章 36: The Pretend Couple

Walking up to the guard stationed at the main entrance, Hao observed the elderly couple that was ahead of them in line, waiting for entry. He studied their actions carefully, taking note of how they presented their Identity Sword Details and how the guard examined them. This information would be crucial for their own entry.

Finally, it was Hao and Lanor's turn to gain entry. The guard, a tall and broad-shouldered man with a stern expression, eyed the young couple with suspicion. They appeared out of place among the well-known and established guests he had seen throughout the night. His gaze lingered on them, scrutinizing their every move.

"Your ISD, please," he demanded, not hiding his suspicions.

"Here you go, sir." Lanor smiled sweetly, presenting her Identity Sword Detail with an air of confidence.

The scanning process commenced, and for a tense minute, Hao's heart pumped with apprehension. The guard watched them carefully as if expecting them to make a wrong move. But the scan came back successful, and the guard reluctantly stepped aside.

"You may go on through, Mr. and Mrs. Sangster," he said, removing the horizontal blockage and allowing Hao and Lanor to pass. His eyes followed them even after they entered, still not entirely convinced of their legitimacy.

"I can't believe that worked," Hao muttered to Lanor as they entered the opulent gallery.

Tucking the Identity Sword Detail at her waist, Lanor shared, "My mom is very skilled at forging. Don't underestimate her." Vicky's expertise had come in handy, providing them with the fake ISDs needed to gain entry.

The interior of the gallery was even more mesmerizing than the exterior. The walls were adorned with priceless works of art, and the marble floors radiated under the light of sword chandeliers that sparkled like diamonds from the high ceilings.

"Wow, this place is beautiful." Lanor's head was twisting and turning around like a newborn baby just slipping out of the womb of penury.

"Indeed." Hao agreed. Though he couldn't comprehend the dynamic ranges of colours populating his environment, the amazing décor was evident in his vision.

As they ventured further inside, they spotted Scar, already in position, serving drinks to the guests. Their gazes met briefly, and they exchanged subtle nods of recognition. The pieces of their plan were beginning to fall into place.

"Let's go by that table over there."

The young couple continued to weave through the crowd, maintaining their facade as they observed the layout of the gallery and the security measures in place. Hao's Vibe Sense subtly scanned the area, while Lanor committed every detail to memory.

The anticipation of the night's main attraction grew ever closer as the evening progressed. Hao and Lanor had to time their heist perfectly, striking just only when the gallery's vault was revealed. For now, they played their roles to perfection, engaging in polite conversation and sharing knowing glances as the excitement in the room intensified.

Later, when the night had reached its definite moment, Rector, the main man responsible for putting together this fantastic, extravagant event, revealed himself. The audience's attention was drawn to him as he descended the main central flight of stairs. The stairs themselves were a sight to behold, with intricately designed tiles that shimmered in the soft glow of the chandeliers above. Rector was followed by a group of stern-looking security guards, each with a formidable sword at their side, displaying their unwavering loyalty and readiness to defend.

Rector's appearance was striking. He wore a magenta suit that clung to his rotund figure, showcasing the thick muscles he had developed through his love of heavy lifting in his free time. A set of gold teeth sparked in his mouth, and his arrogant stride and manliness exuded a powerful and charismatic aura. He was adorned with various pieces of jewellery that glittered under the chandelier light, and his facial hair was neatly trimmed, framing his face perfectly. A cigar dangled from the corner of his mouth, and at his waist, a sheathed sword bore witness to the many people he had cut down to gain his current wealth and status in the Parkour District.

"Is that Rector?" Hao saw him and asked Lanor in a hushed tone.

"That's him, alright," Lanor replied, her face contorting with disgust as she stared at Rector. She had to control herself to prevent others from noticing her strong reaction.

Rector took his place at the bottom of the stairs and prepared to deliver a speech. The room fell silent as he began, "My esteemed guests…"

As Rector prepared to deliver his speech, Hao and Lanor kept their sight on him, keenly observing every detail and anticipating the perfect moment to initiate their daring heist.

"My esteemed guests," Rector began, his voice oozing with confidence as he addressed the crowd. "I am honoured by your presence tonight. I have gathered you here to share with you my exquisite collection of priceless artefacts, each with its own unique story."

The audience listened attentively, their gazes following Rector as he gestured grandly towards the various displays around the room.

"Take, for instance, this magnificent sword," he continued, indicating a peculiar weapon encased in a glass display. "It once belonged to the legendary Sword Master, Xian Li Peng. You may wonder how I managed to amass such an incredible collection. Well, I must admit, some of my methods were not entirely... legal. I acquired it through... let's say, rather unconventional means." He chuckled, and the crowd laughed along with him, unfazed by his admission of criminal activity. "For example, just last week, I managed to 'acquire' an ancient relic from the royal palace itself. Of course, I'm sure none of you would ever dream of reporting such a thing to the authorities." The audience laughed again, clearly amused by his audacity.

Rector continued, "And now, for the pièce de résistance, my most prized possession lies hidden in a secure vault, deep underground. After my speech, I shall personally escort my most esteemed guests to view this marvel. It is an experience reserved for a select few - the twelve most renowned individuals in this room. You know who you are, and I look forward to sharing this incredible experience with you."

"That's our queue."

Hao and Lanor exchanged knowing glances, realizing that they would need to find another way to access the vault because they weren't among the selected few on Rector's special guest list. While Rector's speech drew to a close, they discreetly slipped away from the crowd and met up with Scar in a corner of the room. He had already scoped out the place beforehand, so he knew where to go from there.