Chapter 1442: Captive Turtle
Nagano Yoko and Namie, after meticulous planning and negotiation, devised an action plan.
To prevent any unexpected changes and fearing that delay might bring complications, they decided to take action that very night.
If they could seize the Ancient Painting with the force of a thunderbolt, everything would be a grand success.
For this, they paid patience and a great price, and after finding a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they did not delay any longer.
To fully utilize the information obtained from Ji Jie as a breakthrough, they dared not be negligent for a moment, fearing other unexpected changes.
As night fell, Nagano Yoko did not participate in the operation. Namie personally led her subordinates, a group of seven, to embark on the mission. These seven were all women, belonging to a dormant force, and their combat capability was not to be underestimated.
After repeatedly confirming their respective tasks, Namie and the seven, under the cover of night, drove to the exterior of the auction house.
Outside the auction house, in a secluded corner, voices of conversation emerged from the car where the seven women were.
"Act according to the original plan, remember, do not be reckless, everything is based on obtaining the Ancient Painting," Namie instructed, "Once we get this crucial Ancient Painting, our objective will be achieved. Regardless of the sacrifices, complete the mission. Once we’re done on this side, everything will settle, and the chaos in Jin City will dissipate."
Jin City’s storm was caused by the Ancient Painting, a painting hiding treasures that had become a hot commodity, and simultaneously a hot potato. Various forces vied for the right to the painting, fighting desperately. Even though the open confrontation wasn’t there, the secret, smokeless battlefield never ceased.
As the party with two pieces of the map fragment, once they got the third, the upheaval could pause.
The Lu Family would then voluntarily withdraw from this stage of competition, severing any connection with the matter completely.
Qi Haomin and Qi Sixue, father and daughter, would also withdraw from this chaos, having no relation to it at all.
Then the auction house side would quiet down too, without any reason for all the forces to fixate on it.
By then, the factions openly fighting would automatically retreat from this competitive platform.
What remained would be the hidden contests, though by that time, Nagano Yoko’s side would become a target of many, yet relying on the energy of Nagano Yoko and others, they’d naturally have comprehensive means to keep the complete map fragments safe from falling into others’ hands.
"Rest assured, mastering the structure of the auction house and its security forces, most importantly knowing where the Ancient Painting is hidden, we are well aware. With such prerequisites, obtaining the painting poses no condition," one woman said reassuringly, "Moreover, there will be no unexpected changes; as planned, we’ll quietly get what we want."
"The importance of the matter is self-evident, I won’t stress it," Namie specially instructed, "Success or failure hinges on this act. I mean only success is allowed; failure is not tolerated. No unexpected events are allowed; be careful for me."
"We have the psychological preparation. Although the situation inside the auction house changes swiftly, with what we have at our disposal, overcoming difficulties is no problem," one woman confidently said while glancing out at the auction house, "We have the confidence and capability to acquire the Ancient Painting and then effortlessly escape."
"Good luck," Namie said assuredly to the women beside her, "If any situation arises, I’ll know first. If any unforeseen changes occur, report to me at any time."
The women nodded seriously in agreement, then the car door opened, and six women began their operation.
Namie remained alone in the car, responsible for backup duties. She could monitor the auction house’s every movement through the instruments on the six women, and nothing would escape her keen eyes.
The six women, as agreed upon, did not recklessly assault the front of the auction house, but found a wall, cut through it, and entered the interior of the auction house.
Thus, the six women smoothly penetrated the inside of the auction house. The front security forces became mere decoration, evaded effortlessly by them.
The six women moved quickly and silently within the auction house, their steps as light as ghosts.
Based on the data, they avoided places that could trigger alarms or surveillance cameras.
Inside the auction house, the patrolling staff remained an uncontrollable factor; even the six women couldn’t be certain of how many there were or when the patrol team would patrol a certain area. This unpredictable factor warranted caution to avoid visible threats.
In this manner, the six women silently continued, exchanging not a word, advancing towards the core area of the auction house as per the intelligence from Ji Jie.
"Very good, proceed according to the original plan. At this rate, it won’t take long for everything to succeed," Namie noted from the car, observing the six women’s every move on her electronic screen.
Her heart pulsed with excitement at the thought of acquiring the Ancient Painting, and a smug smile appeared on her face.
The six women continued to infiltrate, soon evading the surveillance cameras, avoiding the patrols, and nearing the location where the Ancient Painting was hidden.
The six women spread out, some standing guard, others unlocking.
After disarming the alarm, one woman opened the box storing the Ancient Painting.
The box was opened, and the two women beside it appeared shocked when the coveted Ancient Painting did not materialize. The anticipated gain did not appear; instead, there was only a mocking phrase.
"Captive Turtle." Such four words imprinted in their line of sight.
The two women next to the box almost collapsed to the ground. Holding immense joy and anticipation, this result was what they obtained; it was simply a trap.
But how did this trap come to be?
Was it aimed at them?
Were their self-proclaimed covert actions discovered long ago?
What cannot be fathomed cannot be fathomed.
"How could this be?" one woman exclaimed.
"How could it be like this?" the other woman was stunned.
The two women beside the box looked at each other, falling into stupor and suspicion.
"What happened?" the woman on guard asked with a confused expression, naturally sensing something was amiss and seeking an explanation.
"Come and see," one woman said helplessly.
The women on guard gathered around, looking at the four large characters inside the box, ’Captive Turtle,’ and for a moment, their heads throbbed painfully.
"How could it be like this?"
"We’ve been duped."
The six women were collectively bewildered, unable to understand where exactly the loophole lay.