"Brother Jun, I’ve got results on the matter you asked me to investigate."
In the office, Carson Flores sat up straight in his chair and smiled, "What’s the situation?"
"It’s hard to say, I’ll send you the materials. It involves a major event in the cultivation world. Does this matter have anything to do with you, Brother Jun?"
Carson Flores had no need to hide anything from Bat, as everyone in the squad knew of his orphaned background.
"This is the Jade Pendant I had on me when my master found me, which I’ve only retrieved recently."
Surprised, Bat said, "Does it have to do with your background... Brother Jun, I’ll send you the materials. I’m afraid your heritage isn’t simple either."
"Alright, I’ll have a look first."
Enthusiastically, Bat said, "If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know."
Carson Flores smiled, "Okay."
After hanging up the phone, Carson Flores received the materials Bat had sent and began to scrutinize them closely.
The information wasn’t extensive and was vaguely expressed, but it related to a major event in the cultivation world that took place twenty-seven years ago.
Twenty-seven years ago, various powers in the cultivation world secretly gathered at the Jiuhua Mountain Sun Bay Resort. The purpose of the meeting was unclear, but during it, a fierce conflict erupted, leaving dozens of casualties that night.
A certain informant revealed that the reason for the conflict was the fight over a Jade Pendant, which, according to their description, was precisely the one in Carson Flores’ possession.
Carson Flores was silently shocked. The Jade Pendant he held had caused numerous cultivation powers to scramble and even come to blows. What sort of great secret did this Jade Pendant involve?
He was quietly relieved that he hadn’t made a big fuss about the Jade Pendant on the internet, as that could have already brought him a tremendous disaster.
If the Jade Pendant they fought over was indeed the one he held, could his parents have been at the meeting that day, part of those who struggled for it?
Carson Flores continued reading and eventually saw a name.
Marcus Schneider was one of the injured from that meeting. Owing to his special status as a well-respected philanthropist, a special note was made about him.
Towards the end of the file, there was a collection of all the information regarding Marcus Schneider, gathered by Spider.
After going through all the materials, Carson Flores lit a cigarette and began to ponder.
Marcus Schneider had been seriously injured in that conflict and underwent numerous treatments abroad. Now, at eighty-four years old and living abroad, he might be a breakthrough in understanding the matter of the jade. Thinking this, Carson Flores stood up and left the office.
Using a special channel, he bought a batch of anonymous phone cards, inserted one into his phone, and dialed Marcus Schneider’s number.
"Is this Mr. Marcus Schneider?"
The voice of Marcus Schneider was old and frail, "I am. Who’s this?"
Carson Flores calmly replied, "You can call me Mr. C. I would like to inquire about something."
Marcus Schneider coughed twice before asking, "What matter?"
"Twenty-seven years ago, at the Sun Bay Resort on Jiuhua Mountain—that night when you were injured—what exactly happened?"
Marcus Schneider’s voice suddenly became clearer and more intense, "Who are you, and why are you inquiring about this?"
Carson Flores remained silent for two seconds, "I have the jade in my possession."
Marcus Schneider pressed on, "What kind of jade?"
Carson Flores replied, "A Jade Pendant engraved with the character for ’prophecy’ in the ancient seal script of the Western Wei period."
Marcus Schneider’s tone suddenly became agitated, "Heaven’s Prophecy jade! Do you have the Heaven’s Prophecy jade in your possession?"
Heaven’s Prophecy jade?
Carson Flores hummed an acknowledgement, "Yes."
Marcus Schneider became suddenly excited, "Are you selling that jade? I’ll offer a high price."
Carson Flores was somewhat surprised. Marcus Schneider hadn’t asked for details, but immediately inquired if he was selling it, indicating that the value of the jade had not faded even after twenty-seven years.
Carson Flores asked in a calm tone, "What price are you willing to pay?"
"One billion, how’s that?"
Carson Flores was taken aback. No matter how expensive a piece of jade might be, it couldn’t possibly be worth one billion dollars, implying that the jade’s value was mostly in its added significance.
When Marcus Schneider heard no response from Carson Flores, he thought he was dissatisfied and without hesitation upped his offer, "Two billion, no, Mr. C, name your price, how about that?"
Carson Flores thought for a moment and said, "I’m not selling the jade. I’m not contacting you to sell something, but to understand the truth of what happened back then."
Marcus Schneider fell silent for a moment on the other end before suddenly asking, "You sound quite young. You have the Heaven’s Prophecy jade and are seeking the truth about that night. Could it be that you are the son or a relative of Westin Flores?"
Carson Flores was startled internally. Was this Westin Flores his father?
Since it was an anonymous phone card, he wasn’t afraid of being traced, "I don’t know who my parents are, but I had this jade on me when I was taken in."
Marcus Schneider inquired, "You’re twenty-seven this year, aren’t you?"
Marcus Schneider sighed, "Then there’s no mistake. You are the son of Westin Flores. Do you know your own background?"
Carson Flores answered honestly, "I don’t. Can you tell me?"
Marcus Schneider said softly, "Your father’s name is Westin Flores, your mother’s name is Lucy Frost..."