Chapter 105 Upper Class Plays with Magical Artifacts
"You are a busy man, I can only wait for you here," Chen Xuan chuckled.
Zhou Tiancheng's expression stiffened. He quickened his steps, threw an arm around Chen Xuan's shoulder, and said, "Brother-in-law, my good brother-in-law, I was wrong, I was really wrong. It's all my fault for being late!"
Wu Minghao watched as the seemingly unruly Zhou Tiancheng acted like a well-behaved child in front of Chen Xuan. Aside from shock, he was filled with immense regret.
If he hadn't been so snobbish outside and had befriended Chen Xuan, a single word from Chen Xuan now would have propelled him to soar within the Zhou Corporation. Unfortunately, he had missed this opportunity.
"By the way, where did you get so many antiques?" Chen Xuan asked, frowning.
Zhou Tiancheng showed a hint of embarrassment and waved at Wu Minghao, "Mr. Wu, you go ahead and entertain the guests first."
After Wu Minghao left, Zhou Tiancheng sheepishly scratched his head and said with a wry smile, "Most of these antiques were borrowed from other wealthy individuals."
"..."
Chen Xuan was speechless. Zhou Tiancheng had turned a perfectly good antique exhibition into a grand display of ostentation.
Zhou Tiancheng awkwardly confessed, "Most of my antiques are fakes, so I had to borrow them."
"However, I will soon have a good antique! If that one antique is a magical artifact, all the antiques here combined will not be as valuable as that one," Zhou Tiancheng's face lit up with excitement and a touch of madness.
In the upper echelons of society, there are also distinct levels. The lower class plays with antiques, while the upper class plays with magical artifacts.
It is a commonly known fact in the antique collecting world that magical artifacts are the high-end goods among antiques. They are usually passed down from ancient times, not only increasing the owner's fortune, status, and luck in career, but also capable of altering one's destiny, harmonizing feng shui, and calming the mind, among other profound benefits.
For example, the sarira left behind by a high monk who achieved nirvana in the Leiyin Pagoda a century ago is considered a magical artifact.
Chen Xuan was not particularly concerned about magical artifacts.
These items were inscribed with inscriptions or formations by ancient feng shui masters, imbuing them with specific powers through feng shui techniques.
Although such inscriptions and formations are now lost, following the profound feng shui techniques passed down by Chen Jianhua, they can still be traced and understood, making it entirely possible to create magical artifacts.
Zhou Tiancheng glanced at his watch and said, "Brother-in-law, it's almost time. Most of the guests should have arrived. Let's go over as well."
"Alright!" Chen Xuan nodded.
Thus, Zhou Tiancheng led him towards the backyard.
At this moment, Zhou Tiancheng clarified the situation to Chen Xuan.
"An antique dealer from Guangdong Province brought a magical artifact to Jiangbei looking for a buyer, and I managed to intercept him. I've examined it twice, and it feels different from any magical artifact I've ever seen. It's too miraculous, possessing the ability to harmonize feng shui and calm the mind."
Harmonize feng shui, calm the mind?
Chen Xuan frowned.
Magical artifacts are rare in modern times. Could it be that Zhou Tiancheng had truly encountered one?
Zhou Tiancheng gritted his teeth, a hint of desperation in his eyes, "Brother-in-law, you must help me appraise it carefully when the time comes. If it's genuine, I'll even sell my villa to buy it!"
Chen Xuan said with a playful smile, "Someone dares to compete with you? It seems that even you, the chaotic demon king, doesn't have much deterrent power."
"Alas, that antique dealer from Guangdong is cunning and not to be trifled with. While I wasn't paying attention, he secretly met with Jiangbei's wealthy elite, including my old rival Fang Yaozu. A group of people want to buy it, and now we can only sit together and bid."
Zhou Tiancheng shook his head helplessly, "In Jiangbei, my title as the young master of the Zhou family isn't enough."
Saying this, Zhou Tiancheng led Chen Xuan into the antique-filled grand hall in the villa's backyard.
Inside the hall, many people were seated, exuding an extraordinary aura.
As Zhou Tiancheng and Chen Xuan walked in, a cold sneer erupted.
"Young Master Zhou, is this the appraisal expert you found? You're quite amusing, bringing a mere youngster to represent you. Has Jiangzhou truly run out of capable people? Or is your network simply mediocre?"
Chen Xuan followed the sound and saw a young man in his late twenties or early thirties speaking. His eyes were sharp, his attire luxurious, and his demeanor imposing. He was adorned with antiques, clearly indicating he was no easy character. This must be Zhou Tiancheng's old rival, Fang Yaozu.
Zhou Tiancheng appeared extremely angered and immediately retorted, "Fang Yaozu, stop spewing nonsense. The Mr. Chen I've invited, though young, possesses true skill."
"Kid, what's your name?" Fang Yaozu asked, staring at Chen Xuan with a disdainful expression.
"My name is Chen Xuan," Chen Xuan replied calmly.
Upon hearing the name, Fang Yaozu was momentarily stunned. His gaze lingered on Chen Xuan for a few seconds before he said coldly, "I recall there's a Chen Xuan in Jiangzhou who offended the Yu family. Could it be you?"
It seemed many people had heard this news and looked over with curiosity.
Chen Xuan rubbed his nose, surprised that his reputation had already reached Jiangbei.
"Hmph, looking at your cowardly demeanor, you're likely just someone with the same name."
Fang Yaozu sneered, "The head of the Yu family is my uncle. That clown who emerged from Jiangzhou is nothing. Just don't let me encounter him. If I do, I'll help my uncle finish him off."
A flicker of surprise crossed Chen Xuan's face. He hadn't expected Fang Yaozu to be the nephew of the Yu family head.
"Fang Yaozu, who have you invited?" Zhou Tiancheng asked, eager to regain some face.
"Who I've invited... heh, it might scare you to death to hear!"
Fang Yaozu chuckled and then pointed to a short, sharp-eyed middle-aged man behind him, stating with conviction, "This is Master Lu, a renowned feng shui master in Jiangbei City."
Zhou Tiancheng seemed to have heard of Master Lu's reputation, and his expression turned extremely grim.
While Chen Xuan possessed some skill, Master Lu had become a prominent figure in Jiangbei's feng shui circles twenty years ago. When Master Lu rose to prominence, Chen Xuan was likely still playing in the mud...
He began to feel a hint of regret, wishing he had spent more money to invite another expert.
Chen Xuan glanced at Master Lu. The master was dressed in a white centipede-patterned shirt, exuding an extraordinary aura. From beginning to end, he hadn't opened his eyes even upon Chen Xuan's arrival, displaying immense arrogance.
Chen Xuan couldn't help but scrutinize Master Lu further. He appeared to be a genuine feng shui master.
"Oh, Zhou Tiancheng, why aren't you speaking?" Fang Yaozu taunted.
"You!"
Zhou Tiancheng's fury erupted. He slammed the table and glared fiercely at Fang Yaozu, his eyes wide with anger.
Fang Yaozu wore a playful smile, completely disregarding Zhou Tiancheng.
"Enough, enough."
At this moment, an elderly man with a head full of silver hair, dressed in a Tang suit, stood up from the head seat. He frowned and said, "Young Master Zhou, Young Master Fang, you can settle your grievances privately later. Today, the wealthy elite of Jiangbei City have gathered, not to argue, but for that magical artifact."
After speaking, the elderly man in the Tang suit glanced at Chen Xuan, "And this young man, please take a seat."
Zhou Tiancheng's expression shifted slightly. Though unwilling, he snorted and sat down. It seemed this elderly man in the Tang suit held a significant position.
Chen Xuan also took a seat beside him. Zhou Tiancheng quietly explained:
"That elderly man in the Tang suit is Murong Yuan, a wealthy magnate whose influence spans both Jiangzhou and Jiangbei. His businesses encompass pharmaceuticals, real estate, hotels, and multiple other sectors. Murong Yuan's assets are worth more than the entire God of Medicine Pharmaceutical Industry. Crucially, he is of the same family as the Murong family of Tianyuan Auction House, and he is Murong Meng's uncle. Cough, cough, for the sake of the goddess, I'll give him some face."
"Oh?"
Chen Xuan immediately cast a glance at Murong Yuan.
He hadn't expected Murong Yuan to be Murong Meng's uncle.
However, he quickly averted his gaze. He noticed something peculiar: apart from Zhou Tiancheng, all the wealthy individuals present were from Jiangbei. No wonder no one recognized him earlier.
Murong Yuan surveyed everyone and spoke loudly, "Everyone is here. Boss Fu, you can bring out the goods for appraisal."