142: Sent to prison

"Did you touch the things inside?"

Qin Yun stared at Bowen with a dark expression and asked coldly.

If there was only half a book in the container, it would be much harder to find.

What worried him even more was that if the person who got the other half didn't understand the value of the yongle encyclopedia, they might damage the only remaining treasure.

No matter the cost he paid, it couldn't be repaired.

"I, I..."

Bowen stammered, his eyes darting away, not daring to meet Qin Yun's gaze; it was clear that something bad had happened.

"Are you deaf? Mr. Qin is asking you a question, answer him now!"

"I can find out everything that happens in Augusta. If you dare to hide even a shred of truth, I'll make sure you don't see tomorrow's sun."

Burton strode up to Bowen and kicked him, causing him to stagger.

Seeing this, Bowen knew that hiding the truth was useless.

Sobbing, he told the whole story from beginning to end.

"Litton Haishizi came to see me and said he took a liking to what I had. He picked out a dozen or so sheets of ancient paper from the box, threw down nine hundred thousand dollars, and took them away."

"As you know, Haishizi is a famous Collector, and their family is very powerful. I didn't dare to stop him. If I had known you were so formidable, I wouldn't have shown this box to anyone else."

Burton, with tears and snot, showed no intent of leaving things to chance and told the whole story.

Everyone in the room was stunned; they hadn't expected this situation.

"Mr. Qin, what do you think we should do about this?"

Virgil said with a frown.

He felt this matter was very thorny. He had some influence over people from Christies Auction House.

But against a real big shot, especially someone very powerful in a certain city who didn't care about Christies, there was really nothing he could do.

"The Haishizi family owns over a dozen large cargo ships and has great influence in the surrounding coastal cities. I'm just an insignificant nobody, it's hard for me to even meet Haishizi, so I can't be of much help."

Burton said with a bitter smile.

He had thought Qin Yun's belongings had only passed through Bowen's hands, so he had guaranteed he could resolve it.

Hearing the name Haishizi, he was nearly scared out of his wits.

A person of that level was someone he simply couldn't afford to offend, so helping Qin Yun recover everything was out of the question.

Qin Yun also knew that things became difficult once Haishizi was involved.

What he couldn't understand was why Haishizi had only taken half of the yongle encyclopedia.

As a famous Collector, he should understand the value of the yongle encyclopedia; taking only half of the volumes would greatly diminish their collectible value.

What exactly did this person mean?

If the remaining half was auctioned at Christies Auction House, he would have to spend a large sum of money to get it. Why go through the extra trouble?

Could Haishizi have thought that he would be able to find this place and recover the remaining half?

Qin Yun realized there must be more to it and asked coldly, "Did Haishizi only take a dozen or so sheets of paper?"

"Yes, Haishizi only took a few pages of the ancient book. I swear everything I've said is true. How could I dare refuse Haishizi's request? I really had no choice. Please, in your great mercy, forgive me this time."

Bowen explained hurriedly.

He hadn't wanted to mention this; doing such a thing would already make Qin Yun unhappy.

Once Qin Yun knew that he had sold half of the items, would he still be able to forgive him?

But Bowen hadn't expected Qin Yun to have such sharp eyes, spotting the problem instantly.

He kept his head down, afraid to look at the people around him, fearing he would be slapped another hundred times.

He was already disfigured; if he were hit another hundred times, he would be crippled if not dead.

Qin Yun pondered for a moment and said, "I'll go find Haishizi myself. Virgil, thank you for coming all this way; I'll treat you to a drink when I find a suitable treasure."

"Burton, I have a task for you. Personally escort Bowen to the police station and explain everything clearly. Tell the police all the bad things he've done in the past as well. Can you do that?"

Hearing Qin Yun's instructions, Burton's body stiffened.

"Don't worry, Mr. Qin. I promise to do as you say. If I fail to do so, I will atone with my life!"

Burton promised solemnly.

Since he didn't have to go find Haishizi, he was delighted inwardly.

As for the small task Qin Yun assigned, he was more than happy to complete it for him.

This showed that Qin Yun had truly forgiven him for the offense.

What made him even happier was that Qin Yun was a big shot; making a connection with him was something he had always wanted.

Hearing that he was to be escorted to the police station, Bowen's legs immediately went weak.

"Mr. Qin, I was wrong. Please forgive me this time."

"As long as you don't send me to the police station, I'll do anything. I'll give you all my money, okay?"

"If I go to prison, I'll die. I beg of you."

Bowen kept kowtowing on the ground, pleading.

As a financial fraudster, he had swindled countless people. If he were really sent to prison...

If he happened to run into someone he had scammed, he would be dead.

Moreover, people in prison despised those who cheated the poor out of their money most of all. He was good at deceiving people with his education, but he was physically weak and simply wouldn't survive in prison.

"I wouldn't deign to take your dirty money."

"The business here is finished. Let's part ways now."

Qin Yun cupped his fists to say goodbye to everyone, then returned to the car with Julia, carrying the cardboard box.

"Don't worry, Mr. Qin. I will certainly handle the task you've entrusted to me."

Burton bowed respectfully in the direction of Qin Yun's departure, only straightening up after Qin Yun had left.

"Did you hear me? Keep a close eye on Bowen. If anything goes wrong, you'll be held responsible!"

The bodyguards were incredibly shocked by what had happened in the office; they never would have imagined...

...that a young Treasure Hunter could have such immense influence.

Hearing Burton's order, two men stepped forward and hauled Bowen up.

It was foreseeable that what awaited Bowen was a long life behind bars.

Qin Yun and Julia carefully secured the treasures in the box, especially the yongle encyclopedia.

They wrapped it layer by layer with kraft paper and stationery bags to prevent any damage.

"We'll stay in Augusta tonight and go find Haishizi tomorrow."

Qin Yun said in a low voice after thinking for a moment.

Since half of the yongle encyclopedia was in Haishizi's hands, there was no need to rush.

At the very least, the yongle encyclopedia wouldn't come to harm in the hands of a great Collector. As for what Haishizi was plotting, he would know once they met.

Julia asked in confusion, "Why not hurry? We've encountered so many issues and spent so much time on this yongle encyclopedia. What if something unexpected happens?"

Then she slapped her forehead. "Have you already figured out Haishizi and are very confident about it?"

Qin Yun gave an enigmatic smile and then explained, "Since Haishizi took half, a great Collector like him wouldn't be unaware of the yongle encyclopedia's value, and he would also know that taking only half would greatly reduce that value."

"Knowing this and still doing so means he definitely wants something from me. Even if we didn't come here, he would have returned the yongle encyclopedia to me intact, though the conditions would have been different then."

"Since he needs something from me and is using this kind of testing method, the yongle encyclopedia certainly won't come to any harm with him. If we tidy up our appearance before going, it can be seen as a friendly visit and a sign of respect toward Haishizi."