Chapter 457: Returning Home

"Envoy, the items you requested are ready," Gu Kaixian said respectfully, standing before a cart piled high with black crates at the entrance of the auction hall.

"The last five treasures were auctioned for a total of 25 million. Combined with your previous silver notes, the grand total is 220 million, all packed and secured for you."

25 million... This price, while not high, was within Chen Ling's expectations.

He had already drained the cash reserves of the five major syndicates, and the Big Dipper Syndicate also had a "coupon" he had given them. It was quite good that the lesser syndicates could bid this high.

"Which syndicates purchased them?"

"The highest bidders were the Big Dipper Syndicate and the Huang Family Syndicate. However, the Big Dipper Syndicate had a discount, so the Huang Family Syndicate ended up with the highest final transaction price," Gu Kaixian said, as if recalling something. "Yesterday, the young lady from the Huang Family Syndicate came looking for you. She said she wanted to buy small gold items from you... However, those were all sold out. After I informed her, she still bid 7.5 million for the last consigned treasure, saying she had made an agreement with you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ling remembered. When he first entered the city, the girl from the Huang family had mentioned buying small gold items from him, but he had forgotten about it after the auction. Although he still had a few gold pieces left from the private auctions, those were not for sale. Chen Ling was surprised that she paid over 7 million to acquire the last large treasure, just to fulfill their agreement.

Over 7 million was not a small sum for a non-top-tier syndicate. Chen Ling was somewhat surprised that she spent such a significant amount to honor an agreement made upon entering the city, especially knowing he was about to leave and she wouldn't gain any benefits.

Realizing he had fleeced her for several hundred thousand upon entering the city, Chen Ling felt a pang of guilt. After a moment's thought, he took out a note from his pocket, quickly wrote something, folded it, and handed it to Gu Kaixian.

"Please deliver this to the Huang Family Syndicate for me... Consider it a gift."

Gu Kaixian paused for a moment but then took the note, nodding. "Rest assured, Envoy, I will deliver it."

Chen Ling counted the boxes, confirmed none were missing, and was about to turn and leave when a small figure lightly floated down from a distance, landing on tiptoes with arms raised in a "perfect landing" pose.

Seeing the Harlequin just now join them, Chen Ling was puzzled.

"Where were you just now?"

Chen Ling naturally wasn't worried about the Harlequin's strength; hardly anyone in the main city of Hongchen could threaten him. However, when Red Heart 9 and Jian Changsheng were taking action earlier, he hadn't seen the Harlequin participate. Yet, the direction he flew from was towards the manor... So, what happened during that missing time?

"Ee-yah, ee-yah-ee-ah!" The Harlequin gesticulated wildly for a long time, but Chen Ling couldn't understand what he meant.

"...Never mind. The mission is complete, anyway."

Chen Ling, dragging the cart loaded with silver notes with one hand and patting the Harlequin's shoulder with the other, looked towards the main city gate of Hongchen, his eyes fixed from beneath the golden mask.

"Fifth Senior Brother, it's time for us to go home."

With sales totaling 220 million, and having conveniently helped the Twilight Society establish a foothold in Hongchen Main City, Chen Ling's training journey down the mountain was now complete. It was time for his role as the Golden Society's envoy to end.

The Harlequin blinked, then excitedly raised his hands. "Ee-yah!!"

Huadu Syndicate.

The sun was setting, and the light visibly dimmed. Under a deep blue sky that resembled the bottom of the ocean, the desolate manor lay lifeless.

"Chairman... our people completely lost them," a bodyguard said cautiously, stepping forward. "Their last known location seemed to be near the Big Dipper Syndicate."

In the corridor, Zong Wen, who was overlooking the unrecognizable garden below, clenched his fists tightly, a fierce glint flickering in his eyes.

"Mu Chunsheng... Do you really think our Huadu Syndicate is made of clay?!"

"There's something else about the Big Dipper Syndicate..."

"Speak."

"Today's events have already been published in the evening newspaper by the Big Dipper Syndicate. Public opinion outside is very unfavorable to us. Furthermore, with the Big Dipper Syndicate's comprehensive blockade against us, many of our affiliated artists have begun to make subtle moves..."

The bodyguard paused, then continued, "Privately, they all think... that the Huadu Syndicate won't last much longer."

"Nonsense!!!"

This statement completely ignited Zong Wen's fury. The white-haired old man was incandescent with rage!

"It's all damned nonsense! I won't lose!! Those artists are just trying to use this opportunity to escape my control... Don't forget! Where would they be today without me, Zong Wen?!"

Zong Wen's eyes were bloodshot. The ceramic teacup in his hand was violently smashed to the floor. After a crisp sound, tiny fragments scattered in all directions, and the entire corridor fell into a deathly silence.

Zong Wen glared at the fragments on the floor, then his gaze shifted slightly, noticing Liu Qingyan, dressed in a black dress, standing behind him. His eyes narrowed slightly.

He stepped over the debris, seized Liu Qingyan's pale neck, and forcefully pressed her against the wall!

"You! You useless good-for-nothing, why couldn't you keep the envoy?!"

Liu Qingyan's hair was disheveled over her shoulders from the impact, vaguely obscuring her face. She didn't resist, her eyes calmly fixed on Zong Wen's furious, red eyes, uttering not a sound.

"You want to escape my control too, don't you?! You wanted to curry favor with the envoy, but he didn't appreciate your efforts..."

"Do you also think I'm going to lose?! Are you trying to seize this opportunity to run away?!"

Zong Wen vented his fury on the young woman. He glared at her exquisite face and her eyes, as calm as autumn water. After shouting a few more curses, he finally relaxed somewhat.

He took a deep breath and released Liu Qingyan's neck, leaving a red handprint on her pale skin.

Zong Wen narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Liu Qingyan. After a moment, he slowly asked the bodyguard beside him:

"Where is the envoy?"

"He has already left the city."

Zong Wen nodded slightly. He cupped Liu Qingyan's chin with one hand, speaking in a cold, unquestionable tone: "...Come to my room."

Having said that, he turned and walked towards the private room at the end of the corridor, as if a fire raged within him, seeking a place for furious release.

Liu Qingyan stood amidst the scattered fragments, slowly turning her head to watch Zong Wen's retreating back. A cold glint flashed in her eyes.

She glanced deeply in the direction Chen Ling had departed, as if making a decision. Lightly lifting the hem of her black dress, she walked silently, like a phantom, towards the room.