Despite the dire situation, Jack and his companions decided to give it a shot.
The three of them drove straight to the Earl's manor.
After having the servants inform the Earl, the manor gates opened, and under the guidance of the bodyguards,
Lu Hao and Jack drove into the manor.
"Welcome, gentlemen. The Earl is waiting for you inside. Please follow me."
The butler, dressed in a tuxedo, wore a polite smile and led the way, taking Lu Hao and the others into the castle.
"Wow!"
Alan looked at the magnificent castle and exclaimed, "This craftsmanship, so exquisite, is truly a work of art."
"Don't act like a bumpkin. Be normal."
Jack rolled his eyes. Lu Hao calmly said, "Two hundred tons of gold are more impressive."
"Indeed."
Jack agreed. His taste in art was not high, and he didn't feel much for the castle. But when he saw the two hundred tons of gold in the desert, that was truly mind-blowing.
Speaking of which, he remembered his two tons of gold, still unreachable.
Painful!
"Jack, Lu Hao, welcome."
When Lu Hao and his companions entered the living room, the Earl greeted them with his usual warmth.
"Come, come, let's sit down and have some coffee."
He invited them to sit, then asked the servants to bring the coffee. Afterwards, he smiled and asked, "As the saying goes, one doesn't visit without a reason. Are you three here to ask for my help?"
The Earl, an old fox, guessed it right away.
"Earl, we do have something we need your help with."
Jack put down his coffee cup, his expression serious. "A friend of mine was kidnapped. The kidnappers demand the Godly Armament in exchange. So..."
"So you want to borrow the Godly Armament from me to exchange for the hostage?"
"You guessed right, Earl. That's exactly what I mean."
Jack nodded in confirmation.
"Earl, the person kidnapped is my girlfriend. If they don't get the Godly Armament, they will kill her. Please help us. We just need it for a short time, and we will return it."
Alan quickly explained the situation.
Lu Hao, like an outsider, sipped his coffee, not participating in the slightest.
The Earl picked up the tobacco in his lit pipe, took a deep puff, and exhaled a smoke ring. His gaze swept over the three with their different expressions. He chuckled and said, "Even if you promise, how can I be sure you'll keep your word?"
Alan was taken aback. He hurriedly said, "I can pay for it."
"Money!?"
The Earl spread his hands, laughing. "Do you think I look like someone who needs money?"
"Uh!"
Alan was speechless. Even ten of him wouldn't be as wealthy as the Earl, not to mention social status and the like.
"Let's stop this. Let's not talk about those unpleasant things anymore."
The Earl's eyes flickered. He smiled and stood up. "Today, you two old friends, Jack and Lu Hao, have come to visit me. How about I show you my antique collection?"
Lu Hao immediately put down his coffee cup and looked at the Earl thoughtfully. This old fox seemed to be setting a trap for them.
Knowing they were desperate to get the Godly Armament to save the hostage, the old fox refused to lend it to them. Instead, he wanted to show them his antique collection.
This was clearly bait to lure them in, waiting for them to steal the Godly Armament.
This old man is a bad egg!
Lu Hao's mind raced, and he quickly figured out the Earl's intentions.
This was a classic "angling with a baited hook, waiting for the willing to take the bait" strategy.
He was practically saying he wanted to trick them.
The bait was sweet and the hook was sharp, but it was effective.
Jack, anxious to save Luna, probably wouldn't think much of it and would go for it.
This was a public scheme, with no escape.
Jack was worried about Luna's safety, so he didn't think much about it and stood up directly. "Earl, I'm not interested in antiques. If you won't lend it to me, I'll find another way to save her."
His words made the Earl's smile stiffen, almost breaking.
Luckily, Alan stepped in at this moment. He quickly said, "I'm interested in antiques. I've loved them since I was a child."
Seeing Alan so eager, the Earl's face was once again filled with a smile. "So we are kindred spirits. If that's the case, then follow me!"
Saying this, he smiled brightly and led the way. Alan and Jack quickly followed, while Lu Hao, who had already seen through the Earl's wicked intentions, trailed behind slowly, unhurried.
They walked down a long corridor and, under the Earl's guidance, entered a room with elegant decorations.
In this room, various precious antiques, diamond jewelry, and famous paintings were displayed, each worth a fortune.
Alan was speechless. "So many antiques, it's like a miniature museum."
The Earl held his pipe and said with a touch of pride, "In fact, many museums around the world often borrow my collection for exhibitions."
Antiques that museums would specifically request to borrow for exhibitions were naturally precious and rare.
Jack toured around, while Lu Hao mentally estimated the value of these antiques, considering whether to discreetly take one or two into his storage ring.
Coming to a treasure mountain and leaving empty-handed was not his style.
Alan, acting clever, pretended to mention the castle's security. "There are so many valuable items here, I assume the security measures are very strict."
"Hehehe, I keep over fifty German Shepherds in the manor, plus three cheetahs, and I employ twenty or thirty security guards who patrol day and night. I also have various cameras installed outside the manor."
The Earl smiled slightly. "Tell me, with such security, who could possibly break in and steal anything?"
Lu Hao glanced at him sideways. This old fox is hinting that Alan and Jack shouldn't try to sneak into the manor from the outside, but they can try from inside the castle, which is easier to steal from.
Can this old fox hint any more obviously?
Looking at the thoughtful Alan, he knew this scheming boy was about to fall for it.
Lu Hao shook his head. Petty cleverness wouldn't get him anywhere. Alan was being played by the old fox, step by step, falling into the trap.
He was still too young.
Jack, who had been so sharp before, was distracted by Luna's kidnapping. For a while, he didn't see through the Earl's little trick.
The Earl, an old fox, took advantage of this weakness and set a precise trap.