Chapter 6 One Stone 10000

Although I don't look like a collectibles buyer, your attitude is really lacking business spirit, hey!

The other person ignored him, so Lu Zheng had to cough lightly, "Boss?"

"Hmm?" Only when Lu Zheng actively greeted him did Gu Pingzhong finally lift his head.

"Young man, anything you need?"

He looked only forty or fifty, yet his tone was like someone in their sixties or seventies?

Lu Zheng silently complained, but showed no expression on his face, just glanced around trying to make conversation, "Boss, do you still sell Seal Stones here?"

Apart from the tourist area stalls, stores specializing in seal stones are pretty much nonexistent now, since they're not very useful.

So even though this shop, which Lu Zheng considered quite reliable, mainly sold jade and jewelry ornaments, Lu Zheng spotted several seal stones in a prominent spot.

"What, looking to carve a seal? How did you find your way here?" Gu Pingzhong finally set his book down and asked with interest.

If a young person needed a seal, they would generally go to a stationery store, where it's made of crystal, machine-carved, and ready in three minutes.

Coming here indicates he wants a seal of more traditional craftsmanship?

It was rare to meet a young person interested in traditional seals, so Gu Pingzhong didn't mind chatting with him for a bit.

However...

Gu Pingzhong glanced Lu Zheng over, though he wasn't planning on doing business with him.

"No, I just saw you're selling seal stones, so I wanted to ask if you accept them."

"Accept them?" Gu Pingzhong blinked and chortled, shaking his head, "Thanks, but I don't accept items. The shop has its own supply channels."

He almost exclusively dealt with familiar clients, sourced his own goods, and although nothing was priced, the minimum was well over one hundred thousand. Gu Pingzhong didn't think this young man Lu Zheng could bring anything valuable.

Either substandard or counterfeit.

"Not accepting, huh." Lu Zheng smacked his lips, "Well, since you sell seal stones here, could you help me take a look?"

Pausing for a moment, Lu Zheng continued, "I'll pay for the appraisal fee, uh, how much?"

Gu Pingzhong laughed at this, "Where did you find a good stone? Why not send it to auction or a professional appraisal institution?"

"They're all scammers!" Lu Zheng shook his head decisively.

Okay, it seems young people aren't easily fooled by the scam of appraisal fees leading to failed auctions and subsequent transaction fees.

Still early in the day, he was there to relax, and the appointment with his customer was probably in the afternoon, so Gu Pingzhong waved his hand, "Forget it, no charge, bring it over and let me see."

Gu Pingzhong instinctively thought Lu Zheng had been conned.

"Oh, alright, thanks!"

Lu Zheng walked to the counter, took off and opened his backpack, and then took out the small sandalwood box, placing it on the counter.

Even before Lu Zheng opened it, Gu Pingzhong's eyes went strange. Though the box's material was just common ebony sandalwood, the carving technique was ancient-looking and rather spiritual, not the usual modern craftsmanship.

Even if modern-made, the artisan must have had some traditional background.

Gu Pingzhong raised an eyebrow but didn't show his anticipation before the box's bright red color dazzled him.

"Such pure bright red!"

If not for the box, at this moment, Gu Pingzhong would have already grabbed it because this kind of bright red was usually faked by coating or soaking.

Not to mention the golden light under the seal stone; do you think anyone can just stumble upon a true treasure?

However, that sandalwood box gave Gu Pingzhong a bit of caution, pulling out a black velvet cloth from the counter and pushing it forward, gesturing at Lu Zheng to proceed.

Lu Zheng immediately understood and, amidst Gu Pingzhong's slightly twitching mouth corners, removed the seal stone and placed it on the velvet cloth.

Gu Pingzhong sighed, shook his head, and then moved the lamp on the desk to brightly shine on the seal stone, while taking out a pair of white fabric gloves from the drawer.

Lu Zheng's eyes lit up, professional!

Wearing the gloves, Gu Pingzhong didn't rush to pick up the seal but first observed from all angles under the light, then picked it up, examining it closely from all sides.

Its texture was smooth, with no seams, not fake made by joining or adhering layers.

Through light inspection, the color was consistent, not faked by soaking or adding layers.

The color was bright, pure red, like clouds and mist, seemingly flowing, yet not Blood Jade Marrow or Cinnabar Jade, and its heavy texture was denser than usual Chicken Blood Stone, more substantial.

Whoa!

Golden base red cloud, the highest-grade Changhua Bloodstone?

Gu Pingzhong felt his heartbeat falter.

"How is it?"

Seeing Gu Pingzhong looking at it expressionlessly from all angles, Lu Zheng, unsure whether Phoenix Blood Stone was valuable today, cautiously asked.

This was indeed his only source of cash in the short term, costing him a full twenty-five coins!

Gu Pingzhong didn't respond, continuing to search for proof that it wasn't genuine.

And then... he couldn't find any!

Gu Pingzhong glanced up at Lu Zheng, "Young man, where did you get this?"

"Got it from a roaming stall."

"Not a word of that is true!" Gu Pingzhong retorted irritably.

In today's age, what real stuff could you possibly find at a roaming stall? Even things dug up from the ground wouldn't end up in the hands of a roaming vendor.

"It's an heirloom!"

"Haha!"

"Seriously, I found it going through my old man's relics." Lu Zheng earnestly said, "I said I picked it up for its legendary quality, you asking means this thing is quite valuable?"

"Valuable!" Gu Pingzhong replied before placing the stone back on the velvet.

"How valuable?"

Lu Zheng reached out to grab the seal but was stopped by Gu Pingzhong, who handed him a pair of new gloves instead.

Lu Zheng chuckled awkwardly, then put on the gloves and placed the seal stone back into the box.

Watching Lu Zheng place the box into his backpack, Gu Pingzhong pursed his lips, pondering for a moment before saying, "This stone is quite large. If you find the right buyer, it could reach eight figures."

Whoa!

Lu Zheng gasped sharply.

Antiques and collectibles are indeed terrifying!

...

"Then will you accept it?" Lu Zheng's eyes twinkled, asking softly.

"I?" Gu Pingzhong was taken aback by this. His eyes flashed with temptation, confusion, caution, hesitation, and many other emotions.

Then he said, "If I were to accept it, it certainly wouldn't reach eight figures. If you send it to an auction house, you'd definitely earn more than from me here."

Lu Zheng shook his head and said, "Too many tricks at auction houses, not my thing."

This was just an excuse, mainly, auctions have lengthy procedures.

Of course, Gu Pingzhong knew it was an excuse. With the quality of this seal stone, it absolutely could be sent to a reputable major auction house. Although there are tricks, there are also guarantees.

So...

"If I accept it, I'd need to invite a friend to help me examine it further, and the highest offer would be eight million because to sell it, I'd still need to promote it, and invite more people to appreciate it."

Eight million fully reached Lu Zheng's expectations.

"Understood!"

Lu Zheng slung his backpack, "If no one offers higher, I'll sell it to you."