88: Chapter 88 Geneva Feast

Two days later, Li Xin's private jet landed at Geneva International Airport.

The plane was rented, a Gulfstream G650, at twenty thousand dollars an hour. He used to think it was expensive, but now he felt—there was a reason for the high price.

Through the porthole, he could see Lake Geneva, the water shining blue under the sunlight. The Alps in the distance were covered in white snow, forming a sharp contrast with the blue of the lake.

The plane came to a stop, and he walked out of the cabin. A young man in a black suit was already waiting at the bottom of the airstairs.

"Mr. Li, the Medici Club sent me to pick you up. Please follow me."

Li Xin got into the car, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom. The interior was very spacious, with a refrigerator, a bar, and massage seats. He leaned back against the seat, looking at the scenery outside the window.

The car drove out of the airport, following the lakeside road toward the city center. The buildings on both sides gradually changed from modern style to classical style, and the streets also went from wide to narrow.

He recalled the first time he came to Europe. That was the eighth month after his rebirth, carrying 851 cultural relics, feeling uncertain, not knowing if he could sell them. It was the system that recommended Pierre Dupont to him, that seasoned antique dealer, who helped him complete that 950 million dollar transaction.

The second time, he sold 1.8 tons of jewelry and made 6.1 billion.

This was the third time. This time he brought the treasures from the Majapahit royal treasury.

The car stopped in front of an old building. The building was in the 18th-century style, with gray-white stone walls and black wrought-iron gates. There was no sign at the entrance, only a house number: 15.

A woman wearing a black gown stood at the entrance. She was in her fifties, with silver-white hair tied back, her temperament elegant. She was Isabella de Medici, a descendant of the Medici family and the head of the club.

"Mr. Li." Isabella came forward and shook his hand with both of hers. "Welcome back."

"Ms. Isabella, long time no see."

"Every time you come, you bring us surprises." Isabella took his arm and walked inside. "Is what you said about the Majapahit royal regalia true?"

"Of course."

"Four pieces?"

"Four pieces."

Isabella took a deep breath. "My God."

The interior of the building was even more luxurious than the exterior. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and Renaissance oil paintings hung on the walls. Every few meters along the corridors, there were sculptures, some in Ancient Greek style, others in Roman style.

Isabella took him to the second floor and walked into a large conference room. There were already a dozen people sitting in the conference room, and when they saw Li Xin enter, they all stood up.

"Everyone, this is Mr. Li." Isabella introduced.

Li Xin scanned the people present. There were white people, Asians, and Middle Easterners. Some were wearing suits, others traditional clothing. Everyone's gaze was different—some curious, some scrutinizing, some greedy.

"Mr. Li, these are the core members of our club." Isabella pointed to an old man with gray hair. "This is Mr. André Rothschild."

André stood up and extended his hand. "Mr. Li, long time no see. I bought several pieces of the porcelain last time, and the quality was excellent."

Li Xin shook his hand. "Mr. Rothschild has a unique eye."

Isabella pointed to a middle-aged man in his forties. "This is Mr. James Churchill. A British aristocrat and collector."

James stood up and nodded slightly. His attitude was colder than André's, and his eyes carried a hint of scrutiny. "Mr. Li, I heard you brought the Majapahit royal regalia this time?"

"Yes."

"Those items, as far as I know, have never appeared on the market."

"That is why they are precious."

James smiled, not saying anything more.

The next two days were the appraisal phase, held at a private estate rented by Li Xin.

Isabella mobilized 20 of the world's top relic appraisal experts to appraise every single artifact Li Xin brought. Bronzeware, porcelain, ancient books, statues, jewelry—one by one, carefully.

The first day was for ancient books and statues. The experts gathered around a long table, wearing white gloves, using magnifying glasses, UV lights, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometers to check them one by one.

A white-haired expert held the unique palm-leaf manuscript of the Nagarakretagama, his hands trembling. "This is... this is a unique copy. There is only this one in the whole world."

Another expert stood in front of the bronze standing Shiva statue, watching it for a full hour. "A 1.2-meter-tall bronze standing Shiva, preserved so perfectly, is unprecedented."

The second day was for porcelain and royal regalia.

32 pieces of Yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain, each checked with a UV light, confirming no signs of repair. 56 pieces of Ming dynasty Longquan celadon, the glaze warm and moist, like ice and jade. 29 pieces of Cizhou kiln white-ground black-flower porcelain, the painting style rugged, with rich folk characteristics.

The experts were more excited and shocked the more they looked.

Finally, the four pieces of royal regalia.

The Kris of State was placed in a separate display case. The experts gathered around the display case, no one speaking.

The blade was wavy, forged from meteoric iron. The hilt was pure gold, inlaid with 13 rubies and 9 South Sea pearls. Old Javanese inscriptions were carved on the crossguard, recording the name of the founding monarch of Majapahit.

"This..." an expert looked up, his voice trembling. "This item should not appear on the market. It should be in a national museum."

Li Xin stood to the side, not speaking.

On the night the appraisal results came out, Isabella hosted a private reception at the Beau-Rivage Genève by Lake Geneva.

This hotel was a lakeside palace built in the 19th century, remaining Geneva's most prestigious luxury landmark after a hundred years. The stone facade, gilded decorations, and lake views complemented each other, everywhere revealing the understated luxury of the old-school aristocracy. The ballroom, which could easily accommodate two hundred people, had less than fifty guests tonight, appearing exceptionally spacious and elegant.

Li Xin, in a dark blue suit, came to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, admiring Lake Geneva outside.

André Rothschild walked over with a glass of champagne. "Mr. Li, congratulations. These treasures are stunning."

"Thank you."

"I will attend tomorrow's auction." André took a sip of champagne. "I hope we can cooperate again."

"We will."

As soon as André left, James Churchill walked over. He was holding a glass of whiskey, his eyes colder than during the day.

"Mr. Li, where did you get this batch of artifacts?"

Li Xin glanced at him and still smiled. "Mr. Churchill, I am sorry! I cannot satisfy your curiosity."

James's expression changed slightly. "I know. The Majapahit royal regalia, they should not be in private hands."

"Then may I ask where they should be?" Li Xin's smile did not fade.

"In a museum. Preferably in Indonesia's National Museum."

Li Xin smiled. "Then you can buy them and donate them to the museum, how about that?"

James's expression was somewhat ugly. He stared at Li Xin for a few seconds, then turned and left.

Li Xin held his glass, watching his back, and shook his head, not bothering to argue with him.

Two days later, the auction finally began.

Li Xin sat in the middle of the front row. Isabella stood on the auction stage, wearing a black gown, her silver-white hair shining under the lights.

"Everyone, welcome to the Medici Club." Isabella's voice was soft, but it echoed in the circular room. "Tonight's auction items may be the most important artifacts in the last fifty years."

She paused for a moment.

"The first batch of auction items, ancient classics, a total of... Nagarakretagama palm-leaf unique copy, 31 volumes of Old Javanese epic manuscripts, 51 copper plate inscriptions, 80 volumes of Kuto Gawang ancient books. Starting bid, 300 million dollars."

The numbers on the bidding machine started to jump.

320 million... 350 million... 380 million... 420 million...

André raised his paddle: 450 million.

A Japanese Military collector raised his paddle: 480 million.

A Saudi prince raised his paddle: 500 million.

André raised his paddle again: 520 million.

The Japanese Military collector gave up. The Saudi prince raised his paddle: 550 million.

André put down his bidding machine.

"550 million dollars, going once. Going twice. Sold." Isabella struck the wooden gavel. "Sold."

The whole venue applauded.

Li Xin was expressionless, but he was already calculating in his heart. 550 million US dollars, equivalent to 3.85 billion RMB.

The second batch of auction items was 19 Hindu statues. Starting bid 235 million dollars.

André, James, and the Japanese Military collector bid against each other. The price soared, from 235 million to 280 million, then to 320 million, and finally André took it for 350 million dollars.

The third batch of auction items was 217 rare porcelains. Starting bid 1.2 billion dollars.

The Saudi prince, James, and André competed fiercely. The Saudi prince bid 1.5 billion, James 1.6 billion, André 1.65 billion, and the Saudi prince jumped directly to 1.7 billion.

André put down his bidding machine. James also gave up.

"1.7 billion dollars, sold."

The fourth batch of auction items was 2 royal sacrificial gold masks. Starting bid 200 million dollars.

Several European royal family members participated in the bidding, and it was finally sold for 350 million dollars.

The fifth item was the golden royal scepter. Starting bid 500 million dollars.

André and James were at odds.

"600 million." James raised his paddle.

"650 million." André.

"700 million." James.

"750 million." André.

"800 million." Beads of sweat appeared on James's forehead.

André was silent for a few seconds. "850 million. This is my final bid."

James stared at André, gritted his teeth. Then he put down his bidding machine.

"850 million dollars, sold."

The sixth item was the Majapahit gold crown. Starting bid 500 million dollars.

It was André and James again.

"800 million." André.

"850 million." James.

"900 million." André.

"950 million." James.

"1 billion." André.

James hesitated for a long time. Finally, he put down his bidding machine.

"1 billion dollars, sold."

The seventh item, also the last one of the night. The Kris of State. Starting bid 800 million dollars.

The whole venue went quiet.

James raised his paddle first. "1 billion."

André. "1.05 billion."

James. "1.1 billion."

André. "1.15 billion."

James. "1.2 billion."

André. "1.25 billion."

A hint of hesitation flashed across James's face. Then he gritted his teeth. "1.3 billion."

André was silent for a few seconds. Everyone was looking at him.

"1.35 billion." André said. His voice was not loud, but very firm.

James's expression changed. He stared at André, his lips moved, but he didn't make a sound.

"1.35 billion dollars, going once. Going twice. Going three times." Isabella struck the wooden gavel. "Sold."

Thunderous applause.

Isabella stood on the auction stage, smiling. "Everyone, tonight's total turnover—6.15 billion dollars."

The applause grew louder.

Li Xin sat in his seat, his face expressionless. But his heart was beating very fast.

6.15 billion US dollars. Equivalent to 42.19 billion RMB.

A single auction broke 40 billion.

James walked up to him. This time his attitude was completely different.

"Mr. Li, you won." He extended his hand. "Please accept my apology."

Li Xin stood up and shook his hand. "Mr. Churchill, in business, strength speaks."

James gave a wry smile. "You are right. Strength speaks."

After the auction ended, Isabella personally sent Li Xin to the door.

"Mr. Li, this is our first collaboration." She took his arm, "Looking forward to the second and third."

"There certainly will be."

"Your artifacts, the quality gets higher each time. Next time, I don't know what could surpass tonight."

Li Xin smiled. "You just wait and see."

Isabella smiled too. "I will wait."

Li Xin got into the car, and the Rolls-Royce drove out of the Medici Club.

He took out his phone and opened his bank account.

"Your account has received: 6,150,000,000 USD."

6.15 billion US dollars.

Added to the cash from previous sales of gold and the Zambales treasures, it now reached a terrifying 39.9 billion US dollars, equivalent to about 273.7 billion RMB.

A week later, the system popped up a notification.

"Fund laundering progress: 100%. All funds have been completely legalized."

"Accumulated legal assets: approximately 273.7 billion RMB."

Li Xin looked at this number, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

It was time to return to Dubai.

There were still 377 tons of gold waiting to be cashed out.

And that person in the country who was investigating his assets.