The Indomitable Martial God

The Weeping Shallows

The attendant started to leader the way up the stairs, when he reached the second floor he could see a big space hidden behind sound proof walls and a massive gate, this was the floor where things were being sorted out by the auction house. The third to fifth floor was where the bidding usually began, since it was three floors fitted into one, he had heard that on special occasions they would be filled to the brim.

The attendant looked over her shoulders the the young man she knew very little about. She knew his status and how he was seen, but personally she did not know more than that. Aside from the fact that he was cautious when selling the things he stole from the family he did not show any other emotion, but this time felt different. He asked to see the boss which no one ever did casually, the only reason she listened to his request was because of the boss's own request.

The boss had requested that whenever a member of the clan family requested to meet they should be allowed the chance. But maybe she was referring to the more prominent family members but since Ling was the only one who came by frequently it must have included him.

She hoped she would not lose her job because of him.

As they reached the sixth floor which Ling had never been to he could feel the eyes of the many other female workers on him, and also some people he knew were a bit somewhat notable. Most seemed to be big time business owners or loan sharks looking to make a profit. From the look of the way things were Long could tell that this was where the real customers were attended to, he was a bit insulted that he was not given this treatment from start despite being a royal. But then again like the illusionary dragon had said, he was a bugger and a prince all in one.

Speaking of the illusionary dragon it was now right up in his face waving it's finger before his eyes. "I've been observing you silently for a while now, care to tell me your plan?"

Ling simply shut his eyes and shook his head, dismissing the dragon. Soon the reached their destination on the sixth floor, within was a large number of small rooms covered only by curtains and not walls. The female attendant gestured for him to enter one of this curtained room, she pushed the curtain back gently, it's red fabric loosing with ease. Within the room was a long round sofa painted a light gold, in the middle was a small round wounden table covered in a beautiful silk cloth. On it was a complementary drink in a bottle that had yet to be opened and two cups turned upside down.

Ling was taken back by such luxury, "The mistress will be around shortly." The female attendant said before leaving.

Ling froze for a moment and asked. "Mistress, what mistress?" But she was already gone. He had expected this place to still be owned by the man he had seen in charge years ago. He walked to the middle of the room and pressed his hand on the sofa, feeling the fabric and the foam underneath, the softness and comfort that came with it made him want to sink into it but that was one thing Ling denied himself off— comfort.

A few minutes passed before someone came into the small room, Ling's attention was caught unawares as he heard the softest sweetest voice where say. "Honestly I never expected to deal with you, but father always said you should never expect what you expect."

Ling cranes his head back slowly to catch a young woman who gave a new definition to the word "beauty", she had pale white skin, red ruby lips long hair packed in rubber band and done in pig tails. There were two pink lilies tied to her hair, her dress was a flowing red garment with golden flower petals on them, it reached down to her legs barely hiding the silver sigh heeled sandals she had on. Her neck held a simple gold necklace, and her hand a silver ring bearing the mark of the auction house on them.

"Are women usually this beautiful?" He asked himself.

Currently the young woman before him pursed her lips together and puffed up her cheek, her eyes were a mix of worry and disappointment. It was clear that she did not want to deal with him, but then again she did not seem to want him to leave.

She finally relaxed herself and said. "Why don't you take a seat young lord fifth of the sky family?"

Ling looked at the sofa with a mix of expressions in his eyes. "Sorry, I tend not to treat myself to comfort. It would be a shame if I got soft."

She pulled out a small paper fan from her side and fluttered it in her face, with her hand she gestured for him to seat. "Here at the weeping shallows we seat when we do business, it is proper etiquettes so I'm afraid you will have to comply young lord fifth."

Ling shivered at the irritation of how she referred to him. "Please don't call me that, Ling is fine." He took his seat and just as he thought the comfort that came with it was heavenly but he did not let it show on his face. "I did not expect to see you, no offense but I thought a grumpy old man ran this place."

The young mistress of the auction house took her seat opposite him, she crossed one leg over the other and fanned herself gently as she addressed him. "That grumpy old man was my father, after leaving this auction house in a world of debt he vanished. I stepped in and only barely managed to clear them all so I would gladly appreciate it if you had something good to sell."

Ling felt a clump in his throat but she swallowed it down, before his was a young woman barely older than him holding up her father's business and keeping it from crumbling barely. That he found remarkable, "First I would like to know who I am dealing with."

The young woman swiped the paper fan shut in an instant and rested it under lower lip and said. "You are speaking to Li Yuan, mistress of the weeping shallows." She pointed her fan at the bottle of drink on the table and said. "It is customary for the mister or mistress of the auction house to pour the first cup, that can only be made possible when business has been settled."

Ling caught Li Yuan's gaze and returned it even stronger than before.

Li Yuan could feel something in his presence despite it being the first time she had meant him. She could only hope he could deliver.