Ye Fan’s explanation was extensive, finally revealing his thoughts at the very end.
Elder Lei frowned, "You mean he's hiding something?"
Ye Fan nodded, "Precisely. This underground warehouse is enormous, and aside from the display shelves and old artifacts, there's no other decoration. It appears very simple, but it's this very simplicity that makes me uneasy. There must be more to it. If my guess is correct, there should be a hidden door leading to a secret treasure vault, which is where the Tianwang Mansion's treasures collected over a thousand years are truly kept."
As Ye Fan finished speaking, Zhao Dong was stunned. How could this be possible? He himself had only learned about the hidden door in the last two years.
He had once entered with curiosity, but at that time, there were only a few items inside.
At that time, his orders from above were to fill this secret treasure vault at all costs.
For years, Zhao Dong had acted with this goal in mind.
Therefore, that place was the true core of the Tianbao Pavilion, and even the Tianwang Mansion.
Seeing Zhao Dong’s expression, Ye Fan knew he had guessed correctly.
"Hmph, nonsense. Ye Fan, although you are from the Antique Association, don't forget this is a private establishment. If you wish to act with impunity, produce a search warrant. If you have one, I, Zhao Dong, will readily facilitate your investigation. However, if you do not, I must ask you both to leave."
He could not allow Elder Lei and Ye Fan to see the hidden warehouse, as it would bring great disaster to the Tianbao Pavilion and the Tianwang Mansion.
Seeing Zhao Dong's unexpectedly strong stance, both Elder Lei and Ye Fan finally realized that the fake item was likely hidden in the secret warehouse.
Elder Lei cleared his throat, "What? Mr. Zhao, are you trying to shut down the shop?"
Bringing up the reason for sealing the establishment again, he knew that if Zhao Dong wasn't foolish, he would understand what to do.
However, this time, Zhao Dong's reaction exceeded Elder Lei's expectations.
"If Elder Lei believes he has that right, he can seal the Tianbao Pavilion. I do not mind."
Standing in front of Elder Lei, Zhao Dong's face was grim, his attitude extremely firm.
Zhao Dong's reaction caused both Elder Lei and Ye Fan to freeze.
They hadn't expected that Zhao Dong, who had seemed cornered earlier, would now display such a resolute demeanor.
Elder Lei turned to look at Ye Fan, clearly finding the situation difficult.
Ye Fan also frowned. If Zhao Dong blocked them here, he would have no recourse. He couldn't exactly strike Zhao Dong down and force his way in.
If he were a hundred percent certain that the fake item was inside, forcing his way in might be an option, but what if the desired fake item wasn't there? Once he resorted to force, the consequences would be severe.
As it stood, Ye Fan did not wish to completely fall out with the Tianwang Mansion.
After all, with the Feng family as an enemy, he was already busy enough. If he were to anger the Tianwang Mansion at this time, and they joined forces, Ye Fan's strength might still be stretched thin.
Furthermore, if he angered the Tianwang Mansion, the Wang family would certainly not side with him.
This was different from Ye Fan dealing with the Feng family alone. In dealing with the Feng family, the Wang family could help him, as it was a dispute between two families.
But when it involved the Tianwang Mansion, the situation changed.
Just as the two were at a loss, they heard a scream from upstairs, followed by a figure tumbling down the stairs.
"Xiao Wu'er?"
The figure rolled all the way down, finally landing at Elder Lei's feet. A slender wound on his neck was gushing blood, indicating he was already dead.
Then, a figure slowly descended.
"This person attempted to harm a Tianbao Pavilion employee, and I was compelled to act. I apologize to Elder Lei of the Antique Association."
The newcomer was a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He was thin, but his eyes were filled with sharp intelligence.
He stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in a suit, a cigar dangling from his lips.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Elder Lei's face darkened considerably.
"To be frank, the Tianbao Pavilion is currently being targeted and is in danger at any moment. I advise Elder Lei to leave as soon as possible. After all, Elder Lei is a living fossil of Jiangnan's antique trade. It would be unbearable for us if you were to suffer undeserved disaster because of the Tianbao Pavilion."
The man spoke threateningly.
Ye Fan clenched his fists tightly, a surge of anger burning from his heart.
This person was too arrogant. To dare commit murder in broad daylight, Ye Fan could not tolerate it.
But Elder Lei raised his hand to stop him.
"Let's go."
Elder Lei said coldly.
Ye Fan looked at Elder Lei in surprise and confusion.
But Elder Lei's attitude was resolute, "Take Xiao Wu'er's body and let's go."
Without looking back at Ye Fan, he simply gave a cold command, then pulled Ye Fan upstairs.
As they passed the middle-aged man, Ye Fan clearly felt a sharp killing intent emanating from him.
This killing intent was very strong, even much stronger than his own.
At this moment, even Ye Fan felt a flicker of apprehension. This middle-aged man must have been stained with blood many times.
Casting a cold glance at the middle-aged man, Ye Fan followed Elder Lei away with heavy steps.
All the way, Elder Lei remained silent, but his grim expression indicated that he was in a rage.
Ye Fan also remained silent, his mind constantly replaying thoughts of the middle-aged man.
His actions were ruthless, his killing intent profound; this person was certainly not simple. He feared that with his current strength, he might not even be his match.
Were these the experts of the Tianwang Mansion?
...
Upon returning to the Antique Association and seeing both Elder Lei and Ye Fan return with grim faces, Jiang Zhong frowned.
"Teacher, did you not find anything?"
Elder Lei rarely showed such a fearsome expression, but now his face was dark, and Jiang Zhong's first thought was that their trip had been fruitless.
Elder Lei sat in his chair and smashed a teacup to the ground with his hand.
"I have been in the antique trade for decades and have never been coerced like this. The Tianwang Mansion, they are pushing me."
Elder Lei flew into a rage, his body even trembling slightly.
Ye Fan understood this old man. Although somewhat stubborn, he had an exceptionally good temperament.
In all the time he had known him, he had never seen Elder Lei fly into such a temper.
Jiang Zhong, standing nearby, also frowned, his face etched with shock.
"Teacher, what exactly happened?"
He had been stationed at the Antique Association, responsible for coordinating operations, so he was unaware of many things.
Furthermore, the Tianbao Pavilion would naturally seal information about this matter, so it was understandable that he was unaware.
Seeing that Elder Lei had no intention of speaking, Ye Fan could only briefly recount the events.
When he heard Ye Fan mention the middle-aged man, Jiang Zhong's face suddenly changed drastically.
"Bai Sha, Mr. Bai?"
He looked at Elder Lei, his voice trembling.
Now it was Ye Fan's turn to be confused, and he looked at Elder Lei and Jiang Zhong with a puzzled expression.
"Bai Sha, Mr. Bai? Is that the man's name?"