Chapter 1230: Winning the Mermaid
Craig almost fainted on the spot!
Hey, hey, hey!
Since when is this not excessive?
Now it's up to 45 billion—are you trying to empty the Yu Guo national treasury or what?
(٥◞•̀д•́) "You're handsome, but you sure think pretty! No way, pick something else!"
Jiangnan was stunned: (´ﾟ口ﾟ) "No way? I just want a fish, that's all. Are you telling me Yu Guo won't buy it for me?"
Craig: !!!
But the fish you want is a frickin' mermaid!
So that's what you were getting at? I should never have bet with Jiangnan!
"B-but... that's way too expensive by a tad, isn't it?"
Jiangnan snickered: "A little bit of money like that shouldn't be too big a problem for a country, right?"
"Stop pretending. I'm sure you've figured it out—this mermaid has the same blue blood as Haidi, and her name is Alice Atlas!"
"And since Yu Guo claims to be a descendant of the ancient Lantis kingdom, Alice is definitely a Lantis native!"
Craig's eye twitched!
Jiangnan had Yu Guo completely cornered. If there really was a Lantis treasure, Yu Guo would never let it go!
"What are you getting at?"
Jiangnan smiled: "Just a win-win cooperation! I'm fluent in the ancient Lantis language, so I can communicate with Alice!"
"If things go smoothly, finding the Lantis treasure will be no problem. Then we can explore it together!"
"Provided the fish belongs to me!"
Craig narrowed his eyes. Indeed!
Even though the Yu Guo royal family are descendants of Lantis, many records of the ancient Lantis language were lost in the wars!
Even Sena wouldn't understand what the mermaid was saying!
Cooperating with Jiangnan wasn't a bad option!
His mind raced, and he quickly made a decision!
"Go ahead and bid! Yu Guo will pay the bill. I'll report to His Majesty the Sea King later, and we'll discuss the exploration together!"
Jiangnan grinned. Done!
But then he frowned. Why did Pang Badi pull this stunt? What was he after?
Jiangnan maxed out his ancient Lantis language skill and found it wasn't that hard!
If they found some top linguists and spent a few months, they could probably figure out what Alice was saying!
Haitang didn't get any information? Jiangnan didn't believe that!
But now she was throwing Alice out, giving away a golden opportunity?
Hmph—this was probably not that simple!
Out of every ten words Pang Badi said, nine were probably lies!
No matter what game he was playing, once Jiangnan got Alice and asked her, he'd know everything!
By now, some people no longer had the strength to bid!
Those still calling prices were big organization bosses with deep pockets!
(๑¯ิ_¯ิ)ﾉ "60 billion dollars!"
Rod raised his hand. As soon as the price came out, the whole place fell silent!
Tuna was already on the phone!
(•︠益•︡)ᕤ
"Hey? Dad? What's up? It's already at 60!"
"Yeah! Got it!"
After hanging up, Tuna's eyes flashed with a vicious glint!
(͡ಠ益͡ಠ) "70 billion!"
That was the highest he could go!
And by now, even Rod had cold sweat on his forehead!
To go higher, he'd have to call the boss for instructions!
But just then, Jiangnan waved his hand!
ᕕ(๑•̀口•́)۶ "100 billion dollars! Anyone else?"
When Yao Hong heard that, her eyes went wide, and she instantly petrified herself!
=͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪‧̣̥̇)
I naively thought that if I gave the black gold card to Boss Nan Shen, he wouldn't spend a single cent!
Who knew he'd blow it all in one go!
With this one bid, he'd basically drained all of Dandelion's liquid assets!
This was the sisters' blood and sweat money!
Spending 100 billion on a fish? Yao Hong was so heartbroken she could barely breathe!
But Jiangnan felt no pressure at all, looking smug!
(๑•́ٹ•̀) Hmph~
After all, it wasn't my money! Just shout away!
[Craig's resentment value +1000!]
(◞꒪ͦཀ꒪ͦ◟)!
God frickin' 100 billion! Couldn't you add a bit more slowly?
Jumping 30 billion in one go?
Really not your money, huh?
Alpha's face was flushed with excitement!
⸜(๑´ㅂ`๑) "100 billion! Jiangnan has bid 100 billion!"
"Is there anyone higher?"
Many consortiums backed down. Spending 100 billion on an ethereal treasure clue?
If it worked out, fine; if not, it was a huge loss!
Tuna's expression darkened, but he also breathed a sigh of relief. He sat back down, staring at Jiangnan's back with a cold glint in his eyes!
Meanwhile, Rod's lips curled into a smile, his hand instinctively resting on his sword hilt!
That saved him some money!
"Haha! Dandelion sure has money! Can't compete, can't compete! I wish Brother Jiang a smooth journey in obtaining the ancient kingdom's treasure!"
Alpha slammed the gavel wildly, shouting, "Congratulations, Mr. Jiangnan, for winning the finale treasure of Haitang's Hundred Flowers Grand Auction!"
"Winning the mermaid!"
Jiangnan laughed heartily, went up, grabbed the fish tank, and hoisted it onto his shoulder!
He grinned: "Don't worry! I'll let you out later!"
Alice nodded gratefully, looking at him teary-eyed!
Qian Benying secretly cursed!
(zhe3* "Pfft! Jiang the pervert! Willing to spend 100 billion on a beauty but not on spirit pearls?"
But if Jiangnan had actually spent it, how would she have gotten that precious spirit pearl?
Hmph—but how was he so rich? Having 100 billion?
How did he earn it?
Alpha smiled: "Please settle the payment!"
Yao Hong's eyes were red, on the verge of tears!
(ʃƚᵒ̴̶̷̥́﹏ᵒ̴̶̷̣̥̀)
Jiangnan raised an eyebrow: "Go ask Craig to pay. He's footing the bill!"
Everyone was stunned. Craig's face darkened!
He pulled a black card out of his pocket and slapped it violently on the table, saying nothing!
Yao Hong was puzzled. What? Yu Guo is paying?
Meaning Boss Nan Shen didn't spend a single cent at Haitang's Hundred Flowers Auction?
Instead, he made a bunch of money and even got a mermaid?
Truly getting something for nothing!
As expected! Nan Shen was still Nan Shen!
With the finale prize in Jiangnan's hands, the Hundred Flowers Grand Auction officially ended!
But the atmosphere felt a bit off as everyone filed out!
Pang Badi laughed heartily!
ꉂꉂ(ᵔᗜᵔ๑) "Brother! If you really find the ancient kingdom's treasure and strike it rich, don't forget your old pal!"
Jiangnan beamed a bright smile and reached out his hand to Pang Badi: "Easy, easy! Well then, I'll be off?"
Seeing Jiangnan's extended hand, Pang Badi also reached out!
Their hands clasped tightly!
"Pleasure doing business!"
Jiangnan nodded, hoisted the mermaid, and led his people out of the venue!
Craig didn't linger either; he headed straight for the palace. The mermaid was too important!
He had to notify Sena as soon as possible!
Before leaving, he warned Jiangnan to be careful on the road!
As for Qian Benying, she had already taken her people and vanished, eager to absorb the spirit pearl!
In an off-road vehicle, Jiangnan's crew drove along, their car carrying the fish tank as they slowly cruised!
Many passersby were taking photos!
Alice lay in the fish tank, staring at the bustling streets outside, her eyes full of unfamiliarity and curiosity!
At the Tianbao Venue, Pang Badi called Oumijia over!
"How are things arranged over there?"
Oumijia nodded: "Already taken care of, boss. Don't worry!"
Pang Badi puffed on his cigar, his eyes deep: "This involves the ancient Lantis kingdom. Sena will definitely get involved. Send more men; don't let things get messy!"
"Let me know as soon as you have news!"
Oumijia: "Yes! Qian Benying has returned to the hotel. She doesn't seem very interested in this matter. I've already sent people to watch her!"
"Also... what about Jiangnan? Should we send someone to tail him? The guy tied a 100-billion-dollar mermaid to his car and drove back like that!"
"Being so flashy is bound to attract predators. If that fish gets snatched by another power, it'll be a problem!"
"Do you want us to help clear the obstacles? That way..."
Before he could finish, Pang Badi raised his hand, letting out a cold laugh!
"No need! That kid is a hungry wolf, and a wolf never lets its prey be taken by others!"
"Why do you think he's being so flashy? Figure out who's the hunter and who's the prey. A lot of people are going to die tonight!"
"If he can't handle this much, he wouldn't be Jiangnan!"
"If we step in, it'll make the kid suspicious. Let's just wait and see!"
Oumijia was stunned, then nodded in agreement!
Pang Badi toyed with the ring on his finger, a smile spreading across his face!
"I didn't expect Jiangnan to know the ancient Lantis language, though. That's a surprise!"
"But it suits me perfectly. Everything is under control!"
"This door, he'll have to open for me! The Origin Stone will belong to me, Pang Badi!"
At that moment, Pang Badi's eyes were filled with ambition!
Meanwhile, on the road, Jiangnan's convoy gradually deviated from the main road!
They ended up on the sparsely populated coastal highway!
Alice lay on the fish tank, staring at the moonlit, glittering sea, her eyes full of longing!
Yao Hong asked in confusion: (•̌ࡇ•̑๑)ˀ̣ˀ̣ "Why are we taking this road? Not Central Avenue? This doesn't seem like the way back to the Golden Kumquat Building, right?"
Even Haidi and Damon, following behind the convoy, were puzzled!
Jiangnan squinted and chuckled: "Nothing. Just taking a detour to clear my head, and also to knock some sense into the little mice trying to steal my cake!"
"Saves trouble later. Lan! Stay close to Mila for a while and try not to reveal that you're a space-type spirit warrior!"
Lan was confused but nodded anyway!
Yao Hong's eyes widened. Boss Nan Shen specifically brought a 100-billion-dollar mermaid to this remote coastal highway?
He was trying to...
"Boom!"
A deafening roar! An endless torrent of seawater burst out from the manhole covers on the road!
The raised covers slammed hard into the off-road vehicle's chassis!
Powerful jets of water shot up from below, spinning the off-road vehicle dozens of meters into the air!
The whole car tumbled through the air, time seemingly frozen!
Sitting in the driver's seat, Jiangnan looked completely unruffled. Smirking, he adjusted the rearview mirror and fixed his hair!
"Every day without dancing is a betrayal of life!"
"So... do you all want to dance too?"