Chapter 44: I'll Pick One

"Huh?"

"This kid actually said that about Master Moyang?"

"The master kindly helped him choose a treasure, and he says the master is a fraud?"

"An arrogant brat who doesn't know his place!"

Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, the surrounding crowd was stunned, then erupted into an uproar.

Was this kid out of his mind?

The master had gone to so much trouble to help him pick a treasure, and he actually called him a fraud... a poser?

"What did you say?" Clearly, "Master Moyang" hadn't expected the young man to say such a thing. His face darkened. "Young friend, do you have some misunderstanding about me?"

"Misunderstanding? Don't you know exactly what I mean? If you want to swindle people, go ahead and swindle them—it's none of my business, and I can't be bothered to care! I'll pick my treasure, you swindle your marks, we'll keep to our own paths. Just stop putting on that lofty act in front of me!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand in annoyance.

He had never liked swindlers. If the man hadn't provoked him, he would have let it go. But to put on airs right in front of him? That was asking for trouble!

"How dare you!" "Master Moyang's" face turned ashen. He flicked his sleeve, radiating an air of righteousness. "I obtained my appraiser's qualification thirty years ago. I have appraised treasures and solved problems for people, always with a clear conscience! No one has ever called me a fraud. Everyone here can testify—have I ever deceived any of you?"

"Master Moyang is benevolent and virtuous, saving people from danger—how could he be a fraud?"

"A reckless brout talking nonsense! I think you're asking for death!"

"Master, don't be angry. Let me teach this fellow a lesson. He needs to know that while food can be eaten carelessly, words cannot be spoken recklessly..."

...

"Master Moyang's" words stirred up everyone's anger. They glared at Zhang Xuan as if he were a mortal enemy.

"Obtained appraiser's qualification thirty years ago? Clear conscience?"

Zhang Xuan was speechless.

You're just a lowly appraiser apprentice—what are you pretending to be?

Your face is thicker than I imagined.

No wonder you're a wanted swindler in the Liuzhu Kingdom. Not only are you thick-skinned, but you're also quick on your feet.

Other swindlers would panic when exposed in public, but this guy turned the tables with a single sentence, putting himself in a difficult position.

Without the Library of Heaven's Path, seeing him so righteous, I might have doubted myself. But with the library in hand, since it says he's a fraud, then he definitely is!

"Everyone, stop!" Seeing that he had fully stirred up the crowd's anger and seized the initiative, "Master Moyang" raised his hand. "I am magnanimous. If you apologize for what you just said right now, I will let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, you have insulted me, and you should know the consequences!"

"Consequences?" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Whether you're a fraud or not, whether I'm talking nonsense, it's easy to verify. Just polish the treasures they bought, and we'll know the result immediately! What's the use of all this blather?"

"Polish them?" "Master Moyang" seemed to have expected this. He said calmly, "I mentioned earlier that I'm leaving Tianxuan City tonight. The treasures I chose for them are all large pieces, requiring at least half a day to polish and reveal their true form. I have urgent matters and can't spare that much time! What, are you trying to say that my lack of time to stay here is because I'm guilty and want to leave, so you can falsely accuse me?"

With that, the old man flicked his sleeve, exuding an air of pride. "I, Moyang, am upright and aboveboard—why would I fear false accusations? But I kindly helped you choose a treasure, and you call me a fraud without evidence—that's slander. Do you know the consequences of slandering an appraiser master?"

Hearing this, Zhang Xuan realized he had underestimated the man's shamelessness.

As expected of a professional swindler—he had even thought of an escape route.

He had already mentioned leaving Tianxuan Royal City tonight, laying the groundwork. Then, before I could speak, he turned the tables. Now, even if I said he didn't dare wait for the treasures to be polished, no one would believe me!

Besides... calling him a fraud—I really have no evidence!

The secret of the Library of Heaven's Path couldn't be revealed, and even if it were, who would believe it?

"Kid, kneel and apologize to the master immediately!"

"Dare to call the master a fraud? Believe me, I'll kill you in a minute!"

"Where did this ignorant dog come from, slandering the master's reputation?"

...

Seeing the "master" speak so righteously, many immediately believed him and shouted at Zhang Xuan.

These people were furious.

Those who had been deceived were almost in a state of self-hypnosis, unwilling to admit they had been fooled. Anyone who disturbed their dream would face fierce opposition and rebuke!

In their eyes, how noble was "Master Moyang"? Could he be a fraud?

What a joke!

"Since this guy says the master is a fraud, he must be an expert in appraising too, right? If he's so capable, let him pick one for us to see. If he picks a dud, then stop putting on airs and get out!"

A sneering voice came from the crowd.

"That's right. Since you say I'm a fraud and refuse my recommendation, you must have some knowledge of appraising."

Hearing this, "Master Moyang" nodded and looked over. "I'll give you a chance. Let's each pick a simple treasure that can be polished and appraised quickly. If what you pick appreciates and makes money, I'll admit you have some insight and overlook your slander. But if you pick a dud, then buy the treasure I chose for you earlier and kneel to apologize!"

"You want to compete with me in appraising?" Zhang Xuan was just wondering how to produce evidence. Hearing this, he was slightly taken aback and almost laughed out loud.

Was this guy out of his mind?

With the Library of Heaven's Path, if he claimed to be second in appraising, no one would dare claim first. Compete with him... Are you sure you haven't been kicked in the head by a donkey?

But thinking about it, he understood why the other party would do this.

In the other's view, he was just an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old youth—what did he know about appraising? And since the man had helped others make money a few days ago, he must have set things up. In a joint appraisal, if Zhang Xuan couldn't pick a good one, the man could boost his reputation and maybe even attract a few more fools to throw money at him.

"What? Afraid to accept?"

"Master Moyang" looked like he had Zhang Xuan cornered.

"Fine!" Since the other party wanted excitement, how could Zhang Xuan refuse?

"Then I'll go first!" "Master Moyang" flicked his sleeve and strode along the long table. Soon he stopped and picked up a palm-sized treasure.

The object was wrapped in thick rock, its shape unrecognizable, let alone whether it was valuable.

"Vendor, how much for this?"

"Master Moyang" asked as he picked it up.

"This one is small and has no spiritual energy fluctuation. Two hundred gold coins," the vendor said, approaching.

"Good. Have someone polish it now."

Handing over the coins, "Master Moyang" said calmly.

"Yes."

The vendor took the treasure and went to the back hall. After a while, he came out holding a golden toad, his face full of excitement. "Congratulations, Master! It's the shed skin of a [Lingxi Golden Toad]!"

"What's a Lingxi Golden Toad?"

"The Lingxi Golden Toad is a sixth-grade savage beast. Its most important part is its skin, which it sheds only once in its lifetime. This can be used in medicine and is extremely valuable!"

"As expected of Master Moyang—such sharp eyes, picking a treasure at once!"

...

Hearing it was the shed skin of a Lingxi Golden Toad, everyone was in an uproar.

"Many people don't know what this is. Just state the price directly—it's more intuitive!" "Master Moyang" held his head high, exuding an aura of pretentiousness at all times, and said calmly.

"This item is worth... two thousand gold coins!" the vendor announced loudly.

"Two thousand gold coins?"

"Bought for two hundred, and now it's worth two thousand? A tenfold increase?"

"Amazing!"

"A master is a master—even a small item makes so much profit. The big one he chose for me earlier must be a huge gain!"

...

Seeing this, the crowd, which had been a bit worried, became fervent again.

The master was still the master—his pick was truly extraordinary!

"Alright, your turn."

"Master Moyang" flicked his hand and looked over coldly.

"I..." Zhang Xuan nodded.

He knew the man was a fraud and must have a backup plan, but he hadn't expected it to be so effective.

He would have to pick something comparable.

"Can I pick a treasure first, and pay after you polish it and determine the price?"

Taking a step forward, Zhang Xuan suddenly remembered something and looked at the vendor.

"No! You pay for the item first, then we polish it. That's the rule. Otherwise, if it turns out worthless and you don't want it, or if it's too valuable and we don't want to sell, there's no way to settle it."

The vendor said coldly.

In treasure gambling, to avoid disputes, once you pick an item, you must pay. This forms a contract that neither party can renege on.

"Alright then..."

Knowing this rule, Zhang Xuan had no choice but to nod. He looked up and said grandly, "Come on, point out to me which of these treasures are under eight gold coins. I'll pick one..."