The Allure of the Underground Auction

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s auction!”

In this world, capital was the driving force behind everything.

For the upper echelons of the corrupt capitalist class, beyond their usual indulgences in fine dining and entertainment, a more peculiar form of consumption existed: frequenting underground auction houses.

Consider Fanhai City, a bustling coastal metropolis.

While it might not rival the imperial capital in sheer opulence, its proximity to the seaport had spurred an exceptionally advanced economy.

It was a well-known truth that the more prosperous a region, the more outlandish and peculiar the wares offered in its clandestine auction houses.

Here, rare beasts, exotic oddities, and ancient treasures frequently changed hands.

If these auctions merely dealt in such conventional items, they would barely skirt the edge of legality.

However, their true allure, the aspect that drew the most fervent crowds, lay in the s*ave auctions held at the very end.

More precisely, they were s*x s*ave auctions.

As the event drew to a close, a diverse array of men would be presented, confined within cages, awaiting their bids.

The caliber of these men, it was often whispered, was beyond any doubt exceptional.

Yet, to partake in these final, most anticipated auctions, an additional fee was required.

While s*ave auctions undeniably ventured into the fraught legal territory of human trafficking, this was an underground event, meticulously shrouded in secrecy.

Should any unforeseen complications arise, the auction’s upper echelons maintained well-cultivated connections with relevant authorities, ensuring that such transactions were, as much as possible, “legalized.”

Still, these nominal entry fees paled in comparison to the exorbitant “ransom” demanded for the auctioned individuals.

Most patrons who ventured into these hidden venues did so primarily for the tantalizing prospect of the concluding s*ave auction.

“Yaochen, there’s still another auction coming up in a bit. Why are you trying to leave already?”

At that very moment, within a luxurious private room of Fanhai City’s largest underground auction house, several girls, seemingly dressed as students, lounged on a plush sofa, their gazes fixed on the auction floor sprawling beneath them.

Those privileged enough to occupy the upper-tier private rooms in such an establishment were, without exception, individuals of immense wealth or noble lineage.

These seemingly innocent young women, with their student-like attire, were none other than the only daughters of Fanhai City’s most influential magnates.

Nestled amongst these girls was one who radiated a captivating brilliance, tinged with a delicate shyness.

Her beauty was so striking it could undoubtedly command the attention of any room, yet beyond her stunning features, she possessed an inherent elegance that permeated her entire being.

Though her companions were certainly attractive, their charms seemed to fade into obscurity when juxtaposed with her luminous presence.

Just then, the auction hall’s grand curtain began its slow descent, signaling the apparent conclusion of the bidding.

However, the main hall lights remained off, and surprisingly, none of the other bidders seemed eager to depart.

Instead, they sat patiently in their seats, an unspoken anticipation hanging heavy in the air, as if collectively awaiting something more.

“Another round? What’s next?”

The young woman at the center of their group was Mu Yaochen, a prodigy of unparalleled talent, rarely seen across the nation.

She was not only a master of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but also excelled in physical prowess, martial arts, and combat.

Having recently returned from her studies abroad, she embodied a rare combination of valuable skills and an extraordinary lineage, being the sole heir to Fanhai City’s foremost conglomerate.

Having successfully inherited the mantle of such a powerful conglomerate, it was inevitable that she would be surrounded by sycophants.

These fawning individuals, predictably, were the very girls currently clustered around her.

Coincidentally, it was Mu Yaochen’s twenty-second birthday today, and her companions had seized this occasion to coax her into visiting the auction house.

These individuals were, for the most part, simply former friends or classmates of Mu Yaochen.

Prior to this evening, however, Mu Yaochen had been utterly unaware of the existence of such events.

Though she had spent a considerable sum already, she had acquired many desired items, making the day’s expenditures feel worthwhile.

The final, highly particular auction was conspicuously absent from the official manifest.

Only the most frequent patrons of this establishment were privy to the knowledge of this climactic, unadvertised event.

These Monday s*ave auctions, in particular, were notorious for presenting “big goods” (TL Note: A slang term referring to high-quality or highly anticipated items/individuals for sale).

On one memorable occasion, a second-tier male celebrity, who had long faded from the public eye, astonishingly appeared on the block.

His condition at the time was dire; his body was a canvas of scars, and his lower half was forcibly encased in chastity pants.

His eyes, once vibrant, now held a vacant, lifeless stare.

Despite his deteriorated state, he was ultimately sold, fetching an incredibly fierce bidding war among the attendees.

Consequently, entry tickets for the auction house became a highly coveted commodity every Monday, consistently falling short of demand.

Fortunately, Mu Yaochen possessed a permanent senior membership to the auction house, guaranteeing her a private room without the need for prior reservation.

Nevertheless, her enthusiasm for the final auction waned.

She had already spent a significant sum today, acquiring numerous items considered “contraband” on the legitimate market.

Despite their illicit nature, Mu Yaochen found herself quite pleased with her purchases.

As a woman of exceptional talent, Mu Yaochen possessed a keen business acumen.

Yet, this sharp intellect was often balanced by a powerful impulse to indulge in lavish spending.

“Yaochen, don’t leave yet! Just take another look; I promise you’ll find something interesting.”

Seeing Mu Yaochen make a move to depart, her companions quickly intervened, eager to dissuade her.

“Exactly, Yaochen! The final round always features the best items. It wouldn’t hurt to stay a little longer,” another chimed in, equally eager to flatter.

“Really?”

Mu Yaochen turned her head, her graceful brows furrowing ever so slightly.

She was not one to refuse a truly desirable item.

However, she also harbored a secret suspicion; this particular establishment was a notorious underground auction house, and she had heard whispers that it occasionally dealt in male slaves.

With this thought, a surge of curiosity ignited within Mu Yaochen regarding the nature of the upcoming auction items.

After all, several of her so-called ‘friends’ and acquaintances already possessed their own exclusive slaves.

As Mu Yaochen pondered this, the auction hall’s curtain dramatically swept open.

Immediately, vivid, intensely colored spotlights sliced through the cavernous space like streaks of lightning, instantly transforming the previously hushed hall into a vibrant, clamorous arena.

“This… is it beginning?”

Mu Yaochen gazed down at the hall below, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

Witnessing the sudden eruption of cheers, she felt a strong conviction that her suspicions were indeed accurate.

“Yaochen, quickly, come and see! This is…”

Following a detailed, eager explanation from one of her fawning companions, Mu Yaochen slowly grasped the true nature of this final, clandestine auction.

“They actually sell slaves here?”

The moment Mu Yaochen realized this was a s*ave auction, her interest in the upcoming lots surged.

Yet, a profound sense of conflict immediately arose within her, stemming from her deep aversion to the illegal practice of human trafficking.

She also harbored the belief that male slaves, beyond fulfilling basic physiological needs, were largely impractical; investing a high price in one seemed less sensible than simply purchasing a rubber toy.

Even as Mu Yaochen wrestled with her hesitation, several rounds of “items” had already passed through the auction in the hall below.

The initial lots, however, were all marred by imperfections: some had physical flaws, others were no longer virgins.

Despite these shortcomings, bids were still placed, though the majority of the attendees clearly reserved their full attention and financial power for the final, most anticipated lots.

“Alright, this part is definitely uninteresting. Just wait until the grand finale arrives, Yaochen, then you can make your decision.”

The girl, observing Mu Yaochen’s slight displeasure, remained unperturbed.

She had, after all, received insider whispers from her informant much earlier: tonight’s auction would feature an exceptionally handsome young man, a true gem.

What made him even more irresistible was his tender age, still a schoolboy, and the tantalizing detail that he remained utterly untouched, completely innocent of intimate relations.

This pristine state was, in fact, another significant factor contributing to his immense value as a “top-quality” item.

In this world, it was exceedingly rare to encounter a young man who still possessed his “first time” (TL Note: Referring to virginity).

Consequently, a man’s virginity held a uniquely profound significance for women.

Regarding such an exquisitely handsome young man, one who could be molded and enjoyed at will, this companion was convinced no woman could resist.

How much less likely, then, was Mu Yaochen, who herself remained uninitiated in intimate experiences with men, to turn down such a prize?

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