What Angie took out was a diamond-encrusted forehead ornant, typically worn by noblewon of ancient tis.
Aside from the eye-catching pink diamond, the band was adorned with a pattern resembling a phoenix… except it had nine heads, each crafted with exquisite detail.
Those who knew Angie were aware of her fondness for ancient jewelry, so seeing her produce a forehead ornant didn't surprise anyone.
Among the guests, a noblewoman shared Angie's hobby. She stepped forward to examine the piece and was imdiately entranced, nearly losing herself in the allure of the flawless accessory.
"I've never seen a piece like this before. Which era does it co from?" The noblewoman asked excitedly after finally regaining her composure.
"You'll know once an expert identifies it." Angie replied, glancing at her before shifting her gaze past the crowd to lock onto Salin, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation.
"A queen's accessory from the Xiang Kingdom… the Nine-Headed Bird."
A voice suddenly spoke beside her.
Angie's expression shifted slightly as she turned to see Law, who was gently touching the ornant. He continued:
"Legend says the Nine-Headed Bird was a real creature… massive in size, with a tail like willow catkins shimring in seven colors, and nine heads extending from its neck. When it soared across the sky, its wings could blot out the sun. This creature was the sacred totem of the Xiang Kingdom."
Though many ancient texts docunted eyewitness accounts of the Nine-Headed Bird, to modern people, it seed like a mythical beast… sothing few believed could exist in reality.
Then again, with a place like the Dark Continent out there, who was to say the Nine-Headed Bird didn't still live there?
Hearing Law's explanation, Angie fell silent for a mont before sincerely praising, "Mr. Law, your knowledge is truly impressive."
Law rely smiled in response. This was only the beginning. Unfortunately, the main hall showed no signs of Nen presence, aning none of the books or antiques brought by the guests carried any traces of it.
The surrounding guests watched as Angie praised Law, realizing he had identified the ornant's origins… sothing most of them hadn't been able to do.
Upon learning its background, the noblewoman imdiately made an offer to purchase it, but Angie refused without hesitation.
While transactions were allowed during the appraisal event, there was no forcing a sale. Since Angie wasn't selling, the noblewoman could only walk away disappointed.
Angie had brought this piece out specifically to challenge Salin, but Law had unexpectedly stepped in and ruined her little sche.
Afterward, the guests took turns presenting their own collections. Over several rounds, a handful of antiques were traded on the spot, with so even sparking brief bidding wars.
With each piece displayed, Law could always contribute so insight, though he deliberately held back from revealing everything.
This was about making an impression, not stealing the spotlight… after all, this was Clover's event. Law carefully balanced his presence, showcasing enough knowledge to leave a mark without overshadowing the host.
Whether the items in the Lawlin Museum were impressive or not, the elites attending today's event now recognized its owner as a man of considerable expertise.
Most guests participated in the appraisal, though a few remained on the sidelines… such as Pakunoda and the bald puppet under her control.
Pakunoda stood in an inconspicuous corner, quietly observing and gathering as much intel as possible.
By sunset, the appraisal event concluded.
Seventy-five guests had presented their collections, including several antiques of exceptionally high value.
Clover spent 500 million Jenny to acquire the antiques Law had brought and another 200 million on a second piece. Aside from these two transactions, eight others were finalized on the spot.
The guests gradually left the main hall of the Ohara Museum, eagerly anticipating the evening's main attraction… one of the Seven Beauties of the World.
The open-air banquet was being prepared as the guests filed out of the museum and took their seats, chatting about the day's discoveries and the upcoming Yorknew City's Auction.
Law and Salin sat at the sa table, the latter wearing a pleased smile.
Law's performance today had been flawless. Without a doubt, he had secured potential buyers among the guests… likely enough to bring in billions in revenue.
Miki and Angie remained at their table as well, though their attitude toward Law had noticeably shifted. They now engaged him in conversation willingly.
As Law exchanged words with them, he discreetly scanned the surroundings for the bodyguards' movents.
He could pinpoint Pakunoda's location but couldn't get a clear read on the other guards.
Since the bodyguards stood farther out, where the lighting was poor and the crowd dense, picking out specific individuals was nearly impossible.
'Are the other Troupe mbers hiding among the bodyguards?'
Law glanced toward the outer tables where Pakunoda was seated.
'Should I find an excuse to slip away?'
As he considered this, the symphony orchestra's music filled the banquet area, and servers began bringing out dishes.
Compared to the lunch banquet, the evening event felt rushed, as if eager to proceed to the grand finale… the unveiling of three major treasures, one of which was rumored to be one of the Seven Beauties of the World.
The food arrived quickly, and the guests chatted amiably.
On the outskirts of the banquet area, Chrollo and a few others lurked in the shadows.
They carried no weapons, serving more as lookouts while the Ohara Museum's security handled the main defense.
The four of them covered a small section, allowing them to regroup easily.
"Send the signal in thirty minutes." Chrollo instructed, his eyes fixed on the distant glow of the banquet lights.
"Got it," Shalnark replied, manifesting a phone in his hand. It's a conjured item that doubled as a controller for their puppets and a regular phone.
Since it was conjured with Nen, the Ohara Museum's organizers hadn't confiscated it.
…
Outside the Ohara Museum, the rest of the Phantom Troupe had already taken their positions.
Uvogin, Phinks, and Feitan were stationed not far from the main entrance, ready to launch a frontal attack as soon as the signal was given.
Machi's team was another unit, waiting for Uvogin's group to cause a major disturbance before infiltrating from the high wall on the right, heading straight for the museum.
At the banquet, after seven courses and plenty of wine, the guests turned their attention to the small temporary stage, eagerly anticipating the main event.
Then, a group of people carried three small boxes onto the stage.
Miki pushed the fra and asked curiously, "I wonder which of the Seven Beauties we'll see tonight."
His words sparked a discussion among the table, but Law didn't join in. Instead, he remained alert, monitoring his surroundings and keeping an eye on Pakunoda.
The three boxes were placed on the stage, and Clover stepped up, smiling, "Are you looking forward to it?"
Light laughter rippled through the banquet, with many urging him to hurry up.
Clover wasted no ti and ordered his n to open one of the boxes, revealing a translucent coral-like plant.
"This is the Lucky Charm, Aqua Crystal… one of the Seven Beauties of the World-"
Just as Clover began his introduction, a deafening explosion erupted from the direction of the main entrance, cutting him off mid-sentence.
The sudden noise sent a ripple of panic through the banquet, with many guests leaping to their feet.
At that mont, soone moved… Pakunoda. Gripping two dinner knives, she dashed toward the stage.
Distracted by the explosion, most failed to notice her… except for one person.
When Pakunoda was just five ters from the stage, she flung the knives at Clover and imdiately retreated.
Since they had already decided to strike the Ohara Museum, eliminating Clover was a crucial part of the plan to minimize future complications.
The knives sliced through the night air, their deadly edge aid straight for Clover's heart.
But then… a figure appeared in front of Clover, catching the knives mid-flight.
It was not until this mont that everyone realized that there was an assassin at the banquet.
Clover's face paled with shock, but he quickly steadied himself.
Staring at the knives in Law's grip, fury surged in his chest.
'Soone actually dared to cause trouble at my event?'
"Protect the boss!"
Bodyguards imdiately sward around Clover.
Ignoring them, Law flung the intercepted knives back at Pakunoda.
Pakunoda had been trying to slip back into the crowd and vanish, but she froze when two knives embedded themselves in the ground right before her feet.
Rip!
Tearing the lower half of her long skirt away, Pakunoda turned back, her expression cold as she locked eyes with the bearded man on the stage… the one who had ruined her assassination attempt.
At the sa ti, screams erupted from nearby, and the explosions at the main entrance continued without pause.
Law's brow furrowed as he kept his gaze fixed on Pakunoda. He sensed four surges of Nen rapidly approaching the banquet… and monts later, over a dozen other Auras moved to intercept them.
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