Chapter 203: Self‑Inflicted Sin, No Survival

Jiang Cheng heard that, turned around, and stared at the other party without fear.

"What, here you still dare to make a move against me?"

The woman heard that, and her aura immediately waned considerably.

Outside, she was confident she could kill Jiang Cheng.

But here.

Regardless of gender or reason, anyone who strikes first will have their Bid Token and account seized, and the money inside will be counted as compensation to the other side.

Her account holds a substantial sum, and she doesn't want it all gone before the Auction even begins.

"I never said I'd make a move against you, but if you dare step out like that, I'll tell everyone here what just happened, and no one will ever dare trade Secret Martial Arts with you again," the woman said smugly.

However, Jiang Cheng paid her no heed, opened the door, and walked out directly.

"You!"

The woman, furious, sprang up in a flash.

After stepping outside, Jiang Cheng finally spoke: "I've recorded the Introductory Chapter you gave me; in a moment I'll find that brother wearing the Niutou Mianju to have it appraised. If it's fake, I won't have long before everyone knows what kind of person you are."

The woman panicked.

She never intended to trade with Jiang Cheng from the start.

After all, the Broken Stele Leg is her signature Secret Martial Arts; telling others would only bring herself trouble.

Hearing that Jiang Cheng came to exchange, she instantly devised a devious plan; after all, the other party couldn't tell if she was truthful, and they cultivated Human Weapon, whose power was certainly below that of her as a Fifth-level Force Warrior, so she wasn't afraid of making enemies.

But for some reason, the other side was so sure she had lied.

"Give me the phone!"

She flickered, appearing almost instantly before Jiang Cheng, and reached out to snatch the phone from his hand.

Jiang Cheng had already activated the Vajra Talisman, hesitating between fleeing or standing still.

The woman's body was suddenly hurled backward, crashing into the hallway wall.

Then with a thud, she fell to the ground.

It didn't hurt, but she looked extremely disheveled.

"Since you're not doing this to hurt anyone, Xiao Shi, consider this a reprimand; if there's a next time, I won't be lenient."

An old man's voice rang out in the corridor.

"It won't happen, it won't happen."

The woman looked at the surrounding air, her face showing fear.

Just now she seemed to lose control of her body, tossed out like a tattered sack.

"Thanks for stepping in, senior."

Jiang Cheng quickly said.

The old man gave no reply, and soon the corridor fell silent again.

But someone hearing the noise opened the door and looked inside.

"Heaven's sin may be forgiven, but self‑inflicted sin cannot live."

Jiang Cheng shook his head, let out a sigh, then looked at the few people who had opened the door, smiling, "Gentlemen, would you like to trade Secret Martial Arts?"

"No need."

"Not interested."

The few seemed uninterested in getting involved, and quickly closed the door.

Jiang Cheng felt a bit helpless.

It seems the third floor can't be stayed on; let's go check the fourth floor.

That is also the topmost floor.

"Wait a moment."

Just as he was about to leave, the woman on the ground spoke.

"I told you the Introductory Chapter, and I deleted the recording."

"No need. It's just a modest Earth Martial Introductory Chapter, not some rare treasure. I've said it; I'll spread what you just said, and if you wander out, you must keep your word." With that, Jiang Cheng left without looking back.

The woman watched Jiang Cheng's departing silhouette, her eyes filled with deep venomous resentment.

……

Night fell.

Inside the villa, the lights were bright.

The first Auction seemed to have ended early.

The remaining people received a notice at 7:45, allowing them to enter the venue.

Jiang Cheng followed the crowd, entering slowly.

Above, a silver chandelier cast a soft glow, illuminating rows of rose‑wood seats ahead.

On the far left stood a roughly one‑meter‑high auction platform, on which a massive screen scrolled images of items about to be auctioned.

The arriving people, though their faces were concealed, let their murmurs reveal their excitement.

"Brother, over here."

At that moment, Niutou Mianju waved at Jiang Cheng.

His popularity seemed good; several people sat beside him.

Jiang Cheng was startled but still walked over.

After leaving the third floor, he went to the fourth floor; unfortunately few were there, and he obtained no Secret Martial Arts.

Later he called Niutou Mianju; the latter listened to the recording, confirmed it was fake, and said he would spread the matter thereafter.

So now the other side initiates the invitation, and he can't refuse either.

He found a nearby spot and sat down.

"Brother, I've already spoken out about that matter for you, and it's my fault for not telling you earlier. That woman really isn't a good thing," Niutou Mianju said.

"Exactly."

A horse‑head mask beside him said angrily, "I was scammed by her, traded a set of Earth Martial for her, and when I showed it to people back I realized there were too many mistakes! Luckily I kept a trick, only exchanged half the content, otherwise she would have scammed me to death!"

"Me too, but unfortunately this is the Black Market, we can't act against her; otherwise I'd have killed her long ago!"

"She's coming! She's coming!"

As he said, a woman wearing dark sunglasses and a white mask walked in.

Seeing several people pointing at her, the woman instantly realized something and angrily looked at Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng couldn't even be bothered to give her a glance.

As 8:00 approached, the atmosphere in the venue grew tense.

Jiang Cheng glanced around; there were still many people, over forty.

When 8:00 finally arrived, two men in suits and masks stepped onto the stage.

"Welcome everyone to our Auction. No nonsense, we'll start right away."

"The first item up for auction is Gold Blood Ointment. Regular use can strengthen the body, especially for cultivating Human Weapon, yielding double results. Starting at three bottles, opening bid 6,000 yuan, each raise 1,000 yuan, begin."

As soon as the words finished, someone raised the Bid Token in hand.

"Alright, customer #31 bids 6,000 yuan. Any higher? If not…"

Another person raised the Bid Token.

"Alright! Customer #63 bids 7,000 yuan, ten‑second countdown, ten, nine, wow! Customer #12 bids 8,000 yuan! Wait! Customer #16 bids 9,000 yuan!"

The man's voice was full of passion.

A woman beside him echoed, occasionally asking if there were higher bids, spurring the crowd.

In the end, three bottles of Gold Blood Ointment were taken by #48 for 10,000 yuan.

For the later items, prices rose to 9,000, 8,000.

It seemed indeed, as Niutou Mianju said, everyone present was holding back their big moves, waiting for the three finale items to appear.

(End of chapter)