Early September. The air gradually chilled.
A thin figure in a black trench coat slowly approached the Jiangbei Auction House.
He had short hair and a sparse beard, standing 182 cm tall. With sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, he was a handsome and imposing force.
His eagle-like eyes stared at the skyscrapers, stained blood red by the sunset.
"It's been five years, and I, Xiao Chen, have finally returned!"
As soon as he spoke, a burly man hurriedly approached him. The figure bowed deeply and spoke:
"Your Highness, it's been checked out. The Xiao family's treasured heirloom, the Hongmeng painting, is going to be auctioned off here at the Jiangbei auction house today!"
Xiao Chen clenched his fists, his eyes full of emotions. In an instant, the clouds surged, and the wind howled; a loud thunder rolled overhead. Within a hundred miles, the temperature dropped a dozen or so degrees, with layers of frost condensing on the grass.
Five years ago, the Xiao family was one of the most prominent figures in Jiangbei!
However, just because Xiao Chen married Liu Yunxuan, daughter of the most prestigious family of the magic capital, it incurred events that led to the massacre of an entire family. Overnight, they were glorious no more as blood flowed like a river!
Lu Qiran!
From one of the most prominent houses in the Yan Kingdom, the first-in-line heir to the Lu family was deeply obsessed with Liu Yunxuan!
With the momentum and help from the Lu household, he was able to single handedly ruin the Xiao family!
It had been five whole years, but every night Xiao Chen could always remember the sly expression on Lu Qiran's face!
"Liu Yunxuan, let me tell you! There isn't a woman in this world that I, Lu Qiran, cannot attain! If I can't have you, then nobody else can! Today, I will eliminate the entire family of this waste called Xiao Chen. I will make you witness as I break each and every one of his bones!"
What made Xiao Chen's heart ache even more was the pain of watching his parents die before his own eyes and the helpless expression of his wife!
"Xiao Chen, was it? You dare touch the girl I have my eyes on? Why don't you take a piss and look at your reflection? What do you count as? Are you qualified to compete with me? Breaking all your bones will only be the beginning! I want you to watch me suffocate your parents to death! Hahaha... You're just a dog, and you've pissed this young master off! This young master will turn your entire family into dog meat!"
The most ironic thing was that the person who had disclosed his marriage to Liu Yunxuan was his uncle—his real uncle!
For a prosperous future—for glory, splendor, wealth, and rank—they had recruited the devil. He stood and watched alongside Lu Qiran as he murdered his family!
That night, Xiao Chen could only roar with his hoarse voice!
That night, Xiao Chen was thrown like a dead dog into the Yangtze!
That night, a part of Xiao Chen had been extinguished, leaving only resentment!
If he hadn't run into his master, Xiao Chen would long be dead and feeding the fishes with his body. There wouldn't even be a shard of bone left.
He took a deep breath, a cold gaze enveloping his eyes.
He placed his hands behind his back and stepped inside the auction house.
"From this moment, nobody can enter the Jiangbei auction house. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without question!"
"Yes!"
The Hongmeng painting was the Xiao family's heirloom. In the previous generation, it was passed on to Xiao Chen's father instead of his first uncle and third uncle.
If the incident hadn't happened three years ago, it wouldn't be where it is now. Perhaps… it might even already be in Xiao Chen's possession?
At this moment, the auction was in progress with the Hongmeng painting.
...
"Three hundred million! Young Master Chen bids three hundred million. Who is willing to pay a higher price?"
"Three hundred million, going once!"
"Three hundred million, going twice!"
"Three hundred million, going thrice! Deal! Congratulations Young Master Chen, you've successfully bid on the Hongmeng painting! That concludes this auction!"
Everyone congratulated the man in a bespoke suit sitting in the front row.
"Congratulations, Young Master Chen, on attaining the Hongmeng painting!"
"In all of Jiangbei, perhaps only Young Master Chen is qualified to afford this Hongmeng painting."
"Of course! The Chen family is Jiangbei's pillar of support! Aside from the Chen family, who else could casually take out 300 million to buy this painting?"
Basking under everyone's praise, the young man smiled indifferently. He adjusted his collar and smiled toward everyone.
"It is with the love and support from my friends that I am able to easily attain this Hongmen painting today! At noon, I will be hosting a banquet at the Jiangbei Hotel to express my gratitude. I hope you all can grace me with your presence!"
"Of course, of course. How could we deny young master Chen's invitation?"
"Young Master Chen has the air of a noble family; no wonder he is the first heir of the Chen family. It seems like the new Chen family head is just around the corner!"
The corners of Young Master Chen's lips curved. He couldn't hide the satisfaction in his gaze.
Grandfather Chen creased his brows at the Hongmeng painting. It's a shame that the Xiao family was so reluctant to sell it back in the day.
Now that the Xiao family has been eliminated, the Hongmeng painting has been auctioned off by the first and third sons of the Xiao family. They had taken the auction as an opportunity to win grandfather Chen's favor. This way, their position in the Chen family's future will be even more solidified!
Just as their excitement was building, a handsome figure burst through the main entrance!
Looking at the Hongmen painting, the pair of cold, icy eyes seemed to redden slightly.
Once upon a time, his grandfather and father would only unfold the Hongmen painting after festival celebrations to tell of its story!
Yet, it's being contested by a group of vulgar peasants.
The magnificent painting was just like the Xiao family at one point: a small boat drifting in the wind and rain.
How could it end up like this?
He took a deep breath and calmed himself. Xiao Chen began to speak.
"I will take the Hongmeng painting!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it was dominating. It echoed throughout the spacious auction hall.
The flattering voices of the audience stopped; everyone cast their eyes on Xiao Chen.
"Who is this guy? Is his brain damaged?"
"Yeah, the auction is over, yet he's still here?"
"So what if the auction is over? The Hongmeng painting has been selected by Young Master Chen! If he can quarrel with Chen Shao, you won't even know if you died!"
Young Master Chen crinkled his brows and looked at Xiao Chen from head to toe. He couldn't tell what brand Chen Xiao was wearing, and couldn't help but reveal a snide glance.
"What year is it that any street cat or dog can crawl into this place? Hey auctioneer, pack this Hongmeng painting for me immediately. I don't have time to waste!"
"Yes!"
The auctioneer immediately called up the staff to pack up the Hongmeng painting.
But just as this was happening, Xiao Chen began to speak once again.
"Let me be clear. I want the Hongmeng painting!"
Once he spoke, chaos erupted in the hall.
"F*ck! Did water get into this guy's brain? We already told himYoung Master Chen bought it. What does he want to do?"
"Stirring up trouble here, is he not afraid of being beaten to death?"
Young Master Chen glared at Xiao Chen with a deathly gaze.
He faced the auctioneer with his back while gesturing:
"Pack it up first!"
He then placed one hand behind his back and pointed at Xiao Chen's nose with the other.
"I don't care which sewer you crawled out from! Let me tell you, don't start sh*t with me! This Hongmeng painting has been purchased by this young master, me! You should open your eyes to reality while you can, or else don't blame me for not showing hospitality!"
As soon as his words fell, Xiao Chen's eyes shifted slightly and a cold gleam burst out, straight through Young Master Chen's chest.
Young Master Chen's body hit the floor with a loud thump, his enlarged eyes full of confusion.
Up until his death, he didn't even know what had happened to him!
"Now, you can't buy it!"
Xiao Chen calmly walked past him toward the auctioneer. He grabbed the Hongmeng painting with one hand from the petrified auctioneer. He was too scared to even breathe!
It wasn't just him, but everyone in the entire auction hall did not dare make a sound!
It wasn't until the proud and aloof figure disappeared from the auction hall that people began their discussion spiritedly.
"My god, who was that? He dares to kill Young Master Chen?"
"Lunatic, he's an absolute lunatic! The Chen family will not let him get away with this!"