Huo Xuan pondered for a moment before asking, "Elder Xu, why would the state go to such lengths for this painting? Simply because it was painted by Hideki Tojo?"
Elder Xu chuckled. "Of course not. The reason it was retrieved is because it may be connected to a massive treasure hoard."
Huo Xuan's eyes widened. A massive treasure?
Elder Xu continued, "During WWII, Japan occupied nearly all of East Asia. Beyond our country, places like Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei were all under Japanese military control."
"At that time, General Kenji Doihara of the Japanese Army, under orders from the Emperor and Hideki Tojo, established an underground intelligence organization to systematically plunder East Asia's wealth. Gold, cultural relics, jewels, raw materials—all were targets of Japanese looting."
"You must understand, as invaders, the Japanese had no regard for ethics. Their plundering was extensive and indiscriminate. Eventually, these treasures were transported by an organization called 'Golden Lily' to the Emperor's secret vaults, where they were meticulously stored."
Huo Xuan frowned. "But Japan lost the war. Didn't the Allied forces claim these treasures?"
"Not at all," Elder Xu said. "We suspect Hideki Tojo and the Emperor secretly relocated this wealth, intending to use it for Japan's resurgence."
Huo Xuan thought for a moment, then countered, "But Japan's economic boom began in the 1960s. Couldn't they have accessed the treasure then?"
"Impossible," Elder Xu shook his head. "According to reliable intelligence, the treasure's location is so well-hidden that even the Emperor doesn't know it. Moreover, there's a key to unlocking it—this very painting in your hands."
"Without it, the treasure cannot be accessed," Elder Xu sighed. "Our experts studied it for decades but found nothing. During the Cultural Revolution, it nearly got burned—that's when I quietly preserved it."
Huo Xuan smiled wryly. "Who would've thought such an unassuming painting could hold such secrets?"
Elder Xu studied him keenly. "Young Huo, do you want it?"
"Yes," Huo Xuan admitted without hesitation. "I want to uncover its mysteries. The process should be fascinating."
"Then take it," Elder Xu said generously. "I've examined it myself but found nothing."
His expression then turned grave. "But you must promise me this—if you discover anything, you must inform the state immediately. Over half of Japan's plundered wealth came from our country. We have every right to reclaim it."
Huo Xuan nodded solemnly. "You have my word. I could never access such a treasure alone—it's likely hidden in Japan or its waters. State resources would be essential."
Elder Xu smiled approvingly. "Good. You're an extraordinary young man. Perhaps you'll succeed where others failed."
After leaving the study, Huo Xuan lingered briefly before bidding farewell. Several prominent Xu family members, including Xu Dongliang, saw him off personally. A senior colonel drove him away in a military vehicle as he departed the compound.
Upon returning to his hotel, Huo Xuan packed lightly, preparing to fly back to Jiangzhou that afternoon. Just then, his phone rang—it was Qin Huo, the head of the Criminal Investigation Division.
"Huo Xuan, Shen Rong's been kidnapped by escaped convict Ruan Ming. The situation's critical—you'd better come now." Qin Huo's voice was urgent. After delivering this message, he hung up immediately.
Huo Xuan's gaze turned icy. Ruan Ming was the Thai drug dealer he'd personally sent to prison, who had recently escaped. He hadn't expected the man to target Shen Rong. Without a moment's delay, he rushed to the police precinct.
Wei Rongguang was in the midst of an emergency meeting, strategizing rescue plans. The conference room was packed. Listening from the periphery, Huo Xuan suddenly interrupted Wei Rongguang: "Your rescue plan's focus is wrong!"
Wei Rongguang looked up. "Huo Xuan, do you have a better idea?"
Huo Xuan countered, "Think about it—why would Ruan Ming, already escaped, return to commit a crime?"
A junior officer blurted, "Isn't it obvious? He's out for revenge."
"Revenge against whom?" Huo Xuan pressed.
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to him.
"I was the one who arrested him," Huo Xuan stated. "If he wants revenge, it's against me. Kidnapping Shen Rong? That's almost certainly a trap for me. So this rescue has to involve me."
His reasoning silenced the room. Wei Rongguang sighed. "Huo Xuan, we have no leads—no location, no demands, no motive. How do you plan to proceed?"
Huo Xuan replied calmly, "Captain Wei, just take me to the abduction site. I'll handle the rest."
"This is reckless!" Qin Huo cut in. "You think you're some superhero? Rescues require teamwork—one man can't do it alone!"
Huo Xuan's voice chilled. "Fine. You all work as a team. I'll work alone. We'll operate in parallel."
Qin Huo was about to refuse when a thought struck him. He'd always admired Huo Xuan's investigative skills—perhaps the man could indeed locate Shen Rong. "Alright. But the moment you find anything, you alert the team immediately. No solo actions."
"Deal."
After finalizing arrangements, Qin Huo personally escorted Huo Xuan to the abduction site—a bustling street outside a beauty salon, captured on surveillance footage.
The footage showed Shen Rong, on her day off, exiting the salon when a trench-coated man knocked her unconscious with a single punch, then dragged her into a van that sped southward.
After reviewing the footage, Huo Xuan closed his eyes, attuning himself to Shen Rong's lingering aura. Soon, his left eye projected a vision: Ruan Ming, eyes blazing with malice, striking Shen Rong's head before hauling her into the vehicle with a sneer, the van tearing away southbound.
This ability to observe past events through residual traces at a scene was one of the Buddha's Eye's remarkable functions—a form of X-ray that pierced through time rather than space.
Qin Huo, noticing Huo Xuan intently studying the ground, asked eagerly, "Huo Xuan, any leads?"
Huo Xuan replied, "Captain Qin, focus on your tasks. I'll take my time searching and update you immediately."
Disappointed, Qin Huo nodded. "Alright. Stay safe, and keep your phone on!"
After Qin Huo left, Huo Xuan began retracing the van's escape route step by step, just as he'd done when pursuing Mao Er. The path was long, demanding hours of meticulous tracking.
Three hours into his search, his phone rang. Qin Huo's tense voice came through: "Huo Xuan! Ruan Ming called—he demands to speak with you!"
Huo Xuan responded calmly, "Then give him my number."
The call disconnected. About a minute later, his phone rang again. He answered coldly: "Ruan Ming?"
A heavily accented, grating voice replied, "You are Huo Xuan?"
"That's me."
"You defeated me that day, then the police took me," Ruan Ming hissed. "You owe me. Now you repay."
"And how should I repay you?" Huo Xuan's voice remained steady, his eyes locked ahead on a long-abandoned factory—vast, silent, overgrown with weeds, devoid of human presence.
"Cut off your right hand first! Then I'll tell you the next step!" Ruan Ming snarled. "Your woman is here. Refuse, and I'll show her what a real man feels like! Hahaha—"
Huo Xuan didn't hang up. His pupils contracted like daggers, yet his tone stayed icy calm: "Ruan Ming, this isn't Thailand. Overconfidence breeds ugly deaths."
"Oh?" Ruan Ming sneered. A shrill scream suddenly pierced the call—Shen Rong's voice, laced with fury and terror.
"Hear that? Your girlfriend sings beautifully! Wait till you hear her next verse!" His laughter crescendoed.
Like a gray raptor, Huo Xuan vaulted the factory fence, dissolving into a shadow as he closed in on the main building. He knew Shen Rong was here—and close.
Ten meters from the warehouse, he abruptly ended the call and removed his phone's battery.
Inside a dimly lit factory building, Ruan Ming and two wiry, dark-skinned young men were eating. Beside them, Shen Rong sat bound to a chair, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes, her face pale with fear.
Ruan Ming gnawed on a chicken leg while talking to Huo Xuan via a specially modified phone—one that remotely connected to another device elsewhere, ensuring their location remained hidden.
Just as he was relishing the conversation, Huo Xuan abruptly hung up. Annoyed, Ruan Ming slammed the phone onto the table. One of the men muttered in Thai, "Boss, she's gorgeous. Why not have some fun first? Let the boys enjoy her."
Ruan Ming glared. "If we do, it'll be in front of that bastard Huo Xuan. I want him to watch—that's the real pleasure."
Though Shen Rong didn't understand Thai, their leering expressions sent a chill down her spine. Fresh tears spilled as she silently prayed—against all odds—for Huo Xuan to descend like a vengeful angel and save her.
Outside, Huo Xuan had already pinpointed their hideout. Through his X-ray vision, he confirmed Shen Rong was unharmed—for now. Instead of charging in, he retreated and called Qin Huo.
"Captain Qin, I've found Shen Rong. Three hostiles in an abandoned factory."
Qin Huo's voice surged with relief. "Good! Keep eyes on them. We're mobilizing now!"
Huo Xuan's tone turned steely. "If they threaten her, I intervene immediately."
"Absolutely. Her safety comes first!" Qin Huo agreed without hesitation.
Huo Xuan relayed the factory's layout: "The building's sealed tight—only one reinforced iron door for entry. But the walls are thin, just 30 cm. Recommend breaching with directional explosives for a swift takedown."
"Understood. ETA 30 minutes. Stay sharp!" Qin Huo confirmed before hanging up.
Back at the factory, Ruan Ming repeatedly redialed Huo Xuan, only to get voicemail each time. Frustration morphed into malice as his gaze locked onto Shen Rong. "Since he's ignoring us," he hissed to his men, "let's film the show and mail it to him."
The two thugs perked up. One eagerly grabbed a digital camera from their gear, powering it on. "I'll handle recording, Boss!"
Ruan Ming shed his jacket with a predatory grin, advancing toward Shen Rong. Yet instead of fear, her eyes now burned with defiance—if violated, she'd bite her tongue and die before surrendering her dignity.
Outside, Huo Xuan sensed the imminent danger. In an instant, he lunged toward the factory's iron door and kicked it open with a thunderous crash.
The deafening noise startled Ruan Ming and his men, who immediately drew pistols, aiming at the entrance.
Realizing the distance was too great for a surprise attack—and with the door's swing time working against him—Huo Xuan raised his hands and strode forward boldly. "Ruan Ming, you wanted me? Here I am."
Ruan Ming's eyes narrowed in shock. "How did you find us?"
Huo Xuan replied coolly, "Never forget—this is China, not Thailand. Tracking you down wasn't hard."
"Who else is with you?" Ruan Ming demanded, his gaze turning lethal.
"Of course I'm not alone. The place is surrounded," Huo Xuan said calmly. "Your only chance to live is to surrender now. Resist, and you die."
Enraged, Ruan Ming aimed his gun at Huo Xuan. "I could kill you right now!"
Huo Xuan laughed, continuing his advance. "Go ahead. But you won't walk out alive either."
"Stop!" Ruan Ming barked, tension cracking his voice.
Huo Xuan halted. "Ruan Ming, you're a fool. You escaped prison only to pick a fight with me? That's like hanging yourself for fun."
Ruan Ming sneered. "Think you've got me cornered? I contacted the police because I'm certain of winning." Suddenly, he grabbed Shen Rong's hair with his left hand, pressing the gun to her temple.
Huo Xuan remained impassive. "And you call this revenge?"
Shen Rong's eyes, once fearful, now shone with clarity. The moment Huo Xuan burst in, it was as if all the light in the world had converged upon him. To her, he was the world—her sole focus.
At this moment, she felt like the luckiest woman alive, for this man had risked everything for her.
"Kneel!" Ruan Ming screamed. "Cut off your left hand! Or I'll blow her brains out!"
Huo Xuan's expression didn't flicker. "Bullying a woman? Is this how Thai 'men' act? If you've got any courage, fight me one-on-one."