"Targeted while selling the antiques?" Zhang Yuanqing's drowsiness vanished instantly. Sitting up, he asked in a serious tone, "You're still at Wanbao House, right? What's the situation now? What's Lian Sanyue's stance on this, and how did you get targeted?"
Xiahou Aotian's irritated voice came through the speaker: "I went to collect the money today, and she suddenly told me that two groups of people have been lurking suspiciously around Wanbao House lately.
"One group is from the Du Branch and the Zhao family, while the other is unknown.
"That woman said the Zhao family betrayed her. She sold the antiques through the Zhao family's auction house, never expecting the Zhao family would secretly report her to the officials.
"As soon as the auction ended, people from the officials came knocking on her door to negotiate, hoping to get the client's information from her, but Lian Sanyue refused.
"Ever since then, the Du Branch has stationed people outside Wanbao House to keep watch. Fortunately, this protagonist was clever enough to put on a disguise before coming, or I would've been exposed already."
*Who doesn't disguise themselves in advance? No fool would put on a disguise right at Wanbao House's door,* Zhang Yuanqing thought. Out loud, he asked, "And now?"
"Now a large contingent is lying in ambush near Wanbao House. The moment I step out, I'll be captured." Xiahou Aotian fumed, "Lian Sanyue is truly a useless woman. Clearly she botched the job, yet just now she was puffing on a cigar acting like none of this was her concern, telling me I'd better ask my companions for help."
The Zhao family... *Tsk.* If they knew the person selling the antiques was Yuanshi Tianzun, wouldn't they be revved up like they were on steroids to come after me?
Just after the incident at Qinfeng Academy, the officials issued a circular to all major branches to watch for any sales of Qin dynasty props or antiques. Yet only a few days later, several Qin dynasty antiques suddenly appeared on the market. It would be stranger if the Du Branch remained oblivious, especially with the Zhao family proactively tipping them off.
Besides, this was far too coincidental. Right after he made a name for himself, the auctioned antiques were targeted. Other than the officials, the only ones who knew about the Qinfeng Academy incident were the Dark Night Rose. That second group was most likely the Dark Night Rose...
Zhang Yuanqing felt a surge of vigilance, suspecting that Lian Sanyue might be cooperating with the officials or the Dark Night Rose to draw the snake out of its hole. Yet he felt that didn't match Lian Sanyue's style.
That chaotic-neutral woman valued her reputation greatly, and she had already promised to keep this matter confidential.
"Why did Lian Sanyue auction them through the Zhao family's channels? She was practically provoking the officials."
"Ah, well..." Xiahou Aotian suddenly stammered.
Zhang Yuanqing immediately got a bad feeling. "What did you say to Lian Sanyue in the first place?"
"I commissioned Lian Sanyue to auction the antiques and keep the transaction confidential." Xiahou Aotian's only redeeming quality was his honesty.
*So it was you who insisted on an auction? Great job, don't ever do it again...* Dark lines seemed to form on Zhang Yuanqing's forehead.
"Even if you've never smuggled antiques, you've at least seen movies, haven't you? Shouldn't deals like this involve quietly scouting out a buyer and closing the trade in the middle of nowhere or inside a dark secret chamber? Aren't Scholars supposed to have high IQs? I don't feel it from you at all," Zhang Yuanqing scoffed.
"When I auctioned the antiques in the group back then, none of you objected either! Besides, a high IQ shows in learning capacity, but it has nothing to do with execution—the latter relies on experience." Xiahou Aotian retorted, before his voice softened. "You need to hurry up. I've already asked for help in the group. It'd be best if you bring Sun Miaomiao, Zhao Chenghuang, and World Returns to Fire along."
*Foolish. If this is an ambush, wouldn't everyone be wiped out in one net?* Zhang Yuanqing said, "Wanbao House doesn't have too few visitors, nor too many. You went in disguised, so if you take the money and leave, they won't be able to pin you down."
Plenty of evil-class practitioners frequented Wanbao House. If the officials searched every person who entered and left, a conflict would have broken out long ago, and Xiahou Aotian could easily slip away in the chaos.
Xiahou Aotian snapped, "Are you stupid? Sixty million takes several large suitcases to hold! If I walk out carrying all that cash, I'll definitely be spotted. Not everyone has a Red Riding Hood like you."
"Then convert it into materials?" Zhang Yuanqing realized his thinking had been trapped by inertia.
"The officials sent Senior Deacons to stake out Wanbao House, and several evil-class practitioners have already been captured. No one has visited Wanbao House over the past few days; I'm today's only customer. If I walk out, I'll definitely be caught too." Xiahou Aotian sighed. "Lian Sanyue said the officials are wary of her, so they don't dare enter Wanbao House to cause trouble, but she could only yield a step and tolerate them waiting like hares by a tree stump outside."
"All right, I understand. Stay put in Wanbao House and keep in touch at all times," Zhang Yuanqing said resignedly.
He hung up the phone and opened the chat group.
He found that Xiahou Aotian had already cried for help in the group. The moment Sun Miaomiao, World Returns to Fire, and Zhao Chenghuang heard that someone was eyeing their illicit gains, their stances and opinions were surprisingly unanimous.
[Sun Miaomiao: Just you wait, I'm coming over right now to kill those bastards from the Du Branch.]
[Zhao Chenghuang: Explain the situation in detail first. Killing them is fine, but we need to plan carefully.]
[World Returns to Fire: Exactly. We must watch out for an enemy trap. But anyone who dares eye our money won't get away easy, no matter who they are.]
Zhang Yuanqing typed a message, @all:
[Yuanshi Tianzun: Don't come over for now. I'll handle this. If I can't resolve it, having you come won't make a difference either.]
Seeing Yuanshi Tianzun finally respond to Xiahou Aotian's plea for help, the three breathed a sigh of relief.
Indeed, if even Level 6 Yuanshi Tianzun couldn't handle it, going there would only put them in greater danger.
Zhao Chenghuang hesitated for a moment and chose to remain silent.
He actually very much wanted to visit Du to see Yuanshi Tianzun's current state.
Zhang Yuanqing set down his phone, took out the Ghost Mirror, and looked into it. His countenance was normal; the light of the Twelve Palaces was clear and pure, without any fluctuation.
To be safe, he retrieved the Great Luo Astrolabe and used the stars on the compass for stargazing, performing an observation on his upcoming trip to Du.
"No danger. But since it isn't night, I can't see specific future images...
"Finding no anomalies through astromancy and stargazing doesn't mean absolute safety. Members of the Dark Night Rose can apply for Secret Concealment.
"However, the officials only negotiated with Lian Sanyue and chose to stake out outside Wanbao House, which indicates they have no evidence proving the Qin dynasty antiques came from Qinfeng Academy. It's just that the timing was too coincidental, so they're investigating.
"Otherwise, Elder Jiangbao himself would probably have gone to see Lian Sanyue. In that case, the Dark Night Rose has even less certainty; unable to confirm the origin of the antiques, it's even less likely they laid an ambush for me in advance.
"Still, I can't be careless. I need a detailed plan. This is where the advantages of a Night Walker shine."
***
Du, Wanbao House.
Kakarot—oh, no, Xiahou Aotian—stood with arms crossed over his chest, brow ridges protruding, staring arrogantly toward the entrance of the grocery shop as if posing to challenge Majin Buu.
Over a dozen meters to his left, Lian Sanyue, dressed in a black leather jacket and a black tube top, with a cigar between her teeth, leaned lazily against the back of her chair and said with a languid chuckle:
"If you had told me beforehand that an auction would draw official attention, I would have found private buyers. Less money, but it would've been safe."
Xiahou Aotian lifted his chin and said in a deep voice, "No, money is more important than safety."
"True, you're dead broke after all," Lian Sanyue teased with a smile. "Now that you have money, want to gamble on the Hundred Refining Furnace again?"
The corners of Xiahou Aotian's mouth twitched. "Woman, you have angered me."
Lian Sanyue chuckled. "Give me ten million and I'll take you out. How's that for a deal?"
Xiahou Aotian flatly refused: "Why don't you just rob a bank!"
Lian Sanyue exhaled white smoke with a laugh. This fellow was amusing; he always brought her entertainment. She had intended to give him a twenty-five percent discount, but never expected to be turned down so directly.
It seemed he had plenty of confidence in his companions.
"It was my oversight this time. The Zhao family betrayed me—plainly an act of revenge. Think it over again; I can give you a discount."
"Why would the Zhao family seek revenge on you?" Xiahou Aotian ignored any proposal that required money.
"You know Yuanshi Tianzun, right? A while ago, he severely injured the Zhao family's Zhao Feichen. I was the one who secretly instigated it," Lian Sanyue said candidly. "It just so happened the antiques you gave me weren't legit, so they seized on that. Next time you have shady goods, remember to say so beforehand."
*The Zhao family has a grudge against Yuanshi Tianzun too? Why does this guy specialize in making enemies of Spirit Realm clans...*
Just then, the phone in Xiahou Aotian's pocket rang. He hurriedly pulled it out, answered the call, and simultaneously activated the silencer prop worn on his chest.
"Open the guild repository and apply for the last black bead."
The moment the call connected, Yuanshi Tianzun's voice came through.
As Xiahou Aotian opened the "Return of the Dead" guild repository, he asked, "And then?"
"Then wait three minutes, take the money, and leave Wanbao House. I'll deal with the enemies from the shadows," Zhang Yuanqing said.
Xiahou Aotian found the black bead shrouded in yin energy. After reading the item's attributes, he sent an application to Guild Leader Yuanshi Tianzun to use it.
[Ding! Your application has been approved! Please check the prop in your inventory.]
Hearing the Spirit Realm notification chime, Xiahou Aotian opened his inventory and took out the bead.
As soon as the icy jade bead was brought out, a wisp of ethereal cyan smoke wafted gracefully upward, coalescing into an affectionate, charming woman.
Xiahou Aotian knew the bead was a soul-containing prop. He looked all around, but could not see spirit bodies.
Behind the cash register, Lian Sanyue raised an eyebrow.
In her perception, standing beside Kakarot was a powerful wraith, top-tier even among the Saint stage.
"A Level 6 Dream Master... mmm, should be Level 6..." the Qin dynasty sorcerer's voice echoed in Xiahou Aotian's mind.
*What? A Level 6 Dream Master?*
*A Level 6 Dream Master... that's Yi Chuanmei, isn't it? That guy Yuanshi Tianzun actually enslaved her! Back in the Sea of Yashan, I was one level higher than him, and now he's one level higher than me...*
Xiahou Aotian was greatly shocked. His eyes flew wide as he looked left and right.
"No need to look, she's gone outside," the old man in the ring chuckled. "She even glanced at me before leaving, which means she sensed my presence. Mmm, I roughly know what Yuanshi Tianzun is planning. Get ready; leave in three minutes."
***
Outside Wanbao House, around the corner of a narrow alley, "Zhao Gongming" of the Du Branch maintained his Night Walk state, holding a walkie-talkie:
"Everything is normal at Wanbao House. No one has exited."
Immediately after, a reply came over the walkie-talkie: "The Revealing Powder sprinkled outside the shop shows no traces of being stepped on."
The one responding to Zhao Gongming was the Deacon of the Du Branch's Baiji District, a Level 5 Swordsman.
Zhao Gongming was likewise a Level 5 Star Officer.
"Surveillance cameras in the vicinity have detected no suspicious figures approaching. Stealth drones haven't detected any suspicious targets either."
A third voice came over the walkie-talkie—a Fangshi from the Zhao family.
Not only had the Zhao family proactively provided intelligence this time, but they had also taken an extremely active part in the operation. Zhao Gongming had made some inquiries and learned that the severe wounding of the Zhao family patriarch's precious grandson was inextricably linked to the mistress of Wanbao House.
Therefore, when Lian Sanyue auctioned antiques through the Zhao family's channels, the Zhao family immediately reported it to the Du Branch and took the initiative to join the operation.
They were burning with impatience to capture the figure behind the scenes so they could drag Lian Sanyue into the water.
Presently, the situation was unclear and evidence was lacking. To touch a Dominator like Lian Sanyue was something even the Zhao family couldn't manage alone, so they assisted the officials and joined forces with the Du Branch to deal with her.
For this reason, the Du Branch had gladly accepted the Zhao family's request.
Just then, a howling gale whipped up. Transparent wind blades swept past with a shrill whistle, shattering the drones circling high above one after another.
The power grid in this old district was simultaneously sabotaged, and the surrounding surveillance cameras stopped working.
"Wind blades? A Wind Mage? That guy's accomplices are making a move!" the Zhao family's Fangshi shouted hurriedly into the walkie-talkie.
At the same time, the invisible Zhao Gongming saw the oddball disguised as an anime protagonist burst out of Wanbao House's front doors carrying six suitcases.
Zhao Gongming urgently commanded, "Target has emerged! All squads take note: seal off the exits. Apprehend anyone carrying six suitcases immediately—"
With that, just as he was about to pursue the target, a woman wearing sunglasses and a face mask abruptly appeared several meters in front of him. Wearing black gloves on both hands, she whipped a kick toward him with a sharp crack!
*Another Night Walker? She can see me?*
Zhao Gongming's heart skipped a beat. He crossed his arms over his chest to block the roundhouse kick while summoning his spirit servant.
*Bang!*
His arms felt as though they had been struck by a heavy truck, fracturing instantly. He slammed violently into the wall, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the red brick with a loud snap.
Meanwhile, the spirit servant Zhao Gongming had summoned was caught firmly in the female Night Walker's palm.
With just a gentle squeeze, the spirit servant would be reduced to ash.
Enduring the excruciating pain, Zhao Gongming dissolved into starlight and reappeared at the other end of the alley. Raising his walkie-talkie, he roared:
"Support me—"
The moment he finished shouting, a raspy laugh came over the walkie-talkie:
"Sure. Once I finish off your companion, I'll come support you."
Immediately following that, another raspy voice sounded:
"I've already taken care of this useless Scholar."
***
After Yi Chuanmei left, Xiahou Aotian could faintly hear the sounds of fierce fighting and screams in the distance. Out of his trust in Yuanshi Tianzun, he waited three minutes before grabbing the six suitcases and dashing out of the shop.
Lian Sanyue sat lazily at the cash register, having put on a pair of women's eyeglasses. Her gaze seemed to pierce through the buildings as she watched intently.
"All yin corpses? Their appearances disguised... interesting."
Sprinting full speed, Xiahou Aotian left the old district without incident. Looking around by the roadside, he flagged down a taxi.
"To the suburbs. The more remote, the better. Two thousand yuan," he shouted toward the driver's seat.
Hearing that, the driver enthusiastically opened the door, stepped out, and helped him load the suitcases into the trunk.
In less than half a minute, the taxi merged into traffic and sped away.
Xiahou Aotian stared vigilantly out the window and behind them, dreading being tailed. But as the taxi gradually left the urban area, reached the suburbs, and then exited the suburbs onto the national highway...
Vehicles on the road had already become scarce.
*It seems no one followed!* He finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to take out his phone to contact Yuanshi Tianzun—suddenly, he saw the driver's body stiffen. There was a split second of rigidity before normal movement resumed.
*He's possessed!*
Knowledgeable and experienced, Xiahou Aotian instantly recognized the driver's condition.
Instinctively, he reached for a prop to fight. But in the next second, an icy chill pressed against his back, instantly freezing his limbs and congealing his blood.
A powerful force invaded his body, seizing control of his physical form.
He was possessed too.
The middle-aged driver turned around, a malicious smile spreading across his face:
"Thanks to your companions for stalling the officials, giving us an easy bargain. Tsk tsk, I've never seen sixty million in cash before. Don't mind if I graciously accept it."
Chapter 491