Ye Fan's words stunned the crowd below.
"The painting is alive? Has this kid gone mad?"
"I think he has a point. This painting is too bizarre."
...
Only Shen Tianyin shifted her gaze to Ye Fan. "What do you intend to do?"
She, of course, knew there was something wrong with the painting, and judging by Ye Fan's expression, he must have an idea.
Upon hearing Shen Tianyin's question, Ye Fan slowly raised his eyes, his gaze filled with a chilling coldness.
A penetrating chill flowed around him, causing even Shen Tianyin to shiver, the coldness biting to the bone.
Seeing Ye Fan's cold gaze, Shen Tianyin nodded in agreement.
With Shen Tianyin's support, acquiring the item became much easier.
Ye Fan looked down at the crowd and said coldly, "Everyone, you must know the painting is strange. If you don't want to die, it's best not to bid. If someone truly competes with me, I will withdraw. However, if disaster strikes after obtaining it, don't blame me for not warning you."
This wasn't Ye Fan begging them not to compete with him, but rather to prevent the painting from causing more casualties.
Then, Ye Fan turned to the auctioneer and said, "Announce the price."
The auctioneer frowned, surprised by Ye Fan's directness in threatening others.
This painting was meticulously prepared by them, intended to rake in profits. However, it now seemed likely that the painting would fall into Ye Fan's possession.
At this moment, a staff member hurried over and whispered a few words into the auctioneer's ear. The auctioneer first froze, his gaze involuntarily flickered towards Ye Fan, then he quickly left, smiling and nodding.
After the staff member departed, the auctioneer smiled and said, "It seems Mr. Ye is determined to acquire this painting. In that case, I shall announce the starting bid."
"Thirty million."
This price was neither high nor low, slightly higher than ordinary porcelain and jade, but lower than rare treasures.
It was evident that whoever set the price had put thought into it.
"Thirty million, I'll start with the base price."
Ye Fan's gaze fixed on the auctioneer, he spoke calmly.
He certainly wouldn't inflate the price himself. Although he wasn't lacking money now, having money didn't mean he should let Sun Yilang off easily.
The auctioneer smiled wryly and looked up at the crowd below.
"This painting is thirty million, are there any other bids?"
The crowd below was restless. The painting indeed possessed a unique beauty, but recalling their previous experiences and Ye Fan's warning, their restless hearts gradually quieted down.
Possessing treasures was indeed what they desired; otherwise, they wouldn't have come to the auction.
But they needed to have their lives to enjoy them. If they were to lose their lives because of this painting, the gain would not be worth the loss.
Seeing no one bidding, the auctioneer's face grew increasingly awkward. For a full five minutes, the hall was silent, not a sound to be heard.
"I believe there are no more bids. Please conclude the sale."
Ye Fan whispered to the auctioneer.
With a sigh, the auctioneer reluctantly struck the hammer, concluding the sale.
This "Yang Fei Night Make-up Painting" was thus acquired by Ye Fan for thirty million.
In a private room on the second floor, Shen Shiyun looked perplexed. "Young Master Zhou, why did you sell that painting to Ye Fan for such a low price?"
She knew that Zhou Youde would never do business at a loss, but she wasn't skilled in antiques or calligraphy and painting, so she was very puzzled.
Zhou Youde, however, picked up his red wine and took a sip, his eyes narrowing as if savoring its sweetness.
Shen Shiyun did not disturb him. Despite her displeasure, she still needed his help to deal with Ye Fan.
After a while, Zhou Youde slowly opened his eyes. "Miss Shen doesn't understand calligraphy and painting, so she doesn't understand the use of this 'Yang Fei Night Make-up Painting'."
Meanwhile, in the venue, Shen Tianyin also frowned and asked Ye Fan, "Since this painting is so bizarre, why did you still buy it?"
Ye Fan held the scroll in his hand, his eyes filled with reminiscence.
In his previous life, this painting was a cherished possession of his closest brother. However, that brother was a tomb raider and had gone to great lengths to find this painting in a Tang dynasty tomb.
Ye Fan had tried to see it several times but never succeeded.
And ever since his brother obtained this painting, his health had deteriorated daily, eventually leading to his death at a young age.
With his death, the "Yang Fei Night Make-up Painting" also disappeared. Seeing it again now, all those past events resurfaced in Ye Fan's mind.
In the private room...
"The 'Yang Fei Night Make-up Painting' was created by a high monk from the Tang dynasty. It is said that after the incident at Mawei Slope, the imperial concubine did not die but instead wandered into the common folk and was taken in by a temple, where she lived out her days. According to her dying wish, the old monk ground her bones into powder, mixed them with pigments to create this painting. Legend has it that the concubine's soul is hidden within this painting, luring men and absorbing their essence."
Zhou Youde's smile grew wider. "Now that this painting belongs to Ye Fan, what do you think will happen?"
Shen Shiyun felt as if she were listening to a fairy tale, but she understood some of it.
Looking at Zhou Youde in surprise, she asked, "You mean Ye Fan will have his essence drained by this painting and ultimately die?"
Zhou Youde nodded. "Precisely. This way, Ye Fan can be eliminated without lifting a finger. Why wouldn't we do it?"
...
In the venue, Ye Fan recounted the painting's origins.
"This painting has been lost for a long time, and very few people know about it. If I hadn't stumbled upon relevant information about this painting by chance, I might not have understood it either."
"Now that this painting has reappeared, it must not be allowed to continue to cause harm."
"What do you intend to do? Lock it away?" Shen Tianyin frowned. Hearing that the painting could seduce men made Shen Tianyin very uncomfortable.
Especially thinking about how Ye Fan had so forcefully bought the painting, the sourness in her heart intensified.
"Of course, I'll burn it."
Ye Fan said with a smile, without a hint of regret.
"Burn it?"
Shen Tianyin and Old Ji looked at him in shock.
"That's thirty million! Just burning it? Brother Ye, you..."
Although the painting indeed had problems, after all, they spent thirty million to buy it. Burning it with fire was too wasteful!
"It's better than leaving it to harm the world. Money can be earned again, but if life is lost, then everything is lost."
Having died once, he saw this even more clearly.
If he had indeed been buried in the sea of fire along with the Marquis's pearl, he would never have enjoyed the mortal world again.
Living was the most important thing!
Hearing Ye Fan's words and seeing his firm stance, Ji Nanshan and Shen Tianyin, though reluctant, ultimately did not stop him.
In fact, Ye Fan had another point he hadn't told them: the fact that this painting came into his hands so easily must have been orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.
And that person's goal was likely to use this painting to deal with him.
Therefore, burning the painting was a way to end all trouble.