CHAPTER 897: CHAPTER 897: HER SECRET

At this moment, the auction was nearing its end, and there were no more Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures left for Shen Moce and the others to appraise, so they returned to the VIP room to rest, seeing Han Yan in high spirits.

Since learning those few techniques of the Star Illusion Thousand Machine, they had been devoting all their time to comprehending the hand formations, almost to the extent of sleepless nights. The more they studied, the more they felt the profoundness and endless mystery to it, and their Star Divination Technique advanced accordingly. They were eagerly awaiting Han Yan to come to the Chamber of Commerce.

Seeing their dedication to the Star Divination Technique, Han Yan was somewhat touched and taught them a few more hand formations, making the grandmasters almost lose their bearings with joy. After showering Han Yan with various thanks, they each returned to delve into their newly learned hand formations. Han Yan then instructed Che Xiang on some matters before preparing to leave the Nanyan Commerce.

As she walked out of the VIP room, the auction had just ended. People were happily discussing the auction while crowding towards the exit.

Han Yan was about to follow the crowd out the door when her gaze suddenly paused on a silhouette in the crowd, wondering silently, "Isn’t that Aunt Xiu? Why is she here?"

"Young Master, what’s the matter?" Che Xiang, who was seeing Han Yan out, noticed the doubt on her face and asked, puzzled.

"Is that lady also here for the auction?" Han Yan pointed at Aunt Xiu’s back and asked.

"Yes, she managed to get a Blood Cleansing Pill. It was good fortune for her. Although the pill is relatively ordinary in quality, it is quite valuable. However, she came at a lucky time today when others weren’t very interested in it, so she got it for just over four hundred thousand." Che Xiang replied.

Hearing Che Xiang’s words, Han Yan was even more perplexed.

The Blood Cleansing Pill’s purpose is similar to the Vessel Cutting Marrow Cleansing Pill but less effective. Given Aunt Xiu’s age, there was no need for it, and Han Yunyun’s potential wasn’t poor either. Even using the Vessel Cutting Marrow Cleansing Pill would have little significance, let alone the Blood Cleansing Pill? Even if needed, it was premature. She had mentioned this to Aunt Xiu a few days back, and Aunt Xiu didn’t seem to doubt her words at all, so why did she buy the pill?

While Han Yan was puzzling over this, she saw Aunt Xiu exiting through the main gate, heading in the opposite direction of the Mu Family.

Could it be that the Blood Cleansing Pill wasn’t bought for Han Yunyun? Han Yan became even more curious.

Han Yan wasn’t one to pry into others’ privacy. Despite her curiosity, she had no intention of investigating further.

But seeing Aunt Xiu clutching her pocket tightly with a nervous expression, Han Yan started to worry.

Even a simple, ordinary Blood Cleansing Pill might not mean much to her, but for regular folks, it was an unattainable treasure.

Aunt Xiu’s cautious demeanor, anyone could guess she had something valuable on her, especially now that dusk had fallen, it could attract thieves’ attention, which would be troublesome.

Four hundred thousand is no small sum for ordinary people, likely Aunt Xiu’s lifetime savings. If anything were to happen, who knows how heartbroken she’d be.

"You all go back first; I have some matters to attend to." Han Yan told Huayue and the others, quickly following ahead.

Huayue and the others nodded, not questioning further.

Following Aunt Xiu’s steps, Han Yan soon left the workshop, entering an ancient, narrow alleyway.

Just as Han Yan feared, Aunt Xiu’s cautiousness was like declaring ’There’s nothing hidden here,’ inevitably attracting some people’s attention. Shortly after leaving the Nanyan Commerce, several shady-looking hooligans trailed behind her, though given that it was the Capital, they didn’t dare make a move in crowded areas, merely following her from a distance. It was a critical area of the Capital; small skirmishes might be overlooked, but a robbery would alert the Imperial Guards, ending in unpredictable consequences.

They didn’t act, and Han Yan wasn’t in a rush either, just keeping a safe distance behind them. The hooligans proceeded with caution, wary of being discovered by Aunt Xiu or drawing others’ attention, completely unaware of Han Yan trailing them.

The alley was ancient, with uneven cobblestones causing puddles of sewage, emitting a pungent odor of decay. The surrounding houses were extremely dilapidated, with walls marred by weathering.

Clearly, those living here had a difficult life.

Just as the hooligans prepared to act, Aunt Xiu suddenly turned and entered a courtyard nearby.

The courtyard was cluttered with miscellaneous items, looking even more rundown than its surroundings.

The hooligans paused, unsure whether to follow.

While they hesitated, Aunt Xiu quickly exited the courtyard.

The hooligans exchanged glances, deciding to surround her without further thought.

"What do you want?" Aunt Xiu asked nervously, taken aback.

Seeing their attire and lecherous smiles, Aunt Xiu already knew they were up to no good, and her recently eased heart tensed up again.

"Hey, big sister, we saw you coming out of the Nanyan Commerce and assumed you got something nice. We brothers haven’t seen much of the world and would like to take a look," the leading hooligan said with a mischievous grin.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. Move aside," Aunt Xiu feigned ignorance, but her anxious eyes betrayed her, almost writing ’I’m hiding something’ on her face.

"Cut the crap and hand it over, or we won’t be so polite," the hooligans growled menacingly, seeing no one around, emboldened by the absence of witnesses.

"I don’t have anything on me. If you don’t believe it, see for yourselves." Aunt Xiu turned out her pockets, showing nothing but some broken silver.

A look of skepticism crossed the hooligans’ faces. They lacked many skills but had some confidence in their observation; judging by Aunt Xiu’s nervousness, she likely bought something valuable at the commerce, people like her were common. So how could there be nothing?

"Boss, this woman furtively went into the courtyard just now; maybe she hid it there?" a sharp-faced hooligan speculated.

"Hmm, you might be right. Let’s quickly check while no one’s around." The lead hooligan agreed.

"Don’t!" Aunt Xiu exclaimed, inadvertently confirming their suspicions.

"So it’s hidden there, huh," the lead hooligan smirked and motioned with his eyes, sending two of his men quickly into the courtyard.