Chapter 266: The Old Monster

A Mo's large hand clamped down like an iron claw; as the pickpocket reached toward Lv Qingzhu, A Mo's hand released its grip following the pickpocket's scream.

The pickpocket's face turned deathly pale, and a layer of fine, cold sweat instantly erupted on his forehead.

His right hand hung limp like a boneless chicken claw; he cast a fearful glance at Lv Qingzhu and A Mo, then hurried away.

The pickpocket looked at his own dangling right hand, thinking it was merely fractured, but he did not know that because of A Mo's clamp, this hand was completely ruined.

Although no wounds were visible on the skin, the bones inside had already been crushed into powder.

Although A Mo was born with divine strength, she did not rely solely on brute force.

That clamp she had just performed actually contained twelve variations in an instant.

She did not use force to directly crush the bones; to crush bones without damaging the skin and flesh is a skill of striking from a distance, which A Mo did not possess.

She applied force in an instant, causing the joints of the pickpocket's hand bones to grind against each other, like large millstones crushing each other to pieces.

To achieve this, one requires a thorough understanding of every inch of the human skeleton, and the force and technique must be coordinated with absolute precision to crush it in one clamp!

Duan Rong stood by the street, and seeing the power of A Mo's clamp, his brows twitched slightly. He feared that even he would find it difficult to dodge that speed!

Duan Rong could not help but feel curious about Lv Qingzhu; to have such a strange person following her, she must surely have some background.

Duan Rong's heart stirred, and he suddenly released his Divine Sense; he wanted to see the martial arts cultivation level of the master and servant!

The result of the probe, however, left Duan Rong greatly shocked!

That ugly, strange person who looked like a mountain of flesh had a dantian that was completely empty; she had not practiced internal martial arts at all.

Yet that slender woman holding a Long Sword was already at the True Qi Realm First Stage, and judging by the vigor of her True Qi, it even surpassed that of Wei Yutian and Xie Daohan.

It was just that these two were clearly not people from Xiangu County.

Moreover, they had appeared in Xiangu County at this specific time.

Duan Rong's heart stirred slightly; when he stepped into Guyue Studio, he had already guessed the truth of the matter. He speculated that the woman was likely the Sect Emissary here to inspect the Registered Disciple assessment three days later.

Experts of the True Qi Realm were not commonly seen in this remote Xiangu County, and appearing just as the assessment was imminent, it was no wonder Duan Rong would make such an inference.

Lv Qingzhu was not affected by the pickpocket's approach, and since A Mo had already chased away the fly for her, she only needed to enjoy her outing.

Lv Qingzhu visited a few more stalls.

She stopped in front of a stall selling old books and almanacs, flipped through them casually, and felt little interest. At this moment, Lv Qingzhu raised her eyes and saw the shop facing the street behind the old book stall; a plaque hung above the shop, written with vigorous and powerful calligraphy: Guyue Studio.

Lv Qingzhu's gaze shifted, and she stepped inside. She had just seen that "Touch-it" enter this shop.

Guan Kui was behind the counter, wiping ornaments on a shelf, when suddenly a figure flashed at the door, clearly someone entering. Guan Kui immediately put down the rag in his hand and turned to look.

Guan Kui looked at the two who had entered and was slightly startled, especially by A Mo's mountain-like physique and ugly, fierce face.

However, since this Guan Kui could work as a clerk in an antique shop, reading people was his basic skill.

He could tell at a glance that Lv Qingzhu was the master of the two; Lv Qingzhu entered first, with A Mo following closely behind.

Furthermore, the material and craftsmanship of Lv Qingzhu's clothing were clearly of top quality, and Lv Qingzhu's temperament was elegant and cool, her gaze clear and steady; she was clearly different from ordinary worldly women.

Guan Kui steadied his mind, looked at Lv Qingzhu, and smiled: "Miss, what would you like to see?"

Lv Qingzhu's gaze swept over the shelves behind Guan Kui and said: "I'm just looking around. If you have any good goods, you can bring them out."

Guan Kui's expression shifted as he looked at Lv Qingzhu; he felt this young lady had a bold tone.

Guan Kui bent down, took three paintings from under the counter, and spread them out on the countertop.

These three paintings were the same three he had used to test Duan Rong initially; this was his fixed routine. He used this to test the caliber of this young lady.

Lv Qingzhu stood before the counter and carefully looked at the three paintings one by one, but her expression hardly changed at all. Although Guan Kui was watching her expression, he could not discern anything.

In the back hall of Guyue Studio, Duan Rong's view of Tang Wanhong had completely changed this time.

The group of people he had killed at the Quan Family Manor, who had slaughtered the village, were the ones who had gone to ransack the Quan Family Manor under Tang Wanhong's instructions.

Duan Rong had originally thought that this Tang Wanhong was just managing this Guyue Studio for Shen Yanliu; now it seemed that this Tang Wanhong was a confidant deeply involved in Shen Yanliu's core secrets.

Although, in Duan Rong's view, both Shen Yanliu and Tang Wanhong were people who deserved to die, in the current Xiangu County, the two people he was most wary of were Shen Yanliu and Ruan Fengshan.

Since this Tang Wanhong was Shen Yanliu's confidant, he needed to be even more careful in dealing with him.

After Duan Rong finished examining the items for Tang Wanhong, Tang Wanhong cupped his hands and smiled: "Sorry to trouble Escort Duan to make a trip; Tang is truly grateful."

Duan Rong said: "Manager Tang is too polite. You and I have been dealing with each other for quite some time; we are old acquaintances. Whenever you have need of me, just have Guan Kui call me."

Tang Wanhong said: "Escort Duan, for such deep kindness, Tang is deeply moved."

Duan Rong cupped his hands and said: "Manager Tang, please stay; Duan will take his leave!"

As he spoke, Duan Rong walked out of the back hall, lifted the thick blue silk curtain, and walked into the front hall.

As Duan Rong walked into the front hall, his gaze jumped; he saw that mountain-like strange person and the slender woman holding a Long Sword standing in front of the counter.

Lv Qingzhu had just finished looking at the three paintings when she saw Duan Rong lift the curtain and walk out. She suddenly smiled and said: "Touch-it, come and take a look at these three paintings."

At the stall earlier, Lv Qingzhu had heard the boss tell the story of "Touch-it," saying that this fellow had spent several days looking at everything in every stall on the entire antique street.

After hearing the boss's account, Lv Qingzhu felt that this "Touch-it" was either an expert obsessed with antiques or a madman.

She was very curious: was he an expert or a madman?

Guan Kui's heart jumped, his face slightly startled.

He had later learned of this nickname for Duan Rong on the antique street. But the young lady before him had called Duan Rong by his nickname directly and even asked him to help take a look, her tone quite familiar. Guan Kui instantly concluded that this young lady knew Duan Rong.

Seeing Lv Qingzhu suddenly speaking to him with such familiar, charming smiles, Duan Rong was slightly stunned. He naturally wanted to refuse; this was Guyue Studio's business, and it was not appropriate for him to interfere.

However, he thought again: this young lady was very likely one of the Sect Emissaries inspecting the Registered Disciple assessment in three days. If he refused her just like that, would it displease her, and would she make things difficult for him during the inspection?

The Registered Disciple assessment was the most important thing for Duan Rong right now and could not go wrong.

After a moment of consideration, Duan Rong felt that since this woman had already invited him, even if he offended Guan Kui, he could not refuse. After all, Guan Kui was just a clerk, while this young lady might very well determine whether he could successfully enter the Taiyi Sect!

Which was more important was clear at a glance!

Having made up his mind, Duan Rong stepped forward twice and looked at the three paintings on the counter.

At a glance, Duan Rong realized they were the same three Guan Kui had shown him when he first entered Guyue Studio. Duan Rong looked at Guan Kui, smiled, and said: "This Ink Chrysanthemum Painting is an authentic work!"

Guan Kui rubbed his nose; had he known this young lady knew Duan Rong, he wouldn't have gone to all this trouble. With his level of skill, how could it possibly stand up to scrutiny in front of Duan Rong?

Seeing Duan Rong only glance at it and immediately discern the truth from the fake, Lv Qingzhu's eyes couldn't help but brighten, and she thought to herself: He really is an expert!

Lv Qingzhu was in a very good mood; she looked at Guan Kui and said, "How much silver for this Ink Chrysanthemum Painting by Daoist Cang?"

Upon hearing this, Guan Kui's expression changed. Although this Ink Chrysanthemum Painting was an authentic work, it bore no seal or inscription. Duan Rong had not pointed it out, yet this young lady was able to identify the creator as Daoist Cang in a single word. It was evident that this young lady had seen through the authenticity of the painting from the start.

Of course, Duan Rong hadn't pointed it out, because he had absolutely no idea that the creator of this painting was some Daoist Cang. He had never even heard the name before.

Watching Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu, a look of embarrassment appeared on Guan Kui's face. He felt that today, he had somewhat been showing off his meager skills before an expert...

Guan Kui said, "This painting is four hundred taels."

Lv Qingzhu nodded. She felt the price was very fair, so she said, "I'll take this painting; please wrap it up for me."

Guan Kui was delighted to hear this; antique shops never open for business for half a year, but once they do, they can live off it for half a year.

Four hundred taels was a big order; with this deal done, his quota for the first half of the year would be met.

Lv Qingzhu did indeed have some knowledge regarding antiques, but in truth, she didn't like them herself; it was just that her grandfather particularly liked to tinker with these old things.

She had often played with her grandfather since she was small, and under his gradual influence, she had developed some expertise in identifying these trinkets.

She wasn't buying this Ink Chrysanthemum Painting for herself either; she was planning to take it back to give to her grandfather!

Seeing that the young lady had bought the painting and was in a very good mood, and that Guan Kui also had a look of joy on his face, Duan Rong suddenly felt that everyone was happy, so he prepared to leave.

Guan Kui picked up the painting, preparing to place it into a wooden box.

Just as Guan Kui stood up, Lv Qingzhu noticed a dark, nondescript object placed in the corner of the shelf behind him.

Lv Qingzhu's eyes suddenly shone like stars, and she said, "First, take that xun and let me have a look."

Guan Kui was stunned for a moment. Following Lv Qingzhu's gaze, he looked toward the corner of the shelf and saw an object slightly larger than a goose egg, with smooth, streamlined curves, a flat bottom, six holes on the lower part, and an opening at the top.

Guan Kui was slightly surprised.

When he first saw this thing, he hadn't recognized it either; it was the Manager who had told him about it.

This thing was called a xun, a type of musical instrument from ancient times. However, more than a thousand years ago, the methods for playing this instrument had already been lost. The musical scores and the artists who knew how to play it had all vanished into the long river of history.

By today, it had purely become a decorative piece.

Guan Kui didn't know why this young lady would be interested in this object, but he still put down the wooden box in his hand, first retrieved the xun, and handed it to Lv Qingzhu.

Lv Qingzhu took the xun and felt it was very light in her hand. She looked it over and felt that this xun seemed to be made from the bone of some animal.

Looking at the xun, a glimmer of anticipation flashed in her eyes. She wiped the xun with her hand, then suddenly placed the blowhole at the top to her lips and began to play.

A vigorous and melodious sound suddenly rang out inside Guyue Studio. Guan Kui was startled, and the painting in his hand nearly fell...

Duan Rong had one foot already outside the door of Guyue Studio when he suddenly heard a primitive and vast sound, like the desolate footsteps of a giant upon the dull and lonely earth...

Duan Rong's heart jolted, and he turned his head back...

The winter sunlight shone through the window, illuminating Lv Qingzhu's profile. She held the xun, which was slightly larger than a goose egg, in both hands; her breath was nimble, and her fingers shifted continuously over the six holes...

Duan Rong was surprised that such a primitive and vast sound could come from such a small thing.

Lv Qingzhu played for a while, then stopped and smiled, "Not bad, it can actually be played." She looked at Guan Kui and said, "How much silver for this xun?"

Guan Kui was frozen behind the counter. Didn't the Manager say that no one knew how to play this thing anymore?

"Twenty taels of silver."

In truth, Guan Kui didn't know how much the xun should cost; it was originally just a filler ornament to keep the shelf from looking empty. The Manager had never said how much the xun should be, as it seemed that in the Manager's eyes, no one would ever buy this thing.

Guan Kui just blurted out a random price.

Lv Qingzhu looked at the xun in her hand with a look of confusion in her eyes. She turned her head and noticed Duan Rong standing at the doorway.

Lv Qingzhu then looked at Duan Rong with a clear smile and said, "Hey, help me take a look at this xun."

Duan Rong was quite unaccustomed to Lv Qingzhu's overly familiar manner, but constrained by her status as a Sect Emissary, he had no choice but to take it.

Duan Rong probed slightly with his hand, reading the Spirit Tool within the xun, and immediately knew its authenticity.

"This xun is an ancient object, and it has quite some years on it," Duan Rong said, using the sunlight at the door to see that the surface of the xun seemed to have a layer of fine, shallow scratches. "However, it was polished by someone later on. It has caused some damage to the quality."

After finishing, Duan Rong handed the xun back to Lv Qingzhu. Lv Qingzhu looked at Duan Rong gratefully and said, "So that's how it is. Many thanks for clearing up my confusion."

Duan Rong nodded and said, "Young lady, you had better not call me by that unpresentable nickname. My name is Duan Rong."

Lv Qingzhu smiled and said, "My name is Lv Qingzhu. But I recently changed my name; you can also call me Lv Qingshan."

Duan Rong smiled. This young lady's cultivation realm was far higher than ordinary people's, yet she had elegant tastes and a childlike heart; her way of speaking was also quite interesting and without any defensive walls.

At this moment, Lv Qingzhu held the xun, turned to look at Guan Kui, and said, "Since this xun is an old object, I won't take advantage of you. Let's call it one hundred taels of silver."

"Ah..." Guan Kui was stunned; he hadn't expected business could be done this way.

Watching the dark hair hanging down the back of Lv Qingzhu's head, Duan Rong thought: This young lady is certainly generous...

Duan Rong then turned and left; he was afraid that if he stayed any longer, Lv Qingzhu would find something else for him to look at.

Lv Qingzhu paid the silver, Guan Kui handed over a wooden box, A Mo reached out to take it, and the two left Guyue Studio.

Watching their retreating figures, Guan Kui was suddenly overjoyed; in just this short while, he had brought in five hundred taels?

Lv Qingzhu and A Mo walked out of Guyue Studio. Lv Qingzhu stood at the entrance and looked around, discovering that Duan Rong had already left.

A Mo said, "That guy, he was quite impressive."

A Mo knew very well that her young mistress was very skilled at appraising those old objects, but that person seemed even more skilled than her young mistress, even being able to offer her pointers.

Lv Qingzhu nodded and said, "Mm. When it comes to antiques, he is a great expert!"

Lv Qingzhu looked at the xun in her hand again. She smiled faintly and murmured, "This thing... Grandfather will definitely like it..."

That Lv Qingzhu knew how to play the xun was also something her grandfather had taught her.

When she was still very small, she knew that her grandfather could play this thing.

The scene of a lonely old man playing the xun in the moonlight on a desolate night had once deeply impacted her young heart.

Therefore, when she grew a little older, she pestered her grandfather to teach her how to play...

Not long after Lv Qingzhu and A Mo left Guyue Studio, Tang Wanhong lifted the curtain and came out. He looked at Guan Kui with a cold face and said, "I'm going out for a while; you watch the shop well."

Guan Kui said, "Manager, that Ink Chrysanthemum Painting and that xun just sold; we brought in five hundred taels."

Guan Kui said this, then handed over five silver banknotes.

"Ink Chrysanthemum Painting?" Tang Wanhong counted the banknotes, his mood greatly improved. "Not bad!"

"Yes, the Ink Chrysanthemum Painting was four hundred taels. That xun was also bought for one hundred taels!"

"What? That xun was bought for one hundred taels?" Tang Wanhong said with a chuckle: "Who bought it? Who is this sucker?"

Guan Kui said: "A young woman, she knows how to play that xun."

Tang Wanhong laughed: "What kind of joke is that? She knows how to play that xun? That thing has been lost for over a thousand years! If she knows how to play it, she must be an old monster who has lived for over a thousand years!"

As Tang Wanhong spoke, he had already tucked the banknotes into his sleeve and walked out the door.

Guan Kui watched Tang Wanhong's back and muttered: "Does she really know how to play it? That young woman is quite pretty, how could she be an old monster?"

Guan Kui felt that his Manager was sometimes not very reliable.

(End of this chapter)