73: Chapter 73 The Uninvited Guest

He had renovated the villa before going to Changbai Mountain. Although there were no visible changes on the surface, he had replaced the interior of the walls and floors with alloy steel. Upon being attacked, it would instantly transform into a fully enclosed metal fortress. Let alone ordinary bullets, even conventional ballistic missiles could not breach it. That alloy steel followed the metal material formula for the casing of an atomic energy reactor; he had named it X1 Super Alloy Steel. The characteristic of X1 Super Alloy Steel was that it combined all the advantages of alloy steels, possessing high strength, high toughness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, low-temperature resistance, high-temperature resistance, and radiation resistance. Every single property was more than three times stronger than today's best specialized single-property alloys. Do not underestimate a mere three-fold increase; in terms of strength alone, the yield strength of X1 Super Alloy Steel was greater than 800kgf/mm2, and its tensile strength exceeded 1500kgf/mm2. Given the current progress of materials science research, it would be impossible to develop an alloy steel reaching the strength of X1 Super Alloy Steel within twenty years. Furthermore, X1 Super Alloy Steel was a high-performance alloy with balanced properties; it would be remarkable if material scientists could develop an alloy steel reaching half its level within half a century.

Moreover, X1 Super Alloy Steel was a type of memory metal with full-process memory effects. Its memory trigger was not temperature, but rather current and voltage. When the current and voltage reached the memory biphasic constant values, the shape of the X1 alloy steel would change, becoming as soft and highly plastic as dough. When the current and voltage did not reach the constant values, even if they fluctuated, its physical properties would not change in the slightest. Its memory biphasic constant value was only one ampere at twelve volts, making the operation to change its shape very simple—one only needed to charge the walls with a specialized small charger. Of course, this memory constant value could also be adjusted by changing the material proportions. At its highest setting, even the energy of a lightning strike would not meet the requirement. Cao Xiao had set it this way simply for convenience.

Through his research on the formula for X1 Super Alloy Steel, Cao Xiao already possessed over a hundred high-performance alloy formulas, though each had a different emphasis. He categorized them into various types based on their properties, naming them the X1 series alloys. For instance, the second type with high strength was called X1Q(2), and the fifth type with high toughness was called X1R(5). Any one of these hundred-plus alloys could crush the best similar alloys on the market. However, after what happened yesterday, he decided not to mass-produce them until he had sufficient strength. The incident with Hao Daqiang and Meng Tong served as a warning; while he himself didn't fear those underhanded methods, his family and friends could not afford any mishaps.

He Yueyou didn't understand Cao Xiao's confidence, but since he spoke with such certainty, he must have sufficient backing, so she said no more; there would be chances to find out later. Once they entered Cao Xiao's bedroom, she realized why he had asked her to help carry things and was somewhat speechless. Did he really have the heart to let her carry two such large bags downstairs? Besides, these were auction items! Was it really appropriate to carry them in plastic bags and store them in ordinary pine boxes? Fortunately, the two bags only weighed a few dozen pounds, otherwise Cao Xiao's tender skin would have suffered again. Seeing Cao Xiao struggling, she felt much better—sharing trials and tribulations and knowing how to take on the heaviest burden, that wasn't bad at all!

Cao Xiao didn't know what He Yueyou was thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't have minded. The two reached the hall and placed the bags in front of the auction stage. By now, the hall was packed, and there were many people in the garden outside. It seemed the attraction of the century-old ginseng was indeed very great.

"Bang! Bang! Silence, everyone! The auction will begin in five minutes. Please take your seats and wait quietly. Servers, please bring some tea." As it approached four o'clock, Cao Xiao stood on the auction stage to act as the auctioneer and maintain order.

This was a private auction, and unlike an auction house, it didn't have so many rules. As the host, Cao Xiao could manage presiding over it himself. Those who could attend were all prominent figures; those without the qualifications were blocked at the main gate of the garden, and even attendants could not enter the villa courtyard. With a rough head count of about three hundred people, Cao Xiao was very satisfied. For a private auction, this almost rivaled the spring or autumn auctions of major houses. The items he prepared today would surely fetch a high price.

All the guests were seated, the hall doors were closed, and the scene grew quiet. The time was almost up, but just then, shouting came from outside, and the hall doors were slammed violently. All eyes turned toward the entrance, including Cao Xiao's. If this were a major auction house, it would be considered a major incident.

"Security, what's the situation outside?" Cao Xiao asked the security personnel at the door.

"Mr. Cao, an elderly gentleman outside claiming to be the Jade King, Jiang Hezheng, has just arrived and wants to enter the auction. However, our orders were that no one is to enter once the auction starts. Consequently, a conflict arose between the outside security and this gentleman, and he is now pounding on the doors. How should we handle this?" the security personnel replied.

Before Cao Xiao could speak, the room erupted into a clamor. Most people present had heard about what happened the day before yesterday; this Jade King had come today with ill intent. People began whispering and discussing among themselves. Cao Xiao's eyes narrowed, but he instantly regained his composure.

"Xiao Xiao, don't get agitated. I'll go out and deal with him. Little He, come with me," Old Chen said, seeing the change in Cao Xiao's expression and worrying that he might act impulsively.

"Teacher, there's no need. I can handle it myself." Cao Xiao gave his teacher a reassuring look, took a slow breath, and then said to the security at the door, "Open the doors and let him in. Arrange a seat for him."

"Everyone, please be quiet. Welcome to Tianxing Garden for this private auction. I am your auctioneer, Cao Xiao..." Cao Xiao ignored the Jade King who was about to enter and began preparing for the auction. But before he could finish his introduction, he was interrupted by a coarse voice.

"You must be Cao Xiao, right? I am Jiang Hengyu's grandfather. Thanks to everyone's kind regard, I am called the Jade King. My grandson was reckless a couple of days ago, and I am here to apologize to you. I hope my young friend will give this old man some face and be magnanimous enough to drop the charges against Hengyu." This Jade King, Jiang Hezheng, completely ignored everyone present and rudely interrupted Cao Xiao's hosting. Though he spoke of an apology, his face was full of haughty reserve.

"Sir, an auction is currently in progress. I recall that I did not invite you to attend. Your forced entry just now was already very rude. Now, please take a seat and do not interrupt the auction; the guests are waiting. If there is anything to discuss, please wait until after the auction is over," Cao Xiao said calmly, suppressing the anger in his heart.

The Jiang Family really was cut from the same cloth; the grandson was rude, and the grandfather was even ruder. He wondered where they got their sense of superiority, feeling they were above everyone else and could ignore everything when facing those with less status or wealth. A light, insincere apology and he was expected to drop the charges? Was this a slight against Cao Xiao or a slight against the law?

"I'll borrow a moment of everyone's time to handle this; I would be most grateful," Jiang Hezheng said first, politely cupping his fists to the crowd, then he stared at Cao Xiao. He pulled a bank card from his pocket, held it out to Cao Xiao, and said, "Young friend, aren't you being a bit too cold-hearted? Since this old man's face isn't enough, there is ten million in this bank card. Consider it compensation for your losses."

"Sir, if you are not participating in the auction, please leave immediately. Your grandson's matter will be decided by the law. People from the court are also here today; please stop being so unreasonable," Cao Xiao said sternly, without even looking at the bank card.

Upon hearing Cao Xiao's words, the hypocritically kind expression on Jiang Hezheng's face vanished. He stared gloomily at Cao Xiao and said word for word, "Young friend, leave a path for others and don't be too absolute, or the consequences will be more than you can bear. I have only this one grandson to care for me in my old age. I'll give you one last chance: name a price for how much money you want."

"I said one billion; can you afford it? If not, get out immediately. Whatever you want to try in the future, I'll be waiting." Cao Xiao checked the time on his phone; several minutes had passed. This old man was still stubborn and was now even making threats. He had no more patience to continue talking with him, or the hundreds of people watching them would start to have a negative opinion of him. He spoke to Jiang Hezheng with murderous intent.