The next day, after helping Xiao Ya purchase another large batch of raw stones, Qin Xuan and his group concluded their Yunnan trip and drove to their next destination: Myanmar.
Myanmar is a world-renowned producer of jade, with nearly ninety-five percent of the world's jade originating from this country.
However, unexpectedly, Myanmar had not achieved economic growth despite the high sales of jade.
On the contrary, Myanmar is one of the least developed countries in the world, with a per capita GDP of only over 1,000 US dollars.
This is related to their predominantly agricultural production methods, and it also cannot be separated from another unavoidable factor: the military, or warlords.
As Qin Xuan and his companions traveled, they encountered many armed groups, including the Myanmar regular army and what are known as mountain soldiers.
Therefore, for safety reasons, they had specifically switched to modified bulletproof vehicles before entering Myanmar.
Furthermore, upon entering Myanmar, two vehicles filled with fully armed strangers joined their convoy.
"Don't be afraid, these are local mercenaries."
"I used to come to the mining areas in Myanmar often to select good raw stones."
"Since then, I've always hired them to ensure my safety."
Seeing Yu En's nervousness, Xiao Ya spoke to explain to the two of them.
Yu En still nervously shrank back into the car seat, trying to gain some sense of security.
Qin Xuan silently nodded, saying nothing.
If it were in the past, he would have been somewhat intimidated facing such armed forces.
However, having practiced the Body Refining chapter, his physique had far surpassed that of ordinary people.
While he was still vulnerable to firearms, he was no longer terrified at the sight of a gun.
It is worth mentioning that after entering Myanmar, Qin Xuan attempted to listen to the inner voices of many items.
This was because he was worried he wouldn't understand if foreign objects spoke.
Fortunately, his worries were unfounded.
Regardless of the language these items spoke, upon reaching his mind, they were automatically translated into authentic Dragon Country Mandarin.
After traveling along a not-so-wide road, the group finally reached their destination, the capital of the Karen State in Myanmar, Myitkyina.
The transaction was arranged to take place in a relatively secluded military camp.
Outside the camp, there were many armed personnel.
They appeared to be loitering casually outside the camp, but their fingers never left the triggers of their weapons.
"You can go in, but they cannot."
The translator hired by Xiao Ya conveyed the words of the camp guards to Qin Xuan and the others.
Xiao Ya nodded, signaling the mercenaries to comply.
Logically, she should not have allowed the mercenaries to leave her side, but for the sake of the antiques, she conceded.
However, before entering the military camp, she had issued a prior order to the mercenary leader.
If she did not emerge safely from within two hours, they were to force their way in to protect her.
With all preparations made, the final four individuals who entered the military camp were:
Xiao Ya, primarily responsible for decision-making in the transaction.
The translator, responsible for ensuring smooth communication between Xiao Ya and the sellers.
Qin Xuan, specifically responsible for authenticating the antiques.
As for Yu En, she was genuinely frightened and insisted on staying by Qin Xuan's side.
The camp guards, seeing her as a harmless young girl, did not trouble her.
Upon entering the military camp, the four were led to a civilian house of several dozen square meters.
The house was somewhat rudimentary.
The inferior wooden planks creaked underfoot, and the simple roof blocked all sunlight but let in the wind.
The windows were small, allowing almost no sunlight to pass through.
The room was dim, relying entirely on a precarious incandescent light bulb hanging from the ceiling to illuminate the entire space.
Upon entering the room, a man with a scruffy beard, dressed in a military uniform, sat behind a large table.
Two guards armed with rifles stood beside him.
Xiao Ya informed Qin Xuan that the man was named Wu Mi, also a warlord.
He possessed dozens of extremely precious antiques, which were the objects of the transaction between the two.
Upon hearing Xiao Ya's introduction, Qin Xuan couldn't help but frown, "How dare you, a businesswoman, do business with warlords?"
"I checked before coming, and many of the warlords here are no different from bandits."
Xiao Ya was also helpless.
She first greeted Wu Mi warmly in the Myanmar language, then lowered her voice and whispered to Qin Xuan, "I need to do business in antiques, and I must have sufficient sources of goods in the early stages."
"However, most of the sources in the country have already been monopolized by others, and coupled with my less-than-stellar reputation, very few people are willing to cooperate with me."
"I have dealt with this Wu Mi before, and he promised to help me collect some ancient artifacts that originated from the Dragon Country in Myanmar."
"If what he says is true, my antique business will go very smoothly in the future."
Xiao Ya's explanation made Qin Xuan suddenly understand.
No wonder she, a jade merchant, came to Myanmar not to buy jade but to look at antiques and cultural relics.
It turned out she was planning to open a new front and venture into the antique business.
However, online, these warlords have terrible reputations. Would Xiao Ya's choice to cooperate with them really lead to good results?
While Qin Xuan was lost in thought, Xiao Ya was already conversing cordially with Wu Mi through the translator.
After some brief pleasantries, Wu Mi used a walkie-talkie to have his subordinates bring several large wooden crates from outside.
"Everything is here, please take a look."
The translator conveyed Wu Mi's words to the two of them.
Xiao Ya nodded, and together with Qin Xuan, they opened all the wooden crates.
Inside the wooden crates, a large number of antiques instantly came into Qin Xuan's view.
Pottery, jade, bronzes – almost everything available outside was present here.
However...
Tang Sancai: Hehe, although only one of my colors remains, I was actually made by imitating Tang Sancai and then artificially aged!
Jade Guanyin: Don't joke, I'm not jade at all, but glazed pottery, the kind from Wu Geng Liuli.
Bronze Ding: The same goes for me, I'm not from the Shang or Zhou dynasties, but from last week. If you can't even tell that, then your brain should say goodbye to the antique world!
...
A total of six large crates of antiques, not a single one was genuine.
After reaching his conclusion, Qin Xuan did not make a sound.
Under the guise of authenticating the antiques, he carefully observed his surroundings.
The room was almost enclosed, with virtually no cover.
In front of the room, two guards stared straight ahead, their faces expressionless.
Their fingers, like those of the soldiers outside, were constantly on the triggers.
Wu Mi, seated in his chair, was still talking incessantly about something.
Qin Xuan couldn't understand, but he saw the translator's reaction out of the corner of his eye.
He saw the translator's hands slowly clench, and his lips began to tremble uncontrollably.
His face was pale, clearly having heard something extremely terrifying.
"General Wu Mi said that these items were collected by him from various parts of Myanmar and are of great value."
"You must give... give a good price."
Although the translator was trying his best to conceal his fear, his voice was already beginning to tremble.
In the end, his entire body began to shake uncontrollably.
Putting down the antiques, Qin Xuan pretended not to notice the translator's abnormality.
While giving Wu Mi a thumbs-up, he excitedly said to the translator, "Please tell Mr. Wu that these items are fine and are all precious items from the Dragon Country."
"However, the specific price does need to be discussed. I need to communicate with my boss."