At this very moment, the man bound to the chair endured the pain, speaking with a hint of pleading in his voice, “Brother, I admit I didn't pay the proper respects and overstepped my bounds. That is my fault, but I have sincere intent to atone…”

“Enough with the nonsense,” Fourth Master Qiao snapped, his eyes glaring. “When I’m not asking you questions, keep your mouth shut, or I’ll have someone drag you out and bury you immediately.”

In an instant, the man dared not utter another sound, for he felt the imposing aura of menace radiating from Fourth Master Qiao—a threat that was clearly actionable, not mere idle talk.

Qiao then smoothly reverted to his amiable, smiling demeanor, turning to Wang Guan. “Well, have you made up your mind? If you think the item is good, then I’ll give it to you.”

“Old Master, you must be joking,” Wang Guan blinked. “This is stolen property…”

“Young man, perhaps you don’t know. In this place called Jinyang, as long as I wish it, never mind stolen goods—I can launder things a hundred times darker and make them clean for you,” Fourth Master Qiao said coolly, an undeniable air of arrogance clinging to him.

Wang Guan didn't doubt this; after a moment of thought, he suddenly chuckled. “What service does the Old Master intend for me to perform?”

“Heh heh, a clever young man indeed.” Fourth Master Qiao’s smile grew warmer and more approachable. “It’s nothing difficult, just a small favor I need you to do…”

“It’s about Xiao Qiao, isn’t it?” Wang Guan asked with a smile.

“Yes, precisely so,” Fourth Master Qiao sighed contentedly. “It’s always easier talking to smart people.”

“In that case, I must regretfully decline,” Wang Guan stated directly, without even considering playing coy. His refusal was prompt and final.

“Why?”

Fourth Master Qiao’s expression shifted instantly, becoming grim. “You can surely guess what favor I’m asking: merely to persuade Xiao Qiao to agree to my arrangements and meet with certain individuals. Refusing such a small matter makes one suspicious.”

“Suspicious of what?” Wang Guan wasn't afraid, just puzzled.

“Suspicious that you have ulterior motives, harboring ill intent…” Fourth Master Qiao’s eyes flickered. “Don't tell me you’ve taken a secret liking to Xiao Yu, and that’s why you won't agree to my terms.”

Wang Guan was momentarily speechless, caught between laughter and tears. “Old Master, your imagination is far too fertile! Remember, I already have a girlfriend. The only reason I refuse is that it would ruin the friendship between Xiao Qiao and us. You know Xiao Qiao’s temperament; unless she agrees herself, no one can force her…”

“I’m not asking you to force her, just to persuade her,” Fourth Master Qiao argued, his face etched with helplessness and sadness. “People grow up, their wings harden, and they aren’t as obedient as they were when they were little…”

Wang Guan pretended not to hear, recognizing this as intractable domestic business. In this age that championed freedom and individuality, it would likely prove exceedingly difficult for Fourth Master Qiao to have Qiao Yu follow his arrangements in every matter.

Therefore, Wang Guan returned his attention to the painting on the table, then turned back. “Old Master, this is the painting that was lost. I think it should be returned as soon as possible, to ease Elder Tao’s worry.”

“You have a good heart,” Fourth Master Qiao said, smiling slyly. “You won’t even take the item when it’s freely given—such high moral character.”

Wang Guan managed a wry smile, unable to miss the sarcasm. The issue was that the item wasn't truly free; it came with conditions, and it was clearly someone else’s property. No matter how much he liked it, he couldn't claim it.

“But it doesn't matter,” Fourth Master Qiao chuckled faintly. “You underestimate people. Did you really think he fled overnight merely to shed his skin like a cicada? Wrong. The man had urgent business tying him down, rushing to the next engagement…”

“The next engagement?” Wang Guan paused, slightly bewildered. “What does that mean?”

“It means he’s a real dragon crossing the river, conducting major business,” Qiao smiled, pointing casually. “When my men found him, he was busy negotiating another deal.”

Wang Guan followed the direction of the gesture and noticed a trunk beside the table. At first, he had assumed it was something belonging to Fourth Master Qiao's household and paid it no mind. Now, he realized that the trunk, like the painting on the table, was among the ill-gotten gains seized from the captured man.

Of course, knowing this, Wang Guan made no move.

“What?” Fourth Master Qiao asked, his face breaking into a delighted smile, laced with a hint of temptation. “Aren’t you curious what’s inside the trunk? Perhaps there are extremely valuable items, especially things not listed in the case file. You just need to return the painting; you can dispose of everything else as you wish.”

“Old Master, you still haven’t given up,” Wang Guan laughed helplessly. “You should be able to see that Xiao Qiao and I are just casual friends. She definitely won’t listen to what I say…”

“If she won't listen to you, she’ll listen to your girlfriend,” Fourth Master Qiao’s eyes glinted shrewdly. “The most powerful thing in this world is the pillow talk. If you whisper a few words in your girlfriend’s ear, and she persuades Xiao Yu, it's a three-for-one win.”

“So that’s where you were aiming,” Wang Guan smiled bitterly. It was certainly an indirect approach.

“Young man, don’t look so reluctant,” Fourth Master Qiao said with a smile. “Take a look at what’s in the trunk first, then decide if you want to agree to my proposal.”

The proposal itself could be ignored, but Wang Guan was indeed curious about the trunk's contents.

With that thought, Wang Guan hesitated slightly before lightly lifting the trunk open. To his surprise, it wasn't filled with gold or jewels, but a stone statue.

“It’s just a broken rock.”

Seeing this, Fourth Master Qiao was stunned. He clearly hadn’t opened the trunk either, merely assuming it held something good based on his subordinates’ report: the man had clung to the trunk desperately while trying to flee, which is how they managed to capture him so easily. Logically, such attachment implied the contents were extraordinary—how could it just be a stone?

“Old Master, you are mistaken. This is no ordinary stone.”

At this, a look of shock flashed across Wang Guan’s face. After a long pause, he regained his composure, glanced back at the man tied to the chair, and sighed with emotion. “You have enormous nerve, daring to remove a Buddhist statue from the grottoes.”

“In these times, the bold thrive and the timid starve. I only wanted the painting initially, but someone actively approached me, asking if I wanted this item. How could I refuse…”

Believing the two men were of the same ilk, the captive dared not act so stubbornly. If caught by the police, minor transgressions usually meant little abuse. But as someone in this line of work, he understood the ruthlessness of his peers far better and dared not put on airs. When one is under another's roof, one must bow; if he were truly buried, there would be no place to lodge a complaint.

Indeed, collusion and self-serving theft...

Wang Guan sighed. Hearing about such things so often had made him somewhat accustomed, even numb. If he were still angered by such matters, he would probably have been choked to death by rage long ago.

Meanwhile, the captured man continued, “Brother, we are all in the same trade. Leave a line open in life so we can meet again in the future. These items right now are just small gifts. If you let me go, there will surely be generous compensation later.”

“Compensation?” Fourth Master Qiao scoffed derisively. “What, before you’ve even left, you’re already planning revenge?”

“Heaven knows I wouldn't dare,” the man said hastily. “Buddha Master, you jest…”

It seemed the man mistook Fourth Master Qiao for the boss of a gang of thieves running illicit sales. However, perhaps he wasn’t entirely wrong; there was some overlap, as Qiao showed no inclination to deny the label.

In the captive’s eyes, Fourth Master Qiao’s silence amounted to confirmation. But Wang Guan knew he disdained explaining. A thief boss? That severely underestimated Fourth Master Qiao; he was at least a founding elder in this sphere.

Wang Guan muttered a few silent retorts, redirecting his focus back to the trunk. The stone statue wasn't very large, and the surroundings were padded with foam packing material to protect it from shock, obscuring most of it from clear view.

Curious, Wang Guan removed the foam, then used both hands to carefully lift the statue out and set it gently on the floor before he could clearly see its true form.

It was undoubtedly a Buddhist statue. The figure possessed an exquisite form, especially the carving of the drapery, which was not only fine and clear but also spirited in posture. The thin folds of the robe were smoothly rendered, conveying the soft texture of the fabric. Such carving skill was unparalleled and exemplified the style of Tang Dynasty stone sculpture.

“These people really don’t value their lives,” Wang Guan exclaimed in amazement again. “They dare to steal a fine Tang Dynasty Buddha statue? Aren’t they afraid of being caught and losing their heads?”

“Why should they be afraid? Once they get this money, they flee the country,” Fourth Master Qiao shrugged. “Young man, you are still too naïve. Haven't you heard of 'naked officials' [officials with assets overseas]?”

“I am not naïve; I just prefer not to view society as entirely steeped in darkness,” Wang Guan replied.

Wang Guan shook his head slightly and continued examining the statue. Its features were broad-browed and square-jawed, the corners of the mouth slightly upturned, bearing a gentle smile that looked down upon the world, exuding an infectious quality that spoke to the zenith of sculptural mastery.

At this juncture, Fourth Master Qiao asked curiously, “Tell me, how much is this thing worth?”

“Priceless treasure…” Wang Guan replied casually. “This is a quintessential piece of artistic treasure; its value cannot be measured by mere money…”

“Stop with the empty phrases,” Qiao expressed dissatisfaction. “If it can’t be measured by money, why would he go to such lengths to move this thing? Is he just bored?”

“Five million!”

Just then, the captive suddenly interjected. “I’ve already lined up a buyer. Someone is willing to pay five million for this statue. If you let me go, I can broker the deal, and with the two million from the painting, that’s seven million in total, all yours…”

He had calculated things thoroughly, clearly understanding the principle that as long as one is alive, there is hope for future gain. Wealth is external; as long as his life is safe, he won't fail to earn it back.