523: Chapter 523: Filming a Blockbuster 523: Chapter 523: Filming a Blockbuster One billion was just the beginning.
Only a few could afford to play this game, the most influential women of Donglin City among them.
“Hmm, something’s not right, there’s a dangerous aura, something is about to happen.” Tangyu suddenly sensed a foreboding.
This feeling was much stronger than before, so strong that Tangyu believed the danger was imminent.
Could it be that someone was really planning to target the auction, to stir up trouble here?
Tangyu’s gaze sharpened as he scanned the surroundings for any suspicious individuals.
Tangyu’s attention quickly fell on two hostesses.
He noticed that both hostesses had their hands behind their backs, seemingly holding something.
Moreover, there was a sinister cold smile on their faces, their eyes filled with determination.
“These two are suspicious.” Tangyu immediately concluded.
Just as he thought this, he felt a violent tremor pass through, shaking the chairs.
Almost simultaneously, a deafening explosion erupted, shaking the entire room as if it were about to collapse.
“Ah!”
This sudden explosion threw the auction into chaos.
The sound came from right next to the auction hall.
Given the exceptional soundproofing of the hall, to be shaken like this indicated the immense power of the bomb.
As soon as the explosion sounded outside, an alarm went off in the auction hall, and an automatic defense protocol was activated, turning the hall into a fortress as impenetrable as if made of iron walls, impervious to bombs.
No matter the storm of bullets outside, inside was as stable as Mount Tai, and order was quickly restored.
However, the auction was obviously going to be temporarily suspended, and the crowd became restless and noisy.
“What’s going on, did someone really have the audacity to cause trouble here?”
“It could also be an attempt to steal the treasures, the ninety-nine treasures are still stored in the Treasure Room, and their value is in the billions.”
“Such a grand gesture, indeed a masterstroke.
Even a small army would struggle here, these people are doomed to fail.”
“We should just stay put inside here, the authorities outside will handle the situation.”
Huangfu Jing furrowed her brows slightly, looking at Tangyu and said, “You were right, something did happen.
But I believe, they will not succeed.
As soon as something happens here, thousands of police forces from Donglin City can arrive here in no time, sealing the venue completely, not even a fly could escape.
Unless it’s Dead Soldiers sent by an international terrorist organization, no one will walk out of here alive, not to mention stealing the treasures.
The only fear is, their target is us.”
Tangyu frowned slightly and said, “The likelihood of us being the target is not very high.
If it were us, the bomb would have exploded here, not outside.”
“Not necessarily, the explosion outside might have been to attract the external forces, then take the opportunity to attack here,” Huangfu Jing shook her head.
“If that were the case, they would have attacked here by now.
This place has already activated the first level defense protocol.
Even bombs can’t break in, let alone people.
And I believe, the entrance is surely blocked by a large number of security personnel right now, making it basically impossible for anyone to break in, unless from the inside.
But—if it were to be breached from inside, they would have acted already, there shouldn’t be silence till now.” Tangyu said, his gaze once again landing on the two hostesses in the corner.
He was still certain these two were problematic, just unsure what they were still waiting for.
If it were just these two, they couldn’t possibly stir up much trouble at the venue.
After all, this place was filled with experts, many of whom had brought bodyguards.
Someone like Qing Ge not only had excellent skills but was definitely armed.
Those two would hardly make a dent if they were planning to cause trouble.
Huangfu Jing nodded, agreeing with Tangyu’s view.
“So that means, their target is still the Treasure Room?
But the Treasure Room is also equipped with the most advanced security technology and staffed with a large number of security personnel, can they really succeed here?
Even if they succeed, they can’t fly away,” said Huangfu Jing, clearly puzzled.
Tangyu looked towards the ‘Athena suit’ and said, “Perhaps, their target is this.”
“The Athena suit?” Huangfu Jing was momentarily stunned but then considered it a possibility.
Tangyu’s eyebrows suddenly shot up as he looked at the two hostesses, who had just flung their shoes away.
Tangyu immediately realized these weren’t ordinary shoes.
As expected, as soon as the shoes flew out, they exploded, fortunately not as bombs.
“It’s a smoke bomb, their target is indeed the Athena suit, Qing Ge, protect Huangfu Jing quickly,” Tangyu said swiftly, his eyes firmly fixed on the Athena suit.
However, four smoke bombs exploded, all in front of the podium, the thick smoke turning the place into a world of fog, where one could hardly see their own hands, let alone anything else.
“Unlike typical smoke bombs, this one is a modified enhancement type, it even adds anti-infrared vision capabilities, such advanced stuff.” Qing Ge too was on high alert, fully focused, forming a protective barrier in front and back of Huangfu Jing, ensuring she would not be harmed.
The venue instantly erupted into chaos, with screams echoing from every corner, shrouding the area in pandemonium.
The alarm at the venue blared incessantly, and the smoke extractor began working immediately, quickly reducing the fog.
In about twenty seconds, the smoke had mostly cleared, restoring everyone’s visibility.
But upon looking at the stage again, the ‘Athena suit’ had vanished without a trace, and the protective shield outside it remained intact, as if it had just disappeared into thin air, shocking everyone.
“The Athena suit has been stolen!”
“What an incredible tactic, is this a big movie shoot?”
“An American blockbuster?”
“How did they do it, and who exactly stole the Athena suit?”
Many people were dumbfounded; in the blink of an eye, the Athena suit had been stolen.
The protective casing was said to employ the most advanced technology of the age, resistant to explosions and blasts, yet it had still been taken.
This was just like something out of a movie.
“Such a remarkable tactic, Tangyu you were right again,” Huangfu Jing remarked in astonishment.
Tangyu’s gaze turned to the stage, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
The venue had been sealed off; who had the capability to silently steal the Athena suit in such a brief moment?
The two hostesses were probably just a distraction; there must have been someone else involved.
But who was behind this?
Although this matter didn’t concern him personally, Tangyu was still curious to find out who had really taken the Athena suit.
Even if someone had managed to take it, how would they leave?
The venue was sealed, and it was clear that the Athena suit was still here.
A thorough search would definitely unearth it.
The situation had already been relayed outside; the doors of the venue suddenly opened, and a squad of fully armed security personnel swiftly rushed in to secure the area.
“Bang, bang, bang!!!”
However, at that moment, the two hostesses suddenly pulled out a compact mobile phone and started firing at the security personnel.
Not only the two hostesses, but also two security members initiated an attack, clearly a coordinated inside-outside effort that immediately plunged the scene into further chaos.
Many people were so frightened that they crouched down with their heads covered.
Tangyu and Qing Ge tightly protected Huangfu Jing, and Tangyu’s gaze swept towards the attackers.
The assassins evidently exhibited suicidal tendencies, and amidst the chaos, the four were quickly neutralized, although several security personnel were killed in action.
Dozens of security officers rushed in, tightly securing the doorway, while others outside were cleaning up the scene.
Soon, a man in his early forties wearing a suit entered; he was Mr.
Tang, the head of CJLJO One Asia and the person in charge of the auction.
Upon entering, his gaze swept across the venue like a high-tech scanner, then under the protection of four security officers, made his way to the stage.
His eyes also fell on the empty display, his brows furrowing deeply, emitting an intimidating aura.
However, Mr.
Tang quickly regained his composure, first graciously bowing to the audience, then apologetically said, “This unpleasant incident arose from insufficient security measures by CJLJO One, which startled all our esteemed guests.
On behalf of CJLJO One, I offer our sincerest apologies and heartfelt thanks for your trust, support, and understanding.
I personally guarantee the safety of every individual here; please trust our capability.
The situation outside is completely under our control now, with all culprits neutralized.
Donglin City police have also arrived to support, so we are secure.
Please rest assured.”
Mr.
Tang’s words comforted the audience, allowing many to breathe a sigh of relief and relax their tense nerves.
After a pause, Mr.
Tang continued, “The Athena suit has been stolen, but I am certain that it is still here.
Naturally, please do not misunderstand, I absolutely do not doubt anyone here, but as the person in charge of this auction from CJLJO One, I must take responsibility.
We have to follow the procedure, so I ask for everyone’s understanding and forgiveness.”
“Does Mr.
Tang mean to search each of us individually?”
“I understand, given the situation, search if it must be done.”
“But a body search is not acceptable, no matter what; we are victims too, and it’s not justifiable to search us, absolutely not.”
The venue again burst into an uproar, voices clashing.
Mr.
Tang said, “Please don’t misunderstand, you all are respected guests, and a body search would be an insult to you, which I certainly wouldn’t dare to suggest.
I’ve said that I absolutely trust everyone, but we still need to go through the motions.
We have specialized scanning equipment; I only ask that our esteemed guests cooperate a little and let our devices perform a quick scan.
Of course, it’s on a voluntary basis.
If anyone is truly unwilling, I won’t force it.
Thank you again for your understanding.”