"Wow. I thought it was exaggerated when I saw it outside, but I didn't expect it to be so powerful inside. It's like something out of a puppet show."
Jingge was particularly interested in the interior waterfall. In fact, in the era before the force guide was invented, the waterscape in the mansion was not only for viewing, but also served as a cooling system. Residences above a certain level would have
With a fountain, the more advanced the waterscape device, the more luxurious it is. And the one with a "waterfall" directly built into it like the Haltmann Mansion is not necessarily the highest-level interior. In the empire, there is only one more gorgeous one.
It is the residence of the royal family and four famous families.
"After all, when Grandpa Yorugu wrote the script, he also made reference to the actual situation when setting the scene."
Ling has become quite immune to such luxurious places. Whether it is the Albert Palace at the end of last year or the Karel Palace that she went to last week, they are both a grade higher than Speaker Hartmann's residence. And Xiaojing
Ge didn't miss him for too long and quickly came around.
At this time, an old gentleman directly in front walked towards the two of them.
"Welcome, two guests. I am the guide Barclay. Welcome to the Black Auction. Is this your first time participating?"
"I came here once five years ago. I wonder if there is any difference between now and then?"
"If you already have experience, please feel free to do so. The auction will start soon and will be held in the venue on the front. Before that, there will be a banquet in the restaurant on the left, please enjoy it. By the way, the two of you are planning to have a banquet here tonight.
Will you stay overnight in the hotel?"
"That's not necessary. We have other activities in the evening." The Black Auction is just the first stop to see the world, and then there is a second place to go.
"Understood. If you change your mind, we can prepare a room for you right away. Please don't be polite, just ask. In addition, you can visit the mansion as you like. However, there are a few areas where entry is prohibited, please understand."
"Oh, I got it."
"If you two ladies have any instructions, please contact the other servants. I'll excuse you now."
After the guide walked away, Jingge was a little eager to try but a little hesitant.
"Would it be difficult for a person to adapt?"
"Well, master, can you accompany me?"
"Hey, I thought you would walk around by yourself. Forget it, let's go get something to eat first."
There is a standing buffet in the restaurant, where guests chat while eating.
"Ah, it's brother Waji!"
Jing Ge immediately spotted the figure of a green-haired boy among the crowd.
"Do you know anyone?"
"Well, mom often goes to the bar he owns, Trinity."
"Why don't you go over and have a chat? I happened to see an acquaintance of mine."
Ling only remembered after Jingge walked away that Waji seemed to be the guardian knight of the Star Cup Knights. Although she didn't think he was that strong, from the perspective of a body-eating snake, it was better to keep a distance.
.So she had no intention of going over to talk to him.
Ling walked to the old woman in the corner.
"Oh my god, isn't this Xiaoling? You haven't come to participate since the second session. I didn't expect you would come this time."
"Mrs. Imelda, we haven't seen each other for a month. It's great to see you in good health."
Lady Imelda, who has taken care of Lingdo since 1197, is a local leader of Crossbell. For Yorugu, who is over seventy years old, she is one of the few friends of the same age. For Ling, she is also one of the few.
Elder?
"That boy Marconi sends invitations to your Rozenberk workshop every year, but that old Yorugu guy never pays attention to it. He must be very happy if you are willing to show your favor this year. But don't take it too seriously.
Although this place is full of villains, in the final analysis they are just hooligans from the autonomous prefecture. Can you let them go for my sake?"
"I haven't done anything yet. And why do I feel like you treat me like a big devil?"
"Hehe, isn't it? Although ordinary citizens don't know about it, at our social status, we won't have heard nothing about what happened in Crossbell's underground world in the past few months. In short, is it okay?" Yi
Mrs. Melda pushed up her single-sided glasses, looked at Ling and asked.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to kick around."
"That's good, that's good."
After chatting with Mrs. Imelda for a while, some familiar atmosphere entered Ling's perception circle.
An oriental beauty with smooth black hair, and a tall and thin man with orange hair.
"Hey, I was still wondering if I would meet you, and I guessed right. You are here too, girl Ling."
"Haha, I haven't seen you for a month, Ling."
"Brother Valut, Sister Wuxiang."
Ling went over and said hello to the two of them.
"I didn't expect that you would come to this banquet. President Marconi of Rubach is really broken."
"You guessed it wrong. Our leader, the leader, receives an invitation from Crossbell every year. It's just that the position of Iemoto was vacant before and no one could attend on behalf of the leader. And if you don't think Ling, you should
Will come to participate, Valut will not be interested in this auction. According to the nature of this auction, not only us, but also the big factions in the empire have received invitations. But they will not pay attention to it at all.
"Wuxiang explained to Ling.
Ling also nodded.
"Well, although the standards of the Black Auction are very high, the real big forces still look down upon it. Neither the four famous families of the Erebonia Empire nor the Kalvard Republic can be seen here.
The major chaebols, even in the local area of Crossbell, whether it is Crossbell International Bank (ibc) or our Rozenbelk Workshop, will hardly participate. Your willingness to accept the invitation on behalf of the leading figures can be regarded as a 'face reward'.
?”
"Haha, that's right. But speaking of it, the Speaker named Haltmann is really a character. This auction is very clever in terms of organizational form. This kind of auction is only held for the 'upper class', and it will definitely not
The exposed underground auctions are really a convenient place for powerful people in various countries. In addition to simple stolen goods, the exhibits also include bribes and resold items to raise funds. If these items were sold in their own countries,
The leakage will definitely be prosecuted by the law, but in Crossbell it can be turned a blind eye. Because of this, both the Erebonia Empire and the Kalvard Republic acquiesced in this auction. In this auction
, I’m afraid there are quite a few things like that.”
"A common method of money laundering is the so-called indirect transaction...specially processed products purchased from government-related persons in the two countries. This is the black market that is tacitly accepted by the international community." Ling followed Kirika's analysis.
"Haha, that's it. This form is also the characteristic of Crossbell."
"'Lawless Land', 'City of Sin'. Is this how the Republic sees Crossbell as well?"
"Absolutely. Especially after the signing of the "Non-War Pact" led by Prince Oribat of the Erebonian Empire, the confrontation on the table temporarily turned into a secret war under the table. The underworld forces of the two major countries all fought against each other.
They are eyeing the territory of Kezhou. As far as I know, Black Moon, the largest gangster in our Kalvard Republic, had planned to enter Kezhou. However, he suddenly encountered the obstruction of Red Constellation, which also gave Minato, Tomahawk
, gangs like Lazar, whose strength is second only to Black Moon, have a chance. We are familiar with the situation on the Republic side, how is the situation on the Empire side?"
"Hmm, is there a mafia in the empire?"
Ling thought hard for a while, but couldn't seem to imagine it?
"Oh, I forgot, this is the difference in national conditions. The earliest underworld in the Republic of Kalvad originated from local warriors who lost their positions. As members of the former aristocracy, they originally had a life that ordinary people would envy, but
Due to the Great Revolution and the abolition of the aristocracy, they eventually became helpless "untouchables". After the Calvard Revolution, violent political fluctuations caused a large number of nobles to lose their status and become homeless, so there were many such destitute people.
The nobles gathered together, used force, organized gambling, sold silver, and extorted money to make a living, forming the prototype of the modern underworld. Therefore, to this day, most of the underworld in Kalvad still claim to be descendants of the nobles.
.And he also believes in the principles of chivalry, taking 'loyalty' and 'faithfulness' as the supreme principles for walking in the world."
"But Black Moon is different, right? It's obviously an Oriental organization, right?"
"Haha, historically speaking, Black Moon is a group established by these Eastern martial arts schools that we have won in order to suppress the 'remnants of the old forces'. It is not difficult to understand that the Black Moon thugs are all boxers. However, it is not difficult to understand.
Times have changed, and after nearly a hundred years, Black Moon has long since escaped the control of our major schools and has become a behemoth of its own. Although it is a bit strange to say this, we are not in conflict with each other, and in addition to the previous
The friendship is there, so there is no conflict."
"Well, because the Erebonia Empire still has an aristocratic system that has been passed down for hundreds of years, there is no foundation for the formation of a large-scale underworld. But if it is a special mission from the empire, there should be a lot of people from the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau.
People. According to my sources, there are about a hundred people sneaking into Kezhou."
"Is it just that much? It's much less than I thought." Kirika was surprised by Ling's information.
"One hundred well-trained special forces is quite a lot. In my opinion, even the Crossbell Police Department combined may not be a match."
"I'm not saying that to regard the Crossbell Police Department as an opponent is to look down on the special agents of the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau. The Calvard Republic has also recently planned to follow the example of the Erebonia Imperial Army and the Kingdom of Liberia Army in establishing a secret service agency.
It’s called the Locksmith Agency, and it even sent invitations to Walut and me.”
"Haha, that's right. In the final analysis, the local snake on the table like Lubacher is just a decoration used to maintain a superficial balance. Once the balance is broken..." Ling can already imagine the chaos of the various forces in her mind.
The scene is over.
"If distorted things continue to be distorted, they will not last long. As long as the right opportunity arises, it is not surprising when this calm atmosphere collapses. In this sense, this may be the last black auction to be successfully held.
Got it? Speaking of which, the underground arena you built is more meaningful. With Crossbell International Bank as the backing, even the underworld wouldn't dare to be too presumptuous. I heard that it has been opened for a month. It's you.
It happened not long after returning from Zongshan, right? Walut and I plan to go there and have a look after the auction is over."
"It's not just IBC. But there are also many people who helped us to open smoothly."
"If there is an opponent that I find interesting, I wouldn't mind playing personally."
"Brother Varut, let's forget it. In principle, the arena does not accept masters to participate in the battle. Because the battle between masters is too boring, the winner will be decided in an instant, right? The audience will not accept a battle that ends in five seconds.
satisfied."
"Haha, how about going to your martial arts hall for activities? I heard that the Saint and the three little girls she brought are there. There is also the Hunter King of the West Wind Brigade. I have always wanted to fight him once.
have a look."
"Uncle Lujia rarely comes here, maybe even once a week. But the Saint is here every day. If Brother Valut wants to come, Levi and I are very welcome."
This will add another companion who is pressed to the ground and rubbed every day, Ling thought happily.
While chatting, Jingge also returned to Ling from the dining table. Seeing Ling chatting happily with a man and a woman, she looked at them curiously.
"This is my registered disciple Jingge Nayinvali. He also studied the Tai Dou style." After Ling introduced Loulan and his wife, she faced Jingge.
"Valut Loulan. The fifth generation of Tai Dou is the master who taught me the Dragon God Technique. If Jingge is concerned, I should call him Master, right?"
"Well, hello, master! Hello, grandma!" The red-haired little Loli clasped her hands and bowed to the two of them.
"Hahahaha, what the hell is this title, Grandmother?" Walut laughed happily after hearing this.
"You haven't been officially listed on the door wall yet, so you don't need to be so formal. Just call us uncle and aunt. I'm only twenty-seven years old, but you call me old. I'm Wuxiang Loulan. We and Ling are actually friends of the same generation.
.”
"Oh, then Uncle Walut, Aunt Wuxiang, like this?"
"Well, your skills are very good, not inferior to those of the same age in Zongshan. How long have you been practicing?"
"I've been practicing for a month."
"!!!"
Wuxiang was silent for a moment and looked at Ling.
"I didn't expect that Jingge is a genius who can develop ten-pack abs in a month." Several abs are natural, and Ling herself only has six.
"Hey, that's not the point. I always feel a little worried about this child's future."
Kirika herself? Of course she only has one abdominal muscle. A mermaid line is enough. This is the style a girl should have, isn't it?
"Haha, Wuxiang, let's not worry about other people's disciples. How to teach disciples is the master's business, and we have no right to interfere."
Walut admires it quite a lot. He knows better than anyone how strong Ling's abdominal muscles are. Vibration, stirring, penetrating strength, and fighting spirit explosion are all ineffective. When they fought a few months ago, he received a split punch with all his strength.
His ability to withstand blows without any injuries almost made him doubt his life. There is probably no other person in the world who is so durable. (Macbon is not a human, so he is not included in this calculation.)
After Wuxiang chatted with Jingge about the interesting things about the Tao Dou style, a man who looked like a butler walked over from the front desk of the restaurant, and the middle-aged and elderly man behind him attracted everyone's attention.
"I haven't seen you in seven years. That Hartmann is already so old."
Ling did not meet the Speaker during the second Black Auction. At that time, auctions were conducted in a secretive manner, not as bold and bold as now.
Ling met Haltmann seven years ago in the Republic, a paradise that evoked painful memories for her. Although she had looked past what happened back then, she still felt anxious when she saw the guests she had received appear here in such a big way.
A weird feeling.
Should we go and rip his head off?
Let's forget it. Ling is not such a stingy person.
Anyway, he won't be able to survive for long. The representative of Crossbell, who is at the forefront of the storm, does not have enough strength to back him up. You can almost see the Death Star shining above his head.