C8 Ancient Bronze Sword

"Tang, you're into treasure appraisal too?" Elder Qi greeted Tantrum warmly. Truth be told, he always had a friendly demeanor with everyone.

"Not really," Tantrum admitted. His unique perception allowed him to distinguish between genuine and fake antiques by the presence of runes on the real ones.

But to claim he was skilled at appraising treasures would be a stretch too far for Tantrum.

Appraising an antique's value requires extensive professional knowledge and an understanding of the entire collecting world—areas where Tantrum lacked expertise.

Take, for instance, the Chenghua Doucai chicken cup that fetched 280 million at auction. With his perception, Tantrum could detect a layer of green runes on it.

These green runes indicated a level 4 antique.

Not low, but certainly not high either.

Above that were levels 5, 6, and 7 antiques, yet the chicken cup's value soared beyond reach, with few level 7 items coming close.

Even Grandpa's Dragon Gallbladder Bright Silver Spear would struggle to command a price over a hundred million at auction.

In essence, Tantrum's gift could verify an antique's authenticity but fell short in assessing its monetary worth.

He aspired to be a master appraiser, but recognizing the real from the fake was insufficient. He needed to absorb more knowledge of the collecting world to accurately value antiques.

"Are you going to buy it or not? If you're buying, pay now; if not, I'm off to another shop. I unearthed this Warring States Bronze Sword myself just two days ago. You're well aware of the Qin Army's reputation, and you've already appraised it. Don't waste my time," the middle-aged man in the straw raincoat interjected gruffly, clearly growing impatient.

"We'll definitely buy it. Please, be patient, sir. With a sum as substantial as one million yuan, we need to proceed with caution. And regarding the Qin Army's reputation, we have the utmost trust," Gu Qianqian assured him. She then turned to Tantrum and said, "Tantrum, we're in the middle of a discussion. Could you step out for a moment?"

Tantrum seemed oblivious to Gu Qianqian's attempt to shoo him away. He pointed at the wooden box with astonishment and exclaimed, "This thing, for a million? That much money? You've got to be joking!"

"Hmph, if you're clueless, better to keep out of it," Gu Qianqian retorted. "This is an Ancient Bronze Sword from the Warring States Period. Finding one in such pristine condition is exceedingly rare, and it holds immense value for collectors. Just last year, a similar Bronze Sword fetched a whopping 3.8 million at a Hong Kong auction. Here, because of restrictions on trading bronze artifacts, it circulates in the black market, which makes it somewhat cheaper. Still, one million is a fair price."

Hee Ming, Elder Qi's disciple, clearly harbored some animosity toward Tantrum, addressing him with a frosty tone.

His explanation was laced with undisguised scorn. He had personally appraised and priced the Bronze Sword, and he bristled at Tantrum's casual skepticism of his expertise.

Hee Ming believed that purchasing the Ancient Bronze Sword for a mere million, then flipping it at a Hong Kong auction house, could yield a substantial profit—and his cut would be handsome.

Tantrum's face turned stormy at Hee Ming's icy remarks, and he shot back, "Maybe a perfectly preserved Warring States Bronze Sword is worth that much, but that's assuming it's genuinely in perfect condition!"

"Oh, are you implying this Bronze Sword is a fake?" Hee Ming sneered.

"Tantrum, don't spout nonsense!" Gu Qianqian interjected sharply, worried that Tantrum's comments might provoke the seller and cost Gu's Antique Shop a lucrative deal.

The potential profit margin could soar well over a million.

"Well, if you're convinced it's worth it, go ahead and buy it," Tantrum said with a sneer, arms folded across his chest as he fixed a mocking stare on Gu Qianqian and Hee Ming. "A million for a lesson isn't too steep for Miss Gu."

"Country folks will always be just that—so shamelessly boastful!" Hee Ming declared with a cold edge to his voice, his disdain for Tantrum evident. "I've personally authenticated this ancient sword, with my master overseeing the process. How could it possibly be a fake? The Qin Army has a reputation for authenticity; everyone in the collecting world knows that. Only the ignorant have no fear. Tell me, which school did you graduate from? Or are you claiming to be the disciple of some renowned appraiser? Speaking so boldly, aren't you afraid of becoming the laughingstock of the community?"

Tantrum simply shrugged, uninterested in engaging in a pointless debate. He turned his attention to Elder Qi.

Throughout the heated exchange, Elder Qi had remained silent, his focus never straying from the bronze sword nestled within the wooden box. His brow furrowed deeper with each passing moment.

Gu Qianqian, who had been observing Elder Qi, felt a sudden pang of anxiety when she noticed the growing seriousness and hint of doubt on his face. A suspicion began to form in her mind.

"Elder Qi..." she began, but before she could continue, Elder Qi addressed Tantrum, not her.

"In the world of collectors, there's no such thing as a true master appraiser. Even the most skilled can miss the mark," Elder Qi stated gravely. He beckoned Tantrum closer with a warm tone, "Tang, what's your take on this ancient bronze sword? Don't hold back for fear of being wrong. Speak your mind; it seems I may have lost my touch, almost falling for a forgery. It's quite embarrassing, indeed."

Tantrum maintained his composure, but Hee Ming was visibly taken aback, his eyes wide with astonishment as he stared at Elder Qi. He opened his mouth to speak, only to be silenced by a dismissive wave from the elder.

Gu Qianqian was equally shocked, the implications of Elder Qi's words not lost on her. He, too, seemed to agree with Tantrum—the ancient bronze sword was a counterfeit! The realization sent a chill down her spine.

Had Tantrum not intervened, she would have unwittingly completed the transaction, spending a million on a fake. The collector's world was rife with such costly mistakes, and although no one was immune to being deceived, the thought of it happening to her, Gu Qianqian, left her with a deep sense of dread.

One million!

It was an amount that hung in the balance—not excessively large, but certainly not insignificant. For Gu Qianqian, parting with one million to learn a costly lesson was the last thing she wanted.

"What are you implying? That our Qin Army deals in counterfeit goods?" the man in the straw coat demanded, his voice low and laced with anger.

"Whether or not the goods are fake will become clear shortly," Elder Qi responded, his tone even and his gaze still locked on Tantrum, as if anticipating his reply.

"Hmph! I won't sell it then!" the middle-aged man huffed, quickly packing up the wooden box with the intent to leave.