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Daoist Tai Hua and Su Changyu had completely slipped into a state of doubt.
They didn’t expect that the painting would really be worth tens of thousands of taels of gold.
Although there were all sorts of restrictions, they felt that it wasn’t too difficult, judging from his tone.
“If there are no people in the painting, how much can it be sold for?”
Su Changyu swallowed his saliva and stammered a bit.
Shi Liangjin took a careful look at the painting.
He then gave him an answer.
“First of all, if this is an authentic painting, it would definitely be worth 5,000 taels of gold. Secondly, the mood of this painting is beautiful and it can be considered a top painting of Householder Qing Lian. However, the problem lies with the person that has been painted in the painting. Besides, he seems to be in the posture of a Sword Immortal.”
“However, the problem is also that if one collects this painting, others might mistake the person in the painting to be someone whom the collector admires. Hence, portraits are usually only valuable after an accumulation of time. Simply put, this painting will be worth even more money in a few hundred years.”
“For now, the price isn’t too high, but fortunately, only the side profile has been painted. If there wasn’t a person in the painting, it wouldn’t be hard to fetch a price of 10,000 to 20,000 taels of gold. Hey, Exalted Immortal, the person in the painting resembles you quite a bit.”
As Shi Liangjin explained, he couldn’t help but look at Su Changyu at this juncture and spotted a striking resemblance between him and the figure in the painting.
“No, it doesn’t. Please don’t talk nonsense.”
Su Changyu hastily denied while his heart ached.
1
‘Why did I try to act impressive for no reason? Should I have known earlier, I would’ve asked Little Junior Brother to just paint the scenery.’
‘I didn’t have anything better to do.’
Su Changyu felt like crying.
However, Daoist Tai Hua was even more upset.
He could tell right away that the person in the painting was Su Changyu.
When the painting appeared, he knew that Ye Ping had painted it for Su Changyu, but he didn’t expect that to cause them to lose 5,000 taels of gold for no reason.
Daoist Tai Hua was more than just distressed about losing money.
2
He wanted to eat someone up.
Sensing Daoist Tai Hua’s resentment, Su Changyu stopped talking and stayed silent while standing beside him.
He knew that he would be taught a lesson if he had the guts to speak up now.
‘But I can’t be blamed. How could I have known that Little Junior Brother is a brilliant painter in addition to being extremely talented in the Sword Dao?’
An hour later, three appraisers whom the pawnbroker invited showed up.
Besides, they all specialized in appraising paintings.
After two hours of careful scrutiny, they finally announced that the painting was authentic.
After learning that it was authentic, Daoist Tai Hua and Su Changyu were incredibly agitated.
‘A painting is actually worth 5,000 taels of gold.’
‘This… is a little too exaggerated, isn’t it?’
The annual revenue of the Qingyun Dao Sect was 20 taels of gold.
In ten years, they would earn 200 taels of gold.
In a hundred years, they would earn 2,000 taels of gold.
It would take them 250 years to earn 5,000 taels of gold.
‘This is so damned absurd.’
“What a shame. It’s such a pity. The price of this painting would be doubled if there wasn’t a person in it.”
“Yeah, this is such a beautiful scene. If it’s accompanied by a poem that fits the mood, the price would be sky-high. However, it seems to have been a little ruined by this figure.”
The two appraisers muttered to themselves incessantly, clearly finding it a pity.
After they said that, Su Changyu was even more upset while Daoist Tai Hua’s eyes reddened.
2
If Su Changyu wasn’t in the painting, the price would have been at least doubled.
‘This wretched disciple.’
“You can’t say that. Didn’t you two feel the change in Householder Qing Lian’s state of mind? This painting may seem like a painting of a scenery, but in fact, it has an inexplicable mood, especially this person who seems to be looking up at the stars. The strokes of the brush seem to contain a tinge of the Sword Dao. However, I’ve never practiced swordsmanship before, so I dare not comment on Householder Qing Lian’s painting.”
Another appraiser spoke and expressed a different opinion about the painting.
However, no matter what, it was true that it had become less valuable.
“At a glance, it does seem to fit that mood.”
“Householder Qing Lian does live up to his reputation. He’s but an ordinary mortal. Yet, he’s gained the fanfare of the entire Jin Nation. He’s just like an immortal.”
After they were done praising, they looked at Shi Liangjin.
“We’ve completed the appraisal, it is authentic.”
The painting was proven authentic.
Shi Liangjin couldn’t hide his smile after hearing the news.
“Thank you very much.”
Overjoyed, Shi Liangjin got the store worker to see them off after he paid each of them a sum of money as appraisal fees.
After sending them away, Shi Liangjin stared at Daoist Tai Hua.
He said gleefully, “Since it’s authentic, I’ll have someone go withdraw some banknotes. Please wait a moment, Exalted Immortals.”
Shi Liangjin couldn’t contain his excitement and joy.
He would definitely be able to increase the value of the painting and sell it for a higher price.
However, Daoist Tai Hua shook his head at this moment.
“I’ve changed my mind. I’m not selling it.”
Daoist Tai Hua declined, making it clear that he wanted to raise the price.
Who was he?
The Sect Leader of Qingyun Dao Sect.
He had no shame at all.
2
“Exalted Immortal, what do you mean by that!?”
Shi Liangjin was a little dumbstruck.
He was a little bit confused, but seeing that Daoist Tai Hua obviously wanted to raise the price, he felt a little depressed.
“Exalted Immortal, I understand what you mean. But let me tell you the truth, Householder Qing Lian’s paintings are indeed very valuable, but the key is to find a willing buyer. The value varies between individuals. If a person has taken a liking, they wouldn’t mind spending 100,000 taels of gold on it. However, if they don’t… Let’s take you for an example, would you be willing to spend a single tael of gold on it?”
Shi Liangjin painstakingly tried to talk some sense into him.
Daoist Tai Hua felt that he did make some sense.
He wouldn’t spend a single tael of silver on it, let alone gold.
However, Daoist Tai Hua was no fool.
“Your pawnshop probably isn’t the only one in Baiguo City. Give me your final price. I’ll go ahead with the sale if it’s appropriate.”
Daoist Tai Hua was good at bargaining.
His time wasn’t precious. At most, he could make a few more trips.
Shi Liangjin couldn’t help but smile bitterly after hearing his words.
“Exalted Immortal, please cut it out. There may be more than one pawnshop in Baiguo City, but there are rules of the trade. You came to me first and the item is indeed very valuable. Even if others want to compete with me, they would have to consider if it’s worth offending me for the painting.”
“However, I’ll offer you a final price of 6,000 taels of gold. That’s as high as I can offer. I really can’t give you a better price than that.”
Shi Liangjin said with a look of dismay.
6,000 taels of gold?
Su Changyu was already dumbfounded.
Daoist Tai Hua was also secretly shocked, but he remained unmoved on the surface.
He did not answer.
He pondered for a long time.
In the end, he still wanted to continue bargaining for a higher price.
However, Su Changyu’s voice suddenly sounded at that moment.
“We’ll sell it for 6,000 taels of gold! Hand the money over right now.”
Su Changyu had lost his patience.
It was 6,000 taels of gold, not copper coins.
If they didn’t sell it now, when would be a better time?
He felt that one should not be too greedy and ought to stop when appropriate.
1
With 6,000 taels of gold, they could do anything they wanted.
Shi Liangjin was scared that the deal might fall through.
Su Changyu was even more afraid than him.
“Okay, please wait a moment.”
Without further ado, Shi Liangjin immediately sent his men to collect the money.
“No, I want 6,666 taels of gold. Make it an auspicious number. Otherwise, I’ll go elsewhere.”
3
However, Daoist Tai Hua asked for some more money.
‘6,666 taels of gold? That’s not too bad.’
Shi Liangjin gritted his teeth and immediately sent his people to process the payment, for fear that Daoist Tai Hua would raise the price again.
A thick wad of banknotes appeared in his hand and he handed it to Daoist Tai Hua.
On the other hand, Daoist Tai Hua made Su Changyu hand over the painting to Shi Liangjin.
Perfect.