55: Chapter 55 Who is the Fish?

Han Jingyang frowned.

He checked the time.

Yang Jinhu was the man in the camouflage uniform who had just sold him the goods, and he had indeed mentioned something about this.

But he really hadn't expected this foreman to take the initiative and message him.

It seemed that after making a fortune, Yang Jinhu had gone back and told the foreman about it, likely out of good intentions.

Han Jingyang thought for a moment and called back directly: "Where are you?"

"Over by Quancheng West Station. Do you want to come over?"

"Are the items still there?"

"Yeah, they're all in my hands right now."

Han Jingyang frowned. "Did you find other buyers too?"

"Hehe, business is business; I can't put all my eggs in one basket. I want to make a bit more money too, but don't worry, I'm not doing an auction. First come, first served."

"How many pieces in total?"

"About twenty pieces. They're all good stuff, at least better than Yang Jinhu's. Want to come take a look?"

"Give me the specific address."

Hanging up the phone, Han Jingyang nodded to Liu Jing: "Let's go pick up some goods."

"Boss, are you sure you want to go out at this hour?"

"Let's make the trip; it's not far anyway."

The distance between Quancheng West Station and Yingxiong Mountain really wasn't that far; you could get there by going straight along Jingshi Road.

However, it still took Han Jingyang and Liu Jing nearly half an hour.

In extraordinary times, one could never be too careful.

If it weren't for the excellent quality of Yang Jinhu's batch, he wouldn't have risked this trip.

As long as He Dingkun lived, his mind could not be at peace.

Han Jingyang and Liu Jing slowly drove toward the address given by the foreman.

The destination was a dilapidated residential house. Scattered around the entrance were miscellaneous items like construction tools, hard hats, camouflage uniforms, and shoes.

In the courtyard, several clotheslines were strung up, covered with all sorts of clothing.

It was likely a collective dormitory rented by migrant workers.

But not a single worker was in sight.

Just then, a tall, thin middle-aged man came out and sized up Han Jingyang and Liu Jing: "Boss Han?"

Han Jingyang nodded slightly.

"Please, come in," the tall, thin man explained as he led the way inside. "Work finished early today, but I sent all the workers out. They won't be back until eleven or twelve. There's plenty of time; take your time looking, Boss Han."

"Where are the items?"

"They're all in my room," the tall, thin man said, pulling open a door.

Han Jingyang peered inside. There were indeed quite a few antiques in the room, and they all looked decent, piled haphazardly on the floor.

Just then, the tall, thin man's phone rang again. After a few brief acknowledgments, he said to Han Jingyang, "You guys look at the goods first; I'm going to the village entrance to pick someone up."

Han Jingyang nodded to Liu Jing, entered the room, crouched down, and began examining a large blue-and-white jar.

The quality was indeed good—official kiln pieces from the late Qing Dynasty. Although the market price wasn't outrageous, they were considered liquid assets with a high turnover rate; once acquired, there was no fear of being unable to sell them.

But his Grandmaster-level Appraisal Technique showed no reaction.

They couldn't be appraised.

He lost interest instantly, set it down, and picked up a second item.

With the Grandmaster-level Appraisal Technique, his efficiency was extremely high; he just had to pick something up, take a look, and set it down.

In the end, he only picked out four items that could be appraised.

This success rate was much lower than the batch Yang Jinhu had brought to his shop.

But there was nothing he could do; it wasn't up to him. Before attempting an appraisal, no one knew if an item could be appraised.

It was all down to luck.

Still, as long as he didn't return empty-handed, it was fine.

Four pieces it is. If even one skill could be extracted from those four appraisa-able antiques, it would be a profit. The rank didn't really matter.

Han Jingyang set the four pieces aside and waited to pay, but despite waiting for a long time, the tall, thin man who had just left did not return.

Han Jingyang frowned and turned to look at Liu Jing.

Seeing this, Liu Jing pulled a telescopic baton from her bag, flicked it open with a "clack," and then cautiously pushed the door open and stepped out.

Han Jingyang followed behind her.

Just then, the dilapidated front gate was pushed open, and a monk wearing a bright yellow robe walked in. Seeing Han Jingyang and Liu Jing, he paused for a moment, then pressed his palms together in greeting: "Greetings, benefactors."

Great Monk Kongyun!

The name flashed through Han Jingyang's mind.

Then he realized this was a trap—a setup to lure him here.

But was it really necessary to go to such great lengths?

They even went through the trouble of getting so many freshly unearthed antiques.

Only a super local powerhouse like He Dingkun would have such organizational capability. Anyone else, even Shen Yuhai, wouldn't have been able to gather so many high-quality, freshly unearthed antiques in such a short time just to lure him here.

Going to such lengths suggested that He Dingkun's goals were significant—at least, it wasn't just to kill him.

There were plenty of ways to kill him; there was no need to make it this complicated.

Thinking this, he heightened his alertness while pretending to have noticed nothing, nodding slightly: "We are also guests. Please, Great Monk, make yourself at home."

"Guests?"

"Yes, invited here to buy some things."

"A collector?" Great Monk Kongyun showed a look of pleasant surprise. "So we share a common interest. Let us get acquainted; this poor monk's dharma name is Kongyun, and I was ordained at Xingguo Zen Temple on Thousand Buddha Mountain."

Han Jingyang's expression remained calm. "Han Jingyang. This is my friend, Liu Jing."

He paused, then asked as if casually, "Great Monk, what brings you here?"

Great Monk Kongyun pressed his palms together again. "I was also invited."

"Oh?"

"To look at the Feng Shui."

"A monk looks at Feng Shui too?"

"This poor monk has no sectarian bias. Besides, the essence of this world is the same; all things change but the principle remains the same. The terminology may differ, but it's the same matter. Furthermore, in the process of its transmission, Buddhism has not only absorbed elements of Taoism but has also integrated a great deal of folk content. Thus, Buddhism also speaks of Feng Shui—otherwise, who would buy the dharma instruments in the temples?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Han Jingyang couldn't help but smile.

If nothing else, these words were truly likable—candid, humorous, and down-to-earth.

Of course, that was indeed the reality.

However, he didn't dare relax his guard in the slightest. Knowing that this Great Monk was closely associated with He Dingkun, how could he drop his guard just because of a few words?

But it was obvious the monk didn't realize he'd been exposed yet and still wanted to play along.

Why not beat him at his own game?

Thinking this, Han Jingyang smiled at the monk. "What a coincidence. I also know a bit about Feng Shui and metaphysics. We're in the same trade."

"Really?" Monk Kongyun showed a look of surprise. "Quite a coincidence indeed. Why don't we chat? While we wait for the host to return."

"Please, come inside."

"Please."

In the room, Han Jingyang and Monk Kongyun sat opposite each other and began exchanging theories and schools of thought regarding Feng Shui.

Of course, he didn't know much; even the common knowledge he possessed had been crammed in over the past few days. It was as shallow as could be.

So, most of the time, he was spouting a mix of truth and lies, using verbal techniques combined with the theories he'd cooked up himself to fool Monk Kongyun.

After ten minutes or so, Monk Kongyun suddenly said, "Benefactor Han, you still haven't relaxed your guard and are full of wariness. This is not normal. So, Benefactor Han, did you know my identity all along?"

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow and looked calmly into Monk Kongyun's equally calm eyes. After a moment, he smiled. "The Great Monk's cultivation is indeed not weak, to be able to see through my state of mind."

Monk Kongyun sighed. "This poor monk has practiced asceticism for many years. Although I haven't attained enlightenment, I haven't come away empty-handed."

Han Jingyang nodded in agreement with Monk Kongyun's words, then spread his hands. "Then let's not waste any more time. Great Monk, tell me, what is your objective?"