NOVEL WEB Chapter 49: Soya Khan!
"Elder Bo, a young master from the Han family has come to sell a precious treasure," the servant girl respectfully announced to the old man.
The quill paused mid-scroll.
The elderly man behind the thick wooden desk slowly lifted his head. His narrowed eyes, ringed with years of knowledge and subtle suspicion, landed upon Mo Han.
Mo Han stood with his hands folded calmly behind his back, back straight, eyes unwavering, his aura neither submissive nor arrogant—just quietly confident.
For a heartbeat longer than necessary, the old man's eyes hovered, flicking across Mo Han's robes, his shoes, the subtle glint of an unusual ring on his finger, and then finally locked with his eyes. There was a strange silence in that glance—an unspoken question, a silent test.
Then came a slight nod.
"Take him to the distinguished guest room," the old man said, without looking at the servant woman beside him. "And prepare the wine from the Spring Jade Pavilion."
His tone was light, but his gaze did not leave Mo Han until the youth turned to follow the servant girl.
Fatty Lambu and Jia Kai walked closely behind Mo Han, their movements disciplined, their expressions calm, fitting the image of trusted servants. The old man tapped his finger once against the desk as the trio departed. "Han family, hmm? What winds brought him here?" he muttered under his breath.
The servant girl led them through a long corridor lined with hanging lanterns glowing gently with floating light spirits, their silent dance illuminating the green-tinted walls and carved patterns of dragons and lotuses.
Finally, she stopped before a set of double jade doors. With a graceful push, she opened them, revealing the distinguished guest room.
Inside, the air carried the faint fragrance of burning incense. The floor was covered with embroidered clouds and beasts stitched into a thick woollen carpet, muffling all footsteps. At the centre stood a long table of blackwood, polished to mirror brightness. On one side, a single seat carved from ancient spirit jade, its arms shaped like coiling serpents, awaited Mo Han.
"Please, Young Master Han," the servant said with a courteous bow.
Mo Han nodded, moving forward with calm authority, and sat in the jade-carved chair. The coolness of the stone did not bother him. Fatty Lambu and Jia Kai stood behind him, their expressions reserved and composed.
–
Meanwhile, deeper inside the Khan family mansion, another drama was unfolding.
Inside a bright hall lined with shelves of treasures, a young woman stood before an array of gleaming items, her eyes calmly calculating.
She was dressed in a sapphire robe embroidered with crane feathers, and her waist was bound with a gold-etched spirit belt. Her name was Soya Khan, the youngest daughter of the Khan family and the one currently overseeing the prestigious biannual Khan Auction.
Beside her stood a servant girl holding a scroll and ink brush. As Soya spoke, the servant jotted down each number and evaluation swiftly.
"The Sea-Silk Soft Armor. Start with fifteen thousand spirit stones."
"Yes, Lady Soya."
"That Sky-Frost Pellet batch. Eight bottles. No less than seven thousand per bottle. The bidding can rise, but that's the reserve." Brought to you by MV6LEMPY6R.
"Noted, my lady."
Her gaze swept over to a newly added treasure—an emerald amulet radiating faint space laws. Her brows furrowed slightly, fingers tapping against her wrist.
Before she could speak, another servant rushed into the room, quickly bowing.
"My lady, a guest from the Han family has arrived. He wishes to place an item for tomorrow's auction."
Soya blinked. "Han family?" She paused. "You mean the Han family from the Eastern Silk Prefecture?"
"I believe so, my lady."
A moment passed. Her brows drew together in confusion.
"That's almost a country away from Green Jade City… What is a Han family youth doing here, and why now?"
"I am not certain," the servant girl said, lowering her head. "But he carries himself with confidence and manners. I was instructed to place him in the distinguished guest room."
Soya's lips curved in interest. "Did you confirm his identity?"
"No, my lady. Should I—?"
She raised a hand and smiled faintly. "No need. The treasure he brings will confirm his story. Just make sure he's treated well. I'll handle the rest. Bring out the Cloudwine from my private collection."
"Yes, my lady."
Soya turned as she stepped into her private chamber. She removed her plain robe and replaced it with one of violet and silver. As she adorned herself with pearl earrings and clasped her hair with a phoenix-shaped pin, she glanced into the polished mirror.
"A Han family youth, here… Let's see who you really are."
-
Back in the guest room, Fatty Lambu stared longingly at the wine cups, sweet aroma curling from their lids.
"Don't even think about it," Mo Han said quietly without turning his head.
Fatty blinked. "Eh? I didn't do anything!"
"You drooled," Jia Kai whispered with a smirk.
"Who's drooling?! I'm just… admiring. That's Cloudwine, probably over fifty years aged."
"Act like a servant," Mo Han reminded calmly. "Not a street drunk."
Just then, the double doors opened.
A hush fell over the room.
Lady Soya stepped in, her robes flowing like gentle waves, a soft glow emanating from the ornamental spirit jade at her collar. She carried the grace of one born into power and the calm confidence of one who wielded it expertly.
"Young Master Han," she greeted with a soft smile and a nod.
Mo Han stood briefly and offered a light bow, one perfectly balanced—neither overly courteous nor dismissive. "You may call me Mo Han."
Her eyes narrowed slightly in amusement.
"You arrived at an interesting time, Mo Han. The auction is nearly full. Many cultivators came early hoping for last-minute additions. What is the Han family's young master doing this far from the East?"
Mo Han didn't blink. "Roaming. Family tradition," he said with a faint smile. "And I happen to have spent a bit more than I should. To continue my journey, I thought of selling a suitable treasure."
Her fingers traced the rim of the wine cup placed before her.
"Roaming the outer world?" she asked. "I've heard of that tradition… some say it forges the heirs. Others say it weeds them out."
Mo Han raised his own cup. "Time shall tell which I am."
The two clinked their cups, and for a moment, a thread of understanding passed between them.
The wine was exquisite. Silken texture, burning slightly at the end—strong, but not overwhelming.
Soya watched his expression as he sipped. "You seem to know your wine."
Mo Han smiled. "I've had worse."
That earned a light laugh from her. "Well, Young Master Mo Han, I look forward to seeing your treasure."
Mo Han placed the empty cup down gently.
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity and interest.
So far, he passed all her tests. Confidence, bearing, cultured manners… and above all, that quiet sense of belonging to a world of power.
-
Tq~