Driving the car, Chen Moxiang handed a booklet resembling an illustrated catalog to Lin Tian.

"What’s this?"

"Aren’t you heading back? There’s just an invitation here, it contains the items that will be auctioned. If you see something you need, you should check it out. After all, if you miss this, you won’t find it elsewhere."

Lin Tian perked up instantly, took the invitation, and began to browse through it.

This invitation was quite substantial and exquisitely made, more like a collectible. The cover had a row of small gold-embossed characters in regular script, briefly introducing the auction.

Opening the first page, it was another page of small characters, quite lengthy, which Lin Tian merely glanced at before skipping over.

The third page detailed the items for this auction.

The auction featured a total of fifty items. Lin Tian carefully looked them over and quickly found something of interest.

Chen Moxiang noticed Lin Tian’s slightly upturned mouth from the corner of his eye, knowing that he had spotted something appealing.

"What caught your eye?" Chen Moxiang asked.

The auction comprised some antique calligraphy and paintings, but most of the items were related to cultivation. Rare herbs, cultivation techniques, alchemical recipes, and training equipment were among them.

"A few interesting items. I didn’t expect the items at this auction to be so assorted," Lin Tian said with a laugh.

"What do you mean by assorted? It’s comprehensive! What exactly did you fancy?"

"You seem to know quite a lot." Lin Tian flipped through it again and suddenly urged, "Hey, the invitation states the auction starts today at eight in the morning. It’s already nine, aren’t we late? Speed up, will you!"

"What nonsense! Due to your ’glorious’ actions last night, the Luoyan Dock auction has been postponed from eight in the morning to two in the afternoon," Chen Moxiang replied. "You might even bump into some familiar faces."

"Familiar faces? Who?"

"Your teacher, Zhao Xuefeng. And some renowned ancient medicine practitioners."

Lin Tian’s expression turned peculiar, "What are they doing there?"

"They were invited, of course. Ancient martial arts involve many aspects, and ancient medicine is intimately related to ancient martial arts. Most people at Luoyan Dock know medicine, and your teacher is hailed as the top ancient medicine practitioner, naturally attracting much attention."

Lin Tian rolled his eyes, "If that’s the case, why didn’t you tell me earlier? If I knew my teacher was attending, I could have just asked him about the auction details."

"I just found out myself!" Chen Moxiang retorted, not in the best mood, "It’s not just your teacher, but also martial arts masters and big shots in the herbal business. However, everything that happens here is confidential."

Chen Moxiang turned his head to Lin Tian, "You can’t use your current name anymore. Change it, alright?"

Lin Tian pondered for two seconds and smiled, "You from the Security Management Institute all have a catchy slogan, so why don’t I come up with one too?"

"What?"

"How about... ’Cannon King’?"

"Pfft..." Chen Moxiang couldn’t help but laugh, then rolled his eyes at Lin Tian, "Cannon King, it does suit your rogue image. I think it’s quite fitting."

"Why are you calling me a rogue too?"

"Are others calling you that too? Maybe it’s because you’re a natural at it. ’Cannon King’ it is then. Just say you’re from the Security Management Institute, and keep quiet, or you might get us both into trouble." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Don’t worry. Oh, it’s still early, I’d like to head to the Xu Family first," Lin Tian said.

Chen Moxiang shook his head, "No way! It’s a sensitive time for the Xu Family, countless eyes are watching them. As a member of the Security Management Institute, if you go looking for them now, people might link you to last night’s sniper incident."

Lin Tian knew Chen Moxiang made a valid point and reluctantly gave up the idea. In this sensitive period, any misstep could lead to huge problems.

...

Following Chen Moxiang back to Huayang Tower.

Huayang Tower, being the tallest and most conspicuous building in Luoyan Dock, also serves as accommodation for distinguished guests.

This unique wooden building, specially renovated, lacks elevators but is in no way inferior to modern buildings.

Inside, it offers not just comfort but also a sense of sophistication and status.

Such an antique structure is usually for viewing in the outside world, who would get to live in it?

Huayang Tower also has staff for managing accommodation, meals, and guest arrangements.

Chen Moxiang approached a counter, pulled out his credentials, and said to the staff, "Hello, we’re from the Security Management Institute. This is my partner, who just arrived today. Could you arrange a room for him?"

The staff looked slightly embarrassed, smiling apologetically, "I’m sorry, officers... Our rooms are allocated according to the invitations and were arranged a week ago, so there are no extra rooms... But there are available rooms at the Rong Residence. Perhaps you could inquire there?"

Chen Moxiang thought for a moment, then shook his head, "No need, I’ll have him stay with another partner."

"Hey...you!"

Before Lin Tian could finish his sentence, Chen Moxiang pulled him by the sleeve, leading him to a more secluded area.

"Who are you planning for me to bunk with?" Lin Tian asked, leaning against a pillar.

"Bunking with someone? It’s just sharing a room for a short rest. Once the auction is over this afternoon, you can head back. Why bother with a separate room? Your identity can’t withstand scrutiny; less hassle is better."

Lin Tian gave Chen Moxiang an exasperated look, "Do you truly think I’m leaving that quickly? I need to find a chance to visit the Xu Family, right?"

"There’s a sofa in my room; you can sleep there."

"That... doesn’t feel right, does it?"

"I’m a woman and don’t mind, so what are you fussing about? I seriously doubt you’d dare try anything while sleeping, unless you don’t want that thing anymore." Chen Moxiang glanced at Lin Tian’s crotch, grinning mischievously like a little demon.

Lin Tian shuddered, recalling the time she sliced open a zipper with the tip of a knife while he was in her car.

As they walked toward the room, Lin Tian suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, if I want to auction something, I’ll need to go through some procedure, right?"

Walking ahead, Chen Moxiang turned to give Lin Tian a peculiar look, "What are you planning to sell? Those herbs from yesterday?"

Lin Tian replied irritably, "I’m not stupid, alright? It’s something else."

"Oh, I nearly forgot. You’re someone who practices inner strength Qi Gong, you must have valuable items on you. But the list of auction items is already finalized, so selling now might not be feasible."