43: Chapter 43 A Small Gold Mountain

Jiang He's heart sank abruptly.

He knew Li Qing was in Chang'an City, but he never expected to run into him so quickly.

Li Qing's shout of "Brother Jiang" felt like an ice pick stabbing into his heart.

He had calculated everything, changed his ID, switched equipment forms... yet he had forgotten the most important detail: his appearance.

With the game's 99% similarity to reality, he was completely exposed in front of someone like Li Qing, a neighbor he saw every day.

Jiang He looked around and hurriedly pulled Li Qing and Mumu aside.

"Brother Jiang, when did you start playing Domain of Immortals? Why didn't you say anything sooner? I could have helped you level up..." Li Qing's excited voice carried a hint of complaint.

Jiang He didn't have time to explain and mentally activated the concealment mask.

The muscle contours and features on his face rapidly twisted and reshaped.

In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into another unfamiliar and unremarkable face.

This maneuver nearly made Li Qing scream out loud.

"B-Brother Jiang? H-how did you do that?"

He had been playing this game for a while.

This was his first time seeing a method that could randomly alter one's appearance.

"Sigh, I'll explain that later. What was that about the Royal Auction House just now? Why were there so many people at the entrance?"

Li Qing explained the situation regarding the Royal Auction House bit by bit.

It turned out that this Royal Auction House was essentially a state-owned enterprise.

The imperial army had campaigned in all directions, stockpiling various spoils of war.

Until recently, the newly appointed Governor of Chang'an proposed: rather than letting the equipment gather dust in the warehouse, it would be better to take from the people and use for the people by putting them up for public auction.

This would both improve the overall strength of the players and fill the national treasury.

"Wait a moment?" Jiang He keenly caught the keyword. "Governor? Which Governor?"

He already had an ominous premonition in his heart.

"Haha, Brother Jiang, let me tell you, don't be surprised. This Governor isn't an NPC; he's a player named Qingming Yushang. He's incredibly impressive."

It was him, as expected.

Jiang He felt a chill in his heart; this kid had established even deeper roots in Chang'an.

"Continue telling me about the rules of the auction house." He needed to grasp more information.

The royal auction was held once a month.

Players could also consign items for auction, though 10% of the auction price would be deducted as a service fee.

There were also conditions for entering the auction house.

10 Copper Coins: Could only stand in the outer perimeter to bid on low-level equipment and materials.

1 Silver Coin: Could sit in the general seating area of the hall and bid on all items.

1 Gold Coin: Direct access to top-floor private boxes with dedicated service, though a capital verification was required.

Jiang He calmly opened his inventory panel and took a quick glance:

Copper Coins: 86,000

Silver Coins: 19,000

Gold Coins: 57,000

...

He didn't know how many pieces of equipment these game coins could buy.

Originally, he hadn't had much interest in the auction.

But looking at his current state, he really looked too shabby.

From head to toe, he only had a few scattered Apocalypse accessories and one Tier 1 Crimson Tooth Sword.

He had originally intended to find an opportunity to ask Bai Luoyao for a set.

But now, if he could spend money to buy it himself, he didn't want to bother others.

"Mumu." Jiang He turned to introduce her. "This is our neighbor from the apartment complex, Li Qing. Just call him Brother."

"Hello, Brother Li, my name is Mumu."

Li Qing only then noticed Mumu's ID: "Holy crap! Butt Bug?"

Then, as he looked toward Jiang He, he nearly wet himself: "Holy, holy, holy crap! Poison Master?"

Although he had left the Novice Village quite some time ago.

Many players who came out of No. 8063 would mention that name.

There was a humanoid BOSS there named Poison Master, who spent his days in the Canyon Forbidden Zone with a Ronin female player, monopolizing the area to level up.

He had never dreamed that Jiang He was that Poison Master?

And that Mumu was the Butt Bug who had stood in the Novice Village for three days and three nights without moving?

Jiang He frowned: "Hey, Qingzi, am I that famous?"

Li Qing swallowed hard: "My brother, you're more than just famous. Right now, every faction in Chang'an City wants to recruit you."

Jiang He's heart skipped a beat.

It was over.

What he feared most right now was becoming famous.

Alas, this concealment mask could only change his ID once; otherwise, he really wanted to change his name every day.

The three of them returned to the entrance of the Royal Auction House.

Jiang He handed a gold coin to Li Qing.

"Qingzi, go get a private room."

"Wait, a gold coin? Brother Jiang, have you lost your mind?"

"Hm? Is one gold coin that valuable?"

Li Qing nearly knelt in shock and explained: "Brother, how have you been playing this game? Do you have any idea what the exchange rate for a gold coin is right now?"

"How much?"

"1:10,000 yuan! That's real money!"

"Holy crap." Jiang He was so shocked he cursed in his native tongue.

Currently, gold coins could almost only be obtained by killing BOSSes or by luckily accepting high-level quests.

For the rest, one could only accumulate them bit by bit through copper or silver coins and then exchange them at the bank.

Jiang He swallowed hard and stared at the game currency in his inventory.

Converted to Chinese currency, that was five hundred million?

He forced himself to stay calm and exhaled: "Small, small change. Go, go open the room!"

He felt a bit of a sting in his heart.

But he still chose the private box; it was safer, after all.

Before long, two NPCs walked out and respectfully led the three of them to Private Room Number Nine, Heaven Tier.

The room was very spacious, with a table and four chairs.

There was a window in front; opening it allowed one to see the auction venue.

Li Qing was incredibly excited.

This was his first time entering an auction house private box.

If it weren't for the lack of a mobile phone here.

He really would have wanted to take a picture and post it on social media.

People arrived one after another, and the crowd grew larger.

The auction officially began.

The host was none other than Gu Qingming.

He began to introduce the rules of the auction:

First, false bidding—maliciously driving up prices and disrupting order will result in being killed and losing three levels.

Second, winning a bid but not paying—trying to get something for nothing? You will be killed back to the Novice Village, and your Chang'an residency will be permanently revoked.

Third, causing trouble in the venue—insults, physical altercations? A fine of two hundred silver coins. Refuse to pay? Expelled from Chang'an, never to step foot inside again.

The three rules were like three swords hanging overhead.

Jiang He couldn't help but nod; they were indeed ruthless.

After announcing the rules, Gu Qingming seemed to inadvertently look up and scan the windows of the ten luxurious private boxes above.

When he saw the soft light shining behind five of the windows, indicating the presence of guests, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepened.

He whispered to the NPC subordinate beside him: "Go, verify their capital."

The rule was very simple: as long as you could produce ten gold coins, you were qualified to sit there.

If you couldn't produce them, get out immediately, and the money wouldn't be refunded.

The NPC official checked the rooms one by one until he reached Jiang He's room.

Jiang He had already prepared ten gold coins on the table in advance.

But at this moment, the NPC saw that his face was unfamiliar?

The previous four rooms were all famous players in Chang'an City, so he was naturally familiar with them.

But where did this person pop out from?

The NPC squinted his eyes and gave a malicious, fake smile: "This guest, I'm afraid you've misunderstood. The rules... are calculated per head. Since there are three guests in your box, naturally you must present thirty gold coins."

Before Jiang He could reply, he continued: "Of course, if you cannot produce that amount, you can also give me one gold coin, and I can pretend not to have seen the other two guests."

This was naked extortion.

Relying on his backing by the authorities, he was certain that the guests in the private box were here for the first time, and he assumed they wouldn't have many gold coins. If Jiang He didn't pay, he would be evicted, which would result in the direct loss of one gold coin. If he did pay, the NPC would make a huge profit.

Jiang He's gaze instantly turned cold.

He had completely seen through this petty villain.

A small, glittering golden mountain was piled up on the table.

"Verify it quickly, and once you're done, get lost."