As Wu Chen was making his way to the Auction House, a rather expensively dressed gentleman handed his invitation to the guard at the door. His deep blue silken robes with intricate soft green embroidery trim were layered over soft green heavy silk. The richly ornamented garb shimmered in the wavering lantern light. His clothing alone let everyone know that he would be a major player in this auction.

Dark hair held in a tight topknot was capped with a diamond encrusted band and held with an understated silver pin embedded with a sparkling blue sapphire. To ensure his anonymity despite the ostentatious display of his wealth, he wore an elaborate deep blue mask that encased his eyes and the right side of his face. His every movement was elegant and refined.

This was obviously a man one would not wish to offend.

Those who took note of the man wondered at his lack of guards or subordinates. After all, anyone who purchased a private box was entitled to two subordinates. His bearing, however, showed not a hint of fear, even without guards to protect him. This led many to believe that he must be a powerful cultivator, possibly even a high-ranking member of a sect. His confidence was admired by the few who were brave enough to take more than a glance.

He was quickly welcomed to the auction and asked to wait for a moment as a servant would be by soon to escort him to his private box. He simply nodded at the respectful guard and casually walked to the balcony overlooking the auction stage. He cast his gaze over the full house, amazed that there were so many who would attend an auction of this particular commodity.

His eyes darkened, and his lips compressed into a thin line.

A richly dressed servant wearing the black and gold of the auction house approached him and courteously bowed, 'Box 8...follow me, please.' He requested politely in a submissive tone.

The gentleman nodded and followed the black masked servant. As he walked, his sharp eyes took in the 16 boxes above, as well as the deeply packed seats of the horseshoe shaped room below. The entire house was built to face the circular marble stage now encased in a dome of soft, glowing light. He wondered idly if it was a protection shield.

With his attention focused on the stage, he noticed two men standing in the center with their backs to the restless audience, and his eyes narrowed. Everything about the setup below told him the whole stage was a trap of some sort. His fists clenched within the bilious sleeves of his expensive robes.

As his eyes traveled over the house, he noticed a man wearing black traveling robes with a matching black mask casually leaning against one of the wooden pillars below. His hair was styled in a half-topknot held with a band of black leather and an ebony pin. His gaze seemed to be locked onto the stage.

The gentleman narrowed his eyes and decided he would invite that person to join him in his private box. If the stranger was who he thought he was, their conversation would be most interesting.

His guide unlocked the private box, and he was quickly escorted inside. A table and two chairs were provided, as well as a teapot and four available cups. The balcony of the small room overlooked the auction stage, and an auction paddle with the number 8 lay on the table, ready for bidding. Soft lanterns lit the room from the back. This cast the shadows forward, thus ensuring an extra layer of privacy for those guests who preferred to keep their identity a secret.

The man took his seat, and the servant made a polite bow, 'Wine selections are available if you would prefer, sir. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.' The servant offered pleasantly.

'Tell me, as expensive as this auction is likely to get, why were so many allowed to attend? I assumed it would only be those of us who could actually afford the price.' The man's voice was deep, with a hint of annoyance.

The servant swallowed hard. This wasn't the first high end client who had asked this question, 'Those you see below are representatives of parties who do not wish to be associated with the Auction House, or who can't make it personally. They have the capital. They just don't want to come in person.'

'Cowards such as those don't deserve such an expensive piece of merchandise.' The man sniffed arrogantly.

The servant began to sweat under that haughty gaze, 'Will there be anything else, sir?' He asked nervously.

'I believe an acquaintance of mine is currently on the floor below. I would like to invite him to join me in this box.' The man spoke softly, but his request was more of a command.

'Certainly, sir. Can you show me which person you care to invite?' The servant answered easily, glad to be away from such a dangerous subject.

The man pointed to the gentleman leaning on the pillar below and casually handed the servant a silver tael for his trouble. The servant took the tael quickly and walked briskly out of the box door.

The man reached over to the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea as he watched the servant quickly cross the packed room and issue the invitation. The man below glanced up curiously to the box and nodded. Then, the servant led him across the floor and out of sight.

A moment later, a sharp knock on the door was heard.

'Enter.' Ordered the elegant man.

The servant escorted the guest into the box and gave them each a polite bow, 'Will there be anything else, sir?' Asked the servant respectfully.

The man merely waved for him to leave, and the servant left quickly.

He gestured to the empty chair and began pouring a cup of tea for his guest. The man in black gave a polite bow and joined his host at the table, his curious eyes on the face of the masked man across from him. An uncomfortable silence settled between the two.

After a few moments, the guest finally spoke, 'I am honored to join you today. You have my thanks for the invitation and the tea. May I ask why I have been invited to join such an esteemed guest in his private box?'

The guest in the black mask lifted his tea to blow on it. He appeared relaxed, as if he was sure that whatever he was here for could be easily dealt with.

'Is this how you guard Wu Chen when given the chance, Chu Haoyu?' Asked the man quietly, his dark eyes burning with malevolence.

Chu Haoyu choked on the tea, his eyes flying up to meet that fiery gaze, 'Lu Yong? How...'

'It doesn't matter how.' Growled Lu Yong, 'Right now, my ward is in grave danger. If I didn't need the extra assistance to get him out of this alive, you wouldn't still be breathing.'

Chu Haoyu sat back and tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes narrowed, 'Is that a threat?'

Lu Yong chuckled darkly, his eyes as cold as a glacier, 'Let me assure you, once Wu Chen is safe, it will be your death day.'

Chu Haoyu laughed and raised his cup in a mock toast, 'I look forward to it.'

He grinned and took a sip of the tea before carefully setting the cup back down, 'You really should be more gracious to me, though. I gave you a hero's burial, and I even carved your memorial tablet myself. Wu Chen was very grateful.'

Lu Yong threw himself over the table and gripped Chu Haoyu by the throat. Through gritted teeth, he spat, 'For making Wu Chen go through that farce, I will draw out your death until you beg me to kill you.'

Chu Haoyu glared at him and rasped out through the crushing pressure on his throat, 'Right now, we need to decide how we're going to get him out.'

With a frustrated grunt, Lu Yong pushed Chu Haoyu out of his grip. Chu Haoyu coughed a few times and rubbed his throat lightly, glad the man had let him go. He was actually surprised that Lu Yong had been able to choke him to that extent. Had the man's cultivation level increased? If so, he would have to be a little more cautious around him.

It had been a long time since Chu Haoyu felt threatened. He didn't like the feeling.

After a deep breath to control his need to kill this man, Lu Yong did his best to focus on the rescue, 'Were you able to bring your sword in?'

'Of course.' Chu Haoyu replied as if offended. He took a sip of his tea, 'It's in my Void ring for now.'

'Have you tested to see if you can retrieve it here?' Lu Yong asked with a lift of his brow, 'They have auras blocked and some kind of shield over the stage. I wouldn't rule out blocking the use of Void objects as well.'

'Of course I tested it.' Chu Haoyu hissed, 'I'm not stupid.'

'Tch!' Groused Lu Yong with a disbelieving look.

Chu Haoyu ignored him, 'As for that shield, I'm thinking it's an illusion dome. The Slave Master likes to be dramatic when he holds a cultivator auction.' Chu Haoyu frowned, setting his cup down.

'You sound like this isn't your first cultivator auction.' Lu Yong accused with a disgusted look.

'It's easy enough to get information on all sorts of dark dealings if you know where to look and who to ask.' Chu Haoyu snapped back, 'Rogue cultivators like me don't have the luxury of being pampered by a clan or a sect. We are exposed to things from an early age that would make your hair turn white. So, don't act so righteous, Lu Yong! It was your travel map that led us to this dirty town. Maybe next time, you should do a little more research before dragging Wu Chen to a place like this.' Chu Haoyu sneered.

'Shut it.' Lu Yong growled, his guilt a dead weight in his chest, 'Save your sad story for the next time you want a free drink at the inn. It's getting close to time for the auction, so let's focus on what's important. I say we go for the stage first. Rescuing and protecting Wu Chen is the priority.'

Chu Haoyu nodded, for once agreeing with his hated enemy. He glared at the masked faces of the crowd who were eagerly anticipating the auction, and his dark face dropped into a fierce scowl, 'Once he's safe, we need to annihilate these bastards and burn this Auction House to the ground.'

These spoiled rich pig fuckers wanted to put their hands on his Wu Chen? For that insult alone, not one of them would be leaving this auction alive. Chu Haoyu's eyes glittered with malice.

Lu Yong's eyes were just as dark, 'En.' Was all he said.