271: Chapter 271 Cleverness

Han Jingyang decisively refused, "Old Sun, don't even think about this. Don't try to pull these little tricks in front of me."

Sun Fuchang looked blank, "What little tricks?"

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow, "You really have no idea?"

"Brother, we've known each other for so long, don't you know what kind of person I am? Am I the type to play little tricks?"

"Yes."

"Ahem, even if I am, I wouldn't be stupid enough to play tricks in front of you. Who are you? The famous Mr. Han. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say you have eyes of fire and golden pupils. Even if you gave me a hundred guts, I wouldn't dare do such a thing," Sun Fuchang protested, "I still haven't figured out how I was playing little tricks."

Han Jingyang stared into Sun Fuchang's eyes for a few seconds, "Fine, I'll believe you this once, and I'll explain the ins and outs to you."

"Good, I'm all ears."

"You want me to help you with the Consecration, right?"

"Yes."

"In other words, regardless of whether this painting has the potential to become a dharma instrument, you're taking huge advantage of me."

As soon as Han Jingyang said this, Sun Fuchang immediately slapped his forehead, clearly realizing what was going on.

Han Jingyang continued, "If I help you with the Consecration, I face two scenarios. First, the painting doesn't have the potential for Consecration, and telling you that is equivalent to you getting a free high-level appraisal from me. Second, the painting can be consecrated, and I help you do it; you gain a dharma instrument for a minimal cost, while I only earn a negligible amount of money."

"This... can't I just pay more?"

"How much can you pay?"

"One or two hundred thousand?"

"Do you know the value of a dharma instrument? Even the lowest grade ones are that expensive, and slightly better ones go for millions. What is Consecration? It's not like identifying antiques; it completely changes the nature of the object. Before Consecration, it's just an ordinary antique, but after, it transforms into a dharma instrument that everyone covets. It might even become a top-tier dharma instrument worth tens or even hundreds of millions. Do you think it's reasonable to offer me one or two hundred thousand?"

Sun Fuchang gave a bitter smile, "Thinking about it that way, it really is unreasonable."

"It's more than just unreasonable, it's outrageous," Han Jingyang said sternly, "So, I have a rule here: I sell goods, not services. It's better to say it clearly beforehand so we don't have any bad blood."

"Got it, got it," Sun Fuchang shook his head with a worried look, "Does that mean without Consecration, this painting will always just be an ordinary painting?"

"Not necessarily. Some artworks have a magical quality that allows them to naturally become dharma instruments. They don't need human Consecration to possess special effects, but such artworks are quite rare."

"What about my painting?"

"What do you think?"

Sun Fuchang slapped his forehead, "I spoke too soon, but, this, this..."

"Perhaps you could ask other experts in metaphysics to take a look. I know two of them. Do you need me to help introduce you?"

"This..." Sun Fuchang was clearly tempted, but after thinking about it, he shook his head, "Forget it, let's stick with you, brother. How about this: I sell this painting to you, you perform the Consecration, and then you sell it back to me. How about that?"

"What if the price is very high?"

"If I can afford it, I'll buy it. If I can't, well, just consider it a favor you owe me. How's that?"

"Haha, as expected of Old Sun, you know how to do business—you never lose out. Fine, how much are you selling this painting for?"

"This is a flower painting album by Zou Yigui, over six feet long. It should be at least six hundred thousand, right?"

"Zou Yigui?"

"Yeah, is there a problem?"

Han Jingyang frowned, "Where did this painting come from?"

"I collected it in the Capital."

"When?"

"Three days ago, at an old shop in Panjiayuan. I spent..." Sun Fuchang coughed, "I spent quite a lot of money."

"Let me look at the painting first."

"Okay, okay."

Han Jingyang carefully touched the scroll.

"Ding: Identifiable item discovered. Would you like to identify it?"

"Yes/No."

Han Jingyang selected No, slowly unrolled the scroll, and after seeing the content clearly, exclaimed, "Beautiful!"

Sun Fuchang chuckled, "Not just ordinary beautiful, it's extremely beautiful. The shop owner was reluctant to sell it; I had to pester him to get it."

"But Old Sun, the way you're telling it, it feels like you walked right into someone else's trap."

"I had that feeling too, but this painting is genuinely well-made, the level is extremely high."

"Indeed, there's no problem with the painting; it's Zou Yigui's style and the level is extremely high. The brushwork is so delicate. Being able to paint a meticulous painting with the charm of a freehand painting is something few people in the entire art world can do. Look at these flowers; if you look closely, they seem to be swaying gently. You can even smell the fragrance emanating from the petals. These are apricot blossoms, lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, and plum blossoms, representing the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. They have different forms, and their fragrances are also different. It has an artistic conception that can transport you into that season."

"Right, right, right. Your boss said the exact same thing."

"Then why would he sell it to you? And looking at you, the price doesn't seem high. Don't tell me the shop owner was in a rush for cash to keep his business running."

"That's not it," Sun Fuchang shook his head, "He said this painting is a bit eerie."

"In what way is it eerie?"

"He didn't say, and I didn't ask in detail. I was thinking that since you're here, even if there's a female ghost living inside, she's no match for you, brother."

Han Jingyang spread out the scroll and carefully observed and studied it, but found nothing.

He turned to look at Liu Jing and Shi Xiaoya, "Why don't you two take a look?"

The two young women studied it carefully for a while and also shook their heads.

Shi Xiaoya suddenly said, "Husband, aren't the Lin sisters good at this?"

Han Jingyang slapped his forehead and called Lin Yuelan directly, "There's work. You two come back for a bit."

"Ah? Boss, so soon?"

"Yeah, a small job. It won't take long."

"Alright, wait a moment."

In less than ten minutes, the Lin sisters ran into Jiguang Zhai, panting, "Boss, what's the job?"

Lin Yuegui, who usually didn't talk much, suddenly uttered an "Eh," her gaze locked directly onto the scroll on the coffee table, "Boss, is it this?"

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow, "That impressive?"

Lin Yuegui was slightly shy, "I have a special constitution."

Lin Yuelan helped explain, "My sister has a special constitution. She has received specialized training since she was young and has the assistance of a dharma instrument passed down from our grandmother. In some situations, her sensory ability is very strong."

"Tell me specifically."

Lin Yuegui, however, looked at Sun Fuchang.

Han Jingyang waved his hand, "Don't mind him. He's an old acquaintance and also the owner of the treasure."

Lin Yuegui took a deep breath, "There's a ghost in the painting."

"A ghost? What kind of ghost?"

"It requires a ritual."

"You can do it."

When Sun Fuchang heard there was a ghost, his face changed, "Brother, do I need to step away?"

"Suit yourself. If you want to watch, watch. If you're scared, step away. As long as you trust me, that's all that matters."

"I trust you, I trust you. But, I'll watch. With you here, you certainly won't let anything happen to me, right?"

"That's true."

Shi Xiaoya locked the shop door from the inside.

Lin Yuelan immediately set up an altar in the shop to perform the ritual of walking the netherworld.

This was the first time Han Jingyang had seen others do this sort of thing, so he watched very carefully.

However, he couldn't understand anything at all.

Things like the Yu Step, the hand seals, and the incantations—he didn't understand any of it. To him, it didn't look much different from the flashy moves he used to bluff people.

Until four beautiful women walked gracefully out of the painting.