155: Chapter 155 The Most Expensive Anti-Fraud Course in History

The air inside the gymnasium shifted from a feverish heat to a stifling, heavy atmosphere.

Master Ye was dragged to a corner by Special Police like a dead dog, his face bruised and swollen. The Hanfu he had worn to project an immortal air was now a footprint-covered rag. But he hadn't fainted yet, because the scene that followed was more devastating than the beating he had just received.

In the center of the gymnasium, over a dozen armored cash transport trucks drove straight in.

The rear doors opened, and fully armed Special Police began unloading cash like they were moving bricks, box after box. Bundles of red banknotes were crudely stacked on the ground, pile after pile, layer upon layer.

In less than ten minutes, a "Red Mountain" made of RMB towered in the center of the arena.

Four hundred and seventy million.

This was the result of Master Ye's frantic wealth accumulation over the past half month. The visual impact was destructive; the bright red bills shimmered under the spotlights with a primal magic, a ten thousand times more shocking sight than Master Ye's fifty-cent special effect "golden light."

The victims, who had been wailing and crying just moments ago, all went silent. Thousands of eyes stared fixedly at the mountain of money, the sound of people swallowing saliva echoing through the air.

Gu Changan stood before the mountain of money, holding a large megaphone like a foreman who had just finished his shift.

"Have you seen enough?"

His voice echoed through the hall, carrying an unquestionable authority.

No one spoke; there was only the sound of heavy breathing.

"If you've seen enough, then let's get down to business." Gu Changan patted the stack of cash beside him. "This is your life savings, the money you use to buy milk powder for your children, and the money some of you were saving for retirement. Today, the state has recovered it for you."

"We will process this on-site. We'll verify identities and return the stolen funds right here!"

Following his command, the bank staff and economic crime police, who were already prepared, quickly set up tables and chairs. Dozens of money counters started working simultaneously, their rhythmic whirring merging into a beautiful symphony.

The crowd erupted.

Nothing makes people lose control of their emotions more than recovering what was lost.

The first to receive a refund was the older woman who had wanted to beat Master Ye to death earlier. She held her two hundred thousand in cash with trembling hands, tears flowing uncontrollably. Suddenly, she placed the money on the ground and fell to her knees before Gu Changan with a thud.

"A righteous official! Thank you! Thank you!"

Her kneeling was like the first falling domino.

The thousands of people who had just believed they were "Ancient Saint Bodies" or "Nine Heavens Mysterious Maidens" all knelt down in a massive wave. Cries and shouts of gratitude echoed throughout the gymnasium.

"Everyone, get up!"

Gu Changan frowned deeply and strode forward, pulling the woman up. His movements were firm, but his tone was terrifyingly stern.

"What are you doing? This is the duty of the People's Police, not a handout from some official in the old society! Stand up straight!"

He raised the megaphone again, his gaze scanning the entire room.

"I know what you're thinking. You feel wronged; you think you were scammed because the con artist was too cunning."

"But let me tell you, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world! If one falls from the sky, it's bound to be a lead weight that will crush you to death!"

Gu Changan pointed at Master Ye, who was handcuffed in the corner, his voice suddenly rising:

"Look at that piece of work! He didn't even finish junior high; he used to apply screen protectors for phones! He said he could lead you to Ascension, that he could make you gods, and you believed him?"

"The state invests hundreds of billions in scientific research every year, and tens of thousands of top scientists haven't discovered any 'Divine Bodies' or 'Cultivation.' He's an unemployed vagrant, and you think he can make you Achieve Buddhahood with just his mouth and a few bottles of Red Bull mixed with Viagra?"

"If such technology really existed, would you need to pay for it? The state would have included it in the nine-year compulsory education long ago!"

Gu Changan's words lashed out at everyone like a whip.

The people who had felt like victims just a moment ago now hung their heads in shame one by one. Yes, how absurd it was. Looking back now, their frantic behavior earlier was like a bunch of fools who had been hexed.

The live stream's comment section had already exploded.

"Director Gu said it so well! A moment of clarity for the world!"

"My blood is boiling listening to this; this is the true guardian god!"

"Those people who were scammed really deserve a scolding. Without Director Gu, their lives would be over."

"That Great Master Ye looked like he actually peed himself just now; his pants are wet."

In the corner.

Master Ye slumped on the ground, his eyes vacant. His System was gone, his money was gone, and his dignity was gone.

But he still had one last shred of stubbornness in his heart.

As long as that beggar is real... as long as that Eternal Imperishable Golden Body is real, then it proves I, Master Ye, am not a pure fraud. I still have some discernment!

Just then, the "beggar" whom Master Ye had publicly knelt to also joined the line for refunds.

Master Ye struggled violently, clutching the railings and shouting, "Senior! Senior, save me! I'm the one who saw through your Golden Body!"

The "beggar" froze for a moment, then turned to look at Master Ye with a face full of disgust.

Gu Changan walked over. Seeing Master Ye's refusal to give up, he decided to deliver the final blow.

"Still dreaming?" Gu Changan took a file from Chen Xiaobei and threw it in Master Ye's face.

"Open your eyes and look closely. This 'Senior' is named Liu Dafu, one of the first batch of relocated residents in Donghai City. He has seven buildings under his name for rent, and his assets are roughly ten times yours."

Master Ye was stunned, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

"Then... then why is he dressed like that? Why is he eating trash?"

"Because he's bored. It's a personal hobby, a form of alternative performance art." Gu Changan shrugged, his tone full of mockery. "He's experiencing life. You thought that was cultivation?"

The "beggar" named Liu Dafu gave a chuckle, pulled a Mercedes-Benz key from his tattered clothes, and pressed a button.

Not far away, a crisp unlocking sound came from outside the gymnasium.

"Brother, don't think too much about it. I just feel like some things in the trash aren't spoiled yet; it's a pity to waste them. Ever heard of being thrifty?" Liu Dafu took back the one-million-yuan check Master Ye had stuffed into his hands for the show, donated it to the Red Cross on the spot, then patted the dust off his rear and sauntered away.

"Even a beggar... is richer than me..."

Master Ye murmured to himself. At this moment, his worldview completely collapsed.

The "Divine-Grade Appraisal" he was so proud of couldn't even distinguish between a real beggar and a fake one. His so-called scamming was nothing but a joke in the eyes of the truly wealthy.

“Pfft—!”

Master Ye's blood boiled with rage, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the spot.

As Master Ye lost consciousness, a crisp notification sounded in Gu Changan's mind.

[Mission settlement complete.]

[Successfully cracked a major cultivation fraud case. Stripped the illegal rogue System: "Divine Rank Appraisal and Deception System."]

[Distributing rewards...]

[Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the ability: Eye of True Appraisal.]

[Ability Description: Can see through all illusions and disguises, perceiving the essence of all things. Not limited to the authenticity of items, but can also see directly into the good and evil of human hearts, sins, and hidden identities.]

Gu Changan felt his eyes warm slightly, and his vision seemed to become clearer.

It was a strange feeling, as if the world had suddenly been upgraded from 480P to 8K Ultra HD.

He subconsciously looked toward the crowd waiting for their refunds.

The ordinary crowd changed in his vision. Faint labels appeared above everyone's heads.

[Wang Guihua, an ordinary retired woman, currently anxious because her secret stash of money was discovered.]

[Li Jianjun, an ordinary office worker, just successfully received a refund and is considering having a nice dinner tonight.]

This ability is quite interesting.

Gu Changan's gaze swept aimlessly until suddenly, his vision paused.

At the end of the line was an old man wearing a dark blue work jacket and a peaked cap. The old man looked kind and gentle, complaining to the person next to him about being scammed; his acting was practically perfect.

But under Gu Changan's "Eye of True Appraisal," what appeared above the old man's head wasn't a white label, but a mass of pitch-black Death Qi.

[Target: Zhang San (Alias), Real Name: Zhao Yanwang.]

[Identity: Class A Wanted Criminal, the main culprit of a serial home-invasion robbery and murder case from twenty years ago.]

[Status: Master of Disguise, extremely dangerous, carrying a homemade dagger.]

The smile on the corner of Gu Changan's mouth deepened.

Buy one get one free? There's such a good deal?

He turned off his megaphone and called Chen Xiaobei over, whispering a few words. Chen Xiaobei's expression changed, and he immediately began quietly issuing orders through his headset.

Several Special Police officers inconspicuously circled around from the sides, slowly approaching the end of the line.

That "Zhao Yanwang" was still acting: "Oh, it's good to have this money back. I need to hurry home and buy some meat for my grandson..."

"Old man."

A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.

Zhao Yanwang's muscles tensed instantly, and his right hand subconsciously moved toward his waist, though his face remained blank. "Officer, what's wrong? I've already received my money."

Gu Changan stood before him, looking down at him with eyes like two scalpels, directly dissecting his disguise.

"The money is received, but shouldn't we settle the blood debt from twenty years ago as well?"

Zhao Yanwang's pupils constricted to the size of pinheads.

How did he know?!

This face was something he had spent years and dozens of plastic surgeries to acquire! Not even his own mother would recognize him if she came back to life. How could this policeman see through it at a glance?

"I don't know what you're talking about..."

"You don't need to know. We'll chat slowly back at the station. Stop reaching for that knife; if you move again, a sniper will blow your head off." Gu Changan pointed to a distant high point.

Zhao Yanwang froze, letting go in despair.

Clink.

The handcuffs snapped shut.

The surrounding crowd was shocked once again.

"Holy crap! This old man is a fugitive?"

"Director Gu is amazing! He could even see that?"

"This is like having fiery golden eyes! Who was it that said Master Ye was an immortal? Director Gu is the True God!"

Gu Changan ignored the surrounding praise. He simply straightened his collar, watched Master Ye and the unlucky fugitive being loaded into police cars, and let out a soft breath.

"Withdraw."