The crowd chimed in, one after another, until the price was driven up to 5.8 million. Finally, Su Wenyuan brought the gavel down. "Ladies and gentlemen, Baoyun Pavilion has purchased this brush washer. Shall we put it up for auction at next month's spring gala instead?"
Once the crowd dispersed, Su Yuqing personally processed the transfer for Mu Feng. Staring at the long string of numbers in his mobile banking app, Mu Feng suppressed the excitement surging within him.
"What are your plans for the future, Mr. Mu?" Su Yuqing handed him a gold-embossed business card. "If you're interested, we are hosting a private appraisal session the day after tomorrow. All the heavyweights in the collecting world will be in attendance."
Mu Feng took the card, his fingertips grazing the back of Su Yuqing's hand. Both were momentarily startled. He tucked the card away as if nothing had happened. "It would be an honor. However, I need to get myself a new wardrobe first."
Su Yuqing covered her mouth and chuckled. "Indeed. There is a shop called 'Jinyifang' on the third floor of the Antique City. Mention my name for a discount."
When he left Baoyun Pavilion, the sun was already setting. Mu Feng stood at the entrance of the Antique City and took a deep breath. He felt the bank card in his pocket and decided to find a decent place to stay first.
Just as he prepared to hail a taxi, hurried footsteps sounded behind him.
"Mr. Mu! Please, wait a moment!"
Mu Feng turned to see a thin, young man catching up to him, breathless.
"And you are?"
"My name is Zhou Xiaochuan, a reporter for *Collector* magazine." The young man produced his press badge. "I heard you discovered a Song dynasty official kiln piece today and helped Baoyun Pavilion identify an authentic Shitao painting. May I interview you?"
Mu Feng was about to refuse, but a thought suddenly struck him—wasn't this the perfect opportunity to make a name for himself?
"You may, but on one condition." Mu Feng lowered his voice. "Do not mention my background in the report. Just refer to me as a 'mysterious appraiser.' Also, focus on how Master Xu San of Jubao Zhai failed to recognize a true treasure when it was right in front of him."
Zhou Xiaochuan's eyes lit up. "Understood! Master Xu San is always bullying us junior reporters; I will definitely write this up properly!"
The two found a teahouse and chatted for an hour. As they parted ways, Zhou Xiaochuan vowed, "Rest assured, Mr. Mu. This report will be in print tomorrow. I guarantee it will make you an overnight sensation in the circle!"
Night fell, and Mu Feng checked into a suite at a five-star hotel. Soaking in the bathtub, he planned his schedule for the next day: buy some decent clothes, find a long-term residence, and then...
*Ding-dong.* The doorbell rang.
Mu Feng sat upright, alert. He had no acquaintances in this city. Who could be looking for him?
Donning his bathrobe, he peered through the peephole to see a hotel server standing outside, pushing a food trolley.
"Mr. Mu, your late-night snack."
"I didn't order a late-night snack." Mu Feng frowned.
"It was ordered for you by Ms. Su Yuqing, to celebrate your great haul today."
Mu Feng hesitated for a moment before opening the door. The server wheeled the trolley in, laden with exquisite dishes and a bottle of red wine.
"Please enjoy." The server bowed slightly and exited the room.
Mu Feng inspected the food and wine, and only after confirming everything was in order did he feel at ease to partake. As he sipped the wine, his phone rang; it was a text from Su Yuqing:
"How is the wine? It's an 1982 Lafite; I hope you like it. Don't forget about the appraisal session the day after tomorrow. —Yuqing"
Mu Feng replied with a thank you, but a sliver of doubt rose in his heart. How did Su Yuqing know he was staying at this hotel?
Before the question could fade, he suddenly felt something strange. His Mystic Pupil activated automatically without his intent. His vision pierced through the wall, revealing two sneaky figures whispering at the end of the hallway.
One of them was clearly a henchman of Master Xu San!
Mu Feng immediately set down his wine glass, tiptoed to the door, and pressed his ear against it. He could faintly hear a muffled voice from outside:
"...Confirm he's inside... wait until the middle of the night to make a move... the thing Master Xu wants..."
Mu Feng’s eyes turned cold. Master Xu San was truly relentless; he had actually sent people to tail him!
He quickly thought of a countermeasure, his gaze landing on the fire escape diagram in the room. A few minutes later, Mu Feng turned off all the lights, shouldered his bag containing his most important belongings, and quietly slipped out of the room via the fire escape outside the window.
In the darkness, Mu Feng blended into the city's flow. He knew that from this day on, he wouldn't just be searching for precious antiques; he would have to constantly be on guard against enemies in the shadows.
"Master Xu San..." Mu Feng sneered. "If you want to play, I'll play a big one with you."
Meanwhile, the backyard of Jubao Zhai was brightly lit. Master Xu San listened to his subordinate’s report with a dark expression.
"Useless trash! You couldn't even keep an eye on one person!" He smashed a teacup. "Search! Turn every inch of Jincheng upside down if you have to, but find him!"
In the corner, a man with a scarred face spoke in a sinister tone: "Master, should we invite 'Ghost Hand Zhang'? He is the best at setting traps..."
A flash of malice crossed Master Xu San’s eyes. "Good! Tell Ghost Hand Zhang I want that boy's reputation ruined. I want him to wish he were dead!"
The night wind swept across the upturned eaves of the Antique City, as if heralding an incoming storm. The battle between Mu Feng and Master Xu San had only just begun.
The next day, Mu Feng crouched in front of a street stall, fiddling with a grimy snuff bottle, his temples throbbing.
"Boss, how much for this?"
The stall owner was a thin, old man with yellow teeth. He glanced sideways. "Oh, you've got a sharp eye, lad. This is a trinket used by Emperor Qianlong himself. Thirty-eight thousand to take it home!"
"Thirty-eight." Mu Feng didn't even look up.
"Good heavens!" The old man nearly jumped. "That's a ruthless bargain!"
Mu Feng ignored him, for his eyes were currently burning with intense pain. In his sight, the piece of junk snuff bottle was glowing red, and the four characters for "Qianlong Year Manufacture" at the base were searing his retinas like a branding iron. This was the third time it had happened since he escaped the hotel.
*Damn it, does this broken ability come with side effects?* he cursed inwardly, struggling to keep from rubbing his eyes.
They settled on eighty yuan. Just as Mu Feng tucked the snuff bottle into his pocket, a fragrant breeze drifted behind him.
"What a coincidence, Mr. Mu."
The voice made the back of Mu Feng’s neck prickle. He turned to see Su Yuqing standing there in a pale cyan *qipao*, watching him with a radiant smile. Sunlight filtered through the plastic panels of the market canopy, casting a soft, cinematic glow over her.
"Are you following me, Ms. Su?" Mu Feng narrowed his eyes.
"How could you say that!" Su Yuqing covered her mouth and giggled. "Baoyun Pavilion comes to the market to purchase goods on this day every month. It’s our rule." She pointed to the two assistants pushing small carts behind her.
Mu Feng noticed that she was wearing gold-rimmed glasses today. The eyes behind the lenses scanned him like searchlights, making his skin crawl.
"Well... if there’s nothing else..."
"Are your eyes uncomfortable, Mr. Mu?" Su Yuqing suddenly stepped closer. "You keep rubbing your temples."
Mu Feng’s heart skipped a beat. This woman's powers of observation were terrifying!
"It's nothing, didn't sleep well last night," he muttered as an excuse and turned to leave.