I'm Really Going to Become an Immortal
Chapter 290 - 211 I Know a Peerless Master

Chapter 290: Chapter 211 I Know a Peerless Master

April 21st.

The morning air in Shucheng was filled with the distinct freshness and vitality of spring.

Sunlight gently filtered through the thin mist, casting a delicate golden radiance on the quaint, historical streets.

Bai Shi, wearing an elegant hat, wandered the quiet yet bustling streets in the morning, holding a fresh flower he had just bought from a corner florist.

It was a newly bloomed lily, pure and flawless, as if it could purify the hustle and bustle around it.

Today, he had arranged to go to the movies with Sun Huwen, so he had prepared the flower early.

However, as he was immersed in the morning light and the fragrance of the flower, a subtle feeling began to linger in his heart—the peculiar sensation of being watched.

At first, he merely glanced sideways.

Using the corner of his eye, he scanned his surroundings but didn’t notice anything unusual.

Pedestrians hurried on their way and vendors busied themselves with their business; everything seemed normal.

But this intuition, for Bai Shi, who had experienced numerous challenges, was never unfounded.

He continued walking without changing his expression, his steps light yet steady, but he had already quietly laid a secret trap in his mind.

Having chosen Shucheng as his place of retirement, he knew almost every route in his usual area like the back of his hand.

Bai Shi deliberately chose a more winding route, making his way through several narrow alleys.

Each time he passed a mirror or a reflective shop window, he used the reflection in a seemingly casual way to check behind him.

During one such reflection, he caught a glimpse of a shadow following him—not too close, yet constantly at the same distance.

Realizing he was indeed being followed, Bai Shi’s heart became even calmer.

He decided to use Shucheng’s complex terrain and the busy morning market to shake off this unwelcome follower.

Bai Shi quickened his pace and turned into a bustling market, where the crowd immediately swallowed him.

Here, each stall seemed like a carefully arranged entrance to a maze.

Bai Shi weaved through, occasionally stopping to chat with a stall owner or bending to pick up goods, each movement perfectly masking his real intentions.

Eventually, he suddenly darted into a small antique shop at a corner.

He quickly passed through the shop and slipped out the back door into a quiet alley.

The man who had been following from a distance just caught up.

But he found that the alley was a dead end, with no one in sight.

Sunlight spilled down from above.

A sound of footsteps behind him made him turn around abruptly.

He discovered Bai Shi, who had been following him for a long time.

Bai Shi stood relaxed, arms crossed, quietly watching him from behind.

"It’s still you, hasn’t lost much skill, eh?"

The man gave a slight smile, revealing a bright and charming smile.

When he lifted his head, revealing the face hidden under the hat, an exceptionally handsome visage appeared.

He had deep, captivating blue eyes that seemed to peer into the secrets of the heart. His slightly naturally curly blonde hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, adding a touch of unrestrained artistic temperament to his appearance.

His smile was warm and slightly cunning, as if he always harbored a secret about to be revealed, intriguing yet not easily trusted.

His attire was impeccable, demonstrating his extreme pursuit of quality in life.

Whether it was the tailor-made suit of excellent fabric that perfectly outlined his slender figure, or the casual show of exquisite silk ties, a vintage pocket watch, and a tasteful pocket square, all spoke of a classic and fashionable style transcending time.

He seemed like a gentleman who had walked straight out of an old-era film, with every decorative detail exuding an irresistible charm.

"Nick..."

"Dressed so tastefully, so ceremoniously early in the morning, I can’t think of anyone else but you."

Bai Shi pursed his lips, somewhat helplessly rolling his eyes at the man who had been tracking him.

Referring to him as ceremonial meant he was somewhat restrained.

Walking down the bustling snack street in a tuxedo.

Though he looked good, he still seemed like a lunatic.

The man in front was named Nick Horton.

A close friend and brother-in-arms, they had once roamed the world of art crime together, sharing a deep bond of friendship.

He was also someone who encompassed elegance, handsomeness, and extraordinary charm.

Not only was he a genius in the criminal world, but he was also a peacock in full display, a symbol of allure that was hard for anyone to resist.

When Bai Shi retired, they had gone their separate ways.

"It’s really been a long time since we’ve seen each other."

Nick Horton spread his arms and embraced Bai Shi without asking.

Bai Shi looked at his good friend whom he hadn’t seen for years.

He embraced him as well.

If it had been some other acquaintance seeking him out, he would’ve been more or less nervous.

But with Nick, there was no need to worry.

They not only shared the same teacher, but they had also trusted each other with their lives on several occasions.

Bai Shi had only shared his retirement address with him.

But Bai Shi knew that this playboy-like guy would come to Shucheng in Hua Country because he missed him.

"Tell me, why are you looking for me? Don’t tell me it’s just because you missed me."

"I must first say, I’ve washed my hands of that life and no longer involve myself in those affairs," Bai Shi asked seriously.

He certainly didn’t believe this guy came just because he missed him.

Today when Nick Horton came to find him, he deliberately used his tracking skills but also dressed conspicuously to be discovered easily.

That meant he harbored no ill intentions, but still, he wanted to test Bai Shi’s current capabilities.

If Nick had harbored any bad intentions, he could have concealed his appearance better rather than being so flamboyantly noticeable.

Back in the day when they roamed the worldly society together, Nick Horton had always been the one better at stealth, socializing, lying, and performing, while Bai Shi was inclined toward various research and forgery techniques.

If Nick Horton had seriously tracked him, Bai Shi felt that with his somewhat rusty skills, he likely wouldn’t have noticed.

So, Bai Shi tentatively assumed that this guy had a big job he wanted to pull together.

However, he really did feel like washing his hands clean...

"I can’t hide anything from you."

"In a few days, the British Museum will have a plan to move part of its collection; I’ve already investigated everything."

"I still trust your ability, let’s collaborate once more and claim those plunderers’ trophies as our own~"

Nick Horton smiled slightly, irresistibly charismatic as he laid his cards on the table.

He wasn’t talking about feelings.

It directly used the British Museum to entice Bai Shi.

This made Bai Shi pause uncontrollably.

He, who had decided to "wash his hands in a golden basin," now felt a bit shaken.

The British Museum, located in London, is one of the oldest and grandest museums in the world. Its collections span millions of years of human history and include many world-renowned artworks and cultural relics.

To loot it would be the highest achievement in the realm of art crime.

But...

"We’ve worked together many times, and neither of us are short of money."

"Why loot the British Museum? Not only is it risky, but those items are all registered. Even if you get your hands on them, they’d be hard to dispose of."

Bai Shi shook his head helplessly.

He chose to decline verbally.

"Freedom is our hobby; we never care about paying taxes on time or working nine to five."

"Don’t you think this is too cool?"

"Do you still remember that saying? A heart craving excitement can never stop..."

Nick Horton spoke tirelessly.

His words were full of excitement and passion, clearly not as worn down by daily life as Bai Shi, who had retired years ago.

"A heart craving excitement can never stop, and dreams of climbing over mountains are endless."

"Why climb the mountain? Because it’s there."

Bai Shi murmured.

He recited the following lines of the saying that Nick Horton had mentioned.

These words were all too familiar to him.

They were once said by his master and had been his code of conduct for half his life.

Bai Shi felt a tinge of temptation.

He knew that someone like him could never just settle down quietly.

But...

Looking at the flower in his hand, Bai Shi fell silent.

He did not agree outright as Nick Horton had hoped.

Instead, he hesitated.

"Actually... there are also a few paintings by Qi Baishi in the cargo list being transported by the convoy."

"The Qi Baishi painting you took from the British Museum wasn’t all of them."

Musing, Nick Horton played his trump card.

He knew about Bai Shi’s background and the origin of his name.

Bai Shi was an abandoned baby, wrapped in a fake Qi Baishi painting used as a blanket, left at the doorstep of a Chinese-run orphanage in Lighthouse Country, California.

That was how he got his name.

Bai Shi had an inexplicable connection to Qi Baishi and felt differently about his paintings.

However.

This time, Nick Horton miscalculated.

No matter what he said, Bai Shi remained unmoved.

"Nick... let’s really forget it."

"I’m quite happy with my life now."

"For the sake of our friendship, I can offer some technical support online at most, but I’d rather not go on overseas adventures."

Bai Shi shook his head in refusal.

Then he cast a gentle gaze at the flower in his hand.

Seeing Bai Shi’s look, Nick Horton gave a resigned smile.

He understood that Bai Shi had aged and found his own place.

As a friend, he decided not to insist.

"Forget it then."

"Without you helping in person, what would have been a fifty percent chance of success would drop to just twenty percent."

Nick Horton’s eyes were somewhat melancholic.

He felt helpless that his grand vision couldn’t be realized.

A fifty percent chance was worth a shot.

Twenty percent was not.

He loved the thrill, not seeking death.

"Actually... I can recommend a master."

Bai Shi looked at the somewhat disappointed Nick Horton and said after a moment of contemplation.

The words made Nick Horton, who had been thinking of spending some time in Shucheng before heading back home, suddenly light up.

"A master? How skilled?"

Nick Horton asked in his somewhat clumsy Chinese.

Curiosity appeared on his face.

Their cooperation alone was already at the limit of the criminal world; he didn’t believe anyone else had capabilities that could make Bai Shi willingly submit.

"About as tall as three or four floors."

"I don’t know if he’s willing to join."

"I just know that if he does, your chances of success this time might be even higher than fifty percent."

Bai Shi spoke with strong confidence.

Recalling the end of his time with Chen Yun, when Chen Yun suddenly displayed a series of superhuman traits.

Bai Shi felt his estimate of fifty percent was conservative.

He did not know what kind of monster could instantly learn any skill with such an otherworldly learning ability?

His intuition told him.

The unusual talents Chen Yun had in sculpting, darts, gaming, fighting, and so on were just a negligible part of his outer layer.

The real Chen Yun was a true monster.

Having only scratched the surface, he was already rattled by that terrifying tip of the iceberg.

If he dug deeper.

It was unimaginable!