Chapter 104: Direct Auction, To the Highest Bidder!

With no other choice, Xiang Nan withdrew his hand and fixed his gaze steadily on Yuan Ao.

“Xiang Nan, don’t be nervous. The items inside these two brocade boxes are my tokens of gratitude. Were it not for your Life-Reviving Herb, I would still be bedridden, unable to move.”

Having spoken, Yuan Ao turned to face the crowd. “Indeed, the reason I haven’t appeared publicly for over half a year is because I was poisoned by a treacherous plot. Thanks to Xiang Nan’s miraculous herb, the poison was neutralized. So, anyone who dares to speak of abolishing the Spirit of Treasure is essentially opposing me, Yuan Ao!”

As he uttered these last words, Yuan Ao deliberately shot a glare at Lu Pengcheng. A chill surged through Lu Pengcheng’s back, his legs weakened, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

This was a complete and utter defeat.

Lu Yu had to support Lu Pengcheng as the two hurriedly left the banquet hall.

Before departing, Lu Pengcheng trembled as he warned Lu Yu, “Son, from now on, if you see Xiang Nan, just avoid him. He’s not someone we can afford to provoke.”

Elsewhere, Xiang Nan finally grasped the full story.

The Life-Reviving Herb that Lone Wolf Leng Ruoshuang had requested from him was intended to save General Yuan Ao of Zhen Guo.

Recalling Leng Ruoshuang’s brief smile back then, he realized it had been directed at Yuan Ao.

A bittersweet feeling stirred within Xiang Nan.

Moreover, he had never publicized the Life-Reviving Herb, nor had the Spirit of Treasure ever been sold—it was to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Now, with the National General broadcasting this news so openly…

Well, let it spread. If anything, the highest bidder shall claim it!

Although Xiang Nan wasn’t short of money, who would ever complain about having too much?

By this time, numerous reporters had quietly entered the banquet hall, snapping photos incessantly of Yuan Ao and Xiang Nan.

The murmurs among the crowd rose wave after wave.

“Tsk tsk tsk, I wondered when the Eagle Alliance would make friends with the National General. Turns out it’s because the Alliance’s young master saved him—a huge favor indeed!”

“I’ve got insider info—the three treasures of the Spirit of Treasure were brought to the Eagle Alliance by this young master.”

“No wonder he could save the National General. What kind of miraculous herb is this Life-Reviving Herb? It sounds incredible!”

“Are you kidding? The Spirit of Treasure’s three treasures aren’t miraculous? Just listen to the name—Life-Reviving Herb, how imposing!”

“Better to associate with the Eagle Alliance than the Lu family from now on—that’s the way to go!”

“Exactly! We must align with the Eagle Alliance!”

With the National General standing as the Eagle Alliance’s advocate, everyone’s eyes looked upon Xiang Nan and the Alliance members differently.

“Xiao Nan, so you’re the one who saved the National General? How come you never mentioned such a big deal? You’re too modest!” Su Yao excitedly bumped Xiang Nan’s shoulder.

“Brother Xiang Nan, I admire you more and more,” Xu Jiya said, her eyes sparkling like little stars.

Beside them, Meng Qingwan smiled continuously at Xiang Nan, her admiration nearly overflowing.

Amid the praise and the girls’ admiration, Xiang Nan felt a bit lightheaded.

This feeling was truly exhilarating.

Yet on the surface, Xiang Nan remained composed and said calmly, “Healing and saving lives is the duty of a doctor. The General is too polite.”

“Very good! Having young people like you in Jiuzhou is a blessing. You’re still young, and your path ahead is long. As long as you make the right choices, your future will be bright! Alright, my tokens of appreciation have been delivered. I shall take my leave now.”

With that, Yuan Ao cast a meaningful glance at Xiang Nan and turned toward the exit.

Xu Qingshan and several stewards hurried forward. “We’ll see the General off.”

But Yuan Ao waved them off. “Please stay. No need to escort me.”

Though Xu Qingshan and the others tried to insist, a few soldiers by Yuan Ao’s side blocked them, and without looking back, Yuan Ao strode out.

Xiang Nan, who had been basking in the glow moments before, now felt puzzled.

What did General Yuan mean by “as long as you make the right choices, your future will be bright”?

Has my future ever been a problem?

Watching Yuan Ao leave, Xiang Nan was soon surrounded by Eagle Alliance members.

“Do you know what it means to be a ‘little cow doing the splits’?”

“What’s that?”

“It means you’re so awesome, just like Brother Nan!”

“It has to be our Brother Nan, the life-saving hero of the National General!”

“Brother Nan, do you have leg hair? Please hang up, I’m very gentle.”

“I, I, I want to have monkeys with Brother Nan!”

“What? That’s so direct!”

At this moment, however, Xiang Nan wasn’t in the mood for jokes.

Among the two brocade boxes Yuan Ao had given him, one contained a sixth-tier spirit pearl, but the other had yet to be opened.

He tossed both boxes into his storage space, eager to see what else Yuan Ao had in store.

Yet the banquet hall was packed with rich and influential Eagle Alliance friends, blocking his path solidly.

He simply couldn’t leave!

“Xiang Nan, I’ve cooperated with the Eagle Alliance for ten years. We’re good partners. Can you sell me one of those Life-Reviving Herbs?”

“My poor old father has hypertension and suffered a stroke. He’s still in emergency care. Please sell me one Life-Reviving Herb.”

“My son was severely injured by a beast a few days ago and is barely holding on. I urgently need Brother Xiang Nan’s Life-Reviving Herb.”

“The fortune teller said I’m facing a blood-related disaster this year. I need a Life-Reviving Herb to overcome it.”

“Overcome it? Secretary Xia, why not say you’re going to be struck by lightning this year? Or thunder rolling down from the sky? I’m the one who really needs the herb…”

Amid the clamoring, Xiang Nan’s head ached.

This scene felt bizarre—was this a tragedy? Or was Death itself looming?

Why did it feel like no one here was going to live long?

There was only one way to deal with these desperate people: sell it to them!

“Everyone, quiet! The Life-Reviving Herb is a divine medicine, not something that’s readily available,” Xiang Nan said, climbing onto a bench and speaking loudly.

“Ah? Brother Xiang, what do you mean? Is the herb no longer available?” an older wealthy man asked anxiously.

All eyes eagerly turned to Xiang Nan, awaiting his answer.

“Not exactly,” Xiang Nan replied.

Seeing the crowd relax, he continued, “But I currently only have one left. Since everyone wants it so badly, how about this: let’s make it fair and square, no deception—an auction! Highest bidder wins!”

Many grew anxious knowing there was only one left, but at least there was still one to fight for.

“An auction it is!”

“Yeah, no matter the price, I have to get it!”

“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Who knows who will win?”

“Bring it on! Who’s afraid?”

Before the auction even began, it seemed like a brawl was about to break out.

Xiang Nan hurriedly added, “The auction will be hosted by Steward Xu of the Eagle Alliance. Starting price: one million, increments of one hundred thousand. Good luck! You can do it!”

With that, Xiang Nan jumped down from the bench, slipped through the crowd, and headed straight for the exit.