Chapter 364: Chen family!!!
The second day of the Conclave arrived.
Unlike the excitement surrounding the Grand Auction, the atmosphere throughout Krause Tower was much more tense.
Today was the final day for the catalogue.
Every anonymous bid would close before the exclusive Grand Auction began at night.
Across the tower...
Guests rarely let their encrypted tablets leave their hands.
Some enjoyed breakfast while refreshing the bidding page every few seconds.
Others attended meetings with one eye constantly fixed on the catalogue.
Whenever a notification appeared...
Another bid followed almost immediately.
A rare gemstone changed owners three times within ten minutes.
Ancient manuscripts crossed the fifty million dollar mark.
Prototype surveillance equipment continued attracting fierce competition.
The catalogue had become a battlefield of patience and wealth.
...
Inside one of the cafeterias...
Light sat alone by the window.
A cup of black coffee rested beside him while his tablet displayed the current bidding status.
His attention was fixed on a single item.
The Blue Stone.
The jewel that Princess Thea had admired.
He quietly watched another bidder increase the price.
A faint smile appeared beneath his mask.
"Persistent."
He casually entered another number.
The bid was submitted.
A few moments later...
No new offers appeared.
Light leaned back.
"This should do."
"I don’t think anyone is willing to pay more than this for the Blue Stone."
Satisfied, he closed the auction page.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
"Hmm..."
"Should I get something for Chloe too?"
He opened the catalogue again and slowly browsed through the remaining items.
A beautifully crafted combat knife appeared.
Light immediately shook his head.
"A knife?"
"No..."
"Why would I buy her a knife?"
He continued scrolling.
Military collectibles.
Rare gemstones.
Decorative antiques.
Historical relics.
He sighed.
"There really isn’t anything suitable."
He smiled helplessly.
"She’s not interested in pearls."
"Nor precious stones."
"What exactly should I buy her?"
"I can’t exactly bring home gifts from an underworld auction."
"I’d never hear the end of it."
Just as he was about to continue scrolling...
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
His smile disappeared instantly.
Every instinct sharpened.
Without thinking...
He turned sharply toward his left.
His eyes scanned the entire cafeteria.
Every entrance.
Every table.
Every guest.
Every reflection in the windows.
His muscles instinctively tensed.
Someone...
That gaze...
It felt dangerous.
Who’s looking for trouble?
The uneasy sensation disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.
Yet...
The feeling remained.
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Is everything alright?"
Light turned.
Princess Thea had just approached his table.
He slowly exhaled.
"I felt like someone was watching me."
Thea looked around the cafeteria before smiling.
She pulled out a chair and sat opposite him.
"Look at you."
"You were ready to start a fight."
Light relaxed slightly.
"The feeling was strange."
Thea chuckled.
"You’re the hottest topic of this Conclave."
"Half the building is probably trying to figure out who you really are."
"It’s only natural people stare."
Light considered her explanation.
"Perhaps."
He took another sip of coffee.
"But..."
"It felt..."
He searched for the right word.
"...Uneasy."
After another glance around the room...
He finally shook his head.
"Forget it."
"I still have plenty of work after this event."
He smiled faintly.
"No one will ever see this identity again after today."
Thea looked at him for a second.
She understood exactly what he meant.
Tomorrow...
Light would disappear once more.
Only Miles would remain.
She changed the subject.
"I noticed your latest bid on the Blue Stone."
A playful smile appeared.
"So..."
"Thank you in advance."
Light smiled.
"It’s the least I can do."
"You helped me yesterday."
Thea leaned back comfortably.
"I won’t refuse then."
She noticed the catalogue still open on his tablet.
"Looking for something else?"
Light nodded.
"I was thinking of buying a gift."
"But everything here is..."
He glanced at another page displaying antique pistols.
"...Dangerous."
Thea laughed.
"Of course it is."
"This is an underworld auction."
She looked at him teasingly.
"So..."
"A gift for your fiancée?"
Light looked surprised.
"You know?"
Thea nodded proudly.
"The Grandmaster told me."
She smiled warmly.
"Congratulations."
"In advance."
A rare softness appeared in Light’s eyes.
"Thank you."
Thea thought for a moment.
"Actually..."
"I know a wonderful chocolate shop here in Frankfurt."
Light looked interested.
"You do?"
"It’s one of my favorites."
"They make handmade chocolates."
She smiled.
"Trust me."
"If you buy her something from there..."
"She’ll love it."
Light laughed quietly.
"Really?"
"Thanks."
"I’ll stop by before leaving."
Thea nodded.
"I’d like to meet your bride someday."
"When all of this is finally over."
Light looked at her curiously.
"Why are you so eager to meet her?"
She grinned mischievously.
"What?"
"Getting protective already?"
She pretended to look offended.
"Do you think the princess would hurt her?"
Light awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
"No."
"That’s not what I meant."
He smiled.
"I just wasn’t expecting it."
Then his expression softened.
"I hope you get your freedom soon."
For a brief moment...
Thea’s playful expression disappeared.
"So do I."
Silence settled between them.
After a few moments...
She looked back at him.
"What are you planning to do with Anzo Fischer?"
Light answered calmly.
"Senior Nine will handle him."
"I don’t know enough about the man."
He looked toward Thea.
"Tell me."
"What kind of person is he?"
Thea’s expression became unusually serious.
"You’re wondering whether he deserves what’s coming."
Light slowly shook his head.
"No."
He looked around the cafeteria.
"Nobody attending this Conclave has clean hands."
"I don’t believe I have the right to judge someone I know nothing about."
Thea quietly nodded.
"I understand."
She looked toward the opposite side of the room where Anzo was speaking with several others.
"But him..."
Her voice became noticeably colder.
"He’s different."
"He destroyed countless women’s lives."
"He used his influence."
"His family."
"His money."
She clenched her fingers around the edge of the table.
"I’ve personally seen the consequences."
"There wasn’t a single trace of regret."
She slowly looked back at Light.
"He deserves no mercy."
"Even if he belongs to an influential family."
"He deserves to be punished."
Light quietly observed her.
This was the first time he had heard genuine anger in her voice.
He realized something.
For someone like Princess Thea...
Who had witnessed countless crimes... and maybe plotted some under her job as a spy.
To describe a man as truly evil...
He had to be far worse than ordinary criminals.
Light gave a slow nod.
"Then..."
He calmly finished his coffee.
"Today..."
"Will be the last day he sees the light."
Just then...
A familiar voice approached from behind.
"I’m back."
Johanna returned carrying her tablet.
She looked between the two of them.
"What are you talking about?"
Thea immediately smiled.
"Mr. Light was trying to find a present for his partner."
Johanna looked pleasantly surprised.
"Oh?"
She placed the tray on the table before looking at Light.
"Mr. Light..."
"Is your partner..."
She tilted her head curiously.
"...Some prominent figure in the underworld?"
Light almost spat out the coffee he had just taken.
He somehow managed to swallow it before coughing twice.
Thea covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Johanna blinked in confusion.
"...Did I ask something wrong?"
...
Evening arrived quickly.
As the final hours of the catalogue came to an end, the entire atmosphere inside Krause Tower shifted once again.
One by one...
The countdowns on thousands of catalogue items reached zero.
Every bid was locked.
No further offers could be placed.
The two days of silent competition had officially ended.
Almost immediately, notifications began appearing across every guest’s tablet.
Winning Bid Confirmed.
Proceed to Transaction.
Await Seller Confirmation.
Throughout the tower, buyers and sellers began completing their exchanges.
Most transactions were still handled under the supervision of the Krause Family.
Every payment was verified.
Every article was authenticated one final time.
Every transfer was documented through the Conclave’s encrypted system before changing hands.
For exceptionally valuable items, the Krause Family preferred arranging face-to-face meetings inside secure chambers.
It reduced misunderstandings and ensured both parties left satisfied.
Light had requested one such meeting.
Not because he distrusted the seller.
But because he wanted answers.
...
Johanna escorted him through one of the quieter corridors.
"This is the room."
She gently knocked twice before opening the door.
Inside waited a woman in her late thirties.
She carried herself with remarkable elegance.
Her posture reflected years of formal etiquette.
She wore a dark emerald qipao embroidered with delicate golden patterns.
Every movement was graceful.
She calmly stood as her guests entered.
A polite smile appeared on her face.
"Welcome..."
"Mr. Light."
Light offered a respectful nod.
"Greetings..."
"Mrs. Chen."
Surprise appeared on her face.
"You know who I am?"
Light smiled faintly.
"I’ve done business with the Chen Family before."
"Although..."
"It was many years ago."
Mrs. Chen’s expression brightened.
"Then we already have a connection."
She gestured toward the seating area.
"Miss Johanna informed me that you wished to receive the article personally."
"Please..."
"Both of you."
"Have a seat."
Johanna quietly sat beside Light while Mrs. Chen carefully opened an ornate wooden case resting upon the table.
Inside...
Lay the sword.
Even without touching it...
The weapon carried an unusual presence.
Its dark jade-colored scabbard had survived the passage of centuries with remarkable preservation.
Mrs. Chen slowly lifted it before placing it gently upon the table.
Light reached forward with unexpected care.
He didn’t immediately unsheathe it.
Instead...
His fingers rested upon the handle.
There...
Carved almost invisibly into the aged metal...
Was a tiny crest.
His eyes narrowed.
"...It’s real."
Mrs. Chen smiled.
"So..."
"You recognize it."
"No wonder you purchased it with the very first bid."
Light slowly nodded.
He looked back toward her.
"Mrs. Chen."
"There is something I’ve been wondering."
She smiled.
"Please ask."
"The Chen Family owns several prestigious auction houses across mainland China."
She nodded.
"That’s correct."
"So..."
"Why bring this sword all the way to Germany?"
"You could have auctioned it much closer to home."
Mrs. Chen sighed quietly.
"It’s not that simple."
She folded her hands together.
"Our family actually attempted to auction it."
"Several times."
Light listened without interrupting.
"Every single auction..."
"Was interrupted."
She smiled bitterly.
"Power failures."
"Unexpected accidents."
"Government inspections."
"Transportation failures."
"Even a small fire once."
"Every time..."
"The sword remained with our family."
She looked toward the ancient weapon.
"My father-in-law eventually became convinced."
"He started calling it..."
"A cursed sword."
Johanna looked genuinely surprised.
Mrs. Chen continued.
"He believes strongly in old superstitions."
"So..."
"He ordered me to dispose of it."
She gently touched the edge of the wooden case.
"I couldn’t bring myself to throw away something carrying so much history."
"So I brought it here instead."
Johanna quietly stared at the sword.
The story sounded almost unbelievable.
Light noticed her expression.
He smiled.
"Don’t worry, Miss Johanna."
"I’ve already purchased it."
He looked around the chamber playfully.
"And I don’t see your Conclave suffering any mysterious interruptions."
Johanna laughed despite herself.
Mrs. Chen joined in.
"Tell me, Miss Johanna."
"Do you believe in curses?"
Johanna immediately shook her head.
"No."
"I don’t."
Light gently rested the sword back inside its case.
"Believe it or not..."
"There will probably be a few minor interruptions."
Johanna immediately looked at him.
"Please don’t curse the Conclave, Mr. Light."
Her unusually serious expression made both of them laugh.
After the laughter faded...
Light’s expression became thoughtful again.
"Mrs. Chen."
"There is one more thing."
She nodded.
"Of course."
"How did this sword reach your family?"
Mrs. Chen thought for a moment.
"My grandmother gave it to me."
"When I was still a little girl."
"Our family originally practiced martial arts."
"So the sword remained with us for generations."
She smiled faintly.
"After marrying into the Chen Family..."
"I brought it with me."
She looked toward the weapon again.
"I never truly understood its significance."
"To me..."
"It was simply an old family heirloom."
"It wasn’t until years later..."
"That an elderly collector identified it."
"He explained its history."
"Only then did I realize what I possessed."
She sighed.
"I even tried searching for descendants of the Ancient Clan Alliance."
"But..."
"My family never supported the idea."
"I couldn’t do much on my own."
She smiled helplessly.
"Still..."
"I imagine they’ll be very happy."
"Thirty million dollars..."
"For what they believed was a cursed sword."
Light quietly considered every word she had spoken.
His fingers lightly tapped the armrest.
"So..."
"You don’t know how your grandmother originally obtained it?"
Mrs. Chen slowly shook her head.
"Unfortunately..."
"No."
"But..."
She smiled warmly.
"I can certainly ask her."
"If you ever visit China..."
"Please come to our auction house."
"We’d be honored to welcome such an important guest."
Her eyes sparkled with businesslike enthusiasm.
"And..."
"I suspect someone capable of casually spending thirty million dollars..."
"Might become one of our favorite customers."
Light laughed softly.
"I’ll keep that invitation in mind."
He stood.
"The payment has already been transferred through the auction system."
"Miss Johanna informed me it should reach your account before tonight."
Mrs. Chen also rose.
"Thank you."
"It has been a pleasure doing business with you."
She gently closed the wooden case.
"And now..."
"I suppose it’s time for tonight’s Grand Auction."
Light gave a respectful nod.
"I hope we meet again."
"So do I."
Johanna escorted Light back into the hallway.
The heavy door quietly closed behind them.
For a while...
Neither spoke.
Finally...
Johanna looked toward him.
"So..."
"You still didn’t get the answer you wanted."
Light continued walking calmly.
"No."
Then he smiled.
"Because she was lying."
Johanna stopped.
"...What?"
Light looked ahead.
"Mrs. Chen is an exceptional businesswoman."
"Almost every sentence she spoke was carefully chosen."
Johanna frowned.
"You think she lied about the sword?"
Light shook his head.
"Not everything."
"But she deliberately avoided answering the important part."
He smiled.
"Instead..."
"She invited me to China."
Johanna blinked.
"So..."
"You think..."
Light chuckled.
"She believes someone willing to spend thirty million dollars on a sword..."
"Might spend even more at her family’s auction houses."
Johanna stared at him for several seconds.
Then sighed.
"It looks like..."
"I still have a lot to learn."
Light glanced at her with a faint smile.