Chapter 22: What a coincidence

"Ning, Miss Ning…"

"Y‑you… you call this 'a bit of antiques'!?"

Staring at the mountain of antiques, Wu Sanye's forehead was about to explode.

Too many, really too many!

If it weren't for his sharp eye, which could instantly tell that these are genuine antiques, he would truly think Ning Jinli had just brought over the unsold stock of some replica‑craft workshop.

And besides, whose good‑natured family would leave antiques like this?

Simply… a wanton waste of precious things!

Roughly estimated, once sorted they'd be enough to open a small museum!

He tried to calm himself, pulled a pair of gloves from his pocket, and carefully walked to the edge of the antique pile.

"My goodness! All of these are over two thousand years old? And there are cultural relics inside!"

He lifted a seemingly unremarkable three‑legged incense tripod.

"Cultural relic?" Ning Jinli leaned in.

Wu Sanye's voice trembled a bit, "Miss Ning, don't be fooled by its palm‑size and simple shape; it bears seal‑script inscription! According to my analysis, it's a folk sacrificial vessel, and the characters are of great help to archaeologists studying the common people's life at the time."

He gently set the small incense tripod down, thought seriously, and said, "The gold nuggets, silver ingots, jewelry and jade here, compared to the other items, can even be said to be nothing."

"I think the number of cultural relics isn't small; there are also antique crafts, calligraphy and paintings, and oh, a lot of chaotic folk junk with no collectible value—it's too overwhelming."

"In that case, I'll take everything, help you sort and organize, then hand over all items that qualify as cultural relics to the state; the rest, after sorting, we'll see whether you want to sell or keep them."

"How does that sound?"

I have to admit, although Wu Sanye is a sly old trader, his professional ability is flawless.

And he wouldn't dare to cheat Ning Jinli again; his attitude toward her has already been set straight.

Ning Jinli agreed.

Afterwards, Wu Sanye had the professional movers he brought start packing the huge pile of antiques, and even sent additional trucks.

After arranging that, Ning Jinli led him outside the warehouse, "Third Uncle, there's something I'd like you to help with."

Wu Sanye quickly replied, "You're too polite; just say it directly."

"It's like this," Ning Jinli said while pondering, describing politely, "I want to help a place tap underground water resources, but the area is rugged mountains; we can't drill wells or use large excavators."

Wu Sanye blurted out, "Then we have to use Blasting."

Ning Jinli asked on the spot, "Do you know anyone in this line of work?"

"I don't know anyone directly, but I have extensive contacts and resources; I can help Miss Ning find a suitable and reliable Blasting company."

"That's fine, price isn't the problem, but I have a small request…"

"Miss Ning, please speak; any request, I, Wu Lao San, will fulfill for you."

Seeing his assurance, Ning Jinli giggled and said, "The request is… give me all the Blasting Materials, and I'll carry out the operation myself."

It's the only way; apart from her and Xiao Qidi, no one can pass through the Spacetime Portal.

So she can only obtain the Blasting Materials and do it herself.

"What?" Wu Sanye froze, "Miss Ning, are you joking?"

"Can't we? I can pay extra."

"Of course not, this—this isn't a money issue, my dear aunt."

Wu Sanye broke out in cold sweat.

He hurriedly explained to her that Blasting is a specialized industry, requiring proper certification and is heavily regulated.

If she does it that way, all participants would have to go to prison!

Only a crazy Blasting company would agree!

Ning Jinli sighed, "I know all that, but… sigh, I thought Third Uncle's capability was great enough to help me think of a solution."

Wu Sanye's eyelids twitched wildly.

He's been in the antique trade for over twenty years and hasn't shied away from daring ventures.

But now he feels Ning Jinli is far braver than he is!

He instantly recalled that short‑haired, sunglasses‑wearing middle‑aged woman—doesn't she have such a mysterious big‑shot backer?

"Ahem, Miss Ning," Wu Sanye wiped his cold sweat, hinting, "Don't test this low‑life little shrimp of mine any more; perhaps you should look for someone else? It has to be someone with high status and great authority…"

That truly gave Ning Jinli a wake‑up call.

She almost forgot that the evidently high‑status Sister Shangguan Ying had once given her a business card!

She also said you could call her if anything came up!

Although she didn't know if it would work, she could only give it a try.

When Wu Sanye finished moving the items, she called Shangguan Ying.

She nervously relayed the whole pitch she had just given Wu Sanye to the person on the line.

On the other end of the phone, there was a long silence.

The more Ning Jinli thought about it, the more she felt the pitch was utter nonsense.

Maybe she should just drop it and think of another feasible method.

"Sister Shangguan Ying, I—"

"Tell me the environment of the site that needs Blasting, and I'll arrange it for you,"

"Huh?"

Ning Jinli was instead taken aback.

Did she just agree!?

"Sister Shangguan Ying, thank you!" she said gratefully.

On the other end of the phone, Shangguan Ying sat before a computer in a secret research lab, staring at the dense data on the screen.

It even included everything Ning Jinli had purchased in large quantities over this period.

A faint smile rose in Shangguan Ying's eyes, her red lips curling slightly as she said softly, "No need to thank me."

——

Just after one o'clock in the morning.

Several military trucks drove into the factory, and, as Ning Jinli had requested, they placed all the blasting supplies into that empty large warehouse.

The person leading the convoy said nothing extra, handed her an extremely detailed operation manual, and then the convoy departed.

Ning Jinli found that all the materials were already assembled; she just needed to place them according to the instructions—there was no difficulty.

She immediately sent her thoughts to the blasting materials and had Xiao Qidi gather personnel, placing her in command of the operation!

Unbeknownst to everyone, the Yu Guo Army also began its march at exactly this moment.

Moreover, it was one force overt and one covert, splitting into two routes.

The overt force marched with great fanfare toward the city walls of Lin Xian Village.

The covert force slipped into the cavern unnoticed.

Both enemy forces would reach their respective destinations at dawn, then launch a perfect inside‑outside coordinated attack on Lin Xian Village…

……

Xiao Qidi, according to the map on the hide, found the entrance from within Lin Xian Village, led the troops into the cavern's interior, and, under Ning Jinli's direction, swiftly placed the explosive charges.

"What are these?" Xiao Qidi asked, walking beside her.

Ning Jinli patiently explained, "The explosives are what we'll use for blasting; just set them up and detonate."

"And what is that in your hand?"

"This is a remote controller; press the button and it sends an electronic signal to the detonator, which runs on its built‑in battery, creates a spark, and ignites the fuse."

"Oh…"

Xiao Qidi nodded, bewildered.

He couldn't understand, simply couldn't understand…

Everyone worked together busily, and finally finished the preparations before dawn.

Everyone walked out of the cavern, Ning Jinli led them to retreat as far as possible until the distance was safe enough, then she raised the remote controller.

Just as she was about to press the detonation button…

A soldier came galloping on horseback, shouting, "Your Majesty! Jinli Fairy! The Yu Guo Army has suddenly arrived at the village walls and is attacking us!"