Vera's words made Charlie a bit cautious. He couldn't help but ask her, “Do you think there's something off about her identity?”Vera nodded gently, affirming, “I've encountered some monks who are quite knowledgeable in Buddhism in the past. They all strictly adhere to Buddhist teachings, often quoting scriptures and using Buddhist wisdom in their daily lives and conversations. In simpler terms, even in everyday life, they always relate everything back to Buddhism. But for that abbess, apart from mentioning Amitabha, she rarely talked about Buddhism. So, I suddenly felt that she might not truly be an abbess.”Charlie became alert and said, “If she's not a real abbess, that means she was disguising herself as one here in order to wait for us. Regardless of whether she's an enemy or a friend, there must be another force at work behind her apart from the Qing Eliminating Society.”Vera nodded, saying seriously, “But don't worry too much, Young Master. I think they're definitely not ene
Charlie nodded and said, “Okay. Let's go up and have a look first.”-When the two arrived at the entrance of Quiant Monastery, the main gate was already tightly shut. However, when Charlie pushed it gently, the gate opened with a creaking sound.Charlie stepped inside, looked at the sturdy wooden bolt behind the gate, and furrowed his brows as he said, “It seems as if they knew we were coming and purposely left the gate open for us.”Vera's expression was somewhat shocked as she murmured, “They've taken every step that we are going to take into account…”Charlie chuckled self-deprecatingly, saying, “That’s right. I thought we were hiding well, but it turns out that they know everything. The key is they can anticipate everything. I really can’t wrap my head around it.”Vera sighed, feeling somewhat disheartened as she said, “For over three hundred years, I've always prided myself on my intellect, but now, it seems I can't compare to them at all.”Charlie smiled and said, “That's
Vera looked defeated as she looked at the three sticks of sandalwood incense that was about to burn out. She was somewhat confused as she said to Charlie, “They can even anticipate our last-minute plans. Who are they?!”Charlie shook his head. “I can't figure it out either. It feels like someone is given a God’s perspective.”With that said, he walked through the main hall, intending to explore the back courtyard, but he was drawn to a wooden door at the rear corner of the main hall.He carefully pushed open the door and found a small room of about five or six square meters inside. He glanced around but saw nothing aside from a simple wooden chair and a small wooden table less than half a meter wide. However, there was a special fragrance in the room, which was refreshing and invigorating.Upon closer inspection, Charlie noticed a string of beads on the small wooden table, which was almost the same color as the table itself. The beads, with a diameter of about one centimeter each,
Charlie couldn't help but ask her, “Do you think this represents my age?”Vera nodded, “Most likely.”Charlie asked again, “Perhaps it's just some kind of coincidence?”Vera shook her head, “It's possible outside, but not here.”Charlie continued asking, “Why do you say that?”Vera replied earnestly, “Young Master, you must understand that everything here was prepared for you. The reason they invited me in was only because I happened to be accompanying you. If I hadn't come with you, they would have met you directly.”Charlie suddenly felt a bit nervous.He felt Vera’s words made sense, but he still didn't understand who these people really were and why they were paying so much attention to him.From the moment the young nun had spoken to them voluntarily at the foot of the mountain, Charlie had been wanting to know who these people really were. Now, he was even more curious to get the answer to this question.At this moment, Vera suddenly remembered something and said, “Young
When the two came down from Quiant Monastery, Charlie kept holding the agarwood bracelet in his hand. He really wanted to know what the other person intended by leaving this bracelet for him, but after thinking about it, he still couldn't figure it out.For now, he simply decided to go along with what Vera said. The twenty-eight beads on this bracelet represented his current age. The other person had threaded twenty-eight beads into a bracelet, knowing full well that Vera would notice something unusual and return to Quiant Monastery to investigate. Yet, they had deliberately left this bracelet for him. What message were they trying to convey to him?While feeling puzzled, the two descended the mountain and started climbing back on the return path.As they ascended the mountain again, they coincidentally met several local elderly ladies. They were walking together, slowly descending from the mountain, each carrying a basket woven from vines. The baskets contained a lot of incense, pa
At that moment, the abbess turned to the middle-aged woman respectfully and asked, “Madam, what shall we do next?”The woman was gazing out of the window absentmindedly. Upon hearing the question, she replied, “Let's head to Aurous Hill. I'll stay at Qi Temple temporarily like before, and both of you should come with me. Don’t reveal yourselves once we arrive at Aurous Hill.”The nun nodded gently and said, “Okay. I'll inform the abbess at Qi Temple.”She then asked, “Madam, is there any particular girl you'd like to meet next? I'll see if I can make the necessary arrangements.”The woman raised an eyebrow, smiling as she said, “Who would I like to meet? I'd quite like to meet Ito Nanako. Among these girls, she has the most potential to join us.”The abbess smiled faintly and said, “I'll see what I can do to arrange that.”The woman nodded and chuckled, “She seems to be studying martial arts at Champs Elys Resort, right?”The abbess replied, “That’s right. She's with Rosalie and
When Charlie and Vera arrived at Entrell Airport, a private jet was just taking off, heading to Eastcliff.Many private jets and charter jets from provincial capitals flew to Eastcliff every day, so this plane didn't attract any special attention. The Wades’ Gulfstream jet had been waiting there for a while. After Charlie and Vera passed the security check and boarded the plane smoothly, the pilot immediately requested takeoff clearance from the control tower and headed directly for Aurous Hill.As the plane took off, Charlie was still twirling the agarwood bracelet around. After a period of silence during the ascent, Charlie suddenly asked Vera, “Vera, besides advising me to turn back, did the abbess you met today mention when I could return to Mount Tason?”Vera shook her head, saying, “The abbess only said that Mount Tason is too dangerous for you to venture into, but she didn't mention when you could go back. Perhaps, for safety's sake, you should never go there again.”Charl
Vera asked in surprise, “The Apocalyptic Book is so powerful yet there isn't a single mental cultivation method in it?”Charlie sighed and said, “That’s right. The Apocalyptic Book is more like a beginner's guidebook to the world of cultivation. It contains so much information, but a large part of it isn't directly related to cultivation. Instead, it's deeply connected to martial arts. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of complete martial arts mental cultivation methods listed, but there isn't a complete mental cultivation method in it…”Upon hearing this, Vera couldn't help but say, “It's like cramming all the knowledge from elementary school, middle school, and even some college-level content into one book. For elementary and middle school students, this book is unparalleled, but for college students, its usefulness isn't significant at all.”Charlie nodded and continued, “Exactly. The thing is, I only know about freshman year of college, and my perspective only extends to the en
Ramond replied, "I'm not planning on getting my name out there—I was just thinking I could start slow from one shop, but now, I'm suddenly so popular everyone's consulting me for appraisals, so I guess that's the short end of this."Either way, I'm planning to let things cool off by opening the shop late and closing early. That way, I'd receive fewer customers, and the hype will die down in a month."Once it does, I'll lead a slow life, which is perfect in Aurous Hill since it's how things are here. I'm not aiming to get rich or expand my business, and it's a comfortable life, so I plan to retire here."Charlie nodded. "The Rothschilds are relatively manageable, but I'm not sure if the Qing Eliminating Society is still looking for you and the Four-Sided Treasure Tower. You'll be completely free once they are wiped out.""And I'm sure with your abilities, Mr. Wade, that day will soon arrive." Raymond smiled and soon remembered. "By the way, you probably haven't had dinner yet, right
Charlie was never one who covered up misdeeds, and what Jacob had done reflected his corrupted character and clear refusal to feel remorse.As such, Charlie naturally refused to offer any help, completely giving up and allowing Jacob to keep going off on his own tangent, tearing himself apart in the process.Still, Raymond did put a good word in for Jacob. "Actually, one can understand Mr. Wilson's motives from a certain point of view. I was the one who set him up so that he broke that vase, and had him beaten up so that we didn't arouse suspicion. He has every reason to bear a grudge."Charlie sighed, nodding. "There's no issue with holding a grudge or getting revenge—in fact, I have no problem with him trying to salvage some pride. However, what he did was unseemly, and he doesn't know when to stop."He didn't lose anything before Zachary exposed everything. Even if he had missed a killer deal, he bought it off someone's hand in the first place and made two hundred grand in clean
With those words, Jacob didn't wait any further as he turned and left Antique Street, intent on seeking legal counsel.Raymond watched him leave before returning to Treasure Measure.He wasn't going to leave, but he had said so because he didn't want to waste much time with Jacob.Still, to avoid any trouble, he turned the sign outside to 'closed' before locking the door from the inside.That was when a man suddenly arrived, asking through the glass door, "Can I still take a look inside, sir?"Raymond was ready to refuse without even turning around when he realized that it was Charlie.He turned around and saw him standing outside just as expected.Smiling, he hurried over to open the door for him. "It's been a while, Mr. Wade!"Charlie was aware that Raymond was sticking to his identity of 'Raymond Cole' who had not been in touch since Raymond had been fired from Vintage Deluxe.Charlie chuckled in turn. "It has indeed. And you're a business owner yourself now, too.""It's j
Jacob zipped toward Raymond, his attitude immediately subservient, "I'm sure you've seen what Zachary Evans posted on his Twitter page, and to be honest, it's so terrible that my position in the Calligraphy and Painting Association has been affected too. I mean, you've made a lot of money, right?"Hell, even if you donated ten million, you'd still have another ten million and 970 thousand in net profits. So, all I'd like to ask is for you to post something to disclaim Zachary's post.Jacob's words left Raymond in thought.For Jacob, just being suspected of fraud would definitely be terrible. In fact, his position in the Calligraphy and Painting Association would definitely be threatened—if not dismissed altogether—if he wasn't cleared of suspicion.Since Jacob was Charlie Wade's father-in-law, Raymond had reason not to drive Jacob over the brink.But that also begged another question—it must be under Charlie's intention for Zachary to post his confession, and that meant Charlie in
Raymond couldn't help chuckling just as Jacob finished—he had honestly never heard of anyone who demanded a refund after donating to charity, but he was certainly seeing one now.Still, the receptionist was clearly experienced and slowly explained, "Sir, it's a legal clause of the country that all donations for philanthropy purposes can not be refunded under most circumstances—""It truly was a mistake," Jacob quickly said, cutting the receptionist off. "I was going to donate thirty thousand but pressed an extra zero by mistake. Please discuss this with your management—you just have to refund 27 thousand, see?""Sorry, sir," the receptionist apologized. "But it's a strict rule that we ourselves do not get to access the funds that have been donated into our accounts. Every donation will be screened extensively, and if you consider that there was a major oversight on your part, you may seek legal counsel to appeal for a refund. If the courts back your appeal, our organization will the
Nonetheless, Jacob darted into Treasure Measure and plucked off his mask, asking nervously, "Excuse me, Mr. Cole? It's me… Jacob Wilson…"Raymond looked up, pausing for a moment before acting as if he was actually curious, "Mr. Wilson! What brings you here? Don't tell me—you want that bronze sculpture back too?""No, no, no…" Jacob quickly shook his head. "I would never… I returned all the way from Dubai to apologize!""Apologize?" Raymond smiled faintly, and he did not play dumb this time as he asked bluntly, "Did you come back because of Zachary Evan's post?"Knowing he couldn't deny it any longer, Jacob nodded, "Yeah…"Raymond nodded and said calmly, "That's unnecessary. I was the one who benefited in the end."Jacob wasn't quite keeping up—thinking that Raymond was just trying to be nice by telling him he didn't have to apologize, he quickly pulled out his phone.Tapping on it and bringing up his transaction records, he handed it to Raymond reverently, "Mr. Cole, I understan
The cabbie chuckled. "You're a local yet you're heading to Antique Street right away as soon as you land instead of going home? And you're still saying you're not trying to pick up a killer bargain deal?"Come on, man—it's not just you, I want that too. We cabbies work ourselves to death only for ten thousand per month at best while our friend over there made twenty million in one night. I could keep driving cabs for the rest of my life and still not make that much money."Jacob knew that the cabbie must be talking about Raymond and became even more miserable then, grumbling unhappily, "I'm going to Antique Street for business—I'm not trying to pick up some missed bargain.""No? Then you didn't hear what happened yesterday?"The cabbie was immediately curious, and without waiting for Jacob's answer, he exclaimed happily, "Look, man—it was so ridiculous not even Hollywood would put it in their script. There were these fools who were trying to sell an antique trader a replica, but th
It was nighttime in Dubai as Jacob dragged his weary body from the hotel back to the airport.As he was flying economy this time, he was left sitting at the hard bench near the boarding terminal, waiting for it to open.While he waited, his heart was torn as he tapped into the website of the Aurous Hill Charity Fund, found their donation account, and wired the entire 300 thousand he had made over to them.He had picked the Aurous Hill Charity Fund because the circles of antique collectors in Aurous Hill were all discussing how Raymond had donated half of the 20 million he had made to that same charity fund.After Raymond skyrocketed to prominence in Antique Street and became a star, it could not be denied that people admired his profound ability.However, there were also people who envied his skill in turning the tables just as there were those who were jealous he had made twenty million in a single night.Still, Raymond moved fast—soon after word spread that he had made twenty m
Elaine quickly asked, "Well, what if you can't get it done?"Jacob was apprehensive even as he sighed. "If they really pressed the issue, guess I can't even stay at the Calligraphy and Painting Association now… We will see. If things get bad, I'll just resign. I won't ask for much right now, just as long as I don't have to go to jail."Elaine nodded. "Then you should try to reason things out with Raymond Cole or ask for Charlie's help if push comes to shove. Being humiliated is still better than prison.""Okay!"-It was nighttime at Aurous Hill by the time Elaine and Jacob arrived at their hotel.Charlie and Claire had just had dinner, and Claire pulled out her phone, saying, "I just checked my flight app, and it says my parents should have landed two hours ago. They are probably at the hotel, so I'll check in on them with a video call."She had yet to open her WhatsApp when Elaine called her on a video call.Jacob was planning to check in with Claire and Charlie to put their