Chapter 126: Is There Still Untapped Treasure?

I hung up the phone, lost in thought. Hu San’s words were never spoken without purpose. If I had truly been blacklisted, it meant that every step I took from here on out would have to be taken with extreme caution.

The entire ancient city now felt like a den of predators watching me with hungry eyes. And I was the piece of fresh meat in this city that everyone had locked onto. The Bengjian Market—or rather, the Ancient Jade Gang—had to rise to power as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the number of people looking to devour me would only continue to grow.

I stood by the window, gazing out at this ancient, perilous city, and a chill crept into my heart. The streets were filled with passersby, and it felt as though every pedestrian was a potential enemy, every corner hiding an unknown secret. My hands instinctively clenched into fists, and I swore to myself that, no matter what, I would stand my ground on this land.

"Boss, there’s a situation," Chen Laobao’s voice came from outside the door.

I snapped out of my reverie and turned toward the door. "Speak. What is the news?" I asked.

"Word just came in that the entire ancient city is undergoing a major renovation. My market is also being included in the planning. There has been a lot of activity in the market lately; it seems like they’re plotting something big," Chen Laobao said in a low voice, a flicker of worry in his eyes.

I chuckled and replied quietly, "That’s hardly news. Sister Hong has already come to demand Bengjian twice!"

"What? They’re targeting the Bengjian Market too?" Chen Laobao looked at me, his expression uneasy.

I looked at him. "Is there something else you want to say?"

Chen Laobao looked at me and said, "I’m worried, Boss. Could it be the intervention of external forces?"

"External forces?" I stared at him.

"That’s right, Boss. Let me tell you, ever since Gao Youde died and his brother, Gao Qiqiang, entered our city, there have been so many changes!"

"The information I received is that Gao Qiqiang is planning to bring a group of people into the city to swallow up a portion of the market!"

I frowned, pondering his words. Gao Qiqiang—the name was, of course, no stranger to me. I had swallowed up Gao Youde’s fifty-million-debt right in front of him; how could he not hold a grudge? The scale of Gao Youde’s funeral alone was proof enough of his influence. As his brother, Gao Qiqiang was known for his ruthless methods and meticulous mind. If he was truly the one pulling the strings, things were likely far more complicated than I had imagined.

"How much do you know about Gao Qiqiang’s movements?" I asked, my gaze sharp.

Chen Laobao nodded and continued, "Our people have noticed him frequently visiting high-end clubs lately, maintaining close contact with several merchants from out of town. I hear they’re discussing how to carve up the market."

I let out a cold laugh. "It seems they’ve come prepared and won’t let the Bengjian Market go easily."

"Boss, what should we do?" There was a trace of anxiety in Chen Laobao’s voice.

I pondered for a moment before saying slowly, "Laobao, you say someone like Gao Qiqiang, a mere fishmonger, wants to break into the jade market—a completely new field for him—where is he getting the confidence?"

Chen Laobao furrowed his brows and replied after a moment, "Boss, I suspect he might have a major conglomerate backing him. Otherwise, how could a fishmonger have the capital for such a massive play?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of clarity. There was definitely a powerful force pushing Gao Qiqiang from behind the scenes. This meant that the crisis facing the Bengjian Market was not just internal, but also stemmed from external encroachment.

"Laobao, notify the brothers. Increase security immediately, especially regarding activity around the market. If there is even the slightest disturbance, report it to me at once," I ordered calmly.

"Understood, Boss." Chen Laobao acknowledged and left.

I walked back to the window, watching the night view of the ancient city, and silently vowed that no matter how powerful the forces behind Gao Qiqiang were, I would not easily surrender. The Bengjian Market was not only my foothold but also the future hope of the Ancient Jade Gang.

After Chen Laobao left, I took out the hidden map once more. I examined it in minute detail, and three minutes later, I finally spotted something. The map showed that the Bengjian Market was named as such because it was located near a cliff, built upon the ruins left behind after an ancient jadeite deposit had been completely mined out.

I stared at the markings on the map, thinking about the history of this land. "The ruins of an ancient jade mine?"

My expression shifted. I immediately intended to call Lu Yier and Pan Ximi, but Pan Ximi did not answer her phone. I had no choice but to call for Lu Yier alone.

"Do you know about the ancient jade bed beneath the Bengjian Market?" I asked, looking at Lu Yier.

Lu Yier’s expression changed slightly at the mention of it, and he nodded. "Boss, I’ve heard rumors. There is indeed a site of an ancient jade deposit beneath the Bengjian Market. They say that extremely precious jade used to be produced there."

"When we were kids and the market was being renovated, we even found some scraps of jade!"

"But you know that ancient jade suffers from calcification—in layman’s terms, it’s the degradation of the jade. Even if it has survived until now, it doesn’t have much value left!"

"Then is there any chance there is still undiscovered treasure in those ruins?" I pressed, staring sharply at him.

Lu Yier pondered for a moment before saying slowly, "Boss, I’m not entirely sure about that. But our ancestors always said that the jade bed was exhausted, which is why they built the market on top of it."

I nodded, having already made up my mind. "Lu Yier, organize your men immediately. Conduct a secret investigation of the area beneath the Bengjian Market, but be extremely careful. Do not draw anyone’s attention."

"Understood, Boss." Lu Yier nodded solemnly and left.

Hardly had Lu Yier left when my phone rang. It was Li Tiancheng.

"Li Tiancheng?" I answered, my tone guarded.

"Mr. Wang Hu, it is I," Li Tiancheng’s voice was calm and low. "Our Tiancheng Auction House has just been approached by a female client who is willing to pay a nine-figure sum for your Jade-Faced Fox, but there is only one condition: she wants to meet you in person."

"A nine-figure sum for the Jade-Faced Fox?" I raised an eyebrow. The price was enough to tempt anyone, but it only made me more vigilant.

"Who is she?" I asked, a hint of distrust in my voice.

"I don’t know her exact identity. I only know that she calls herself 'Hong Lian,' and her background is quite mysterious." Li Tiancheng paused before continuing, "However, her source of funds is impeccable. It is definitely not dirty money of unknown origin."

"Hong Lian?" I repeated the name under my breath, a sense of unease washing over me. The main thing was that "Hong" character... But then I thought, surely Sister Hong wouldn’t be foolish enough to do something like this?

"Mr. Wang Hu, are you willing to meet her?" Li Tiancheng’s voice carried a hint of anticipation.