Chapter 394 – 「Qin Family」

Wanbao Auction House.

After a month’s time, this largest auction house in Tianfeng City naturally hadn’t undergone significant changes, though it was no longer as bustling as before.

A month ago, due to the Red Vein Stone set, a long-awaited high-quality auction had taken place here, making Wanbao Auction House a topic of much discussion among many.

However, with the passing of a month, the initial excitement had cooled down. Additionally, the incident involving numerous Professional teams being harmed at the Midnight Labyrinth had drawn various forces in Tianfeng City into the ensuing repercussions, which more or less affected Wanbao Auction House’s business.

Of course, even with some impact, the foot traffic was no longer as high as before, and the hype had faded. As the largest auction house in Tianfeng City, it still attracted a considerable number of visitors.

Qin Qing had just finished presiding over today’s auction and returned to her restroom.

But the moment she stepped into her restroom, Qin Qing’s footsteps abruptly halted.

“I’ve been waiting for you for a while, Chief Qin.”

A man wearing a half-face mask, dressed in noble young master attire, with a tone carrying a hint of arrogance and a smirk, appeared in Qin Qing’s restroom. He sat in Qin Qing’s usual seat, holding a fruit that he nibbled on leisurely, as if waiting for Qin Qing’s return.

It was Su Ming.

Or rather, Su Ming disguised as “Wang Yue.”

“Swish!”

“Swish!”

Almost simultaneously, accompanied by two sharp sounds of air being sliced, two figures appeared beside Qin Qing, shielding her.

Su Ming raised an eyebrow.

These two sudden arrivals were no ordinary individuals; their Aura and presence were no less than his own.

Undoubtedly, they were two Six-Star Hunters.

The two completely locked their Qi onto Su Ming, their eyes revealing killing intent.

“Stand down.”

Qin Qing spoke up in time.

The Aura of the two Six-Star Hunters immediately faltered, and without hesitation, they withdrew it, stepping back behind Qin Qing.

Qin Qing then took a step forward, approaching Su Ming.

“Long time no see, Young Master Wang,” Qin Qing said with a faint smile. “It’s been a month, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, a month,” Su Ming replied, giving Qin Qing a deep look before smiling as well. “I didn’t expect that upon our reunion, Chief Qin would first give me a surprise.”

Clearly, those two Six-Star Hunters were Qin Qing’s personal guards.

It seemed they had been guarding Qin Qing all along, specifically tasked with protecting her.

Yet, whether before or this time, Su Ming hadn’t detected their presence.

Or rather, he hadn’t noticed them until they flashed into view to protect Qin Qing and prepared to take action; only then did Su Ming sense a slight disturbance.

This was enough to indicate that these two Six-Star Hunters were highly exceptional.

Su Ming estimated and boldly speculated that both were likely at the Six-Star Peak level.

The only thing they might lack compared to ‘Ten Demons’ Crow was a mutation ability, and there were two of them.

Such masters, guarding Qin Qing so closely, and not just one?

At this point, Su Ming also believed what Xu Xiayan had told him.Unaware of what Su Ming was thinking, Qin Qing looked directly at him.

“If we’re talking about surprises, it should be Young Master Wang who’s giving me the surprise,” Qin Qing said with meaningful implication. “Appearing so suddenly and quietly in my restroom like this is behavior that could easily cause misunderstandings. With one misstep, it might really lead to unnecessary conflicts with my people.”

These words could be considered Qin Qing’s way of warning Su Ming.

There was no helping it.

Su Ming’s sudden appearance in such a manner left Qin Qing no choice but to entertain various thoughts.

Her intuition told her that Su Ming’s visit this time probably wasn’t for business purposes.

Sure enough…

“No problem,” Su Ming said nonchalantly. “Depending on our subsequent conversation, we might indeed need to clash once or twice. That wouldn’t be considered unnecessary.”

Upon hearing this, even Qin Qing’s eyes slightly changed.

The two figures behind Qin Qing reacted as if provoked, releasing their Auras once again.

The Auras of two existences at the Peak of Six-Star level were something even a Five-Star Professional couldn’t withstand.

Yet Su Ming remained composed, even having the leisure to cross his legs, swinging one foot back and forth with apparent ease and contentment.

This made a strange light appear in Qin Qing’s eyes again.

“Indeed, this Wang Yue isn’t as simple as he appears on the surface.”

Until now, Su Ming had been using the Blue Demon Ceasefire Ring to suppress his Qi and blood to the level equivalent to a Four-Star Hunter, giving the impression of someone who had recently advanced to an Upper-Rank Professional. Though considered a Genius and strong, it wasn’t too exaggerated.

But Qin Qing had always suspected that this Wang Yue might not be just a Four-Star Hunter.

Since Zhang Chen was at the Peak of Five-Star and Liu Zai was also a Five-Star Hunter, and during the previous auction they had several Upper-Rank Professionals accompanying them – combined, this force definitely couldn’t be defeated by a mere Four-Star Hunter.

Qin Qing had always somewhat suspected that the person who attacked Zhang Chen a month ago was actually this very Wang Yue before her.

If the attacker was indeed Wang Yue, that would prove his strength was far from simple Four-Star level.

Now it seemed her speculation was correct, and she might have even underestimated him.

To remain perfectly calm under the released Auras of two Peak Six-Star existences, this Wang Yue must at minimum be a Six-Star Professional.

Thinking this, Qin Qing fell silent for a moment, then waved her hand towards the two behind her.

The two Peak Six-Star guards disappeared without the slightest hesitation.

Su Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly as he expanded his Spirit Sense, only to find he still couldn’t detect the presence of those two.

This made Su Ming even more determined.

“I need to quickly refine the Amber Fruit into potions and properly enhance my strength as a Sorcerer.”

A Five-Star level Spirit Sense was already somewhat insufficient when dealing with Peak Six-Star existences.

He would need to reach at least the Peak of Five-Star level for his Spirit Sense to possibly detect those two Peak Six-Star Hunters.

With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Su Ming took the initiative, pointing to the opposite seat.

“Sit.”

Hearing this, Qin Qing showed no displeasure and directly sat opposite Su Ming, facing him.

This scene was quite similar to when Su Ming came here a month ago to sell the Red Vein Stone set.

The difference was, last time Su Ming came for business, while this time he came to demand answers.”What business does Young Master Wang have with me?” Qin Qing also sensed the atmosphere and didn’t beat around the bush, speaking directly. “If there’s something, you might as well say it outright.”

“Fine.” Su Ming didn’t bother with pleasantries either, looking straight at Qin Qing.

As he gazed at this woman with her peerless beauty, top-tier figure, overflowing femininity, and impeccable charm, Su Ming felt not the slightest hint of improper thoughts in his heart.

“Chief Qin.” Su Ming said calmly. “You’re from the Tianfeng Royal Clan, aren’t you?”

This single sentence made the air in the lounge grow somewhat heavy.

Qin Qing stared intently at Su Ming for a moment before nodding.

“This isn’t any secret.” Qin Qing admitted frankly. “I am indeed from the Royal Family, or more precisely, from the Qin Family.”

————「Qin」.

This surname carried extraordinary significance in Tianfeng City.

Because this was the royal surname.

The former Tianfeng Royal Clan, now the administrators of Tianfeng City, bore the surname Qin.

Qin Qing was not just an ordinary member of the Royal Family.

“Let’s formally introduce ourselves.”

Qin Qing extended her hand toward Su Ming.

“Qin Qing, 477th generation direct descendant of the Tianfeng Qin Family.”

This Chief Auctioneer of Wanbao Auction House was indeed a direct descendant of the Qin Family.

In other words, Qin Qing was the young miss of the Qin Family.

If this were ancient times, this woman would be a royal princess, the emperor’s daughter, undoubtedly carrying the most orthodox royal bloodline.

Even in modern times, a direct descendant like Qin Qing was essentially Her Highness the Princess of Tianfeng City.

After all, the Royal Family still governed Tianfeng City.

With Tianfeng City being the Royal Family’s territory, and with Royal Family members occupying most high-level positions in the Base City, Qin Qing’s status and authority as a direct descendant of the Qin Family were completely imaginable – essentially no different from that of a true princess.

“Young Miss Qin certainly has leisurely tastes,” Su Ming curled his lip, still extending his hand to shake Qin Qing’s. “Instead of entering politics, you’re here running an auction house. If someone hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known that the mastermind behind Wanbao Auction House is actually you, the Chief Auctioneer, and that this is also your Qin Family’s enterprise.”

This made Qin Qing relax somewhat, a slight smile appearing on her exquisite face.

“I’m not interested in politics,” Qin Qing smiled. “Not everyone in the Family enters politics – many choose business like I do. So actually, much of Tianfeng City’s business is connected to my Qin Family.” She continued, “Moreover, with the auction house’s daily high traffic, various intelligence and rumors naturally circulate here. This benefits the Qin Family in gathering information from all aspects and managing Tianfeng City’s order and stability.”

Just like how police often develop informants, the Qin Family had numerous intelligence channels developed throughout Tianfeng City.

Therefore, the Qin Family didn’t prevent younger generations from pursuing business.

“Whether in business or politics,” Qin Qing stated, “as long as it benefits Tianfeng City’s development and management, it’s worth our Qin Family members doing. I simply chose business because I dislike politics.”

This was the current Tianfeng Royal Clan.After losing their Bloodline and extraordinary powers, they focused entirely on politics and commerce, undertaking any task that would benefit the management of Tianfeng City.

Although Wanbao Auction House was merely an auction house, as the largest auction house in a Professional Holy Land like Tianfeng City, it handled countless Extraordinary Items, boasting the highest transaction volume and foot traffic in the city.

This was undoubtedly highly beneficial to the Qin Family, which governed Tianfeng City as a Base City.

Su Ming deeply agreed with this.

“So, if it benefits the development and management of Tianfeng City, your Qin Family would even forcibly abduct people?” Su Ming spoke in an extremely calm tone, causing Qin Qing’s eyes to narrow.

“What do you mean?” Qin Qing stared directly at Su Ming.

“Exactly what I said.” Su Ming replied indifferently. “Your Qin Family has taken someone close to me.”

“…Who?”

“An Zijin.”

“…”

At that moment, Qin Qing fell silent.

The air in the lounge grew even heavier, almost oppressive.

Qin Qing watched Su Ming, her beautiful eyes flickering with complex emotions.

Only after a long while did Qin Qing finally speak.

“You’re Su Ming?”

Her words made Su Ming’s eyes narrow in turn.

He turned his gaze to Qin Qing, and their eyes met—his steady, hers filled with turbulent thoughts.

The two stared at each other in silence for a long, long time.

Then, Su Ming removed his Sky Illusion Mask.

“Let’s formally introduce ourselves.”

Su Ming revealed a smile, the previously arrogant aura around him vanishing instantly, replaced by an air of laziness, casualness, and ease.

“Su Ming, from Longyao City, eighteen years old, recently arrived in Tianfeng City, Commander of the Azure Mercury team.”

Su Ming extended his hand toward Qin Qing.

Qin Qing didn’t immediately shake his hand. Instead, she stared at his true face for a very long time before finally reaching out to clasp it.

“Wang Yue? Ming Wang? Su Ming?” Qin Qing spoke in a complicated tone. “Commander Su truly lives up to the rumors—so young, yet so deeply concealed.”

Who could have imagined?

After the notorious Ming Wang who once stirred up the upper-class circles, Su Ming actually had another false identity named Wang Yue.

How could someone only eighteen years old conceal himself so deeply, always appearing under false identities?

If he had the foresight to know he’d eventually attract attention from interested parties and thus hid himself all along, then this person’s mentality was truly terrifying.

Just how cautious and guarded must one be to maintain such concealment at eighteen?

No wonder that girl always praised this Brother Su Ming so highly…

Compared to the emotionally conflicted Qin Qing, Su Ming appeared much more at ease.

“How can this be called concealment?” Su Ming said innocently. “It’s just a later revelation, not concealment.”

His words made Qin Qing roll her eyes at him.

Who would have thought that beneath Wang Yue’s arrogant personality lay such an absurd true nature?If Zhang Chen were to find out that Wang Yue is actually Su Ming, his expression would surely be priceless.

After all, Su Ming is currently the most sought-after figure in Tianfeng City.

An eighteen-year-old Dual Professional, with at least one profession at Six-Star and another at Five-Star, capable of single-handedly overwhelming a Peak Six-Star existence and challenging a Seven-Star Professional. With such strength and potential, not to mention someone as insignificant as Zhang Chen, even the entire Zhang Family would have to think twice before targeting Su Ming.

However, Qin Qing also understood.

If things went poorly today, she might truly end up clashing with this formidable individual.

(End of Chapter)