AD Chapter 24

Wang Wu^[1], owner of the Ancient Sword antique shop in Wuhan and Sixth Hall Master of the Palm Essence Union, was going about his usual daily routine.

“Here’s a new item.”

Yu (유(柳, liǔ – willow)) entered carrying a small box.

Though Yu worked as a clerk and had a kindly appearance, he was no ordinary employee. He was actually a renowned expert within the Palm Essence Union. Besides the regular guards, five first-class experts like Yu were permanently stationed here.

That’s how many precious items this place held.

When Wang Wu opened the box, inside was a Golden Frog Statue^[2].

“Finally obtained it.”

“It took some convincing.”

The killing intent behind Yu’s smirk suggested what kind of “convincing” had been involved.

“How much did you pay?”

“Eight thousand taels.”

Wang Wu broke into a broad smile. This Golden Frog Statue was worth at least twenty thousand taels. If marketed properly, it could easily fetch fifty thousand.

“Good work.”

Wang Wu pulled out some money from his sleeve. Two hundred-tael promissory notes.

“Get yourself a drink later.”

That excessive amount for drinks was actually a bonus for this job – payment for wrongdoing.

Yu pocketed the money with a grin and disappeared through the back door.

Wang Wu smiled contentedly as he looked at the Golden Frog Statue. Though he had spent two hundred taels on Yu, his own cut would be ten times that amount.

Wang Wu was far too corrupt to live on just his monthly salary from the Palm Essence Union.

In a world ruled by illegality and corruption, only fools play by the rules. That was Wang Wu’s philosophy.

Just then, someone entered.

The middle-aged man who walked in spoke immediately:

“Hall Master Wang!”

Wang Wu was startled by those words.

Very few people knew his title as Hall Master.

Most of the Palm Essence Union’s businesses operated in secret. This antique shop was no exception.

“Who might you be?”

The middle-aged man spoke in a low voice:

“I’m Lim Yun-oh of the Northern Heavens Supreme Family.”

“Ah!”

At that moment, Wang Wu remembered Lim Yun-oh. How could he have failed to recognize that distinctive large mole beside his nose?

“It’s been a while, Master Lim.”

Wang Wu’s waist bent automatically in a bow. Though they were both Hall Masters, how could the Palm Essence Union compare to the Northern Heavens Supreme Family?

What brings him here?

Wang Wu was internally very tense.

After exchanging a few words of greeting, Wang Wu carefully asked:

“What brings you to our humble establishment?”

Surely he hadn’t just dropped by while passing through.

“Well…”

Lim Yun-oh hesitated, glancing at Wang Wu.

The sharp-witted Wang Wu led him inside. It was a secret room prepared in the back of the shop.

Only after entering did Lim Yun-oh carefully open his mouth:

“This matter absolutely cannot become known.”

“Don’t worry.”

That wasn’t enough reassurance, as Lim Yun-oh spoke in an even lower voice:

“It’s a matter of life and death.”

Wang Wu tensed internally. His years of experience had taught him one thing – the more dangerous, the bigger the profit.

Wang Wu nodded, showing his resolve.

“Please continue.”

“I want to dispose of an item.”

Finally, Lim Yun-oh pulled out a box from his breast.

And slowly opened it.

Wang Wu’s eyes widened at the item inside.

“This is!”

It was a jade Buddha statue about the size of an adult’s palm. But this was no ordinary Buddha statue. It was an Asura Buddha statue with multiple arms attached to its back.

“Could it be?”

Wang Wu’s hands began trembling as his thoughts reached a certain conclusion.

Lim Yun-oh nodded.

“That’s right. This is the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha^[3].”

Wang Wu’s eyes bulged.

The Divine Demonic Jade Buddha.

Among jade Buddha statues, this was the most famous and precious.

There were many tales about it – from claims it contained the secret manual of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to rumors it was a sacred object of the Esoteric School. Some said tremendous martial arts were hidden within the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha, while others claimed the statue itself was a terrifying hidden weapon.

Just seeing it in person was enough to make one’s heart race – that was the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha.

Wang Wu carefully examined the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha. It had perfect proportions and extremely intricate carving.

“May I verify it?”

Lim Yun-oh nodded as if this was only natural.

Wang Wu turned off the lights in the secret room.

When the lights went out, the room became completely dark.

“Oh!”

An exclamation of admiration escaped Wang Wu’s lips.

The Divine Demonic Jade Buddha emitted different colors depending on the viewing angle. Viewed from the front it gave off a brilliant jade light, from the side a red light, and from behind a blue light.

“This is truly, truly genuine!”

There was no doubt this was the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha.

Wang Wu turned the lights back on.

“How did you obtain this?”

“I happened to acquire it recently. You know the value of this item, correct?”

“Of course.”

Wang Wu’s voice was trembling.

Lim Yun-oh asked seriously:

“Will you purchase it?”

Wang Wu nodded without hesitation. This was the most valuable item he had ever dealt with.

“How much will you pay?”

After pondering for a while, Wang Wu answered calmly:

“I’ll give you 200,000 taels.”

It was a life-risking gambit.

The item was worth at least 500,000 taels. With proper handling, it could sell for even more. If he could complete this transaction, the Palm Essence Union Leader would be overjoyed.

Suddenly, Wang Wu’s whole body tingled with excitement. Greed was surging up from deep within his heart.

With the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha!

Wang Wu entertained thoughts he shouldn’t. If he ran away with it and mastered its martial arts, he could transform into the greatest expert under heaven.

No, that’s too dangerous.

Besides, he was too old to properly learn martial arts. He had learned how to live well without such things.

Right, I’ll sell it for a massive profit.

If he handled it discreetly, he could embezzle 200-300,000 taels.

Either way, Wang Wu’s heart was racing with excitement.

Lim Yun-oh frowned, appearing to contemplate. The price seemed to fall short of his expectations.

Wang Wu was confident Lim Yun-oh wouldn’t refuse. Because it needed to be disposed of secretly. Because no one else could handle such an item.

“But! Only if you can provide the money immediately, in small-denomination notes that can’t be traced.”

Wang Wu barely suppressed his urge to shout in celebration.

“Agreed.”

Lim Yun-oh’s eyes flashed dangerously. Killing intent flickered.

“You must maintain absolute secrecy.”

“Of course.”

That was what Wang Wu wanted to request. Please.

Wang Wu’s mind raced. The Ancient Sword shop itself could mobilize 100,000 taels. His own accumulated wealth was 50,000 taels. Another 50,000 could be borrowed from the Palm Essence Union’s gambling house. He could handle that transaction by creating fake items. It was something he’d done many times before.

Wang Wu called Yu from earlier and gave him several discreet instructions.

While they waited, Lim Yun-oh spoke calmly:

“It’s a precious item. If word gets out, many will covet it.”

“Don’t worry. Even if rumors spread, which they won’t, our shop’s vault is protected by twelve mechanical traps. Even the greatest expert under heaven couldn’t break through.”

Lim Yun-oh nodded.

“As expected of the renowned Ancient Sword shop.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Then Wang Wu left his seat.

An hour later, the results of Wang Wu and Yu running around until their feet were sweating were handed over to Lim Yun-oh in a large leather pouch.

“Then I wish you well.”

After exchanging farewells, Lim Yun-oh walked outside.

As he slowly walked away, he entered an alley.

Two people were waiting at the end of the alley – Mu-yeong and Hwa Mucheol.

Shhhhhhrrrrk-

Jeok Lee-geon peeled off the human skin mask.