“Miss Luo Lan, what is the inscription on the final Star-Cutting blade?”
A young master from a civil official’s family asked.
He had come just to watch the excitement and brought little money. He was eliminated early in the previous round.
Precisely because he knew he had no chance, his mindset was the most relaxed.
The inscriptions on the first nine black knives were all outstanding. As the finale, the last one would surely not disappoint.
The other young masters also stopped talking and looked at Luo Lan.
“Since everyone is eager, I will not keep you in suspense.”
Luo Lan drew the black knife directly and announced loudly, “The inscription on the final Star-Cutting blade is: Why should a man not bear a golden hook, and seize the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun?”
In Great Kang soldiers’ armour, two places were connected with hooks.
For soldiers who achieved great merit on the battlefield, these hooks were gilded. Thus, golden hooks were like the medals of merit from Jinfeng’s previous life, the pride every soldier dreamed of obtaining.
Here, golden hook referred to fighting the enemy and achieving glory.
The latter line was very clear.
This was why Luo Lan saved this blade for the finale.
Since the auction began with the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, it might as well end with them, forming a perfect echo.
The eyes of all the military young masters present lit up.
Having missed the first black knife, they felt some disappointment.
But the appearance of the final blade gave them a surprising turn of fortune.
Moreover, its inscription was more direct than the first, more to their taste.
“The rules remain the same. Starting bid is one thousand taels. Young masters, you may begin bidding.”
They did not know Jinchuan Chamber still had stock. To them, this was the very last black knife in all Great Kang.
The moment Luo Lan finished, bidding voices rose one after another. She could not hear clearly.
Helpless, she picked up the small hammer and struck the gong several times.
The gong’s sound drowned out the young masters, and the scene quieted temporarily.
“Do not rush, everyone. Bid one by one.”
Luo Lan said, “I just heard Young Master Lin bid one thousand nine hundred taels. Anyone higher than one thousand nine hundred taels?”
“Two thousand one hundred taels!”
“Two thousand three hundred taels!”
…
“Three thousand five hundred taels!”
Liu Xiuyuan roared and stood up.
After missing “Back in the day,” he had been watching, like a bear picking corn cobs, always thinking the next would be better. Unknowingly, it reached the final blade.
Liu Xiuyuan could wait no longer. He threw in all his money at once, raising by over a thousand taels, hoping, like the prince and princess, to shock the others.
But he was not the only one anxious. The other young masters were too.
Thus, Liu Xiuyuan’s plan was doomed to fail.
Without Luo Lan even asking, the scene quieted briefly, then bidding continued.
“Three thousand six hundred taels!”
“Three thousand six hundred and fifty taels!”
…
Liu Xiuyuan sat back heavily, clutching his forehead.
He knew his last chance was gone.
The final black knife sold for six thousand two hundred taels.
In truth, no young master present could produce so much alone. When bidding reached around four thousand taels, it paused.
But two close young masters, unwilling to lose, pooled their money. Together, they exceeded five thousand taels.
Seeing this, others quickly followed suit, forming teams.
They forcibly pushed the price to the auction’s highest.
In fame, this blade was far below the first. But the young masters thought it the absolute last, so they fought fiercely, ultimately benefiting Jinchuan Chamber and Jinfeng.
Luo Lan nearly jumped with excitement and had Iron Hammer deliver the final black knife.
The two young masters who won it were so moved they almost cried.
It had been too hard. They emptied their entire fortunes to finally succeed.
But before they could rejoice, Luo Lan announced loudly from the stage, “This auction concludes here. Thank you all for your support.
Young masters who did not obtain a Star-Cutting blade today, do not despair. In three days, we will hold another auction with ten more Star-Cutting blades. We hope you will join us again!”
“You said this was the last one. How come ten more appear?”
The two who bought the final blade were furious, feeling deceived.
“Young Master Feng, I only said this was the final Star-Cutting blade of this auction. I never said there would be no more in future.”
Luo Lan replied with a smile.
“Yes, Miss Luo Lan did say that.”
“Young Master Feng, you are not thinking of backing out, are you?”
“Old Qian, mind your words. Young Master Feng is a man of face. To regret a price he shouted himself would be like licking back his own spit.”
“Exactly, Young Master Feng would never do that.”
Hearing ten more blades would come, the other young masters relaxed.
One by one, they enjoyed the spectacle and echoed Luo Lan, teasing the final winners.
“I…”
Young Master Feng thought carefully. Luo Lan had indeed said that.
He wanted to return it, but the others’ words cornered him. He could not speak.
“Young Master Feng, buying the finale blade this time will not be a loss.”
Luo Lan smiled and said, “The next ten Star-Cutting blades will have completely different inscriptions. So next auction, prices will only rise, not fall below this!”
But Young Master Feng’s expression showed disbelief.
“Here is my offer, Young Master Feng. If at the next auction, fewer than three Star-Cutting blades sell for more than your price today, bring it back for a refund. How about that?” Luo Lan said confidently.
“Really?”
“Of course. Jinchuan Chamber always keeps its word!” Luo Lan said, “All young masters here are witnesses.”
With Luo Lan’s promise, if Young Master Feng persisted, the others would mock him. He had no choice but to leave with the black knife.
As the young masters departed, details of the auction and the blade inscriptions spread.
Many old generals hearing “Back in the day, with spear and steed, devouring a thousand miles like a tiger” recalled their youth.
Entering the barracks for the first time, full of spirit, determined to reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures, achieve glory, and make a name.
How did they later start scheming, forget the camps, and focus entirely on court?
Civil officials were moved by “Since ancient times who in life avoids death? Keep a loyal heart to shine in the annals.” They decided, if free, to attend the next auction.
This was the result Luo Lan wanted, and the source of her confidence in guaranteeing Young Master Feng.
She believed, as the auction’s fame spread, the next would draw more people, of higher status.
Of course, with more silver too.
