"Who is this Master Lu, and why is he so popular?" Ye Xiu asked curiously, seeing Jin Lian’s eagerness. What kind of person could make so many people this excited, this frenzied? Does he really possess so kind of Magic Power?
"Master Lu is an incredibly skilled Treasure Appraiser. People call him ’Master Heavenly Eye’!" Jin Lian’s tone was filled with admiration.
"Treasure Appraiser? Master Heavenly Eye?" Ye Xiu was taken aback. "I also enjoy collecting antiques, calligraphy, and paintings. I can na practically every globally renowned appraiser, expert, and even famous collector. How have I never heard of this Master Lu?"
"Master Lu beca famous overnight just six months ago. Since you’ve been abroad all these years, it’s perfectly normal that you haven’t heard of him," Jin Lian replied. As she spoke, she was like a star-struck fangirl, her eyes constantly darting toward Master Lu, clearly eager to go over and introduce herself.
"Had you heard of him before he beca famous six months ago?" Ye Xiu asked.
"No!" Jin Lian shook her head. She didn’t understand why Ye Xiu was fixated on this point, but she answered anyway. "Master Lu is very mysterious. After he beca famous, many people grew curious about his background—his ntor, his family, his training—but no one could find a single thing. It’s as if he simply didn’t exist before six months ago."
Ye Xiu frowned. The profession of a Treasure Appraiser isn’t like growing crops in a field; you can’t just sow a seed and expect one to sprout. It requires not only imnse talent but also years of experience studying countless antiques, paintings, and other Treasures to cultivate a sharp eye and deep knowledge. An appraiser has to be imrsed in the industry for a long ti to gradually build a reputation. Even if this Master Lu was incredibly low-key, it’s impossible that he left no trace whatsoever before becoming famous overnight.
"Whether it’s a painting or an antique, Master Lu can tell if it’s real or fake with just a single glance. And when it cos to stone gambling, he has the Midas touch—he’s never once made a mistake," Jin Lian said, her voice full of excitent. "So, Ye Xiu, we should hurry over and greet him! With your status, Master Lu would definitely help you. If he lends a hand, this trip won’t be a waste. You could even earn back the 15,000,000 you lost on that first raw stone."
"I’m not interested in him. You can go if you want, but don’t ntion ," Ye Xiu said.
Jin Lian was speechless. I never realized he was so proud, she thought, before saying, "Well, I’m going over then!"
"Go ahead." Ye Xiu nodded, turning his attention back to examining the other raw stones. The fun of stone gambling is in the gamble itself. Relying on soone else’s guidance, even if it leads to a Treasure, completely defeats the purpose. There’s no thrill in it.
"Master Lu, please, give so guidance!"
"Na your price! As long as you help pick a raw stone, I’ll pay anything!"
"Master, I’m begging you..."
The desperate shouts of the gamblers made Ye Xiu quietly click his tongue. Have Treasure Appraisers started following the sa path as pop stars these days? These worshippers all have bloodshot eyes, as if they’re having an epileptic fit.
"I am Fei Xiang of the Fei Family! Master Lu, help , and my family will owe you a personal favor!"
Ye Xiu was stunned. This bunch of gamblers, desperate to get rich overnight, have gone completely insane. Mad! They’re all mad!
"Everyone, quiet down! Let’s all be quiet!" Master Lu’s voice bood.
The cacophony ceased in an instant. Such influence... Incredible, Ye Xiu thought.
"Everyone, thank you for placing your trust in ," Master Lu said with a gentle smile, exuding the air of a true master. "I heard that Qingfeng Road was hosting a Jadeite Cultural Festival and decided to co have a look. I didn’t expect such an enthusiastic welco."
"To repay your trust, I will help ten people today..."
Before he could even finish his sentence, the gamblers went wild at the ntion of him helping ten people. They all started shouting over one another.
"Choose , choose ..."
"Master Lu, choose ..."
"I’m Fei Xiang! I’m Fei Xiang..."
Master Lu waved his hand, signaling for silence once more. When the shouting subsided, he said with a wry smile, "Alright, there are far too many people here. Helping only ten seems a bit stingy. How about this: thirty people. Today, I will help thirty of you! As you all know, appraising Treasures is ntally exhausting. I’m getting old, and thirty is my limit. I hope you can all understand."
Hearing the number thirty, the gamblers erupted again!
"Master Lu, choose ! Just help pick one raw stone, and I’m willing to give you a reward..."
"I’ll pay you!"
"If Master Lu helps , whatever the Treasure is worth, I’m willing to give him seventy percent!"
It was no wonder the gamblers were so frenzied. Judging by Master Lu’s track record, any raw stone he selected was certain to contain a top-quality jadeite Treasure. Once auctioned, it would guarantee an instant fortune.
"Silence!" Master Lu’s expression suddenly turned severe, his voice filled with displeasure and authority. "I have always regarded money as filth. I study appraisal purely out of love and respect for these Treasures. If I truly wanted to make money, why would I bother helping any of you? I could simply gamble on the stones myself."
Seeing Master Lu’s anger at the "insult" of being offered paynt, the crowd fell completely silent, still as cicadas in winter. But what he said was true; with his "Heavenly Eye," making money would be laughably easy.
"The only reason I agreed to help thirty people is because I was moved by your passion. To , money is nothing but a passing cloud; it’s beneath my notice." Adopting the posture of a pure and noble sage who held money in contempt, Master Lu added sternly, "If anyone dares ntion paynt again, I will turn and leave."
"Master Lu’s words have truly shad us."
"He’s right. We were too vulgar, trying to asure his character with money."
"We should all learn from Master Lu’s noble integrity!"
The gamblers apologized one after another.
Ye Xiu was also left speechless. This Master Lu really takes the cake, acting like a saint while being a total hypocrite.
"Let us begin!" Master Lu announced. "But before we start, allow to ask one question: you all know my rules, correct?"
The gamblers all chid in that they knew. Ye Xiu, however, was montarily stunned. What rules? I don’t know any rules!
"It seems everyone is aware of my rules. Nevertheless, to avoid any future disputes, I will state them once more," Master Lu announced. "A Treasure Appraiser is not omnipotent. There are always tis when we misjudge. Even I cannot guarantee a perfect success rate.
"Therefore, my rule is this: anyone I select must sign a contract. This contract stipulates that if I happen to make a mistake, I will not be held responsible."
Upon hearing this rule, Ye Xiu scoffed inwardly. What a crafty old fox. With a rule like that, he can swindle people without bearing any responsibility.
"Master Lu, everyone in the industry knows your rule! Please, just hurry up and pick soone. We can’t wait any longer!" soone shouted impatiently. The other gamblers echoed the sentint, urging him to begin.
"Very well. I will now choose the first person to help," Master Lu declared, his eyes scanning the crowd.
At that mont, every gambler tensed up, each one desperately hoping to be chosen.
"You," Master Lu said, pointing directly at Ye Xiu.
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