"We’re doing this..." Lily hesitated for a moment after hearing it, but eventually agreed. "Alright, you wait here, I’ll go prepare my Golden Battle Robe." Half a two-hour period later. Upon learning that the bidding event was canceled at the last minute, Liu Huai’an gloomily followed an employee up to the fourth floor, and then was invited into a resting room. To be honest, Liu Huai’an was full of resentment. After all, as a sect leader, he was usually the one to leave others hanging, not the other way around. However, as soon as he entered the room, his anger suddenly dissipated. He saw Elder Wang from the Sword Sect waiting for him inside. "Elder Wang, what brings you here?" Liu Huai’an asked, surprised and uncertain, momentarily unsure whether to enter the room or not. Wang Buyu waved for the Cat Lady who had led the way to leave, then invited Liu Huai’an inside. "It’s nothing major, haven’t seen you for ages. Upon hearing you were here, I thought I’d come by for a look." Elder Wang said politely. After exchanging pleasantries, they moved onto the main topic. "We’re old friends, there are some things I must say..." Old Wang said. After listening to him, Liu Huai’an frowned, "Are you saying this bidding is predetermined?" Wang Buyu, this old fatty, put down his teacup, looking gossip-mindedly at Liu Huai’an. "Indeed, but don’t be anxious. There’s more beneath the surface..." He paused for a moment, building suspense, waiting for Liu Huai’an to press for more, before continuing. "The Sword Sect’s leader’s little daughter is here, you know that, right?" Liu Huai’an nodded. His disciples often came to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion to shop or wander, so it wasn’t a secret, he knew. "Don’t spread this around, here’s the thing..." Wang Buyu was a master of crafting stories, especially those nonsensical ones. Soon, Wang Buyu fabricated for Sect Leader Liu a story about several sect’s talented disciples competing for the sect leader’s daughter’s smile. Though details were glossed over, every part pointed directly at the bidding results this time. In short, Wang Buyu’s simple message was that this bidding was heavily rigged, and Liu couldn’t handle it. Feeling helpless, Liu Huai’an could only offer his thanks, "Understood, thank you for the insight, Elder Wang, I..." Wang Buyu hurriedly motioned for Liu Huai’an to sit down instead of leaving, "The sect leader’s family matters are one thing, official matters are another. Why did you come for this bidding, don’t hesitate to speak. We’re all fellow Cyan Thorn members, naturally we’ll help where we can." All were serious folks, Liu Huai’an’s sect may not match the Sword Sect, but it had a legacy spanning hundreds and thousands of years. It’s not about asking for help when there’s nothing to gain; who has time to waste helping the Sword Sect build houses? Liu Huai’an felt somewhat embarrassed seeing this and said, "Then I shall shamelessly ask for help..." Similar scenes occurred in many rooms, Zhang Ze used his connections to invite his mentors and elders over, persuading them to act as spokespersons, calming these serious sect leaders, and arranging for them to perform again tomorrow. These elders had different personalities and methods, but all negotiations went smoothly. Yet compared to the harmonious scene here, things weren’t as normal on Lily’s side. Inside Lily’s big office, gaudy golden dragon heads and various even gaudier jade ornaments were everywhere. Lily sat behind the desk, wearing a golden robe adorned with gold, diamond rings on her hands, and large sunglasses. To her left was Maomao also laden with gold chains, and to her right was Fuji completely concealed under a cloak. These two were bodyguards, after all, Lily was still timid, and had to make some preparations for her safety. "Sect Leader Zhu?" Lily subtly raised her chair, taking on a suddenly elevated position with a smug and greedy expression. Zhu Xiaoyao appeared impatient, uncertain why this little girl sought him out. But glancing at the cloaked woman, he nodded. Lily poured a cup of tea from a golden teapot, then spoke again. "A friend told me, the Cyan Thorn sects are keen to contribute to the Qinghe Association, hence this bidding event, hoping to satisfy Sect Leader Zhu." Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiaoyao eased his previous doubts. He had thought Nameless was truly that miraculous, able to sway Sword Sect’s decisions. Turns out it’s just bribing a suddenly elevated little girl, Zhu Xiaoyao discreetly surveyed the room’s decor. Like a nouveau riche, truly ugly. "Naturally satisfied, thank you Thousand Mechanism Pavilion for the opportunity." Unexpectedly, Lily waved her finger dismissively. "This bidding isn’t as easy as it seems. You see, arrow tossing game, light ones are tricky to land in the vase." Lily picked up a long feather from the desk and tossed it toward the vase in the corner. She originally intended to execute a cool move, calculating the distance for the feather to stick beside the vase on the floor, but due to her poor skills, the feather strayed quite far. Lily unchanged in expression, picked out another feather arrow wrapped in gold, "But this one wrapped in gold, it..." Lily swung her hand, yet still missed. Zhu Xiaoyao, "..." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵 After an awkward silence, Lily acted as if nothing had happened, "It’s not certain to go in either, Sect Leader Zhu, wouldn’t you agree?" Zhu Xiaoyao understood now; this person wanted a bribe. But hearing this, Zhu Xiaoyao was secretly pleased, if he refused, wouldn’t it be... Yet that peculiar feeling arose in his heart again, a voice echoed in his ear. Zhu Xiaoyao lost focus momentarily, and asked, "I believe, one might succeed with more attempts using the gold-covered ones."