With a bright smile, Zachary exclaimed, “President Wilson, you truly have eyes and ears everywhere! There’s nothing in Aurous Hill City that can escape your notice!”

Jacob, feigning profundity, responded with false modesty, “Oh, Zachary, there’s no need for flattery. But it’s true, there’s hardly anything about Aurous Hill’s three-acre land that I can’t figure out.”

Zachary nodded respectfully and admitted, “President Wilson, let me be honest. After spending some time with Don Albert, I realized that it might not be the right path for me. So, I returned to my old job.”

Jacob nodded without hesitation and acknowledged, “You were born for the antique industry, Zachary. I must admit, you’ve been my lucky star in this business. The first big find I made was worth 500,000. Since you left, I haven’t come across any major discoveries.”

Then, Jacob added, “Oh, by the way, I’ve been collecting some small items recently. From my experience, I believe they’re all genuine. I’ll show them to you and if your offer is fair, I’ll let them go.”

As Zachary recalled the painful experience of spending half a million on a fake from Jacob, he couldn’t help but chuckle. He quickly replied, “Please don’t tempt me, President Wilson. I won’t be accepting anything for now.”

“No more?” Jacob frowned, pointing at the pile of items on his stall. “Where did you get all these? You can’t possibly be making them at home, can you?”

Zachary explained, “President Wilson, to be honest, I’ve changed my business direction. In the past, it didn’t matter if things were genuine or not, you could sell anything. But once you start dealing with authentic items, there’s always a risk of getting cheated. I’ve been cheated before, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on worthless junk, even on items worth just a few bucks. It’s not worth the money and I lost half a year’s income in an instant…”

Nervously glancing at Jacob, Zachary continued, “So, President Wilson, I’m changing my approach now. When I sell, I only deal in fakes. And when I acquire items, I only accept fakes…”

Jacob furrowed his brows, trying to make sense of Zachary’s words. He laughed and said, “Well, you can interpret it that way… Zachary, I’m not saying you shouldn’t pursue what you love, but professionalism is crucial in this field.”

Zachary nodded in agreement, replying, “Don’t I deserve to make some money first? Once I’ve earned enough, I can focus on improving my professional ethics.”

Jacob smirked and retorted, “As they say, you’ve got to get on the bus before you can buy a ticket…”

Shaking his head at the items on Zachary’s booth, Jacob remarked, “You’re deteriorating, my friend. I can spot each and every fake on your booth.”

Zachary courteously replied, “President Wilson, you indeed have a discerning eye. Good items can’t escape your gaze and fakes are no different.”

Jacob smiled, picked up the lightning-struck wood from the center of the booth and examined it closely. He commented, “But this lightning-struck wood doesn’t seem fake. How much are you asking for it? If the price is right, I’ll take it and ward off evil spirits.”

held up

asked,

laughed and corrected

and he blurted

head, Zachary replied, “It’s

the booth and cursed, “Zachary, are you out of your mind? It’s just a piece of crap and you want five million for

personal piggy bank?” Zachary responded with a hint of discomfort. “President Wilson, as I mentioned before, my current approach is all about

“Well, you can’t rob

his sentence, Jacob turned his back

tasked me with requesting a sum of five million for this remarkable piece of wood damaged by lightning. If my booth continues like this, I’ll

the outskirts of Eastcliff City, stood Evercloud

place in the hearts of present-day Taoists. This revered temple is a symbol of the timeless beliefs and practices of Taoism and its historical and spiritual significance cannot be overstated. The temple was always filled with incense and Taoist believers

highest position of authority in the temple,

gazed up at the gate of Evercloud Temple

back courtyards, but

area, with the Serenity Shrine at the center,

for the internal areas of Evercloud Temple, where the abbot and his disciples

to the enigmatic hero and Morvel Bazin depicted in the painting, all of

the Taoist tradition, he respectfully approached a

few. He seemed almost otherworldly, like a being from a mystical realm. Surprised by this divine temperament, the young priest respectfully

internal protocols,

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