217: Chapter 217 Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant and Hidden Family

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow.

He was well aware of Su Guohua's obsession with antiques, calligraphy, and paintings.

In previous years, he had paid quite a bit in "tuition fees" at Panjiayuan Antique Market; nine out of ten things he bought back were fakes.

"Dad, what good stuff did you find this time? Bring it out and let's have a look." Chen Fan put down his phone and gave Su Wanqing a look.

Su Wanqing understood and smiled as she poured her father a cup of hot tea. "Dad, have some water first. Don't let those stall owners trick you again."

"Nonsense! This time I definitely found a huge bargain!" Su Guohua said with a mysterious look, carefully pulling a red sandalwood box from his chest.

He placed the box on the Huanghuali wood coffee table and unwrapped the layers of red velvet cloth.

A piece of warm, white ancient jade appeared before everyone's eyes.

The jade pendant was the size of a palm, carved with a lifelike five-clawed coiled dragon using the relief technique. The dragon's scales were distinct, and although no pupils were carved in its eyes, it exuded an indescribable ancient majesty.

Su Guohua picked up the jade pendant and rubbed it in his palm, his face full of a satisfied smile. "Look at this patina, this coloration; it's at least from before the Han Dynasty! I got it for only twenty thousand yuan. That boss didn't know what he had!"

Chen Fan took a look.

He didn't understand antiques, but the system had already provided an appraisal in an instant.

[Item: Dragon-Patterned Ancient Jade]

[Material: Special Warm Jade from Kunlun Mountains]

[Era: Unknown]

[Information: Contains special encrypted information; requires a specific bloodline to unlock.]

[Value: The material itself is worth about three million RMB; the historical and informational value is immeasurable.]

Chen Fan now knew the truth; it seemed his father-in-law had truly found a treasure this time.

"As long as Dad likes it." Chen Fan smiled, not revealing the jade's true value.

While the family was enjoying the jade pendant together, the gate of the courtyard house was suddenly pounded with a series of loud bangs.

The sound was urgent and heavy, not at all like a normal visit.

A member of the Shadow Guard responsible for the outer courtyard's security stepped quickly into the living room and reported to Chen Fan in a low voice, "Boss, several people have arrived outside without an appointment. They specifically asked to see Mr. Su Guohua."

"Tell them to wait," Chen Fan waved his hand.

The Shadow Guard member was about to turn around.

A sudden commotion broke out outside the gate.

Several middle-aged men in black Tang suits had already forced their way past the guards and were striding inside.

The leading man was about fifty years old, with a square face and an aquiline nose. He walked with a powerful stride, carrying the aura of someone long accustomed to a high position.

His gaze swept across the rockery and flowing water in the courtyard before finally landing on Su Guohua in the living room—or more accurately, on the dragon-patterned jade pendant in his hand.

"The item is here." The leading man pointed at the jade pendant, his tone brooking no argument. "Name your price."

Su Guohua was stunned by this display and instinctively gripped the jade pendant tighter. "Who are you people? Is there no law against trespassing into a private residence anymore?"

"The law?" The square-faced man sneered, pulling a checkbook and a pen from his pocket. "Those are rules for ordinary people. One million. We are taking back this jade pendant."

The men in Tang suits behind him fanned out, faintly blocking the exit of the living room. Each of them had bulging temples, clearly indicating they were trained martial artists.

"I'm not selling!" Su Guohua protected the jade pendant behind his back, stiffening his neck. "This is a treasure I found. I won't sell it no matter how much you offer!"

"Old man, don't refuse a polite offer." A young man beside the square-faced man stepped forward impatiently. "We are from the Ji Family of Yanjing. This jade pendant is an ancestral heirloom of our Ji Family. Aren't you afraid of shortening your life by holding onto it as an ordinary citizen?"

"The Ji Family?" Su Guohua had never heard of them.

"Our family head's name would scare you to death if I said it. All you need to know is that in Yanjing, there is nothing our Ji Family wants that we cannot get." The young man reached out to snatch the jade pendant from Su Guohua's hand.

Su Guohua took a step back, tripped on the carpet, and stumbled onto the sofa.

Failing to grab the jade pendant, the young man impatiently shoved Su Guohua instead.

"Dad!" Su Wanqing cried out in alarm, quickly running over to support her father.

Chen Fan had been sitting nearby without saying a word.

The moment he saw his father-in-law pushed down...

...the teacup in his hand was crushed into powder. Scalding tea flowed through his fingers, yet he seemed not to notice.

"Hao Yu," Chen Fan spoke, his voice steady.

"Here," Chen Haoyu stepped out from the shadows.

"Break the legs of these 'guests' and throw them out of the courtyard."

"Yes."

No sooner had Chen Haoyu spoken than seven or eight Shadow Guard members appeared silently from all directions.

The several people claiming to be from the Ji Family hadn't even reacted yet.

The young man who had shoved Su Guohua was already being lifted by the neck by a Shadow Guard member. His feet left the ground, and his face instantly turned a deep purple.

The square-faced leader was both shocked and furious. "How dare you! We are the Ji Family, a hidden ancient clan! If you touch us, you will..."

He was unable to finish his sentence.

Chen Haoyu delivered a knife-hand strike to the back of his neck.

The square-faced man's eyes rolled back, and he fell unconscious instantly.

The remaining men in Tang suits tried to resist, but before the Shadow Guard—professionals who had experienced the battlefields of blood and fire—their so-called Ancient Martial Arts were like children playing house.

In less than thirty seconds...

...all the intruders were subdued and dragged out of the courtyard like dead dogs.

Quiet returned to the living room.

Chen Fan walked over to Su Guohua and helped him up. "Dad, are you alright?"

Su Guohua, still shaken, waved his hand. "I'm fine, just a bit startled. Xiao Fan, what's the deal with this Ji Family? They sound quite powerful."

Chen Fan picked up the medicinal wine from the table and gently rubbed Su Guohua's bumped arm.

"It doesn't matter what their background is." Chen Fan's movements were gentle, but his tone was ice-cold. "In Yanjing, no one dares to touch Chen Fan's family."

Su Wanqing looked at the man before her.

One moment he was stirring up storms in global business wars, and the next, he could cook for his family or turn into an asura for their sake.

Her eyes grew warm.

After comforting his father-in-law, Chen Fan took out his phone.

He had just used the system to scan the square-faced man.

[Name: Ji Changkong]

[Identity: Third Elder of the Ji Clan's collateral branch, a Hidden Family]

[Purpose: Retrieve the family's sacred object, the dragon-patterned jade pendant]

[Background: The Ji Clan has a heritage of over two thousand years with deep foundations. Their connections span the military, political, and business sectors. They act overbearingly and hold themselves in high regard.]

Chen Fan looked at the information provided by the system, a slight curve appearing at the corners of his mouth.

At that moment, Chen Haoyu's encrypted call came in, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Boss, something's happened."

"All of Huihuang Group's infrastructure projects currently in cooperation with the government, including the deep development of the Xishan Mining Area, were halted five minutes ago by an emergency document from the highest levels!"

Chen Fan's gaze fell on the dragon-patterned jade pendant lying quietly in the box.

"The reason?" Chen Fan asked.

"We don't know the reason!" Chen Haoyu's voice was filled with frustration. "The document only had four words—"

"'Awaiting Review'."