402: Chapter 402 Revisiting the Black Ghost City

The Yanjing Black Ghost Market was a massive complex of buildings located deep in the city's underground.

Compared to the Han City Black Ghost Market, the scale here was nearly ten times larger.

The massive dome reached fifty meters high, and the area spanned over five football fields.

Crystal chandeliers emitted a soft glow, the floors were covered in precious carpets, and the walls were adorned with priceless works of art.

At this moment, the auction was about to begin, and the hall was already packed to capacity.

Wealthy tycoons, Beast Tamers, and family representatives from all over the country gathered here, either conversing in low voices or examining the auction catalogs in their hands, creating an atmosphere that was both lively and oppressive.

When Chen Yi walked into the hall with his arm around Yuri Demon Empress Ai Ke's waist, they didn't attract much attention.

After all, most people who came here kept a low profile; wearing masks and hats was not uncommon.

But soon, a hurried figure ran over from the direction of the backstage.

It was the general manager of the Black Ghost Market, Chen Nian.

He was wearing a dark gray suit today, his hair combed meticulously, but fine beads of sweat covered his forehead.

Clearly, he had just received some urgent news.

"Brother Chen Yi! Lady Yuri Demon Empress Ai Ke!"

Chen Nian approached them and lowered his voice, "Why are you here? Her Majesty only said she would give you authorization, she didn't say—"

Chen Yi interrupted him: "What, are we not allowed to come?"

"No, that's not what I meant!"

Chen Nian wiped his sweat, "It's just that today's auction is a bit special. Box No. 1 is already occupied—"

He hesitated, looking troubled.

Hua Liuli had indeed sent out a notice, so he naturally knew that Chen Yi's current status was equal to his own.

Considering that Chen Yi was also the man Hua Liuli had her eyes on, his status might even be higher than his.

But the problem was, there were indeed special circumstances for today's auction.

Chen Yi glanced at him, his tone still flat: "Lead the way. To Box No. 1."

With that, without waiting for Chen Nian's response, he directly led Yuri Demon Empress Ai Ke toward the stairs.

He acted as naturally as if this were his own home.

Chen Nian turned pale and quickly followed, explaining in a low voice, "Brother Chen Yi, please listen to me. Today's auction is sponsored by the Fang Family, the fourth-ranked Beast Tamer family in Yanjing!"

"They spent over ten billion in funds and even handed over five daughters and five sons from their branch families to our organization to earn this qualification—"

His voice grew smaller and smaller because Chen Yi had already reached the foot of the stairs.

"And?"

"So they are currently in Box No. 1—"

Chen Nian said with difficulty, "We didn't know you were coming at first, so we gave Box No. 1 to the Fang Family. We also promised to give them a special introduction at the end of the auction to help raise their status in the Yanjing circles—"

"They aren't looking for profit, only for a reputation, so that all the powerful families attending the Black Ghost Market will know that the Fang Family has become a high-level partner of the Black Ghost Market!"

Chen Yi finally stopped walking.

Turning his head, Chen Nian could see the coldness in his eyes through the shadows of his mask and hat brim.

"So, you mean to have us sit in the secondary seats?"

These words didn't come from Chen Yi, but from Yuri Demon Empress Ai Ke beside him.

Although the Demon Loli was wearing cute casual clothes right now, her gaze was terrifyingly cold.

Her purple vertical pupils stared intently at Chen Nian, her voice carrying undisguised interrogation.

"What do you mean? We were personally sent by Her Majesty. Are you trying to make us sit in the secondary seats?"

An invisible pressure radiated from her.

Although it was slight, it was enough to make an Eighth-rank Beast Tamer like Chen Nian feel heart palpitations.

"No—no, I—"

Cold sweat poured down Chen Nian's face.

"Since it's not, then stop talking nonsense!"

Yuri Demon Empress Ai Ke said coldly, "Box No. 1 is ours! Her Majesty gave us authorization. He currently holds a status equal to yours, or even higher. Do you think the Fang Family is more important, or Her Majesty's orders?"

These words left Chen Nian speechless.

Indeed, in terms of organizational hierarchy, Her Majesty's orders were above all else.

Although the Fang Family was important, they were only external partners, while Chen Yi was currently a favorite of Her Majesty.

But the problem was—in business, reputation and credibility were also very important!

Chen Nian felt bitter.

This was the situation businessmen feared most—when the leadership and a major client caused trouble at the same time; pleasing either one was a mistake!

The Fang Family had paid a huge price for this sponsorship. If they were kicked out of Box No. 1 without any prior notice, it would inevitably cause strong dissatisfaction and might even affect future cooperation!

But if he didn't carry out Her Majesty's orders—the consequences would be even more unimaginable.

Chen Nian quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Finally, he gritted his teeth and bowed deeply: "I understand! I will go and ask the Fang Family to leave immediately. Please wait a moment, you two!"

He turned and walked quickly toward Box No. 1, his back looking somewhat pathetic.

Yuri Demon Empress Ai Ke looked at his back, snorted, and whispered to Chen Yi: "This kind of person has a typical businessman's mindset, always trying to please both sides, and as a result, they often please neither."

Chen Yi smiled but didn't respond, just waiting quietly.

About five minutes later, the door to Box No. 1 opened.

A group of people walked out from inside.

Leading them was a middle-aged man in his fifties, wearing an elegant Tang suit, with a majestic appearance, but his face was currently ashen.

Behind him followed more than a dozen men and women, all with very unpleasant expressions.

This was the head of the Fang Family, the fourth-ranked Beast Tamer family in Yanjing—Fang Cheng, along with his Contracted Spirit Beasts and family members.

Chen Nian accompanied them, constantly explaining something in a low voice, his face full of apologetic smiles.

Fang Cheng nodded occasionally, but the dissatisfaction in his eyes was obvious.

Eventually, the Fang Family members were led to the adjacent Box 2.

Before entering, Fang Cheng looked back at Box No. 1 with a gloomy gaze.

Clearly, Chen Nian had provided a very high amount of compensation to barely suppress the Fang Family's anger.

But the loss of face was not something that money could fully compensate for.

Chen Yi took all of this in, sneering in his heart.

Good, the first step of the plan was successfully completed.

"Brother Chen Yi, Lady Yuri Demon Empress Ai Ke, please!"

Chen Nian returned to them and made a gesture of invitation, his expression looking somewhat exhausted.

Chen Yi nodded and walked toward Box No. 1 with his arm around Yuri Demon Empress Ai Ke.

Pushing open the heavy mahogany door, the sight inside was breathtaking.

The box was over fifty square meters, the floor covered in a pure white carpet, and the walls were hung with authentic famous paintings.

Directly facing the auction stage was a full wall of one-way glass, allowing a clear view of the outside from within, while the inside remained invisible from the outside.

In the center of the room was a set of luxurious leather sofas, with an exquisite coffee table beside them, already prepared with various fruits, pastries, and expensive drinks.

In the corner, there was also a mini-bar, with a wine cabinet displaying top-tier wines from around the world.

"Please make yourselves at home. If you need anything, you can press the call bell!"

After Chen Nian finished speaking, he exited the box and gently closed the door.