Chapter 40

"Quick, quick—where's that precious mask?" The gray-haired old man was shouting from a distance before he even arrived.

"Elder Wu, over here, right here." Chen Xinyu stood up and waved.

"This, this mask..." Elder Wu's eyes lit up the moment he saw the Golden Mask on the table. His whole body trembled with excitement.

"Elder Wu, is this mask real?" Yu Li looked at the agitated old man with some confusion, not understanding why he was so worked up. She still harbored some doubt that the Golden Mask Xiao Hen had taken out was either stolen or a fake.

"It's real, definitely real. I've studied the ancient Khitan Kingdom's culture for a long time. This is a burial item from the most honored figures of the Khitan Kingdom long ago—a treasure of great research and collection value."

Elder Wu didn't even lift his head. As he pulled on gloves, he took a piece of snow-white silk from his case and spread it on the table. Carefully, he placed the Golden Mask on the silk, then pulled out a magnifying glass and a series of other professional tools from the case. He examined the mask, clicking his tongue in admiration.

Chen Xinyu spoke up: "Elder Wu, since this Golden Mask is genuine, could you give us an estimate?"

Elder Wu paused mid-motion, surprised. "This Golden Mask is yours? Little Chen?"

Chen Xinyu shook her head and pointed at Xiao Hen. "The Golden Mask belongs to Mr. Xiao."

"Mr. Xiao wants to sell this mask?" Elder Wu asked.

"Yes. Please, Elder Wu, give me an estimate." Xiao Hen nodded.

"Tsk tsk, this is a fine piece. Wouldn't it be a shame to just sell it?" Elder Wu gently stroked the Golden Mask, his face full of admiration.

"No choice. I'm short on money." Xiao Hen shrugged.

"This Golden Mask is indeed an ancient item from over a thousand years ago. My base price is eight million." Elder Wu lowered his head in thought, then spoke cautiously.

"Eight million?" Yu Li gasped. A mask weighing less than two pounds was worth eight million?

"CEO Chen, can you help me find a buyer?" Xiao Hen looked at Chen Xinyu.

"I can, but I think Elder Wu has more say in this area." Chen Xinyu smiled.

"Oh?" Xiao Hen looked at Elder Wu in surprise.

"Heh heh, I run an antique auction house and manage a few antique shops on the side. Appraising old items is my hobby." Elder Wu said with a grin.

"Then I'll trouble you, Elder Wu. What are your auction house's fees?" Xiao Hen asked with a smile.

"Normally, I charge ten percent. But I see Mr. Xiao is a decent fellow and a friend of Xinyu's, so I'll take just five percent." Elder Wu laughed.

Hearing this, Xiao Hen chuckled. "Then thank you, Elder Wu."

"This is a good item, so we can't rush the auction. I'll need some time to promote it. How about this—next Sunday, eight o'clock sharp, we'll hold the auction. With a week's notice, the big clients should be able to make it from elsewhere." Elder Wu mused.

"I'll leave everything to Elder Wu's arrangements." Xiao Hen didn't understand these things. With a professional like Elder Wu handling it, he trusted the process.

Elder Wu left a contact number and took the Golden Mask with him. Chen Xinyu also had matters to attend to, so she prepared to leave with Yu Li.

"Mr. Xiao, don't worry. I've known Elder Wu for a long time—he values his reputation highly." Chen Xinyu said to Xiao Hen before leaving.

Xiao Hen waved a hand. "I trust CEO Chen's judgment."

Besides, my things aren't so easy to embezzle, Xiao Hen thought to himself.

Chen Xinyu left, and Xiao Hen turned back into the martial arts hall. He had his own selfish reasons for coming here in the first place. For one, it was convenient for training and practice. For another, if he ever revealed some of his strength, having the hall behind him would give him a plausible explanation for his abilities.

Of course, that was only because Xiao Hen was still weak now. Once he gained even more terrifying power later, he wouldn't have to worry about such trivial matters.

It was noon, and the hall was mostly empty. Xiao Hen found a private training room and began to practice. First, he worked on the Wind Wolf Fist, a technique he'd obtained from Li Tingxuan. Practicing it helped him improve his control over his own body, and after training regularly these past days, he'd made some gains.

After finishing a full set of Wind Wolf Fist, he was slightly sweaty and his whole body felt warm—a sign that he'd entered the right state.

Shing!

A long, elegant silver-white sword appeared in Xiao Hen's hand. He began to wield it, and instantly, the training room was filled with silver light. The sword's gleam carried a series of whistling cries. As he practiced the Spring Rain Swordplay, he gradually sank into a gentle, drizzling mood.

The Spring Rain Swordplay—he didn't know which alternate world the Shuttle had taken it from. This sword technique was clearly created based on the mood of a continuous spring rain. Once executed, it had an unbroken, flowing quality, effectively enhancing one's sustained combat ability.

Xiao Hen practiced the technique without pause, continuing for over an hour without feeling tired or fatigued.

The Spring Rain Swordplay was also beautiful to watch, like lightly dancing in the rain. Sword tips sparkled like dots of light, turning into blossoms of sword flowers, with endless killing intent hidden within those lovely petals.

Hoo...

Xiao Hen let out a long breath, sheathed his sword, and stopped. He had just begun to grasp this swordplay. Every day, he found time to practice it once to increase his proficiency, but he was still far from the second level—it wasn't something he could achieve in a day or two.

"Magic Power Ring!" Xiao Hen looked at the green ring on his left middle finger. He intended to test its effects.

"Activate!"

With a thought, his mental energy touched the Magic Power Ring. Instantly, a faint green barrier enveloped Xiao Hen, glowing softly. He reached out to touch the barrier, only to find that his hand passed through it easily.

"Huh?"

A bit puzzled, Xiao Hen walked toward a nearby table while still under the barrier. He found that the table was firmly blocked outside the shield. Realization dawned. "I see."

The green fluorescent barrier lasted for ten minutes before gradually fading away. Xiao Hen looked at the ring on his hand. Its green light had dimmed somewhat, but his thin mental energy could clearly sense that the Magic Power Ring was slowly recovering. At this rate, it would be fully restored in about twenty-four hours.

"Not bad, not bad. A good life-saving tool."

Xiao Hen smiled with satisfaction as he touched the Magic Power Ring, then began packing up to leave.

Outside the door was the hall, which held a large fighting ring. It was now afternoon, and some people were already training in the hall.

Xiao Hen ignored them and walked straight out.

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