"If we can find the Midnight Black Lotus within three days, there shouldn't be a major problem. But if it takes longer than that, even a deity would be helpless," Chen Fei said without hesitation.

"Is that so?" Elder Xunn gently stroked his sparse white beard, turned on the speakerphone, and asked Dong Shuxian, who was next to him, "Ms. Dong, about the Midnight Black Lotus you just mentioned... do you know where it is now?"

"Well, my husband, Yao Yang, just called me. He said that at an A-grade auction in the Hong Kong Black Market, there's news about the Midnight Black Lotus Doctor Chen mentioned. Its characteristics are a near-perfect match," Dong Shuxian said, deliberately raising her voice as she knew Chen Fei was listening.

"An A-grade auction in the Hong Kong Black Market? Isn't that the highest level?" Elder Xunn murmured, seeming to recall something.

"That's right. All auctions acknowledged by the Hong Kong Black Market are categorized into four grades: A, B, C, and D. Grade D is the lowest, with starting bids of one hundred thousand, while Grade A is the top tier. An auction of that level is rarely seen even once every two or three years and signifies an ultra-high-end, first-class event with starting bids of over one hundred million!" Seemingly in response to Elder Xunn's murmur, and perhaps fearing Chen Fei wouldn't understand, Dong Shuxian quickly relayed the information she had.

"An ultra-high-end auction with starting bids over one hundred million? Wow, that does sound impressive. When does it start?" Chen Fei's interested voice came over the phone.

"Tomorrow night!" Dong Shuxian immediately replied.

"Shuxian, book the flights immediately. We'll leave for Hong Kong tomorrow morning. Yao Yang should be able to get us tickets for the auction, right?" Dong Wencheng, who had been silent for some time, suddenly spoke, his tone firm and resolute.

He was the eldest son of the family and Elder Dong's great hope since childhood, so an immense amount of effort had been invested in him. Naturally, the bond between father and son was deep. Although death comes for everyone, and Elder Dong's condition was indeed dire, as a truly filial son, Dong Wencheng could not simply accept it. Therefore, the moment he heard that the auction—which might hold the key to his father's treatment—was happening the very next night, he didn't hesitate to drop everything to rush to Hong Kong and fight for this chance for his father.

"Yao Yang said not to worry about the tickets, but, Brother…" Dong Shuxian nodded hesitantly, looking at her older brother, but she trailed off without finishing.

"Secretary Dong, with your current status, it's best you avoid the black market unless absolutely necessary." Just then, Elder Xunn's calm words washed over Dong Wencheng like a bucket of ice water in the summer heat. A shiver ran down his spine as he suddenly recalled the official notice he received upon taking office as the municipal party secretary of the provincial capital.

"But…" Dong Wencheng's face contorted with struggle as he found himself caught in a dilemma.

"Secretary Dong, why don't you let me go to Hong Kong in your place? And you know what? I've lived this long without ever setting foot outside Jiangnan Province," Chen Fei said enthusiastically over the phone. His offer instantly transformed Dong Wencheng's expression from one of extreme conflict to one of surprise and excitement.

"Doctor Chen, are you serious?" Dong Wencheng asked, seeking confirmation in his disbelief. If Chen Fei was truly willing to go in his stead, it would be the best possible solution. After all, Chen Fei knew the most about the Midnight Black Lotus, far more than an outsider like himself who knew nothing.

"Of course, I'm serious. An ultra-high-end auction with starting bids over one hundred million—it would be a shame not to go and broaden my horizons, wouldn't it?" Chen Fei was genuinely thrilled, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Since he had already quit his job and had nothing but time, how could he possibly miss such a grand event?

It must be said, humans have an inherent desire to climb higher. From a psychological perspective, it's a kind of transcendent obsession and tenacity. After all, the temptation was simply too great!

"Alright, Mr. Chen, I'll send someone to pick you up right now," Dong Shuxian said immediately. Even though she wasn't in Hong Kong, her retinue of Chen Family servants was always with her, ready to handle any miscellaneous matters. Picking someone up was a simple task.

"No need to rush. The auction isn't until tomorrow night anyway. Just book the flight for now and text me the departure time in advance. I'll make my way over on time," Chen Fei replied from the other end.

"Uh, okay then. Mr. Chen, I'll hang up for now," Dong Shuxian was taken aback and, before she could respond, Dong Wencheng, who was standing beside her, quickly spoke up and ended the call.

"Brother…" Dong Shuxian was still in a daze. She couldn't understand why, with her father so critically ill, Chen Fei seemed so unhurried. A flicker of anger ignited in her heart.

"Shuxian, do you realize you almost made a huge mistake just now?" Dong Wencheng ignored her dazed state and spoke sternly.

"A huge mistake? What mistake?" Dong Shuxian asked, puzzled.

"Don't think I don't know what you were just thinking. Luckily, you didn't let it show, otherwise... Shuxian, you need to understand that we are the ones begging Doctor Chen to treat Dad, not the other way around. If your momentary mistake were to offend Doctor Chen and he decided to wash his hands of this, where would we find another doctor to treat Dad?"

Perhaps people are truly different. Despite both being high-ranking individuals, Dong Wencheng's way of thinking was completely different from Xiao Qianrang's. He clearly recognized that he was the one asking for a favor, so he knew when to set aside his pride and status, offering the other party the trust and respect they deserved.

If the Xiao Family members had possessed the same insight as Secretary Dong Wencheng, would they be agonizing over their child day after day, all while plotting how to pressure Chen Fei into submission? It was a classic case of reaping what they sowed!

"Brother, I was wrong. I won't make that mistake again!" Hearing her brother's words, Dong Shuxian felt a cold sweat on her back. He was right. If my momentary petulance really angered him and he washed his hands of this, I would become the culprit who personally extinguished my father's only hope of being saved. If that were to happen, I could probably never forgive myself.

"Elder Xunn, my sister and I were too excited just now. I apologize," Dong Wencheng said, suddenly remembering that the elder, who had come all the way from the Capital City, was still there. Fearing their behavior had made him feel neglected or displeased, he quickly offered his apologies.

"Secretary Dong, please don't worry about it. I'm not so petty. Besides, for Mr. Dong to have such fortune, it must be his fate!" the elder replied, simply shaking his head with a smile.

With that, he picked up the small medicine box beside him, gave Dong Wencheng a faint smile and a cupped-fist salute, and turned to leave. "In that case, I will take my leave. Please, don't try to stop me. I didn't set aside much time for this visit, and the old leader's health has been somewhat poor lately, so I must hurry back."

Seeing Elder Xunn was about to leave, the Dong siblings instinctively moved to persuade him to stay. But before they could speak, Elder Xunn, carrying his medicine box, had already vanished. The sight gave another jolt to Dong Shuxian, who still hadn't recovered her composure.

"Brother, he… he… how did he disappear?" Dong Shuxian stammered.

"Never mind that. Hurry and book the tickets for tomorrow noon or afternoon," Dong Wencheng said, changing the subject as he glanced at the slightly ajar door to the room.

Of course, he knew. Anyone qualified to be the personal physician for *that* old man couldn't be ordinary. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so knowledgeable about the world of Ancient Martial Artists. The answer was obvious.

"The Hong Kong Black Market, hmm?"

As the Dong Family Villa bustled with activity, a sinister, cold voice drifted from a lush, leafy tree dozens of meters away.

A man, about 1.8 meters tall but incredibly gaunt, stood silently on a branch, hidden by the dense foliage. He was dressed entirely in black: a turtleneck sweater and long trousers. In stark contrast, his exposed skin was unnervingly pale, as if he suffered from some blood disorder, giving him a downright creepy appearance.

"This old bastard is finally dying. We can't have any last-minute recoveries. Hey, Number Four, can you hear me? Have our people in Hong Kong make a move. I don't like meddlers."

"Understood."

Hong Kong is located in the South China region of Huaxia, east of the Pearl River Delta and on the coast of the South Sea. It neighbors cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou and is one of the nation's most important special administrative regions, ranking among the world's most prosperous international metropolises.

Hong Kong comprises three main territories: Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories. Its total land area is approximately 1,100 square kilometers, and its population density is extremely high, placing it in the top five globally.

Furthermore, Hong Kong is the world's third-largest financial center after New York and London, collectively known as "Ny-Lon-Kong," and enjoys an excellent international reputation. It is a vital shipping hub in the Asia-Pacific region and one of the world's most competitive cities, having ranked first in economic freedom for twenty-one consecutive years.

Of course, Hong Kong is also widely known as the 'Pearl of the Orient' and the 'Shopping Paradise' of the Asia-Pacific. It is world-famous for its excellent public security, free economy, and robust legal system. It is also one of the most economically developed regions with the highest standards of living in the world.

So this is Hong Kong?

Sitting in the first-class cabin of a direct flight from Tongzhou City, the provincial capital of Jiangnan Province, Chen Fei gazed down at the premier international metropolis through his window. For the first time, he felt a profound sense of shock.

It was like a hazy dream of the world from which that mighty expert from the Cultivation World had once emerged. The vast South Sea surged with powerful waves, guarding this dazzling Pearl of the Orient on the southern coast of Huaxia. Modern skyscrapers shot up from the ground like steel behemoths, their peaks wreathed in clouds, among them the world-famous Global Trade Plaza!

Beneath the blue sky and white clouds, the metropolis of Hong Kong pulsed with an unimaginable vitality, as if it contained the fundamental principles of heaven and earth. Chen Fei could clearly feel a majestic presence hidden within the city.

Even with his power at the peak of the Qi Refining Third Layer, he felt utterly insignificant and minuscule before that formidable aura.

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