Chapter 116: Betrayed in Secret

Yun Zui walked ahead, with Xiao Tianming following behind.

As soon as they entered the venue, the light dimmed suddenly. On both sides stood rows of burly, towering enforcers. The place resembled a fighting arena; guests sat on raised platforms while the spacious floor below was where the slaves to be auctioned stood.

The atmosphere was extremely noisy, filled with the rising and falling calls of bidders.

Anyone unaccustomed to such scenes would likely be frightened.

Most buyers were wealthy men, some seeking concubines or maids, others purchasing servants.

Yun Zui and Xiao Tianming found an empty spot to sit. Their eyes fell on the slaves standing in the open space, who trembled uncontrollably under the scrutiny of hundreds.

Yun Zui leaned toward Xiao Tianming and said, “You’ve seen countless faces begging to survive; you know what kind of person stands out. Bid on whichever slave you think carries grace. But one thing—don’t let pity cloud your judgment by buying a timid soul.”

Entrusting Xiao Tianming with this privilege to spend money was not only to test his eye for talent but also to harden his kindness, molding him into a cold and capable subordinate.

“Understood,” Xiao Tianming nodded, his gaze settling below.

This was not merely about selecting a useful person but also about whether the bidding was reasonable and cost-effective.

If he won the one he wanted but at an exorbitant price, it would be a significant loss.

The slaves’ clothing was shabby, only marginally better than beggars’. Their wrists and ankles were bound, clearly indicating coercion.

The ancient world was darker than the modern age; such forced sales were illegal now but openly practiced then.

Yun Zui intended to buy five men and five women. As expected, Xiao Tianming was not like the ordinary beggar with a meek heart. He dared to set a price limit in his mind for each slave he favored, abandoning any bid that exceeded it.

Yun Zui greatly admired this restraint—others might have fixated on a single individual and stubbornly bid to the limit.

The eyes are the hardest to conceal; some people are born with an extraordinary aura. Among the slaves were fallen nobles, sold into servitude. If they landed with cruel masters, their fates would be tragic.

This was the reality of a slave society. Yun Zui felt, with stark clarity, how much better the modern world was.

“The choice is yours. I’m stepping out for a moment,” Yun Zui said, placing a pouch of money into Xiao Tianming’s hand.

The environment was overwhelmingly noisy, and an unpleasant stench lingered in the air—an atmosphere Yun Zui detested.

While the auction took place here, in a corridor nearby was a pavilion resembling a teahouse, where one could eat and drink freely without paying.

Once outside, Yun Zui took deep breaths of fresh air, though after inhaling so much, she felt nearly nauseous.

Pastries had been arranged on plates long ago. They looked exquisitely crafted, but Yun Zui refrained from taking one.

Who knew how many days they had been there, or if others had touched them?

Yet upon entering, Yun Zui had caught a faint fragrance—one she felt she had smelled before.

Suddenly, dizziness overwhelmed her. What she had just inhaled was a soporific scent!

Damn it, she had been ambushed!

Perhaps this was the method used to force someone into slavery.