Chapter Seven, Legendary Western Regions

Finally, I said softly: "I am not at ease with you."

The person from the Western Regions expressed surprise and said, "Self-taught? To have achieved such proficiency already, it is evident that you are exceptionally gifted by nature"

As soon as I spoke these words, everyone's expression turned to one of astonishment

Originally, I envisioned that the expressions from the Western Regions would be varied, such as hesitation, unwillingness to tell us; wanting to speak yet holding back, being evasive; being assertive and direct, lying without batting an eye, etc. However, I could never have guessed that his expression would change in this way

I respond: "You are responsible for monitoring the venue, so do not leave without permission."

I had not finished speaking when, suddenly, a van came barreling out of an alley about five or six meters away from me. I turned the steering wheel with all my might, but I was traveling at a speed of eighty kilometers per hour. This meant that before the front of my car could even turn, my vehicle collided with that van in less than one-third of a second.

I suddenly became anxious, realizing that we have indeed lost the precious vase

Kang Wen said, "Since you insist on being discharged, I propose that we switch places."

When I chased closely, I vaguely saw that there seemed to be three people in the car. The other party had good driving skills and was constantly trying to shake me off. I was afraid they would shoot, and I did not dare to get too close, so I had to use all my strength to firmly keep them in my sights.

The mysterious man's attention was drawn to Kangwen. After locking eyes for a moment, he revealed a faint smile: "Not bad, I am from the Western Regions. May I ask who you are, sir?"

Challenge! I murmured: "Their blatant challenge to us."

I intended to overtake, carefully accelerating and getting close. In just a moment, the sedan noticed my intention and suddenly sped up, creating distance between us

He slowly said: "The bottle has now fallen into the hands of another group, which seems to be a specialized organization for stealing antiques. The men in black were monitoring the entire venue at that time. As soon as the bottle was compromised, they received intelligence and immediately dispatched someone to track it. We suspect that the van blocking your way belongs to the men in black. After they obstructed you, they likely fought over it, and in the end, the other group managed to seize the bottle"

I took a deep breath and then asked, "Where is the bottle?"

Do not worry about that bottle anymore; your head has suffered a concussion. If not properly cared for, there is a high likelihood of sequelae

I said: "Inform me of the situation"

Kang Wen stood in front of me with a calm demeanor and said softly, "How can you consider yourself an unknown nobody? Do you not know that in the vast desert, the legendary figures of the Western Regions bear your name?"

Kang Wen looked at her with a calming gaze, stopping her.

The "Triple A Gang" consists of three members: the stunning contact person Anstey, the computer lock-picking expert Alth, and the firearms safety specialist Orr. They are collectively referred to as the "Triple A Gang" because the first letters of their names are all A. These three individuals are exceptionally astute and skilled, having collaborated on numerous internationally renowned theft cases. Among the most significant are the theft of safe number 109 at the Swiss Bank's New York branch in 1998 and the major heist at the Manchester jewelry auction in 2000. They have consistently been targets of international police pursuit, and their bounty on the black market has remained within the top twenty, illustrating the extent to which many wish to see them brought to justice. Their movements are enigmatic, and their identities are ever-changing, akin to three agile fish in a pond, occasionally surfacing to create a few world-renowned ripples, stirring the waters of spring, only to then sink back into the depths, leaving no trace, thus becoming a legend in the world of theft.

I am not usually such a harsh person, but at this moment, I am feeling particularly upset. This stranger has an expression that suggests I am indispensable to him, which truly aggravates my bad luck, and I direct all my pent-up anger towards him

They left us a message: the bottle is locked in the safe on the top floor of the villa in the suburbs. If we can crack the numerous mechanisms and evade their surveillance within seventy-two hours to retrieve the bottle, it will be returned to its rightful owner

I turned the steering wheel and headed in the direction indicated by Kangwen. I noticed that the surrounding buildings were getting shorter and the streets narrower, and I had unexpectedly entered the suburbs

Looking at Kang Bo's demeanor, one could easily guess that he was impatient to negotiate and sought shortcuts, employing his half-baked hypnotic skills in front of the Western Region. His elder brother had just confessed that he was self-taught, only to be exposed in front of the great sorcerer. It seemed that it had been a long time since anyone had played with the Western Region in such a manner, and it was rare for him to connect with Kang Bo in this way.

You are ten meters away, let me test it

His expression was somewhat bewildered, "I am not very clear either; it is just that subconsciously I must do this, and - the book - yet I do not know what the significance of this action is, or perhaps, after you hear my experience, you will understand."

I replied: "It is still unknown whether they are friend or foe, so I dare not fire recklessly"

I shouted: "Tell me"

A nurse knocked on the door and entered: "The patient needs to rest and should not be overly stressed..."

Kang Wen has already responded: "It is indeed the target vehicle, but it has spotted you. Be careful. Report the situation to me, and I will come immediately."

That person walked in laughing heartily, and it was indeed the mysterious man from the Western Regions. His handsome face was radiant with spirit, and as he entered, he proudly cast a glance at us. Behind him was another person, who was none other than Kang Bai.

Then we must act quickly I struggled to get out of bed, feeling my legs weaken, and I almost fell to the ground

I raised my voice: "We have lost the message from the bottle, haven't we?"

I cleared my throat and said to Kang Wen: "Now that I have calmed down, please tell me. Rest assured, I can accept any bad news."

Neither of the two spoke

He is clearly not someone who is easily provoked; his expression changed immediately, and he seemed ready to explode

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The doctor said you have a mild concussion and need to be hospitalized for observation for one week

The female voice said: "The delivery date is one week later, we must find a way to explain."

I exerted all my strength to open my eyes wide and saw a figure in front of me, but it was very hazy, making it impossible to discern who it was; however, the voice belonged to Kangwen

The mysterious man was taken aback by my reproachful question, and his previously exuberant demeanor subdued considerably. However, his expression changed rapidly as he chuckled, "So Miss Gu is not yet aware of who I am. Of course, as an unknown individual, I truly do not warrant anyone's attention..."

Kang Bo rarely blushed: "I have only learned a little, and I truly feel like I am showing off my skills in front of an expert."

At that moment, I noticed a black sedan ahead, moving at a high speed, exhibiting somewhat suspicious behavior

Kang Wen held me up with one hand and said in a deep voice, "Are you still this stubborn? The doctor said you cannot engage in strenuous exercise for the time being"

Concentrating my willpower, I then asked: "Kangwen, why do you have an extra head?"

I have no time to pay attention to Kang Wen, focusing all my energy on closely following the vehicle ahead.

If it really is them, the situation could not be worse. Just imagine, without the support of international police or the influence of underworld figures, how could we possibly contend with these bandit ancestors? Trying to retrieve our belongings from them is simply more difficult than pulling a half-eaten bone from the jaws of a tiger

But what about the bottle

Kang Wen's concerned and anxious expression was also overlapping: "Just bear with it, the ambulance will arrive soon."

Su Mei lowered her head

I looked up at the Western Regions, where the Western Regions playfully winked at me. I gazed at it and then asked, "Mr. Western Regions, may I ask why you wish to obtain the bottle?"

I do not know how long it has been, but I faintly hear someone calling me, from a distance, and then, it gets closer and closer

I originally envisioned that the expressions from the Western Regions would be varied, such as hesitation, unwillingness to tell us; wanting to speak but holding back, being evasive; being assertive and direct, lying without batting an eye, etc. However, I could never have guessed that his expression would change in this way

Someone beside them exclaimed in surprise, and it was none other than Su Mei, who had never expected Kang Bai to be so humble

As an unknown individual, what qualifications do I have to speak here

Men are a peculiar species; sometimes a simple pat on the shoulder can forge a friendship, while at other times, a misstep can turn them into adversaries. Watching them perform their pleasantries on stage, suddenly becoming friends, particularly irks me, prompting me to interrupt: "Mr. Xiyu, I have heard that you are the successful bidder in this auction, so you must already be aware of our current difficulties"

I was momentarily taken aback, unable to avoid considering that if the Western Regions were to cooperate with us, and if his reputation were indeed well-deserved, with all his adventurous experiences being genuine, he would be a powerful ally. However, his intentions remain unclear; how can we be certain that he is not part of a trap set by an adversary

Kang Wen slightly bowed and said, "You flatter me." With a faint smile, he added, "Hypnosis? Xiao Bai once studied it on his own, while I know nothing about it."

His expression was somewhat bewildered, "I am not very clear either; it is just that subconsciously I must do this, yet I do not know what the significance of doing so is, or perhaps you will understand after hearing my experience"

Good

Kang Wen's movements were faster than Su Mei's. He quickly darted in and immediately pressed down on my shoulder, speaking in a low voice: "What are you doing? You cannot move around casually right now."

I was astonished: "How?"

The Western Regions have turned to me: "Indeed, Kang Bai has already informed me. Now, my interest in engaging with 'Three A' and the *Atlas* is greater than that in the peculiar bottle."

When I opened my eyes, the blinding white light made me close them again, and I was finally taken to the hospital room

It is not possible; the bottle cannot be found, and I will also suffer from aftereffects

I asked: "One week? What will you deliver?"

With a loud "bang," the vehicle shook violently. My vision went dark, and I lost consciousness

I opened my eyes, and the lines on Kang Wen's face were tightly drawn, clearly indicating his anger. I said softly, "I have no relatives to comfort me; for me, reputation is more important than my life." Then I fainted again.

Kang Wen looked into my eyes and slowly said: "Stay calm, the items are in their hands, but their movements are in ours. We are also three people, so it's a draw."

Kang Wen nodded: "I know you will."

Kang Bai took a step forward: "In the Western Regions, he is my elder brother Kang Wen"

But they know that you must be careful; I am coming as quickly as possible

I do not understand how our secret could be known to a stranger. I shot a fierce glare at Kang Bai, who surprisingly lowered his head with a hint of guilt. I then turned to the mysterious man and asked in a deep voice, "What is your surname, sir"

"Not bad," Kangwen glanced at the clock, "and we no longer have seventy-two hours; we have already used up six hours"

Kang Wen smiled and said, "I am truly an unknown individual; I am merely Miss Gu's assistant, so it is better not to mention it."

Seventy-two hours later, the bottle will be transferred to a place where no one can find it

Upon seeing Kang Wen nod, I exclaimed, "How could this be?"

Kang Wenda: "Three, you still need to stay in the hospital for observation"

Outside the screen, two individuals were startled by me and immediately came in to inspect; they were Kang Wen and Su Mei

Kang Wen said, "Be careful, the other party seems to intend to lead us into the wilderness"

I gently yet firmly stated: "I am the person in charge of this event, and I have no reason to withdraw midway."

Suddenly, someone outside the ward burst into laughter: "With me here, you can rest assured?"

Su Mei said: "I cannot tell her"

I struggled to sit up, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in my head, and could not help but moan out loud

The expression from the Western Regions was somewhat surprised: "Your Excellency, your demeanor is extraordinary. Are you Miss Gu's assistant?"

Kang Wen said in a low voice: "We will do our best"

Kangwen said: "The bottle was given to the hypothetical mysterious figure from the Western Regions and the bibliophile. Xiaobai is negotiating with him, hoping to extend the delivery time, but the situation is not optimistic. We must prepare for the worst; one week is the absolute deadline"

What about seventy-two hours later

Kangbai noticed my hesitation and quickly said, "The Western Regions is my good friend; I can guarantee that he will help us"

I shook my head: "Four."

At this moment, my consciousness was very clear, and I heard someone speaking softly in a corner of the ward

Kang Wen fell silent for a moment: "You are alone, which is quite dangerous. I will come over immediately."

I am overwhelmed with mixed emotions; as people say, the end of a hero's journey. Although I am not a hero, I indeed feel a sense of helplessness, urgency, and guilt at this moment.

I struggled to stand up, and just as I managed to lift my upper body, I felt a sudden dizziness, as if my body were not my own. My limbs were weak, and I fell back into Kang Wenhui's arms.

Kangwen asked me: "What is the current situation?"

Oh, the Western Regions seem so distant, I smile: "So it is the elder brother of Kang Bai. I just exchanged insights with Xiao Bai regarding psychological hypnosis. Xiao Bai possesses remarkable understanding, and he mentioned that the person he admires most in his life is his elder brother. Now that I see you, it is indeed evident that you are extraordinary."

I fixed my gaze on his eyes and said firmly: "I will not miss the opportunity to confront a master thief. I will repeat once more, there are four of us on this side"

The ward remains enveloped in silence

I got into the car, and as soon as I pressed the accelerator, the car shot out like an arrow

Su Mei stamped her foot: "I told you not to tell you, with your temperament, explosive and easily ignited, more stubborn than an ox."

I closed my eyes and heard Kangwen's voice seemingly filled with anger: "Don't worry about that broken bottle; it's just an external object. What is more important than one's own life? If something were to happen to you, what comfort could your loved ones find?"

A group specifically dedicated to stealing antiques? Are you referring to the 'Triple A Party'?

I spotted a sedan, but I am not certain if it is the target

I observed their expressions, filled with suspicion, clearly indicating that this was not an ordinary situation

Kangwen's voice kept instructing me: "Having exited Dongsheng Street, now turning into the third intersection of Queen's Road..."

A male voice said: "One week, neither long nor short, regardless of the circumstances, I do not support taking risks, especially when it comes to risking one's life. One can only do their best..."

Kang Wen finally said: "Calm down, and we will tell you."