Chapter 64: The Shadow Hunters

"Director Yang, aren't you going to bid?"
"If we keep bidding like he does, we'll be stuck here until tomorrow morning!"
Sister Ying could only express her helplessness—for this silent man, it was simply his nature. So shameless, he had driven countless people to despair.
After confirming the silent man's final amount, he happily led his two maids away. Yang Fan let out a cold laugh.
"Let's continue. Next, Maid No. 39—a career woman, with a flawless figure that is her greatest allure..."
"One million," Yang Fan called out directly.
"One point one million!"
"Two million!"
"Two point one million!" Scar shouted.
"Scar, are you shameless too?"
"I am shameless, so what? I just can't stand you, Yang Fan. You're nothing but a nouveau riche!"
"Alright, whether you like me or not is your own business. Just tell me, how much money do you have?"
"I have five million!"
"And you two? Don't make me look down on you!"
"I have two million!"
"I have two million as well!"
"In that case, Sister Ying, I bid five point one million!"
"Director Yang is truly bold!" Sister Ying said with a smile. Third-grade maids have never sold for such a high price!
The previous four point one million was already an impressive sum.
Maid No. 39 was promptly tagged and bowed to Yang Fan.
She would soon be escorted away, chained like a dog.
Maid No. 40 entered. Yang Fan didn't even wait for the introduction and addressed Scar directly, "If you dare to bid five million, I'll bid five point one million!"
"You said it! Five million!"
Yang Fan remained unmoved, and Scar suddenly appeared flustered.
"Yang Fan, you tricked me?"
"People say you're foolish and rich—what a fool you are!"
No. 40 was immediately tagged and taken away.
Sister Ying was elated; this was the second high price today, and likely the last, as most present had a minimum of two million.
"Next, No. 41..."
"Sister Ying, let No. 41 and the rest wait. Let's auction strictly by order!"
"Numbers 41 to 44, I'll take them. Total bid: eight point one million!"

There was never any suspense, though the process was still observed. The rights to 41 through 44 belonged to Yang Fan.
From No. 45 onward, Yang Fan and his companions began adding bids in increments of one hundred thousand—a strategy, for only in this way could the auction proceed and prices be suppressed. Yang Fan didn't care about the money; after all, once he spent it on Redemption, it still belonged to him, simply stored there for now.
In the end, all sixteen girls were auctioned off. Yang Fan took ten, becoming Redemption's most generous and largest single-quantity client in its history.
Zhou Liang and the others left. Ten maids entered and bowed in unison to Yang Fan...
"Sister Ying, when is the next auction? These ten are nowhere near enough!"
Sister Ying was astounded—youthful vigor was truly boundless.
"When I get back, I'll buy a grand villa, fill it with maids. By day, they'll serve Xier; by night, they'll serve me. If I had a hundred or two, that would be true enjoyment."
"Director Yang really knows how to live."
"Life is all about enjoyment. What's money, anyway?"
"Well said!"
They discussed the approximate time for the next auction, and Yang Fan prepared to leave.
He took the maids with him. They had brought three cars, with Old Three driving a spacious eight-seater van.
"Haoyu, at the Imperial View Villas, buy a larger villa when you get back."
"Got it, Uncle."
"Alright, Sister Ying, we're leaving now. I wanted to stay and play a bit longer, but once we’re gone, you all can finally rest easy!"
"Director Yang, you flatter us."
"Honestly, we should be like siblings. If you find anything fun, remember your little brother!"
"Of course!"
Sister Ying and her colleagues waved with smiles—they had truly encountered a big client this time...

Leaving the outskirts, the car drove for a while. Scar and Zhou Liang brought their maids aboard.
Whatever their masters traded them for, the maids could not resist; all they knew was obedience.
The three cars entered the forest, stopping deep within where another car was parked. Its door opened, and the silent man sat inside, his two maids cowering in fear.
Beside the car stood two women.
Yang Fan drove in, and he and Huo Xinxi got out.
"Master."
Except for Liu Haoyu, all were stunned. These two women were among the fifteen, sent by Lin Ruo.
Huo Xinxi was surprised—she hadn't known Yang Fan had another force at his disposal.
"Boss, are you robbing us?" the silent man asked in terror.
"That's right, we're robbing you. What are you going to do about it?" Yang Fan kicked him hard.
With a wave, Old Three took out a cigarette, lit it for Yang Fan. It was a night for murder—the moonless, windy night.
"Scar, you three, come here."

Scar and the others came, trembling, as the two women brandished guns.
"I told you, I'd give you wealth and glory. I keep my word. But from now on, you must obey me."
"We understand, Boss," Scar, Zhou Liang, and the third hurriedly replied.
"This man owns two hundred million. One of you three will take his place. From now on, the one who replaces him will have everything he owns."
Everyone gasped—two hundred million, a fortune they'd never earn in a lifetime.
Though they would follow Yang Fan, being such a dog wasn't so bad!
"You have five minutes to choose. Actually, it doesn't matter who, as there are two more who deserve to die—both wealthy men!"
"Let Ajiu do it!"
"Boss!"
"Yang Fan, you..." Huo Xinxi started.
"Chief, I know what you want to say. But people like him deserve to die!"
Huo Xinxi fell silent...
"Strip his skin, kill him," Yang Fan said calmly, smoking. The two women, after Lin Ruo's special training, showed no mercy—several swift cuts, and his face was peeled off.
"Ajiu, come here!"
Ajiu and his companions were terrified, but Yang Fan took out an adhesive device, perfectly attaching the skin to Ajiu's face.
The silent man was killed by the Shadow Hunt Squad's captain—yes, the Shadow Hunt Squad, walking the line between darkness and light, named by Lin Ruo.
"Erase everyone's fear of murder. Implant Chen Guodong's memories into Ajiu!"
Ajiu's mind flooded with memories; Chen Guodong, a true tycoon of Tianhai City.
With his fear wiped away, Ajiu felt only excitement.
"The Shadow Hunt Squad will go with you to Tianhai City. I've entrusted the details to Feifei," Yang Fan said, patting one of the girls.
"Master, don't worry. We'll complete the mission."
"Good!"
The groups dispersed—one convoy returned to Tianning, another to Tianhai. Yang Fan took sixteen maids with him, the car silent for a long while.
"Chief, if you think I've done wrong, or that I've taken the law into my own hands, you can arrest or dismiss me."
"No, I'm just thinking about what you mentioned before—can these girls ever return to a normal life after being rescued?"
"Chief, let me tell you a story. This isn't the first time I've killed. My first time was to save fifteen girls locked in a basement. When I found them, they were kept like dogs in cages, their bodies covered in wounds. We can't begin to fathom their pain."
"You're a good man. I've always known that," Huo Xinxi said.
"Only by controlling the three men in Tianhai City can we rescue more maids. That's my plan. Besides, the money has been raised, hasn't it? Consider it a good deed for them."