“Leaving tonight? Master, why don’t you stay for a few more days?”
“Why are you leaving so soon?”
Hearing that the master was about to depart from the city, looks of anxiety appeared on the faces of the crowd.
[It is rare for an appraiser to appear in Tianxuan Royal City, and yet he is leaving just after a few days?]
“I still have matters to attend to!” Master Mo Yang’s eyebrows shot upwards. He carried with him a demeanor unique to experts, and his disposition was reminiscent of a flowing river, unable to be grasped with certainty. “How about this, I will increase the number of treasures I will appraise today from five to ten! You all also know that appraising isn’t an easy task, it drains one’s strength and energy. Ten is already my limit…”
“Master, rest assured! As long as you help me pick out an artifact for me, I am willing to compensate you…” A middle-aged man shouted from the crowd.
“Yeah, we are willing to compensate you!”
“As long as master chooses something out for me, regardless of the cost of the item is, I am willing to pay master the same amount of money!”
There were quite a few people who started yelling in response to his words.
Based on the ‘battle records’ of the master, those who had received his pointers had each earned several folds of the amount they had invested initially. As long as they were able to obtain a true treasure, paying a little bit of money in compensation was nothing in comparison.
“Hmph!”
Master Mo Yang flung his arm and interrupted the discussions of the crowd. Frowning, he declared with an aura of superiority, “I, Mo Yang, didn’t learn appraisal for money. The reason why I am appraising for you all is not to make a wealth! If I really desired money, there is no need for me to help you all. I just have to appraise an artifact and sell it myself, then won’t I earn a bigger fortune that way?”
“Keng…”
The crowd was stumped for words.
His words weren’t wrong. With his eye of discernment, he could just buy those artifacts that he had appraised to become treasures for himself, and he would be able to easily earn a big sum out of it.
“The reason why I promised to appraise for you all is because your warmth has moved me! Money is fleeting to me, similar to the clouds! Money is easy to earn, but friendship is priceless!”
With both his hands behind his back, Master Mo Yang exuded an aura of an unworldly saint that mortals could only look up to. He continued, “The reason why I promised to appraise artifacts for you all is because of our relationship, not for money. If anyone were to continue talking about money, then don’t bother asking me to appraise for you!”
“Master, your words are wise! We were too impertinent!”
“We can never hope to match up the master in terms of morals!”
“I have never conceded to anyone in my entire life. Today, you are the first one I will concede to, master!”
…
Hearing the words of the master, those who were shouting about paying him previously felt ashamed of themselves.
[Look at how he carries himself, then look at ourselves…
Is there even a basis for comparison?
No wonder he is a master while we are just small fries.]
“However, before I start appraising for you all, I would like to say something. An appraiser can only heighten the possibility of attaining a treasure. I cannot promise you all that you all will get a treasure with 100% probability!”
Master Mo Yang continued.
“Master, we all are aware that treasure speculation brings about risk. Your ability to discern treasure from trash is far superior to us and we trust in you!”
“We believe in master’s judgment!”
“We know the rules, how can one possibly lay their hands on treasures all the time? However, we believe that master would definitely be able to help us profit!”
…
Everyone started shouting simultaneously.
“Since everyone believes in me, then I will go ahead and embarrass myself. May I know which friend here would like me to choose an artifact for him?” Master Mo Yang surveyed the surrounding.
“Me!”
“Me…”
In an instant, innumerable people raised their hands and leapt about in excitement.
The appeal of an appraiser was clear to see. Every action of theirs could make people go into frenzy.
“Alright, you!”
Master Mo Yang pointed, and a pot-bellied middle-aged man walked out from the crowd, still unable to believe the fact that he had been chosen. “Me… Is it really me?”
“It’s you!” Master Mo Yang nodded his head with a smile on his face, the aura of a master clearly exuding through his actions.
“Thank you, master!”
The middle-aged man leapt in excitement as he stared at the elder before him with a desirous gaze. “Master, may I ask which one of them I should buy?”
“Let me take a look!”
Flinging his sleeves, he walked forward. He calmly gazed upon the numerous artifacts placed on the platform.
The crowd turned silent along with his actions, not daring to speak out loud for fear of distracting him.
Soon, he stopped and placed his palm on one of the artifacts. After feeling the exterior of the artifact gently, he seemed to use some kind of special technique that resulted in the shuddering of his entire body. A moment later, his face paled slightly.
“Alright, you can buy this one. I have just taken a look at it with my special technique and it is worth quite a sum!”
Master Mo Yang turned around and informed the middle-aged man.
“This one?”
The eyes of the middle-aged man lit up and he rushed forward to take a look.
It was a gigantic treasure that had been enveloped by a thick layer of rock, to the point that the entire artifact simply looked like a giant boulder.
This kind of treasure was the hardest to clean. Furthermore, given its massive size, being around the height of a human, it would take at least a day or two to chip the stone off of it carefully.
“Un!” Master Mo Yang nodded his head.
“Since it is a recommendation by the master, I will buy it!” The middle-aged man nodded his head and looked towards the dealer. “How much does it cost?”
“50000 gold coins!” The dealer of the treasure speculation hall stepped forward.
“50000?” The middle-aged man was taken aback.
This wasn’t a small sum. Even despite the great wealth he possessed, it was about the limit of what he can come up with.
Even a popular high-level teacher like Shen Bi Ru only earned around 1000 gold coins every month. She would take several years just to reach 50000.
“Buy it! This is a recommendation by the master. If you don’t want it, I will take it…” Upon seeing his hesitation, someone in the crowd shouted.
“Indeed, the master’s recommendation can’t possibly go wrong. It might cost 50000 now, but if it is worth 1000000 after it has been cleaned up, then you would have landed on a gold mine…”
“The previous few times, the treasures that the master appraised were of smaller scale. This time, he seems to have decided to go all out. You really struck it big this time…”
Quite a few people shouted out.
“Alright, I will buy it!”
After hesitating for a moment, the middle-aged man nodded his head and footed the bill.
“Alright, the second one!”
After the middle-aged man bought the artifact, Master Mo Yang seemed to have also recovered from his exertion and surveyed the surroundings once more.
“Me!”
“Me…”
The rest of the crowd raised their hands hurriedly. Glancing over, Zhang Xuan noticed the vendor from before whom he had helped solve his problem in the crowd. His hand was raised up high and he waved it with an enthusiastic expression, his strong desire to be chosen by the master clear to see.
“You!”
Master Mo Yang chose another person. This time, it was an elderly who was dressed extravagantly. With just a single look, it is apparent that he owned great wealth.
Similar to the first time, the master walked past the pile of treasures and soon set his sights upon one of it.
“80000 gold coins!”
This treasure was even more expensive than the one from before. However, this elderly didn’t even hesitate and immediately paid the bill.
“This… Isn’t this the Ornamental Vase crafted by a 1-mo craftsman from the Southern Kiln? 80000 gold coins?”
After taking a good look at the treasure Master Mo Yang chose for the elder, Zhang Xuan blinked his eyes in disbelief.
He might be unable to ascertain the value of the other treasures, given that he had yet to take a look at them, but he had already peered into the one Master Mo Yang just chose. It might be big, but only a decorative vase was contained inside. It wasn’t even worth a single gold coin and yet… 80000 gold coins?
“Could he be off the mark…”
Just as puzzlement filled his mind, Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but stare at the righteous-looking face of the master when his mind suddenly jolted and a book appeared in the library.
The words ‘Mo Yang’ was written on it.
“Could he be using a battle technique at the moment?”
Based on the unique properties of the Library of Heaven’s Path, a book could only be compiled when one showcases his battle technique. Could it be that the fellow was using one at the current moment?
Filled with bewilderment, he flipped open the book.
“This… This…”
Taking a look at it, Zhang Xuan’s lip twitched and a bizarre expression appeared on his face.
The numerous flaws and the past deeds of Master Mo Yang were recorded on the book.
“Originally known as Yang Mo, an apprentice appraiser. A scammer in Liuzhu Kingdom who made his name as an appraiser, notorious for his frauds to earn wealth and the favor of women!”
“Battle Techniques: Voice of Allurement (Rookie). Beguile the mind of others through words, making it easier to convince them!”
“Flaws: No. 1, outlawed by the royalty of Liuzhu Kingdom. No.2…”
Zhang Xuan didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry.
To think that the fellow who had the appearance and disposition of an expert would turn out to be a scammer! For a moment back there, even Zhang Xuan thought that he was an amazing figure!
Looks like there were quite a few people in the crowd that were his men. The dealer selling the artifacts must be an accomplice of his as well. They worked together to build up his fame out of appraising treasures, so that they could convince people to buy useless trash at a high price, thus profiting out of it.
“If there is someone conducting a fraud, there must be someone that would be tricked as well!”
Despite knowing that the other party was a fraudster, Zhang Xuan had no intentions to expose him at all.
Firstly, he didn’t have the evidence to prove it. The matter with the Library of Heaven’s Path must not be exposed at all costs! Secondly, those who had been scammed by him had already lost their rationality. If he were to try to convince them that he is a fraudster, it was possible that he might end up getting lynched by them.
Zhang Xuan would never do deeds that did not benefit him, not to mention that it would bring him a string of troubles.
“Forget it. I think I will just look through and buy my own items!”
Couldn’t be bothered with the ‘Master Mo Yang’ who was busy trying to act cool by putting on an ‘expert’s demeanor’, Zhang Xuan continued to browse through the treasures placed on the platform, casually touching them as he passed by them.
A book would be compiled in his mind as long as he came into physical contact with the item. Although the prices of the item weren’t reflected in the library, the items with fewer flaws were definitely of higher value.
After touching forty to fifty items, he realized that there was not a single valuable one among them. The absurdly low possibility of finding a treasure in the mix made him shudder.
“The final chance will be given to… you!”
Just as Zhang Xuan was busy touching the artifacts around the room, an authoritative voice resounded within the room.
Turning his head to take a look, he saw the ‘worldly expert’ Master Mo Yang looking at him, nodding his head slightly as though to ascertain Zhang Xuan’s doubts that he had been chosen. Countless gaze were affixed to him and they were filled with envy.
“Me?” Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
“This little friend here, there’s no need for you to be so unconfident about yourself. You are the one!” Master Mo Yang stroked his beard with a proud expression, as though saying that it was Zhang Xuan’s honor to be chosen by him.
“Unconfident?” Zhang Xuan shook his head.
Which part of him looked unconfident? Rather, he was thinking about how he could be so unlucky to be chosen. [Of so many frenzied followers following behind you, why did you have to choose me?]
However, after a short moment, he came to a realization. Those who were here for treasure speculation today were mostly following behind the back of the ‘master’. Given that Zhang Xuan was the only one strolling about the hall, browsing through and touching the artifacts casually, it would be hard for him to not stand out!
“I appreciate your goodwill, but I don’t need it!”
Knowing that the other party was a fraudster, he was unwilling to become the gold mine for him to profit from. Zhang Xuan waved his hand and continued to look through the pile of treasures.
“Don’t need it?” Master Mo Yang frowned.
Of the nine slots he had given out previously, regardless of who they were, they all responded to him in enthusiasm, some even on the verge of fainting due to excessive agitation. Yet, when he chose this fellow, he actually… didn’t want it?
He concealed his darkened face quickly. Waving his hand, he walked forward while stroking his beard and looked at Zhang Xuan with a pained expression, “Since you’re here for treasure speculation, surely you would wish to buy a true treasure. I noticed that you have been browsing around the hall unskillfully, so I decided to offer you some guidance so that you won’t end up bankrupt at such a young age. Are you certain that you don’t need it? Don’t disappoint me by rejecting the goodwill that I hold for you!”
“Lad, if you don’t want the slot, give it to me!”
“He actually doesn’t want the slot the master gave him, is there something wrong with his head?”
“It is clear to see that he is abnormal with a single look. I have noticed the fellow previously. He had been touching all of the artifacts in the room, it could be that he is thinking of stealing something!”
“If master were to grant such an opportunity to me, I would probably awake from my sleep smiling everyday!”
…
Everyone could hear the conversation between Zhang Xuan and the ‘master’ clearly, and they stared at the former as though they were looking at a monster.
[He is a master appraiser!
He will be leaving today after appraising for ten people! It is such a good opportunity and everyone is vying for it frenziedly. Yet, this fellow… doesn’t want it?
If his brain isn’t damaged, what else can it be?]
“I really don’t need it…” Zhang Xuan shook his head.
[End up bankrupt? If I listen to your words, then I will truly end up bankrupt…]
“Don’t be so quick to reject me!” Before Zhang Xuan could finish his words, ‘Master Mo Yang’ interrupted. With deep eyes that reflected his compassion for the world and his determination to save those in suffering, he said, “It isn’t easy for a youngster like you to earn some money. I do not hope to earn anything from granting you this slot. It is out of the kindness of my heart that I hope that you do not buy something useless and waste your fortune!”
“Master Mo Yang is too compassionate!”
“Not only is he capable of authenticating treasures, he is also kind! I am going to idolize him!”
“From today onward, I will only respect one person and that is Master Mo Yang!”
…
Hearing his words, everyone felt a resurgence of respect for him.
[Look at how compassionate he is?
Despite possessing the ability to appraise treasures, he doesn’t use it to earn great wealth. Instead, fearing that other people would suffer from making a wrong judgment, he is willing to expend the additional effort to appraise for him! One probably can’t find another person as kind as him, even if one were to roam the world with a lantern!]
“I…”
He didn’t expect him to be so shameless to declare these words in such a righteous tone. Zhang Xuan shook his head, but just as he was about to speak, the other party interrupted him once more.
“Alright, I know what you are thinking! Say no more!” The elder looked at him calmly with pride reflecting in his eyes.
“You know my thoughts?” Zhang Xuan asked doubtfully.
“Indeed. You must be thinking that you are too young and do not possess sufficient strength. Even if you successfully obtain a treasure, you don’t have the strength to guard it! Instead, you might even attract disaster to yourself!” ‘Master Mo Yang’ said in a ‘know-it-all’ tone with his hands behind his back.
“So that’s the reason!”
“Not only is the master incredible at appraising treasures, to think that he would have the capability of peering into the thoughts of others as well!”
“It is true that owning a treasure beyond one’s ability can attract disaster. It is normal that this lad would have such thoughts!”
…
After hearing ‘Master Mo Yang’s’ explanation, the crowd came to a realization. They finally understood why Zhang Xuan would reject such a wonderful opportunity.
“This…” Zhang Xuan had no idea how he should respond.
[This fellow is way too narcissistic.
Don’t have the strength to guard it… To think that you could think of such a thing.]
“Everyone!” Just as Zhang Xuan was about to clarify the situation, the ‘master’ before him glanced at the surroundings and proudly declared, “I have chosen this little fellow. So, regardless of what kind of treasures I have picked for him, I hope that you all wouldn’t have any greedy thoughts towards it! Otherwise, you will be going against me. If so, don’t blame me for being merciless!”
“Master, what are you talking about? How would we dare to lay our hands on a person you have chosen!”
“Master, rest assured. We would definitely not do such a stuff…”
Everyone quickly replied in chorus.
“Alright, since I have already informed everyone else, feel free to buy it. You don’t need to worry about attracting unwanted trouble!” ‘Master Mo Yang’ looked at Zhang Xuan with an encouraging smile.
“I…”
Zhang Xuan didn’t expect that this fellow would be so self-assuming. Just when he was about to speak, the other party interrupted him yet again. “You don’t need to feel too touched by it. Since I have given the final slot to you, it means that our meeting is fated! It is hard to explain a thing such as fate through rational explanations, so you don’t have to feel too thankful to me. I don’t wish for anything in return for picking out a treasure for you, it is just purely kindness of my part!”
“That…”
“No need for this and that. This treasure is it. I can guarantee you that once you buy it, you will definitely rake in great profits!”
‘Master Mo Yang’ didn’t even give Zhang Xuan an opportunity to talk. He retrieved an item from the pile of artifacts and passed it over.
“Earn…”
Seeing this treasure, Zhang Xuan was speechless.
He had already analyzed it previously. It was a trash that could not be more useless. It wasn’t even worth a single gold coin. Your loss would be equivalent to the price that you bought it at!
“Boss, can you collect the bill from this little friend here!”
Passing the treasure over, ‘Master Mo Yang’ gestured for the artifact dealer to come.
“A total of 30000 gold coins!” The dealer walked over.
“Hurry up and foot the bill, this is the most valuable treasure I have appraised tonight! Little friend, you have struck it rich!” Seeing how Zhang Xuan remained motionless, the elder stroked his beard and a doting smile appeared on his face, “After you return, clean up the outer layer. Try not to be too agitated by your newfound wealth!”
“Agitated? Agitated your head!” Upon having his words interrupted multiple times, Zhang Xuan could no longer rein his temper in. “If you want to scam others, go ahead, I won’t interfere in your affairs! Why did you have to look for me? Is it that enjoyable to be trying to act cool? Didn’t you notice how hard I have tried to spare your pride?”
You may also Like
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT