Lucky Cruise Ship
Chapter 559: Dead Sea Scrolls
“…”
Wen Jianyan’s eyes flickered in the darkness. A few seconds later, he raised his paddle and slowly spoke, “Three hundred million.”
This instantly set the already restless venue into a boil. Whispering voices rose from all directions.
What… three hundred million points for one item???
Are the people bidding crazy?
Even Qi Qian, sitting in the same box as Wen Jianyan, couldn’t help but be startled, staring at Wen Jianyan in astonishment.
Figaro, on the other hand, had a knowing smile on his lips. He sipped the wine in his glass while watching this rare and frenzied bidding war.
Not long after his voice faded, Su Cheng’s voice came from a nearby box.
Calm, without fluctuation.
“Six hundred million.”
—It doubled again.
Now, the entire auction became deathly silent, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Even those who couldn’t read the situation knew that this bidding war had turned into a smokeless battle—one they absolutely could not get involved in.
“…”
Wen Jianyan took a deep breath. His fingers gripping the bidding paddle tightened slightly, and his palm had unknowingly become cold and clammy.
His probing had more or less yielded a result. Doubling the bid every time, such extravagance, such determination to win…
It seemed that the one bidding against him wasn’t Su Cheng himself, but the Oracle organization he represented.
And behind Oracle was the will of the Nightmare. It seemed that Nightmare absolutely did not want him to obtain the [Dead Sea Scrolls] and decipher them. The more trouble it went through, the more it proved that the content within the black box carried immense weight.
“Six hundred million.”
On the brightly lit auction stage, Carl Bell wore a deep smile as he looked around. “Is there any VIP willing to offer a higher price?”
Suddenly, a lazy, smiling female voice rang out:
“Six hundred million and one.”
This voice…
Recognizing the owner of the voice, turbulent waves surged in Wen Jianyan’s heart.
—Dan Zhu?!
He wasn’t surprised that she appeared at the auction, but why would she wade into these muddy waters? This was a bit too—
“…Don’t tell me you’re planning to follow?” Qi Qian frowned tightly, staring at Wen Jianyan in bewilderment.
Anyone with eyes could see the danger level of this instance and the role money played in it. It was only the third day of the instance, and the difficulty of survival had already multiplied greatly. Spending so many points to bid on an item in this situation was tantamount to self-destruction.
Wen Jianyan didn’t speak. The veins on the back of his hand gripping the paddle bulged, and his fingertips turned slightly white from the force.
During his silence, the heat of the bidding didn’t decrease but increased instead, rising with the tide. Before anyone knew it, it had soared to one billion.
“One billion and one.”
The woman’s voice was husky and lazy, full of smiles, but adding only one point each time was incredibly infuriating.
“One billion and one going once, one billion and one going twice…”
Inside the box, Su Cheng looked at Gentleman sitting opposite him, seemingly asking something silently.
Gentleman’s face was exceptionally ugly. The unflappable smile he usually wore finally slipped. His fists were clenched tight, his expression gloomy enough to drip water. But in the end, he gritted his teeth and gave a stiff nod to Su Cheng.
Su Cheng raised his paddle again, his voice calm as ever:
“Two billion.”
The window of the opposite box was pushed open. A woman in a red dress leaned against the window frame as if boneless, squinting her hazy eyes. She blew a kiss toward Gentleman’s distant box, her voice still filled with laughter, seemingly not disappointed by her failed bid. “Boss is generous.”
Figaro looked at Wen Jianyan sitting opposite him, his narrow eyes cunning as a fox, his voice seductive, “Do you want to continue? If you’re really short on money, it’s not like I can’t help you…”
Qi Qian looked at Wen Jianyan, his voice calm and composed, speaking faster:
“Consider the big picture—don’t forget you have other teammates to take care of.”
Wen Jianyan remained silent for a long time.
“Two billion going once, two billion going twice…”
“…”
Finally, Wen Jianyan slowly withdrew his gaze. The sweat-soaked auction paddle dropped from his palm.
“Two billion going three times!”
The small black gavel fell with a clang.
“SOLD!”
The hammer fell, sealing the deal.
The SSS-rank item [Dead Sea Scrolls] was won by Oracle.
“You actually gave up at the last moment… the other side was actually running on fumes too. What a pity.”
Looking at Wen Jianyan sitting opposite, Figaro seemed somewhat disappointed. He sighed, but then smiled again:
“It seems our transaction has officially ended, hasn’t it?”
Now that ownership of the [Dead Sea Scrolls] was beyond doubt, their cooperation naturally came to an end.
Wen Jianyan ignored him. He stood up and looked at Qi Qian. “I’m going out for a bit.”
Qi Qian nodded. “Understood.”
Although he didn’t know exactly why Wen Jianyan wanted that item, judging by the amount he was willing to pay, he certainly couldn’t be resigned to this failure—especially since the one bidding against him was a former subordinate and even friend. regardless of whether Oracle was supporting him from behind, this must not be easy.
Wen Jianyan walked toward the box door.
“Since the transaction is over, let’s settle the bill. Although I did my best to help you, considering you didn’t get what you wanted in the end, I’ll give you a discount on your commission,” Figaro tirelessly tried to get Wen Jianyan’s attention. “How about 15% off?”
“Over?”
Wen Jianyan paused in his steps.
He held the door handle, turned his head to look at Figaro, and suddenly revealed a smile, his voice light as clouds and gentle as wind:
“It’s over only when I say it’s over.”
With that, he turned and left the box.
Hearing the box door close, Qi Qian’s heart sank—he wasn’t exactly familiar with Figaro, only having had slight contact when handling Dark Fire Guild affairs. Based on the rumors he’d heard—even if only one percent were true, Figaro was definitely not someone easy to get along with or tolerant of others—he couldn’t help but turn to look in Figaro’s direction.
However, contrary to his expectations…
Figaro didn’t seem angered by Wen Jianyan’s attitude just now. On the contrary, a faint smile appeared on his lips as he slowly leaned back into his seat, seemingly quite satisfied.
As soon as Wen Jianyan left the box, a waiter greeted him.
Although this instance was dangerous, for people like them with enough money, the service attitude was always exceptionally polite. “Honored guest, may I ask what you need?”
Wen Jianyan smiled, his expression natural, as if he wasn’t the one who had just failed a bid:
“Nothing, I was just wondering when I can get the items I won.”
“After payment, the items you won will be delivered directly to your room after today’s auction ends,” the waiter answered dutifully with a smile. “If the amount is large, the verification time will be longer, but it won’t exceed the total duration of the auction—”
While the two were talking in the corridor, the door of a distant box suddenly creaked open, and two people walked out one after another.
Gentleman and Su Cheng.
“You let me win,” Gentleman smiled, speaking modestly.
Su Cheng stood behind him, his face hidden in darkness, blurred and indistinct.
Wen Jianyan’s gaze touched Su Cheng lightly like a dragonfly skimming water, then immediately moved away. He looked at Gentleman and also smiled. “Two billion, such a generous hand. Even if I didn’t want to let you have it, I couldn’t.”
He could tell that Figaro’s earlier judgment was correct.
Even with Oracle’s support behind him, two billion was a massive sum. Gentleman, who made the final decision, would clearly pay a price for this.
“Since we’ve reached this point, we might as well speak frankly,” Gentleman smiled, his sharp gaze lingering for a moment on the waiter in front of Wen Jianyan. Perhaps because the price exceeded what he could afford, he seemed unable to maintain that perfect mask of politeness tonight. “I must secure the Dead Sea Scrolls no matter what. So, please don’t harbor any ideas of intercepting it midway. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what will happen.”
“Look at you saying that,” Wen Jianyan’s expression was impeccable. “You won fair and square. Matters having reached this stage, what can I do besides offer congratulations?”
[Integrity First] live room viewers were somewhat skeptical:
[…For real?]
[The anchor just gave up like that? Doesn’t feel like him.]
[But the problem is, what can he do if he doesn’t give up? Oracle is clearly determined to keep this item. They already have experience dealing with Wen Jianyan, so they’ll do more than just guard against him. This is an item worth two billion; they will use every means and pay any price to ensure Wen Jianyan can’t succeed.]
“However,” Wen Jianyan changed the subject, casting his gaze toward Su Cheng behind Gentleman, “I do somewhat want to have a chat with my friend here. I wonder if you agree?”
Hearing this request, Gentleman didn’t seem surprised. He smiled meaningfully:
“Of course. What right do I have to interfere in a private conversation between two good friends?”
After speaking, he looked at Su Cheng. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
With that, Gentleman turned and left the corridor, led by a waiter.
Wen Jianyan looked at his old friend—so familiar, yet so strange; once so close, now so distant.
The two stood apart, one in the light, one hidden in darkness.
There was no expression on Su Cheng’s face. Clearly, during his time in the Nightmare, he had gradually learned not to show his emotions. But even so, he wasn’t yet masterful enough at hiding the emotions in his eyes.
“Whatever you’re doing,” Wen Jianyan suddenly spoke, “stop here.”
This sentence seemed to pierce through Su Cheng’s mask. His gaze wavered for a moment.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Wen Jianyan sighed. “No, you know perfectly well.”
Su Cheng was plotting something in private.
When Su Cheng left the guild to join Oracle, Wen Jianyan already had a vague guess—but the problem was, the part of the other party that made value judgments had been distorted. Wen Jianyan wasn’t sure if it was due to overuse of his talent, some method of the Nightmare, or both—Su Cheng might not necessarily act against him, but the worst part lay precisely there.
The starting point would be distorted by the means. The price might be acceptable in Su Cheng’s eyes, but not in Wen Jianyan’s.
“I know you can see the future to some extent… but is it possible that what you see is only what they want you to see?” Wen Jianyan stared fixedly at Su Cheng, his voice calm. “I know you have your own plan and think it’s the best method, but trading with the devil is tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin.”
Undoubtedly, the Nightmare was that devil.
Every gift it gave had a price—so-called talent was exploitation, so-called departure was just a guise, so-called ranking was just slavery.
Like some ancient fable, those who wished upon the monkey’s paw would always suffer backlash from their own wishes.
“Whether you come back or not, there will always be a place for you in the guild.”
Wen Jianyan gazed at him, his expression calm and sincere.
“It’s not too late. This is the advice I can give you as a friend… stop before it all happens.”
“…!”
Su Cheng looked as if he had been stung hard. He flinched for an instant, almost wanting to retreat into the darkness. Wen Jianyan could see the other’s hesitation; it was just one step away—
Buzz buzz. Su Cheng’s phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.
He paused, looked down, and glanced at it.
That moment of hesitation vanished in a flash.
“It’s business from Oracle’s side. I have to go.” Su Cheng took one last deep look at Wen Jianyan. His lips moved, his voice very soft. “Thank you. I’ll remember it.”
With that, he turned and hurriedly left.
“…”
Wen Jianyan withdrew his gaze and sighed softly.
He still didn’t know what Su Cheng was plotting. He only knew that everything was set in stone. The other party could not turn back, would not turn back, and did not want to turn back.
…Spilled water cannot be gathered.
“Brilliant.” Soft applause sounded from behind, accompanied by a smiling female voice, pulling Wen Jianyan back from his thoughts.
He started and turned to look.
In front of a box not far away, Dan Zhu leaned gracefully against the half-open door frame, her face full of smiles. Who knew how long she had been watching.
“I really didn’t expect you to have such deep ties with Oracle’s new vice-president,” Dan Zhu stood up gracefully and walked over elegantly. She cast a meaningful glance in the direction Su Cheng had left, then turned to look at Wen Jianyan. “Advice from someone who’s been there—since everything has changed, don’t try to correct it. It’s meaningless.”
When saying this, Dan Zhu’s expression seemed even more impenetrable than before.
“Thanks,” Wen Jianyan said, giving her a thoughtful look.
“You’re welcome.”
Dan Zhu giggled, quickly returning to her usual demeanor.
“Speaking of which, I’m curious. Why did you also bid for the Dead Sea Scrolls?” Wen Jianyan asked.
“For the fun of it, of course.” Dan Zhu blinked, curving her full, red lips. “I always enjoy seeing that bunch from Oracle bleed heavily.”
Dan Zhu wasn’t lying, but she wasn’t telling the whole truth either.
Wen Jianyan gave Dan Zhu a deep look but didn’t pursue the question further.
“By the way, I wonder if you could do me a small favor?”
Dan Zhu: “Hmm?”
“I have a friend who wants to enter the auction. Could you use one of your quotas to send an invitation?” Wen Jianyan didn’t mention Chen Cheng’s name. After all, Chen Cheng was a member of Eternal Day, and mentioning a specific name to Dan Zhu, the guild master of Eternal Day, might bring unexpected disaster.
“Hmm, I suppose so.” Dan Zhu narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Wen Jianyan, then suddenly smiled. “But what will you give in exchange?”
Wen Jianyan looked sincere. “What do you need me to do?”
Seeming satisfied with the answer, Dan Zhu giggled.
“Let’s just say you owe me one for now,” Dan Zhu said casually. “I’ll have the invitation sent to your room.”
“Remember how good I am to you,” she hooked her red-nailed finger under Wen Jianyan’s chin, smiling as she spoke. “Got it?”
Wen Jianyan sighed inwardly.
Favors borrowed always had to be repaid. He just didn’t know what price he would have to pay in the end.
But he still put on a perfect smile. “Of course. Then thank you very much.”
The first day of the auction ended.
Under Qi Qian’s slightly disapproving gaze, Wen Jianyan arranged a meeting time for the next day with Figaro, whom he supposedly didn’t need to see anymore since their transaction was over. Figaro’s eyes were full of interest as he nodded. “I’ll be there.”
Soon, Wen Jianyan parted ways with his two “travel companions” and met his partners in the casino on the first floor of the Lucky Cruise.
“How was it?”
Chen Mo asked about the situation at the auction.
“Not great.”
Wen Jianyan took a deep breath, not hiding his despondency. “The Dead Sea Scrolls appeared.”
What?!
The group gasped in surprise, clearly not expecting this situation either.
“And I didn’t win it,” Wen Jianyan added.
“How much did the other side bid?” Wen Ya asked.
Wen Jianyan: “Two billion.”
Instantly, the atmosphere fell into silence.
No matter how you looked at it, that was indeed an uncompetable price.
Finally, after a long while, Chen Mo spoke, “Oracle indeed has deep pockets. Since things have come to this, we can only look for other ways out. There should be other methods of deciphering—”
He squeezed Wen Jianyan’s shoulder, seemingly comforting him silently.
Wen Jianyan shook his head. “No, there aren’t.”
On one hand, he trusted the value of Orange Candy’s intelligence network. On the other hand… Oracle’s willingness to throw two billion points to win the Dead Sea Scrolls itself signified its irreplaceability.
“Moreover, Oracle’s purpose for entering this instance is probably more than just this one,” Wen Jianyan took a deep breath and said. “They’re moving down too fast—making money isn’t the only reason.”
With Oracle’s capabilities, they could earn enough money on the upper floors too. But they chose to sacrifice quantity for efficiency, skipping even the Captain’s Dinner just to push downwards relentlessly.
Combining this with what Wu Zhu told him before: there was something he wanted deep in this instance, but he didn’t know what it was or where it was, only that he would have the answer when he reached the specific floor.
If Oracle was acting under the Nightmare’s guidance, everything made sense.
This was probably also why they wanted the Lucky Cruise to become an instance no matter what.
“Unfortunately, one thing at a time.” Wen Jianyan pinched the bridge of his nose, unable to hide his exhaustion. “I’m afraid I have to put this matter aside for now.”
“Why?” Wen Ya sharply noticed the hidden meaning in Wen Jianyan’s words. “What do you want to do?”
Wen Jianyan was vague. “Haven’t decided yet.”
While the group was communicating, the time to purchase rooms arrived again.
The familiar manager appeared. Alex smiled, “Due to an accident, Floor B8 has been closed. Because of the shortage of rooms, except for customers who have already purchased rooms, the price for rooms on Floor B9 has risen to seven million a night. At the same time, Floor B10 is now open, priced at ten million a night.”
Instantly, the lobby exploded with a buzz.
Angry whispers came from all directions.
After yesterday’s events, the anchors who stayed on Floor B8 the previous night dared not stay on that floor anymore and would inevitably move down. Raising prices at this time was simply utter treachery and maliciously extreme greed!
The manager seemed unaffected by the anchors’ anger and continued smiling, “Prices for overly scarce housing will rise with the market. However, if you check in the day before the price increase, you will enjoy a discount on the original price.”
“Room keys still need to be drawn,” Alex said. ” However, if you wish to keep last night’s room number, you need to pay double the price.”
Wen Jianyan pondered for a long time, then turned to look at the others. “You guys go to Floor B10 this time.”
His tone was certain, leaving no room for doubt.
Chen Mo hesitated but didn’t argue.
One of the reasons for advising Wen Jianyan to save money before was for the auction of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Now that the auction was over, the team’s safety naturally took priority. Plus, considering the “market” and “discount” issues, checking into Floor B10 before the price hike was obviously the better solution.
Everyone went up in turn and drew their room numbers.
Soon, it was Wen Jianyan’s turn.
Alex: “Which floor do you choose for your room?”
Wen Jianyan: “Floor B9.”
That was normal enough.
After all, he had stayed there last night, so he might as well take advantage of the discount.
He took out ten chips from his pocket and placed them gently on the table. “—And I want to keep the same room number as last night.”
What?!
Everyone was stunned, looking at him in disbelief.
Not to mention the others couldn’t understand his move, even the viewers were confused.
In the “Integrity First” live room chat:
[…What?]
[Huh? Wait a sec, I didn’t react fast enough? What is he doing?]
[Wait, his room last night was Room Ding, right? The worst one, right? I remember correctly, right?]
[You remembered correctly, it was Room Ding!]
[I really don’t get it. If his room last night was good, that’d be one thing, but what’s the necessity of keeping such a bad room? And ten million… that’s enough to buy a room on Floor B10, right?!]
Under the puzzled gazes of others, Wen Jianyan calmly reached out and took the key from Alex’s hand.
“See you tomorrow.”
Inside Room Ding-13.
Still the cramped room, the simple facilities.
Drip, drip.
The sound of water dripping rang in his ears.
Unlike the previous two nights, Wen Jianyan didn’t hurry to rest this time. He leaned against the headboard, thoughtfully playing with a chip, seemingly waiting for something.
Soon…
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Wen Jianyan sprang up.
Opening the door, it was indeed the auction waiter outside. He held a silver tray covered with a blood-red cloth. “Hello, I’ve brought the items you won at the auction.”
After skillfully tipping him, Wen Jianyan took the tray and closed the door.
He slowly raised his eyes.
On the ceiling, deeper cracks than yesterday could be seen. Cold water seeped out from them, soaking the surrounding walls, dripping downwards rhythmically.
Drip, drip.
Wen Jianyan sat back in his original spot, but his gaze remained on the cracks in the ceiling.
Floor B8 had been closed.
And within Floor B9, Room Ding was the easiest room to invade and infiltrate.
It was closest to the deck. Precisely because of this, it was the most dangerous, the first place on the entire floor to fall.
So, conversely…
If he wanted to go to the deck, Room Ding was the best choice.
Drip, drip.
The sound of dripping seemed to speed up. The cracks were expanding at a speed visible to the naked eye. Wen Jianyan could almost see slow-moving footsteps through that narrow gap and feel the chilly aura seeping through.
Just wait a little longer.
Wen Jianyan leaned against the headboard, waiting patiently.
Soon.
