Bai Zihan’s reach.
Whether it was establishing teahouses, bribing officials—anything that could be bought with money. And there weren’t many things that couldn’t be.
Kong Zhanghong’s hands trembled as he accepted the heavy coffer.
His chest surged with emotion—not just from the weight of the fortune, but from the trust placed upon him.
He dropped to one knee, bowing low, his voice solemn.
"This subordinate will not disappoint. I will make sure that even a whisper doesn’t escape from my grasp!"
Bai Zihan merely nodded his head.
While Kong Zhanghong was obviously exaggerating, Bai Zihan knew that he was capable. There was no doubt about that.
The second portion of his fortune, another five million, he directed toward a more audacious gamble.
"Bet it on the Dragon and Phoenix Competition," Bai Zihan said.
Kong Zhanghong blinked, startled. "...Bet, Young Master?"
"Yes." Bai Zihan’s gaze was as calm as still water. "All on the one who will take first place."
Kong Zhanghong’s mind whirled. He thought who Bai Zihan might be placing the bet on.
The name hit Kong Zhanghong like a hammer. He froze, staring at Bai Zihan, unsure if he’d misheard.
If Bai Zihan had said Bai Xueqing—his own sister—Kong Zhanghong would have understood immediately.
(Why does the Young Master trust this guy so much?)
"Young Master," Kong began cautiously, "with all respect... are you certain? Betting on your sister, Lady Xueqing, would be the safer choice. But Nie Fengzhuo—"
The certainty in Bai Zihan’s voice cut off all protest.
Kong Zhanghong swallowed hard, then bowed.
"...Understood. I will arrange it at once."
He turned swiftly to leave, but unease gnawed at him.
Why Nie Fengzhuo? Why did Bai Zihan trust this outsider more than even his own blood?
Still, orders were orders.
He immediately went to fulfill Bai Zihan’s orders.
He summoned his lackeys, instructing them to spread the bets across multiple betting houses.
After all, no single establishment could handle a wager worth five million.
Dozens of couriers were dispatched in secret, each carrying a carefully portioned sum.
Like seeds scattered across fertile soil, the bets were sown throughout the empire.
If Bai Zihan’s prediction proved true, the harvest would be beyond imagination—fifty million in winnings, perhaps even more.
Kong Zhanghong exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing.
Whether his Young Master’s judgment was divine foresight or reckless madness... soon, he would find out.