After his Qi cultivation breakthrough, Li Se's strength increased significantly. He got out of the bathtub, dressed, and decided to go out.
"I need to get a good set of silver needles."
Li Se thought this.
However, obtaining a good set of silver needles was not easy. Many good silver needles had already fallen into the hands of well-known traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. For example, Sun Bai's Yellow Emperor Dragon Needles, although incomplete, would fetch an exorbitant price at auction even in their current state!
Qingyun City, Antique Street.
Li Se planned to come here to find a hidden gem. It was almost impossible to buy good silver needles nowadays, so he could only look for opportunities in places like this, hoping to stumble upon a fine set.
Silver needles, if ancient, would be considered antiques. The reason the Yellow Emperor Dragon Needles could command such a high price was not just because old doctors would bid on them; wealthy collectors would also participate, as they were indeed antiques with significant collectible value.
This Antique Street wasn't very large. Li Se could sense some spiritual energy fluctuations here, and he followed them to a shop.
"Ah, sir, you have good taste! You know our shop is full of treasures." The shop owner immediately pegged Li Se as an easy mark.
He had been in this antique business for many years. Some people were genuine connoisseurs, while others feigned knowledge.
Clearly, in his opinion, Li Se was the latter, and such people were usually the easiest to swindle.
Li Se glanced at the items in the shop; almost none were genuine. However, a small object caught his attention. Upon closer inspection, it was a rusty writing brush.
"You truly have an eye for quality. This brush was used by an emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Don't be put off by its appearance; it's due to its age. I went through great lengths to acquire it. If you want it, I'll part with it for fifty thousand." The shop owner said with feigned reluctance.
Li Se continued to examine the brush. "It seems like a good item."
"This brush? If you want it, I have a whole pile of them in my shop. I'll sell you one for a thousand." Someone couldn't help but interject.
The shop owner angrily retorted, "Get lost! How can you steal my business like that? And can the brushes in your shop be compared to mine? Mine was used by an emperor! Your shop's brushes, even if they have some history, were probably used by paupers!"
The other person dared not speak further.
However, many passersby who witnessed this scene shook their heads and sighed. If they truly bought this brush for fifty thousand, they would likely suffer a huge loss.
Fifty thousand wasn't a small sum in the antique street. Some people had even lost five hundred thousand here.
Still, fifty thousand was not insignificant, and some people advised Li Se against buying it, saying it would be a complete waste of money.
The shop owner, slightly annoyed, grumbled, "What are you all gossiping about? My brush is absolutely genuine! Sir, if you buy this brush, you will never regret it."
Li Se picked up the brush, felt its weight, and nodded. "Alright, I'll buy it!"
Hearing this, the shop owner's eyes lit up. He quickly brought out his payment QR code, fearing Li Se might change his mind.
Li Se didn't hesitate and quickly transferred fifty thousand.
The onlookers shook their heads. However, some other shop owners became exceptionally enthusiastic towards Li Se.
"Come check out my shop! I definitely have good stuff."
"Come to my place! Fifty thousand is nothing. I have antiques worth five hundred thousand!"
"..."
Seeing Li Se's swift payment of fifty thousand, these owners immediately identified him as a gullible customer.
The original shop owner immediately shielded Li Se and glared at those trying to poach his customer. "What are you doing? He's my customer now. Are you trying to break the rules?"
The other owners seemed to be somewhat intimidated by this shop owner and promptly shut their mouths.
"Sir, what else would you like? My shop has plenty," the shop owner said with a smile.
Li Se ignored him and continued to examine the brush.
The shop owner cursed him as an idiot under his breath. Did he really think this broken brush was an antique? It had looked somewhat like an antique, so he had bought it for a mere five yuan and placed it in his shop, waiting for a destined buyer.
He never expected to sell it for fifty thousand today. He had struck gold!
"Huh?"
Li Se suddenly exclaimed in surprise, increasing the pressure in his hands. He rubbed off the outer layer of the brush. As the rust flaked off, it revealed a golden, shimmering appearance.
"It's actually a gold brush!" someone exclaimed in shock.
"Holy cow, did he actually find a hidden gem?"
"It's a gold brush! I thought this young man was a sucker, but he's not simple at all."
"He's made a fortune! This gold brush looks historic; it can be sold for at least a million!"
"..."
More and more people gathered, chattering and discussing.
The shop owner's face turned green. This brush had been in his shop for some time, and he hadn't even realized it was a gold brush. He instinctively reached out to snatch it back. "It's mine!"
Li Se dodged him and looked at the shop owner. "I bought this for fifty thousand, sir. Are you trying to snatch it back?"
"This brush was mine originally. I won't sell it to you; I'll refund your fifty thousand!" the shop owner said.
"Sir, that's not how business is done," Li Se replied. "If I verify this and it turns out to be a common brush, can I return it to you?"
"That's right. How can you do business like this? The customer found a hidden treasure, and you want to snatch it back. You can make money, but others can't find hidden gems?"
"We can't go to this shop anymore. They have discerning eyes, and then they try to take the item back."
"The owner is not honest."
"..."
The passersby pointed and commented.
But the shop owner couldn't care less now. His eyes were bloodshot. "You must return the brush to me. I'll give you back fifty thousand, and we'll pretend this transaction never happened. Otherwise, you'll regret it!"
"This brush is mine now," Li Se said calmly.
"You'd better return this gold brush to me now. I'll give you back fifty thousand, and we'll forget this ever happened. Otherwise, you'll regret it!" the shop owner revealed a sinister expression.
Li Se, however, was unfazed and smiled. "Sir, what? Are you planning to steal it?"
Although many people around were pointing fingers at the shop owner, he didn't care anymore. As long as he could get the gold brush back, he wouldn't mind closing his shop. He then said fiercely, "Let me tell you, I know Master Hu. If you don't return the gold brush to me, you won't be leaving this antique street today!"