Chapter 27: Destiny Box, Ten Consecutive Draws
27 Chapter 27: Destiny Box, Ten Consecutive Draws
In front of Zhao Huai was a large sandalwood box.
Inside were not only valuable items such as phoenix-shaped hairpins, silver bracelets, and porcelain bottles; there were also calligraphy models, painting scrolls, classic books, ancient books, and a large number of things, including ancient tripods, silkworm clothes, treasured swords, and so on.
On the ancient tripod was engraved in small seal script: "Everlasting Prosperity of Yan Country, Blessings Boundless."
These objects were all covered with dust, and some classic books and calligraphy models were slightly yellowed.
There was no doubt that these things had been around for quite some time.
Especially upon seeing that familiar ancient tripod, Zhao Huai's heart was still very surprised.
The sealed memories in his mind were unlocked, and the embarrassing experiences of his journey south came flooding back.
Zhao Huai inherited the original owner's memories, so these things were very familiar to him.
Weren't these things from the Imperial Palace?
He had practically grown up with them, so even now, a glance at them gave him the feeling of being pulled back into the past.
Master Huang carefully observed Zhao Huai's expression, and upon seeing no fear or worry, he sighed with relief and softly explained:
"These items are not only ancient objects, but also some extremely rare ones. I bought them from various places, and they are definitely authentic and safe to acquire. Young Master, you may be assured."
The middle-aged guard beside him heard his words, and a hint of hidden resentment flashed in his eyes, but he quickly turned his head away.
Hearing this, Zhao Huai knitted his brows and fell silent.
At this moment, he finally understood why the pawnshops earlier dared not accept this merchant's items, and why the deal was never completed.
Seeing through the cunning merchant's true face was one thing.
The other reason was even more crucial.
Three years ago, when Xia Country was first established, the national treasury was found to be so empty that even the things in the Imperial Palace had been looted. But the order had just been established, and it was time to spend money. How could they not have silver?
In desperation, a prohibition was issued.
All property left by the previous Yan Dynasty, including the national treasures, calligraphy, and paintings, were to be handed over and not be privately traded.
Only then did they overcome the financial crisis.
Now, wasn't Master Huang's behavior crossing the red line?
No wonder no one dared to accept it.
Zhao Huai indifferently said: "Indeed, they are extremely rare, but these things of yours, if I'm not mistaken, are relics from the previous dynasty, and treasures collected by the Yan imperial family for hundreds of years."
"Aren't you afraid of losing your head?"
Hearing this, Master Huang did not panic, and even smiled:
"I didn't misjudge you. The shopkeeper really has great eyesight."
"I am afraid, of course, but these things are worth silver, and who would dislike having more silver?"
Zhao Huai expressionless, did not believe a word of his lies.
With hands behind his back, he immediately threw a copper coin.
[Misfortune and fortune are interdependent, let's see]
[Hexagram one: Money and treasure desired by all; take all the relics, your guidance is "Misfortune"]
Trace Origins: The merchant does not mean well.
[Hexagram two: Look back in the past, go further, part with the relics of the previous dynasty, your guidance is "Misfortune"]
Trace Origins: The merchant's trust is shallow.
[Hexagram three: Deceive and be accommodating, keep a low profile, pretend to offer, stall for time, selectively choose the items, your guidance is "Fortune"]
Trace Origins: The merchant is deceptive, the treasures are not his property.
It seemed that the situation was still a bit tricky. Agreeing would definitely not work, and refusing directly would probably lead him to use some treacherous tricks. The third one was more reliable.
Zhao Huai's thoughts flowed quickly, making his decision and chuckling:
"Since Master Huang said so, why not introduce these items first?"
Seeing Zhao Huai's tacit approval, Master Huang was secretly delighted in his heart.
Was he finally going to find a buyer this time?
When Zhao Huai made his decision, a golden light entered his mind.
He knew very well that the destiny had arrived.However, there's no time to check now; he could only listen to Master Huang's explanation first.
"Shopkeeper, take a look at this ancient tripod first. This artifact was cast by the lord of the Immortal Yearning Sect at the time of the unification of the Yan Country. It is inscribed with 'Great Yan eternal, blessings without boundaries,' which is enough to prove its authenticity. Besides, it is said that placing it in the house can suppress demons."
"A thing from the immortal world is naturally excellent."
Listening to Master Huang's explanation, Zhao Huai nodded and responded perfunctorily while calculating in his mind.
Since it's about checking in, one shouldn't waste resources.
Why not treat this appraisal as a blind box draw?
With so many treasures, what if there was a destiny-draw of ten in a row, wouldn't it be too exciting?
Thinking about it that way, his mood improved significantly.
Zhao Huai looked at the ancient tripod in front of him, examining the misfortune and fortune in his eye.
[Misfortune and fortune are interdependent, let's just take a look]
[Hexagram one: Great Yan eternal, blessings without boundaries, by taking the Treasured Tripod, you receive the indication of "fortune."]
Trace Origins: A treasure for suppressing demons and evils in the house.
[Hexagram two: The merchant woman doesn't know the sorrow of her country's demise, still sings of the flowers in the rear garden across the river, by losing the ancient tripod of Great Yan, you get the indication of "misfortune."]
Trace Origins: Rejecting the first item, the merchant will be displeased with you, and others will feel regretful.
A treasure that protects the house from demons and invasions is not bad. The only question is who are the "others" that will feel regretful?
Zhao Huai was very puzzled in his heart.
His gaze swept over the bodyguards present, but none of them had any unusual expressions on their faces.
Until he saw the middle-aged man in the fourth stage of refining qi.
His eyes shifted away, his back turned to them, making it impossible to notice the anomaly without looking. That appearance seemed as if he was avoiding something.
Combined with the previous statement, "These things don't actually belong to the merchants."
Could there be some hidden story behind it?
"I think this tripod is quite good, I can take it."
Zhao Huai looked at the tripod, pretending to be pondering, and replied.
"That's very good."
Master Huang smiled, and then continued to explain the next treasure:
"The next one is a famous painting."
"The 'Prosperous Age Painting of the Qingping Period' is one of the current top ten famous paintings handed down from ancient times, and it is also a work of the painter Gu Kai at that time. It took seven days and nights, more than ten meters long, depicting the scene of the flourishing capital of the Great Yan 300 years ago. Its collection value is unparalleled."
Master Huang pointed at the characters in the painting, smiling faintly.
"The Great Yan was once prosperous, but who could have expected this day to come? The collapse of such a huge foundation, how unfortunate." Zhao Huai was unexpectedly moved by the sight, his tone full of regret.
After this remark, the middle-aged guard at his side looked over, his eyes somewhat surprised.
As for Master Huang's reaction, it was very cold: "What's wrong with the Xia's country? Shopkeeper, you don't have to worry about it, continue looking at the treasures."
...
After a long time of explanation, Zhao Huai was almost dozing off from listening to these descriptions.
But Master Huang had introduced most of the items.
As each hexagram appeared in front of Zhao Huai, the fortune and misfortune of obtaining or not obtaining each item were presented. He made both choices and rejections.
This Master Huang was indeed cunning, selling things both genuine and fake.
If it were not for his divination, he would certainly be cheated.
He picked some items that were useful for himself and avoided those counterfeit goods.
In total, he obtained seven destiny orbs, not as many as ten as he imagined. After all, blind boxes could also be empty.
He had two human grade, three yellow grade, and two mysterious grade.
These destinies were all more or less related to these antiques.
...
ps: Sorry, folks, after finishing this chapter, my head feels really dizzy, but I still have to maintain the update. I'll try my best to ensure the quality, and please don't.reader bait me T_T