Across the stands, Qingnan, after shouting a bid of 200,000 silver for the item, immediately saw the competition retract.
Those perennially mingling in the black market knew an unwritten rule.
Once someone called out a price far exceeding the others for an item, it indicated they must have it at all costs. If anyone else bid after that, it was considered a provocation.
Moreover, most of these people were merely brokers in business, opting only for novel, attractive, and valuable items, as these types made for popular choices among the wealthy.
Once they acquired such items, they could resell them for a substantial profit margin.
But this tattered "Qimen Secret Arts" was clearly not one of their preferred choices.
At this moment, the auctioneer Man Qing was calling out the second price. One more call, and the book would sell for 200,000.
Qingnan comfortably picked up the teacup from the table, but just as he was about to sip, he heard a woman's voice.
"210,000!"
