Chapter 523 — The Kang Family's Trump Card

The Kang family had been steadily growing stronger over the years, and their marriage alliance with the Xiao family had not escaped the Yu family's notice. The Kangs could no longer wait to force their way into the ranks of the great houses. After all, becoming a great house brought more than mere prestige; more importantly, the great houses networked with one another and shared resources, each deferring to the others' face. And the small salons and gatherings held every year were simply too numerous to count.

By the Kang family's qualifications, they were already good enough to rank as a minor, bottom-tier great house. But this was not a matter that could simply be waved through; it involved the allocation and balancing of all manner of interests. One more great house meant a good deal more trouble.

The Yu family, at present, could scarcely wait to weaken the other great houses — how could they let anyone else squeeze in? Yet when Yu Haitian heard that the Kang family had come together with the third-generation heir of the Wu family, he hesitated.

The Kangs had certainly come this time to discuss their elevation to great-house status. And to bring along the Wu family at such a moment — what did that signify? Was the Wu family also standing on the Kang side, supporting the Kangs' bid for great-house status?

"Second Uncle..." Yu Haitian said, rather at a loss. Since he could not decide such a matter himself, he naturally went to consult the one within the family who could.

"Let them in, and see what they have to say." Having heard Yu Haitian's account, the middle-aged man pondered briefly, then nodded. "The Kangs' elevation to a great house is bound to happen, and even if we block it, they will keep pushing. Since they have pulled the Wu family in as an ally, we may as well see what card they are holding. If they truly offer terms that tempt us, then we may as well do the Kangs and the Wus a favor. But if they cannot produce anything worthwhile, then even if we agree, the other great houses may not. You must understand — this is something only our five great houses can decide together; the Wu family alone does not get to call the shots."

"Do we not need to concern ourselves with the four minor houses?" Yu Haitian was slightly taken aback. He was a peripheral member of the Yu family and had no access to much of the core, which was why he asked.

"It is not that we need not concern ourselves with them; it is that once our Yu family nods, they will not object," the middle-aged man said lightly, though his tone carried a certain confidence.

"All right, then I will bring them in now. Second Uncle, will you...?" Yu Haitian asked cautiously.

"I will not show my face. Do not agree, and do not refuse — first see what terms they offer," the middle-aged man instructed. "If it looks promising, I will send you a message on your phone."

"Yes, Second Uncle!" Yu Haitian nodded, turned, and left the inner room for the outer parlor, where he said to the subordinate who had brought the report: "Bring them in."

Before long, Divine Doctor Kang arrived at the reception room with Kang Jinglong and Wu Chengtian, and Yu Haitian rose warmly to greet them: "Divine Doctor Kang, Young Master Wu, Young Master Kang, welcome!"

"You are too kind, Mr. Yu!" Though Divine Doctor Kang was their senior, he dared not slight anyone from the Yu family. Yu Haitian might be only a liaison man on the Yu family's periphery, yet he still held a position of considerable importance.

"Divine Doctor Kang, the auction does not begin until tonight. Might I ask what brings you here at this hour? Do you have some new item you wish to consign to us for sale?" Yu Haitian was a fine hand at playing the fool; whatever Divine Doctor Kang did not bring up himself, he would never be the first to mention.

"Heh heh, quite right! This time we do indeed have an item to add to the auction!" Divine Doctor Kang was an old hand at such things as well. He nodded and said, "But this item is a presale piece."

"A presale piece for auction?" Yu Haitian was slightly taken aback. He had only asked casually, never expecting Divine Doctor Kang to actually have something to auction — and a presale item at that. That roused his curiosity. Was Divine Doctor Kang not here to discuss the matter of the family's elevation?

"Yes! Through the tireless research of myself and my grandson Zhaolong, overcoming one obstacle after another, we have finally developed the upgrade product we need for our entry — the Beauty-Nourishing Muscle Golden Wound Medicine!" said Divine Doctor Kang.

"Beauty-Nourishing Muscle Golden Wound Medicine?" Yu Haitian repeated the name Divine Doctor Kang had given. It was rather long and a little awkward on the tongue, but that was hardly the point. The point was — what use was this medicine, exactly?

Seeing the puzzlement in Yu Haitian's eyes, Divine Doctor Kang explained with a smile: "The name speaks for itself! The Beauty-Nourishing Muscle Golden Wound Medicine not only has the basic efficacy of a golden wound medicine, but also the effect of beautifying and nourishing the skin! The wonder of golden wound medicine lies in its ability to heal wounds swiftly without leaving scars, while this Beauty-Nourishing Muscle Golden Wound Medicine can repair old scars of many years' standing and remove them completely! Of course, that is only its principal effect; there are many supplementary ones as well — beautifying the complexion, for instance, improving skin tone, removing dullness, tightening the pores, and so on..."

As the man in charge of the auction, Yu Haitian naturally had a keen commercial instinct. Hearing Divine Doctor Kang's introduction, he knew at once that this medicine was no ordinary thing. Once it appeared, it would surely set off a buying frenzy — perhaps even surpassing ordinary golden wound medicine.

For women who loved beauty, this was nothing short of a trump card!

"Divine Doctor Kang's reputation is well deserved indeed — to think you could develop something so miraculous!" Yu Haitian exclaimed in admiration, then said, "Might I take it that your intention, Divine Doctor Kang, is to auction this miraculous medicine at the coming auction?"

"Yes! But I have only just succeeded in developing it, and it is still at the trial-production stage. Both the yield and the success rate are very low, so the presale items I can put up for auction number only two!" Divine Doctor Kang nodded.

"Two? So few?" Yu Haitian was startled. Hearing Divine Doctor Kang speak of this medicine, he had assumed it could be mass-produced, and that it was being auctioned merely so that bidders might get first use of this miraculous drug. But now it seemed that was not the case at all.

"Indeed. Though we trial-produced several dozen doses' worth, you know as well as I that the Kang family has many friends, and most of it must be given away to them. So what remains for auction is only two!" Divine Doctor Kang said, with considerable exaggeration.

Yu Haitian's expression shifted. He was no fool; if he still could not grasp Divine Doctor Kang's purpose now, he had no business presiding over this auction. On the surface, the Kang family had come this time to add items to the auction, but in truth they had revealed their trump card: the Kang family possessed this miraculous medicine, and should they smoothly rise to the rank of a great house, these medicines would be given freely to the other great houses.