Seeing that Frank was not greeting him anyway, the old man ignored him and forced a smile. "I'm sure everyone here is aware that I, Travis Dali, have recently made a poor judgment, buying a fake jade fox sculpture that cost me over a billion dollars."Pausing, he sighed. "That means I have yet to clear my 600 million dollar debt. And to make up for that, I am now bringing out the treasures in my collection. I hope everyone here would be willing to buy them at generous prices—you have my gratitude already."Hugh was the first to get to his feet, spreading his hands and smiling. "Haha… you're exaggerating, Mr. Dali—everyone knows that you're the dealer with the best eyes in Blooming Junction, and your treasures are most extraordinary. We'll definitely buy what you have at the right price.""Exactly.""Your debt will be cleared with no problem!"The other guests agreed."Alright." Travis' hunched back seemed to straighten as he smiled. "Since everyone is so appreciative, let's cut t
The only guest who never said a word is Frank.However, as everyone else turned toward Frank, Hugh spoke before he could. "Hah! What would some ignorant manwhore know about art? Even if he knows a thing or two, he still wouldn't be able to afford it."Hugh's scoffing drew several chuckles in the room, since 'manwhore' made the insult all too obvious.However, Frank remained calm as he looked at the other guests and asked quietly, "Are you done laughing? If you are, I will share my opinion.""Of course, young sir. You may speak freely." Travis was surprised that Frank did not make a bid, and instead spoke up to share his opinion. Was he going to accuse him of selling a fake?As if on cue, Frank turned toward the painting beside Travis as everyone looked on, nodding as he said, "That painting isn't genuine… Or it's half-genuine, to be precise.""Hahaha!!!" Hugh was laughing first and very loudly.The other guests were chuckling too, while Travis appeared shocked for a moment b
"Hmph!" Travis snorted coldly.If he allowed Frank to leave after what he said, that would just prove what Frank said—that he was selling his reputation, not treasures.And having been appraised antiques all his life, he certainly could not take that insult!Growling hostilely, he demanded, "Your words will ruin the reputation of my establishment sir, and you expect to leave peacefully?""Really? And your reputation can't be ruined?"Frank sneered in contempt. "Worshiping counterfeits like it's the real deal, using your reputation for commodities and getting hostile if anyone says otherwise… Shame—your reputation just isn't worth anything to me, nor am I afraid of your aggression."Travis did a double take—even after all that, Frank was still accusing him of selling counterfeits?!Feeling a little petty just then, he slowly walked up to Frank and growled solemnly, "I sell real treasures, young man, not my reputation. So you don't have to worry about pointing out how my painting
Frank turned, then walked up to the painting and immediately spotted several flaws with a single glance."Heh. So, have you thought about your tricks this time, Frank?" Hugh sneered in contempt, hostile as he had been from the start for some reason.Frank completely ignored him and nodded confidently as he pointed at the signature at the corner. "Take a look at the signature," he said. "Even if made to look like it's old, it clearly does not match the age of the canvas. In fact, the painting was signed much later—which begs the question, what painting would be signed hundreds of years after its completion and long after the artist is dead? ""What?!"Everyone was immediately restless, especially Travis.He whipped out a magnifying glass and dropped to his knees as he scrutinized the painting.Then, as he was looking closely, Frank pointed at the brush strokes and added quietly, "I've seen my shares of oil paintings to identify each style. People of Rivaldi's era—let alone Rival
Various expressions alternated over Travis' face, and he bellowed at the stewardesses again, "Go, buy me a box of matches!""Yes, Mr. Dali…" The stewardesses flinched and hurried away.Hugh was glaring furiously at Frank. "Frank, haven't you heard the saying 'live and let live'?""Live and let live, really?" Frank chuckled in turn. "Did you listen to me when I tried to dissuade you from having me appraise that painting? You presumed I was trying to bail, even demanding that I kowtow to everyone."Hugh was stumped. He could only snort and clench his jaw.Soon, the stewardesses returned with matches.Travis' hands were shaking, but he ultimately burned the painting as everyone watched.Even as the canvas was reduced to ashes, Travis' cheek clenched in heartache.But there was no helping it—he had made a promise, and he must see it through. Such was the unspoken ironclad rule when it came to antique appraisal."Alright, it's just a fake painting. I'll be leaving now."Seeing
To no surprise, the wooden sculpture was not particularly valuable, and it was purchased for a modest 400 grand.After that, Travis presented a set of porcelain tableware.Frank nodded, seeing no flaws—even if nothing was catching his eye, the tableware was not fake, and it was sold for 150 million.Up front, Travis breathed a sigh of relief since Frank was not speaking up—it seemed that the painting was the exception.As his mind was set at ease, he presented another item from his collection: a red coral crystal."Everyone, this red coral crystal is plucked from the South Sea," he said proudly. "It's a true rarity and worth a king's ransom, and I would never have sold it if not for extenuating circumstances."It is said to carry an aura and imbued with spiritrons—just keep it at your house, and it'll bring good fortune and promote longevity. And now, I will sell it for a billion dollars!""A billion dollars?!"Travis' starting bid left the guests trading glances—it must be som
Could the rock actually be a treasure, but Frank was just trying to play down its value so that the other guests would not compete?With that in mind, everyone was suddenly interested, while Travis was delighted.Frank's move was basically promoting the rock!Beaming, he asked, "Forgive my ignorance, Mr. Lawrence, but I've always treated it as a red gemstone. Would you mind telling me what it is, if it's not a gemstone?""It really is just a normal rock," Frank said calmly, despite the troubled look in his eyes. "However, it holds a special meaning to me, which is why I will buy it.""Pfft."Hugh was snickering—did Frank really take them for fools?Whether it was really a gemstone or not, the fact that Frank tried to disparage it while trying to buy it meant there was something fishy going on.He must be worried that the others would compete with him.With that, Hugh looked up and grinned. "Since Mr. Lawrence is interested, there has to be something special about it, and I'll
And the blood on that rock was the essence of Mystic Sky Sect's chief, failing his transcendence as mobs of martial artists attacked him.Despite his failure, the chief of Mystic Sky Sect—Frank's mentor—had vaguely cultivated a strand of sage aura.And the blood on that rock contained it.Be it from a standpoint of principle or sentiment, Frank refused to let the rock fall into anyone else's hands.The blood on that rock was a representation of his mentor's resentment.A representation of the tragedy that was the fall of Mystic Sky Sect.A representation of the three years Frank spent adrift.Therefore, that rock was priceless for Frank—he would even buy it for a trillion, let alone five billion.Once Frank made payment, he was given the stone as he wished.It felt warm in his hand, as if the blood on it had yet to dry.Frank almost could not stop his tears just then, but he ultimately did."Just watch, master," he vowed in his mind to the rock. "One day, I will restore Myst