"I'm late!" Jiang Hei exclaimed, stunned.
Su Yang pondered, realizing Zong Ze was likely engaged in a battle with assassins at this very moment. But how had he provoked them?
"You and I will go see the commotion. Chengcheng, you wait in the car," Su Yang instructed, waving his hand and leading Jiang Hei back the way they came.
Within a kilometer, the two men reached the courtyard and stealthily observed from a hidden position.
Indeed.
Zong Ze was fighting twelve assassins clad in black.
Parrying blows from left and right, Zong Ze shouted, "Suqin, don't open the door."
The door creaked open slightly, revealing Zhang Suqin's anxious and helpless face.
Jiang Hei scanned the scene, confirming the number of assassins and noting they were unarmed. "Brother Yang, these assassins are no match for the fighters we encountered at the hotel. I can handle seven or eight of them alone."
Su Yang quickly restrained him. "There's no need to risk your life for a stranger. Let's see what's happening first."
At the main gate, Zong Ze's car had all four tires slashed by the assassins, preventing his escape. Two assassins guarded the Volkswagen Tiguan, ready to flee regardless of the outcome.
Zong Ze, outnumbered, was surrounded by ten assassins in a grueling battle.
"Sanshang, Xiaoze, go in and kill that woman." The assassins intended to silence her.
Two assassins kicked ferociously at the gate. The once dilapidated courtyard's gate was now on the verge of collapse.
"Wō shù! You're from Sangguo!" Zong Ze retreated while fighting, his phone knocked several meters away by an assassin.
"Dead men have no need to ask questions. Kill!"
Though two assassins had been dealt with, Zong Ze was still overwhelmed by the attackers, sustaining several knife wounds. 138 Reading Network.
"You've got a tough hide! That cheap uniform won't save you!"
"Nonsense! The back of this uniform represents the people of Longguo, and it cannot be insulted!"
Blood stained his uniform, but Zong Ze continued his desperate fight.
Jiang Hei watched, his blood boiling. "Brother Yang, although I'm a rough fellow, I can see this man is good. He's also the disciple of a high-ranking official. If we save him, won't you earn the gratitude of two important figures?"
Su Yang's face twitched. "If you want to save him, then go ahead. Why all the detours? Go on, I'll look after your sister."
Jiang Hei scratched his head. Upon hearing they were from Sangguo, his anger flared. What Longguo man didn't despise the little Sangguo?
Seeing Zong Ze steadily losing ground, Jiang Hei stealthily approached. Circling the Tiguan, he delivered several powerful punches to the assassins' heads.
"Who's there?"
The remaining ten assassins quickly reacted, dispatching some to attack Jiang Hei.
"Excellent! Come and test my iron fists!" Jiang Hei charged forward, clenching his fists the size of sandbags and striking the assassins.
*Bang bang bang!*
The immense force sent tremors through their hands, causing them to drop their daggers.
"Boss, this guy's a martial artist."
"Damn it, you two, kill Zong Ze quickly! The rest of you, help take down this brute."
The leading assassin diverted eight men to gang up on Jiang Hei.
Jiang Hei let out a wild laugh, gathering his strength. The muscles in his arms gleamed like steel.
"Internal Force Transfer!"
Jiang Hei's heavy punch struck the man in front, sending him flying into those behind.
*Crash!*
Two assassins fell to the ground, spitting blood, their combat effectiveness gone.
On the other side, Zong Ze, now on the offensive, launched a furious assault on his opponents. After more than ten exchanges, Zong Ze defeated his enemies.
"Mission failed, retreat!"
Zong Ze collapsed at the gate, his hands bleeding profusely.
"Suqin, I'm afraid I can't protect you anymore..."
"Zong Ze..."
Zhang Suqin opened the door, embracing Zong Ze and weeping uncontrollably.
"Did we do all this for nothing?" Su Yang, who had been watching from the car, grew anxious. He rushed to Zong Ze's side and checked his pulse.
"He's only fainted from blood loss. Hei Zi, drive them to the central hospital." Su Yang tossed Jiang Hei the car keys. Jiang Hei helped Zong Ze up and, with Zhang Suqin, departed.
Su Yang put his hands in his pockets and surveyed the battlefield, a frown creasing his brow.
"People from Sangguo... what are their intentions in Longguo?" His eyes lit up as he spotted a bronze plaque on the ground.
"What is this?"
Regardless of its nature, Su Yang pocketed the plaque.
...
Forty minutes later.
Jiang Hei, running multiple red lights, arrived at Songhai's best central hospital. Zong Ze was rushed into the emergency room, with Zhang Suqin anxiously waiting outside.
Police sirens wailed outside the hospital. Su Yang guessed the security bureau had arrived.
"Hei Zi, let's go." Su Yang signaled to Jiang Hei and Zhou Chengcheng.
"Wait." Zhang Suqin ran after them, blocking their path.
"Thank you all for what you did today." Zhang Suqin's usual decisiveness seemed to have waned.
"Leave an address. When Zong Ze wakes up, we'll visit to express our gratitude and discuss that matter you mentioned." Su Yang nodded. "Actually, my father wanted to talk to you. Never mind, just come over then."
As Su Yang stepped out of the elevator, a squad of heavily armed security bureau officers sealed off the hospital. The area was cordoned off, with no one allowed in or out.
"It seems this is serious. People from Sangguo are provoking Longguo, as if it were decades ago." Su Yang chuckled. Zhou Chengcheng beside him asked, "Director Su, where do we go next?"
"Let's go shopping!" Su Yang motioned for Zhou Chengcheng to drive, heading towards Wanbao Zhai.
The system had given him ten billion. After transferring some to Liu Xu, he had spent a little here and there over the past few days. He still had over 9.8 billion. He needed to spend it wisely and quickly.
"It's so hard to spend money, I deserve to die!" Su Yang grumbled, a sentiment that, like other readers, caused Zhou Chengcheng's heart to ache inexplicably.
The Koenigsegg sped for half an hour, arriving at Wanbao Zhai. This was an antique street, filled with numerous shops alongside genuine and fake artifacts. Su Yang walked into Wanbao Ge next door, pausing for a moment before entering.
"Hello, how may I help you?"
Only an old man was in the shop, eerily quiet with no customers. The shelves were laden with antiques, all covered in dust. Su Yang muttered to himself, "It's said that a shop may not have business for three years, but then can feast for three more." These antiques, some genuine, some fake, would surely lead some unfortunate souls to pay a fortune for fakes. Just like Shi Wuzun.
"Ahem, boss, are you looking to sell?" The shop owner's eyes darted. So, he wanted to acquire the shop.
"My business is thriving, and I have no intention of selling at the moment."
Su Yang nodded and turned to leave.
"What the heck!" He left without another word. "No, that's not right. Shouldn't he have chatted a bit more? He's not playing by the rules!" The shop owner hurriedly chased after him. "Young master, I misspoke. I am indeed looking to sell."
Su Yang smiled. This fool was too cunning. "Is your shop freehold or rented?"
"Freehold. Nine out of ten shops on this street are ancestral properties. You don't need to worry about ownership, but..."
"But what? Stop dawdling and name your price!" The shop owner gritted his teeth. "My shop has been open for many years with many regular customers. Someone valued it at one hundred million, including transfer fees. If you want it, I can offer a ten percent discount."
"No discount needed. I'll take the shop and its contents." Su Yang waved his hand generously. Damn it, he wanted to save money again, but that wasn't happening. Although the shop wasn't large, only about a hundred square meters, it was freehold. Combined with Wanbao Zhai, after renovation, it would cost a considerable sum.
"Ah? No, no discount?" The shop owner exclaimed in surprise, nodding vigorously. "Yes, yes, whatever the young master wishes. And, those small items, I'll give them to you."
"I don't want gifts. Name your price." Su Yang roared. This old man was foolish; he didn't know how to make more money. The shop owner, startled, held up a finger. "Ten million, and they're all yours."
"Fine. Bring the property deed, and we'll sign the contract immediately."
"Yes, yes, I'll go right away." The shop owner beamed. This young master who spent money like water was pleasing to his eyes.
A few minutes later.
Wanbao Ge officially had a new owner.
"Young master, if you need it, this old man can manage the shop for you free of charge."
"No need. I also own Wanbao Zhai next door, and it's already being managed."
"Ah... you're monopolizing the antique business here!" The shop owner finally understood why Su Yang hadn't haggled. He was doing big business, monopolizing the area, and would soon control the entire antique market in Songcheng. The current small sum would be recouped within half a year.
"I was short-sighted." The shop owner felt his perspective was too narrow.
Zhou Chengcheng's mouth remained agape throughout the entire process, utterly astonished. The familiar dialogue, Su Yang's way of buying things – no gifts, no discounts – just willful. Jiang Hei, bewildered, lamented, "Brother Yang, earning money isn't easy. You spend it too recklessly..."
"Brother has his reasons."
"Director Su, I know some decoration companies. Should I call them?" Zhou Chengcheng, working in real estate and selling high-end villas, naturally knew people from various industries.
"Alright." Su Yang was delighted. Good things were happening one after another. Zhou Chengcheng immediately made calls.
When the decorators arrived, Su Yang used his 'Insight' ability to scan all the antiques on the shelves. Out of over a thousand items, only a dozen were genuine, about the same as Wanbao Zhai. The genuine items ranged from tens of thousands to millions, meant for discerning buyers to discover. The fakes were low-cost, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Su Yang thought it best to inform his parents as the designers were arriving soon.
Wanbao Zhai.
Su Anguo stared blankly. Without an appraiser, he dared not stock inventory. Zhang Ning repeatedly swept with a feather duster. Hearing footsteps, they assumed a customer had arrived.
"Welcome."
"Oh, son, why are you here again?" Su Anguo was displeased. "You're running around all day. How many days have you missed school?"
"Dad, your son is brilliant. Aren't you afraid of failing exams?"
Su Anguo wanted to scold him further, but remembering their previous wager, he let it go. If he lost to Su Yang again, he'd truly have to become the son.
"Uncle and Aunt, hello." Zhou Chengcheng and Jiang Hei greeted them. The elders smiled slightly.
"Chengcheng, aren't you supposed to be working today?"
"Auntie, because Director Su bought two large villas, headquarters has promoted me to manager, allowing me paid leave to accompany Director Su anytime."
"Hahaha, that's wonderful! My son is truly accomplished." Zhang Ning smiled happily, pulling Zhou Chengcheng aside to chat about Su Yang's daily life.
Su Anguo asked, "Son, you said you were going to hire an appraiser today. Will that woman agree to come?"