As Zhao Haiqing was preparing to return to Zhou City, several people at the airport approached him and told him to return the Jade Guanyin, or he would be killed.
Who is Zhao Haiqing? He's a big shot in Zhou City. Although he's nothing in Shangjing, he's not someone anyone can intimidate. So he completely disregarded him, even assuming the other party was sent by a losing bidder, and had them beaten up before boarding the plane.
But after returning, Zhao Haiqing clearly noticed something was wrong. He developed various health problems and discomforts, and it wasn't just physical; some people even started targeting their Black Wind Hall. Especially recently, many of their Black Wind Hall's branches had been inexplicably vandalized, and even the stock of their publicly owned Black Wind Company had begun to decline.
At this moment, Zhao Haiqing finally realized that someone was targeting him. He hurriedly went to find out what was going on and learned that it was because of the Jade Guanyin he had bought a week earlier.
It turned out that the item was a treasure left Shangjing by a powerful family in the capital. After the auction, the person who submitted it was brutally murdered. Zhao Haiqing returned to Zhou City by plane that same day, and given his status in Zhou City, no one dared to touch him for the time being.
However, the family sent someone to warn them, but Zhao Haiqing beat them up, so they held a grudge and began to gradually prepare to deal with the Black Wind Hall.
The Wen Family's Fierce Tiger Society had long desired to unify the underground forces in Zhou City, so they curried favor with that family. During this period, the two gangs were locked in a fierce battle in the Zhou City underworld.
Although Zhao Haiqing was a little worried, he was also a ruthless character. Since the other party had pushed him so hard, he simply gave up the idea of sending them back and chose to fight it out. The Viper today was a helper that Zhao Haiqing had hired, but unexpectedly, he turned out to be someone who had been in cahoots with the Fierce Tiger Fierce Tiger Society. Qi Ming almost got himself involved when he discussed the plan to deal with the Fierce Tiger Society with him.
Finally, Qi Ming gritted his teeth and said, "We found that Viper on the dark web. He's supposedly a young mercenary group leader and an assassin. We were going to pay him to help us deal with the Wen Family, but we didn't expect that he had already made contact with the Fierce Tiger Society. Because things are tense right now, Boss Zhao and I usually keep our schedules very secret. If it weren't for meeting Viper, I probably wouldn't have shown myself so easily... Sigh, if I hadn't met you today, I probably would have been taken away by them. With me as a hostage, Boss Zhao's situation would probably be even more difficult."
After listening to Qi Ming's account, Gu Chen became very interested in the Jade Guanyin.
Seeing his worried expression, Gu Chen said in a deep voice, "Since the other party can make the Fierce Tiger Society willingly act as their subordinate, their background must be extraordinary. Have you found any information?"
"No," Qi Ming. "Before, Boss Zhao intended to send the Jade Guanyin back, but they refused to show up. It seemed like they were determined to bring us down. We had no choice but to fight them head-on."
"Where is Boss Zhao?" Gu Chen asked. "Could you take me to see his Jade Guanyin?"
Qi Ming hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll call him and ask."
Gu Chen nodded, and Qi Ming then took his phone outside to make a call.
Before today, even if Qi Ming knew Gu Chen had some ability, he wouldn't have been so obedient. But today, Gu Chen not only saved his life, but also possessed such formidable strength, which completely changed his opinion.
A short while later, Qi Ming returned and said, "Mr. Gu, Boss Zhao asked me to take you to see him."
"Okay." Gu Chen stood up.
The two quickly left Pottery House. Before leaving, Gu Chen glanced at Zhang Yun a few times. The latter blinked her beautiful big eyes, seemingly staring at him in a daze.
Qi Ming noticed this and asked, "Mr. Gu, which girl do you like?"
"Not interested." Gu Chen shook his head and said, "However, I admire her ability to be self-reliant."
Although Zhang Yun appeared greedy just now, it was actually just a manifestation of her fear of poverty. In today's society, it's too easy for girls to make money, whether through men or their bodies. Zhang Yun isn't exactly a stunning beauty, but she's still quite pretty. Given her kind of mindset, Gu Chen naturally took a second look.
After a pause, Gu Chen continued, "Also, it was she who suggested calling the police, which is why Wen Tao and the others left. Brother Ming hasn't forgotten that, has he?"
"Yes, I remember this favor." Qi Ming nodded, understanding Gu Chen's meaning.
The car headed towards the North Bridge, and after more than twenty minutes, it arrived at a place that looked like a warehouse. Gu Chen was surprised. When he and Wang Hu went to see Zhao Haiqing before, it was at his company. How come Zhao Haiqing had changed his residence in just a few days?
Although it was a warehouse, it was heavily guarded. Not only were there henchmen at the door, but there were also patrols all around. Once inside, you needed to unlock your phone with your retina.
It's been set up like a military base.
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Mr. Gu."
Qi Ming gave an awkward smile and said, "There have been more assassins lately, and Boss Zhao is just looking out for safety."
Gu Chen nodded and went inside. He found that the warehouse was designed much like the living room of a mansion. Zhao Haiqing seemed to be waiting on the sofa. When Gu Chen entered, she immediately got up to greet him.
"Qi Ming just told me, thank you again, Mr. Gu."
Zhao Haiqing said sincerely.
Gu Chen glanced at Zhao Haiqing, a powerful figure in the area. He didn't look well, as if he hadn't slept well. He even had dark circles under his eyes, which he hadn't had in the past few days. Gu Chen also noticed six or seven new injuries on Zhao Haiqing's body.
But at least it wasn't fatal.
"Boss Zhao, things haven't been going well lately?" Gu Chen sat down on the sofa with Zhao Haiqing's help and then asked directly, "I heard you even encountered an assassin?"
"Yes." A sinister glint flashed across Zhao Haiqing's face as he angrily said, "It's either the Fierce Tiger Society or that family that hired them. Now I can't stay at the company, and I can't even go home. I have no choice but to hide here."
It was clear that Zhao Haiqing was extremely frustrated. After all, he used to be a powerful figure who could do whatever he wanted, but lately he had been like a mouse playing hide-and-seek, forced to hide in this kind of place. It would be impossible for him not to feel frustrated.
"Let's not talk about that," Zhao Haiqing said. "Qi Ming told me you're interested in the Jade Guanyin, and I've already made preparations."
He waved his hand, and one of the thugs took out a brocade box from behind his back and placed it on the table.
"Mr. Gu, please take a look."
The brocade box has a nice design; it's octagonal, six centimeters long and four centimeters wide, which suggests that the Jade Guanyin is not too small.
Gu Chen nodded, picked up the brocade box, and then opened it.
The Jade Guanyin is made entirely of green jade, with a flawless and lustrous texture.
The Guanyin statue is sculpted to be lifelike, with sleeping eyes, a straight nose, a small mouth, a high bun, and a shawl, and is depicted in an upright position.
However, when Gu Chen took the Jade Guanyin out of the brocade box, a chill emanated from it, and he immediately shuddered.