The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 129

As Sima Liang asked Xu Tian this question, a dagger had already appeared in his hand, which he gripped tightly behind his back, ready to strike Xu Tian at any moment.

Xu Tian sensed something was wrong, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply asked directly, "I've heard this is an imperial mausoleum. Are you perhaps stealing things from it?"

Sima Liang, realizing he'd been exposed, gritted his teeth. He frowned and snapped, "What's it to you! Someone suddenly came to ruin things! You're not getting any better!"

After he roared those words, the dagger in his hand suddenly appeared in front of the two of them. His expression was sinister, and he charged directly at Xu Tian.

Xu Tian flashed past and swiftly grabbed his hand. Sima Liang began to struggle, but he didn't expect Xu Tian to be so strong that he couldn't move at all. He realized that he had met his match.

"Let me tell you, I am a local official. If you dare to kill me now, my guards will find you and kill you without mercy!" Sima Liang roared angrily.

Xu Tian heard his threat but felt nothing. However, upon learning that he was an official, he raised an eyebrow slightly. "Are you a local official?"

"Of course!"

"Then why are you all alone here? Don't you want to ask someone for help with all this?"

"Find someone to help?" Sima Liang sneered. "Who can be trusted these days? Relying on others or gods is not as good as relying on yourself! Besides, this is a capital offense. If someone doesn't like me and wants to report me, wouldn't I die a horrible death?!"

Upon hearing Sima Liang's words, Xu Tian drew a conclusion about him.

Foolish and suspicious, driven by self-interest.

Xu Tian couldn't help but think of the prefect again. He wondered if this matter was related to him. If so, then none of the officials in Jinzhou could be trusted.

Sima Liang's act of robbing the imperial tomb clearly indicates his intention to sell the contents for money. Judging from his current appearance, it doesn't seem like he's doing it for the first time; he has all the necessary tools ready, making him a seasoned pro.

If that's the case, then someone must be buying his tomb-robbing items.

If you want to find the boss behind the scenes, and the entire network connected to Sima Liang, the only way is to gain Sima Liang's trust.

He was thinking but didn't notice that Sima Liang had already made some subtle moves, and suddenly a sharp dagger was pressed against Xu Tian's neck. Sima Liang also quickly turned the tables.

Now, if Xu Tian makes even the slightest movement, his neck will be severed by that sharp dagger.

Xu Tian had no choice but to immediately say, "Wait a minute, I'm also very interested in these tomb raiding artifacts. If possible, how about we do some business together?"

"Oh? What kind of business? And how do you intend to do it?" Sima Liang asked with a cold laugh.

“Of course I want to buy your stuff. How about it? I can give you all the money the day after tomorrow,” Xu Tian said.

But the suspicious Sima Liang was far from believing him and was about to make his move when Xu Tian began to recite several treasures and antiques, "The Four-Sheep Square Zun, the Simuwu Ding. These are all things I've purchased before. If you don't believe me, I can show them to you later. I also have several other rare treasures, a glowing stone, a fine jadeite cabbage, and South China Sea silk..."

Seeing that Sima Liang had stopped, Xu Tian then described the rare and precious treasures he had seen in modern society. This completely convinced Sima Liang.

If such a unique treasure truly exists in the world, then he is truly going to become rich.

"Is everything you said true?" Sima Liang asked.

"Yes, I guarantee that everything I said is true. If you'd like, you can barter with me," Xu Tian replied.

When Sima Liang saw that Xu Tian seemed to really want to barter with him for an antique, he couldn't help but waver a little.

He looked at Xu Tian and thought for a while before finally saying, "How can I guarantee you won't report me when you go back this time?"