251: Chapter 248 Digging for Gold, Selling Shovels

The mountains of the East Coast had turned into a vast desert. This miraculous sight naturally compelled everyone present to explore it more deeply.

Even though they didn't know if there was any treasure inside, they were still driven to explore.

But since it was a great power left behind by the transcendent, they might as well take a look; after all, they had nothing to lose.

Crowds organizing their gear on the edge of the desert spontaneously formed small teams based on family ties—some, after calling relatives, found that they too had rushed to the East Coast.

Even the hosts, who had stood their ground during the two-day transcendent battle, couldn't help but follow the masses inside.

Of course, they weren't skipping work; they had mostly requested leave on the spot.

In front of televisions, viewers who couldn't make it to the scene in time due to limited time were now all getting excited.

The transcendent had left, but the desert wasn't going anywhere, right?

So what were they waiting for?

Thus, the number of people gathering on the East Coast did not shrink but instead increased frantically with the continuous arrival of cars.

The seemingly prominent figures were in no hurry to enter, gathering in front of a temporary two-story building and discussing something in a relaxed atmosphere.

A reporter newly sent by the TV station requested an interview with them, but was politely declined by the bodyguards.

In disappointment, the reporter went to the camp where tents were scattered in disarray, only to find it completely empty because everyone had gone to the desert.

In the end, they had no choice but to take a helicopter into the desert to track them down.

The people coming to the East Coast never expected to be walking on sand, so they hadn't prepared vehicles like sand buggies.

Some intended to go to the nearest city to buy them, but feared falling a step behind others, so they were forced to travel on foot.

Human walking speed naturally couldn't compare to a helicopter. After admiring the undulating dunes for a while, the reporter looked down and saw a small team carrying backpacks.

The explorer team trudged through the sand, the trail of footprints they left behind quickly being filled in by drifting sand.

The reporter urged the pilot to fly ahead of the team and land. Sliding down to the ground from a rope ladder thrown out of the cabin, they immediately went over to conduct an interview.

The leading Middle-aged Man seemed to be an elder of their family, fully responsible for dealing with outsiders.

Before the reporter could get close, he waved his hand in refusal.

As a frontline news worker who had dealt with all sorts of people for a long time, the reporter easily handled the Middle-aged Man: accept my interview, and I'll use the helicopter to take you to your destination.

This team was the first to be caught up to by the helicopter, undoubtedly putting them at the very back of the explorer crowd.

Faced with the temptation of jumping to the very front of everyone, he predictably and quickly succumbed.

“Alright, ask whatever you want, as long as I know it.”

“Hey, quick, camera, lighting board, over here!” The reporter turned his head and waved, directing the staff to set up the scene.

Well... although the environment was a bit crude and the departure was too hasty to bring more than a few tools, the final result didn't reach his ideal state.

But the strong never complain about their environment.

Ignoring the blazing sun overhead and the sweat quickly soaking his forehead, he first raised the microphone to the camera and gave his opening remarks.

“Ladies and gentlemen before your televisions, we are honored to invite the Mike family for an interview.

They were among the first to arrive at the East Coast and witnessed the duel of the magicians and the process of the mountains becoming a desert.

Now, they are venturing deep into the land of miracles created by magic. What are they looking for?

What does it feel like to encounter magic up close? What is that giant fish soaring in the sky? And who is the Easterner standing on the fish's back?

Alright, let's reveal the answers right now!”

After the passionate speech, the reporter stepped back, revealing the Middle-aged Man behind him with his hands on his hips.

“Mike, Mr. Mike, may I call you that?”

“Of course.”

“Then let's get to the point. Mr. Mike, you saw Mr. Dumbledore perform magic with your own eyes, didn't you?”

“Yes, although I couldn't see the movements clearly because the distance was too great, he definitely used a staff.”

“What kind of staff was it?”

“As I just said, the distance was too great, so I couldn't see it clearly.”

“That's a pity. Let's move on to the next question.

Mr. Mike, what do you think that fish suspended high in the sky was?”

The Middle-aged Man shrugged: “It looked a lot like a whale. My nine-year-old nephew, who likes Eastern culture, told me it's called a Kunpeng.”

The reporter had clearly done his homework. As soon as the word 'Kunpeng' was mentioned, he immediately faced the camera and explained: “Kunpeng, a creature from Chinese mythology.

Legend has it that its body is incredibly massive, and it has two forms that it can switch between freely.”

After speaking, he turned back to Mike: “Do you have any idea about the white-haired young man who flew off the back of the Kunpeng?”

“He... seemed very strong. You could tell from Mr. Dumbledore's attitude.”

“Indeed, and there's that terrifying crack that cut through the desert,” the reporter agreed, then asked, “Mr. Mike, do you think he has any connection to the person who appeared at the magic show a few months ago?”

“Uh, their attire and hairstyle seem the same, but I was quite far away both times, so I didn't see the details of his appearance.” Mike scratched his head awkwardly.

“It seems you're as unlucky as I am.” The reporter humorously eased Mike's embarrassment of not knowing much, and then asked about what everyone was concerned about.

“Alright, I think the audience can't wait any longer.

Mr. Mike, what are you and your family looking for in this desert?”

“Some say Mr. Dumbledore buried treasure in the desert.”

“Really?”

“I did hear them say it.”

“Them? Who?”

“Those wealthy tycoons and members of parliament.”

“Oh!” the reporter exclaimed, “That doesn't sound like a rumor.”

“Exactly. And before setting out, I noticed them instructing their assistants to mobilize equipment for going deep into the desert.”

“Is that so? Things are getting interesting.”

The reporter faced the camera again: “Thank you very much for your answers, Mr. Mike. He has helped us lift a corner of the mysterious veil of magic.

As for what lies beneath that veil and what Mr. Dumbledore's treasure might be, this station will continue to track and report for you.”

The staff put down the camera, and the reporter fulfilled his promise, taking the Mike family into the helicopter and speeding toward the center of the desert.

...

“Things are developing according to the path we envisioned.”

In front of the temporary two-story building, a tycoon sitting in a wooden chair closed the lid of the laptop on the table and smiled as he spoke to those around him: “The guy in the live stream is from the team at the very back.

He's already halfway to the center of the desert. The main group is clearly about to arrive.”

“The drinking water and food are also almost there. I'm sure the thirsty and hungry explorers won't mind paying ten times the price for supplies that can sustain their lives.”

A man standing a bit further away turned around: “I think this matter needs to be reconsidered.”

The tycoon looked at him: “Look at you, greedy as you are, actually showing mercy. Are you afraid?”

“There is nothing to be ashamed of; I am indeed afraid.”

He looked out at the desert ahead: “You have to understand what you are facing.”

“You can rest easy. The magicians of Hogwarts won't care about small figures like us, especially since we haven't committed any serious misdeeds, just selling some food and water, at most a bit expensive.”

The tycoon stood up and quoted a widely circulated famous saying: “When profit reaches 300%, they dare to risk the gallows.”

The man's gaze moved from the yellow sand to the tycoon, his eyes filled with sarcasm: “The guy who said that knew very well that he wouldn't be sentenced to the gallows.”

“You really are...”

The faint sound of car engines interrupted them. The two of them, along with the others watching the excitement, looked over together.

In the middle of a convoy of more than ten military Jeeps, a Rolls-Royce was sandwiched, driving from the asphalt road.

The Queen's carriage?

They looked at each other, seeing doubt and solemnity in each other's eyes.

Half a year ago, although the Queen had some actual power within the kingdom, she mostly served as a figurehead, certainly not enough to make them feel nervous.

Today, half a year later, the situation had clearly changed.

After gaining the friendship of Hogwarts, the Queen had not taken any drastic actions to seize power; most of the power was still in their control.

But the Queen's voice now crushed theirs. Even their master, His Royal Highness Prince Suleiman, no longer had any ulterior motives.

Under everyone's gaze, the convoy slowly stopped by the road in front of the building.

Li Cong, wearing a tuxedo, got out of the passenger seat and quickly opened the rear door. The Queen, in casual clothes, stepped out and came before them.

“Your Majesty, good day.”

Her mood seemed somewhat low; her face lacked its usual friendly smile. She didn't even respond to their greetings, saying directly:

“Everyone, I have heard some rather unpleasant things.”

After a brief pause, she scanned their pale faces: “You are bringing disaster upon the kingdom.”

“But Your Majesty, Hogwarts has no right to interfere with the internal autonomy of the kingdom...”

The cold gaze that shot toward him was like a sharp blade cutting through his body. He trembled and shut his mouth tight.

After staring at him for a good while, the Queen withdrew her gaze: “I do not expect stupid brains corrupted by greed to function as they should.

But you should be very clear about the history of the kingdom: the weak are not worthy, nor are they in a position to make demands of the strong.”

The air grew heavy. Under the pressure of her powerful aura, everyone lowered their heads and dared not speak.

After a long time, a woman who had some friendship with the Queen finally spoke: “Your Majesty, would Hogwarts be interested in our internal affairs, or rather, market transactions?”

“No.”

Before they could rejoice, she added: “But the Headmaster would absolutely not like someone using his name to commit fraud.”

Hearing this, they finally realized that the Queen hadn't rushed over because of the high-priced supplies, but because they had used the name of magic to trick people into the desert.

“Your Majesty,” understanding what was going on, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and someone said, “We were just having casual chats and making guesses among friends. Whether others choose to believe or doubt is their own business.”

The Queen was moved to angry laughter: “What are you thinking?

Playing your own ridiculous set of rules with a magician who can take your lives without paying any price?

Wake up!”

Everyone was stunned. It took a long time for them to snap out of the blindness of greed and realize what a stupid thing they were doing.

They couldn't be punished without a proper reason and solid evidence?

This was a transcendent, a transcendent who turned mountains into a desert, a transcendent who could throw mushroom clouds. Did he need an excuse to act against them?

Even if he wiped out their entire families with a wave of his hand, what then?

He wouldn't have to bear the slightest loss or cost; it would be as easy as crushing annoying ants in front of his own door.

Looking at their pale faces, the Queen felt they must have understood. She turned and walked toward the car: “Get everyone out. Do it before the Headmaster comes looking for you, otherwise no one can save you.”

The convoy drove off into the distance. It wasn't until it turned and disappeared behind the hillside that they looked as if they had been pulled out of water, drenched in sweat as they shouted for their assistants to mobilize vehicles to go into the desert and pick people up.

...

“She's quite diligent. I'll give her some face.”

Floating above using the Shadow Technique, Zhang Mu looked down as the group of 'prominent figures' got busy, shaking his head and talking to himself with a wry smile.

After controlling the Dumbledore puppet to send Toby and the other two back to London and returning to NH on the Kunpeng to enter 'The World,' he had come back to the East Coast to see how things were going.

That the crowd who came to watch the transcendent battle would enter the desert was within Zhang Mu's expectations.

But what he hadn't expected was that these tycoons, who had learned from the Queen that there was no treasure inside, would actually use his name to sell 'shovels'.

To be honest, in some ways, Zhang Mu quite admired them.

While recovering from the shock, they had simultaneously spotted a business opportunity and formulated a detailed plan almost immediately, implementing it alongside the allocation of supplies. It would be a lie to say they weren't capable.

They just didn't use it for the right reasons.

If the Queen had arrived five minutes later, Zhang Mu had planned to appear and drop a rock on them.

The reason was exactly what the Queen thought.

Earning blood money while daring to use my name—they must not know how to write the word 'death'.

After watching from high up for a while longer and confirming that the group below wasn't just talking, Zhang Mu turned and flew toward the desert, preparing to see if anyone was in danger.

After flying for a bit, he didn't see a single person in trouble.

It wasn't surprising.

The threats of a desert are various venomous creatures, getting lost, lack of food and water, and extreme temperature differences between day and night.

However, in this desert on the East Coast, which had been born less than two days ago, none of those crises existed.

Only food and water might be a concern, but with the supplies mobilized by those tycoons, there was no need to worry about that either.

Zhang Mu spread out his Mental Energy, intending to sense the entire area. Once he confirmed everyone was safe, he would leave.

The rest could be left to the Queen to handle.

Just as he was halfway through spreading his power, the first batch of sand buggies from the tycoons and MPs entered the desert, finding people waving shovels and digging everywhere, though they had no idea what they were digging for.

Then, something absurd happened.

Faced with the sand buggies offering to take them out for free, those people refused to get in, even if it meant death.

Not only that, they also cursed the drivers as lackeys of capital, trying to deceive them into leaving so they could monopolize the treasure buried by the magician.

The drivers reported to their superiors, and the tycoons were shocked.

If you don't come back and something happens, how will I explain it to Hogwarts? So they ordered that the people must be brought out of the desert.

Next, a chase began on the sand between the two sides.

Regrettably, when compared to machines, human endurance is ultimately far inferior.

The people, exhausted from being chased by the sand buggies, were one after another lifted into the vehicles and transported out.