Chapter Fifty-Seven: Arriving as Expected

Officer Li asked curiously, “If even Brother Chen is interested in something, it must be extraordinary, right?”
With each photograph Chen Yao turned over, the delight on his face grew. “Brother Li, though this Rizhao jade pendant isn’t particularly precious, it excels in practicality. It contains a strong, pure yang energy, which is greatly beneficial for those who practice cultivation. Especially for newcomers like Ye Dong and his friends, it can help strengthen the body!”
Officer Li understood. “So Brother Chen, you want to buy it for Ye Dong?”
Chen Yao didn’t deny it. “The starting bid for this jade pendant is already three million. My entire savings amount to just three million at most. I’m afraid I won’t be able to afford it.”
Officer Li grinned mischievously. “Who would have thought, Brother Chen, that you already have three million in savings!”
Suddenly, Chen Yao lowered his voice. “Brother Li, is there any way you could help me get my hands on this jade pendant?”
Officer Li hesitated, his expression troubled. “There is a way, but it’s not exactly above board.”
Seeing Chen Yao’s disappointment, Officer Li leaned in and whispered, “We’re sworn brothers now. To tell the truth, my family’s house was just demolished back home, and I received two million in compensation. If you don’t mind, you can use this money for now.”
Chen Yao’s eyes lit up. “Brother Li, I can’t possibly accept! It wouldn’t be right!”
But Officer Li interrupted him. “With your abilities, Brother Chen, you could easily earn several million just by advising some rich client or adjusting their feng shui. Yet you choose to serve the public. For that alone, this small sum is just a token of my appreciation. Besides, it’s only a loan, so there’s no need to refuse.”
Though Chen Yao was overjoyed, he still muttered, “I really feel bad about this.”
Officer Li patted his hand. “Enough, it’s settled! Just treat me to a meal once you win the jade pendant.”
Chen Yao chuckled. “Thank you, Brother Li!”
The two exchanged a smile and returned to discussing the ancient tomb.

The auction began as scheduled, with VIPs from all over gathering in a sea of people and fluttering banners—a truly grand occasion.
A floor manager spoke into his radio in a low voice, “Attention all units: Chairman Wan Tianze of Galloping Steeds Corporation and his party have arrived. Be alert and don’t neglect our golden goose.”
Bodyguards Zhou Zhixing and Lai Jiayu escorted Mr. and Mrs. Wan Tianze, while the dazzling Wan Zhengzheng, Nian Xue, and several secretaries entered the hall.

“Uncle Wan, Auntie, good evening!” A well-dressed young man hurried over.
Wan Tianze nodded. “Xiao Dingxi, your parents didn’t come this time?”

This was Mo Dingxi from the Magnificent Mountains and Rivers Group—the same young man who had delivered blue roses to Zhengzheng in a sports car when Ye Dong and his friends visited.
Mo Dingxi replied with a wry smile, “My parents couldn’t make it back, so I’m attending in their place.”
Wan Tianze mused, “Your father usually sits beside me, but now it’s your turn. The younger generation is truly impressive!”
Mo Dingxi’s heart skipped a beat. “Does Uncle Wan think I’m not yet qualified to sit by his side?”
Sensing his embarrassment, Mrs. Wan interjected, “Young people need to be challenged, Dingxi. I have high hopes for you.”
Mo Dingxi replied gratefully, “Thank you, Auntie. It’s an honor to learn from you both.”
Seeing his humility, Wan Tianze’s expression softened. “All right, let’s go take our seats.”
Mo Dingxi nodded, glancing affectionately at Zhengzheng before walking beside Wan Tianze, with Zhengzheng trailing behind, secretly amused. “Poor Dingxi, running into my dad at the auction—bad luck for you.”

At that moment, several men in black hats appeared outside the venue. Dressed in a sharp suit, Li Zimu hurried over. “Brother Wei, Brother Lecheng, Brother Lixing, why didn’t you let me know you were coming?”
The three newcomers were the core leaders of the tomb-robbing syndicate: the strategist Wei, the formation master Lecheng, and the breaker Lixing.
Wei responded coldly, “We were concerned about potential problems, so we came to take a look. What, you're not happy to see us?”
Li Zimu waved his hands. “Not at all! Here are your admission cards. Since everyone inside is wealthy, there’ll be a security check as per protocol.”
Wei took the cards. “Thanks.” The three then entered the venue.
Watching them go, Li Zimu snorted under his breath, “Who do they think they are? Without me, would their goods fetch such high prices?”
Xu Si asked quietly, “Boss, are these our suppliers?”
Li Zimu snapped, “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Understood?”
Xu Si’s face hardened. “Yes, boss.”
“Let’s go! Hopefully, they won’t cause any trouble.” Li Zimu led Xu Si into the hall.

“Reporting in, chief—the people in the photo have arrived! Their identities match perfectly!”
From a distance, Xiao Wang relayed the information to Officer Li in the hall via earpiece, “Chief, please advise.”

Officer Li replied softly, “Keep a close eye on their every move. We don’t have evidence yet, so don’t alert them. Tell Xiao Mo to watch Lai Jiayu beside Wan Tianze. Don’t let him upset our plan.”
Xiao Mo was the seventeenth disciple of Wang Xiongfeng, master of the Five Gates Martial Arts School and Huiyan’s father. He was also the special officer who had defeated Ye Dong and his friends alone at the training ground.

“Yes, sir! They’re now seated in seats 3, 4, and 5 of the second row from the back on the left side of the hall.”
Officer Li whispered to Chen Yao, “Brother Chen, the three men in seats 3, 4, and 5 of the second-to-last row on the left—they’re our tomb-raiding suspects. Can you tell anything from their faces?”
Chen Yao pretended to scan the crowd, using his peripheral vision to observe the trio. He turned back and said, “The one with the beard is versed in witchcraft. The man to his left has a vicious aura—probably a hardened fighter. The last one has bright, clear eyes—a master of formations, I’d wager.”
Officer Li nodded, taking careful note of Chen Yao’s valuable analysis.

“Chief, the clown has arrived,” Xiao Wang reported with a laugh. “You have to see his getup!”
Liang Lingzhi strode in, draped in a gambler’s black cloak, hair slicked back to show off his handsome features and a large cigar clamped between his lips, with a beauty on each arm. Behind him, Liu Fei puffed away, following in step to the rhythm of the hall’s music, clearly pleased with himself.

Seeing Liang Lingzhi’s appearance, Officer Li couldn’t help but chuckle. “Brother Chen, your apprentice is quite something! He must bring you endless amusement.”
Chen Yao shook his head with a bitter smile. “He probably has no idea that Nian Xue is here.”
Sitting next to Wan Zhengzheng, Nian Xue fumed, “That fool, draping himself in that cloak and wrapping his arms around those women—does he have a death wish? In this sweltering heat, isn’t he afraid of passing out?”
As Liang Lingzhi swaggered past, Nian Xue couldn’t resist taunting him. “Well, well, isn’t this our man of the hour? Out of jail so soon?”
Hearing her voice, Liang Lingzhi nearly dropped his cigar. “Damn, Nian Xue is here too? Officer Li told me she wouldn’t be!”
Instead of backing down, he hammed it up even more, pointing his ring-laden hand playfully at Nian Xue as he walked. “This young lady—so mischievous! Ha! Ha ha!”
He didn’t even pause by her side, but kept his arms around the beauties as he made his way to his VIP table.

To outsiders, Liang Lingzhi looked every bit the frivolous playboy. In the art of putting on airs, he was undeniably masterful.
Nian Xue fumed, “All right, so you want to be mischievous? Just wait until this is over—I’ll show you mischief!”
As the hall filled with guests, the sound of a gong marked the official start of the much-anticipated antiques auction.