"Brother Li Yang, since we've met here, could you accompany me for a stroll?"
Fang Xiaoqing grabbed Li Yang's arm and said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I've been to a jewelry store. I've been so bored studying antiques with my grandfather every day."
"Would you mind accompanying me for a walk to relax?"
"No problem, let's go. Anything you fancy today, I'll pay for it!" Li Yang said with a smile.
"That would be wonderful, Brother Li Yang. You're too kind."
Fang Xiaoqing agreed excitedly, and then she and Li Yang went to the commercial street together.
After they left, a figure suddenly emerged from the shadows, staring at them with a sinister gaze. Seizing their moment of inattention, the figure continued to follow them.
Meanwhile, at the Skyward Tower.
Upon returning from the restaurant, Zaori Fengchun stepped into the elevator and overheard two ninjas returning from outside discussing the treasure map.
"Third brother, have you heard? The treasure map has reappeared. It turns out the Master Thief really stole it, and it's no longer in the museum. The Master Thief has moved it, and it was recently spotted in Ziyun Mountain."
"Ziyun Mountain? Is that true? Does Mr. Ku Teng know about this?"
"I'm not sure. I just heard about it. Let's go find Mr. Ku Teng and report it."
"Wait a moment!"
As the elevator doors were about to open, Zaori Fengchun suddenly stopped them and asked sternly, "What were you just talking about? The treasure map is in Ziyun Mountain?"
"Yes, Miss Fengchun, aren't you aware? The entire antique world is abuzz with this news. Everyone is heading to Ziyun Mountain to search for the treasure map," one of the ninjas replied respectfully.
Zaori Fengchun's heart was filled with doubt. She thought to herself that Mr. Li was indeed right. Old scoundrel Ku Teng had deliberately spread false information about the treasure map being in Ziyun Mountain to keep it for himself.
This way, everyone would direct their animosity towards the Master Thief, while he himself, with the treasure map, could collect the remaining pieces and find the treasure.
"You may go, I understand," Zaori Fengchun said casually after regaining her composure.
After exiting the elevator, she went straight upstairs to find Ku Teng.
At that moment, Ku Teng had just received the news and appeared extremely excited to hear that the treasure map had surfaced.
"This is excellent! So the treasure map is indeed in the Master Thief's possession. As long as it's not in the museum, our chances of acquiring the treasure will greatly increase."
Ku Teng looked overjoyed upon hearing his subordinate's report.
He then dismissed his subordinate. Just then, Zaori Fengchun walked in. He rushed excitedly to her, grabbed her hand, and said, "Little Fengchun, good news! Uncle will soon be able to retrieve the treasure map."
"Is that so? Congratulations, Uncle. May I ask what your plan is?" Zaori Fengchun asked expressionlessly.
"I plan to personally lead a team to Ziyun Mountain to find the Master Thief and bring back the treasure map. This matter is extremely urgent. If we delay, others might seize the treasure," Ku Teng said seriously.
"Is that so? Do you need me to accompany you?" Zaori Fengchun asked after pretending to ponder for a moment.
"Little Fengchun, there's no danger in this. I'll take my people. You stay here and await my good news."
Ku Teng said with full confidence.
"Alright, then I'll follow your arrangements, Uncle."
Zaori Fengchun did not proactively offer to help. She was merely being polite, as she knew Ku Teng would not let her go. Otherwise, if they found the Master Thief but not the treasure map, it would be quite awkward.
This lie was orchestrated by the cunning old fox, Ku Teng. Of course, he had to put on a complete act!
However, how could Zaori Fengchun know that Ku Teng wasn't acting at all? Ku Teng now only wanted to retrieve the treasure map. The reason he didn't want Zaori Fengchun to go to Ziyun Mountain was purely because he was confident and didn't need his niece's help.
"Uncle, how many people are you taking into the mountain? I heard that Ziyun Mountain is shrouded in thick mist and it's easy to get lost. Are you sure you want to venture there yourself?" Zaori Fengchun asked again, worried he might be lying.
"Of course. No matter how great the danger, for the sake of the treasure map, Uncle must lead the expedition personally. If anyone dares to compete with us for the treasure map, I will kill them without hesitation."
"During this period, they slandered me, claiming the treasure map was in my possession, which severely hampered my progress in finding the treasure. I haven't settled this score with them yet."
Ku Teng said indignantly, then immediately ordered his guards to come in and assemble three squads to accompany him to Ziyun Mountain.
Ku Teng's three squads comprised a total of fifty-seven people.
Each member of the squads was a high-ranking ninja. The fifty-seven individuals combined were enough to eliminate more than a dozen Grandmaster-level experts.
Watching him leave with his men, Zaori Fengchun felt a pang of worry. She hadn't expected the old scoundrel Ku Teng to go to such lengths. If so many people entered the mountain, it was likely that everyone searching for the treasure map would perish within.
Even if Li Yang called for assistance from China's security forces to apprehend Ku Teng, it wouldn't be that easy.
Upon learning of all of Ku Teng's actions, Zaori Fengchun immediately relayed the information back to Li Yang.
Li Yang quickly received the message and, upon learning that Ku Teng had headed to Ziyun Mountain, a slight grin spread across his lips, and he felt a surge of secret joy.
Li Yang had anticipated Ku Teng sending so many experts.
He was not worried about the people Ku Teng brought along. Although the others searching for the treasure map were no match for Ku Teng, they were sufficient to tie him down in the mountains for a while.
Moreover, Li Yang had another plan in place that would absolutely ensure the success of his scheme.
Li Yang instructed Zaori Fengchun over the phone to also set off immediately for the vicinity of Ziyun Mountain and to strictly guard the exits. If Ku Teng tried to escape, Zaori Fengchun would apprehend him without delay.
After hanging up the phone, Li Yang confidently looked at Fang Xiaoqing and said, "Xiaoqing, shopping here is rather dull. How about we go do something more fun?"
"What's more fun?" Fang Xiaoqing asked curiously as she was selecting jewelry.
"You'll know when we get there. It's definitely more fun than this."
Li Yang deliberately kept her in suspense and directly pulled her hand, leading her out of the jewelry store.
Once outside, Li Yang escorted her to his car and contacted Murong Xue, saying with a smile, "Beautiful Murong, there's an opportunity to achieve great merit today. After achieving it, you might even be promoted to work in the provincial capital. Do you want to seize this chance?"
"Have you found another important clue? Is it related to Ku Teng?" Murong Xue asked curiously, seemingly guessing something.