Climbing The Ranks As The Best Doctor

Chapter 7: The Auction

Far off in Ling City, a grand building stood tall. It was made of precious stones and expensive art.

It was dripping with wealth. The driveways were silver, the doors gold.

Even the doorknobs had rubies and sapphires.

It was the GOLDMASTER's place, though many didn't really know it.

Tonight, the auction would be held there. It wasn't just any auction; it was the event of the year, a gathering of the most powerful and influential people in the land. 

Invitations were coveted, and those who received them knew they had reached the pinnacle of society.

Important people from all over the country came. 

Dignitaries and royals arrived in their finest attire, their retinues trailing behind them like colorful banners.

Dukes and duchesses, princes and princesses, all eager to partake in the spectacle and perhaps acquire a rare treasure or two. 

Thankfully, the place was big enough for everyone who could afford to be there. 

The estate sprawled across acres of land, its gardens transformed into a glittering wonderland of lights and music. 

Fountains danced with colored water, sculptures gleamed under the moonlight, and exotic flowers filled the air with their intoxicating fragrance.

Servants in clean uniforms walked around, offering food and drinks. 

They moved with a practiced grace, their movements as precise and elegant as a well-rehearsed dance. 

They carried trays laden with delicacies from distant lands, rare wines that cost more than a commoner's life savings, and exotic fruits that were said to have magical properties.

Members of the Four Great Clans were also there. 

This showed how important the GOLDMASTER was, that even these ancient and powerful families would come to his event.

A man named Tomoe looked around in shock. He was nervous and amazed.

It was his first time at an event like this, and it felt huge to him. He felt small in a big ocean of wealth.

Tomoe wanted to make a name for himself.

Some people just wanted to buy things at the auction. They liked art and wanted to own the best things.

Others wanted to meet the GOLDMASTER. They hoped to get a good deal or make a powerful friend.

They were always looking for a way to get ahead.

Tomoe wanted people to notice him. He wanted to be important.

He walked into the auction hall, his heart beating fast.

The hall was bright and colorful. People were talking and glasses were clinking.

Crystal and gold lights hung from the ceiling, making the room glow.

The event was starting. Nobles were chatting and checking each other out.

You could feel the competition in the air.

Tomoe swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. He waved over a servant, a nice young woman, and took a glass of wine. It smelled like apples.

He took a sip, enjoying the taste. He tried to look calm, even though he wasn't.

Then, he walked over to a group of young men.

They were nobles from important families. Tomoe knew some of them.

"We just bought the forest north of our land, but it's only a few acres," one of them said, sounding proud.

"Bin Lai, that's nothing compared to what I gave my girlfriend," another said, sounding superior. "Don't compare yourself to me."

"I got the White Pearl," a third said, his eyes shining. "Do you know how rare that is? They might even sell it at the Auction."

Tomoe listened to their conversation.

Tomoe was from the Ling Family, who had power in the city.

"Ha! That's nothing compared to what I did!" Tomoe said loudly, interrupting them.

They looked surprised but let him join them. "Tell us, Junior Brother, what could you have done to beat us?" one asked, sounding doubtful.

Tomoe smiled and looked at them with mischievous eyes. "The Ling family is important enough to get the prize of dining with the GOLDMASTER himself," he said, feeling pleased.

The young men looked at each other. Then, they laughed.

Tomoe felt embarrassed and angry, but he stood his ground.

"That's disrespectful…" Tomoe said quietly, narrowing his eyes.

They were still laughing, but they had calmed down a bit.

Their laughter had gotten the attention of others, who were now looking at them. Tomoe knew he had to do something to fix the situation.

"I apologize, Junior Brother, but what you said was funny," one of them said, his voice mocking. "Isn't the Ling family one of the second tier nobles of this city?"

Tomoe nodded, not wanting to say anything that would make things worse.

The man laughed again. "Isn't your family too… modest to afford a ticket to the auction?

"Even Master Tai, who is hosting this, wants to win the prize. How can you compete? The Ling family is second-rate at best."

Tomoe was shocked and stumbled back. The others agreed, saying that the Ling family wasn't important enough to have a ticket.

It was a lie.

Tomoe had made up the story to get attention, but now he was in danger of embarrassing his family.

He clenched his fist, thinking hard.

He needed another lie to save himself, a lie that was even bigger than the first.

"You're wrong," Tomoe said smoothly, trying not to show how worried he was. "My family is close to Master Jin, the GOLDMASTER's right-hand man! Don't insult me!" He raised his voice, trying to sound angry.

It was a lie mixed with the truth. Everyone knew that the Ling Family and Master Jin both had power in Ling City. But Tomoe didn't really know Master Jin. He was hoping they wouldn't know the difference.

"Impossible…" one of them said, his eyes wide.

"Master Jin?" another whispered, sounding impressed.

"No way this kid knows the GOLDMASTER's right-hand man!" a third said, looking worried.

Tomoe heard the whispers and smiled to himself. He knew they believed him.

He added to the story.

"Master Jin even said I could meet the GOLDMASTER!" Tomoe grinned, looking at the shaken young men. He felt powerful because of his lie.

They had to take Tomoe seriously now. They were careful and respectful, not wanting to offend someone who knew Master Jin.

The others sighed, realizing they had underestimated Tomoe. They knew it would be foolish to anger someone who had the ear of Master Jin.

As Tomoe told his lie, a man watched him, holding a glass.

It was Shen.

"How easily people are fooled," Shen thought. "A simple lie, and they treat him like he's made of gold."

He thought about telling Jin, but he decided not to.

He wanted to see how far Tomoe would go with his lie, and whether these nobles were really that gullible.

Shen left the pillar and walked up to Tomoe Ling.

"My good man, you said you know Master Jin? How did you meet him?" Shen asked, smiling.