Chapter 142: Uninvited Guest! (1/2)
“85000!”
“88000!”
“90000!”
“100,000!”
“110,000!”
…
In a brief moment, the price of the sword had already soared beyond a hundred thousand, taking even Li Lin was taken by surprise. At eighty thousand gold taels, this saber was already twofold the price of the sword sold previously. As such, Li Lin thought that most would be hesitant to bid.
However, from the look of it, a month of anticipation had fed the crowd’s desire. Furthermore, the idea of it being ‘exclusive’ had stimulated their interest in the auction.
“115,000!”
“118,000!”
“120,000!”
…
The bid was still increasing rapidly, and those spectators couldn’t help but feel thrilled by the sight. It wasn’t everyday that one got to see the sales of a valuable top-notch saber.
The sabers outside were only worth a maximum of six hundred gold taels. Only in the Imperial Army could one see weapons that were worth several ten thousand gold taels. Even though it was expensive, many interested people had started preparing for this auction since over half a month ago, some even diving straight into action after witnessing the battle between Commander Zhao and Commander Huang.
“It’s too thrilling! 120,000 gold taels, that’s more than three times the price of the previous sword!”
“Can’t you tell how valuable that saber is? Even the material used is two times that of the previous sword! Furthermore, this is the first saber master crafted. Even if one chooses not to wield it, its price will definitely rise with time, reaping one immense profit in the future!”
“Did you see that? That’s Commander Jing! Even Commander Jing is here! He’s from a true prestigious clan with great affluence and a long history. The Jing Clan has already been one of the top clans since the Sui Dynasty, it isn’t something that other clans outside can match up to!”
“Indeed! Even though the Jing Clan has kept a low profile, causing it to be less known than the other clans out there, it is, in the truest term, a behemoth! 120,000 gold taels means nothing to a clan of that level.”
“That’s true! There’s the Bai Clan as well. If I recall correctly, this seems to be their sixth generation of Imperial Army commander? There’s no way they would allow this opportunity slip by them! To think that the demand for the Wootz steel sword would be so great!”
…
At the back of the hall, the faces of the spectators were red in agitation, and they seemed even more excited that those involved in the auction. To spectate such bustle with just ten gold taels was indeed a worthy trade!
Who in the Imperial Army would care about ten mere gold taels?
“139,000!”
“140,000!”
“141,000!”
“142,000!”
“142,500!”
…
There was a limit to the price of every single weapon. When the price reached 140,000 or so, the increment started to slow.
Clearly, in the crowd thought that the true value of this weapon was around 150,000 gold taels, or at the very least, not exceeding that amount.
“Not bad!”
Seated behind Li Lin, Zhao Fengchen nodded slightly. This price was already way beyond his expectations. It seemed like the popularity of the Wootz steel sword was truly immense in the Imperial Army.
“Hehe!”
Upon seeing this sight, Li Lin couldn’t help but chuckle. This price may seem decent, but Wang Chong had explained to him about the uniqueness of this saber was. Infused within it was a whole new advanced technology, and it had gone through an additional refinement process as compared to the previous sword sold.
Back then, Li Lin’s sharp senses told him that this could serve as an impetus for further bring up the price.
“Everyone, speaking of which, I have yet to show you all the weapon. Thus, allow me to present it to all of you!”
Li Lin suddenly grabbed the handle of the saber and pulled on it lightly.
Klang!
A crisp sound reminiscent of the call of a mighty dragon seeped into the hearts of the spectators. Then, a cold gleam similar to the dance of a wyrm flashed across the ceiling of the hall. In an instant, the light in the entire room dimmed, as though their radiance were stolen.
Everyone’s heart abruptly stopped at this instant. What Li Lin grasped in his hand was a uniquely-designed long saber. It was a seven chi long, and from the hilt to the very tip, it was precisely two fingers wide. The slight arc of the saber brought out an enchanting aesthetics to it.
What that took their breaths away was the bewitching flowing river and fleeting clouds pattern on the surface of its blade. No one would say a word if one claimed that it had reached the apex of beauty. Yet, at the same time, it exuded an aura of callousness, and it felt as though it would escape from Li Lin’s grasp at any moment to strike them down. A cold and savage aura struck the hearts of the crowd.
In an instant, the bustling hall fell absolutely silent.
Zhao Fengchen was in the midst of bringing a cup of tea to his lips when he saw the saber, and he froze. Due to the lack of time, he didn’t get a chance to view the saber when Li Lin first brought it in.
He thought that since the two were both Wootz steel weapons, the only difference would be in their exteriors. However, at this moment, Zhao Fengchen realized that the saber in Li Lin’s hand was very much different from his sword.
And this wasn’t just a matter of the design!
Shua!
Upon seeing that he had succeeded in grasping the attention of the entire hall, Li Lin nodded in satisfaction. Shua! Grasping the blade with just his right hand, Li Lin did a light vertical cut.
His movement wasn’t large, but the effects that this cut brought was astonishing.
Hu!
The temperature in the hall abruptly lowered. Originating from where Li Lin stood, a huge wind suddenly blustered. The peaceful air current in the room turned chaotic with a slight jerk of Li Lin’s wrist.
The air seemed to have been cut into innumerable pieces, and even the wooden debris around the black metal table started flying in the air, turning in a circular motion as though it was swept by a vortex.
The two commanders by Zhao Fengchen’s side who had been watching the entire spectacle nonchalantly suddenly narrowed their eyes, and their faces suddenly changed.
Exceedingly sharp!
Li Lin’s cultivation was far superior to Wang Chong’s, causing the stir caused by his vertical cut was much greater than that of Wang Chong’s.
Everyone in the room was an expert, and with a glance, they could tell that the sword had been sharpened to the extremities. Even Zhao Fengchen’s sword couldn’t start to compare with it!
“Ah! My clothes!”
One of the Imperial Army members attending the auction suddenly exclaimed. Lowering his head, he glanced at the undershirt, which was slightly exposed out of his armor, in shock.
Unknowingly, his undershirt had been torn apart by the wind Li Lin’s saber had generated!