Although there were undercurrents surging in the Middle East, everything was still calm in Aurous Hill.After Sheldon and Yashita’s wedding, the guests from the Schulz family who had come to attend their wedding also left one after the other. Lord Schulz flew back to Madagascar reluctantly, and Jaime also prepared to return to the southwest to continue his pilgrimage. Since Sheldon had decided to settle down in Aurous Hill, he still temporarily lived in the Harker family villa after getting married. At the same time, since he had regained his freedom, he also began to look for a suitable house in Aurous Hill with Yashita. Vera never left her courtyard in Scarlet Pinnacle Manor. She spent most of her time painting aside from eating, drinking tea, and reading books.The wooden table she had asked Madam Marilyn to buy specifically for her to paint was placed in the living room on the first floor. A painting that was about three and a half meters had already taken shape on top of t
“There’s nothing unsafe about it.” Vera said seriously, “They won’t be able to do anything. Even if they thought hard for a whole year, it would be impossible for them to think that after I was almost captured by them, I would come to Aurous Hill to study at a university instead of finding a remote location to hide. This will be very surprising for them.”Mr. Raven sighed and said respectfully, “Miss, please forgive me if I am overstepping my boundaries. It’s definitely a good idea if you take refuge in Scarlet Pinnacle Manor, but you will come into contact with a lot of people at once if you attend university. Even though they are all university students, you will still be at risk as long as you increase your exposure!” Vera nodded and said, “I understand this reasoning, but I don’t have any other way now. It’s simply a fantasy for me to go against the Qing Eliminating Society with the resources and strength I can gather now. I don’t want to hide for the rest of my life, so the onl
Caden’s body tensed up nervously when he heard Charlie’s voice. He stepped forward to greet Charlie when he saw him coming in and then knelt at a distance of two to three meters away from Charlie as he said gratefully, “Thank you for your support, Master Wade!”After receiving the pill given by Charlie, Caden had successfully entered the Great Perfection Realm of the Illuminating Realm that he had been dreaming of after a short period of seclusion. When Caden knelt before Charlie, this attracted the attention of many patients who were here to see the doctor. They wondered why the old man was kneeling to such a young man.Charlie shook his head helplessly, stepped forward, and helped Caden up as he whispered, “Don’t call me Master Wade or kneel in front of me in front of outsiders in the future.”Caden thought that Charlie was being polite to him, so he hurriedly said, “Master Wade, you have shown great kindness to me, so isn’t it only natural for me to pay my respects to you?”Ch
Charlie said indifferently, “Take a look at yourself in the mirror. You’re grinning from ear to ear.” Caden hurriedly flipped the vanity mirror on the passenger side down and saw that he was indeed smiling rather depravedly. He hastened to suppress his smile and said awkwardly, “I’m sorry, Master Wade. I lost control…” After saying that, in order to ease his embarrassment, he quickly asked, “Master Wade, where are you bringing me?”Charlie said, “I’m bringing you to look at your future workplace.”“My workplace?” Caden was surprised and subconsciously asked, “I wonder what kind of work you have arranged for me, Master Wade?”Charlie said casually, “You’ll be working as a trainer in Aurous Hill over the next period of time. I have gotten a place, and I’ll send a batch of students to you in a couple of days. You’ll be responsible for helping me teach them martial arts.”Caden blurted out, “What? Teach them martial arts? Master Wade, the martial arts mental cultivation method that I
Caden was once again speechless. Charlie said, “Why don’t you write out the Taoist Sect’s martial arts mental cultivation method and show it to me, and I’ll know at a glance whether it’s complete or not.”Caden’s face turned pale, and he was depressed as he said, “Master Wade, just say the word if you want the Taoist Sect’s martial arts mental cultivation method, and I’ll write it down for you immediately. You don’t have to try to fool me like a child…”As he spoke, he explained sincerely, “I’m not reluctant to share our martial arts mental cultivation method with you. I’m mainly worried that I won’t be able to face my ancestors in the future if our martial arts mental cultivation method spreads out to outsiders in the future…”Charlie snorted and said, “You claim to be loyal to me but you still miss your ancestors. You’re really hypocritical!”Caden quickly waved his hand and said, “Master Wade, you’ve misunderstood! I’m truly dedicated to serving you wholeheartedly and I wouldn’t
When Caden heard this, he was slightly startled and sneered as he said, “Master Wade, you’re really good at making jokes. Although my strength is far inferior to yours, I’ve broken through to the Great Perfection Realm of the Illuminating Realm thanks to your blessing…”Charlie pretended to be surprised and asked, “Oh, is that so? Why can’t I see that you’ve entered the Great Perfection Realm of the Illuminating Realm?”Caden smiled and said, “You’re really forgetful, Master Wade. Have you forgotten that you personally gifted a pill to me?”Charlie nodded and said, “I remember giving you a pill, but when did you achieve a breakthrough in the Great Perfection Realm of the Illuminating Realm?”Caden did not understand Charlie’s words and felt a little apprehensive. He could only ask, “Master Wade, are you… are you mad at me? In truth, I’m willing to stay here by your side if you don’t want me to go back to the United States…”Charlie said seriously, “No, Master Howton, you’ve misund
Charlie said very seriously, “Master Howton, you may have really misunderstood me. I really did not make your cultivation level regress.” Having said that, Charlie deliberately pretended to suddenly remember something, slapped his forehead, and said, “I’m sorry, Master Howton. It might be because of a problem with this car of mine. My car has a special function. This car will gradually seal the meridians of the passenger in the passenger seat, and the passenger’s cultivation level will become lower and lower. Thus, I advise you to get out of the car quickly to prevent your cultivation level from declining any further.” Caden was really on the verge of crying. His expression was very ugly as he pleaded, “Master Wade, please stop making fun of me. I’m not a three-year-old child, so how can I believe such nonsense?”Charlie said with a smile, “You really don’t believe me?”Caden nodded desperately and said, “I really don’t believe it!”Charlie smiled slightly and then transferred a l
When Caden saw that Charlie was about to leave, he subconsciously begged, “Master Wade, don’t be in a hurry to leave! Master Wade, I know that I was wrong now. Please give me another chance to make up for my mistake!”Charlie smiled and said, “Look at what you’re saying! What’s wrong with you obeying your ancestors’ orders? Don’t deny yourself or be presumptuous. I still have things to do, so I’ll leave first. We’ll talk later.”Caden did not dare to let Charlie leave just like that. After all, wouldn’t he lose his four meridians directly if Charlie really left and refused to acknowledge him in the future?! Therefore, he could only open the car door as he spoke with tears and snot in his nose, “Master Wade, cultivation is not easy! Please give me another chance on account of my good attitude in repenting!”Charlie smiled slightly and said, “I’m sorry, I really can’t give you another chance. It’s just four meridians, anyway, so you can go back and cultivate in seclusion so that you c
"Alright!" Trippy was at once fawning, tagging along behind Raymond like a little child.Around thirty people were waiting in front of Treasure Measure by now. The collectors came in twos or threes, and all ten numbers had since been taken.Before Raymond arrived, he had a brief look at the collectors' faces through the security cameras before walking over, and he was really relieved to see no familiar faces.Having traded Oskian antiques for years abroad, it was only natural that he was acquainted with some of the elite collectors in the country.He also knew that they were especially demanding with the quality of their collection and wanted almost flawless items. As such, the bronze sculpture which had been completely lost wouldn't interest them.Still, he was also a little concerned that amongst the elite collectors he knew, there might be some who were losing money and losing purchasing power in turn. If they happened to take an interest in the bronze sculpture on top of that,
Trippy grinned. "I mean, just look at my stall—ain't no way I'm getting any business here. Why not let me check out this item of yours? And see how interested they are? I'm really interested in learning and upping my game."Then, as if worried that Raymond would refuse, he quickly added, "Don't worry—I promise to stay in a corner and just watch."Still, Raymond could guess right then that someone must have sent Trippy to spy on him.It didn't matter whether it was Mick, Jacob, or Zachary either—they were all in this plot together, and one knowing meant all three knowing.Trippy was a gossiper in nature. If he was allowed to witness the whole process, everyone down Antique Street would definitely know before long.In fact, he could use someone like that right now, and Trippy had come straight to his doorstep.With that in mind, Raymond smiled, "Come join me if you're interested. It's not like there's anything to hide…"Pausing, he then warned Trippy, "But since you're going in my
After watching Mick's video, Jasmine's opinion of the man improved considerably.She was actually well aware that the decline of Vintage Deluxe was mostly due to Mick's incompetence.However, as Jasmine was now managing a billion-dollar company, she couldn't spare any time to ask many questions about Vintage Deluxe's performance. In her opinion, as long as Vintage Deluxe didn't lose too much money or ruin the reputation they had worked so hard to build, she wasn't interested in a regime change.It was the same mindset as Marianne Long, who begged her father to keep that lane full of food stalls in Hong Kong over sentiment.As such, seeing that Mick actually had some skill pleased her considerably.She couldn't resist checking out the comments of the video too.She saw that many were praising the manager of Vintage Deluxe for taking a tough stand against the scammer as well as how Vintage Deluxe's reputation was long-standing and without comparison.She soon noticed Jacob's comme
Soon, more collectors had gathered outside Treasure Measure even before Raymond showed up at Antique Street, with over ten of them gathered outside in no time at all.Since Raymond had only prepared ten slips, the rest left in disappointment seeing that they had no chance.Even so, the ten collectors who had gotten a number were nervous—save for the first man who had arrived.The details on the online sales post insisted that the price was fixed, and that first-come first-serve applies.If he bought the bronze sculpture, the other nine would have come all this way for nothing.However, if the seller decided to make it an auction, they would have a chance too, although their net profit would thin in turn. After all, they could have acquired the bronze sculpture for just 20 million, and that meant a solid 8 million in profit.An auction would at least raise the price to 27 million, and more would make it chicken feed.If they gave up at that point, it was a waste of a trip.If
Trippy naturally wasn't going to tell Mick everything word-for-word, so he said vaguely, "Uh, they were just being stubborn and refused to listen to anything I said. They kept saying that they wouldn't know until they saw the actual item."Mick got out of bed, staring at his phone as he mused to himself.This was getting a little ridiculous, was it not? A fool who was scammed, actually able to scam someone else? But if he really could sell it, wouldn't all their work be for nothing?With that in mind, he promptly called Zachary, who wasn't even up yet.Ever since he had started working for Don Albert, his daily routine was no longer the same as the days when he was a humble stall owner working on Antique Street, but a man of importance who slept late and woke up late.In the evening, he would be spending his time patrolling Don Albert's night entertainment properties as well as holding meetings with subordinates to decide on management policies and the like. That was why he wo
Seeing that Mick had a favor to ask, Trippy was naturally eager to seize the opportunity to get in his good graces."Don't worry, Mr. Crane!" He promptly replied. "Just leave it to me!"Returning to Treasure Measure, he went up to the first man who had come and said, "Hey, brother… Did you come to buy the bronze sculpture from Mr. Cole?"The man asked warily, "You know about the bronze sculpture?""Of course!" Trippy grinned. "I know all too well—it's actually famous here in Aurous Hill."Whipping out his phone, he played the short video that Mick had spent five grand promoting, saying, "Here—check this out!"Curious, the man took the phone and watched the video solemnly.The other latecomer soon hurried over as well and stared fixedly at the screen too.They watched as Bill entered a room with the bronze sculpture with Mick, the latter who checked it out and started commenting on it.The first man exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, it really is that bronze sculpture."The second ma
The other antique traders who were keeping tabs on the situation were left confused by Trippy's message.[Maybe even those out-of-towners know that Raymond is a sucker? So they traveled overnight just to see what happens?][I know Raymond is in trouble, but is it really worth traveling hundreds of miles just to watch?][Maybe they know he's a sucker, so they came to sell him more counterfeits?][Shit, that must be it! Suckers are rare these days, after all!][Damn straight! Just knowing that there's one in Aurous Hill, you'd be eager to come over.]Even Mick Crane who had just woken up and saw the message immediately sent a voice message: "Those conmen are just like flies flocking around shit as soon as they smell it.""Oh, but what they don't know is that Raymond has no more money! I heard he only had a few hundred thousand for the startup, and the bronze sculpture must have cost most of it. I'm afraid those people won't even get their gas money and toll costs back after travel
Trippy rolled his eyes as he texted back: [Hell no. I need to start my business instead of wasting my time. You morons can come get a number yourself if you like. Haha!]Still, Trippy had just sent his text when a trio arrived in a hurry outside Treasure Measure.Seeing that the doors were closed, the leader asked Trippy, "Excuse me, can I ask if this is Treasure Measure? Owned by a man named Mr. Cole?"Trippy was at once surprised. "You mean Raymond Cole?"The leader quickly said, "We don't know his first name, only that his last name is Cole, and his handle name was Treasure Measure's Mr. Cole."Trippy chuckled. "That'd be him. Has to be, since he hand wrote that shop sign."Pausing, he then asked in curiosity, "So, you've come to see him being a sucker?"The leader was naturally curious as to what Trippy was talking about. However, he was also reluctant to reveal why he had come since there was a killer bargain at stake. In fact, every other collector who was coming was k
Raymond also added that the 20 million price tag wouldn't be cut or increased. To put it simply, the bronze sculpture was right there in Aurous Hill and waiting—it was a race.Hence, many reputable collectors contacted expert appraisers throughout the night, some even booking night flights straight to Aurous Hill.The best amongst them was a fanatic collector of bronze items in Eastcliff.Following a brief exchange with Raymond online, he immediately called an expert who was also a close friend. As soon as his call was answered, he asked the other man if he had time to travel to Aurous Hill so that no one else would beat them to it—and they would drive out in the night if at all possible.After all, the earliest flight was at six in the morning, and it'd be eight by the time they made it to Aurous Hill Airport and nine by the time they got to Antique Street in a cab.Therefore, the ideal way to get there was by driving over six hundred miles at top speed, and that meant reaching A