NOVEL NEXT Chapter 161: Seven Guests
Cre-eak!
The heavy iron door, towering five to six meters high, slowly opened with a raspy sound as Sun Yan and Zhao Chuan Yi got out of the car.
A bald old white man, wearing a monocle, elegantly stepped out in a tailcoat to greet them, despite the heavy snow.
"Welcome, Mr. Jack, Mr. Zhao. My master has been expecting you for some time. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Xia Da Ymir, the steward of this castle."
The old man courteously and politely stepped forward to greet Sun Yan and Zhao Chuan Yi.
His every move showed he was well-practiced, as graceful as if he were in a movie, looking rather strange to behold.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Xia Da. Please take us inside; the weather here is too cold," Zhao Chuan Yi quickly said.
Wearing only a thin jacket, he was already turning slightly blue from the cold not long after getting out of the car, needing a warm place to thaw out.
He feared he might really end up freezing in this white land.
"Please follow me," Xia Da bowed and extended his arm, leading Sun Yan and Zhao Chuan Yi towards the castle door.
Zhao Chuan Yi hurriedly followed with large strides, but after only a few steps, he noticed Sun Yan, dressed equally lightly, though shivering in the cold, did not look as pale or blue.
"Do you young people have that good a physique?" Zhao Chuan Yi asked quizzically.
"I exercise regularly, so I can bear it for a bit," Sun Yan replied with a calm smile.
He had the 'Martial Arts Physique,' a divine power from the True Monarch of Pure Origin and Mysterious Dao. Such trifling coldness wasn't unbearable, unless exposed for one or two hours straight, which he could tolerate to some degree.
But, if it lasted longer, he too couldn't escape becoming a frozen icicle.
After all, he just had a Martial Arts Physique, not the 'Physical Body Ascension' of the True Monarch of Pure Origin and Mysterious Dao, which was a significant difference.
Upon entering the castle, a comforting warmth immediately greeted them, easing their stiff bodies.
"Whew!" Zhao Chuan Yi couldn't help but exhale a long breath, feeling as if soaking in a hot spring, utterly comfortable.
Though Ymir Castle lacked internet, it had electricity, with air conditioning running throughout and even aromatic wood burning in the fireplaces.
Heating such a large castle everywhere showcased the extravagant lifestyle of these old money western elites.
The day's carbon emissions were likely more than what an ordinary person would produce in half a lifetime.
Standing on the soft carpet and gazing at the walls adorned with numerous oil paintings, Sun Yan couldn't help but again ponder on the eternal truth: having money is truly wonderful.
In the castle hall, with its seven to eight-meter-high ceiling, a large crystal chandelier bathed the over a hundred-square-meter hall in resplendent light.
There, Sun Yan saw three unfamiliar individuals seated on the sofa.
The first was a short-haired white woman in a beige trench coat, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, appearing elegant and intellectual.
The second was a brawny black man in a leather jacket and jeans, playing with a Rubik's cube, his muscles so robust they stretched his jacket tight like a body-fitting suit.
The third was an aged Asian man, with gray-white hair, wearing a kimono, delicately sipping from a smoking pipe, although it held no tobacco.
"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Lady Monica, Mr. Brian, and Mr. Yamashita Kojiro," Xia Da slowly said. "Like you, they are guests here for the trade fair."
"So many people want that Wind Stabilizing Pearl? You must be joking, this is too competitive."
Hearing that these three were also guests wanting to purchase items, Zhao Chuan Yi was at a loss for words.
As he mentioned the Wind Stabilizing Pearl, the three previously in their own thoughts turned their focus to him.
Sun Yan asked Xia Da, "Where is Mr. Ymir? When will he arrive?"
"Once all the guests for the trade fair have arrived, Mr. Ymir will appear. Until then, please patiently wait here. The castle servants will provide anything you need – coffee, tea, red wine, or delicacies,
of course. If you get too bored waiting, you can relax in the entertainment room next door, with games like Texas Hold'em or mahjong – all your desires will be satisfied," Xia Da bowed again.
Sun Yan couldn't help but frown. These old money families really had class; they traveled from far and wide to trade with him, yet he played the game of seeing the dragon's head but not the tail.
As the castle owner, he wasn't even showing his face, playing mysterious. Who knew what concoction was in that gourd.
Sun Yan wasn't a gambling addict; since there were people still missing, he merely waited.
Sitting with Zhao Chuan Yi on an empty sofa, Sun Yan, with nothing to do, read a pre-downloaded TXT web novel, just to pass the time.
After a few hours, two more strangers entered from outside the hall.
One was a smiling, chubby middle-aged man with some facial fat, sporting gold teeth and a gold Rolex on his wrist.
His neck ostentatiously displayed a large jade necklace, exuding nouveau riche vibes.
Behind him was a girl in ordinary clothing with doe-like bright eyes, curiously observing her surroundings.
Wearing a pair of Converse sneakers and a black down jacket, she didn't seem like a client here to purchase the Wind Stabilizing Pearl, more like a college student home on holiday.
"Alright, today's guests are all here. Please don't fret, esteemed guests. I'll go invite the master to discuss important matters with you,"
Xia Da bowed to everyone present and, keeping his posture correct, headed to the second floor, soon disappearing down a corridor.
The hall's atmosphere instantly turned cold; the seven people present were all here for the Wind Stabilizing Pearl.
Which meant they were essentially rivals, with no eagerness for conversation now.
Feeling increasingly heavy-hearted, Sun Yan lamented internally that with only his million US Dollars in savings, he feared he couldn't compete for the Wind Stabilizing Pearl.
Even if he sold the gold coins he found in the box to make up the amount, it'd still be insignificant, unable to contend with truly wealthy people.
"Looks like I'll be a bystander..." Sun Yan whispered to Zhao Chuan Yi, letting out a sigh.
Zhao Chuan Yi patted his shoulder, consoling, "Don't worry, brother. There must be more than one Wind Stabilizing Pearl in this world. If we can't win the bid for this one, I'll help you find the location of a second. No big deal."
Being part of the Folklore Association for so long, Sun Yan knew, despite its few members, it was full of hidden talents and many experts.
Everyone had their networks. Once they utilized them, it was like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their unique powers, quite reliable indeed.
If connections in the Folklore Association were used, finding the whereabouts of a second Wind Stabilizing Pearl shouldn't be hard, though it might incur favors.
After all, not everyone in the Folklore Association was like Zhao Chuan Yi, having life-and-death camaraderie with Sun Yan.
Soon, a sound of rolling wheels came from the second floor.
Everyone looked up, seeing a tall, sexy blonde pushing a wheelchair from the corridor.
Sitting in the wheelchair was a bald old man in a cashmere nightgown, his eyes sharp, he smiled from behind the second-floor railing at the seven below, seated on the sofa, saying, "Welcome to Ymir Castle, distinguished guests. I'm Balian Ymir, the master of this castle."
The brawny black man, having awaited impatiently, saw the mysterious rich man finally appear.
He immediately stood up and unceremoniously said, "Mr. Balian, let's not waste our time. What's the price you're selling the Wind Stabilizing Pearl for? Just name it quickly."