Upon hearing this, Xu Kuo showed no fear whatsoever; instead, he let out a very soft and cold sneer. He glanced around with icy eyes, his gaze lingering on Bai Donghua and the few timid security guards for a moment.
"Take me down? You think you can?"
He pointed to the broken piece of thick wood on the ground, and slowly added, his voice not loud, but clearly carrying throughout the room: "Is it still based on your eyesight that can't even tell the difference between real and fake, and your 'treasure' that breaks with a single snap?"
Upon hearing this, the previously boisterous voices in the auction hall supporting Bai Donghua immediately fell silent, as if they had been choked.
Although everyone was furious at Xu Kuo's arrogance, the thought of his incredible strength—easily breaking the suspected bronze jue foot and casually snapping a solid wooden stick as thick as a bowl—brought back a sense of fear to their hearts.
Just when everyone thought the conflict was about to end in violence, Xu Kuo glanced at Bai Donghua indifferently, then suddenly changed the subject, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable pressure: "Verification of funds is not out of the question."
Bai Donghua was taken aback, then a "I knew it" expression appeared on his face. He thought contemptuously that this kid was finally scared and was looking for a way out.
But Xu Kuo continued coldly, proposing a condition that caused an uproar: "However, I have one condition. If I can prove that I can afford to pay for everything that was auctioned today, then you, Bai Donghua, get out of here immediately! Don't embarrass yourself here and get in my way!"
"What?!" Bai Donghua could hardly believe his ears, wondering if he'd misheard. Had this kid gone mad? He was about to die, and he still dared to make such a demand?! Get him out of here?!
But then he thought again, that's absolutely impossible! This kid is just bluffing, making a last-ditch effort! How could he possibly come up with so much money? Those few items together are worth at least a thousand yuan!
In 1961, this was an astronomical sum for a country boy!
Bai Donghua was so angry he laughed, letting out a sneer full of extreme disdain and confidence: "Hahahaha! Good! Very good! I promise you! If you can really come up with that much money, don't even mention getting out of here, I, Bai Donghua, will crawl out of here today! But—" His eyes suddenly turned sinister and vicious, "If you can't come up with it, hmph, then don't blame us for being ruthless and letting you know what the rules are!"
He was convinced that Xu Kuo was merely making a last-ditch effort, using an impossible condition to buy time and gamble on a slim chance of survival.
Xu Kuo, however, seemed not to hear his wild laughter, his face remaining as indifferent as ever.
He turned to the auctioneer beside him, who was already as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and asked in a calm tone, "Host, is it verification of funds? How will it be verified? Draw a line."
The auctioneer wiped the cold sweat that kept seeping from his forehead, trying to calm himself down, but his voice still trembled slightly: "According to the rules, you need to show a bank statement proving a large deposit, or... or a bill of equivalent value, to prove that you have sufficient payment ability."
He was inwardly groaning. What a mess this was! On one side was the fierce and ruthless Xu Kuo, whose background was unclear but whose fighting skills were off the charts. On the other side was Bai Donghua, the local tyrant with a lot of money. Add to that a bunch of people who loved to watch the drama unfold. Today's auction was a complete disaster!
Xu Kuo frowned almost imperceptibly.
Bank statement?
How long has he been in this era? He spends most of his time wandering around villages and the outskirts of county towns. How could he have time to open a bank account and deposit money? Not to mention that the banking system in this era is far less convenient than in later generations.
Aside from the money he'd already used for other purposes, the majority of the money he had consisted of several thick stacks of small-denomination banknotes he'd collected from selling vegetables and exchanging them from the system for emergencies. He kept them all hidden away in a secluded spot at home. Who would keep so much cash in a bank waiting to be checked?
"No bank certificate," Xu Kuo answered crisply and without the slightest concealment. "I have money, but I don't keep it in the bank; it's all at home."
"Pfft—Hahahaha!"
As soon as Xu Kuo finished speaking, Bai Donghua burst into an even more unrestrained burst of laughter, laughing so hard that he almost cried.
He pointed at Xu Kuo and, addressing the entire audience, screamed in an extremely contemptuous and mocking tone: "Did you hear that? Did everyone hear that? He said he's rich! All his money is at home! Hahahaha! That's the dumbest excuse I've heard all year!"
He abruptly stopped smiling, his face contorting into a ferocious grimace, and roared, spitting as he spoke, "Useless trash! Poor bastard! If you don't have money, get out of here! Still daring to put on airs and waste everyone's time! Do you really think you can intimidate people with a bit of brute force? What are you compared to money!"
The auction hall erupted in chaos.
"I knew it! He was definitely faking it!"
"I thought he was something special, but he's just a penniless guy trying to put on a show!"
"Money at home? Who would believe that! These days, who dares to keep so much cash at home?"
"What a disgrace! Get him out of here!"
Those who had just been somewhat wary of Xu Kuo now completely dropped their pretenses in the face of the most pressing issue of "lack of money," and joined the chorus of condemnation. Disdainful, mocking, and gloating gazes surged towards Xu Kuo like a tidal wave.
The auctioneer's face turned ashen, extremely ugly. He felt utterly humiliated by Xu Kuo!
After all that, they bought so many things, only to find out the buyer couldn't afford them! If word gets out, what will become of their black market auction house's reputation?
"Security!" The auctioneer waved his hand sharply, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger. "What are you all standing there for? Call a few more people over! Take this troublemaker, this price-gouging idiot, and this guy who can't pay! Deal with him according to the rules!"
Several security guards, who were already terrified, heard the order and saw the excited crowd around them. Although they were still scared, they could only grit their teeth and call on their companions who rushed out from behind, and slowly surrounded Xu Kuo.
The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense, and a violent conflict seemed imminent.
Zhou Changke was anxious. Although he also had some doubts about Xu Kuo's claim that "the money was at home," he could not just stand by and watch Xu Kuo suffer a loss.
He suddenly stepped forward, blocking Xu Kuo's path, and shouted to the auctioneer, "Wait! Auctioneer! Don't make the move yet! This money is on me! I'll pay for Brother Xu!"
These words caused another uproar in the audience.
"Boss Zhou? What are you doing?"
"Are you crazy? Paying so much money for some random country bumpkin? That's at least a thousand yuan!"
"Mr. Zhou, have you thought this through? Don't get scammed and end up helping them count their money!"
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