The auction continued.
With the diamond in hand, Jiang Tian did not linger in the auction hall but headed to the front foyer.
Jiang Tian transferred one hundred million to the auction company's account, completed the paperwork, and after a good half-hour, finally obtained the diamond.
"Congratulations, Young Master Jiang, on finally acquiring the diamond!" Jiang Yi remarked.
"This diamond is quite substantial. The Special Envoy will surely be very pleased!" Jiang Tian's face showed a hint of pride. "Let's head back. I can't wait to present the diamond to the Special Envoy."
With that, Jiang Tian walked towards the exit of the auction company.
Jiang Yi followed him.
Once inside the car, the driver started the engine and drove straight back to Jiang Tian's castle.
As Jiang Tian's castle was located in the suburbs, the route had to pass through a birch forest. The forest was dense with trees and contained a rather large park, though few people visited it due to its remote location.
As the car entered the birch forest, the driver suddenly brought it to a halt.
Several cars were parked in the middle of the roadway, and a group of fierce-looking bodyguards stood in their path.
The leader was none other than the man in the suit from before, the son of Goth, the richest man in Ximeng State.
Seeing the murderous intent on the suited man's face, it was obvious he had come to settle a score.
However, Jiang Yi had no intention of intervening, finding it amusing to watch them fight amongst themselves.
"It seems we have trouble!" Jiang Tian's brows furrowed.
Jiang Tian's entourage immediately became alert and prepared for action.
"Brother, you are the Special Envoy's personal bodyguard. You don't need to get involved. Your duty is solely to protect the Special Envoy's safety. That scoundrel is clearly after the diamond, and it has nothing to do with you!" Jiang Tian said to Jiang Yi.
Jiang Tian's instruction for Jiang Yi to stand down was a ploy to showcase his own strength and boast.
Jiang Yi nodded.
Jiang Yi had no intention of acting anyway.
"Jiang Tian, leave the diamond and we'll let you go. Otherwise, this place will be your burial ground today!" the suited man declared, staring at Jiang Tian.
"You are utterly despicable. I paid a hefty price to acquire the diamond from the auction company. You ambush us midway with a crowd – what's the difference between that and robbery?" Jiang Tian exclaimed angrily.
"That's right, I am robbing you. What can you do about it?" the suited man sneered. "Jiang Tian, decide whether you want to live or keep the diamond. You're a smart man; hand over the diamond, and you can live."
"Otherwise, once I make my move, you'll lose both your lives and the diamond. Remember, you have only half a minute to consider!"
"You think too highly of yourself. I, Jiang Tian, am not one to be trifled with!" Jiang Tian had no intention of compromising.
This diamond was purchased by Jiang Tian at great expense!
Furthermore, the men the suited man brought were merely bodyguards.
The men Jiang Tian had brought, on the other hand, were top-tier assassins from Ximeng State.
Jiang Tian was completely confident in his ability to deal with the suited man's bodyguards.
"Jiang Tian, time's up. It seems you don't know my capabilities unless I show you some 'color'!" the suited man said, fixing his gaze on Jiang Tian. He then shouted to his bodyguards behind him, "Attack, and show no mercy."
"Yes!"
The bodyguards responded and charged towards them.
Immediately, the suited man's bodyguards and Jiang Tian's men clashed.
Within moments, the suited man's bodyguards were at a disadvantage. The strength of the two groups was simply not on the same level!
The gap between bodyguards and assassins was too vast to be compared.
One minute later, all of the suited man's bodyguards lay on the ground, incapacitated.
Meanwhile, of Jiang Tian's twenty-odd assassins, only four or five sustained injuries, and those were minor.
The victor was clear.
Jiang Tian smirked triumphantly.
"With the men you brought, you thought you could snatch the diamond? That's simply delusional!"
"Bringing such a group of losers here only invites your own humiliation!"
"Since you've come looking for trouble, I must make you pay a price. I won't kill you, but you must leave one of your hands behind!" Jiang Tian stated sternly, looking at the suited man.
His words elicited disdain from the suited man, who clearly did not take Jiang Tian seriously.
It was evident that the suited man had come prepared. The people he brought were certainly not limited to these bodyguards.
This matter was far from over.
Jiang Tian was no fool and recognized this.
"I don't want to waste time. Bring out the person you're hiding! Let's settle this quickly so we can be done with it!" Jiang Tian said with a snort.
"Jiang Tian, don't think I have no way to deal with you. I already gave you a chance. Now, I not only want the diamond, but I want your lives too!" the suited man declared. He then walked directly to a nearby car and opened the door.
Because the car's windows allowed one to see out but not be seen from the outside, it was unclear who was inside.
However, judging by the respectful demeanor of the suited man, the person sitting inside was undoubtedly no ordinary individual.
A moment later, a middle-aged man dressed in a black cloak emerged from the car, exuding a suffocatingly cold aura that created an indescribable sense of pressure.
"Mr. Fark, I'll have to trouble you to take action personally!" the suited man said respectfully to the middle-aged man.
"Relax. As long as I act, not one of them will survive!" the man named Fark said, glancing dismissively at Jiang Tian's assassins, completely unimpressed.
"I am deeply grateful for Mr. Fark's willingness to act. Rest assured, I will pay you the promised reward in full!" the suited man said with a grin.
"Mm!" Fark nodded with satisfaction.
"Hahaha..." Jiang Tian began to mock the suited man.
"This is utterly ridiculous. You think he alone can kill my twenty-odd assassins? That's laughable!" Jiang Tian did not take Fark seriously.
In Jiang Tian's estimation, no matter how capable Fark was, he could not possibly face twenty-odd assassins alone. Jiang Tian had immense confidence in his own killers.
"Jiang Tian, you'll soon realize Mr. Fark's prowess!" the suited man said with great confidence.
Jiang Tian still paid no mind to Fark, believing him to be merely coming to his death.
Jiang Yi, standing nearby, curved his lips upon seeing Fark.
This individual was undoubtedly a formidable expert, a top-tier gold-medal killer, otherwise, he wouldn't possess such a chilling aura.
Jiang Yi was certain that Fark was the true, bloodthirsty executioner.
The unfolding drama was becoming increasingly intriguing.