Chapter 128: Services of the Neutral Tavern

Lu Chen listened silently in the darkness as the auctioneer continuously introduced various pieces of industry information.

His pupils constricted; this wasn't an auction at all, it was clearly an information exchange meeting!

"Since Mr. semsn2 is attending an auction for the first time, I will explain briefly: industry information exchanges do not guarantee that our Neutral Tavern's judgments are absolutely correct. We are merely making judgments based on existing intelligence. You may place a bid to ask a question, or we can provide intelligence for you to make your own judgment."

The auctioneer only offered this explanation after hammering down on a bid of 6 Silver Coins.

"The next lot is 3% of the shares in Velis Port, with a starting bid of 1 Silver Coin."

"2 coins."

The voice of the boy with the doll-like tone sounded again.

"Velis Port seems to be in a state of war, right? What price must be paid if one purchases this? Or rather, what must we sacrifice?"

"Yes, Velis Port is currently under the control of rebel forces, and one of its shareholders has already been liquidated. The 3% stake comes from a member's consignment."

The auctioneer spoke softly to explain.

"If you wish to establish a physical presence in Velis Port, you must wait for the regular army to recapture it or for the local situation to stabilize. At the same time, the struggle for the port between the two warring sides is very intense; even if you hold shares, our Neutral Tavern does not advise any members to exercise shareholder rights at this time."

"3 Silver Coins."

Luosha's voice sounded again, followed immediately by a question.

"Based on my understanding of Velis Port, these 3% of shares should come from the liquidated shareholder, right? Then what is your judgment on the war?"

"Regarding the strength comparison between the two warring sides and their potential backers, after our comparison, the probability of the regular army winning is relatively high. This intelligence will be given to you after the meeting."

The auctioneer paused slightly and spoke in a low voice.

"The duration of the war will be approximately one year before the struggle for the port area basically concludes."

Lu Chen did not speak, only listening to the information and nodding slightly. After a long while, seeing that no one continued to ask questions, the auctioneer began the next item.

Not until the final lot was completed did Lu Chen let out a sigh of relief.

"Auctioneer, 1 Silver Coin. May I ask, lot number 1035 should also be for sale at tonight's auction, right? Why was it not seen?"

Lu Chen asked softly as the event concluded.

Following Lu Chen's question, countless gazes in the darkness seemed to turn toward the auctioneer.

"This gentleman, lot number 1035 was temporarily withdrawn; it was locked by a member and is currently in transit. This lot number has been canceled for this auction."

The auctioneer returned to the stage, paused, and then spoke softly.

"This gentleman, I reiterate: all lots at the Neutral Tavern are not guaranteed. Any lot, at any time, as long as it has not yet been auctioned, may be locked in advance and temporarily withdrawn. This is not an isolated case. You may rest assured; if you have an interest in something, you may entrust our Neutral Tavern to negotiate with that member."

The auctioneer bowed slightly and stepped off the stage. The entire auction room opened 8 doors, which seemed to lead into different passages.

In the darkness, every figure stood up and walked toward different doors.

Then, one by one, the doors closed until only the last one remained open. Lu Chen sighed and walked toward it.

Arriving at the entrance, there was only a dim light and a waiter waiting.

"Mr. semsn2, please follow me. The tavern has prepared a room for you on the 3rd floor; you may stay for free for one month. You may leave at any time on any day."

The waiter bowed slightly and spoke softly.

"I suggest you choose to leave between the third and seventh day so as not to attract attention."

Lu Chen nodded slightly and followed the waiter silently. Not until they walked into a utility room did the waiter pause slightly and open the locked door.

"Your room is 303, right next to the utility room. You don't have to come out; there is a door on the other wall of the utility room."

The waiter bowed slightly and added this.

"After you enter the room, I will lock this door to ensure no one can enter through it."

"The restaurant is on the 3rd floor; you may dine at any time, or you can ring the bell inside the room, and a waiter will arrive at your room immediately."

The waiter watched Lu Chen walk into the room and spoke softly to explain.

As the door closed, it sounded as if a heavy object was placed against it from the outside.

Lu Chen then closed the wardrobe.

He began to look around the room.

It was very plain, even somewhat oppressive.

Lu Chen sat silently on the sofa, preheated a Cigar, and after a few puffs, he went out and walked to the restaurant, where he immediately saw Old Sun sitting in a corner, silently eating toast.

Lu Chen glanced at him, sat down casually in a seat, looked at the somewhat crude menu, and rolled his eyes speechlessly.

Vegetable salad, toast bread.

And steak that fit Western aesthetics, but it wasn't anything high-end, just the most ordinary beef.

It could be said that the meals provided in the Neutral Tavern's restaurant were merely for replenishing energy; there was no intention of them being delicious at all.

A pinch of coarse salt, a piece of grilled steak—it even had a rather heavy gamey smell.

Even the restaurant itself was filled with cooking fumes because the kitchen was open; every operation was right under your nose.

At the same time, a single portion of food was handled by 3 waiters, who would each take a small scrap to eat with their own knives and forks.

Only then would it be handed to the customer who ordered it.

Lu Chen took a deep look at the several waiters moving through the restaurant and slowly took a bite.

Disgusting—no, it couldn't be called disgusting, rather it was cooked, the saltiness was sufficient, even a little too salty.

But it was safe to eat.

A waiter walked to Lu Chen's side, bowed slightly, extended a plate, and placed the knife and fork on Lu Chen's table.

"Sir, random tasting. Please put a piece of salad, a small piece of beef, and a small piece of bread onto my plate."

Lu Chen nodded slightly and, following the waiter's request, randomly took a bit of the food from his own plate.

He didn't wait for the waiter to taste it, but continued eating.

After the waiter finished eating, he went to the edge of the restaurant to wait.

Once he finished eating, Lu Chen wiped his mouth, looked toward Old Sun's side, nodded slightly, and sat over there.

"What is your room number? Luosha is in 407, and I am in 205."

Old Sun asked in a low voice, then stopped speaking and watched Lu Chen silently.

"Number 303."

Lu Chen took a deep look at Old Sun before speaking softly.

He stood up and left the dining room.

The waiter who had just tasted the food reached out slightly, guiding Lu Chen back to his room.

Lu Chen took one last deep look at that waiter.

"Sir, the guest in room 205 purchased a meeting service at 10:00 PM and invites you and the guest in room 407 to hold a meeting."

Lu Chen nodded slightly and spoke softly.

"Remind me before the time arrives."

Only then did he close the room door.