"What are you looking for?" Li Zhonglou's heart sank.
Shen Yishou was a person like a divine dragon, appearing only to disappear without a trace, possessing profound calculations and immense supernatural abilities.
If even he couldn't find something, one could imagine the difficulty.
"The Dust-Evading Pearl!" Shen Yishou's voice was firm and resonant.
Upon hearing these three words, Li Zhonglou's grave expression suddenly lit up: "Good, I promise you. Come to Qinzhou immediately."
"Within two days, I guarantee to present the Dust-Evading Pearl to you with both hands!"
After saying that, he hung up the phone.
Lin Zhendong and his daughter looked on with surprise at this scene.
"Junior Disciple Brother, the Dust-Evading Pearl is one of the three ancient divine pearls. It disappeared after a vicious robbery incident in 1957. Where will you find it?" Lin Ying asked with concern.
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Zhendong waved his hand: "Your Junior Disciple Brother is no ordinary person. Since he is so certain, it means he has confidence."
"Zhonglou, do you know the whereabouts of this Dust-Evading Pearl?"
Lin Zhendong had absolute confidence in his last disciple.
Things as mystical as past and present lives could happen to him, let alone a mere Dust-Evading Pearl.
He was already accustomed to any astonishing act Li Zhonglou might perform.
"Master is right," Li Zhonglou said confidently. "The Dust-Evading Pearl was first recorded in the official histories of the 'New Book of Tang.' Legend has it that when placed in a dusty place, the dust would automatically recede, hence the name 'Dust-Evading.'"
"In reality, it's a phenomenon caused by the magnetic field generated by radioactive elements."
"It is rumored that in 1957, in the western suburbs of Chang'an, a worker excavating the foundation of a textile factory unearthed a circular ancient tomb without a tombstone."
"Inside, there was only a stone bed. Beneath the bed were skeletal remains, and atop the skull was a jade-like bead, the size of a soybean."
"Its appearance was identical to the description in the 'New Book of Tang,' but the worker did not recognize it. He took it out of the tomb, and other workers wanted to see it. The worker refused, leading to a dispute."
"During the scuffle, the pearl was lost."
"Actually, the Dust-Evading Pearl was swallowed by that worker. That worker was also detained and monitored, only being released in '71."
"After returning to his hometown, he passed away from leukemia not long after. This was precisely due to the radioactive material of the Dust-Evading Pearl."
"His body was cremated after his death, and the Dust-Evading Pearl reappeared, falling into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, and was passed through several hands to a merchant."
"I know this person. I might have to go to Yong'an to find Sister Yun."
In just a few words, Li Zhonglou clearly explained the origin and whereabouts of the Dust-Evading Pearl.
These were not events recorded in books, but things he had personally experienced.
A decade or so later, the merchant who possessed the Dust-Evading Pearl, facing a broken cash flow, had no choice but to put it up for auction. It was acquired by the National Museum, and he was invited to authenticate it.
And that merchant happened to be someone he knew.
It was Shi Jianming, who collaborated with Xiao Yun. This person was not only proficient in Tianhuang stone but also collected many ancient jade artifacts.
However, he was notoriously difficult to deal with, as seen from the last time he helped him obtain the Three-Link Seal. It was likely impossible to buy it with money; another method would be needed.
"I'll go with you!" Lin Ying volunteered.
Li Zhonglou's true qi had not yet recovered, and she dared not let him act alone.
Moreover, Xiao Yun was her best friend, so it would be easier to discuss matters.
This suited Li Zhonglou's intentions perfectly. He bid farewell to his master and set off by car.
Yong'an was only a little over a hundred kilometers from Qinzhou, so it wouldn't take long.
However, he only had three days. If he couldn't find the scumbag Tian Shan within three days, he couldn't guarantee Jiang Yuxin or others would be safe.
Even with Xu Lie's protection, it wasn't a sure thing.
Having witnessed Shen Yishou's strength, capable of crippling his leg, this Tian Shan, in terms of martial arts alone, was likely unfathomable.
Xu Lie might not be his match.
Upon arriving at the Eternal Han Palace, Xiao Yun, dressed in a beige suit, greeted them at the entrance with her bodyguards.
Seeing Li Zhonglou and Lin Ying get out of the car, her imposing demeanor instantly dissolved, revealing a rare, warm smile.
She hugged Li Zhonglou and chided, "You two are really elusive, showing up without a word. Luckily, I didn't leave the province today; I would have missed you if you came a day later."
"You busy person, how could we dare to disturb you in advance? Where did you go out of the province?" Lin Ying teased.
"I had to inspect a project. However, I've postponed everything for today and will accompany you wholeheartedly!" Xiao Yun clearly didn't intend to elaborate.
The two naturally wouldn't pry. Li Zhonglou, with the Dust-Evading Pearl on his mind, directly asked, "Sister Yun, has Shi Jianming arrived?"
"He's waiting in the private room. You're lucky too; he's about to return to Shangjing," Xiao Yun replied with a nod.
Soon, the three entered the private room. Shi Jianming was playing with a small Tianhuang seal.
"Zhonglou, have you been well?" Seeing Li Zhonglou, he gave a crooked smile as a greeting.
He didn't even move from his seat.
This was already considered him showing respect to Li Zhonglou. After all, he had defeated Li Hanlong and helped him obtain the Three-Link Seal, which was also giving face to Xiao Yun.
For ordinary people, he wouldn't even bother to glance at them.
"President Shi is also full of vigor," Li Zhonglou replied, then got straight to the point: "I asked Sister Yun to arrange this meeting today because I want a piece of your collection."
"My collection? I have quite a lot. Which piece do you want?" Shi Jianming chuckled.
Every great collector wishes for their possessions to be appreciated by others. No matter how high one's cultivation, they couldn't escape this vanity. Otherwise, why would so many people open private museums?
On the surface, they would say they appreciate and like it, but in reality, they still wanted to show off.
It's just that the level and methods are different.
"The Dust-Evading Pearl!" Li Zhonglou's words were astonishing.
Shi Jianming's smile froze on his face, his eyes filled with disbelief.
The fact that he possessed the Dust-Evading Pearl was undoubtedly his biggest secret. No one, not even his wife or children, knew about it.
He might be boastful, but he had never revealed this particular treasure to anyone. The world believed the Dust-Evading Pearl was lost. Where did Li Zhonglou get the information?
Could he have investigated him?
Impossible. He obtained the Dust-Evading Pearl very early on and had always kept it sealed in a lead box.
After so many years, the traces had long been wiped clean. How could he have been investigated?
For a moment, his heart was filled with unbearable doubt.
However, being an experienced veteran of the business world, he maintained his composure outwardly and denied it, "What Dust-Evading Pearl are you talking about? I've never even heard of it. You must have the wrong person."
"President Shi, you and I are both intelligent people. There are no secrets that cannot be leaked in this world," Li Zhonglou said earnestly, knowing what he was thinking. "The Dust-Evading Pearl is very important to me, and I am determined to obtain it."
"Whatever the condition, name your price."
Shi Jianming was no ordinary person. Beating around the bush with him would only make things worse.
It was better to state the purpose clearly, reveal the bottom line, and negotiate openly.
"Old Shi, Zhonglou is like my brother, and you are my friend. Let's speak frankly. Name your price," Xiao Yun immediately chimed in.
She didn't know what the Dust-Evading Pearl was, but she knew that if it weren't for Li Zhonglou, her Xiao family might have been at their wit's end.
She had to repay this favor.