Chapter 11: Why Should I Let You?

"Since almost everyone who was expected has arrived, the Divine Weapon Appreciation Meeting shall begin!" announced the Mo Xie Workshop publicly.

Instantly, everyone perked up, eager to lay eyes on this peerless sword. Two men carried a wooden stand to the front of the stage, which was draped in a red cloth. Mo Nianqiu pulled the cloth away, revealing a three-foot-long sword to the crowd. An icy chill emanated from it, causing onlookers to shudder involuntarily. The sword and its scabbard were placed separately. The blade bore black and white patterns, lending it an air of primitive simplicity.

"This sword appears to be unsharpened, does it not?" someone remarked, immediately identifying a flaw. "A sword without an edge—how is it meant to slay enemies?" "What is the Mo Xie Workshop playing at? Are we expected to sharpen the blade ourselves after purchasing it?" The crowd was filled with confusion.

Facing the skepticism, Mo Nianqiu merely smiled. "It seems you all have great doubts about this sword! Pray, look closely!"

Mo Nianqiu reached out and picked up the blade, nodding slightly to his subordinate. The man drew his own sword and swung it fiercely at Mo Nianqiu. Amidst the stunned gasps of the crowd, Mo Nianqiu countered with a single stroke, effortlessly snapping the attacker's weapon in two.

"Whoa—" The audience was thrown into an uproar. The weapon used by the disciple of the Mo Xie Workshop was already of top-tier quality, yet it had been severed with ease. Mo Nianqiu then displayed the sword to the crowd for closer inspection; there was not a single nick on its edge.

"This blade utilizes an entirely new forging technique. It is sharpened only along the two inches at the tip. While the rest of the blade is not honed, it can easily cleave through other weapons. Those who desire this sword may prepare to bid. The starting price is one hundred thousand taels of silver. Please, place your bids."

No further words were needed after such a demonstration. Sword masters were thoroughly captivated. Possessing a weapon of such immense power would significantly bolster their prowess. A typical sword would be at a disadvantage when clashing with other weapons, but this blade could cut through iron like mud. It was truly a peerless treasure that every master of the sword dreamed of owning. Shi Wushuang, a master swordsman himself, had eyes gleaming with desire; he was determined to win the blade.

"I bid two hundred thousand taels of silver!" someone shouted.

"I bid two hundred and fifty thousand! No one is to compete with me!"

"You think you can buy it for two hundred and fifty thousand? Dream on! How could such a divine weapon be worth so little? I bid three hundred thousand!"

Watching people shout out prices one after another, Qin Qingxue was struck with amazement. While she knew the sword was valuable—truly priceless, one might say—bidding hundreds of thousands of taels of silver was something few could manage.

Even Shi Wushuang’s expression grew grave. As the chief disciple of the Cloud Ridge Pavilion, having roamed the martial world for years, he was quite wealthy, but he had not expected the bidding to reach such heights. He had underestimated the attendees; they were the dignitaries of the Great Yuan Dynasty and the elite masters of the martial world, all backed by massive factions. Some might not have been peak martial artists, but they possessed great status, and holding such a sword was a symbol of that standing. After all, it was one of the finest blades forged by the Mo Xie Workshop in decades, a piece worthy of being a family heirloom. These people did not care about the intrinsic value of the sword; whoever could buy it proved their standing as a top figure in the capital. While they might plead poverty when the imperial court needed funds for disaster relief or war, they never considered the cost when it came to their own desires.

The price quickly climbed to five hundred thousand taels, and fewer people continued to bid. Shi Wushuang gritted his teeth and finally made his move: "Five hundred and fifty thousand taels!"

As soon as he spoke, all eyes turned to him. The previous bidder, a head of a noble clan, did not grow angry but smiled instead. "Since Young Master Wushuang has set his heart on this sword, I shall yield. This blade is indeed a perfect match for Young Master Shi Wushuang!"

"My thanks," Shi Wushuang said, bowing in acknowledgment.

"So Young Master Wushuang also fancies this sword. Now that he has entered the fray, who would dare compete with him?"

"With this sword, Young Master Wushuang will be like a tiger with wings, unmatched in the world!"

"Indeed, only Young Master Wushuang is worthy of wielding such a blade."

Mo Nianqiu was equally thrilled. The price the sword had fetched exceeded his expectations. He had initially thought three hundred thousand taels would be a respectable sum, given that many small to mid-sized families could not afford such an amount. Only the top noble houses could pay. After today, the reputation of the Mo Xie Workshop would reach new heights.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to bid higher? After I call out three times, if no one else bids, this sword shall belong to Young Master Wushuang," Mo Nianqiu announced loudly.

Qin Qingxue’s face lit up with joyful surprise. She cast a secret glance at Shi Wushuang, her eyes filled with adoration and worship. He was the man she loved, after all—not only handsome and suave but also extraordinarily generous. Shi Wushuang was also confident of victory, holding his head high and basking in the envious gazes of those around him.

"Three."

"Two."

Mo Nianqiu began the countdown.

"I bid six hundred thousand taels of silver!" a voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone was shocked, finding it utterly incredible. All eyes turned to the bidder. It wasn't that others couldn't afford a higher price, but they feared offending Shi Wushuang and, by extension, the Cloud Ridge Pavilion. No one else had bid simply to give Shi Wushuang face. They never expected anyone to dare challenge him.

"The Sixth Prince?" Seeing who had called out, they were even more astonished.

"Why would the Sixth Prince spend such a fortune on this sword?"

"Is he still nursing a grudge because Shi Wushuang took his woman?"

Shi Wushuang’s face darkened. He had already promised to pay off Qin Qingxue's debts, and now Li Ye was acting against him once more. He had fallen in love with the sword at first sight and was determined to have it, having already exhausted all his assets. Yet, Li Ye was interfering.

Suppressing his rage, Shi Wushuang looked coldly at Li Ye and said, word by word, "What is the meaning of this, Your Highness? Why must you compete with me for this sword?"

"This is a public auction; the highest bidder wins! What do you mean by 'competing'? Does this sword belong to you before the auction is even over?" Li Ye asked bluntly.

"That is not what I meant! I have practiced swordsmanship since I was young and I am very fond of this blade. Your Highness, you do not practice martial arts. I hope you will show some restraint and let me have it."

Shi Wushuang loved the sword so much that he even lowered his head to Li Ye in front of everyone. He knew that in terms of wealth, he was no match for Li Ye; he could only speak softly, hoping to persuade Li Ye to withdraw from the competition.