Chapter 58
Note: Early chapter release, thanks to Sakuradahl's support on Ko-Fi
Su Yao's hair was neatly cut short. He was dressed in a suit and leather shoes and standing beside Uncle Zhang and Mr. Jin, waiting for the auction to begin.
Uncle Zhang and Su Yao's grandfather had a deep relationship. His grandfather was once one of the famous Grand Taoist priests in the industry, and Uncle Zhang was the last major client his grandfather had helped before he retired. His grandfather risked his life to break the life-and-death situation for Uncle Zhang, forming an inseparable bond between the two.
Some time ago, Su Yao's grandfather passed away. Before his passing, he held Su Yao's hand and said, "Yaoyao, you must go to the capital. There is your tribulation and karmic affinity waiting for you."
Before he could elaborate on the tribulation and karmic affinity, Su Yao's grandfather passed away. Su Yao, with the help of his neighbors, laid his grandfather to rest. He then took his grandfather's letter and left the beautiful yet remote village he had lived in for more than a decade to meet Uncle Zhang in the capital.
Uncle Zhang warmly received Su Yao. After reading his grandfather's letter, Uncle Zhang immediately took him to visit the reclusive Qin Family's elder, who was rumored to have opened his heavenly eye.
Unfortunately, when they arrived, the Qin family told them that the elder had been called away and would not return for about half a month. Uncle Zhang had no choice but to let Su Yao stay at his house in the meantime, and they would fulfill Su Yao's grandfather's last wish once the elder returned.
Uncle Zhang treated Su Yao very well, like an honored guest. He even brought Su Yao to non-business events and introduced him to his friends. Although Su Yao had lived in the village for more than a decade, he had an air of elegance. Dressed in appropriate attire, his remarkable appearance and outstanding temperament were more pronounced, resembling a well-educated noble young master. Consequently, many business people were willing to strike up conversations with him.
Today, Uncle Zhang came to attend a private auction with Mr. Jin.
This auction house is never open to the public. For newcomers to join, they must be introduced by existing platinum members and undergo strict qualifications assessments. As such, those who can participate in the auctions are often well-known collectors. The items auctioned off in this house are usually rare and novelty goods, many of which bear an air of mystery and supernatural allure.
According to the information disclosed by the staff, there are a few of such items in this auction. Uncle Zhang pondered and thought that Su Yao, being the grandson of a once-famous grandmaster, might be able to discern the value of these items.
When Uncle Zhang suggested this to Su Yao in a consulting manner, he nodded in agreement. He had learned a great deal under his grandfather's tutelage from a young age. Even though Su Yao is still young, his experience would suffice in inspecting whether the auction items are safe.
The hype around this auction is immense. According to the staff, the event will present an item that its previous owner swore to protect unto death. It is said to be the most treasured item ever witnessed by the longest-serving auction house staff.
Upon hearing this from Uncle Zhang, Su Yao remained composed on the surface, but actually felt somewhat disdainful internally. As someone who studied the Taoist arts under his grandfather for many years, he had seen various rare and bizarre things, including so-called ancient artifacts.
Given his broad perspective and experience, he naturally did not show interest in an item described as a "treasure" by the auction house. In his view, the true treasures were the items his grandfather left him.
However, this item greatly stirred up interest among the auction house members. After all, even when the auction house had sold items such as the legendary Fuxi's demon-reflecting mirror and the Nine-Square Bronze Ding, they had never used such words.
There were many auction members today. However, after waiting for a long time, the auction house staff were nowhere to be found. The auction hall door remained closed, leaving everyone standing in the corridor without even chairs to sit on.
It was only five minutes before the auction's estimated start time that the usual auctioneer, leading a few members of staff, finally arrived.
The auctioneer was rather plain-looking and forgettable with a stock-standard smile plastered on his face. He bowed deeply to apologize to the esteemed guests who had been waiting for quite some time. "I'm sorry for the wait. We had some issues backstage that we had to resolve, which caused the delay. The auction will begin shortly. I assure you that the items up for auction today will be worth your while."
During his speech, Su Yao, with his keen eyes, noticed two staff members dragging something out from the backstage exit.
Due to the distance and obstruction by the banisters of the courtyard, he couldn't quite make out what they were carrying. However, by the sound of it, the object seemed quite heavy. A janitor followed them, constantly mopping the floor.
Though the staff members' actions weren't overt, they weren't particularly discreet either, so Su Yao wasn't the only one who noticed. A guest eyed the scene and couldn't resist asking, "Are your staff members cleaning up back there? Has the issue been resolved? I wouldn't want today's auction to be a letdown."
The auctioneer's smile deepened, "Rest assured, it was simply a small hiccup. An employee, led astray by temptation, attempted to steal one of our precious items up for auction, inciting a brief scuffle. Thanks to our security personnel, he was promptly stopped. After inspection, the item was found undamaged, and our auction can proceed as scheduled."
"So that's what happened," thought Su Yao, inferring that the object being dragged out earlier was likely the punished thief. He wondered whether the thief was alive or dead.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Jin's curiosity was piqued, and he asked impatiently, "What kind of piece could possibly tempt your staff to steal? This item must be incredibly interesting!"
His words echoed the thoughts of the vast majority of the audience.
The rarity of the auction house's collections was a fact well-known to those who had attended a time or two. Each viewing left them speechless. Yet, the auction house's staff members, from the auctioneer to the security personnel who maintained order, remained impassive amidst it all, like mere puppets.
Some regular auction attendees and longtime clients had never heard of such self-stealing incidents at this auction house. Could it be that even the most experienced staff of this auction house couldn't resist the allure of this object?
With that thought, all the complaints about the long wait evaporated and everyone was eager for the auction to begin.
The auctioneer opened the auction hall door as he spoke, the long string of keys in his hand jingling. Smiling at the crowd, he said, "Indeed, it is interesting. The piece that our staff member attempted to steal is the highlight of our auction, 'The Portrait of a Beauty'."
With that, he stepped into the auction hall, switching on the magnificent chandelier at the very top. Instantly, the entire venue was bathed in its splendid light, crowned with a warm halo.
Positioned at the door, with the large and silent lobby behind him, the unremarkable auctioneer flashed his programmed smile. Bending slightly, he extended a cordial invitation, "Please have your seats, ladies and gentlemen, the auction is about to begin."
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Mr. Su Yao, Uncle Zhang, and Mr. Jin were sitting together.
Uncle Zhang looked somewhat serious.
Although Su Yao felt an overall sense of unease about the auction house, the atmosphere was relatively peaceful and calm, so he didn't raise any objections. Seeing Uncle Zhang, who had been looking forward to the auction, suddenly turn somber, Su Yao couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Zhang, what's wrong? Ever since the auctioneer spoke, you've looked troubled. Is there something wrong with 'The Portrait of a Beauty'?"
Uncle Zhang tapped his forehead and frowned, "Look at my poor memory, I forgot to tell you. You're new to this circle, so you probably haven't heard the rumors. Not long ago, a wealthy businessman somehow acquired this portrait. Afterwards, he lost his appetite and not long after, was found dead at home, still clutching the portrait."
Su Yao was somewhat taken aback, "This portrait, with its obvious issues, it’s still being sold by the auction house?!"
Uncle Zhang sighed, "Ah, if people in this line of business were scared by these things, you wouldn't see so many people here buying things. Furthermore, some objects can be harmful when bought, but after being transformed by a Taoist, they can become valuable treasures. Your grandfather must have taught you this."
Upon further consideration, Su Yao found this to be true.
Uncle Zhang sighed again, "In the past, the auction house has sold items with a sinister reputation. But this is the first time they're selling an object associated with a death, without any exorcism performed."
Su Yao tried to reassure, "Knowing the unsettling nature of the painting, everyone will certainly have reservations and won't bid. You need not worry, Uncle Zhang."
Uncle Zhang, however, shook his head with a "you're still young" look, "Take a second look. Look at Mr. Jin, look at the people around, do they seem apprehensive?"
Su Yao looked around and saw that indeed, it was just as Uncle Zhang had said. While some people had very concerned expressions, others seemed even more excited. Like Mr. Jin who had come with them, under the lights, his chubby face glowed with an oily sheen of excitement.
Uncle Zhang was an old hand who had been immersed in this scene for many years. The actual concern he felt at the moment wasn’t shared with Su Yao. He was more worried that the portrait could attract not only the staff of the auction house but also potentially lead the spectators to lose control of themselves.
Fortunately, these people were generally equipped with jade pendants, pendants, bracelets, and other items to ward off disaster because of their regular contact with such items. Moreover, the auction house had promised to provide the highest protection to the customers onsite, so the situation should not get out of hand.
And he also had to admit, having access to this industry, his curiosity got the better of him. Even knowing the danger, he wanted to witness the so-called portrait and its purported power.
The auction was ongoing, with each item displayed being rarer than the last, and each starting price higher. The audience, however, seemed disinterested, their attention primarily on the final item after the previous host's stimulation. They had lost interest in items that would usually excite them, eagerly waiting for the last exhibit 'The Portrait of a Beauty'.
But the host on stage seemed oblivious to the crowd's emotions. He maintained his formulaic smile, even the corners of his mouth didn't waver, proceeding at a calm pace, showcasing and pricing each collection item in turn.
Just as the audience's patience was almost depleted, the auction finally brought forward the last collection item for bidding.
"Many verses in classical poetry lavish praise on a lady's beauty, 'Her fingers are like she loves the young onion, her mouth is like it contains cinnabar, she steps daintily, her charm is unparalleled in the world,' these lines are from the poem 'Peacock Flies Southeast.' Also, the Huangmei Opera has sung 'She is quiet as a flower reflected in water, moving smoothly like willows in the wind'."
As the host recited those lines with a poetic rhythm, the crowd sat up straighter. Their earlier fatigue due to the ordinary collection items was completely gone. Everyone's eyes were firmly fixed on the collection table under the small lamp, unwilling to miss even a second of the appearance of this exhibit.
"But, although these verses are beautiful, they completely fade in comparison to our beauty!"
The host pointed a finger in front of him at the table, his voice amplifying by several degrees: "Please now, ladies and gentlemen, appreciate the final collection item— 'Portrait of a Beauty'!"
A thunderous applause erupted in the venue immediately.
A glass case started rising slowly from the center stage, showcasing a well-framed picture.
As the stage ascended, the full view of the painting gradually unfolded before the spectators:
A figure was lying under a peach tree, draped in red clothing that seemed to sear the painting. A hand propped up their head, scattered with hair that was as black as the dawn before twilight. The visible wrist was as white as snow atop a mountain, eternal and unchanging.
Against the backdrop of the vibrantly blooming peach flowers, the beauty in the painting seemed alive, able to breathe. Even a slight smile hung on her crimson lips. The figure in the painting was so lifelike, it seemed not a static painting, but a living person.
This person had their eyes closed, tinged with light red at the corners. They were closed, yet captivating, disarming everyone with their beauty.
With the final ascent, the full view of the painting was finally revealed to all.
The entire hall held its breath in anticipation for this item. The audience was silent during this short minute; the venue was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
When the lifting platform finally stopped, a tiny mechanical sound was heard in the silence, a "click" so soft that it would never have been heard under normal circumstances, but in that moment, it was unmistakably clear.
As soon as the sound ended, the entire venue erupted in a roar so loud it felt as if the roof might be blown off.
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Author's note:
A certain unnamed Taoist master: ???? My wife's portrait has already been seen even before my arrival???? Author, bring me out!
I have a hunch that this world I'm building may turn out to be a bit long. orz
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