Free Web NovelChapter 1368: Chapter 1367
"So, like Mr. Lin, I’m only here to rescue Miss Li, and I have no ill intentions. Please don’t misunderstand me, Mr. Lin," Allen said.
Lin Fan could tell that Allen wasn’t lying. Although he had his own motives, they weren’t malicious. Compared to those who kidnapped Li Zixia, he might even be considered a good person.
It’s unfortunate that good people are always a step too late, while bad people are always quick to act. By the time Allen wanted to find Li Zixia and offer her protection in exchange for her technology, she had already been abducted.
Allen wasn’t the one who kidnapped Li Zixia, and Lin Fan’s leads had hit a dead end.
"Who do you think took Li Zixia?" Lin Fan asked.
Allen quickly replied, "I dare not speculate recklessly. If I randomly name someone and it’s incorrect, wouldn’t that cause trouble? I don’t even know how many people attended the auction that night or who they were, so I can’t give you an answer. Anyone there could have abducted Miss Li. I can only prove my own innocence to you."
Lin Fan said, "What if we narrow it down to London?"
Allen responded, "Do you know, Mr. Lin, how many technology companies there are in London? As an international financial center and one of the world’s most prosperous cities, London has hundreds, even thousands, of companies. Each one could have attended that auction, and each one could have kidnapped Miss Li. It’s impossible to trace. I’m ashamed I wasn’t able to find Miss Li earlier. At that time, I hesitated. I really wanted that technology, but I also worried about becoming a target. I regret deeply now; if I had decided earlier, Miss Li would be under my protection. I’m sorry, Mr. Lin, I can’t help you."
Allen looked genuinely apologetic, not like he was pretending.
If he were pretending, Lin Fan would have seen through it instantly.
Lin Fan said, "Actually, I wish you were the one who took her; it would save me the trouble of looking."
Allen broke out in cold sweat, secretly thankful. Having witnessed Lin Fan’s prowess, he was unwilling to be his enemy.
Thankfully, Allen wasn’t the one who abducted Li Zixia, otherwise, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t end up dead tonight.
If Lin Fan wanted to kill him, he would have no power to resist.
Sometimes, kindness can save a life—that seems to be the idea here. If Allen harbored malice and encountered Lin Fan, his fate would be predictable.
Whoever took Li Zixia, no matter who they are, they’re likely in trouble now.
Lin Fan said, "You mentioned the auction was anonymous?"
Allen replied, "Yes."
Lin Fan asked, "Who would know your true identity?"
Allen said, "I believe it can only be the auction’s owner, because before entering the auction, I was required to register with my true identity. Only after they reviewed and approved it, could I enter the auction."
Lin Fan said, "So, there’s a possibility that Li Zixia’s identity was exposed by the auction’s owner."
Allen replied, "That’s possible."
Lin Fan asked, "Do you know who owns the auction?"
Allen shook his head, "No, their identity is very mysterious."
Lin Fan said, "You need to enter the Deep Web now and find this auction."
Allen asked, "Right now?"
Lin Fan replied, "Yes, right now."
Allen said, "I need to get my computer, it’s in the room."
Lin Fan said, "Go ahead, I’ll wait here for you. Don’t get any ideas; you know better."
Allen wiped his cold sweat, stood up, and went into the room. He really didn’t dare to try anything funny, obediently bringing out his laptop.
Afterwards, Allen opened the Deep Web in front of Lin Fan.
Although Lin Fan had heard of the Deep Web, it was his first time entering it.
Allen skillfully navigated the Deep Web and quickly found a mysterious auction website.
It was like a hidden chamber beneath the surface, with no trace on the regular internet we use.
You have to dive underwater and follow a special path to find it.
Besides its difficulty to locate, this mysterious auction platform differed from regular auction sites, with a notably dark style. Its name was "Midnight Auction."
Whether you want to auction items or bid on them, registration is mandatory. The registration conditions include providing authentic identity information, which must be reviewed by the platform to pass.
Once successfully registered, you can freely access the auction market.
Lin Fan didn’t want to register there, nor did he need to, as Allen was already a member.
Lin Fan had Allen log into his account and enter the auction market on the website.
Inside, it looked like a scene from a video game: a street in the dead of night greeted them, flanked by colorful lights and crowds—entirely auction venues, distinguished by numbers.
"See, these auction venues have different lights. Unlit ones are inactive auctions; venues with green lights indicate ongoing auctions where visitors can watch. Venues with red lights are private auctions, accessible only to those who meet the criteria; outsiders can’t enter or spectate," Allen explained.
Lin Fan asked, "Which type was your auction that night?"
Allen replied, "We were in a private auction."
After becoming a member of the Midnight Auction, if one wants to auction items, they must apply for a room from the auction’s official site. During application, you can choose between regular venues or private venues.
The private venue that Allen attended that night offers the advantage of gathering targeted clients together. Some things don’t need wider knowledge, so spectators are excluded.
Participants in private auctions must be screened to meet the standards.
Lin Fan asked, "What were the requirements to attend your auction?"
Allen answered, "We had to report our personal assets, which couldn’t be less than a billion Euros, with no upper limit."
Lin Fan said, "So, everyone who attended that auction is wealthy."
Allen replied, "You could say that, and they might come from all over the world, as long as they have internet access."
Lin Fan said, "The official Midnight Auction should be the only party that knows the attendees’ true identities. If we can find someone from the official side, we can access the attendees’ information."
Allen said, "You’re right. The problem is, they won’t provide you the information, and you don’t know who they are. The officials’ identities are highly secretive—they won’t leave real contact info, all interactions are virtual, and limited to the platform."
Lin Fan smirked, "Listen to my analysis: the platform serves as an intermediary, linking sellers and buyers, preventing direct contact between buyers and sellers. Regardless of being a buyer or seller, the only chance to encounter the officials is during transactions. Suppose I auction or purchase an item; I must interact with the platform officials..."
Allen was taken aback and couldn’t help but nod, "Yes, that’s correct."
Lin Fan said, "Looks like you need to buy something..."
