CHAPTER 633: CHAPTER 27: ARRIVAL

Time flew by, and after Su Xiao received another ten Soul Crystals (Medium), the day of the auction’s opening arrived.

September 1st, morning.

Yukexin City was busier than ever, the central district was completely jammed, and the constant honking of car horns disturbed Su Xiao’s morning peace.

"Those damn cars."

Su Xiao sat up, the blanket slid down, revealing his not particularly burly but very powerful upper body.

Bubu Wang sat at the dining table, holding a cup of hot milk with its paws, sipping it leisurely.

For the past few days, the man and dog lived comfortably, receiving five Soul Crystals (Medium) per day, ostensibly keeping the peace in Yukexin City, but in reality indulging in food and play, having strolled through several food streets.

"Woof."

Bubu Wang called out, its gaze clearly saying: "Master, where are we going for fun today?"

"The auction is about to start, we can’t be as carefree as before."

Su Xiao got up, and just then the door was pushed open, Black Mary entered the room pushing a trolley, and upon seeing Su Xiao’s bare upper body, she lowered her head.

"Breakfast is ready."

Black Mary sneaked a glance at Su Xiao’s bare upper body, the numerous alarming scars leaving her stunned.

Su Xiao walked over to the dining table and sat down, while Bubu Wang was playing mobile games.

"Stop playing and eat."

Black Mary placed a sumptuous breakfast on the table, Su Xiao, chewing his food, looked at her.

"When does the auction start?"

"Six in the evening."

"More details."

Black Mary began explaining the auction’s situation. Today, September 1st, the auction would open, but the formal start was at six in the evening, with daytime being simply the opening ceremony featuring performances by famous singers.

With the Ten Old Man’s wealth and the gangs’ need for face, the opening ceremony during the day would be grand, with famous actors and singers invited.

After six that evening, the first auction round would begin, which was semi-public, involving mostly gang members, primarily to showcase the wealth of these gang members to the Ten Old Man.

The first auction would conclude at eight, with the second round starting at nine, which was the main event, lasting until midnight.

From September 1st to September 10th, auctions were held every night, open to anyone with sufficient funds.

In the original story, the auction hadn’t even started before being disrupted, something Su Xiao wouldn’t allow, as he aimed to continue collecting Soul Crystals (Medium).

Thus, if the Phantom Troupe caused trouble, it would cut off Su Xiao’s source of wealth, and the loss would be a massive windfall, so he would fight to the death.

Bam!

Su Xiao pierced a piece of steak, knowing he wasn’t completely without a chance against the Troupe. They had a habit of not ganging up on enemies in most situations, usually opting for one-on-one battles; sometimes, even if a member died, others wouldn’t interfere, only stepping up to face the enemy afterward.

This undoubtedly gave Su Xiao an opportunity. If the Troupe members attacked him together, he certainly wouldn’t stand a chance.

Su Xiao then remembered the Contractors who had joined the Ten Old Men’s Power and had used various methods to inform them of the Troupe’s attack plans.

However, it was pointless, the Ten Old Men’s Power didn’t care about the Troupe, seeing them merely as a gang with psychic Users, believing their Yin Beasts could handle them.

Su Xiao had anticipated the Ten Old Men’s attitude and thus hadn’t mentioned the Troupe; he simply needed to act according to his plan.

...

At 5 PM that evening, the first floor of the auction venue.

As night fell, the banquet hall on the first floor filled with a large number of gang members, chatting and comparing achievements from the past year, these people had considerable standing within the gangs, and the 6 PM auction was prepared for them.

On the rooftop of the auction venue, the night wind blew as Su Xiao used the sniper rifle’s scope and the Eye of the Apostle to surveil the surroundings.

According to the original plot, the Troupe would attack the auction tonight, aiming to steal all the items.

From what Su Xiao could see now, no Troupe members had appeared, and the nearby surveillance equipment hadn’t captured any signs of the Troupe.

"Could the Troupe have changed their plan?"

With the Contractors present, it wasn’t surprising for the Troupe to alter their plans.

While Su Xiao searched for signs of the Troupe, faint noises came from the basement below the auction venue.

Crack, crack, a large area of cracks appeared on a basement wall, eventually forming a sizable hole through which a tall, large man with exceedingly long earlobes poked his head through.

"If I’ve got the location right, it should be here."

The tall figure squeezed through the hole in the wall into the basement, the hole was large but still a tight fit for him.

The tall figure was named Franklin, a Phantom Troupe Member, Troupe Number 7, specializing in Emission Nen Ability, able to shoot Nen Bullets with his ten fingers, mature and stable in character, serving as the Troupe’s peacemaker.

"I hope it’s right this time, shouldn’t have let Shizuku handle the map."

A slightly hoarse voice came from the dark hole, as a short figure jumped into the basement; the hole was an easy fit for him compared to Franklin’s struggle.

The man’s height was around 1.5 meters, with slit-like dead fish eyes, a black windbreaker, and a high collar covering the lower half of his face.

This was Feitan, a Phantom Troupe Member, Troupe Number 2, specialized in Transmutation Nen Ability, known for a cold demeanor and a penchant for torturing enemies.

"Sorry for losing the map."

A weak voice came from above, as a dazed-looking girl with glasses jumped into the basement. Her name was Shizuku, a Troupe Member, Troupe Number 8, specializing in Manifestation Nen Ability, a newcomer to the Troupe.

Just as the trio entered the basement, another figure emerged from the broken wall.

"You’re too slow. If you keep dragging us down, I’ll kill you."

Upon seeing the newcomer, Feitan’s gaze grew extraordinarily cold.

"Sorry, I’m just a bit nervous."

The newcomer apologized hurriedly, the fear evident in his expression.

"Tsk."

Feitan’s disdain was palpable; if their Leader hadn’t given orders, this person would already be dead.

The fourth man to enter the basement wore a black robe; though not a Troupe member, he managed to find Troupe Leader Chrollo Lucilfer three days prior through special means, claiming to know the Ten Old Men Power inside out.

Needless to say, this guy was a Contractor, a very lucky one.

"The auction is about to start, quickly."

Feitan led the way upstairs to the auction, and Shizuku and the others hurried after him. The Contractor took a deep breath, still somewhat anxious. Undoubtedly, working with the Troupe was akin to seeking skin with a tiger, but it was an opportunity.

"Wait."

The Contractor spoke, causing Feitan and the others to halt and look over at him.

"Everyone, according to my intelligence, now isn’t the best time to attack the auction. If we want to obtain the items, it’s best to wait until the auction starts; only then will we have the opportunity to get the items."

This Contractor understood the Hunter World plot and knew the items had been moved by the Yin Beasts. Attacking the auction now would only alert them. His main task had changed because of his contact with the Troupe, and he needed to help them steal the items. If successful, he would receive extremely generous rewards.

"Attack the auction?"

Feitan squinted, a cold smile forming at the corner of his mouth hidden by the collar.

"How do you know we’re going to attack the auction? The Leader only instructed us to infiltrate the auction; you weren’t present during the detailed briefing."

Franklin stared coldly at the Contractor.