Inside the castle!
The group from Huaxia had all been arranged to rest here.
Many Dragon Group squad members were experiencing the wealth of the Saudi royal family for the first time. The luxury of the castle was astonishing.
"Huh? Isn't this painting a work by Van Gogh? Why is it hanging here?"
"It must be a fake. The real ones are worth a fortune and wouldn't be hung in a hallway!"
As a group, led by castle servants, passed through the corridor, they saw several famous paintings.
A servant, who seemed to know some Huaxia language, couldn't help but explain, "Esteemed guests, these paintings are all originals! Among them, Van Gogh's 'Portrait of Dr. Gachet' was purchased by His Highness the Prince last year from a collector for 120 million US dollars, making it the most expensive of these paintings!"
Upon hearing the servant's words, everyone's eyes almost popped out.
A painting worth over a hundred million US dollars, placed in a castle receiving distinguished guests, and in an inconspicuous place like a hallway – this was outrageously extravagant!
Xu Shi'an, with his usual憨厚 demeanor, touched the frame and mumbled, "Aren't you afraid someone will steal it by leaving it here!"
"Esteemed guest, you jest. Guests invited here are usually of noble status, so why would they commit such a theft?" The servant chuckled in surprise.
Soon, the group arrived at an area with many rooms and a central activity space of several hundred square meters.
Rooms were assigned to everyone.
The same servant respectfully stated, "Esteemed guests, this is where you will rest. In an hour, a sumptuous dinner will be served. Please feel free to ask for anything you need."
After the servants left, the group finally burst into excited chatter.
"So luxurious!"
"The decoration, the service, it's impeccable! Look at this cup, is it gold-plated?"
"It seems we are benefiting from Brother Ye's influence! I never expected him to have such standing with the Saudi royal family!"
"Of course. The King and the Princess personally welcomed them as soon as they arrived."
If before, the group had only admired Ye Cangtian's strength, now they admired him in every aspect! How many people in the world could be treated with such deference by the Saudi royal family?
Only Mu Chenglong remained silent. Seeing the envy in his subordinates' eyes, he frowned.
Soon, he let out a soft snort, "We are warriors. We only enjoy combat. We don't care about these material things!"
A burly man scoffed, "Captain is right. Don't forget why we are here!"
The other members of Mu Chenglong's squad also put down the luxury items they were playing with and chimed in.
Just then, Ye Cangtian returned!
Mu Chenglong looked up at him and couldn't help but ask, "Ye Cangtian, when are we going to the ruins? We all have missions, we didn't come here to enjoy ourselves with you!"
Ye Cangtian smiled faintly, "Everyone, don't be anxious. Rest tonight, and tomorrow the royal family will escort us to the ruins!"
"Brother Ye, I have something I want to discuss with you!" Shangguan Yanran said from not far away.
"Alright, follow me then!" Ye Cangtian nodded.
A moment later, the two arrived in the castle's rear garden.
Shangguan Yanran hesitated for a moment, then said, "Brother Ye, I want to enter the ruins with you tomorrow!"
"What are you going in there for?"
Ye Cangtian frowned slightly. He already felt burdened by bringing a few scientific researchers, and it was originally agreed that they would stay on the surface.
Frankly, these researchers couldn't even defeat ordinary people, let alone face the dangers within the ruins where various factions were also involved.
Shangguan Yanran sighed, "Those professors can stay on the surface to conduct research, but I want to go in. My teacher had some theories about the ruins before his death, but because he never entered the ruins themselves, some research remained incomplete. I want to go in..."
Ye Cangtian waved his hand, "I understand your research intentions, but it's extremely dangerous inside. Even we might not be able to return unscathed."
"You should stay on the surface with them. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to explain it to your Shangguan family!"
"But..."
Before Shangguan Yanran could say more, Ye Cangtian interrupted her again, "There's no need to say more. Even if I agreed, your brother wouldn't."
Watching Ye Cangtian turn and leave, Shangguan Yanran sighed softly.
...
In the evening, after a sumptuous dinner, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
Xu Shi'an and Shangguan Yun were taken away by a shifty-looking male guard. Ye Cangtian pretended not to see, as he guessed who it was based on their furtive behavior.
It was naturally Prince Saki!
Therefore, Ye Cangtian was not worried at all about anything happening to those two.
Returning to his room, he took out the silver mask.
Before leaving Huaxia this time, he had received orders from Purple Dragon because the Dark Association also intended to get involved with the Saudi ruins.
Ye Cangtian had contacted Huang Wu and Huang San two days ago, asking them to arrive in advance. He estimated they were already within the capital's vicinity.
As soon as he put on the mask, he quickly located the traces of these two on it.
Besides them, there was also a flickering small silver dot.
It seemed that besides himself, there was another Xuan-level expert of the Dark Association near the capital.
Just as he was hesitating whether to inquire about that person's identity, the Xuan-level deacon suddenly sent a message.
"Is that you, Xuan Qi, my friend?"
"Xuan Jiu?" Ye Cangtian raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
However, since the other party knew his true identity, it was normal for him to guess it was him!
Xuan Jiu: "It's me. Shall we chat?"
"Okay, where are you?"
Xuan Jiu: "I'm near the castle you're staying at, by the artificial lake park. There's a yacht there, I'm waiting for you!"
Ye Cangtian took off the mask, feeling a bit speechless.
This guy seemed to know his whereabouts perfectly! This fatty was definitely from the Yin Group.
Soon, he walked out of the room, and Zhang Liang was walking towards him, "Brother Ye, after heading to the ruins tomorrow, how should we arrange the mission? Do we need to have Mu Chenglong come over to discuss it?"
Ye Cangtian hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "We'll talk about this tomorrow! I have something to attend to and need to go out!"
Zhang Liang seemed to want to say something but stopped, and finally sighed, "Although Captain Mu has some issues with you, he has guarded the border for many years..."
"Don't worry, Brother Zhang, I'm not that petty!" Ye Cangtian said with a smile.
He knew Zhang Liang was worried that he might fall out with Mu Chenglong or deliberately make things difficult for him in the ruins, but Ye Cangtian truly didn't take Mu Chenglong seriously.
Therefore, Zhang Liang's worries were clearly unnecessary!
After speaking, Ye Cangtian turned and left the castle. He had to meet Xuan Jiu.
Just like before, while he was outwardly representing the Dragon Group as Ye Cangtian, he was also inwardly representing the Dark Association as Xuan Qi.
Having a dual identity was sometimes quite convenient!
I am in the open, and also in the shadows!