Chapter 44: Auction

Anticipation hung heavy in the air as Old Man Shen disappeared behind the curtain.

Chen Yang, fueled by the detailed description he'd received, leaned forward, his curiosity piqued.

Even the usually boisterous Yuan Hua seemed captivated, his booming voice reduced to a hushed murmur. "This is it, Shopkeeper Chen! The moment you've been waiting for!".

A tea cup brew worth of time

A shadow of disappointment flickered across Uncle Shen's face as he returned empty-handed.  "My apologies, Shopkeeper Chen,"

"My apologies, Chen," he began, his voice laced with embarrassment. "It seems my memory failed me. That specific weapon, the one you described...well, it seems I accidentally put it up for auction. Completely slipped my mind, I'm afraid."

"Auction?" Chen Yang furrowed his brow in confusion.