Climbing The Ranks As The Best Doctor

Chapter 11: Who’s the Real Master?

Just then, a sudden shift in the atmosphere swept through the room, a palpable wave of tension that caused heads to turn abruptly. 

A certain person had entered the hall, someone whose influence was so profound that even the most seasoned nobles felt a tremor of unease. 

Some people pointed subtly in his general direction, whispering his name, but none dared to call him out directly.

Master Tai had finally arrived.

He was dressed in exquisite robes, a smooth black silk that flowed like liquid night, adorned with intricate golden embroidery that depicted mythical creatures and his clan symbol.

He moved with a practiced grace, his every gesture radiating authority. 

After all, he was the host of this event, and he carried the weight of that responsibility with an air of effortless command.

Everyone in the room seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for his next move.

Except, of course, for Shen, who popped another candied grape into his mouth with a nonchalant air. 

He watched Master Tai's arrival with detached amusement, as if observing a particularly theatrical performance. 

The sweet, sticky juice of the grape burst on his tongue, tangy and sweet.

“Hmmm…” he moaned in pleasure.

Master Tai’s gaze slid to him sharply, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused on Shen. 

It was a look that could have withered lesser men, but Shen simply met his stare with an unreadable expression.

"You," he said smoothly, his voice carrying through the hall with a subtle but unmistakable authority. "You’ve been quite the... entertainer tonight." The word "entertainer" dripped with a thinly veiled sarcasm, a clear indication of his displeasure.

Shen raised an eyebrow, his eyes locking with Master Tai's in a silent challenge. 

He nonchalantly popped another candied grape into his mouth, savoring the sweetness, then looked away from Master Tai with an air of profound disinterest. 

He treated the most powerful man in the room as if he were nothing more than a minor annoyance.

"I try," Shen said, his voice casual and unconcerned. "Some of us were born to be beautiful, others to be funny. I’m both, tragically." He delivered the line with a self-deprecating tone that only served to further infuriate Master Tai.

The nobles gasped loudly, their faces a mixture of shock and outrage. 

Someone actually dropped their glass of wine, the red liquid staining the expensive carpet. 

But Tai didn’t react outwardly. He wasn’t some petty noble who easily fell for the provocation of mere words. 

He was a master of manipulation, and he wouldn't allow himself to be baited by Shen's flippant remarks.

"You’re causing unrest at a sacred event," Tai said coldly. “Out of respect for the GOLDMASTER, I won’t have you dragged out… yet. Leave. Now!”

The crowd exhaled collectively, a wave of relief washing over them. Finally, someone with authority was taking control of the situation. 

They had been growing increasingly uncomfortable with Shen's disruptive behavior, and they were eager to see him silenced.

Shen stretched, cracking his knuckles. “I would… but then I’d miss the fun part.” He grinned.

He reached under the seat and pulled out the auction catalog, its pages filled with descriptions of rare and valuable items. 

He began going through the pages with deliberate slowness, as if searching for something specific on the auction list.

“Item 17. Frost Gem,” he said aloud, his voice carrying clearly through the hall. “Supposedly recovered from the Glacier Caverns of Northern Taishu.” He paused, then chuckled derisively.

He held the catalog up for the room, displaying the picture of the Frost Gem for all to see. “That gem has been on permanent display in the National Ice Museum since 1937. I saw it myself last year. They even let tourists see it for just a small f*e.” He delivered the information with a casual air, as if pointing out an obvious fact.

Tai’s eye twitched almost imperceptibly, a sign of his growing frustration.

But Shen didn't stop there. He flipped to page four, his fingers moving with deliberate precision.

“Item 31. Sunset Jade. Marketed as one of a kind, correct?” Shen tapped the picture in the catalog, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Too bad it’s currently embedded in the statue of Prince Lang in the Eternal Jade Museum. That piece has never left its case. Ever!”

Now the murmurs in the crowd turned dangerous, their voices filled with suspicion and anger. 

They were beginning to realize that something was terribly wrong.

Collector Wei, who was previously red with embarrassment from Tomoe's disgraceful acts, quickly snatched the catalog from Shen's hand and pulled out his tablet like a man possessed. 

He began frantically comparing the items in the catalog with his own extensive database of artifacts.

“Wait… he’s… he’s telling the truth?” Wei muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. “He’s not just right… he’s painfully right. These items are stolen, forged, or misrepresented. This catalog is…” He trailed off, unable to articulate the full extent of the deception.

“Suspicious as hell,” Shen finished for him, casually leaning back in his chair. “But hey, what do I know? I’m just the poor entertainer with good eyes.” He shrugged, as if dismissing the whole matter as inconsequential.

Master Tai’s forced smile twitched, revealing a glimpse of the fury that lay beneath the surface.

 His voice dropped in cadence, becoming even more menacing. “Guards. Detain him.” He issued the command with a chilling calm, his eyes fixed on Shen.

Ten armed men immediately stepped forward, their movements swift and coordinated. 

Weapons were held at the ready, and cuffs were produced, ready to lock Shen's wrists. 

Some nobles gasped and shouted in protest, while others watched with morbid curiosity. 

Even Rosa, who had been watching everything with deep concern etched on her face, stood up in surprise, her eyes filled with alarm. 

She couldn't stop Shen from being arrested, not by this man.

But even as the guards advanced, their faces grim and determined, Shen didn’t move. 

He didn't blink, or even flinch in the slightest. 

He remained utterly unconcerned, as if he were immune to their threats.

Instead, he glanced lazily towards the hallway, a flicker of relief crossing his face.

“Ah. He’s here.”

The doors swung open with a dramatic flourish, revealing a figure that silenced the entire room.

A gust of cold air rolled in, followed by a man dressed in the darkest shade of black that was possible.

It was a simple but impeccably tailored fit, conveying an understated elegance.

The fabric seemed to absorb the light, making him appear almost like a shadow.

It was Master Jin.

Master Jin was young, yet his eyes held a depth of knowledge and experience that made him look well beyond his age. 

His steps were calm, calculated, and easy, each movement conveying a sense of control. 

Many in the room didn't know who he was, but a select few did, and those few quickly stood up sharply, their faces paling with fear. 

No one had seen him in public in years, and his sudden appearance sent a shockwave through the gathering. This was no ordinary man.

This was the Shadow Emperor of Ling City, the man who controlled the city's underworld with an iron fist.

The guards halted mid-step as they recognized who it was, their faces frozen in a mixture of fear and respect. 

They knew that defying Master Jin was a death sentence.

“Stop,” Master Jin commanded, his voice soft but carrying with an undeniable authority. 

A single word was all it took, and all obeyed, even Master Tai. 

No one was above his authority.

Master Tai quickly bowed, his face a mask of righteous fury and a fake humility. “Master Jin! Thank heavens you’ve come. This man, he’s been causing chaos. Lying and disrupting the sacred auction. Spreading wild accusations. He even dared insult the GOLDMASTER’s name!” He gestured accusingly at Shen, his voice dripping with indignation.

The crowd nodded along, eager to curry favor with Master Jin. Of course they would, they would rather take favor with Master Tai than some nobody they knew nothing about. Their loyalty was fickle, easily swayed by power and influence.

Master Jin’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing.

“This auction… was meant to honor the GOLDMASTER.” He spoke slowly, like Tai was a dumb child.

“Yes!” Tai said, his voice waveriu6in rage. “And it’s being blemished by that nobody!”

Master Jin exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. 

He turned, looking about the room, his eyes searching for the one responsible for this madness. And then, he saw him.

Shen tilted his head and smiled lazily, his eyes meeting Jin's. 

It was a simple gesture, but it sent a shockwave through Jin's entire being.

‘My lord,’ Jin thought, his entire body freezing. His eyes widened slightly, betraying his surprise. His fists clenched, his lips trembled. ‘What is he doing here now?’