Chapter 207: The Southern Frontier Marshal's Request

Three days passed like a white horse slipping through a crack, gone in an instant.

Of course, for many people, these three days were extremely hard to endure.

The Jiangcheng Exhibition Center was completely swallowed by a sea of people that day; the plaza, which used to be fairly spacious, was now packed.

At the entrance of the exhibition center, security was more than ten times stricter than usual, not only with professional guards arranged by Yitian Pavilion, but also many sharp‑eyed plainclothes.

Anyone wishing to enter had to show the invitation issued by Yitian Pavilion and pass multiple security checks; ordinary people couldn't even get through the gates. After all, this Auction Hall was selling the Southern Frontier Tiger Talisman, a national treasure, and any slip could spark chaos.

Even the City Defense Office sent Shen Junyao personally to lead a team, handling security on the perimeter.

At this moment, in the VIP room on the top floor of the exhibition center, Jiang Feng entered with Ling Zhaixing, and Li Lao walked over with a solemn expression.

"Mr. Jiang, please have the Tiger Talisman appraised for this old man..."

Jiang Feng glanced at Ling Zhaixing, whose face was now covered by a black veil, revealing only a pair of cold eyes.

Seeing Jiang Feng's gaze, Ling Zhaixing immediately lifted the Tiger Talisman from her bosom.

Li Lao hurried forward, receiving the Tiger Talisman with both hands reverently.

Even though Li Lao, as Yitian Pavilion's most senior appraiser who had seen countless rare treasures, his hand now trembled slightly.

After all, this is a national treasure!

It is an object that can decide the lives of hundreds of thousands at any moment.

He first took out a magnifying glass, scrutinizing the patterns on the Tiger Talisman, then gently rubbed the incisions on its Surface with his Fingers.

After a full ten‑some minutes, Li Lao set down the magnifying glass, turned his head, and solemnly nodded to the Standing Yitian Pavilion Pavilion Master Duanmu Ya beside him.

"Pavilion Master, this is indeed the Southern Frontier Tiger Talisman that the Nanjiang Army lost not long ago! No mistake!"

Duanmu Ya heard this, gave a slight nod, and gestured to Li Lao.

Li Lao immediately and carefully stored the Tiger Talisman, slipping it into his bosom.

Then four steady‑aura Grandmasters surrounded Li Lao, briskly leaving the VIP room.

Deploying four Grandmasters at once shows Yitian Pavilion's audacity and their regard for the Tiger Talisman.

Only Jiang Feng, Ling Zhaixing, and Duanmu Ya remained in the VIP room.

Duanmu Ya's gaze fell on the veiled Ling Zhaixing, a half‑smile curling at the Mouth, her Tone carrying a hint of probing.

"Your Excellency must be the notorious thief Ling Zhaixing who caused a storm in Jiangnan not long ago, right?"

Ling Zhaixing's body stiffened instantly, a flash of wariness in her eyes.

She gave no reply, merely turning her head to glance at Jiang Feng beside her.

Jiang Feng, seeing this, grinned.

"Pavilion Master Duanmu, didn't I say I would keep my friend's identity secret? Now you're breaking the pot to get to the bottom, giving no face to Jiang Feng?"

Duanmu Ya's complexion shifted slightly, instantly flashing a charming smile, quickly gesturing, her Tone tinged with flattery.

"Mr. Jiang, you're joking, you are an esteemed guest of Yitian Pavilion; how could I make things difficult for you and your friend? But this Southern Frontier Tiger Talisman is no ordinary item; it's a hot‑potato!"

She paused, the smile on her face subdued a bit, and her Tone grew solemn.

"You may not know, the Southern Frontier Marshal is almost going mad. A few days ago, when he learned Yitian Pavilion intended to publicly auction this Tiger Talisman, he smashed the Table on the spot, nearly sending a massive army to surround our Yitian Pavilion, but old connections from Kyoto intervened, preventing a larger mess."

Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow, showing little expression, only a faint smile.

"So? What do you mean?"

Duanmu Ya glanced at Ling Zhaixing, then turned her gaze back to Jiang Feng, pondering a moment before speaking with a hint of probing.

"The Marshal used several layers of connections to find me, wanting me to convey a message to you. He said, could this Tiger Talisman be kept from being auctioned? As long as you nod, whatever your demands, the Marshal will do his utmost to fulfill them, and he also promised that from now on he will no longer pursue Ling Zhaixing for the prior theft of the Tiger Talisman, treating it as if it never happened."

At those words, Ling Zhaixing's eyes suddenly narrowed.

If the Southern Frontier Marshal can leave her alone, that's an unexpected delight.

Seeing Jiang Feng still silent, Duanmu Ya again tried to persuade him earnestly.

"Mr. Jiang, you must think this over carefully. The Southern Frontier Marshal is, after all, a top imperial noble, having guarded Nanjiang for years, commanding tens of thousands of elite troops; his network and power are unmatched. If you truly consider profit, agreeing to the Marshal's terms brings Hundred benefits and not a single harm."

"Although the profit may not match that of a public auction, you would still gain the Marshal's friendship! That's a favor no amount of money can buy; in the future, when you conduct business in Nanjiang, just invoking the Marshal's name, who would dare deny you face?"

Duanmu Ya was speaking the truth.

The Marshal's status stands as it is; forging a connection with him is a massive advantage for anyone, far more worthwhile than earning a sum of money.

If Jiang Feng truly seeks only profit, then agreeing now is the best choice.

Jiang Feng slowly nodded.

"It does sound like a good proposal."

Duanmu Ya's face just showed a hint of joy, thinking Jiang Feng would agree, but the next second Jiang Feng's words froze her smile.

"But I still want to take this thing and auction it."

Duanmu Ya's complexion shifted instantly, a flash of astonishment in her eyes.

She hadn't expected Jiang Feng to give the Southern Frontier Marshal such a slight.

After all, the Marshal's deterrence stands as it is; anyone else would have agreed long ago, daring not to persist with the auction.

Moreover, this was originally someone else's property.

"You stole it, yet you still dare to present it openly; even though you lean on Yitian Pavilion's power, it's a bit over the line."

But Duanmu Ya would never say that to Jiang Feng; she couldn't afford to offend that ancestor.

She was silent for a few seconds, then helplessly sighed.

"Since Mr. Jiang has already decided, I will follow his wishes. After all, you are the client, and Yitian Pavilion is merely handling the auction matters."

"Both of you may rest comfortably in this VIP room; there is tea and snacks on the Table, and when the Auction Hall officially begins, I will send someone to invite you to the front area."

Duanmu Ya felt rather embarrassed inside.

She had received many benefits from the Southern Frontier Marshal, yet couldn't help him succeed, and Jiang Feng's attitude was resolute.

But she had no choice; after all, Yitian Pavilion still needs to do business and cannot offend Jiang Feng, especially since so many Elixirs depend on him.

Just as Duanmu Ya was about to turn and leave the VIP room, Jiang Feng suddenly called out to her.

"Wait…"

Duanmu Ya stopped in her steps, puzzled, and turned her head to look at Jiang Feng.

"Mr. Jiang, do you have any other instructions?"

Jiang Feng said in a casual tone, "Have the Zhennan Marquis of Martial Merit come here for a visit; we can talk…"

"Alright, alright!"

Duanmu Ya heard this and burst into joy, nodding repeatedly.