The Feng Shui Treasure Appraiser

5: Chapter 5 Feng Shui ToolsMr. Zhou was a celebrity in Quancheng’s collecting circles; his name was Zhou Yucheng.

He was an expert in miscellaneous antiques, owned an antique shop on Yingxiong Mountain, frequently recorded programs for the provincial TV station, and was even a guest professor at Shanda University.

During Han Jingyang’s time at Shanda University, he had also attended Mr. Zhou’s lectures, though only a couple of sessions.

Additionally, it was said that Mr. Zhou had other assets and was quite wealthy; running an antique shop was merely a hobby.

Zhou Yucheng was in his sixties, about 1.7 meters tall, slightly plump, with short hair and a ruddy, energetic complexion. He looked Han Jingyang up and down, raising an eyebrow as he asked, ”You know me?”

Han Jingyang stepped forward to shake hands. ”I was a student in the Archaeology Department at Shanda University. I attended your lectures during my freshman year.”

”I see, no wonder. So, have you graduated?”

”Yes, I graduated last year.”

”Where are you working now?”

”I opened a shop. When I’m free, I come out to hunt for some old items.”

”An antique shop?”

”Yes, Jiguang Zhai. It’s also on Yingxiong Mountain, not far from your Jingpin Tianxia.”

”I’ve heard of it, I’ve heard of it. Jiguang Zhai, right? I remember thinking at the time that it was a well-chosen name, very scholarly.” Zhou Yucheng was very happy and shook Han Jingyang’s hand. ”What is your name?”

”Han Jingyang. The ’Jingyang’ as in Jingyang Ridge.”

”That’s a good name too,” Zhou Yucheng chuckled. ”Shall we sit over there?”

”Please.”

Han Jingyang was just worrying about how to open up new channels. Having a local heavyweight like Zhou Yucheng interested in his props was the best possible outcome. Even if he didn’t sell anything, he could leave an impression, ensuring the man might think of him when something came up—it was like planting a seed.

Liu Jing was right; doing business indeed required taking it step by step. One couldn’t become a fat man with one bite, especially in a business that relied on reputation and networking; one had to be patient.

The elder and the youth sat down in a nearby teahouse.

Han Jingyang directly handed over the cast copper statue of the old god of longevity. ”Professor Zhou, are you interested in this?”

”I saw this copper statue before. The owner’s asking price was a bit high, so I didn’t buy it. When I turned back and saw it in your hands, it seemed to have a different feel to it, so I called out to you,” Zhou Yucheng said as he carefully picked up the statue and began to examine it.

Zhou Yucheng’s expression grew more relaxed, and he liked it more the longer he looked. After studying it for a full seven or eight minutes, he spoke. ”Little Han, how much did you buy this copper statue for?”

Han Jingyang told the truth. ”One thousand.”

”I’ll give you fifteen hundred. Let me have it.”

Under normal circumstances, Han Jingyang would have agreed without a second thought.

But now...

He shook his head. ”Professor Zhou, I’m sorry, fifteen hundred really isn’t enough.”

”Two thousand?”

”No, no, no, that’s far off.”

”What do you mean?” Zhou Yucheng’s face darkened slightly, clearly unhappy.

Han Jingyang remained smiling. ”Professor Zhou, the value of this copper statue is far more than a few thousand or even tens of thousands of yuan.”

”This is just a very ordinary common piece from the Republican era. Three thousand is the limit. Even if you want to ask for a high price, there should be a limit.”

”No, this copper statue is not a common piece.”

”What? Is it the work of a famous master?”

”No.”

”Is the craftsmanship very special?”

”No.”

”Does it have some special historical or cultural value?”

”Not that either.”

”Is the material very unique?”

”Still no.”

Zhou Yucheng sat up straight and stared at Han Jingyang. ”Then explain it to me properly. How is this copper statue worth far more than a few thousand or tens of thousands?”

Han Jingyang glanced at the people around them before lowering his voice. ”This isn’t an ordinary antique.”

”Oh?”

”Have you heard of Feng Shui Props?”

”Those things charlatans use to swindle money?”

”Exactly. However, I am not a charlatan, and I’m not lying. This copper statue indeed has some miraculous effects.”

”What? Can it make someone live to be a hundred?”

”I don’t know about living to a hundred, but it can indeed improve one’s physical condition to a certain extent. At critical moments, it can even... extend life.”

Han Jingyang lowered his voice specifically for the last two words.

After speaking, he cupped his hands toward Zhou Yucheng. ”Professor Zhou, you surely won’t believe me, but that’s alright. No one can escape birth, old age, sickness, and death. If you ever meet an elder who has a need in this area, give me a call.”

Having said that, he took the copper statue, stood up, and left without a moment’s hesitation.

However, he left a business card before leaving.

Business cards were almost a thing of the past, but one still needed to prepare a few for business; they were still useful in certain situations.

Han Jingyang bid farewell to Zhou Yucheng and headed straight back to Jiguang Zhai.

Back at the shop.

He carried the root-carved Three-Legged Golden Toad around the shop, while carefully observing the reaction of the white light on its surface.

As he moved, he saw the white light on the toad’s surface change direction from time to time, as if attracted by something.

Following the guidance of the white light, he came to the side of the counter, placed the golden toad on a corner, and adjusted its orientation. Only then did the white light stabilize, spreading out in strands and melting like a spring rain into everything in the shop.

Seeing this scene, he had a sudden realization.

It was exactly like the legendary Feng Shui Props. Only when placed in the right position and with the correct orientation could these props truly exert their effects.

Moreover, different props had different targets.

Something like the Three-Legged Golden Toad, which attracted wealth, couldn’t act directly on a person; it needed to be paired with a shop or an office to take effect.

He just didn’t know if it would be useful at home.

If it was, he would definitely have to fix up his home properly.

While Han Jingyang was pondering over the root-carved Three-Legged Golden Toad, he suddenly saw a flash of white light from the carving sink directly into his body.

This was a skill effect!

Wealth Pouring In!

The skill had activated.

Han Jingyang was overjoyed, but also somewhat anxious, wondering in what way this skill would manifest its effects.

Would he find gold while walking?

Or win the lottery?

Well, he didn’t count on winning a jackpot; that wasn’t something metaphysics could solve.

Han Jingyang took a deep breath, opened the shop door to resume business, and tried his best to calm down, waiting for the ’Wealth Pouring In’ skill to be realized.

Time passed minute by minute.

By two in the afternoon, nothing had happened.

Instead, Liu Jing called: ”Boss, where are you? My parents want to talk to you. I suspect they want to buy your fan painting. Boss, don’t cut too deep when the time comes. My family is just an ordinary one and we don’t have much money, as you know.”

Han Jingyang laughed. ”If you don’t have money, go earn some quickly. Buy it when you have the money.”

”Boss, those words are way too heartless,” Liu Jing complained. ”Of course, my family doesn’t have big money, but we have a bit of small change. As long as it’s not too outrageous, adding in my dowry should be enough. Boss, boss, give me a hint, what’s your bottom line?”

Bottom line?

Han Jingyang didn’t have a bottom line.

This was his first time doing this kind of business; his experience was zero.

However, he had heard too many legendary stories of Feng Shui masters. When masters in the south or even the Hong Kong area took action, it easily cost hundreds of thousands or even millions.

Should he... align himself with those masters?