Before Zhao Huai stood a large sandalwood chest.
It contained not only valuables such as Phoenix Hairpins, Silver Bracelets, and porcelain bottles, but also books such as copybooks, Painting Scrolls, sutras, and Ancient Books, as well as a great many other items: large Ancient Cauldrons, silkworm robes, Treasure Swords, and more.
Engraved upon the Ancient Cauldron were the small-seal characters: "Great Yan endure forever, blessings without bounds."
All these objects were coated in dust, and some of the sutras and copybooks had faintly yellowed.
There was no doubt that these things had been around for a very long time.
Especially upon seeing that familiar Ancient Cauldron, Zhao Huai was still quite startled.
Memories sealed away in his mind were thrown open, and the wretched events of his journey south came surging back.
Zhao Huai had inherited the original owner's memories, so these things could not have been more familiar to him.
Weren't these objects from the Imperial Palace? He had seen them almost every day since childhood, so even one glance now gave him the feeling of being dragged back into those memories.
Master Huang carefully observed Zhao Huai's expression. Finding no fear or worry in it, he finally let out a breath and explained softly:
"These are not merely antiques, but exceptionally rare antiques. I bought them from all over the land; their origins are certainly safe, and every one is genuine. Rest assured, young master."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged guard at the side flashed a trace of hidden unwillingness in his eyes, but swiftly turned his head away again.
At those words, Zhao Huai furrowed his brows and remained silent.
At last, he understood why those pawnshops earlier had not dared accept this merchant's goods, and why no business had been concluded.
Seeing through this unscrupulous merchant's true face was one reason.
The other reason was even more important.
Three years ago, when the Great Xia Dynasty Court had just been established, it discovered that the national treasury was astonishingly empty. Even the objects within the Imperial Palace had been looted clean. Yet all order had only just been rebuilt, and it was precisely the time when money was needed—how could they have no silver?
Left with no alternative, they issued a prohibition.
Any property left behind by the former Great Yan imperial family, including national treasures, calligraphy, paintings, and the like, was forbidden from private trade and had to be surrendered in full.
Only then did they weather the fiscal crisis.
Wasn't Master Huang's conduct precisely crossing the red line?
No wonder no one dared take them.
Zhao Huai said blandly, "They are indeed exceedingly rare. But if I am not mistaken, these things of yours are all relics of the previous dynasty—treasures the Great Yan imperial family had collected for centuries."
"Aren't you afraid of losing your head?"
Master Huang did not panic at his words. He actually smiled. "I knew I had not misjudged you. The shopkeeper truly has a keen eye."
"Am I afraid? Of course I am. But these things are living, breathing silver. Who would ever complain of having too much silver?"
Zhao Huai was expressionless. He did not believe a single word of his nonsense.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he immediately tossed the copper coins.
Fortune and misfortune entwined; for now, behold. Divination Sign One: Gold, silver, and treasures—everyone covets them. Accept all these relics, and the guidance you receive is "Misfortune." Root Tracing: The merchant harbors ill intent. Divination Sign Two: Looking back upon the past, take another step forward. Bid farewell to these old relics of the previous dynasty, and the guidance you receive is "Misfortune." Root Tracing: The merchant's trust is shallow. Divination Sign Three: Play along with false civility, conceal your depths, greet him with feigned goodwill, and slowly string him along. Select items selectively, and the guidance you receive is "Fortune." Root Tracing: The merchant passes off fakes as genuine; the treasures do not belong to him.
It seemed somewhat troublesome. Agreeing outright was certainly impossible, but if he directly refused, this man would likely resort to some sinister trick again. The third option was still the most reliable.
Zhao Huai's thoughts raced, and he swiftly made his choice. With a light smile, he said:
"Master Huang is right. In that case, why not first introduce these items?"
Seeing Zhao Huai tacitly agree, Master Huang secretly rejoiced as well.
Had he finally found a buyer this time?
The moment Zhao Huai made his decision, a yellow orb of light entered his mind.
He knew perfectly well that a fate trait had arrived.
But he had no time to inspect it at present, so he could only listen to Master Huang's explanation first.
"Shopkeeper, look at this Ancient Cauldron first. When Great Yan unified the realm, it invited the master of the Hope Immortal Sect to personally forge this Treasure Cauldron. Engraved upon it is the line, 'Great Yan endure forever, blessings without bounds,' enough to prove that it is authentic. Moreover, I have heard that keeping it in one's residence can suppress demons and devils."
"An item of the immortal household is naturally excellent."
While nodding along perfunctorily at Master Huang's explanation, Zhao Huai was also making calculations in his heart.
Since he was only picking through them, he could not waste resources.
Why not treat this appraisal as drawing blind boxes?
With so many treasures, wouldn't a ten-pull of fate traits be incredibly thrilling?
At that thought, even his mood brightened considerably.
Zhao Huai looked at the ancient Treasure Cauldron before him and examined the fortune and misfortune in his eyes.
Fortune and misfortune entwined; for now, behold. Divination Sign One: Great Yan endure forever, blessings without bounds. Accept the Treasure Cauldron, and the guidance you receive is "Fortune." Root Tracing: A powerful tool for guarding the home, eradicating demons and eliminating monsters. Divination Sign Two: The singing girl knows not the sorrow of a fallen kingdom; across the river, she still sings Flowers in the Rear Court. Lose the Great Yan Ancient Cauldron, and the guidance you receive is "Misfortune." Root Tracing: Refuse the first item, and the merchant will become dissatisfied with you, while others will sigh in regret.
A powerful tool for guarding the home, capable of preventing demons and devils from invading—it was not bad. But who were these "others" who would sigh in regret?
Zhao Huai was deeply puzzled.
His gaze swept over the escorts present, but not one of them showed anything unusual on his face.
Until he looked at that middle-aged man at the Qi Refining Fourth Level.
His gaze had shifted away, and his back faced them. Without careful observation, Zhao Huai would not have detected the abnormality. The man looked as though he were avoiding something.
Combined with the earlier line—"these things do not actually belong to the merchant."
Could there be some hidden truth?
"I think this Treasure Cauldron is quite good. It can be acquired," Zhao Huai replied, gazing at the Treasure Cauldron as though examining it closely.
"Excellent."
Master Huang smiled, then continued introducing the next treasure. "The next one is a famous painting."
"Prosperous Age of Qingping's Inauguration is one of the ten great paintings handed down through the ages. It is also the work of Gu Kai, the Painting Sage of that time. It took seven days and seven nights to complete and stretches over ten meters long, depicting the capital of Great Yan during its flourishing age three hundred years ago. Its value as a collectible is beyond compare."
Master Huang pointed at the figures in the painting and smiled faintly.
"Great Yan was prosperous for a time. Who could have imagined it would come to this? Such a vast foundation, collapsing just like that. What a pity." Zhao Huai was inexplicably moved by the scene, his tone filled with regret.
Once he finished speaking, the middle-aged guard beside him slowly looked over, surprise showing in his eyes.
Master Huang, however, reacted coldly. "What is wrong with the Great Xia realm? Shopkeeper, there is no need to trouble yourself over nothing. Continue looking at the treasures."
After a long stretch of explanations, Zhao Huai could not help growing drowsy as he listened to the descriptions.
Still, Master Huang had introduced most of the objects.
As Divination Signs appeared before Zhao Huai one after another, the fortunes and misfortunes of accepting or rejecting each item were displayed in full. Some he chose, while others he abandoned.
This Master Huang truly was cunning, selling things that were half real and half fake.
If Zhao Huai had not possessed divination, he would likely have been taught a harsh lesson.
He selected several things useful to himself and avoided those counterfeit goods.
In total, he obtained seven fate traits rather than the ten he had imagined. After all, blind boxes could miss entirely.
There were two Human-grade, three Yellow-grade, and two Mystic-grade.
They came from various antiques, and each fate trait had more or less some connection to its corresponding object.
P.S. I tested positive, everyone. After finishing this chapter, my head is all foggy, but I still have to keep updating. I'll do my best with the quality—please do not stockpile chapters, T_T
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