As autumn quickly approached, letâs not mention how happy Ao Qian was in Tonglin County. The modern St. Miguel treasure auction was also about to begin.
Needless to say, itâs one of the most renowned treasures in the world, so it caused quite a stir in media circles. Even online in Hua Country, there were articles everywhere explaining this treasure.
"Riding this wave, Spain started acting up again, demanding these treasures be returned to the Spanish Royal Family."
Lu Zheng sneered, "Hah, they have the nerve to say that? Strictly speaking, these items were seized from the South American indigenous people, but have they ever returned them?"
"The focus is here; Latin American nations have joined forces, claiming to be heirs of the Inca Empire and thus rightful successors to this treasure. Theyâve already filed a lawsuit with the International Court, demanding its return," Lin Wan explained.
"Wow, they can pop out of nowhere?" Lu Zheng was startled.
Lin Wan shrugged, "After all, this treasureâs reputation is too grand, and Spain, as a pioneer in maritime exploration with a renowned name, participating in this treasure contest could also boost their political status.
If others speak up and you donât, itâs too cowardly, and it could ruin your reputation. Speaking up but not getting the treasure is no big deal, right? After all, no one else is getting it either.
Because every country has different definitions for the ownership of underwater treasures, Grant was a capitalist from the Lighthouse Country, so despite the uproar, itâs actually pointless."
"And not just that." Lin Wan chuckled, "The bigger the commotion, the higher the attached value of these treasures. Now experts estimate the transaction amount for this auction has risen from 800 million US Dollars to 10 billion to 12 billion."
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin, "Alright, thatâs not bad for us."
Lin Wan asked with interest, "Are you sure you can get the money?"
"Piece of cake." Lu Zheng snapped his fingers, "The accounts where I transfer the money are linked to all kinds of big shots. Donât say itâs just auction money from a declining nationâs treasure; even the hitmanâs reward for assassinating the Lighthouse Countryâs president, no one would trace it back."
"That capable?" Lin Wan widened her eyes.
Lu Zheng nodded, "Involving private accounts from global major banks, financial groups, and political figures, you wouldnât think theyâre innocent like little daisies or bunnies, right?"
Lin Wan grinned, "Youâre so bad. How did you find them?"
"Donât you remember my expertise?"
"Oh right, youâre amazing!" Lin Wan couldnât help but laugh, "If computer science graduates had half your skills, the world would be in chaos."
Lu Zheng was upset, "Defamation, youâre defaming me! Iâm a pacifist who stands in opposition to gambling and drugs!"
"Tsk tsk, I believe you, remember where we got the travel expenses the first time to Southeast Asia?" Lin Wan chuckled.
Lu Zheng blinked, alright, it was won from an entertainment venue in Singapore, a detail forgotten if Lin Wan hadnât mentioned it.
"So, where are our travel expenses coming from this time?"
Lin Wan playfully slapped Lu Zheng, "This is a visit home, what travel expenses?"
Currently, itâs September, just in time for the lunar Mid-Autumn Festival. Lin Wan had some free time, so she flew back to Shandong with Lu Zheng to visit Linâs Mother.
Lin Wanâs hometown is in the middle region of the Jiaodong Peninsula of Lu Province, not far from Yan City in the north and Dao City in the south.
The two reached Lin Wanâs hometown, spent a day with Linâs Mother, and then took her along to Dao City for a relaxing vacation.
After just returning Linâs Mother to her room, the two stayed at the Sea View Hotel in Dao City, enjoying the sea view, when the dialogue occurred.
"How is it home, isnât this a vacation in Dao City?" Lu Zheng argued.
"Alright!" Lin Wan smirked teasingly, "My mom is with us, so Iâd love to see how you earn the money."
Lu Zheng, "..."
Youâre giving me a hard time, Fat Tiger; with the mother-in-law here, no extreme methods can be used.
If words wouldnât win, then itâs time for action.
"Woooâ"
Lin Wan hurriedly struggled, "No way, weâre just back to freshen up, change clothes, and head out to the night market for snacks tonight!"
"No, no, Iâm wrong!"
"Mmmâ"
...
After two days in Dao City, Linâs Mother returned home, while Lin Wan had another day off due to a shift swap.
"Where to go today?" Lin Wan asked, "Still exploring Dao City?"
"Weâve basically toured the city; other places feel pretty much like Hai City," Lu Zheng remarked, "except the beer is really good."
"Iâll bring some cases for you."
"A few cases no... alright, a few cases will do, fresh beer is the best, if I really want more, Iâll just come back to buy it." Lu Zheng said.
Honestly, fresh beer truly is different, that malty aroma, much better than the bottled beer sold everywhere else.
"Iâll go along with your plans." Lin Wan smiled.
"How about renting a yacht and heading out to sea?"
"No interest." Lin Wan flipped through travel guides on her phone, her eyes lighting up, "Why not visit Lao Mountain!"
"Lao Mountain?"
"The âTaiyuan Mysterious Scriptureâ you gave me is a Daoist Technique, right? Lao Mountain is a famous Daoist Immortal Mountain, how can we not visit while weâre here?"
As Lin Wan said this, she suddenly seemed excited yet nervous, giving Lu Zheng a knowing glance, "So, do you think weâll encounter those... um?"
Lin Wan wasnât dim; cultivating the âTaiyuan Mysterious Scripture,â itâs quite apparent this is a Daoist Technique.
Since so, if she can cultivate using this technique, then what about others?
Though she hasnât felt any Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi in modern times, could there be Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands or Heavenly and Earthly Treasures?
The Lao Mountain Daoist mentioned in âStrange Tales of Liao Zhai,â is that real?
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, "What do you think?"
Lin Wan was helpless, "How would I know?"
Lu Zheng chuckled, initially wanting to tease Lin Wan, but he thought it over and said, "Do you think if there were others like us, wouldnât those above know?"
"Oh? Youâre right!" Lin Wan nodded, suddenly realizing.
So thereâs only one truth, the true wonder is only Lu Zheng.
Lin Wanâs eyes shone brightly, eager to tackle Lu Zheng to the ground again.
"Ahem ahem."
Although Lu Zheng also wanted to, only one day of leave was left now, so he changed the topic, "Speaking of which, last time we traveled to Sichuan Province, Qingcheng Mountain was nearby, why didnât you want to go?"
Lin Wan was a bit embarrassed, "At that time, my mind was only on seeing pandas, didnât think of Qingcheng Mountain."
Old Daoists canât compare to adorable pandas!
Lu Zheng gave a thumbs-up, youâre absolutely right!
"So are we going or not?" Lin Wan, embarrassed and angered, surged with momentum.
"Letâs go!"
Thus, online ticket booking was done promptly, setting out for the Daoist Holy Land, Sea Heaven Immortal Mountain.