Chapter 35

Translator: Larbre Studio  Editor: Larbre Studio

It seemed that all four names were referring to this one square-faced man.

This person’s name was Gao Junmo, the highest commanding officer within Guang’an City’s Guard Forces and the Director of the Patrol Division, hence known as “Director Gao.”

The local Guard Forces of the Dayue Imperial Court are distinguished by the five colours: gold, purple, black, white and green. In the entirety of Guang’an’s Guard Forces, only Gao Junmo had the right to don the official black robes, hence he is also known as “Black-Robed Gao”.

Because this man had swept Guang’an with his technique of the Seven Absolute Swords, he was also known as “Gao Seven Swords.”

“May I know if you all are satisfied with having me as the quality inspector?”

“Gao Junmo took off his cloak, revealing his pressed official black robes, an awe-inspiring sight.

As he finished speaking, the room rang with voices of approval.

Gao Junmo smiled. With a flash of steel, a fine sword appeared in his hands. Under the white light, it glistened like clear water.

“Wait!”

Gao Junmo was about to begin his move, but the silver-robed elder spoke once more. “As you all know, Director Gao’s cultivation in the Martial Way is extraordinary, and his Seven Absolute Swords are famous across Guang’an. However, the defensive limits of the Dragon Alligator’s hide has not been fully tested yet. If Director Gao uses his Seven Absolute Swords and tears the Dragon Alligator hide apart, our losses will be too great, and it would be hard for us to account to the party who has entrusted us with the hide. Hence, please do not make use of your Martial Technique, and test it out with just your strength. If it can withstand your full force, it would prove that the Dragon Alligator hide has top-notch defensive capabilities. If it cannot, that just proves that it only has looks and is not worth you gentlemen bidding for it.”

After the silver-robed elder spoke, the room showed no sign of discontent. After all, everyone knew that Gao Junmo’s Seven Absolute Swords had terrifying might. The Dragon Alligator was, after all, not a divine dragon. How could it hope to withstand such a blow?

In Xu Yi’s mind, however, he was being stern. At this moment, he further understood the importance of Martial Techniques.

Gao Junmo nodded. With a gentle movement of his wrist, the blade of autumn water in his hand seemed to come to life. With a metallic flash, the sound of the blade cutting through the air could be heard. It was a beautiful sound, like an elegant song. However, what came next was a dull thud. The tip of the fine sword was stopped completely by the piece of leather. The fine sword bent, but even so, it could not penetrate the hide.

“WAH!”

The crowd was in an uproar. Gao Junmo was a powerhouse in the middle stage of the Qi Ocean stage. Such entities were only a few in number throughout all of Guang’an. The might of one swing of his sword was terrifying. Even a small house could be destroyed. However, it was now easily stopped by a tiny piece of hide.

If they bought this piece of hide and made it into a leather armour, it would become a worthwhile piece of equipment that could preserve their lives. After all, this was made up of an incredible material that a powerhouse at the middle stage of the Qi Ocean stage could not destroy in one slash.

Immediately, the enthusiasm of the crowd skyrocketed. Xu Yi too felt hot blood pumping through his veins. Only by clenching down hard on his own teeth did he not make a sound. He made up his mind. No matter what, he would have that piece of hide for himself.

As Xu Yi was staring intently, the piece of hide was then stretched across a piece of Nanmu wood. Gao Junmo gave a long cry, and with a fist that flew like a comet, he punched the piece of hide, causing the whole room to shake as though there were an earthquake. After a deafening bang, the hide was removed, and the wood was broken into two.

“OOH!”

Numerous exclamations of surprise rang across the room. The enthusiasm from the cries made the air feel as though it was about to explode.

Xu Yi was also shocked. With his amazing strength of soul, his sense of sight was also heightened. From that punch that Gao Junmo had thrown, he could clearly see that it was many times stronger than the Silent God Fist that Elder Feng had gone through painstaking means to execute.

Such a powerful punch. Not only did it fail to damage the leather, but even more amazingly, the Nanmu wood had not been smashed to pieces and was only broken in two.

What kind of material was Nanmu? It was simply a type of wood that was relatively more resilient. In this world, it was usually used to make doors, tables or chairs.

A practitioner at the Body Forging stage would have a body that has skin as tough as hide and bones as hard as steel, making them much tougher than a piece of Nanmu. For the Nanmu to receive such a heavy blow and only break into two, a practitioner at the Body Forging stage would probably just feel some pain and not be injured in the slightest with this leather armor.

Excellent resistance against piercing and a perfect resistance against impact. In the blink of an eye, the value of this piece of hide in the eyes of the audience began to skyrocket.

The silver-robed elder was highly experienced, so he could of course tell that the mood of the crowd has been stirred. He gently struck his silver pommel. “The demonstration is over now. Gentlemen, those who are interested may now place their bids! Starting bid of 500 gold, with a minimum increment of 50 gold.”

“500 gold!”

“550 gold!”

“700 gold!”

Xu Yi had yet to open his mouth, and the Dragon Alligator hide’s price had soared.

Indeed, a leather armour that could withstand the full force of a blow from a Qi Ocean powerhouse was something that practitioners below the Qi Ocean stage could only dream of.

However, as the price rose up to beyond a thousand gold, the number of competitors, dropped drastically.

Firstly, it was because there was a limit to the price, even though the Dragon Alligator hide was no ordinary item. Prior to this, a hundred-fold forged golden broadsword by the Alchemists Chamber that could penetrate ten layers of fine armour had only sold for five hundred gold.

Secondly, for those in the Body Forging stage and below, their wealth was limited. Even if they could afford to buy it, they would also be unwilling to spend over half of their family fortune just to buy a piece of raw material. In comparison with the Dragon Alligator hide that had such a high price, a thousand gold could give them a wide selection of defensive equipment.

Of course, while some would feel that it was not worth the price, there would be others who would think otherwise. There were still three of them who kept outbidding each other. In no time, the price had gone beyond a thousand gold.

“1050 gold!”

Number seven said angrily.

“1100 gold!”

The one who raised was Gao Junmo.

Having tried the Dragon Alligator hide himself, Gao Junmo felt a kind of unexplained excitement. He even wondered if his Seven Absolute Swords were able to break the piece of Dragon Alligator skin. He had never heard of such a leather in existence, and he naturally had the thought of having it for himself.

“1150 gold!”

The one who raised was number twenty-nine.

This person was seated not too far from Xu Yi and was one of the two who had arrived last.

He had left a deep impression on Xu Yi since. Not only because he was one of the few who gave off the aura of a powerhouse in the Qi Ocean Stage, but also because of his wealth and his willingness to spend it. Of the first thirteen items on auction, this gentlemen had snapped up three of them, spending almost four thousand gold. Xu Yi’s eyes were dazed by this kind of spending.

After number twenty-nine raised the bid, he quickly followed. “This Dragon Alligator hide might be special, but it is not omnipotent. A low-grade magical robe from the Alchemists Chamber is worth only two thousand gold, so why compete with me. Why don’t you two show me some face?”

“Show you face? Who do you think you are? Since we are at an auction, it is natural that the one with more money gets the goods. If you want the Dragon Alligator hide, then show your hand!” Number seven said menacingly.

“Who do I think I am? Hehe, how many years has it been since I’ve heard such words in Guang’an City.”

With a whoosh, number twenty-nine ripped off the broad black hat he wore on his head, revealing a fierce, broad face.

“Elder Shui!”

“Could it be? The Shui family from the Four Great Families?

“Of course, other than that Shui family, which other Shui family would have an elder at the late stage of the Qi Ocean stage!?”

Discussions sprung up within the room.

The silver-robed elder looked like he wanted to say something, but Elder Shui glared at him with eyes like a tiger, and he could not even move from the pressure that Elder Shui exerted on him.

“Director Gao, show this old man some face will you? The Shui family will repay its debts!” Elder Shui stared at Gao Junmo and said calmly.

Gao Junmo sharp-like-knives brows knitted. “Since Elder Shui has spoken, if I carry on competing, it would be inviting conflict. But remember what you said earlier; the Shui family owes me a favour.” With that, he rose to his feet, standing tall, and left the room with large strides.