Chapter 3, the strange illness of the county magistrate's son
Oh! I said, "Boss, are you really selling this as an antique? If that's the case, I could easily get it done for a few hundred over there."
The middle-aged person with baby fat, however, has an unpleasant expression: "Brother, there are some things you do not deserve to possess, and there are some people you cannot afford to offend"
At the market, I bought some vermilion and yellow paper. As I walked further, there was a row of stalls selling copper coins and compasses. The vendors were energetically promoting their wares
Speaking casually and pretending to be nonchalant, I reached down and picked up the copper mirror from beside the boss's feet: "This one is quite old, though the mirror surface is cracked. Alright, boss, give me a price."
"Brother, please do not be angry, it was my rashness! I am sorry." The middle-aged man hurriedly apologized in a state of panic
The old man then looked at me seriously and said: "Young man, this antique is absolutely genuine. If you sincerely want it, how about this: five hundred each. What do you think? You won't find a second one at this price on this street."
The old man stroked his chin, a sly grin reminiscent of an old fox appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Hehe, if you offer me 3,000 for this thing, how about I sell it to you?"
I shrugged my shoulders and stood up helplessly: "Well, it seems I can only casually look for something similar elsewhere."
Even I couldn't help but feel a bit dazed. However, I quickly calmed down. "Not for sale."
Upon mentioning the copper mirror, I initially thought I had encountered a scam or that the boss had backed out. It seems that this middle-aged individual is also someone who knows the value of things
For these, I can only respond with a chuckle. The compass made of bronze and the consecrated items by high monks are all exorbitantly priced. The copper coins and peach wood sword are even more outrageous. The copper coins still have red powder on them, clearly freshly minted. The material of the peach wood sword has no relation whatsoever to peach wood.
Seeing this strand of hair, I can finally be certain of one thing in my heart
I sighed and reached out to take the more than 600 yuan. At that moment, the old man suddenly and nimbly took the money in his hand before I could.
It is also due to my lack of experience; this old man is not refusing to sell, but is clearly trying to fish for a higher price
My words immediately made the county magistrate's wife look skeptical. She then gritted her teeth and grabbed my hand, saying, "Big brother, Baofu is just upstairs, come take a look!"
I frowned with displeasure and said again, "I will not sell."
I understand the meaning of Second Uncle. Second Uncle is the secretary of the county magistrate, which indicates that he holds power only by relying on the county magistrate
I left the house and made plans to meet my second uncle in the evening. I then headed towards the market.
"These are all fine, but how can we distinguish whether this rooster is domesticated?" asked the county magistrate's wife
"Two hundred thousand." The beautiful woman with icy demeanor fixed her gaze firmly on my eyes. Noticing that I still had no intention of responding, she spoke again: "Five hundred thousand. Don't be too greedy. You will never earn this five hundred thousand in your lifetime, will you?"
"Ni Ge, what happened?" Second Uncle asked me hurriedly as I stopped in my tracks
The county magistrate's wife glanced at me, then looked at my second uncle with a hint of confusion, her face revealing a degree of hesitation
This matter is quite lengthy to explain. The county chief's son, Li Baofu, visited our Wulong Mountain for leisure a month ago, and ever since he returned, he has changed completely. He stares blankly during the day and jumps around in the house at night. The hospital diagnosed him with schizophrenia. However, after witnessing your abilities today, I no longer believe that.
Forget it, forget it. I see that you young folks have it tough, so I will take a bit of a loss for you! The old man had a pained expression, but inside he was overjoyed. This copper mirror had been thrown away in his home for several years. He had already had someone examine it. It was just a common item. Moreover, with the cracks on it, it was even harder to sell.
To my surprise, the old man snatched it away and said: "This is not for sale, young man. This is my treasured possession that protects my home."
The old man pretended to be in pain and said: "How can this be! This copper mirror should be worth at least two thousand, and this is only over six hundred, it's simply too much of a loss!"
Haha! "As for the county magistrate's home, you need not worry about that; I will take care of it. Tonight, I will come with Ni Ge."
I shook my head: "This price is still too high! I'm just using it to serve as a facade. Besides, what you've made is too unlike it."
My second uncle glanced at me and turned to knock on the door. The person who opened the door was a county magistrate's wife in her thirties, with a face full of sorrow.
The old man's reaction actually left me quite helpless. Although I wanted it in my heart, since others are not selling it, it means that this item has no connection with me.
However, the middle-aged man stepped briskly in front of me and said: "Brother, that copper mirror is of no use to you; I have a great need for it. Therefore, I will offer double the price for that copper mirror."
You have a grudge against Sanqian, don't you! This copper mirror is not worth this price. I only have 600; if that is suitable, I will buy it. I irritably took out my wallet, revealing the six red bills I had along with a few coins, and placed them on the stall in front of the old man.
As I stepped out, I noticed the anxious gazes of the county magistrate's wife and my second uncle. I smiled slightly and said, "Elder sister, do not worry. Prepare the brazier and lanterns for tonight. Also, go buy two roosters; they must be free-range chickens. I will come back later tonight."
The boss casually remarked: "Three thousand"
Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly spotted a worn copper mirror at a stall. The mirror was covered in patches and even had a fine crack on its surface. It was wrapped in a thick layer of dust, carelessly discarded by the vendor at his feet
An invisible pressure suddenly descended upon me as soon as the words of this middle-aged man fell.
The old man saw that I had truly stood up and was about to leave when he suddenly spoke: "Young man, it seems you also have an eye for quality. How about this: although I am reluctant to part with this item, if the price is right, I wouldn't mind selling it to you."
Just as the county magistrate's wife was about to walk over and call out, I quickly reached out my hand to stop her and said in a low voice, "You all go out first"
"I am sorry, but I do not sell." I smiled and declined as I was about to leave
Hehe, I am also very happy inside, I didn't expect to obtain it just like that. I picked up the bronze mirror, put it in my pocket, and turned to leave
Hmph! I feel somewhat irritated. This person is too arrogant. If I were an ordinary person, I would at least fall seriously ill under his overwhelming presence. It is important to understand that those who practice metaphysics cultivate their vital energy towards materialization. To overwhelm others with one's presence naturally implies a comprehensive crushing force. How could an ordinary person possibly withstand that
Hehe! I smiled as I crouched down and casually picked up a copper mirror from the stall. "How much is this?"
After a few minutes of travel, the vehicle entered the compound of the county committee's family quarters. The county chief's residence is a two-story duplex.
The bustling market of a small county town may not rival the splendor of a city, yet it is still well-equipped with all essentials. In particular, items related to warding off evil and ensuring a peaceful home are especially abundant
After getting off the car, I followed the direction pointed out by my second uncle and looked at the big gate, feeling somewhat puzzled in my heart
I smiled slightly: "Sister, doesn't your front door mysteriously sound with knocking every night at twelve? Bao Fu should also become agitated only after the knocking starts!"
The county magistrate's wife clutched my hand tightly as if grasping a lifeline, leading me towards the bedroom on the second floor
Talismanic copper coins, talismanic peach wood swords. Genuine products, produced by Qingyun Temple, buy one get one free
I slowly walked to Baofu's side. My gaze carefully swept over, and I finally discovered a brown hair mixed among the hair at Baofu's temples
Still uncertain, let's go in and take a look, I said, shaking my head
Leaving the market, just as I was about to take out my phone, I heard someone behind me shout: "Hey! Brother, wait a moment."
A fine bronze compass! Blessed by a high monk, selling it cheaply for 10 yuan each
After finishing my words, I turned around and left. I had no desire to have any entanglements with them. That fat man is from the metaphysics community, and his facial features are too variable. The cold, icy woman has a dark gray aura spreading from her forehead, reaching the heavens, forming a strange mark on her forehead
"Wuliang Tianzun!" I suddenly exclaimed. As I channeled my spiritual energy, the pressure vanished in an instant. Looking again at the middle-aged man, he staggered back a few steps, beads of sweat pouring down his forehead
This voice is very pleasant to hear, yet somewhat cold, with a sense of superiority that seems to mock the world. Looking at the speaker, she is an absolute beauty. Her delicate features are set on an oval face. Although cold, she still cannot conceal her unparalleled allure.
"Brother, can you sell me that bronze mirror you bought at the market?" The middle-aged man asked me eagerly as soon as he saw me turn around
The county magistrate's wife and the second uncle exchanged a glance and then walked out one after the other
Upon opening the door, I was met with a scene of utter chaos inside the room. A young man, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, was bound hand and foot to the bed. His eyes were wide open, staring blankly. The arrival of the three of us did not elicit the slightest reaction from him
I have come to see Baofu, this is my nephew, who has just returned from Qingyun Temple. My second uncle introduced me.
I turned around and saw a middle-aged man wearing a Zhongshan suit, slightly chubby like a baby
Everyone has a price for betraying themselves, one hundred thousand, give me the thing
Hehe, I smiled lightly: "I am not greedy, so I will not sell; do not think that money can solve everything"
The vendor was an elderly man in his fifties or sixties, who cast a glance at me and said, "How do you young people speak? Everything I have here is expensive; just look at these, they are all antiques!"
So far, apart from the book "The Art of Commoners" left by the master, I do not have any tools on me. Naturally, to perform rituals at night, I need to prepare some items.
"Secretary Fu, you have arrived. Old Li just went to the office," said the county magistrate's wife in a hoarse voice.
It is truly a treasure covered in dust! Although there are no signs of spiritual energy fluctuations on this bronze mirror, it still cannot conceal its history as a magical artifact. The corners of the mirror are engraved with runes. Just by looking at the strokes of the runes, one can tell they were crafted by skilled hands. Although it is damaged, it is incomparable to those fakes.
"Boss, are your items expensive?" Suppressing my excitement, I approached to start a conversation
The peach wood sword is no longer available for purchase. However, it would not be difficult to have my second uncle procure some peach wood sticks.
I turned around and smiled as I said, "Then let the boss quote a price, and I will listen."
I cast a cold glance at the middle-aged man and then at the icy woman: "Do not think too highly of yourself."