The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 225: Trip to Wanjin Pavilion

"Do you remember that you mentioned before that those coded account books recorded some transaction records of gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings?" Chen Zigui did not directly answer Cen Jiexiao's question, but asked in return.

"Yes, I remember." Cen Jiexiao nodded, not understanding why Chen Zigui suddenly brought up this matter, and her heart was full of doubts.

"I think we can start with these things!" Chen Zigui's lips curled up with a confident arc, his eyes flashing with brilliance. "Those gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings are all priceless treasures. There's no way they could just disappear out of thin air. As long as we can find where they went, we can follow the clues and find the mastermind behind it!"

"Big Brother, what you mean is that those things are very likely hidden in the hands of the mastermind behind the scenes?" Cen Jiexiao immediately understood Chen Zigui's thoughts, her eyes lit up, and she said excitedly.

"That's right!" Chen Zigui nodded affirmatively, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. "Those things are evidence of their transfer of wealth. They will definitely not give them up easily, so they are likely to hide them in a secret place and wait for the right time to take them out."

"But those things have been taken away for a long time. Where can we find them?" Cen Jiexiao's face showed an embarrassment again. He felt that finding those things was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

"No, there's another place where we might find a clue." Chen Zigui smiled mysteriously, keeping everyone in suspense and not directly revealing where that place was. "As long as we don't alert the enemy and continue to let out the fishing line a little longer, we will definitely be able to catch them all in one fell swoop!"

After hearing this, Cen Jiexiao's eyes widened and she looked at Chen Zigui in disbelief, her heart filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao weaved through the bustling streets of Linkang Prefecture, finally stopping in front of a grand mansion. Two golden animal-head knockers on the vermilion gate signaled the owner's wealth, while a plaque on the door read, in flamboyant calligraphy, the three characters "Wanjin Pavilion."

"This is it." Chen Zigui said in a low voice, raising his hand and knocking on the door.

Not long after, an old man who looked like a housekeeper opened the door, looked the two of them up and down, and then slowly said, "Who are you?"

"I'm Chen Zigui, the inspector of Yuyang Province. This is Cen Jiexiao, the dean of Zhaoyin Academy and also the academician of Yuyang Province. I've come to visit Mr. Jin specially. Please inform him." As Chen Zigui spoke, he took out a silver ingot from his sleeve and calmly put it into the old man's hand.

The old man weighed the silver, a smile plastered across his face, and immediately changed his expression to one of flattery: "It turns out to be Mr. Chen, I've heard a lot about you! The master happens to be at home today, please come in, please come in!"

After passing through a winding corridor, the two were led into an elegant hall. A vigorous old man, dressed in a brocade robe, sat in a royal chair, leisurely sipping tea. Though over fifty years old, his eyes were piercing, as if he could see through people's hearts.

"Mr. Jin, I've long heard of your great name." Chen Zigui bowed and saluted.

"Haha, Lord Chen, you are too polite. Please sit down, please sit down." Jin Bancheng put down the teacup, motioned for the two to sit down, and ordered the servants to serve tea.

"I wonder what brings you here today, Lord Chen?" Jin Bancheng asked straight to the point, with a hint of tentativeness in his tone.

"To be honest, I came here today to ask Mr. Jin about some things." Chen Zigui did not beat around the bush and said directly.

"Oh? I wonder what Lord Chen wants to know? Although I am not well-informed, as long as I know something, I will tell you everything I know." Jin Bancheng stroked his beard and said with a smile.

"I heard that Mr. Jin has handled several big deals recently. I wonder if this is true?" Chen Zigui asked calmly, staring sharply into Jin Bancheng's eyes, trying to catch a clue from his expression.

When Jin Bancheng heard this, a hint of barely perceptible panic flashed across his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He laughed heartily and said, "Master Chen, you're such a joker! I'm only running a small business, not a big one."

"Mr. Jin, you are too modest. I heard that those transactions involved a lot of priceless gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings." Chen Zigui pressed on, his tone revealing an unquestionable firmness.

The smile on Jin Bancheng's face gradually faded. He was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke, "Master Chen, there are some things that the more you know, the less good it will do you."

"Are you threatening me, Master Jin?" Chen Zigui's face darkened and his tone became cold.

"I dare not. I am just kindly reminding Lord Chen that there are some things that you cannot interfere with." Jin Bancheng fought back without showing any weakness.

The atmosphere between the two of them suddenly became tense to the extreme.

Cen Jiexiao quietly observed the exchange between the two. Although she didn't speak, her heart was already surging. She knew that Chen Zigui had come here today to investigate the Zhenxi Army's secret communication with the Liaodan Kingdom, and Jinbancheng was likely the key breakthrough point.

"Master Jin, I advise you to think twice before you act. Some things, once done, there is no turning back." Chen Zigui's voice was as cold as ice, as if it came from the underworld, which made people shudder.

"You..." Jin Bancheng was shocked by Chen Zigui's aura and was speechless for a moment.

"Master Jin, I'm asking you one last time, are you going to tell me or not?" Chen Zigui suddenly stood up and slammed his palm on the table, making a deafening sound. The teacup on the table shook violently and the tea splashed out.

Jin Bancheng was startled by Chen Zigui's sudden action. His face was pale and his lips trembled slightly, as if he was making a final resistance.

"Okay, I'll tell you, I'll tell you!" Jin Bancheng finally couldn't bear the immense pressure anymore. He slumped in his chair and said weakly, "I have indeed handled a few unusual transactions. The buyers were mysterious and generous. They were the gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings you mentioned."

Chen Zigui and Cen Jiexiao looked at each other, and a hint of joy flashed in their eyes. They knew that they were getting closer to the truth step by step.

"Who are those people? Why did they buy these things?" Chen Zigui continued to ask.

"I don't know, I really don't know." Jin Bancheng shook his head and said, "Those people always wear masks, and the transaction location is different every time. I really don't know who they are or why they buy these things."

"Master Jin, you'd better not try to deceive me, otherwise, you won't be able to bear the consequences." Chen Zigui said coldly, his tone full of threats.

"Master Chen, I really didn't lie to you. I'm telling the truth," Jin Bancheng pleaded bitterly. "I'm just a businessman. I just want to run my business peacefully. Please, let me go."

"Let you go? Do you think you still have a chance?" Chen Zigui sneered, with a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes.

Seeing this, Cen Jiexiao hurriedly pulled Chen Zigui's sleeve, signaling him to calm down and that the drama was over.