The Almighty Mystic Just Wants A Quiet Life - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Bo Nan was in a fantastic mood. He even managed to flash a refined and gentle smile at the vendor, whose face practically screamed, “Here comes a sucker with more money than brains!” Bo Nan looked exactly like a wide-eyed novice fresh out of the gate.

The vendor might make a profit, but Bo Nan was certain he’d make a bigger one. Everyone was happy it was a win-win.

That’s right: Bo Nan was here to “pick up the leaks” scavenge for bargains.

Even though his brother had given him a generous allowance, Bo Nan had developed a habit of saving whenever possible. Compared to the clearly priced magical artifacts on the specialized Feng Shui street, he preferred scouring antique markets. He admitted this hobby was a bit low-brow, but who could refuse buying top-tier artifacts at basement prices?

Even in his past life, while being hunted like a dog, he would still find opportunities to hide in antique markets as an apprentice. It was a shame his pursuers eventually caught on to his little hobby and started searching every local market first, putting an end to his simple pleasure.

Speaking of which, his very first magical artifact was a 200-yuan find from a market. That item saved his life numerous times. Since he was skilled at refining, he’d patch it up whenever it was about to break, and it served him until the very end when he buried it in a Feng Shui layout for nourishment rather than taking it with him to the Kunlun Mountains.

Having the chance in this life, he naturally wanted to have a good look around.

To the vendors, the excitement on Bo Nan’s face marked him as a total greenhorn.

Usually, people with even a modicum of discernment would either look at the mass-produced junk with disdain or breeze past with indifference. Some might hide their expressions, but the bone-deep contempt was impossible to mask.

This kid was different. He looked at every single item on the stalls as if his eyes were glowing!

Looking at his clothes—Fat sheep! This one’s a guaranteed score!

Bo Nan wasn’t doing it on purpose; he just didn’t expect that a random stall would yield so many interesting things. Not just one, but at least four or five items with very “active” energies.

He subconsciously touched the corner of his eye. Could this batch have been dug up from the same place and bought as a bundle by the vendor?

It was highly likely.

Most “Qi” energy in the world is dim or weak, especially modern, mass-produced mechanical works. Their fields are nearly non-existent because they lack the creator’s devotion and the seasoning of time.

There were exceptions, of course Renminbi was different. Regardless of how recently it was printed, as long as it had circulated, its energy field was quite eye-catching.

But in this era of mobile payments, no one walked around clutching stacks of cash. Consequently, the few items on this stall stood out to Bo Nan like blaring lightbulbs.

“How about it, young man? See anything you like? Want me to grab it for you?” The vendor was exceptionally warm, even pulling out a small stool for Bo Nan. “Here, sit down and take your time! No pressure to buy!”

Bo Nan sat down obediently, thanked him, and pointed at one of the “lightbulbs.” “How much for this?”

“This? This one is pricey.” The vendor grabbed a palm-sized incense burner covered in rust and slammed it down in front of Bo Nan with a loud thwack. The bravado actually startled Bo Nan for a second. “Tang Dynasty, Emperor Wu’s personal floral-branch incense burner. I won’t ask for much—50,000 yuan and it’s yours!”

For a student type, this price was about right. Asking for the moon would scare them off; better to start at a middle-range figure and let them haggle. Even if he sold it for 10,000, it was pure profit.

Bo Nan waited for the vendor to let go before picking it up. Tang Dynasty? Pure nonsense. This thing was maybe a fraction of that age. But he wasn’t here for antiques.

In terms of its energy field, it was solid and stable. The color was milky white with a streak of green. This green wasn’t eerie; it was an upright, “righteous” green. The green Qi twisted upward like an eighteen-bend mountain path—refined and leisurely. An artifact like this was perfect for a retired professor or scholar to nurture their health and vitality.

In the hands of an expert, it would cost at least several hundred thousand yuan.

But Bo Nan saw even more potential. With a little “training,” he could turn that twisting green Qi into a straight line. The milky white field would act as the “sky,” creating an image of “Green Clouds Rising Straight Up”—symbolizing rapid promotion. It would be incredibly valuable for families in politics or academia.

After that modification, the burner wouldn’t go for less than a million. In an emergency, an eight-figure price tag wasn’t impossible.

This really is a good way to make money.

“250?” Bo Nan threw out the number.

According to S-City rules: remove the zeros, then halve it. Perfect.

The vendor looked at Bo Nan intensely. “Young man, are you joking?”

Bo Nan tilted his head. “That number sounds unlucky. How about 200? 200 per piece, and if you agree, I’ll clear out your whole stall.”

The vendor immediately grew wary. Clear it out? What does that mean? Did this kid spot a hidden gem on my stall?!

Then he heard Bo Nan grumble: “Sigh, I can’t pay more. That’s all the class funds we have… My brother’s school is holding some antique charity auction. I mean, who actually has real antiques for a school auction? Is the Bodhisattva coming down to Earth? Schools these days don’t focus on teaching; they just come up with this nonsense and make parents run all over the place…”

As he spoke, he put the burner back and wiped his fingers with distaste, trying to get rid of the dust.

The suspicion in the vendor’s eyes faded. Bo Nan’s words struck a chord. He slapped his thigh. “Exactly! These days they don’t care about studying, just about making life miserable for parents! You wouldn’t believe it—my daughter’s class has to make posters every three days. They want a kid who can barely read to draw a poster? It all falls on us parents!”

“And they want us to pool money for this and that! No shame!”

“Tell me about it! It wasn’t like this when we were kids. Teachers just asked for a little money for extra exercise books!” Bo Nan casually picked up a copper bead and tossed it in his hand. “How old is your girl? Anyway, are you selling? If not, I’ll try another stall. I have a heavy mission today—I need to buy thirty-six items!”

“My girl’s only six… don’t get me started! Fine, deal! I’ll pack them for you!” The vendor nimbly pulled out a pile of newspapers and plastic bags. “Pack them yourself! Grab whatever you want! …Except these.”

The vendor pulled a few items toward himself. Bo Nan looked them over—these were actual antiques. Not very old, but genuine. He had a strange feeling… the inkstone among them seemed interesting.

Ignoring that for a moment, Bo Nan quickly stuffed the dozen or so “special” items he’d spotted into his bags, along with some random junk. He said, “Don’t bother wrapping them. They’re just for show and then trash. I’ll probably have to disinfect them when I get home… Are those ones special?”

The vendor looked up. “Why, interested? These are expensive.”

Bo Nan smiled. “Just wanted something with a ‘backstory’ to give my brother some face.”

“That wouldn’t be worth it,” the vendor chuckled. “We had a good chat today, so I’ll be straight—these are pricey. Take this inkstone… 20,000 yuan, firm. Tao inkstone from the Republic period. This one wasn’t easy to get. Even if it were a modern replica made yesterday, it would be worth more than 20,000.”

“Then why so cheap?”

“Because of this chip!” The vendor flipped the inkstone. Indeed, a corner was missing from the back, and a large crack ran through the base like a sword piercing a heart.

Bo Nan thought for a moment and asked tentatively, “2,000? If that’s okay, I’ll take it. If not, forget it.”

“Can’t do that price.” The vendor waved him off, then tapped the inkstone with a pebble. It produced a crisp, metallic ring. “Look how old the material is! If not for this crack, add another zero!”

“That’s not fair,” Bo Nan countered with a smile. “The material is old, but it’s not from the ‘Old Pit,’ is it? Those pits haven’t produced material in years. Even in the Republic era, that stuff went straight to high-ranking officials. How would it end up here?”

“That’s not the point…”

“2,100!” Bo Nan interrupted. “An extra hundred for your cigarettes, what do you say?”

By now, Bo Nan had packed about thirty items into three plastic bags. “If not, I’m heading out!”

The vendor bit his lip. “Fine!”

Bo Nan quickly pulled out his phone to pay. Money changed hands, the goods were delivered, and both parties felt they had gotten the better deal. The atmosphere was very harmonious.

Suddenly, a sarcastic voice cut through the air: “Oho, isn’t this Second Young Master Bo? How did you end up so pathetic that you’re buying antiques wholesale? What, is your brother planning to enter the cultural relics business?”

Bo Nan looked up. The speaker was a young man in his early twenties. He searched his memory—this was a rival from his school days. Well, not really a rival; the guy just disliked him for no reason and was always looking for trouble. Back then, Bo Nan had a hot temper, and they had even fought in private.

Bo Nan had won, of course.

“None of your business, Young Master Qian.” Bo Nan stood up gracefully. “What brings you here? Don’t tell me you came specifically to find me.”

“Bah! As if I’d have the time! Who do you think you are?” Young Master Qian sneered, then suddenly threw a punch at the neighboring vendor. “Motherf*cker! You dared to sell me fakes! You made me lose face. Today, I’m going to teach you a lesson!”