‘Hah… How long will I have to endure this before I gain my freedom?’ Eminent Greed understands the meaning of Lawrence’s gaze and sighs internally.

She has been collecting magic artifacts that generate mana for the sole purpose of preventing that man from further wasting her name, because by doing so, more suspicions arise around her. Having lost the memories of her past life, it is very difficult for her to survive in an environment where the strong prey on the weak.

Generating more suspicions only increases the chances of becoming prey.

She clenches her teeth without anyone noticing her hatred. ‘Even time has an end, endure it… Everything has a purpose.’

After taking a deep breath and regaining her composure, she channels her mana into her number.

“Number 13… 7.4 million golds!”

The audience cheers at the sudden appearance of a number so close to the top ten. It is estimated that if this were number 10, no one would dare to bid!

But since it is not…

“Number 27… 8.5 million golds!”

“A jump of over a million gold? Number 27 must have an extraordinary background to challenge number 13 without fear of the consequences.”

“And number 19 has yet to appear, that person also showed their interest.”

The audience’s discussions hit the mark and the next bidder soon reveals their offer.

“Number 19… 10 million golds! Wow!”

“They leave no room for the small fish, hah…”

Unexpectedly, the one most surprised by this is not Lawrence, but Eminent Greed! Because she knows the identities of the immortals behind those numbers!

‘According to the information my previous life collected, number 27 belongs to a very important elder of the Sacred Summit Sect. Whereas number 19, is someone very close to the master of the Eternal Wind Sect…’

While the Eternal Wind Sect is the strongest sect of the Heavenly Path Kingdom, the Sacred Summit Sect is one of the three major sects of the Immortal Radiance Kingdom!

‘These are not characters I should be fighting with…’

She obtained number 13 thanks to the countless magic artifacts she has delivered to the house and the fortune they have generated thanks to her. Not to mention that these articles not only generate money but also fame, recognition. Even she herself does not know how many of her lives have been connected to this place, but at least, she knows that her past life was already in contact with the Violet Twilight auction house before losing her memories!

The delicate hands of Eminent Greed tremble slightly at this development of events, because for her… this will be the first time she puts her life at risk.

“Number 13… 12 million golds!”

Amidst the clamor of the public, the next bid is eagerly awaited.

“Number 27, 13 million gol–!”

“Number 19, 15 million golds! Incredible, the happiest with this must be the owner of this item! Never expected to earn so much!”

After the laughter of the spectators, the auctioneer quickly stops joking because…

“Number 27, 15.7 million golds!”

“Number 13, 16.5 million golds!”

“Number 19, 18 million golds!”

“Number 13… 18.5 million golds!”

“Number 19…”

“Number 13…”

The bids between them continue relentlessly, only one thing is certain.

“It seems number 27 has withdrawn, they haven’t bid in a long time.”

“He’s a wise man, number 13 and number 19 are simply crazy.”

When the bids exceed 20 million golds, the immortal behind number 19 clenches his tablet with his number until it cracks. It’s true that the value of the magic artifact Stele of the Past is incalculable, but that’s for the sects! Not for an individual!

‘Does that woman have a grudge against my sect? Is she intentionally driving up its value or does she really want it?’

Number 19 makes a decision and then an indistinct voice echoes in the auction house.

“If you can far exceed this bid, the item will be yours.”

His intention is clear, do not offend me, but if you have no other choice, do not make me lose face.

“Number 19… 24 million golds!”

A second later there is a deadly silence, everyone waiting for number 13 to make an appearance. While some mock saying that they won’t have the courage, others decide to wait quietly knowing that until the auction ends, nothing is set in stone.

“Number 13… 30 million golds!”

After this last bid, number 19 does not speak again.

The price for not offending a big shot was nothing more than 6 million golds. If Eminent Greed had been even slightly stingy, not only would she not be able to win the auction, but she would gain an enemy!

“Congratulations number 13! The item is yours!”

Eminent Greed sighs and was about to lean back in her seat, if not for the words of congratulations from her subordinates that bring her back to herself. While she feigns tranquility and solemnity, Lawrence feels his blood run in reverse.

He almost coughs up a mouthful of blood and faints on the spot.

‘J- Just five million more and I would have no face to return home.’

This is different from giving all his money to Stoic Compass and watching it invest in the construction of his sect. Because the sect is grand and majestic, it doesn’t feel like a big loss, but it’s different when it’s just a single item.

It hurts much more to see how 30 million golds go just for a 2m tall rock.

The auction continues, but from then on, Lawrence pretends to have earplugs. He does not want to be tempted by the devil of gambling again!

‘…There are changes around that lizard woman’s faction, they recognized my intention.’

The luck among misfortunes is that, while Reigning Myrias did not return his gaze, she will most likely send someone to talk to him.

Hours later the auction ends and as soon as Lawrence receives his payment for the auction of the 3 fertility pills, he heads to talk to Eminent Greed. Their conversation does not extend for long, just enough to hand her the 30 million golds he owes her in exchange for the magic artifact Stele of the Past.

This last can be stored in a storage ring, so he doesn’t need to carry out any additional formalities. After saying goodbye to her, he bids farewell to the item owners, a moment they use to once again give him different pill recipes along with their materials, hoping to do business with his refiner.

After this, he heads towards the exit of the hall and it is then that a woman as cold as ice approaches him.

Before she says anything, Lawrence speaks. “I’ll request a private room.”

The woman, who is none other than Frozen Lake, the subordinate of Reigning Myrias and the same one he spoke with during the purchase of the Green Wolves, nods her head and follows him a few steps behind him. After a servant guides them to the room, Lawrence closes the door.

“My lady felt very uncomfortable because of your gaze, I beg you that next time you wish to speak with her, you address me… Emperor Lawrence.”

She pauses for one to two seconds before mentioning his name, which implies a certain tone of skepticism and perhaps contempt. Lawrence does not mind and after a brief conversation of courtesies, they get straight to business.

Frozen Lake says: “What business do you have with my lady?”

“It’s not me, it’s my refiner Bearer of Light.” Lawrence sits in front of her casually, as if he did not fear the power she represents. “After learning your lady deals with slaves, she wishes to offer his services. He’s sure that with his talents, more than one opportunity will arise where you can coincide.”

After hearing this, Frozen Lake subtly smiles and then sighs.

“What makes you think my lady does not possess talented pill refiners? Ah, I’m speaking to you, not to Bearer of Light of course.”

Disguising an insult to the master by directing it towards the servant, typical of nobility and merchants who believe everything is solved with money. Although Lawrence would like to respond, he does not forget that he is not speaking to the woman in front of him, but to the person she represents.

Lawrence sighs, “There must be something on which we can agree.”

Frozen Lake is good at hiding her expressions, so it is impossible for him to discover her surprise after seeing that her insults do not have an effect. Since that is the case, she decides not to continue extending this conversation in vain.

“Indeed, my lady currently does not require his services, but perhaps your refiner might be interested in one of our products.”

Lawrence listens attentively to the business proposal of Frozen Lake– no, rather of Reigning Myrias and cannot help but be amazed.

Because <that> is exactly what they need.

She rises from her seat and hands him a card, “Go to this address, there we will continue this conversation. I bid you farewell.”

Once Frozen Lake leaves the room, Lawrence plays with the card in his hand for a few seconds and then exhales loudly.

Although with some setbacks, the identity <Emperor Lawrence> has managed to establish itself in the Violet Twilight auction house, replacing <Lawrence>. It is not too late to continue plotting from the shadows and strike only when they are sure of success.

Because that is the only way he knows to reach the peak.

After leaving the room and making the usual round to exit, after turning a corner, his heart stops.

There, in the distance, is a man he could recognize even with his eyes closed.

He wouldn’t lie if he said that, if it weren’t for him, he couldn’t be here.

The man who offered him a job at the Unquenchable Fire Brothel as a thank you for helping him and who allowed him to be the dao protector of Serene Will and Coldness Divine.

Dark Root.

Lawrence quickly hides the surprise in his heart and walks beside him without showing concern or nervousness.

“Lawrence.”

For an instant his breath stops when Dark Root mentions his name, but he had already anticipated that something like this would happen.

Lawrence stops and looks back.

“Emperor Lawrence.”

Correcting him.

Dark Root looks him in the eyes for a few seconds and then smiles.

“Sorry, I confused you with someone.”

Lawrence nods coldly and then turns around.

Watching his back, Dark Root frowns. Unsure if it is <him> or not.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep