Xiao Feng's remarks were just overheard by Hui Yi, who had walked to the back courtyard gate.

Seeing the reactions of his junior brothers, Hui Yi immediately turned black in the face and regretted inviting Uncle Monk Hong Ren himself.

In his eyes, Xiao Feng and his junior brothers were like an old smooth talker and naive newbies, easily swayed and confused by a few words.

This is taking advantage of my absence to sow discord.

"Benefactor, the Abbot is here."

Not giving his junior brothers a chance to express themselves, Hui Yi immediately announced loudly, walking over with Hong Ren.

The martial monks hurriedly stood straight, but they looked somewhat absent-minded.

The stories told by Xiao Feng were like seeds with a tenacious life force, taking root in the hearts of the martial monks, sprouting and growing without deliberate nurturing.

Limited edition supercars, villas with pools, virtual reality glasses...

These words constantly flashed through their minds.

The seventeen of them exchanged glances subtly; it was time to unite.

"Master Hong Ren, please sit down and have a cup of tea," Xiao Feng gestured invitingly, as if he were the true host here.

Hong Ren didn't rush to sit; instead, he said coldly, "Benefactor, do you intend to reverse roles here?"

Xiao Feng laughed, "At this moment, discussing who is the guest or the host is meaningless. Let me be blunt, I'm planning to help you."

"Help me?" Hong Ren asked, confused, "What does the benefactor intend to help me with?"

"Of course, to make this auction more successful."

"Is the benefactor threatening this old monk?"

Hong Ren's face turned slightly unhappy, as he felt Xiao Feng was speaking with a double entendre.

It was clear that if he didn't accept the proposed conditions, Xiao Feng would find a way to ruin the auction.

Xiao Feng shook his head, "This is a massive misunderstanding; I have no intention of disrupting the auction. Or rather, even if I don't disrupt it, it won't be smooth."

"Why is that?"

"In your mind, whoever bids the highest price at the auction can win the item, right?"

"Isn't that how it should be?"

"In theory, yes, but often what works in theory doesn't work in reality."

Hong Ren grew somewhat anxious; the wealthy elites in the side hall were still waiting for him.

Even though no specific time was stated to start, he couldn't keep them waiting too long.

Thinking of this, Hong Ren directly said, "Benefactor, do speak your mind. If what the benefactor says is reasonable, I can listen to the supposed cooperation method."

Those words were undoubtedly a statement.

Xiao Feng didn't bother with formalities and got straight to the point, "To let you understand more directly, I'll give a simple example.

If you, along with your disciples or junior monks, participate in an auction, do you think they might have concerns?"

"They probably would." Hong Ren admitted.

Xiao Feng nodded in satisfaction, "It's the same situation right now. These tycoons who came today are involved in various industries and seem to have little in common, but they conduct business in the same region and are interconnected in countless ways.

If you introduce a bunch of items and mention the starting price, and the highest-ranked person immediately expresses their strong interest, would the others not give up on bidding?"

"This..." Hong Ren frowned deeply, unable to give an immediate answer, clearly acknowledging the possibility.

Giving the other party a moment to think, Xiao Feng continued, "That's the unexpected situation I was talking about. I guess you wouldn't want to see such a thing happen either?"

An auction focuses on maximizing profits; if everything is taken at starting prices, it would be more straightforward to list firm prices.

Hong Ren, being a key figure in facilitating this auction, naturally understood this point.

"Does the benefactor have a way to prevent or resolve such unexpected situations?"

Xiao Feng picked up a teacup, sipped leisurely, seeming as though he hadn't heard Hong Ren's question, and chuckled, "Good tea, truly good tea!"

Hong Ren's back teeth began to ache with frustration; he didn't believe Xiao Feng hadn't heard him but was instead forced to swallow his pride and say, "Benefactor, could you explain your method of cooperation?"

"It's simple; let me be the bad guy," Xiao Feng stood up and said, "You just focus on bewildering, stir those tycoons to the point of feeling compelled to buy, and leave the rest to me."

At this point, Hong Ren already understood Xiao Feng's meaning, and after a brief pause for thought, he asked, "If the benefactor is willing to help, what are your conditions?"

Xiao Feng stroked his chin, pointing at Hui Yi, "What terms did he ask for?"

"..." Hui Yi.

How did I get pulled into this conversation?

"Twenty percent of the net profit from the auction," Hong Ren replied, his facial muscles twitching.

"Ha ha."

Xiao Feng forced a couple of awkward laughs, squinting at Hui Yi as if to taunt: What happened to monks not craving for gold and silver?

Hui Yi focused his gaze on his nose, nose on heart, playing dead to deal with the awkwardness at hand.

"If he wants twenty percent, then I'll take twenty percent as well," Xiao Feng replied righteously, "Don't feel shortchanged; if the most important auction items are all taken at the starting price, you'll lose even more."

"Twenty percent is impossible," Hong Ren flatly rejected, "The most is ten percent."

Xiao Feng replied without hesitation, "Since the Abbot is unwilling to cooperate, then let's forget it."

Finishing, he sat back down, poured himself a cup of tea, and enjoyed it delightfully.

Hong Ren stood still, his face growing more displeased by the moment.

Demanding a high price and settling for less has been the rule of doing business since ancient times.

How come with this guy, he's allowed to demand a high price, but I can't negotiate?

"Is there truly no room for negotiation?" Hong Ren squeezed out the words from his teeth, seeking confirmation.

Xiao Feng answered straightforwardly, "None."

"Fine, twenty percent it is then," Hong Ren threw out those words, turned around, and left, not wanting to see Xiao Feng's detestable face anymore.

"He agreed just like that?" Master Jiu was somewhat incredulous.

Judging by the old monk's demeanor, it seemed like the negotiations collapsed; how could he have agreed?

A big eye-roll from Lin Jiaxuan, arms crossed in front of her chest, she said, "He's afraid some people might incite those wealthy elites, who hold significant financial and political power, to deliberately use the starting price to buy auction items."

"Are those 'some people' referring to me?" Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow, quite displeased.

"Humph! Whoever's name it is, they know," leaving a sarcastic parting shot, Lin Jiaxuan promptly made her exit.

"Xiao, you've got quite the business mind," Zhao Guo'an smiled and said.

Xiao Feng smugly replied, "Finally, something sensible out of you."

He then casually picked up the teacup.

"Hmm?"

Xiao Feng let out a startled sound, realizing the weight of the teacup felt off.

Bringing it to his eyes, sure enough, the teacup was empty.

"Bang!"

Xiao Feng slapped the stone table, leaping up, and roared, "Lin Jiaxuan, you better not let me catch you!"

Zhao Guo'an burst out laughing, "Xiao, oh Xiao, wasn't the tea delightful? Hahahahaha!"

"Do you want me to take off my shoe?" Xiao Feng said with a malicious look.

"..." Zhao Guo'an's laughter came to an abrupt stop.

And Xiao Feng's frustration didn't diminish. Lin Jiaxuan's habit of sneaking his tea needed addressing.

Otherwise, if the teacup was empty every time she passed by, who could stand it?

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