With three superpowers at his fingertips, he could dominate the 1970s.

The world has been quite lively these past few days.

Jiang Zhiyu sat by the window of an old coffee shop on the street, holding a cup of coffee, with three local morning newspapers stacked on the corner of the table. The front page headlines were all about the same thing—the National Museum had been emptied, the director had resigned, and the police chief had been questioned by parliament.

Patrolling mounted police officers passed by the window in waves. Jiang Zhiyu slowly sipped her coffee, her eyes darting back and forth between the newspaper and the street.

She hasn't done anything productive these past two days; she's just been sitting in a different coffee shop every day. Listen.

There are more people who can speak well than those who cannot; this is a universal law.

There are no secrets in a coffee shop.

Since yesterday afternoon, Jiang Zhiyu has pieced together a story from the conversations around her—there is a secret auction in the suburbs tonight, and it's quite large.

Seventeen peeked out.

"Host, let me make you a fake invitation."

"Um."

"Let's infiltrate first. Even if we don't find what we want inside, just listening to what those people say will be enough for us to figure out the inner workings of this black market."

Jiang Zhiyu finished the last sip of coffee and put the coffee cup on the table.

"it is good!"

……

That night.

In the hotel room, Jiang Zhiyu sat in front of the dressing table, slowly applying her makeup.

Her long, black hair was styled into large waves with a perm, cascading down her shoulders. A pair of blue contact lenses transformed her eyes—a deep, light blue, characteristic of mixed-race individuals. Western-style foundation accentuated her facial features, and her lips were a natural nude pink.

Sitting in the mirror is a Eurasian woman who would not be given a second glance if she walked the streets of Europe; her height is also a significant advantage.

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at herself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

Seventeen poked his head out and looked up.

"Host, when you dress up, you really can't tell you're Chinese at all."

"There are so many small countries in Europe, no one has the time to check everyone's ancestry."

Jiang Zhiyu tucked the invitation into her small handbag and stood up.

"Let's go."

……

The auction was held at an old-fashioned manor on the outskirts of the city.

The receptionist at the door was very polite. He took the invitation, glanced at it, and smiled as he invited her inside. A substantial deposit was required—this was the rule of black market auctions; anyone could make up an identity and get in, and no one would question it.

Upon entering and passing through the lobby, you enter a venue with an extremely high ceiling and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Rows of seats are arranged, with a stage in front and glass display cases showcasing the auction items to the side.

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at the preview area and walked straight to the most inconspicuous seat in the corner.

She's here today to hear the news, not to steal the spotlight.

After sitting down, her spiritual energy silently spread out, like a thin mist enveloping the entire venue. She closed her handbag, lowered her head slightly, and appeared to be carefully adjusting the hem of her dress.

Every conversation in the hall was etched into her mind.

"There's quite a lot of stuff this time."

"How can there not be more? Everyone's in a rush to cash out; who knows when their collection might suddenly disappear?"

"Have you heard about the Henry family's batch? There are a lot of them."

"Shh, keep your voice down."

"My husband also took out those few collectibles from the cellar, saying he'd wait until things calm down before selling them, fearing he might not be able to get rid of them if he waited too long."

"Things have been really weird these past few days."

"Yes, is there some organization specifically targeting these veteran collectors?"

"Who knows? Everyone's cashing out what they can."

Jiang Zhiyu felt a surge of joy upon hearing this.

The National Museum's overnight emptying has sent panic through collectors across Europe. Nobody knows if they'll be next, so anyone with even slightly illicit possessions is rushing to the black market in the last couple of days.

Seventeen muttered to herself.

"Host, we really didn't mean to."

"yes."

Jiang Zhiyu slightly raised her eyes and glanced at the entire venue.

There were more people in the venue than she had expected. In addition to local European collectors, there were several Asian faces scattered around, dressed elegantly, clearly Chinese businessmen with connections.

Jiang Zhiyu's mental energy slowly shifted to the three rows on the left front.

There sat an elderly woman and her husband. The woman's silver hair was neatly combed, and she wore a string of pearls on her lap. She was quietly complaining to her husband.

"How did the Henry family end up in such a mess?"

"They're just a distant relative, not closely connected to the main family."

"Even if he's not deeply involved, he's still a member of the Henry family. You're saying he caused such a huge mess in the US all by himself, and the federal government has already arrested him. Can the main family not step in to mediate?"

"Mediation is one thing, but it still costs money. After all, what we did wasn't honorable, and we've got evidence against us. We're going to be in deep trouble now."

"That's why they're putting so many pieces up for auction tonight," the old lady sighed. "You know, the Henry family's greatest passion is collecting bronzes. Over the decades, their collection is no less than a museum's Oriental collection. We'll just have to wait and see how many pieces they put out this time."

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes slowly narrowed.

The Henry family.

It turns out that Earl Henry, whom she had inspected the manor and sent documents to the Federation, was merely a collateral descendant of this large family. The real hideout is here.

And this family's greatest hobby—

It is a collection of bronze artifacts.

Seventeen's voice still carried a hint of excitement in her mind.

"Host."

"I heard you."

"This is really..."

"It's like someone handing you a pillow when you're sleepy," Jiang Zhiyu smiled slightly. "Tonight, keep a close eye on the Henry family's seats."

"clear."

……

The auction has begun.

The auctioneer was an elderly British gentleman with gray hair. He spoke slowly and deliberately, exaggerating the provenance of each item.

The first item is an oil painting from the Italian school. The second is a set of Rococo silver tableware. The third is a gemstone ring from the Mughal dynasty of India.

Jiang Zhiyu wasn't interested in any of them.

To avoid appearing too abrupt, she then pretended to raise her paddle twice on two of the items, adding a few negligible prices, and then withdrew when her competitors raised their bids.

The people sitting near her glanced at her but didn't pay much attention.

When the auction reached the sixth item, Seventeen's voice suddenly rang in her mind.

"Host."

"Um."

"Next item."

Jiang Zhiyu's heart skipped a beat.

"Sure?"

"I sensed it." Seventeen's energy aura rose and fell gently within her sleeve. "It feels the same as with the Little Cauldron, even clearer. Host, you are one of the two we are looking for."

Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath.

The old gentleman on the stage tapped his small hammer.

"Next item."

The room fell silent.

"A bronze artifact from the Far East, China, its age is yet to be determined, and its form is rare. This piece was consigned for auction by the Henry family."

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze followed the old gentleman's gesture and slowly moved towards the Henry family.

That was the best spot right in front of the stage, with three people in a row. In the middle was an elderly gentleman with white hair, flanked by a composed middle-aged man and a young lady with a restrained expression.

Jiang Zhiyu's spiritual power swept over them inch by inch.

The old gentleman is the current head of the Henry family.

The middle-aged man—the eldest son of the head of the family.

That young lady was the eldest daughter-in-law.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.

Because behind her, leaning against a man with his legs crossed, playing with a silver coin in his hand.

Jiang Zhiyu recognized that face.

They are old acquaintances and old rivals.

Seventeen's voice sounded shrill in her mind.

"Host, is it him?"

Jiang Zhiyu tapped her knee lightly with her fingers.

"It's him."