59: Chapter 59 This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The expression on his face was probably even more uncomfortable than swallowing a fly; he truly had unspeakable suffering, looking exactly like "a mute eating bitter herbs."

The more Hu Tian thought about it, the funnier it became, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly, his laughter tinged with a sense of "schadenfreude."

An old fox like Zhao Shanhe was usually someone who kept his emotions hidden, the kind of character who would remain "unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before him." However, in that situation, even the deepest cunning would likely crumble, revealing a bit of his true colors for others to see clearly.

He might have even cursed on the spot. That scene was too beautiful; Hu Tian dared not dwell on it for fear of laughing out loud.

Imagining that scene, Hu Tian immediately felt relieved. The tension he had been holding onto in front of Zhao Shanhe dissipated, and he felt much more relaxed.

But laughter aside, he quickly reined in his amusement, his expression becoming serious again, as if the grinning person from a moment ago wasn't him.

Since Zhao Shanhe could locate the Heavenly Kingdom Holy Treasury, it showed that the intelligence network in his hands could not be underestimated. Furthermore, he was someone who would exact revenge for the slightest grievance and would never let things rest; he was bound to "bite back."

Tonight's probing was merely the calm before the storm; the real storm was yet to come.

Next, the other party would inevitably send people to keep a close watch on him and might even adopt more aggressive tactics that would be hard to guard against.

Hu Tian stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the brilliant night view outside. His eyes gradually became deep, as if he wanted to see through the conspiracy behind the night.

That brief pause, those five or six seconds of eagle-like staring, and that casually thrown out question, "Which direction is Cuiyun Mountain?", were all meant to "cast a brick to attract jade," attempting to lure the snake out of its hole. His cunning was astonishing.

One had to admit that Zhao Shanhe was an old fox with deep "cultivation," a level of "cultivation" that was perhaps even higher than Sun Wukong's.

The question was asked calmly, with the probe hidden in idle chatter. If Hu Tian hadn't been prepared, someone with slightly weaker psychological fortitude would likely have already revealed a flaw and been devoured without even bones or residue left behind.

But even so, Hu Tian knew clearly that he hadn't truly passed the test tonight; he had only won a temporary respite. Whether he could catch his breath properly would depend on his next moves.

Although Zhao Shanhe's last words were never spoken, his eyes had already betrayed him—it was a look of unyielding vendetta, as if saying: "Kid, let's wait and see."

Given the style of such an old fox in the underworld, tonight was merely the first step. Subsequent tactics would only be more covert and sinister. Who knows when a group of "hitmen" might come knocking to "have tea" and provide him with a "full service."

Tailings and background checks were inevitable; they would probably even dig up his ancestors for eighteen generations to expose them to the sun.

Hu Tian paced back and forth in the room, re-evaluating the current situation in his mind, his expression as serious as a master chess player deducing a game.

Currently, the other party had no substantial evidence and was acting solely on suspicion. This was Hu Tian's advantage and his only amulet.

However, standing behind Zhao Shanhe was the entire Shanhe Group. Once their massive network of connections, capital, and intelligence was fully deployed, the difficulty for Hu Tian to maneuver alone in the shadows would increase exponentially. This was no different from "pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth."

Especially the area north of Cuiyun Mountain. Although he hadn't left any obvious traces, if the other party sent people to investigate thoroughly, it would ultimately be a hidden danger, just like a "landmine" buried underground.

Just as Hu Tian was planning his countermeasures.

Zhao Shanhe's group returned to their hotel suite. He pulled a black satellite phone from his pocket and skillfully dialed a string of encrypted numbers. The movement was smooth and fluid, as if practiced thousands of times.

The call was answered quickly. A hoarse, low voice came through the receiver, like sandpaper grinding on a tabletop: "Mr. Zhao."

"Scar, I have a job."

Zhao Shanhe's tone was flat, yet it carried a bone-chilling coldness, as if it had drifted out of an ice cellar. "Find a few sharp brothers to probe someone's background and see if he's a real dragon or a loach."

"Who is it?"

"A young man named Hu Tian, in his early twenties, looks quite refined, like a scholar with no strength to truss a chicken."

Zhao Shanhe paused, his tone becoming a bit more solemn. "But my intuition tells me this person is not simple. Send a few people to test him, probe his skills and courage, and don't be fooled by his appearance."

The other end of the line was silent for a moment. Scar's voice sounded cautious, as if afraid of stepping into a minefield: "Mr. Zhao, how should we test him? A civil test or a martial test?"

"Don't cause any deaths, and don't leave any evidence behind."

Zhao Shanhe ordered indifferently, his tone as relaxed as if he were saying "The weather is nice today." "Just manufacture a normal street conflict, find an excuse to make a move, and see his reaction. If he's just an ordinary person, then let it go and treat it as a joke. If he has extraordinary skills..."

He paused, his tone suddenly becoming cold and sinister, as if he had instantly turned into a different person: "Then we must thoroughly investigate his background. There is definitely something fishy about this guy."

"Understood, Mr. Zhao."

Scar replied, his tone carrying a hint of excitement, like a shark that had smelled blood. "Where is he?"

"I will have someone send you the information. Wait for my call then."

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Zhao Shanhe's eyes, a gaze sharper than a knife. "Remember, keep your hands and feet clean. Don't let anyone trace it back to me, or else you can just find a pit and bury yourself."

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhao. We know the ropes for this kind of thing; we guarantee it will be done without anyone knowing."

After hanging up, Zhao Shanhe hooked the corner of his mouth into a meaningful smile, a smile that hid a knife.

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the armrest, making a "thud, thud" sound, as if counting down.

This person Hu Tian was strange in every way, just like a wordless book that couldn't be read.

If he were really just an ordinary antique dealer, that would be fine; at most, he would be a rookie with a bit of an eye for things.

But if he had another identity, ulterior motives, or had even truly been to that Holy Treasury...

Then this person was extremely dangerous and must be eliminated quickly.

Zhao Shanhe narrowed his eyes. The night outside grew deeper, as if it were about to swallow up all the sins in this world.

At the exact moment Zhao Shanhe hung up the phone, a familiar system notification sound suddenly rang in Hu Tian's mind, crisp and pleasant, like heavenly music.

[Ding]

[Potential threat against the host detected. Treasure Hunting Radar automatically activated danger warning function.]

[Warning: Target person Zhao Shanhe has contacted underworld forces via encrypted communication and plans to dispatch thugs to conduct a martial test on the host. Estimated action time is within 24 hours.]

[Threat level: Medium. It is recommended that the host make preparations in advance.]

Hu Tian was slightly stunned, then his brows furrowed tightly, his expression as solemn as a student facing a final graduation exam.

It had come as expected.

He had long expected that Zhao Shanhe wouldn't let go easily, but he hadn't expected the other party to act so quickly. He had just left, and the layout was already set. With this efficiency, it was a waste of talent not to deliver food.

Fortunately, there was the system's early warning, which gave him precious preparation time. This was like using a "cheat" in a game, making him feel much more at ease.

Hu Tian paced in the room, his brain running at high speed, so fast it seemed like it was about to smoke.

Since the other party wanted to probe his background, he absolutely could not let them have their way; he had to show them a thing or two.

If he appeared too weak, Zhao Shanhe would definitely think he was soft and easy to bully, and subsequent tactics would only become more ruthless. By then, he might not even know how he died.

But if he appeared too strong, he feared it would arouse the other party's excessive vigilance and suspicion, which would truly be "counterproductive."

This degree must be grasped just right; one part too much would be excessive, and one part too little would be insufficient.

Hu Tian stood by the window, looking at the night outside, the corner of his mouth hooking into a cold smile, a smile that carried a bit of mockery and disdain.

Since Zhao Shanhe wanted to play, he would play along with him; it was a good chance to stretch his muscles.

However, this play had to be performed according to his own script. He was the director; Zhao Shanhe was just an extra.

He quickly conceived a counter-strategy in his mind, his train of thought as clear as a seasoned detective.

First, he couldn't let the other party think he was completely unprepared; that would be too deliberate and would easily arouse suspicion instead.

Second, he needed to demonstrate a certain level of skill within a "reasonable" range, letting Zhao Shanhe know he wasn't a soft persimmon, but not so strong that it was outrageous, so as to avoid triggering excessive suspicion. He had to make him feel: "A bit interesting, but that's about it."

Most importantly, he had to take this opportunity to turn the tables and probe Zhao Shanhe's background and methods. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

Just as Hu Tian was thinking about how to deal with Zhao Shanhe, his phone rang abruptly, breaking the silence of the room.

He picked it up and saw that the caller ID was actually the Wenchang Pavilion manager, Li Hao, Master Li. Why was he calling so late at night? Could something have happened?

"Hello, Master Li, is something the matter?"

Hu Tian answered the phone, his tone calm.

"Brother Little Hu, there's something I need to tell you."

Li Hao's voice sounded quite excited, as if he had won millions in the lottery. "Several leaders from the Cultural Relics Bureau in the capital have come to Jinling. I heard it's about you identifying the Imperial Cloud and Dragon Pattern Three-Legged Bronze Incense Burner, and they are quite interested in you, little brother. Several leaders in the bureau want to meet you. I wonder if you have time to come over tomorrow? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Hu Tian was stunned, then immediately realized that this was truly "searching high and low, only to find it without any effort."

Leaders from the Cultural Relics Bureau?

This was an unexpected delight, like a pie falling from the sky.

He was still worrying about how to deal with Zhao Shanhe's probing, never expecting the Cultural Relics Bureau to send timely help. With this kind of luck, it would be a pity not to buy a lottery ticket.

Thinking about it carefully, this came at just the right time—a step too early would have been too rushed, and a step too late would have been too slow.

If he could take this opportunity to connect with the leaders of the Cultural Relics Bureau, it would have only advantages and no disadvantages for his subsequent actions. This was like latching onto a "golden thigh."

First, with official backing, people like Zhao Shanhe would have to weigh things three times before acting and would not dare to act rashly.

Second, if any important cultural relics were unearthed in the future, he could handle them through official channels, avoiding covetous eyes, and would no longer have to sneak around like a thief.

"Tomorrow? Yes, that's fine,"

Hu Tian said hurriedly, fearing the other party might change their mind. "Then when should I come over?"

Li Hao laughed on the other end of the line: "Then tomorrow at nine in the morning. A driver will be sent to pick you up directly. Brother Little Hu, send me your address so I can make arrangements. Make sure not to be late."