Chapter 493: A Little Test of Skill

"You were targeted while selling antiques?" Zhang Yuanqing's drowsiness vanished instantly. He sat up and said with a serious tone, "You're still at Wanbao House? What's the situation? What's Lian Sanyue's attitude? How did this happen?"

Xiahou Aotian's annoyed voice came through the speaker, "Today, when I went to collect the money, she suddenly told me that there have been two groups of people lurking around Wanbao House lately. One group is from the Huacheng branch and the Zhao family, and the other is unknown. That woman said that the Zhao family betrayed her. They reported her to the authorities for the antiques she sold through the Zhao family's auction house. After the auction, the authorities immediately approached her and hoped to obtain the consignor's information from her, but Lian Sanyue refused. Since then, the Huadu branch has been sending people to stake out outside Wanbao House. Fortunately, I, the protagonist, was clever enough to disguise myself before coming, or I would have been exposed."

Who doesn't disguise themselves beforehand? No one is foolish enough to change their appearance at the entrance of Wanbao House... Zhang Yuanqing said, "What about now?"

"Now a large group of people is lying in ambush near Wanbao House. As soon as I go out, I'll be captured," Xiahou Aotian said angrily. "Lian Sanyue is a useless woman. It's clearly her fault, but she was smoking a cigar just now and told me as if it was none of her business to find a companion to help."

The Zhao family, tsk. If they knew that Yuanshi Tianzun was the one selling the antiques, wouldn't they attack me like they've been injected with chicken blood? The Qin Feng Academy incident just happened, and the authorities issued a document to all branches to pay attention to the sale of any Qin Dynasty props or antiques. As a result, several Qin Dynasty antiques immediately appeared on the market. It would be strange if the Huadu branch was unaware, especially with the Zhao family actively informing them.

Moreover, this is too coincidental. I just became famous, and the antiques I auctioned were targeted. Besides the authorities, the only other party aware of the Qin Feng Academy incident is Dark Night Rose. The other group is probably Dark Night Rose...

Zhang Yuanqing was alarmed, suspecting that Lian Sanyue was cooperating with the authorities or Dark Night Rose to lure him out, but he didn't think it suited Lian Sanyue's style. This chaotic neutral woman values her reputation, and she had already promised to keep this matter confidential.

"Why did Lian Sanyue auction through Zhao's channels? She's actively provoking the authorities."

"Ah, this..." Xiahou Aotian suddenly stammered.

Zhang Yuanqing felt a bad premonition, "What did you say to Lian Sanyue in the first place?"

"I entrusted Lian Sanyue to auction the antiques and keep the transaction confidential." Xiahou Aotian's only advantage is his honesty.

So it was you who wanted to auction them? Well done. Don't do it again next time... Black lines appeared on Zhang Yuanqing's forehead. "Even if you haven't smuggled antiques, you've watched movies, right? Shouldn't this kind of transaction involve secretly finding buyers and completing the deal in remote mountains or dark secret rooms? Aren't Scholars supposed to be intelligent? I haven't seen any evidence of that in you," he complained.

"You didn't object when I auctioned the antiques in the group. Besides, high intelligence is reflected in strong learning ability, but it's not related to competence. The latter is more about experience," Xiahou Aotian retorted, then his voice softened, "You have to hurry. I've already asked for help in the group. It's best to bring Sun Miaomiao, Zhao Chenghuang, and Tianxia Guihuo with you."

Stupid. If this is an ambush, wouldn't we all be caught in one fell swoop? Zhang Yuanqing said, "There aren't many or few customers coming and going to Wanbao House. You can disguise yourself, take the money, and leave. They won't be able to lock onto you."

Many evil professions come and go to Wanbao House. If the authorities searched everyone, there would have been a conflict already. Xiahou Aotian could easily slip away in the chaos.

Xiahou Aotian said unhappily, "Are you stupid? Sixty million requires several large boxes. If I leave with the cash, I'll definitely be discovered. Not everyone has a Red Cap like you."

"Then exchange it for materials?" Zhang Yuanqing realized he was misled by his thinking habits.

"The authorities have sent senior executives to guard Wanbao House. Several evil professions have already been arrested. No one has come to Wanbao House these days. I'm the only customer today. If I go out, I'll definitely be caught," Xiahou Aotian sighed. "Lian Sanyue said that the authorities are afraid of her, so they dare not cause trouble inside Wanbao House, but she can only take a step back and tolerate them waiting outside."

"Okay, I understand. Stay in Wanbao House and keep in touch," Zhang Yuanqing said helplessly.

He hung up the phone and opened the chat group.

He found that Xiahou Aotian had already asked for help in the group. Sun Miaomiao, Tianxia Guihuo, and Zhao Chenghuang had an unusually consistent stance and opinion when they heard someone was targeting their ill-gotten gains.

[Sun Miaomiao: Wait for me. I'll be there right now and kill those guys from the Huadu branch.]

[Zhao Chenghuang: Let's talk about the situation in detail first. Killing them is fine, but we need to plan carefully.]

[Tianxia Guihuo: Right, we need to be wary of the enemy setting a trap, but whoever dares to target our money, no matter who they are, shouldn't expect to have a good time.]

Zhang Yuanqing typed a message, @Everyone:

[Yuanshi Tianzun: Don't come over yet. I'll handle this matter. If I can't solve it, it won't make a difference if you come.]

Seeing that Yuanshi Tianzun finally responded to Xiahou Aotian's request for help, Sun Miaomiao and the others were relieved.

Indeed, if the Level 6 Yuanshi Tianzun couldn't handle it, it would only be more dangerous if they went.

Zhao Chenghuang hesitated for a moment and chose to remain silent.

He really wanted to go to Huadu to see Yuanshi Tianzun's current state.

Zhang Yuanqing put down his phone, grabbed the Ghost Mirror, and looked at himself. His face was normal, and the light of the twelve palaces was clear and pure, without any fluctuations.

As a precaution, he took out the Great Luo Star Compass and used the compass to observe the stars, making an observation of his trip to Huadu.

"There's no danger, but it's not night, so I can't see the specific future scenes..."

"The astrology and star gazing arts don't show any flaws, but that doesn't mean it's absolutely safe. Members of Dark Night Rose can apply for secret protection."

"However, the authorities are only negotiating with Lian Sanyue and have chosen to stake out outside Wanbao House, which means they have no evidence to prove that the Qin Dynasty antiques came from Qin Feng Academy. It's just that the timing is too coincidental, so they're investigating."

"Otherwise, Elder Jiangbao would have personally gone to Lian Sanyue. In that case, Dark Night Rose would have even less certainty. If they can't even confirm the source of the antiques, they're even less likely to ambush me in advance."

"But I can't be careless. I need to make a detailed plan. This is where the Night Wanderer's advantages come into play."

........

Huadu, Wanbao House.

Kakarot, no, Xiahou Aotian, with his arms crossed and eyebrows raised, looked at the entrance of the stall with a fierce look in his eyes, as if he was about to challenge Majin Buu.

About ten meters to the left, Lian Sanyue, wearing a black leather jacket, a black wrap, and a cigar in her mouth, leaned lazily on the back of her chair and smiled, "If you had said earlier that the auction would attract the attention of the authorities, I would have found someone to buy it privately. The money may be less, but it's safer."

Xiahou Aotian raised his chin and said in a deep voice, "No, money is more important than safety."

"Indeed, you're broke," Lian Sanyue joked with a smile, "Now that you have money, do you want to gamble on the Hundred Refinement Furnace again?"

The corner of Xiahou Aotian's mouth twitched, "Woman, you've angered me."

Lian Sanyue chuckled, "Give me ten million, and I'll take you out. How's this deal?"

Xiahou Aotian refused outright, "Why don't you just rob me!"

Lian Sanyue smiled and exhaled white smoke. This guy is interesting and always brings her fun. Lian Sanyue originally wanted to give him a 25% discount, but he refused outright.

It seems he has a lot of confidence in his companions.

"This time, it's my fault. The Zhao family betrayed me. It's clear they're retaliating. Consider it. I can give you a discount."

"Why is the Zhao family retaliating against you?" Xiahou Aotian ignored any suggestion from the other party that required spending money.

"You know Yuanshi Tianzun, right? A while ago, he severely injured Zhao Feichen of the Zhao family. I secretly instigated it," Lian Sanyue said frankly, "It just so happens that the antiques you gave me were of dubious origin, so they targeted them. Next time you have something that can't be seen in the light, remember to say so in advance."

The Zhao family has a grudge against Yuanshi Tianzun? How come this guy is always going against Spirit Realm families...

At this moment, the phone in Xiahou Aotian's pocket rang. He quickly took out his phone, answered the call, and activated the silencer device worn on his chest.

"Open the gang warehouse and apply for that last black bead."

As soon as the call connected, Yuanshi Tianzun's voice came over.

While opening the "Return of the Dead" gang warehouse, Xiahou Aotian asked, "Then what?"

"Then wait for three minutes, take the money, and leave Wanbao House. I'll secretly solve the enemies for you," Zhang Yuanqing said.

Xiahou Aotian found the black bead surrounded by Yin energy. After reading the item's properties, he sent a usage request to the gang leader, Yuanshi Tianzun.

[Ding! Your application has been approved! Please check the item in your inventory.]

Listening to the Spirit Realm prompt, Xiahou Aotian opened his inventory and took out the bead.

As soon as the icy jade bead was taken out, a wisp of illusory blue smoke rose gracefully, transforming into a charming woman with affectionate eyes.

Xiahou Aotian knew that the bead was a prop that contained a soul. He looked around, but couldn't see the spirit body.

Lian Sanyue, behind the cash register, raised an eyebrow.

In her perception, a powerful vengeful spirit, one of the best at the Saint level, was standing next to Kakarot.

"Level 6 Dream Weaver, um, should be level 6..." The voice of the Qin Dynasty magician echoed in Xiahou Aotian's mind.

What? Level 6 Dream Weaver?

Level 6 Dream Weaver, is it Ichikawa Miwa? Yuanshi Tianzun, that guy, actually enslaved her. At Yasha Sea, I was one level higher than him, and now he's one level higher than me...

Xiahou Aotian was shocked and immediately opened his eyes wide, looking around.

"No need to look, she's gone out," the old man's laughter came from the ring, "She even glanced at me before leaving. She sensed my existence. Well, I think I know Yuanshi Tianzun's plan. Get ready to leave in three minutes."

........

Outside Wanbao House, in the narrow alley corner, the Huadu branch's "Zhao Gongming," maintaining Night Wanderer state, held a walkie-talkie and said, "Everything is normal at Wanbao House. No one has left."

Immediately afterward, a response came from the walkie-talkie: "There are no footprints on the 'Reveal Powder' sprinkled outside the shop."

Responding to Zhao Gongming was a level 5 swordsman, an executive of the Baiji District of the Huadu branch.

Zhao Gongming was also a level 5 Star Official.

"The surrounding surveillance cameras have not seen any suspicious people approaching, and the invisible drone has not detected any suspicious targets."

The third voice came from the walkie-talkie, a Fang Shi from the Zhao family.

The Zhao family not only actively provided information this time but also actively participated in the operation. Zhao Gongming inquired and learned that the Zhao family's beloved had been seriously injured, and the hostess of Wanbao House was inseparable from the matter.

Therefore, when Lian Sanyue auctioned antiques through the Zhao family's channels, the Zhao family immediately reported it to the Huadu branch and offered to participate in the operation.

Anxious to catch the person behind the scenes, so as to drag Lian Sanyue down.

The current situation is unclear, and the evidence is insufficient. Even the Zhao family cannot move Lian Sanyue, a Lord. Therefore, they are assisting the authorities and working with the Huadu branch to deal with her.

Based on this reason, the Huadu branch gladly agreed to the Zhao family's request.

At this moment, a gust of wind blew, and transparent wind blades swept past, and the drones hovering in the high sky exploded.

The power grid in this old city area was also damaged at the same time, and the surrounding surveillance stopped working.

"Wind blade? Wind Mage? That guy's accomplice took action," the Zhao family's Fang Shi said urgently into the walkie-talkie.

At the same time, Zhao Gongming, in an invisible state, saw the freak who was disguised as an anime protagonist rushing out of the door of Wanbao House, carrying six suitcases.

Zhao Gongming said sharply: "The target person is out, all teams pay attention, block the entrances and exits, if you see someone carrying six suitcases, immediately carry out the arrest..."

After speaking, just as he was about to pursue the target, he suddenly saw a woman wearing sunglasses and a mask a few meters in front of him. She was wearing black gloves, and a whip leg slammed over.

Also a Night Wanderer? She saw me?

Zhao Gongming was shocked. He crossed his hands over his chest to block the whip leg and summoned a Spirit Servant.

"Bang!"

His arms were as if they had been hit by a heavy truck, and they fractured instantly. He slammed heavily into the wall, and the red brick wall cracked.

The Spirit Servant that Zhao Gongming summoned was pinched in the palm of the Night Wanderer woman.

With a gentle squeeze, the Spirit Servant would be wiped out.

Zhao Gongming endured the pain and disappeared into starlight, appearing at the other end of the alley, raising the walkie-talkie and roaring:

"Support me..."

As soon as he finished shouting, he heard a hoarse laughter coming from the walkie-talkie:

"Okay, wait for me to solve your companion, then I'll come to support you."

Then, another hoarse voice came:

"I have already solved this useless Scholar."

........

After Ichikawa Miwa left, Xiahou Aotian heard faint sounds of fierce fighting and screams in the distance. Based on his trust in Yuanshi Tianzun, he waited for three minutes before picking up six suitcases and rushing out of the store.

Lian Sanyue leaned lazily on the cash register, put on a pair of women's glasses, and her eyes seemed to penetrate the building, watching something intently.

"All Yin Corpses? The appearance has been disguised, interesting..."

While sprinting, Xiahou Aotian left the old city area safely. He looked around on the street and stopped a taxi.

"Go to the suburbs, the more remote the better, two thousand yuan," he shouted at the driver's seat.

The driver, hearing this, enthusiastically opened the door and got out of the car to help him put the boxes in the trunk.

In less than half a minute, the taxi merged into the traffic and quickly drove away.

Xiahou Aotian vigilantly stared out of the window and behind him, fearing being followed, but as the taxi gradually drove away from the city, arrived in the suburbs, and then drove away from the suburbs, entering the national highway...

There were already very few vehicles on the road.

It seems no one is chasing after me! He breathed a sigh of relief and was about to take out his phone to contact Yuanshi Tianzun... Suddenly, he saw the driver in the driver's seat stiffen, there was a moment of rigidity, and then he recovered.

He's possessed!

Xiahou Aotian, well-informed, immediately saw the driver's state.

Instinctively, he was about to take out his props to fight, but the next second, an icy chill stuck to his back, and his hands and feet instantly froze, and his blood solidified.

A powerful force invaded his body, taking control of his body.

He was also possessed.

The middle-aged driver turned his head, revealing a sinister smile:

"Thanks to your companion for holding back the people from the authorities, allowing us to pick up a big bargain. Tsk tsk, I haven't seen sixty million in cash. I'll accept it without any politeness."

........

ps: After a busy day, the matter has been resolved.