Charlie nodded before he smiled and said, “I’ve come to meet all the masters here today.”A middle-aged man dressed in a long gown asked in surprise, “So, is this the buyer who bought the final treasure at the auction for one hundred million dollars?”Finn smiled before he introduced Charlie to the crowd. “Yes, this is Mr. Wade.”“What? Can he be considered a master too?” Zeke asked as he glanced at Charlie disdainfully. After that, he smiled before he said, “It seems as though anyone can call themselves a master nowadays. Any piece of trash on the street can also call themselves a master. However, though Mr. Yaleman is truly a master, he is so humble and he always keeps a low-profile.”The crowd of people felt very awkward as soon as Zeke finished speaking.Even though Zeke was belittling Charlie on purpose, everyone else agreed that Charlie could not be called a master, whether because of his age or the way he dressed.Almost all of the guests present here today were masters in
At this time, Zeke suddenly spoke up, “Everyone, please calm down. Mr. Yaleman is also doing this in consideration of the metaphysics circle! In the past, all of us were scattered all over the place. Now, if we choose to organize ourselves and form an alliance led by a single leader, it will definitely be more convenient for us to deal with any enemies in future. Moreover, if the challenger chooses a category that you aren’t good at, wouldn’t it be best for the rest of us? Our leader should be someone who is qualified and proficient in all aspects and disciplines in metaphysics.”After he spoke, some of the people sternly objected to the idea while some of the guests actually felt that this was indeed a good opportunity.After all, the winner would be given the opportunity to demand something from the loser. Moreover, if they got the first place, they would also be regarded as the leader of the metaphysics world.Metaphysics was not solely an academic term!If someone was seriously
Mr. Yaleman simply smiled without saying anything.Everyone was curious as they waited for the results.An hour passed by quickly and at this time, Jared was staring into space as he was feeling a little nervous.Suddenly, a loud bang was heard from the west! After that, a strong wind swept across the garden and there was a slight vibration from the ground.Zeke smiled as he looked at his cell phone and said, “Based on the news feed that I have just received, it seems as though someone tried to move some quarry rocks and it caused an explosion and a 2.4 magnitude earthquake in the west. The police have already arrested the culprit.”At this time, Jared raised his head and he no longer looked as arrogant as he was before this. He smiled awkwardly before he said, “Mr. Yaleman, you’re really incredible! I admit defeat. Today, I, Jared Young, have lost to you. I will withdraw from this banquet immediately.”After that, Jared picked up his jade before he turned around as he was prepar
Travis was a man with a very high status and reputation. Therefore, he felt very irritated by Jack’s words. “What do you mean?”“Mr. Lane, let me deal with him!”Matthew said in a deep voice at this time as he stepped forward to defend Travis. “If you dare to stop Mr. Lane from leaving, then do not blame me for being merciless.”Everyone started cheering when they saw that Matthew was about to make a move.“Mr. Gibson, let this despicable man taste the power of your fists!”“An outsider actually wants to be in control of the entire metaphysics circle. He must be crazy! I think he should stop daydreaming.”“Hold him back. Don’t let him get his way!”At this time, Jack smiled as he glared at Matthew with a cold expression on his face. “If you really think you can defeat me, then bring it on.”Matthew was furious at this time and he launched himself towards Jack as he aimed his fist at his face. This was obviously a very powerful punch because Matthew was not an ordinary man.“Do
At this time, Matthew was still lying on the ground and his face was flushed red with embarrassment. He could not control his own body or reflexes and he really felt like dying right then.Jack waved his hand and Matthew lost all of his strength and he collapsed to the ground immediately. He felt extremely ashamed of himself at this time.“Well, so are you finally convinced now, Mr. Gibson?” Zeke asked as he laughed.Matthew gritted his teeth and blood oozed out of his gums as he murmured bitterly, “Fine, you win…you win…”When Matthew finally lowered his head as he was utterly defeated, the whole courtyard was silent as no one dared to say anything anymore.After that, Jack turned his head to look at Charlie before he said, “So, you snatched the valuable clam that I wanted to buy at the auction the other day. Since you’ve already witnessed my skills and magical abilities today, do you still dare to be so arrogant now?”Charlie shrugged before he said, “Just two simple strokes an
When Jack saw that Charlie was persistent to the end, he could only sneer as he instructed Zeke. “It seems as though some people are really tired of living. No matter what it is, I will teach him where he stands. Zeke, please get me a three-pillar sandalwood, a purple gold incense burner, and a peach wooden sword. I will show him what a true master is.”Zeke did not dare to react slowly. Therefore, he quickly prepared all the items that Jack asked for.After a short while, Jack placed the sandalwood into the incense burner. At this time, thick clear smoke from the incense filled the air.Mr. Yaleman raised the peach wooden sword before he started chanting immediately.At this time, Graham, who was standing next to him, suddenly felt very dizzy as though someone had just given him a few shots. He endured it for a short while before he pleaded, “Mr. Yaleman, how long will this last…”“The ‘yin’ energy in your family is very heavy right now. That is the reason why it might take som
Charlie replied coldly, “That is your lifeline. The reason why the evil spirit could be appeased so easily is because Jack is using your life as a trade-off! Within three days, this red line will extend all the way to your elbow! After that, you will drop dead immediately. Jack is using all the virtues and good deeds that you have accumulated in your lifetime, and he is sacrificing your life in exchange for the lives of the rest of the Quinton family members!”Graham was shocked when he heard Charlie’s words. He froze in place because he was utterly shocked.Adam was also panicking at this time as he looked at the people around them.All of the masters who were present nodded slightly as they witnessed this scene. Graham will not live for more than three days.Adam knelt on the ground before he begged Jack, “Mr. Yaleman! Please, please save my second uncle’s life!”At this time, Jack stared at Adam with an arrogant expression on his face as he sneered and said, “I have already use
In less than five minutes, all the fresh dishes on the table had already turned rotten and countless black mosquitoes started emerging from the rotten food.There was a rooster that the White family had raised ever since it was a chick in the White family courtyard.A few black mosquitoes flew to the rooster at a very fast speed. After less than ten seconds, the rooster started screaming as it flapped its wings frantically. After that, it fell to the ground and started convulsing until it dropped dead.Within a few seconds, many large black mosquitoes started emerging from the feathers of the dead rooster.At this time, the black mosquitoes were densely packed in the sky as they rushed towards the crowd of people like a whirlwind.It was very chaotic in the courtyard as the crowd of people tried desperately to avoid the black mosquitoes, as not only were the black mosquitoes extremely poisonous but they could also enter a person’s flesh through a wound on the skin.Even though th
Jacob was naturally gleeful that he could get the late medieval bronze sculpture along with its base. Right after he wired the agreed upon ninety-eight grand to Mr. Cardensky, he was already imagining how Raymond would buy it from him for several hundred grand.On the other hand, once Mr. Cardensky received the transfer, he saw the name on the account: Jacob Wilson.He was left perplexed—wasn't that man's last name Montague? Who was this Jacob Wilson?Still, he didn't worry about it too much since most antique hustlers preferred to work with anonymity and therefore, using a different name was perfectly normal.He then carefully wrapped up the bronze sculpture before passing it Jacob, asking politely, "Would you happen to have any other requests, Mr. Montague? I have plenty of other items here if you'd permit me to give an introduction."Jacob shook his head, "Just this sculpture will do. I'm not fully confident in your work either since this is our first deal, so I'm just trying i
Jacob asked, "Then, what would this sculpture be worth if it was genuine?"Mr. Cardensky thought about it. "Well, there are standards when it comes to Renaissance relics, but with something this exquisite, it'd definitely be auctionable for one or two million—and that's the conservative estimate.""How much would you sell it to me for?" Jacob then asked."Thirty percent of the market price," Mr. Cardensky quickly replied. "As I've said, the conservative estimate for this one is around one to two million, so we will set the price with the median estimate value at 1.5 million. And thirty percent means 450 grand."Jacob shook his head right away. "No, no, no… that's too expensive. What if I end up unable to sell it, on top of that?"In his mind, while he could barely accept that pricing, he still needed Raymond to be able to afford it if he wanted to swindle Raymond for twice the money.Mr. Cardensky quickly chuckled, "Oh, Mr. Montague—now you're being too serious. In this business,
"Okay!"Mr. Cardensky smiled and pointed at a nearby farmyard. "There's our workshop—the good stuff is all in there. Allow me to take you there!"The farmyard seemed uninteresting at first glance, but Mr. Cardensky soon led them to the stables and brushed off the straws covering the floor, revealing a plank laid flat on the ground.Mr. Cardensky then lifted it, revealing a passage below—they had dug a cellar into the ground beneath, with the stables as an entry point.As Jacob followed Mr. Cardensky down the cellar, he exclaimed in awe, "Your operation is definitely big, digging such a huge cellar!"Mr. Cardensky smiled humbly. "Anyone working in the business would have sustained their losses before. In the end, we're all folk of humble origins, starting out with raiding tombs or excavating artifacts. Just digging a cellar is really nothing."As they conversed, they cleared the stairs and arrived at the main hall.It was certainly a hall as it was around a hundred square meters,
Zachary nodded repeatedly. "Mr. Montague? Very well!""Yes!" Jacob grinned smugly. "Longer last names are simply better—it just sounds so authoritative."With that agreed upon, both men alighted, where the master was waiting nearby.Seeing them get off, he hurried over to them, smiling, "Please, follow me."Zachary looked around and huffed, "Honestly, Mr. Cardensky, isn't this way too far from the highway? The road is narrow and terrible, and I have to park my car all the way out here. Just coming here is taxing."Mr. Cardensky smiled in turn. "My friend, that's exactly why we picked this place. Do you remember seeing a couple of cars parked by the road, occupying half of it?""We arranged for them to be there. Anyone coming by car would have to slow down that way, buying time for us to see who they truly are. If it's cops, our watchers would quietly text us while we clean the house and bail."Zachary exclaimed in realization, "You boys really run a tight ship!""For sure," Mr.
After working in Antique Street for years, Zachary's connections and influence were naturally special. And yet, though he was acquainted with some of the more impressive individuals, he was not that close with them either.For example, the forgery masters who worked specifically to deceive experts only accepted jobs from major clients, usually antique traders high in social status and wealth.In contrast, they wouldn't ever be interested in frivolous people like Zachary. Even if he could reach them, they might not look at him twice.If one would describe them as the cartel boss, then Zachary would be a low-level enforcer, managing night joints or goofing off.But now, Zachary had turned over a new leaf—he worked under Don Albert, so one of those masters was pleasantly surprised when he called one of them, inviting him to his own workshop for a visit and further discussion.As such, Zachary picked up Jacob and went over to the master's hideout where the latter worked on his count
Zachary was naturally shrewd enough to read Jacob's intention.In reality, he wasn't offering to pay just because he wanted the profit. He merely wanted to get in Jacob's good graces. After all, wouldn't Jacob be even more grateful that he wasn't just helping his revenge but also helping him make money?As such, he didn't hesitate to tell Jacob, "Well, chief—since you'll be paying, I will make sure that you will get every cent of profit that you deserve."Jacob was grinning ear-to-ear, but he said, "Oh, you don't have to! If we really are making a profit, there's no way I would let your good work go unrewarded!"Spreading his arms, he continued generously, "How about this? I will pay the full cost while you get twenty percent of the net profit!"Zachary laughed. "Now, that can wait, chief. We need to pay as soon as we decide on the item we want, and there's no time for buyer's regret. But if Raymond doesn't take the bait, all that money will go down the drain, and whether we can s
Zachary chuckled and continued, "Well, I went to Antique Street and asked around. Turns out our mutual friend only brought a few hundred thousand grand with him. If he messes up and loses all his money, won't it be over for him?""He won't just be broke either—he'd be humiliated and forced to fuck off from Antique Street. You'd get even then!"Jacob was at once excited.Just yesterday, Claire and Charlie were warning him that assault meant doing time.As the vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association and the next presidential-hopeful, he would lose his place if he was charged with assault or being an accessory to a case.However, Zachary's plan was much better. Jacob wouldn't have to take responsibility, and the damage on Raymond would be even worse!In comparison, slapping Raymond meant nothing. Watching him go broke and get humiliated would really ease his heart!With that in mind, he promptly pressed Zachary, "Are you sure that prick will mess up?""I can't a
Jacob Wilson was in his office at the Calligraphy and Painting Association, planning his itinerary in Dubai.Still, he was immediately thrilled when Zachary told him that there was progress, and he quickly said, "Come see me at the Calligraphy and Painting Association. We'll talk in my office!""Alright!" Zachary agreed to it happily. "Just wait, Mr. Wilson. I'll be right there!"Jacob then quickly told him, "By the way, remember to address me as the vice president when you're here. Got it?"Zachary was naturally sharp enough to understand why, especially around other members of the Calligraphy and Painting Association.Smiling, he said, "Don't worry, chief. You can always be at ease when I'm on the job!"Once he hung up, he drove to the Calligraphy and Painting Association at top speed.There were just a dozen people around the dozens of work cubicles although Zachary was curious about the personal effects or office tools in the cubicles.After asking around, a staff member le
Then, Mick continued, "I won't lie—Moore Group's bean counters have been eager to get rid of Vintage Deluxe for a while now. It's only Miss Moore's insistence that keeps them at bay, even occasionally coming to check on how business is going. That means she holds sentiment for this place, but if she knows that Raymond is back and doing well, she might hire him again!"Zachary could laugh right then. After all, Mick was terrible at gathering information—he could worry about anyone taking his palace, but not Raymond. The man was fired because he had insulted Master Wade's father in-law, and Miss Moore was endlessly respectful—even obedient to Master Wade. There was no chance that she would hire Raymond back after what he had done, and Mick was just being paranoid.However, Zachary did not tell Mick that.As Mick was begging him to intervene and thus owing him big time, he would also be helping Jacob Wilson get even.Two birds with one stone, so why not?With that in mind, Zachar