Chapter 356: The Backer Is Here! Talk Big Now

Chapter 356 -194: The Backer Is Here! Talk Big Now

A faint scent of sandalwood hung in the air—not strong, but a subtle, lingering fragrance, as if incense burned long ago had yet to fully fade.

Hearing footsteps, Boss Qu looked up.

When he saw Dong Hui, his eyes lit up. He immediately put down the velvet cloth and the bronze artifact he was holding, a warm smile spreading across his face as he hurried out from behind the counter to greet him.

“Boss Dong, what a rare pleasure!” Boss Qu said, his words tinged with a slight southern accent.

He clasped Dong Hui’s hand with both of his, shaking it firmly before patting his arm with the enthusiasm one would show a long-lost brother.

Dong Hui smiled in return. “Boss Qu, long time no see. How’s business been lately?”

“Thanks to you, Boss Dong, I’m getting by, getting by,” Boss Qu said with a chuckle, his gaze shifting from Dong Hui to Wan Ze.

He sized Wan Ze up, his eyes pausing for a moment on the baseball cap and black mask, but he showed no sign of surprise.

People in the antique business, especially underground antique dealers, were used to clients who preferred not to show their faces. It was commonplace.

Boss Qu looked at Dong Hui, his expression questioning. “And this is?”

“A friend of mine. He’s interested in old artifacts and wanted to have a look,” Dong Hui said, leaving it at that. He didn’t elaborate on Wan Ze’s identity, nor did he ask Wan Ze to introduce himself.

Boss Qu was an old hand at this. He understood immediately and didn’t press further, simply smiling and nodding at Wan Ze. “Welcome, welcome. Feel free to look around.”

Wan Ze gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

The old artifacts glowed with a quiet luster under the warm yellow lights, and Wan Ze’s heart began to beat a little faster.

‘To use Stealing Celestial Secret, I need to touch these old artifacts, these vessels of time and heritage.’

‘I just don’t know how many of them will trigger a reaction.’

Dong Hui and Boss Qu exchanged a few pleasantries—the usual meaningless chatter about the nice weather, decent business, and how well the other looked—but Wan Ze didn’t pay them any mind.

His attention was completely captivated by the objects on the Treasure Pavilion shelves.

Wan Ze walked to the nearest Treasure Pavilion, his eyes scanning the items on display.

The top shelf held several pieces of porcelain—blue-and-white ware, famille rose pieces, and monochrome glazes—seven or eight items in total, of various sizes.

The second shelf was for jade ware: Jade Pendants, jade bi discs, and Jade Congs. They were all small, and each one was exquisitely carved.

The third shelf held miscellaneous items: bronze mirrors, seals, and a few other trinkets whose purpose was unclear.

Wan Ze’s gaze swept quickly over the objects before finally settling on one in particular.

It was an Eight-Cut Blade.

The blade was about the length of a forearm, with a slight curve to its edge, a thick spine, and a sharp point.

The hilt was wooden, wrapped with dark cordage that had been worn smooth and shiny, a clear sign it had been held countless times.

A dark layer of oxidation coated the blade’s surface. There were no rust spots, but it also lacked any dazzling gleam. It was like a silent old soldier who had no need to prove his worth through appearances.

Wan Ze involuntarily reached out, his hand moving toward the Eight-Cut Blade.

‘I have to touch it.’

Just as his fingertips were about to brush against the hilt…

“Boss Dong, long time no see!”

A hearty, booming voice called out from behind him, laced with a deliberately forced enthusiasm.

But beneath that warmth was something unsettling.

Dong Hui’s face fell instantly.

A flicker of annoyance crossed his features; the corners of his mouth turned down for a split second before he forced them back into a smile, though it was noticeably stiff.

He turned to face the newcomer.

The man was in his forties, tall and broad-shouldered. He wore a dark, custom-tailored suit. The cut was perfect, and a single glance was enough to tell the fabric wasn’t cheap.

His hair was meticulously combed and slicked back with gel, so shiny a fly would lose its footing on it.

Two bodyguards stood behind him.

Both were tall and powerfully built, with wide shoulders and thick necks. They stood like a pair of brick walls.

They wore black suits and black sunglasses, their hands clasped in front of them. Their faces were expressionless, like two emotionless robots.

Seeing the new arrival, Boss Qu plastered an even more enthusiastic smile on his face. He hurried over to greet him, his posture a clear notch more subservient than it had been with Dong Hui.

His back seemed to bend a little deeper, and his smile was full of sycophantic pleasantry.

“Supervisor Zheng! What an honor! Forgive me for not greeting you at the door, forgive me!”

Supervisor Zheng, however, didn’t even glance at Boss Qu. His gaze locked directly onto Dong Hui. His smile didn’t change, but his eyes held the playful cruelty of a cat toying with a mouse.

“Boss Dong, hope you’ve been well,” Supervisor Zheng said as he ambled over.

Dong Hui gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Supervisor Zheng, your information network is certainly impressive. I just got here, and you’re right behind me.”

“What a coincidence. I was just passing by.” Supervisor Zheng stopped less than a meter from Dong Hui.

He was a good half a head taller than Dong Hui, and his towering perspective naturally created a sense of pressure.

But Supervisor Zheng’s gaze didn’t linger on Dong Hui for long. It slowly swept over every corner of the shop before finally landing on Wan Ze.

His eyes rested on Wan Ze for two seconds, looking him up and down.

A baseball cap and a black mask. No face, no age. One could only judge from his build and posture that he was a young man.

Supervisor Zheng turned his head to look at Dong Hui and asked with feigned indifference, “Boss Dong, you know the rules here, don’t you? Bringing a new face… without registering him?”