Tang Wanhong's complexion indeed seemed more relieved.
Actually, judging from Duan Rong's ability to identify authenticity at a glance, he was clearly an expert.
However, he completely lacked the demeanor of someone from the antique trade.
In this business, one usually starts as an apprentice, slowly honing their skills.
This trade has many nuances and strict rules, staying long in it can smooth out even the toughest edges.
Duan Rong's demeanor clearly indicated he was a descendant of a reputable family, learning from them since childhood.
Such families, even in decline, often leave their descendants the foundation for a comeback.
Fan Yunlin's Lady Painting is likely derived from this.
With this painting in hand, opening a shop on this street wouldn't be a problem at all.
Tang Wanhong chuckled and said, "No problem with the item, my young friend, name your price."
It's said that one shouldn't speak in riddles before a wise person; Duan Rong was both an expert and the item was inherited from his family.
If Tang Wanhong dwelled further on the item itself, it would seem beneath him.
Duan Rong glanced at Tang Wanhong expressionlessly and said, "Shopkeeper, you're the expert, you set the price."
Tang Wanhong hesitated ponderously for a moment, extended his palm, and said to Duan Rong, "Five hundred taels!"
Duan Rong's gaze shifted. Earlier, that Ink Chrysanthemum Painting had a Level Five Artifact Spirit, and the assistant mentioned three hundred taels.
Whereas the Lady Painting in his hand had a Level Six Artifact Spirit, five hundred taels seemed like a fair price.
Duan Rong judged based on the Artifact Spirit Tier alone, which indeed could determine an artwork's authenticity and accurately reflect the artistic level's quality.
However, the real price of calligraphy and paintings involves various factors, such as the identity of the artist.
The painter of this Lady Painting, Fan Yunlin, was a rather legendary figure, notorious in his early life and suddenly secluding himself after his thirties; his artworks, though rare, were all masterpieces.
Although Tang Wanhong mentioned five hundred taels, he was already lowering the price. But since Duan Rong had just transmigrated to this world, how could he possibly know such stories and anecdotes?
Duan Rong's gaze tightened and he said, "Eight hundred taels!"
The saying goes, if you raise the price, you lower the money. Even if the shopkeeper's price was fair, he intended to bluff him; he guessed that by asking for eight hundred taels, they might settle for six hundred.
Tang Wanhong's facial muscles twitched; eight hundred taels was already close to his emotional limit.
Tang Wanhong showed a look of difficulty and said, "Eight hundred taels isn't a small amount, and the shop doesn't have that much cash at the moment, plus..."
Before Tang Wanhong could finish his sentence, Duan Rong suddenly interrupted, saying, "No problem! Shopkeeper, whatever cash you have can be paid first, and for the remainder, write a debt note and pay in a few months when available, isn't that doable? It's business, after all, it's all about give and take!"
Originally, Tang Wanhong intended to lower the price, but Duan Rong deliberately continued on with his previous conversation bits, stifling Tang Wanhong's intention to drop the price.
Tang Wanhong heard this and looked at Duan Rong strangely, as if his expression was saying, why doesn't this young man follow the usual game rules!
While Tang Wanhong was pondering the words, a figure suddenly walked into the shop.
It was a tall, thin man dressed as a farmer, with rough bones, calloused hands, and eyes that seemed a little sly and evasive.
Upon entering, he looked at the three people in the shop and said hoarsely, "Who's the shopkeeper?"
Tang Wanhong scrutinized the man, noting his rustic attire, and replied icily, "What's the matter?"
The tall, thin man fixed his gaze on Tang Wanhong, then after visually scanning him, said, "Shopkeeper, I have an item here for you to see!"
Without further ado, the tall, thin man pulled out a copper incense burner slightly larger than a fist from his bosom and directly handed it to Tang Wanhong.
Tang Wanhong was slightly taken aback, seeing the man's rough hands with fingernail crevices full of black grime, raising a sense of disgust within him.
Usually, rural folks would bring items to his shop, and they were mostly unremarkable goods.
Thus, when this man came in, Tang Wanhong wasn't much concerned.
He cast a sidelong glance at Duan Rong, also intending to intentionally let Duan Rong wait.
Tang Wanhong took a few steps forward, received the copper furnace from the man's hand, and examined it carefully under the outside light.
Tang Wanhong glanced at it and his heart secretly skipped a beat. "This..."
What was going on today? Good items were flooding in front of my eyes?
This copper incense burner, exquisite in craftsmanship with delicate carvings, most importantly, seemed authentic!
Tang Wanhong took a few steps towards the door and under the sunlight, closely inspected the verdant rust marks on the burner edge, then sniffed the scent inside.
An ancient dirt scent emanated; Tang Wanhong glanced back at the tall, thin man whose gaze was evasively avoiding his.
Tang Wanhong reviewed the copper furnace again; through his initial judgment, it indeed seemed an item.
But there was a feeling that something wasn't right, although it was hard to pinpoint.
Tang Wanhong held the Copper Furnace, feeling troubled, and suddenly glanced at Duan Rong sitting leisurely in the Grandmaster's Chair, sipping tea.
Tang Wanhong said: "Young friend, would you take a look?"
Upon hearing this, Duan Rong set down his teacup, shook his head, and said: "It's your business. I'm an outsider, shouldn't get involved."
Tang Wanhong chuckled and said: "How about this, young friend, you've seen the artifact. Let's price the painting according to what you said. How does that sound?"
Duan Rong was stunned for a moment, thinking: Apparently, the painting really is worth eight hundred taels, I might have even underestimated it.
The enticing profit of eight hundred taels was before him, and Duan Rong hesitated briefly before reaching out to take the Incense Burner.
Duan Rong pretended to examine the Incense Burner for a few moments, then silently thought: "Read the Artifact Spirit."
Artifact: Damaged copper Incense Burner
Artifact Spirit Tier: Level 4 (Damaged)
Devouring Requirements: Host's Spiritual Power Level 4 (not met)
Devouring Effect: Smell identification, Level Four.
Duan Rong looked at the data before him, greatly puzzled.
"Damaged Incense Burner?"
"Isn't this Incense Burner perfectly intact?"
Suddenly, Duan Rong's eyes lit up as he realized the Incense Burner had been repaired to completion.
Duan Rong placed the Incense Burner down and said nothing, simply sitting there sipping his tea calmly.
Tang Wanhong observed Duan Rong's meaningful expression and asked: "Young friend, why…"
Duan Rong heard this but merely drooped his eyelids, remaining silent.
Tang Wanhong, having roamed Jianghu for years, knew that if the Copper Furnace had no issues, Duan Rong would surely show some indication. Now as he sat there saying nothing, with that meaningful expression, there might be indeed something wrong with this Incense Burner.
Upon hearing this, Tang Wanhong immediately picked up the Copper Furnace, examined it closely in the light, but still couldn't see any problems.
Then his expression suddenly shifted, and he inserted his fingers into the Incense Burner, feeling the inside. Before long, his face showed a peculiar expression.
After that, he held the Incense Burner against the daylight again, focusing on a specific spot and examining it carefully...
When the tall slender man saw what Tang Wanhong was fixing his eyes on, he quickly stepped forward, snatched the Copper Furnace from Tang Wanhong's hand, wrapped it in a cloth, and tucked it into his chest, saying: "Can't recognize good artifacts, what kind of shop are you running?! Better off shutting down early!"
After speaking, the tall slender man walked out, and as he stepped through the door, he shot a sharp glare at Duan Rong.
As Tang Wanhong watched the man leave, he turned and smiled lightly at Duan Rong.
The place where the Incense Burner was repaired was not very large, and the craftsmanship was exquisite. Even after mingling in the antique world for decades, he almost missed it; yet this young man could instantly perceive it.
What sort of skill is this?
Tang Wanhong took out three silver notes from the inner room, two of three hundred taels, and one of two hundred taels, and handed them to Duan Rong, saying: "Yunshui Bank notes, young friend, please check."
Duan Rong accepted them, looking at the denomination and the red seals, and immediately swallowed hard. "Eight hundred taels, I'm making a fortune!"
Yunshui Bank was opened by the Taiyi Sect in Qingzhou and had branches throughout Qingzhou. Local government offices and larger shops all accepted these notes in transactions.
After all, with backing from one of the Eight Great Sects, Taiyi Sect, it was almost equivalent to a state-owned bank.
Seeing Duan Rong check and store them, Tang Wanhong smiled and said: "Your family's heritage and your expertise in antiques far exceed my own. I hope you can visit the shop often to offer guidance."
"I'll gladly do that. If I have goods in the future, I'll come to your shop." Duan Rong responded politely.
Tang Wanhong laughed heartily and said: "That's good. If the shop has items we can't quite determine, could we trouble you for advice?"
Upon hearing this, Duan Rong's face stiffened slightly, thinking to himself: This old fellow really knows how to seize the opportunity! He truly thinks I'm easygoing?
Seeing Duan Rong's reaction, Tang Wanhong immediately bowed, saying: "Young friend, don't misunderstand! In our trade, we wouldn't let you examine things for free. Whenever you help the shop verify an item, we will pay you thirty taels of silver as travel expenses."
"Thirty taels?" Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat, and he said with a smile: "Ah... that's easy to arrange! If the shopkeeper truly has good items to discuss with me, send someone to Yuan Shun Escort Agency to find me. I am Duan Rong, an Apprentice Escort Master at Yuan Shun Escort Agency."
Tang Wanhong glanced at the mark on Duan Rong's waist badge and smiled: "Yuan Shun Escort Agency, a good position, a good position!"
Duan Rong bid farewell and walked out of Ancient Moon Studio.
Tang Wanhong watched Duan Rong leave, his eyes gleaming with profound insight. "Although young, his responses are surprisingly mature."
"Definitely a scion of a distinguished family, even when the status declines, knowledge remains, facing no stage fright!"
His impression of Duan Rong was quite favorable, not only because of successfully closing a deal, but also due to Duan Rong's remarkable antique identification skills. Coupled with his cleverness, Tang Wanhong even started to develop a fondness for talent.