Chapter Sixty-Four: Master Jin

The taxi driver was startled for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

"Treasure hunting? People still hunt for treasure nowadays? Young man, have you been reading too many tomb-robbing novels?"

"That Qinling region has long been turned upside down by archaeologists. What treasures could possibly be left?"

Cheng Ziqiu was not annoyed; he just smiled and said, "Master driver, that's where you're mistaken. Treasure hunting is about fate and destiny. No matter how deeply hidden a treasure is, it will eventually be discovered by the one destined to find it."

The driver curled his lips, clearly disbelieving his nonsense, but didn't say anything further and focused on driving.

The rest of the journey was silent, and the car soon arrived at the foot of the Qinling Mountains.

Cheng Ziqiu paid the fare, shouldered his backpack, and began walking up the mountain path.

The scenery of Qinling was picturesque, and tourists were as numerous as weaving shuttles.

Yet Cheng Ziqiu turned a blind eye to these beautiful sights; his gaze was constantly searching for something.

"Hmm?"

After walking for about an hour, Cheng Ziqiu suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on a dense patch of woods not far ahead.

"This is the place!"

He rejoiced inwardly and quickened his pace toward the woods.

Passing through the dense forest and pushing aside the thorny brambles that blocked his way, Cheng Ziqiu arrived in front of a somewhat dilapidated courtyard.

The mottled red-lacquered double doors and the walls covered in moss all bore witness to the passage of time.

Unless led by someone familiar with the area, an ordinary person would never be able to find this place.

Cheng Ziqiu took a deep breath and stepped forward to knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

An aged voice came from inside, sounding rather impatient.

"Master Jin, it's me!"

Cheng Ziqiu shouted at the top of his lungs.

There was a moment of silence inside, followed by an impatient scolding.

"Fuck off! I don't know any Master Jin or Master Silver!"

Hearing this voice, Cheng Ziqiu was amused.

Aside from that eccentric Master Jin, who else could this familiar voice belong to?

It seemed this transmigration really hadn't landed him in some parallel world, and the timeline matched up as well.

Filled with joy, he directly pushed open the ajar heavy door.

"Master Jin, trust you have been well since we last met!"

Cheng Ziqiu walked in with a grin.

In the courtyard, a white-haired old man was sitting on a bamboo chair, holding a purple clay teapot and leisurely sipping tea.

Seeing Cheng Ziqiu suddenly barge in, the old man was stunned at first, then glared and cursed,

"Who the hell are you kid? Why are you just breaking into someone's courtyard? Tired of living or what?"

Cheng Ziqiu remained unfazed and walked straight up to the old man.

He plopped down onto a nearby stone stool, crossed his legs, and smiled.

"You don't know me, but I know you, Master Jin."

Master Jin was utterly bewildered.

He racked his brain thoroughly, but absolutely could not recall knowing any such person.

This kid looked completely unfamiliar!

And ordinary people simply couldn't find this place of his.

How on earth did this kid manage to track him down?

Moreover, judging by the kid's bearing, he didn't seem like an ordinary person.

Feeling suspicious, Master Jin squinted and sized up Cheng Ziqiu, probing cautiously, "Kid, what did you come here for?"

Without beating around the bush, Cheng Ziqiu cut straight to the point.

"Master Jin, I've long heard of your great reputation. I've come specially to visit you today to ask for your help in making a top-tier counterfeit."

"A counterfeit?"

Upon hearing this, Master Jin's beard bristled in anger.

"I washed my hands of the underworld business years ago! I don't make that kind of junk anymore! Get lost and stop being an eyesore here!"

Unflustered, Cheng Ziqiu pulled a bank card out of his pocket, placed it gently on the stone table, and pushed it toward Master Jin.

"Name your price."

Master Jin glanced at the black card, his eyelids twitching.

That was an unlimited-limit black card!

How many years had it been since he last laid eyes on one of these things!

Just what background did this kid have?

Master Jin picked up the card, held it up to the sunlight, flicked it with his finger, and listened to the crisp ringing sound, feeling his palms itch with temptation.

"What kind of counterfeit? Let's hear it."

Master Jin's tone softened noticeably.

The corners of Cheng Ziqiu's mouth hooked up into a mysterious smile.

"I want to make a national-treasure-level counterfeit—the Bronze Zun and Pan of Marquis Yi of Zeng."

Master Jin froze, the purple clay teapot in his hand almost slipping to the ground.

The Bronze Zun and Pan of Marquis Yi of Zeng?

That was a national treasure among national treasures!

"Kid, have you lost your mind? Who dares to touch that thing?! Touch it and you'll end up behind bars!"

Cheng Ziqiu maintained his breezy and calm demeanor.

"Master Jin, you are the leading authority in this trade. Surely a small matter like this shouldn't stump you, right?"

"A small matter? Kid, do you even know what you're talking about? This isn't a small matter, this is a matter of life and death!"

Master Jin stood up excitedly, pacing back and forth in the courtyard.

Cheng Ziqiu pulled another card from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Master Jin, just do the work. You don't need to worry about the rest."

"Once the deed is done, there will be a generous reward."

Master Jin snatched up both black cards, squinting as he scrutinized Cheng Ziqiu.

"Kid, are you playing some kind of sting operation on me? The cops always play this trick—courtesy before force? What kind of person do you take me for, Master Jin? Back in my day..."

Cheng Ziqiu hurriedly waved his hand to interrupt Master Jin's self-boasting.

"Master Jin, you've misunderstood! I really am here to ask for your help. These two cards are just the deposit; once the job is done, there will be a heavy reward!"

"A heavy reward? Ha!"

Master Jin sneered and threw the black cards back onto the table.

"Do you take me for a fool, kid? The Bronze Zun and Pan of Marquis Yi of Zeng—is that something anyone can just casually touch? Asking me to make a fake of it is trying to get me killed!"

"Master Jin, you're overthinking it. I only need a fake that looks indistinguishable from the real thing. As for its purpose..."

Cheng Ziqiu deliberately paused, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "You'd better not ask."

Master Jin grew even more suspicious.

With the kid acting all secretive like this, he was definitely up to no good!

"Shoo, shoo, shoo! Get lost right now! Don't force me to call the police!"

Master Jin began driving him away.

Cheng Ziqiu remained unperturbed and kept smiling.

"Master Jin, don't be in such a rush. Even if a business deal falls through, goodwill remains. Even if you won't help me, at least let me finish what I have to say!"

Master Jin stared suspiciously at Cheng Ziqiu.

This kid had skin thicker than a city wall!

"Speak! Hurry up and speak! Get the hell out of here once you're done!"

Cheng Ziqiu smiled slightly.

"Master Jin, to be honest, I could make this thing myself. It's just that I've had too much on my plate lately and couldn't spare the time, which is why I came to trouble you. However..."

He paused, a flash of craftiness crossing his eyes.

"Actually, I can do a better job than you."

Upon hearing this, Master Jin was so angry he nearly twisted his nose.

This kid's arrogance was bigger than his breath!

How dare he try to show off his slight proficiency before an expert?

Having roamed the underworld for decades, what rare treasures had Master Jin not seen?

What antiques and counterfeits had he not crafted?
Before he even grew a full beard, this kid dared to brag in front of him?

"Kid, bragging doesn't cost taxes! If you really have some genuine skills, I'll kowtow and take you as my master today!"

Furious, Master Jin took several exquisitely crafted jade pieces off the shelf and tossed them onto the table.

"Come on, take a look for me and tell me what the tricks behind these are!"