Several of the 27 cultural relics hold a such immense value that they transcend monetary measurement, classifying them as national treasures. Even Prime Minister YD displayed great concern for the matter, frequently contacting the search and rescue centre to stay updated.
With a sense of urgency, Prime Minister YD addressed the attendees, emphasizing the imperative nature of the situation. ["Ladies and gentlemen, the urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. We must employ any means necessary, allocating significant manpower and resources, to locate these invaluable cultural relics as swiftly as possible,"] he asserted, his voice resonating with solemnity.
Following his address, one official raised a doubt. [ " Could it be that the Global Shipping Group, which initially discovered and salvaged remnants of the crashed plane, might have stumbled upon and taken away these cultural relics? " ] The official's speculation was promptly interrupted by Myron, who interjected, [ " That possibility seems unlikely, considering the limited timeframe. They promptly informed us about the plane wreckage, and I personally rushed to the location without delay. " ]
Gal concurred with Myron's viewpoint, adding, [ " Indeed, I doubt it was their doing. They arrived in the specified sea area only recently. I have satellite images here to support this claim. " ]
Observing Gal's thorough preparation, it was evident that even satellite images had been acquired. These images suggested that the "Blue Whale" had reached the designated sea area within a relatively short period.
Eliminating the Global Shipping Group as a potential culprit, the question remained: where were the cultural relics?
During the meeting, diverse opinions and discussions could have yielded a consensus. Consequently, the search continued, expanding its scope. While others were searching for a needle in a haystack, they were, in essence, searching for a box within that very same haystack.
Unbeknownst to the YD National Search and Rescue Center officials, Liu Yong, harbouring discontent toward their operations, had discreetly stored the two large boxes of cultural relics in Hanhai Culture Company's vault. The utmost secrecy surrounded this matter, known only to a select few individuals.
Despite their significant investment in workforce and resources, Liu Yong harboured dissatisfaction towards the YD National Search and Rescue Center and opted to withhold information from them. He had informed Ding Wen that the matter needed to remain confidential until Hanhai Culture could organize an exhibition in approximately ten days.
This upcoming exhibition would not be a grand affair but rather an intimate gathering within a smaller circle in a limited area. Alongside numerous other antiques owned by Hanhai Culture Company, three to five cultural relics from the boxes would be displayed, including the YD national treasure, the Buddha relic.
Ten days passed, during which the Global Shipping Group maintained a sense of calm. Their most notable progress was that after more than ten days of sailing, the "Blue Whale" finally traversed the Strait of Malacca and entered the South China Sea of Yanguo, heading towards the sea area where the plane had crashed. Operating at maximum power, the vessel sailed high speed, completing the journey in just over ten days.
However, the return trip would be more leisurely, taking an estimated 20 days to reach the city of Haihua.
As the ten-day mark approached, Ding Wen took the initiative to visit Liu Yong's office, providing a report. [ " Brother Yong, the exhibition is fully prepared and will commence at nine o'clock tomorrow morning in our company. Would you like to attend and witness it firsthand? " ]
Liu Yong declined, saying, [ " I won't be able to make it, but ensure that the security measures are in place, and no mistakes occur. " ]
Ding Wen exuded confidence, saying, [ " Rest assured, we have taken every precaution. There will be no mishaps. " ]
Given the small scale of the exhibition, which was limited to approximately two to three hundred individuals from the collection circle, it remained a closed-door event with no public access or media coverage.
Interestingly, among the select guests, a few individuals from YD—business are conducting transactions in Yan Country and YD collectors residing there.
At precisely nine o'clock the following day, Hanhai Culture's Antique Exhibition commenced. Nearly a thousand pieces were displayed, ranging from Song porcelains to calligraphy, paintings, and bronze wares. Yet, the undeniable highlights were the few YD national treasure cultural relics.
Three selected pieces took centre stage, rather than the entire collection of 27. These cultural relics were positioned prominently, each shielded by a bulletproof glass case, accompanied by concise text descriptions.
The Buddha relic, in particular, radiated a shining aura, capturing the attention of numerous attendees. Before long, a crowd had gathered around it.
Since the invited guests were individuals from the collection circle, possessing discerning eyes, their astonishment was unparalleled. Voices of disbelief echoed through the exhibition hall. [ " Unbelievable! This is YD's Buddha relic, an invaluable treasure. How can it be here? " ]
Amidst the exclamations, the YD guests, in particular, exhibited a heightened sense of shock, as if they had glimpsed a surreal sight. They struggled to comprehend how their nation's most precious Buddha relic was displayed in this setting.
One YD collector, grappling with surprise, couldn't help but wonder, [ " Didn't the Buddha relic sink into the sea with the crashed plane? How could it possibly be exhibited here? " ] He resolved to report this puzzling revelation to YD authorities.
The exhibition lasted only half a day, commencing at 9:00 am and concluding by noon. In just three hours, the event drew to a successful close.
Ding Wen reported the exhibition's outcome to Liu Yong, saying, [ " Brother Yong, you should have witnessed the expressions on the faces of those YD individuals when they saw the cultural relics. It was truly remarkable. " ]
Liu Yong smiled, remarking, [ " As expected, their composed demeanor is quite extraordinary, as if they've seen ghosts. " ]
After a brief exchange, Ding Wen playfully remarked, [ " Brother Yong, it seems you deliberately wanted YD to know that these cultural relics are in your possession. You're practically provoking them. " ]
Confidently, Liu Yong affirmed, [ " Indeed, I want to stir up trouble and let them know. So what if they find out? It won't change a thing. " ]
Fearlessly, Liu Yong awaited the reaction of the YD National Search and Rescue Center upon discovering the truth.
Little did they know that despite more than ten consecutive days of intensive search efforts, expending considerable workforce and resources in the designated sea area, they had yet to uncover a trace of the cultural relics.
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