CHAPTER 8: Journey to the Auction - Part 1

The morning sun rose gently over the Zhen Clan compound, its golden light brushing across the tiled roofs and white walls like a blessing.

Inside their courtyard, Lady Wen carefully dressed Zhen Liang. His robe was simple yet elegant, sky-blue with silver trim—stitched by her own hands. She combed his hair neatly and tied it up with a fine silk ribbon, her fingers moving with the tenderness of a mother preparing her son for his first real journey.

"Stand straight," she said, her voice warm but firm as she adjusted the collar of his robe. "You represent the Zhen family now."

"Yes, Mother," Zhen Liang replied obediently.

She led him to the entrance of the clan grounds. There, standing tall at the base of the stairs, was a massive eagle beast. Its wings were folded but still spanned nearly ten meters across. Covered in rich brown feathers, its golden eyes shone with the wild, untamed aura of nature. The air around it rippled faintly with wind spiritual energy.

Zhen Liang stared wide-eyed, completely mesmerized. "It's… huge…"

Before he could step closer, two shadows leapt down from the eagle's back.

The first was a middle-aged man with a short beard and a bamboo conical hat that cast a shadow over most of his face. The second was a lean teenage boy, perhaps fifteen, with twin short swords strapped to his back and a playful grin on his face.

The moment Zhen Liang saw the older man, his eyes lit up.

"Uncle Shen! Take my punch!"

With that shout, Zhen Liang dashed forward and launched a punch at the man's chest, channeling a thread of his qi into the strike.

To his surprise, the man didn't even flinch.

His small fist landed solidly—but it was like punching a wall of iron. Zhen Liang immediately spun back with a loud "wuuu—" and pouted.

"Uncle, you cheated! You used qi to protect your body!"

The man, now fully revealed as Zhen Shen, let out a hearty laugh and removed his hat, revealing sharp but kind eyes and a mouth full of bright white teeth.

"Brat, if I hadn't used qi, you would've cracked one of my ribs! You've gotten stronger though—I'll give you that." He reached out and began to roughly rub Zhen Liang's carefully combed hair into a mess.

"Hey! Mother just fixed my hair!" Zhen Liang cried, struggling under his uncle's big hand.

The teenager beside them chuckled, clearly enjoying the sight.

Zhen Shen finally let go and turned toward Lady Wen.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry. I'll make sure this little rascal comes back in one piece."

Lady Wen gave him a respectful nod and said sincerely, "Thank you, Brother Shen. I heard a body refinement technique that suits Liang might be auctioned in Blue Bamboo City. Otherwise, I wouldn't have troubled your journey."

Zhen Shen waved a hand casually. "You don't need to be polite. I'm heading to the auction anyway. I heard they're also putting up a piece of Refined Diamond Copper—just what I need for my dharma weapon."

Lady Wen's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. "Congratulations, Brother Shen. Then you're preparing to register officially with the clan?"

Zhen Shen rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Not yet. But once the weapon is done, I'll take that step."

Lady Wen smiled, then crouched to meet her son's eyes.

"Zhen Liang, listen carefully. Be good. Follow your uncle's instructions and don't cause trouble outside."

Zhen Liang puffed out his cheeks and nodded, "Yes, Mother."

With one arm, Zhen Shen easily lifted Zhen Liang and placed him on the back of the giant eagle.

"Ready to fly?" he asked with a grin.

Zhen Liang's eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned back to wave. "Bye, Mother!"

Lady Wen stood watching as the eagle crouched, then leapt high into the sky. With a powerful flap of its massive wings, the beast soared into the clouds, leaving only swirling gusts and scattered feathers behind.

She stood there quietly, her sleeves fluttering in the morning breeze, until the shadow of the eagle disappeared completely from sight.

Zhen Liang looked down at the boundless land below and was mesmerized by the breathtaking view.

"Wow…" he muttered.

As they soared through the skies, the teenage boy beside him—Zhen Shen's disciple—passed him a bamboo flask.

"Drink. It'll keep you from feeling dizzy in the air," he said with a grin.

Zhen Liang accepted it and took a sip. "Thanks."

A light conversation sparked between the three of them as the eagle beast glided through the clouds.

They traveled until afternoon, and eventually descended near a modest but lively city—not even one-fifth the size of the Zhen Clan's city. A wooden plaque at the gates read: Sun Li City.

Zhen Shen turned back and said, "We'll rest here for a while. We'll move again in the evening."

Once the eagle beast was released into a nearby forest to roam, the three of them entered the city. The guards stepped aside respectfully after Zhen Shen flashed the Zhen Clan token.

Zhen Liang, too, carried a similar token his father had personally given him the night before.

They found a reputable inn near the center of the city and rented a large room.

"Take Zhen Liang and let him look around the city," Zhen Shen instructed his disciple as he handed over a small bag.

The young man opened it and whistled. "That's a lot of gold."

"Don't waste it," Zhen Shen warned. "And don't let him out of your sight."

The disciple nodded eagerly and turned to Zhen Liang. "Alright, Young Master Liang, let's go explore."

Zhen Liang grinned widely, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Let's go!"