Chapter 240: My Sister Gu, Top-Notch at Fooling the Organization’s Leader (Part 1)

This Gu Shengsheng... her words were harsh.

’But she’s telling the truth. Am I really that bad at this? Did I let everything show on my face?’

Gu Shengsheng continued, "Mr. Pei You, you’ll need to get more experience in the future. Even someone like me, who doesn’t have much life experience, can easily see right through you."

"You should take a moment to self-reflect. After all these years, has your salary gone up? Have you been promoted? You need to think more about your own shortcomings instead of being so full of yourself, okay?"

At her words, the confident expression on Pei You’s face completely shattered.

His face was a mask of disbelief and pain... and it had grown much paler.

Then, with a cold expression, Pei You said:

"It’s fake!"

His expression was grim. It was the first time he’d ever felt the humiliation of being so thoroughly exposed. Still, he managed to maintain a shred of dignity.

"Miss Gu, my apologies. One hundred million will be transferred to your account. We have our methods to ensure the funds appear legitimate, and we’ll transfer it in installments. Of course, that’s provided you can appraise this."

Gu Shengsheng opened the case.

’I didn’t expect it to be a blue, ancient-looking book. What kind of text is worth a hundred million just for an appraisal?’

’At this price, it must be the kind of thing Qin Guocheng talked about—something that’s completely vanished from the world.’

**[System]**

**Item:** Yongle Encyclopedia

**Era:** Yongle reign period, Ming Dynasty

**Description:** Its whereabouts are currently unknown; the copies preserved in museums are all reprints. This is the original manuscript of the Yongle Encyclopedia. Collection is recommended. A priceless treasure.

**Market Value:** Has never appeared on the market; therefore, the System is unable to provide an estimate.

**Note:** Authentic. Host’s collection is recommended.

Gu Shengsheng was in disbelief, deeply shocked, but her face remained perfectly calm as she looked at Pei You.

She said, "Did you people rob the Yongling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty’s Emperor Jiajing?"

"According to rumor, archaeologists still haven’t located that tomb. And you found it?"

As Gu Shengsheng asked this, Pei You nodded, a look of delight spreading across his face. "So, Miss Gu, you believe it’s authentic?"

Gu Shengsheng said, "The *Yongle Encyclopedia* was created in two sets: the original manuscript and a duplicate. The original was interred in the Yongling Tomb with Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty. The duplicate was lost to a fire long ago in history."

"It’s essentially the encyclopedia of the Ming Dynasty, possessing immense research and collection value. If you try to sell this, aren’t you worried you’ll be caught and thrown in prison?" Gu Shengsheng asked coolly.

Hearing this, Pei You said, "You don’t need to concern yourself with that, Miss Gu. Naturally, we have our own methods."

"We came to you for an appraisal because we trust you. Now that you’ve identified it, I’m sure you’ve also noticed it’s incomplete. We’ve heard your restoration skills are also quite impressive, so we’ll be needing your help with that as well."

Gu Shengsheng said, "Money isn’t enough to entice me anymore. For a job like restoring a historical artifact, I think you can come up with a more satisfying offer."

Sure enough, at her words, Pei You raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what is it that Miss Gu wants?"

"Speak freely."

Gu Shengsheng smiled and said, "To join you, of course. A formidable organization like yours must need an Appraiser like me, right?"

The moment she finished speaking, his gun was pointed at her head.

Then he said, "Miss Gu... don’t push your luck. Our organization doesn’t accept outsiders."

"We don’t need you, no matter how capable you are." His voice was laced with menace.

Then, more people emerged from the surroundings, each one pointing a gun at her.

It had seemed like she was only dealing with Pei You, but in reality, an entire organization now had her in their sights.

Pei You said, "So, Miss Gu, do you really want to join our organization, or are you trying to contact the police, infiltrate us, and take us all down at once?"

As he spoke, the gun barrel pressed harder against her temple.

"Miss Gu, don’t do this the hard way. Even if something were to happen to you here..."

"...we have ways to make sure the police never find your body or any trace you were ever here."

"You’ll just be another missing person case... and it will never lead back to us. Did you really think you could get away that easily?"

"And besides, what gives you the right to threaten us?"

Gu Shengsheng looked at Pei You and said, "You know, you’re pretty pathetic. Is threatening people all you know how to do?"

"Threatening me with a gun when you don’t even know if it’s real or fake."

’Just now, the System confirmed it. The gun is a fake.’

’How interesting. Waving around a bunch of fakes to act tough. I knew it. Gun control in this country is so strict; how could they just brandish them openly? Unless they’re morons.’

But what Gu Shengsheng planned to do was hardly noble. She wasn’t just going to infiltrate them; she was going to clean them out.

Gu Shengsheng never, ever took a loss.

If these criminals wanted to use her, she’d find a way to swindle them out of their entire stock. ’It’s just a bit of give-and-take. Nothing to be ashamed of.’

By now, Gu Shengsheng had a pretty good handle on their playbook.

She looked at Pei You. "Mr. Pei You, I doubt you want to let these trivial matters delay your real business. You seem to be in quite a hurry."

Pei You, already on edge, grew even more agitated.

Gu Shengsheng had just pointed out that he hadn’t been promoted in years. It was true. He hadn’t managed to successfully close a single major deal in a long time.

He’d thought Gu Shengsheng was just some young girl, easy to manipulate, but he never expected her to be so much trouble.

Gu Shengsheng looked at him and continued, "Let me meet with your boss. Then we can talk."

"Honestly, you people. You’re clearly all here, yet you insist on hiding in the shadows. Do you think that makes it easier to observe me? Wouldn’t meeting face-to-face be even more effective?"

She glanced mockingly toward the door.

Just as Pei You was about to refuse, the door opened with a CLICK. A man walked in. He had only one eye; the other was covered by a black patch, giving him a ferocious look.

Pei You cried out, "Brother! Why are you here? I told you I could handle this!"

The man, dressed in a leather coat and gloves, ignored Pei You completely.

He addressed Gu Shengsheng directly. "Miss Gu, I am the leader of this organization, Pei Zuo. Pei You’s older brother."

"My presence here should be a sign of the utmost respect."

"I’m far less patient than Pei You. And all these guns are not just for show."

As he spoke, his men all chambered a round. The sound of bullets being loaded went *CHK-CHK-CHK*.

It was impossible for Gu Shengsheng not to feel a surge of panic.

After all, she had only confirmed that the gun pointed at her own head was a fake. She had no way of knowing about the others...

But if she wanted to come out on top here, she had to be bold.

Gu Shengsheng stood up, feigning nonchalance.

She said, "Mr. Pei Zuo, all of your guns are fake."

"I said they’re fake, and that means they’re fake."

"And how would you know that?" Pei Zuo asked, his expression unmoving, as if he were looking at an inanimate object.