Chapter Forty-Five: Fattening the Lamb for Slaughter?

Antique Street, nestled in the city center, was prime real estate—a golden district. Anyone in Jinghan City interested in antique paintings or evaluating relics would come here for judgment.

By nine in the morning, the street was already packed, crowded to capacity, a sea of heads stretching as far as the eye could see. The surrounding shops echoed with shouts and cries of vendors, a relentless chorus rising and falling, never ceasing.

Arriving at Gentle Breeze Pavilion.

Situated at the heart of the street, this century-old establishment had been run by generations of the same family, specializing in antiques and jade ware, with a particular focus on ancient cauldrons. Over the years, a complete industry chain had formed; even small-time vendors could set up stalls here by paying a fee.

The shop occupied a vast area, with eight storefronts lined up in a row. Its appearance was rustic, yet radiated an innate grandeur and dignity. Such depth and majesty were the result of time’s sediment and a rich heritage, unmatched by other shops.

Compared to the chilly quiet of other establishments, Gentle Breeze Pavilion was far more lively.

As Ye Wushang and his companion reached the entrance, their arrival immediately stirred a commotion.

The cause was An Lan.

Her beauty was breathtaking, her figure alluring, her attire expensive. Her entire bearing was extraordinary—at a glance, one could tell she was a daughter of wealth. Beside her walked a handsome young man, but his aura was humble and his clothes shabby.

The pair’s presence in such a place marked them as the perfect targets for swindlers.

People like them were favorites among stall owners. A few flattering words, and whatever you urged them to buy, they would purchase, rarely bargaining for fear of losing face.

“Wushang, I know nothing of antiques—just buy what you like,” An Lan whispered as they entered, eyeing the rows of identical cauldrons. “Just follow your preferences.”

“If you find something you fancy, we’ll buy it. There’s two hundred thousand in the card. If it’s not enough, ask me for more—we’re not short on money.”

Ye Wushang nodded slightly.

He was grateful for An Lan’s generous help, but he wouldn’t get too involved with her. The money was borrowed, and he fully intended to repay it.

Without further thought, he led An Lan through the shop.

By his estimate, to forge a superior pill, the cauldron must be at least a thousand years old. Ideally, it would be a bronze vessel from the Yin-Shang period. Most crucial was the material—not the usual green bronze, but the pale blue hue found in cauldrons used by common folk. Like a courtyard well, the cauldron needed traces of everyday life for its effect to reach its peak.

They wandered for quite some time.

Ye Wushang’s brows never relaxed. Either the appearance was lacking, or the age insufficient. None met his standard.

“Heh heh…”

Just as he pondered in frustration, a sly chuckle sounded nearby.

“Looking for a cauldron, sir?”

It was a stall owner at the entrance.

Compared to others, this stall owner’s status was clearly higher. His stall was larger, his display more varied. He was a rotund man, face heavy with flesh; when he smiled, his eyes nearly vanished, and his yellowed teeth exuded a foul stench with every word.

Truth be told, Ye Wushang found him repulsive. Still, one does not strike a smiling face, so he replied calmly, “Yes, but I haven’t found anything suitable yet.”

“You haven’t found the right one because you haven’t met the right person,” the fat stall owner quipped, dragging Ye Wushang to his stall.

He gestured to the array of large and small cauldrons, grinning. “You look like a connoisseur. Tell me, how do you find my wares?”

“Compared to those pricey cauldrons in the shops, mine offer better value for money.”

“Besides, I have variety and quality—age, material, provenance. I can say with confidence, no one on Antique Street can outdo me, Jin Fatty.”

Ye Wushang responded perfunctorily.

His gaze swept over the display, finally settling on a small item at the very end.

It was a cauldron, palm-sized, its exterior rusty, colors mottled, pitted and rough—more reminiscent of a chamber pot. Though its stench was masked, the odor still seeped through.

“Sir, you have a keen eye!” the fat stall owner had been watching Ye Wushang’s expression. Seeing his interest in the tiny cauldron, he hurried over, enthusiastically introducing, “Look, this Purple Gold Gourd is the smallest of cauldrons. Though its size is modest, the material is superbly forged. Whatever you use it for, it will serve its purpose well.”

“This is the treasure of my stall. Usually, it’s just for display, but I do business by fate.”

“From the moment you entered, I felt a kinship—perhaps we’re kindred spirits.”

“Since we’ve met, I won’t hold back. The original price for the Purple Gold Gourd is fifty thousand, but I’ll give you a twenty percent discount—forty thousand, flat.”

Forty thousand.

Not expensive.

To outsiders, it was just a curiosity, but insiders saw the essence. Although the Purple Gold Gourd seemed unimpressive, Ye Wushang sensed a strong spiritual aura emanating from its mouth.

For practitioners, the value of a cauldron lay in its original aura. With superior herbs and a cauldron imbued with spiritual energy, the pills produced would inherit that quality, greatly enhancing their effects.

His pupils contracted; he realized the Purple Gold Gourd contained a hidden world within.

“Forty thousand? Jin Fatty is really trying his luck.”

“He’s been here for three years, that piece of junk has sat there the whole time. No one’s ever bought it, or even asked about it.”

“Exactly—it’s just a decoration. From a price of a thousand down to a hundred, even ten, no one wanted it. Now he wants forty thousand?”

“Does he think people are fools? If someone actually buys it, they’d be the perfect sucker.”

Hearing the price, the onlookers and nearby vendors couldn’t help but sneer.

Though business was a matter of mutual consent, Jin Fatty was clearly scheming to swindle, earning their collective disdain.

Of course, wary of his bullying, they whispered their complaints, none daring to provoke him outright.

“Wushang, I don’t know much about antique cauldrons, but that Purple Gold Gourd clearly isn’t worth it,” An Lan said, combining the crowd’s words with her own judgment. She was certain Jin Fatty was trying to cheat Ye Wushang.

She might have money, but she wasn’t a fool, and not a penny should be wasted.

Pulling Ye Wushang aside, she whispered, “That fat man just wants your money. We’re not short on cash, but we shouldn’t let ourselves be played.”

“Let’s go, we’ll look elsewhere. These stall owners can’t be trusted; it’s better to buy from the shop…”

“This is the one!”

Before she could finish, Ye Wushang suddenly interrupted, resolute. “I think the Purple Gold Gourd is quite good. Forty thousand may seem a lot, but compared to its worth, it’s not expensive. I’ll buy it.”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

They stared at Ye Wushang as if he were an idiot, their mockery sharp.

“Is this guy out of his mind? Paying forty thousand for a piece of junk?”

“Listen to him—he thinks the Purple Gold Gourd has value. What value? Urinal value?”

“Look, he’s obviously broke, must be spending the woman’s money. She’s decent-looking—how’d she end up with such a fool?”

“If you’ve got money to burn, give it to me. Am I not better than him?”

“Damn, if I’d known he was so easy to trick, I’d have tried before Jin Fatty did!”

The crowd’s dissatisfaction grew.

At first, they worried Ye Wushang might be cheated; but as things unfolded, they all wished they could swindle him themselves.

Seeing the fat sheep ready to be fleeced, Jin Fatty wasn’t about to let anyone spoil the deal. He barked, “Enough! Shut up, all of you.”

“This gentleman has the discerning eye to spot treasure—what do you know?”

“Forty thousand is my friendly price. For anyone else, I wouldn’t sell.”

“If anyone keeps yammering, don’t blame Jin Fatty for being rough!”

With that, his expression shifted, a smile plastered on his face as he looked at Ye Wushang, asking, “Sir, you truly intend to buy the Purple Gold Gourd?”

Outwardly he was asking, but the payment code was already in his hand.

Ye Wushang didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I’ll buy it.”

“Flat price, forty thousand.”

“Give me the QR code, I’ll pay.”

Jin Fatty’s smile widened, and he quickly handed it over, respectfully. “Sir, you radiate an extraordinary aura—your eye for treasure is unmatched.”

“Don’t be fooled by its appearance; the Purple Gold Gourd is a true gem. Having it accompany you is its good fortune.”

“Here’s the QR code—please scan it.”

“Wushang!”

An Lan called out, trying to stop him. “You can’t pay for this.”

“That thing isn’t worth forty thousand. I’d say forty is too much.”

“Don’t let him fool you!”

Ye Wushang remained calm, his voice gentle. “Lanlan, though the money is yours, you’ve already lent it to me.”

“I should have the right to decide how it’s spent, shouldn’t I?”

“I…”

“Lanlan, I know what you want to say.”

“But no matter what others think, I believe this cauldron is quite good.”

“If you truly consider me a friend, don’t stop me—support me, will you?”