Chapter 6: Dare to Snatch a National Treasure? Citywide Lockdown and Massive Manhunt!

He Kai scoffed and shook his head.

Ning Hai squinted and said, "47 million."

He Kai's smile froze instantly.

Ning Hai continued:

"I just went to the inpatient ward to ask, and Ning Jingli brought over a person with renal failure who needs a kidney transplant."

"She made only about 400,000 from selling gold bars and jade pendants, yet she still had the means to pay for someone else's kidney transplant."

"Being this generous can only prove—she's gotten rich. Moreover, it's wealth enough that she doesn't mind a 70 million debt."

Hearing this, He Kai was both shocked and puzzled.

Ning Hai gestured a beckoning sign to him, and He Kai immediately stepped closer.

"Xiao Kai," Ning Hai lowered his voice, "I'm certain that when, ten years ago, I drove Ning Jingli out of the Ning Family, she took nothing with her; the old man's illness was severe until his death, so there was no chance to privately give her anything."

"Uncle's meaning is…"

"I've thought it over, and there's only one possibility: the factory I gave her has a massive cache of antiques buried underground, and she got unbelievably lucky to discover them."

He Kai was dumbfounded.

Upon reconsideration, this indeed is the only reasonable explanation.

That factory really does have a leftover area that was never used when it was built.

Ning Hai's eyes flashed with a sly, cunning light. "The gold bars and jade pendants are certainly only a small part; it would be such a waste for so many treasures to fall into her hands, don't you think?"

"Uncle, I know what to do; I'm going right now—"

"Don't hurry; keep observing a bit longer. I've already dispatched someone to tail the factory. Once it's completely verified, you'll have to take action."

"Yes, Uncle!"

……

In the afternoon, Ning Jingli returned to the factory.

As soon as she entered the warehouse, she saw Xiao Qidi waiting for her.

"Miss Ning, I promised to give this item to you; now it is yours."

He took the Canglan jade disc from his chest and offered it with both hands.

Seeing how solemn he was, she took it and asked, "Does this have any background?"

Xiao Qidi said, "It's called the Canglan jade disc, a rare treasure of the world."

Ning Jingli's mind exploded.

"Cang—Canglan jade disc?!"

"Miss Ning also knows about this bi?"

"I…"

Ning Jingli's heart raced wildly, and goosebumps rose all over her body.

She certainly knew more than that!

The Canglan jade disc is recorded in the history books.

History textbooks introduce it, and language textbooks also contain related literary works.

It is praised as a top‑tier national treasure on par with the Imperial Jade Seal.

Oh right, the Imperial Jade Seal was also commissioned by Xiao Qidi after he unified the world.

Unfortunately, it disappeared in the long river of history.

But who would have thought… the Canglan jade disc, missing for over two thousand years, has now been directly given to her by Xiao Qidi!

"Miss Ning?" Xiao Qidi called out as he saw her staring blankly, "I'll go ahead; there are still many affairs among the villagers that I need to arrange."

Ning Jingli responded blankly, "Oh… okay, take care…"

She cradled the Canglan jade disc, sitting on the ground as if she had lost her soul.

If I sold this thing, the money I'd make could not only clear the factory's debts but would be more than enough to spend to death in this lifetime!

But this is a top‑tier national treasure, a cultural relic, whose value cannot be measured in money.

She's short on money, but not to the point of earning such money that would betray the country.

The Canglan jade disc must be handed over to the state!

Without any hesitation, she searched online and found the contact information of the relevant department.

At first, the person who answered the phone thought she was joking.

Until she sent them photos and videos…

In less than three hours.

Several people who rushed from the capital arrived at the factory.

The covert watcher nearby secretly took photos and sent them to Ning Hai.

Ning Hai didn't recognize it, so he quickly consulted antique shop owner Wu Sanye, who identified that the plainly dressed white‑haired elder in the photo is actually a titan of the antiquities appraisal world.

Ning Hai was thrilled beyond measure!

This proves his guess was right; the factory's underground definitely holds valuable antiques!

Previously it was gold and jade pendants; this time it'sunknown what Ning Jingli unearthed, but it's certainly something good, and most likely there's still a lot left unexcavated!

He immediately contacted He Kai and asked him to come along to the factory.

Today, we must snatch that sky‑splitting wealth back from Ning Jingli's hands!

Inside the factory, Professor Zheng Lao confirmed that what Ning Jingli provided is indeed the Canglan jade disc.

The accompanying cultural relics bureau staff immediately reported the news to higher authorities.

"Xiao Ning, on behalf of all cultural relic workers, on behalf of the nation… thank you! Thank you!"

Zheng Lao, nearly ninety years old, shakily clasped Ning Jinli's hand, his old tears streaming.

Suddenly, he showed a pained expression and clutched his chest with one hand.

"Grandpa Zheng?" Ning Jinli jumped in fright.

Zheng Lao's secretary quickly gave him a protective heart pill, but there was no improvement, and he seemed about to lose consciousness.

"What's wrong with him?!" Ning Jinli asked.

The secretary calmly informed:

"He's too old; he came from far away without resting, immediately busy with appraisal, exhausting his physical and mental strength, and with heightened emotions his old ailment flared up. He must be rushed to a hospital."

"Miss Ning, we cannot transport the Canglan jade disc. Please keep it for about an hour; a dedicated team will come to retrieve it. Save my phone number and stay in touch."

Ning Jinli nodded, "Alright!"

Meanwhile.

In Lin Xian Village where Xiao Qidi was, a Scout from Xi Tun Guan arrived, struck by a lethal arrow.

"Your Majesty... the Yuguo Border Region's fifty‑thousand troops... are marching in."

"The defending commander has already fallen in battle..."

"We... cannot hold them, at present... now..."

Before the Scout could finish, he gasped his last breath in Xiao Qidi's arms.

The soldiers present in the village turned pale.

Xi Tun Guan is the only border pass nearby.

Because the region is barren, the neighboring Yuguo has never bothered to seize it.

The court therefore paid little attention, assigning just over ten thousand troops to guard the pass, leaving the frontier as leaky as a sieve.

Surrounding villages had to voluntarily form militia to fend off bandits and occasional incursions by neighboring border villagers.

The dozens of soldiers of Lin Xian Village came in this way.

"Your Majesty, why is Yuguo launching a sudden massive attack? It makes no sense!" a soldier said anxiously.

Xiao Qidi's eyes clouded over, "Regardless of the reason for now."

"I'll go to Xi Tun Guan; you all quickly relay the news to the capital."

"Also, inform the villagers to evacuate; this place may become the upcoming battlefield."

The order was given, and the soldiers moved at once.

Xiao Qidi mounted the swift horse obtained from the bandits last night and rode straight to Xi Tun Guan.

At the factory side—

A few members of the Cultural Relics Bureau had just escorted Zheng Lao out; Ning Jinli hadn't had time to close the door when Ning Hai and He Kai barged in.

Ning Jinli blocked them, "What are you doing?"

"We have something to discuss with you."

Ning Hai said as he walked toward the office building.

Ning Jinli's expression shifted slightly.

She had just had Zheng Lao appraise the Canglan jade disc in the conference room.

Before sending him out, she placed the Canglan jade disc into the filing cabinet.

"What's there to discuss? Get out!" Ning Jinli shouted, "Do you think I'll call the police!"

"Uncle coming to see his niece, is that illegal?" Ning Hai said indifferently, striding into the office building.

Unexpectedly, he went straight into the conference room.

Ning Jinli felt uneasy.

But on reflection, Ning Hai didn't know the Canglan jade disc was here; even if he saw it, he wouldn't recognize it, so there was no need for him to be nervous.

Ning Hai sat down, legs propped on the conference table, "I won't waste time with you; hand over the item now."

Ning Jinli frowned, "What item?"

"Little Kai, tell her," Ning Hai said, lighting a cigar.

He Kai wandered around the conference room, rummaging, and said:

"The factory now belongs to you personally, but this land still belongs to the Ning Family."

Seeing He Kai approach the filing cabinet, Ning Jinli stepped over, shoulder leaning against the cabinet door, "What exactly do you mean?"

He Kai wore a fox‑like smile.

"It means, whether you have already extracted it from this land or not, it all belongs to the Ning Family. If you dare to keep any of it for yourself, I'll sue you and make sure you end up in prison."

Ning Jinli said blankly, "I didn't dig up anything…"

"Then why did you block me? You've hidden it here, haven't you!"

He Kai pushed her aside and flung open the filing cabinet door.

The Canglan jade disc suddenly appeared before them, dazzlingly radiant.

He Kai didn't recognize it, but sensed its great value, grabbed it and showed it to Ning Hai, "Uncle, a fine piece!"

Ning Hai gave a subtle nod.

He Kai understood, slipped the jade disc into his pocket and turned to run!

"Hey—hey—hey? You..." Ning Jinli instinctively tried to chase, but fearing to damage the national treasure, she didn't dare to snatch it.

Ning Hai sprang up, grabbed her shoulder, and, exhaling clouds of smoke, said:

"Xiao Li, stop digging this factory land; from now on I'll handle it."

"It's not yours; don't touch it."

"He Kai says he can definitely send you to prison; if you're being unreasonable, don't blame uncle for not honoring our blood ties, understand?"

Ning Hai finished his warning/threat, cigar in hand, swaggered away.

Ning Jinli immediately took out her phone and called Zheng Lao's secretary.

Her call ended in less than ten minutes.

Xinghan City's highest law enforcement department received an urgent task from the national higher authorities to find the national treasure Canglan jade disc.

Thus, a city-wide operation with full authority was launched swiftly and decisively behind the scenes:

All special police deployed!

All law enforcement personnel at every level must cooperate unconditionally in the search!

All land, sea, and air transport and logistics are locked down—everything that can be blocked is blocked; anyone or anything trying to leave the city will undergo a top‑level inspection.