I Have A Dual World Seal-Chapter 826: Preparing for Action

Weekend, New York, Manhattan.

"Although the roads are interconnected, there are key points all around, all under CIA control," Lin Wan remarked.

Lu Zheng nodded, "So clever!"

At this moment, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan had already gone incognito and arrived at the underground auction venue, and there were less than twenty minutes left until the auction began.

"Is this the underground auction?" Lu Zheng felt speechless.

Various luxury cars were parked in the lot, wealthy individuals and professional agents were all dressed to the nines, and they even needed invitations to enter the venue.

"Of course," Lin Wan laughed, "The security and requirements of underground auctions are sometimes stricter than those of regular auction houses."

"Quite an eye-opener," Lu Zheng clicked his tongue in amazement, "But an underground auction is still an underground auction. Aren't these people afraid of being double-crossed by the organizers?"

"In the world of capital, capital reigns supreme. What do these people have to fear?" Lin Wan commented, "Honestly, the main difference between this and a regular auction is that the average person has no idea it exists."

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, unable to resist asking, "An internal game for capitalists?"

"Exactly," Lin Wan nodded, "That's why sometimes the treasures that appear at these underground auctions are even more exceptional than those at regular auctions, not that it matters to ordinary folks."

Lu Zheng blinked, "Could the organizers of these underground auctions be the same as those of regular auction houses?"

Lin Wan turned back, winked at Lu Zheng, with a slight curl to her lips, "What do you think?"

"What the heck!?"

"How else could they deceive everyone?" Lin Wan said calmly, "How else could they be so professional?"

Lu Zheng, "..."

"It's just that their shares in the two types of auctions are different."

"And this time?"

"The capitalists provide the money, the CIA the manpower, and they provide the venue," Lin Wan glanced around, "Looks no different from the auction house next door."

"Truly a spectacular show!"

Lu Zheng and Lin Wan stayed invisible, mingling with the guests entering the auction venue.

"And then?"

Lu Zheng snapped his fingers, "When do we cause the chaos?"

"Of course, after the opening," Lin Wan squinted her eyes, "Once the auction starts, the vault door will open, treasures will be brought out continuously, and with the crowd around, it's the easiest time for things to go awry."

Lin Wan smiled, "This is a scheme set by the CIA, but most of the guests don't know, so the auction has to proceed as normal."

"Got it." Lu Zheng nodded.

...

Meanwhile, outside the venue, numerous CIA action teams were on standby, and the command center was set up inside the venue's building.

Two sets of equipment, over a thousand cameras, divided into dozens of groups, circulated display inside the command center.

"All the guests entering the venue are on internal records, no unfamiliar faces," someone reported.

"All ventilation systems are normal, infrared detectors show normal readings, no suspicious figures found nearby," another person reported.

"Internal surveillance shows normal, security team and staff movements completely normal, no doubts."

"Ten minutes left until the auction starts."

A middle-aged man with gray hair stood in the center of the command center, frowning deeply.

"Could they be too scared to come?" his assistant asked quietly.

The elusive artifact thief hadn't left any traces so far. They were embarrassed in Los Angeles, and after pursuing this long, they didn't even have a suspect, let alone clues.

So their only option now was to lure the snake out of its hole.

They had set traps several times before, but it seemed like the thief saw through them and didn't show up. So this time, they seized the opportunity when an underground world major reseller planned to unload items. The CIA personally reached out, contacted other sellers, and set up this trap.

According to the CIA's logic, even without this trap, the artifact thief might not let this batch of treasures go. Even if they don't show up this time, it's still a hidden threat, a ticking time bomb.

So, it was better to let them handle it, and if they could capture the target, they would have no future concerns.

Thus, everyone agreed unanimously and set this trap with the real deal.

In theory, the items to be auctioned at this underground auction were mysterious, priceless artifacts with historical and cultural value that surpassed Eden Sect's collection.

Even the Eden Sect made a move, so why wouldn't they act this time?

"Continue to stand by!" the commander said sternly, "The opponent is very cunning and has advanced technology as well. The auction process could be the most dangerous time. Keep your spirits up!"

"Yes, sir!"

...

Lu Zheng and Lin Wan followed the crowd into the auction hall for a tour before heading through the back door to the vault and kitchen.

Indeed, after the auction, anyone interested could dine and chat in the restaurant, a standard capital world cocktail party designed for networking.

Lu Zheng shook his head, tapped a gourd, and took a barrel of fuel from it, placing it in a garbage can by the door.

Along the way, he did the same thing dozens of times. What could cause more chaos than a fire?

On each barrel, he imprinted a Starfire Curse, which could be ignited with a snap, and they came with explosions, ensuring the venue would descend into chaos instantly.

Lu Zheng blinked, unable to help saying, "So tense, it feels so exciting, like filming a movie."

Not just him, even Lin Wan's breathing quickened, her face flushed—not out of fear but pure excitement.

After all, just a few years ago, they were ordinary people, who would've thought they'd one day be toying with the CIA?

"All set?"

"All set," Lu Zheng nodded, "The main door will definitely be inaccessible, there are only a few safe exits, scattered enough to disperse everyone."

Lin Wan nodded, glancing at the waitstaff, "No innocent casualties, right?"

"As long as they're not stupid, they shouldn't die. Though if crowding and trampling occur, that's another story."

Lu Zheng chuckled, "You're kind-hearted. Last time in Northern Myanmar, you didn't hold back."

Lin Wan shook her head, "Different circumstances, those people had blood on their hands."

Lu Zheng shrugged, "What's the difference with these folks? The Lighthouse Country exploits the world, all its citizens, even those on welfare, are beneficiaries. It's just the means of harvesting and profiting that differ, not necessarily more noble than bloodstained methods."

Lin Wan, "..."

"As long as it's national conduct, all citizens are participants. Since they're enjoying the dividends, there's a price to pay."

Lu Zheng said calmly, "It was the same for Japan's citizens back then, and it's the same for the Lighthouse Country's citizens now—no one can escape."