Duan Rong put down the knife in his hand, tightened the scroll under his arm, and took a glance. The painting was an ink wash of fish playing in the water, with just a few strokes depicting strange rocks, fish, and water plants vividly, even though no water was depicted, it seemed as if the whole picture was enveloped by clear water. Although Duan Rong didn't understand Danqing, he could tell it was a good piece.
Moreover, the paper of the painting had already yellowed, with a few wormholes and damages.
Duan Rong took a few steps closer and gently placed his hand on the side of the scroll, and immediately cursed in his heart: What kind of low-grade rubbish is this, trying to fool me?
No wonder even I could tell it's good? It seems one must know their own worth; if even an outsider like me can see something is good, can it truly be a good thing?
Although Duan Rong was cursing inwardly, he remained expressionless, simply waved his hand, and said, "Is there more? Change it."
Guan Kui was taken aback, gave Duan Rong a strange look, silently put away the scroll on the counter, and replaced it with a Mountain and River Map.
Duan Rong touched the edge of the scroll with one hand, glanced at it, and shook his head.
Guan Kui was already a bit shocked. The two paintings he brought out were actually quite convincing, whether in brushwork, technique, or the antiquing effort, they were presentable.
Even if he had been a clerk for nearly twenty years, he couldn't discern authenticity with just a glance; there must be a process of careful comparison and verification.
Is this customer truly an expert?
With this suspicion in mind, Guan Kui took out another one and displayed it on the counter.
This time, it was an Ink Chrysanthemum Painting, with sparse brushwork, quite freehand, just a single chrysanthemum blooming among weeds, which looked somewhat simple and straightforward.
Duan Rong approached and touched it, his expression changed immediately!
Artifact: Ink Chrysanthemum Painting.
Artifact Spirit Tier: Level 5.
Devouring Requirements: Host's Spiritual Power Level 5 (Not Met).
Devouring Effect: Danqing Brush Level Four, Powerful Penetration Level Two, Vast Wind Beginner Level.
Seeing Duan Rong's expression change, Guan Kui's face also changed. "This guy truly understands!"
Three paintings, two false and one real, all discerned at a glance, this isn't just any ordinary expert!
So young, yet already has such an achievement, either he's from a family with a deep heritage, or the ancient masters blessed him with talent!
"What's the price for this painting?" Duan Rong looked up and asked Guan Kui.
"Uh…" Guan Kui was somewhat hesitant. At this moment, any contempt he had for Duan Rong had vanished, and instead, he admired him greatly.
He himself was an apprentice in an antique shop, deeply aware of the challenges of this trade—requiring knowledge, a keen eye, and experience. Even with a guide, you need to be the right material for it.
In front of him, this young person, in terms of accomplishment, is not much different from Shopkeeper Tang!
Admiring him in his heart, Guan Kui immediately quoted the true price. "Three hundred taels!"
Just as Guan Kui finished speaking, a chubby middle-aged man with a short stature pulled back the blue curtain and came out with a smile, saying, "Guan Kui, serve the guest some tea!"
Guan Kui blushed, immediately realizing his mistake, promptly agreed, and went out to brew the tea.
How could he reveal the bottom price just like that!
"This boy, lacking in worldly experience, doesn't understand courtesy!"
After speaking, Tang Wanhong walked to the counter, rolled up the Ink Chrysanthemum Painting, and set it aside.
Duan Rong's eyes twinkled, understanding the implication behind Tang Wanhong's words. He felt the previous quote was too low!
In reality, he wasn't asking for the price to genuinely buy the painting; he was merely trying to understand the market through this opportunity. After all, he was calculating how to dispose of the painting he had.
A Level 5 Artifact Spirit, probably quite old by now, is definitely a true antique.
Three hundred taels, though not low, compared to the previous era's antique prices, this isn't high!
Duan Rong pondered slightly, grasping the reason behind it.
Antique prices in the previous era were like housing prices, inflated.
After the prosperity of industrial and commercial civilization and the overflow of currency, antiques became investment items, and prices were all speculative!
This world has not developed a strong industrial and commercial civilization, and martial inclinations prevail; even if wealthy people are willing to pursue elegance and play with antiques, how many are there?
Prices not rising is normal!
But for him, even three hundred taels isn't low.
Guan Kui brought the tea, and Duan Rong took just a sip before placing it down. He then moved the tea aside, unfurled the scroll he had under his arm on the tea table, and said bluntly, "This Lady Painting, Shopkeeper, take a look. If you like it, price it and accept it at your esteemed hall. This is passed down from my ancestors, and if it weren't for urgent need of money, I wouldn't bear to part with it!"
Tang Wanhong was stunned by Duan Rong's words.
So, buying wasn't the objective; he actually had something to sell.
Asking so much earlier was to probe the market!
Understanding Duan Rong's intention, Tang Wanhong couldn't help but glare at Guan Kui. Seeing people coming in with things, he failed to be vigilant, all that teaching going to waste!
Tang Wanhong lowered his head to look at the painting spread on the tea table: It was a Lady Painting, with a graceful figure, red clothes like blood, and the skin color contrasting sharply with the blood color, the brushwork returning to simplicity, without any complexity, sketched into lines.
Though depicting a figure, Tang Wanhong could see a certain natural rhythm from the lines.
"This brushwork..."
Having immersed in antiques for decades, Tang Wanhong was already an expert, instantly knowing this painting wasn't ordinary.
Tang Wanhong moved his gaze to the signature spot, seeing the seal bearing the crooked characters "Wan Wei Daoist" in seal script.
Tang Wanhong suddenly felt a chill from his head to his heels, with his heart pounding rapidly: Wan Wei Daoist? Is this...Fan Yunlin's work?
Impossible!
Tang Wanhong inspected the lady in the painting more closely, his large face almost sticking to her body...
Duan Rong's eyelid twitched. "This fat guy, could he be a pervert...losing control this quickly?"
Tang Wanhong finally looked up, his eyes emitting a strange light.
He could conclude this was Fan Yunlin's authentic work!
Acquire it, regardless of the cost, he must acquire it!
Though internally ecstatic, Tang Wanhong's chubby face displayed no emotion as he lifted a tea cup and took a sip.
Initially, as he lifted the cup, his hands were trembling slightly, but after taking a sip, his hands were as steady as Mount Tai.
Placing the cup down, Tang Wanhong scrutinized Duan Rong and said, "The item has no problem, but I don't know if the source is legitimate."
Upon hearing this, Duan Rong snorted coldly, rolled up the painting on the tea table, and was about to leave. Tang Wanhong immediately held him back, saying, "How can one turn hostile while doing business?"
"Young people are fiery, come, come, sit down, let's discuss it slowly." Tang Wanhong nudged Duan Rong into a Grandmaster's Chair, laughing, "My friend, you said earlier that this painting was passed down from your ancestors?"
"Why, does it not seem like it?" Duan Rong retorted unceremoniously.
Duan Rong understood that the other party feared the item's illegitimate origin could bring trouble later. At this time, showing the slightest weakness would actually indicate that there was indeed a problem with the source. Acting imposing will make the other party more reassured.