Across the pavilion, after Qing Nanzun loudly announced a bid of 200,000 silver taels, those following suit immediately withdrew.
Those who frequent the black market all knew an unwritten rule.
Once someone shouted a price far exceeding everyone else's for an item, it signaled their determination to obtain it at all costs. To bid further would be taken as a provocation.
Moreover, most of these were just middlemen in business, who only picked up items that were novel, good-looking, and valuable, as these were popular among the wealthy.
Once acquired, they could be resold at a profit.
But this tattered book of Qimen Secret Arts obviously wasn't an item on their list.
At this moment, the auctioneer Man Qing was calling out the second bid, and after one more, the book would sell for 200,000.
Qing Nanzun comfortably picked up the teacup on his table, but as he was about to sip, a woman's voice rang out.
"210,000!"
"Pfft—" Qing Nanzun choked on his tea, nearly asphyxiating.
