TRWSB – Chapter 153 The Price of a Treasure

Inside the Moyun Trading Firm.

Bi Liuyun and Mo Yunan sat across from each other with six or seven treasures laid out on the table.

“Master Biqin, the items you want to auction have all been registered,” Mo Yunan said.

Bi Liuyun nodded with a smile. “Good.”

Mo Yunan reached out his hand toward Bi Liuyun. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Master Biqin. If anything else comes up, feel free to come find me.”

Bi Liuyun returned the smile, reached out, and shook his hand.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a loud bang. Hailin stood in the doorway, his face cold and stern.

His gaze fell on the hands of Bi Liuyun and Mo Yunan, and his already frosty expression grew even colder.

Mo Yunan frowned as he looked at Hailin.

Behind Hailin, the steward looked apologetic as he spoke to Mo Yunan, “Young master, Young Lord Hai insisted on coming in. I couldn’t stop him.”

“Young Lord Hai, what brings you here? This seems rather inappropriate,” Mo Yunan said, eyes fixed on Hailin.

Hailin ignored Mo Yunan. He strode forward and grabbed Bi Liuyun’s hand. “What did you put up for auction? You auctioned it off, didn’t you?”

Mo Yunan’s brow twitched. That item? What item? The things Bi Liuyun brought were rare, yes, but none of them seemed extraordinary enough to make the young lord of the Tianlong Trading House lose his composure.

Seeing Mo Yunan’s confused look, Hailin suddenly realized he had overreacted.

Bi Liuyun gave him a sharp look. “The items I’m auctioning are all here on the table. Young Lord Hai, are you interested?”

Hailin scanned the items on the table, exhaled in relief, and felt a little embarrassed by his earlier behavior.

He forced a smile. “Master Biqin, the items are indeed exquisite. Of course I’m interested.”

Mo Yunan looked between them and smiled. “Our auction is about to begin. If you’re interested, Young Lord Hai, you’re welcome to participate.”

Hailin nodded. “I will.”

As Bi Liuyun walked out with Hailin trailing behind, Mo Yunan stared at their backs, thoughtful.

“Young master, there seems to be something going on between Bi Liuyun and Hailin,” the steward said.

Mo Yunan frowned. “Hailin’s identity is a special one. It’s best we don’t get too involved.” The Moyun Trading Firm had operated on the Bihai Plains for years—they knew full well who backed the Tianlong Trading House.

“Speaking of which, our new lord is quite something. We should try to build better relations with him,” Mo Yunan added.

“You’re right. That lord healed Hailan of the Hailong Clan’s face and restored the physique of Black Shark from the Giant Shark Clan. Both major clans of the Sea Tribe owe him now. At this rate, it won’t be hard for him to solidify his position as lord,” the steward said.

Mo Yunan nodded. “Exactly. And even the City Lord’s cosmetics business is booming. I’m honestly envious.”

Outside, Bi Liuyun and Hailin walked quietly, one after the other.

Hailin looked at Bi Liuyun’s back. He wanted to speak several times, but didn’t know how to start.

“You knew the item was with me all along, didn’t you?” Bi Liuyun asked.

“What are you talking about?” Hailin replied.

Bi Liuyun gave a cold smile. “Don’t play dumb. You know what I mean. If it weren’t for that item, you wouldn’t have rushed over like that, would you?”

His cold gaze bore into Hailin, who turned his head slightly. The sharpness of Bi Liuyun’s eyes made him uneasy.

“I did suspect,” Hailin admitted. The Sea King’s Pearl had been missing for a long time, and yet shortly after Qi Shaorong and the others arrived, a familiar aura reappeared. That day, he could even sense its direction—it was coming from the City Lord’s mansion. Considering how Bi Liuyun had mysteriously appeared on that Sea Tribe island all those years ago, it all made sense now.

Bi Liuyun turned away, a chill rising in his heart. A bitter smile tugged at his lips. “What you told me before about the Sea King’s Pearl… that was a lie, wasn’t it?”

Hailin was startled. “You think I lied just to get the Sea King’s Pearl from you?”

Bi Liuyun sighed. “Forget it. Whether you lied or not doesn’t matter anymore.”

Hailin frowned and said irritably, “What do you mean?”

Bi Liuyun took out a spatial ring and tossed it to him. “The Sea King’s Pearl is inside. Take it.”

Hailin grabbed his hand. “I didn’t come to ask for the pearl.”

Bi Liuyun tilted his head. “Don’t joke. It’s the Sea Dragon Clan’s most treasured artifact—you don’t want it?”

Hailin lowered his head and said nothing.

Bi Liuyun watched his reaction. “If you don’t want it, I’ll just put it up for auction.”

Hailin grasped his hand tightly. “Then… give it to me.”

Bi Liuyun let out a mocking laugh and turned away. “So you do want it.”

Hailin felt a storm of frustration in his chest, yet couldn’t find the words to explain himself.

“Can you promise me one thing?” Bi Liuyun asked.

“Go on…”

“I want word to spread that the Sea King’s Pearl has been returned to the Sea Dragon Clan. I don’t want the City Lord’s mansion getting harassed over this anymore.”

Hailin nodded. “Alright.”

Back at the City Lord’s Mansion.

“You’re back?” Qi Shaorong noticed Bi Liuyun’s gloomy expression.

Bi Liuyun nodded. “Yeah.”

“Everything sorted?”

“It’s done.”

“What about that item?”

“I gave it away,” Bi Liuyun said.

“…Gave it away?!” Qi Shaorong was stunned. That generous?!

Bi Liuyun saw his shocked face and sighed tiredly. “Young master, I’m going to rest.”

“Alright,” Qi Shaorong said.

Watching Bi Liuyun walk off, Zhuang Hao muttered, “He looks like he’s lost his soul. Did he… get his heart broken or something?”

Qi Shaorong glanced at him. “No way. Do you know what kind of person Liuyun is? He wouldn’t be like this over heartbreak. I bet he was trying to act like a big shot, talked himself into a corner, gave the thing away—and now regrets it.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Sea Dragon Clan.

Hailin placed the Sea King’s Pearl on a pristine jade plate. As soon as it touched the plate, it burst into radiant light.

“I didn’t expect you to find it so quickly. Impressive,” Hailan walked up beside him casually.

Hailin forced a smile. “It wasn’t my doing.”

“If not you, then who?” Hailan asked.

Hailin stayed silent.

“You don’t look too happy for someone who just got it back,” she noted.

Hailin took a deep breath, a bitter smile forming on his lips. Does Bi Liuyun hate me now? Does he think I’m just a schemer who’d do anything for the pearl?

He forced a laugh and changed the subject. “Aunt, I hear a lot of people have been chasing after you lately. Anyone catch your eye?”

Hailan snorted. “They’re all weaklings. Can’t even last a few rounds.”

Hailin laughed. “They’re not too weak—it’s just that you’re too strong.”

Hailan smirked. “If you want to pursue me, you’d better be able to beat me first.”

Hailin: “…” Father still dreams of celebrating your wedding. At this rate, it’ll never happen.

Night.

Bi Liuyun sat in the courtyard, gently plucking his zither. A deep, low melody echoed softly.

Qi Shaorong came out and sat beside him. “Can’t sleep?”

“A bit restless,” Bi Liuyun replied.

“Why? Love troubles? Look, Liuyun, when it comes to love, just go with the flow. Sometimes, when you chase after someone, they ignore you. But once you stop chasing, they’ll come running.”

Bi Liuyun glanced at him and chuckled. “Young master, are you talking about Zhuang Hao?”

Qi Shaorong shrugged. “Just making conversation.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not troubled by love.”

“Then what’s keeping you up?” he asked curiously.

Bi Liuyun’s face turned somber. “I acted on impulse and made a huge loss. Now I regret it and can’t sleep.”

Qi Shaorong patted his shoulder. “That’s business—sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You’ll make it back.”

“But I lost big this time—completely wiped out,” Bi Liuyun said, eyes closed. The Sea King’s Pearl was one of the few relics his mother had left him. But it was too dangerous to keep—he had no choice but to give it away. Still, he shouldn’t have done it for free.

Qi Shaorong stroked his chin. “Liuyun… did you know Hailin from before?”

Bi Liuyun looked surprised. “Young master, you—”

“I guessed. The way he looked at you—it wasn’t like you were a stranger.”

“…Yes, I’ve known him since we were kids. Back then, Hailin was short, ugly, and dumb. Now…”

“Now he’s tall, handsome, smart… and you’ve fallen for him?” Qi Shaorong teased.

Bi Liuyun rolled his eyes. “Smart? Him? Maybe tall and handsome, sure.”

“If he’s not smart, how did he trick you out of that treasure?” Qi Shaorong tilted his head.

“That was just me being impulsive—not him being clever.”

“So it was lust clouding your judgment?” Qi Shaorong asked, eyes gleaming.

Bi Liuyun glared at him. “Young master, why aren’t you asleep yet?!”

“I saw you weren’t happy, so I came to cheer you up,” Qi Shaorong said sincerely.

Bi Liuyun gritted his teeth. “Thank you for your concern. I do feel better now.”

Qi Shaorong patted his shoulder. “Good. If you ever feel upset again, talk to me, okay?”

Bi Liuyun: “…”