Winter Pavilion

As hinted by its name, the doors of Winter Pavilion were painted deep blue, and there were two white stone statues of qilins erected on either side of it. The words 'Winter Pavilion' were carved in silver on the plaque hanging over the tall doors, and the calligraphy showcased the writer's gentleness and sharpness at the same time. Much like snowflakes, the words danced over the black surface, ending with the hooked strokes of a brush.

The place itself was magnificent—spacious with a white, silver and blue colour scheme. Through the blue doors was an entrance hall where attendants with polished smiles stood behind even more polished marble counters. Beyond that was a few archways leading into the courtyards and actual auction and meeting rooms at the back of the compound.

The attendants' uniforms represented their rank. Attendants with a white uniform were of the servant rank; silver represented personal attendants; blue uniforms were for the managers. There was a Head Manager in Winter Pavilion who oversaw the business and staff. Manager Song's rank was second only to the pavilion master, and many people didn't dare to offend him for fear of the power behind Winter Pavilion. 

Nobody had ever seen the true face of Winter Pavilion's master since he always wore a silver mask and had rarely made public appearances. In short, he was a mysterious and elusive person, yet a powerful one that many revered.

Winter Pavilion could be considered one of the new rising powers in the Deity Realm, with about five thousand years of history. However, it was not to be underestimated due to its roots in Heavenly Realm. It was an auction house that differed from normal ones not only because most of the items it auctioned were imported from Heavenly realm, but also for of its membership system. 

Only exclusive members could enjoy special perks, such as a private box to view the auctions, or promotions on items they wanted to purchase. Without a membership, even someone from a noble family could not get a private box and had to sit with the general audience.

Every few years, Winter Pavilion would host a lucky draw where the prizes were membership passes. Other than relying on luck, membership passes could be purchased. However, the pavilion master was an eccentric person who didn't follow the norms of society and businessmen. The people who gained his approval might be able to buy a membership pass for the same price as one would buy a radish, while the unluckier people would have to pay many times the amount of money to get a membership.

When the teen and his group reached Winter Pavilion, he flagged down an attendant in a silver uniform and said, "I want to meet Manager Song."

Young Master Wei was shocked that the teen dared to speak to the attendant with such a commanding tone. One had to know that with Winter Pavilion's status, wealth, and power, even a servant there had the right to look down on ordinary customers. As expected, the attendant looked disdainfully at the teen upon seeing that he was dressed ordinarily. 

"Get out! Do you think our Winter Pavilion will simply accept commoners like you? Manager Song isn't someone that you can meet with as you wish. Who do you think you are, the pavilion master?" she huffed arrogantly while looking down on the teen. 

The next second, her expression changed into one of flattery and politeness as she addressed the person behind the teen, shyly peeking at him from under her lashes. "Young Master Wei, welcome to Winter Pavilion, how may I help you? We have a new shipment of goods, I can show them to you now."

Outwardly looking unperturbed at the difference in treatment, but gagging inwardly at the attendant's one-eighty degree change in attitude, the teen reached into his sleeve and took out a piece of seemingly ordinary purple jade with one word on it: Xue. 

"Show this to Manager Song." When the attendant displayed a reluctant attitude, the teen continued, "I wonder how people would react if they found out a mere attendant from Winter Pavilion doesn't even cater to a member's request." When she heard that the ordinarily dressed teen was a member, the attendant didn't dare to act too presumptuously and stormed off with the jade to find Manager Song.

A few minutes later, the attendant reappeared to lead them to Manager Song's private room. The guards had left when they reached Winter Pavilion since they had detected the teen had no cultivation and couldn't harm the young master anyway, so Young Master Wei and the teen entered alone.

Young Master Wei had expected Manager Song to be a prideful and  arrogant person, but what he saw in the room surprised him. The middle aged manager looked slightly flustered and even... respectful? He put on an amiable smile and gestured for the two guests to sit.

"Young Master Wei here would like to purchase a membership. As the middle man, I will leave the negotiation to you, Manager Song," said the teen as he stood up and started admiring the paintings on the wall. He didn't pay attention while the manager explained the various membership perks to the young master. 

It was only when the real talk started that the teen's eyes gleamed and he turned around so that he was facing Manager Song, but standing behind the oblivious Young Master Wei. Of course, in the teen's mind, 'real talk' meant business, and generally any negotiation that involved money.