Start from the thief

Jin Shigui arrived at the inn on time, and his sense of time was so accurate that Lao Zhao once wondered if he had a watch.

"My two celestial beings, Mr. Cui loves Central Plains calligraphy and painting. I took the initiative to buy a landscape painting imitating the work of General Li of the previous dynasty. Here is the change."

Lan Ling waved her hand: "I'll give you a reward, let's go."

Zhao Yushu found that he was born a poor boy after all, and his knowledge of social matters was far different from that of Lan Ling, the eldest daughter of an official family. Now, no matter how he looked at himself, he looked like a gigolo. If it were in his previous life, there was an 80% chance that Lan Ling would just give him a card: This is my supplementary gold card, take it and have fun.

Zhao Dahua, the tiger of the serious crime squad, was laughing foolishly, but when he saw Jin Shigui frowning, he thought that anyone could be a cultivator.

Jin Shigui hired a sedan chair, the kind that the locals used to carry two people. It was short and crowded, and Zhao Yushu and Lan Ling were disgusted by it so much that they simply walked.

"I thought I should have two horses."

Zhao Yushu was somewhat disgusted with Jin Shigui's ability to do things.

"Look at all the sedan chairs on the street. It's obvious that this is the custom here. In Chang'an, even civil officials are not willing to ride in sedan chairs. At least they ride in a car."

The two of them walked forward leisurely while complaining. Jin Shigui was leading the way in front, holding a scroll, his eyes flashing constantly.

Two young men, not very experienced but capable of a lot of trouble. Just wait and see.

We soon arrived at Cui's house, and Mr. Cui was actually waiting at the door.

"I am Cui Jinghao, and I am honored to meet the two immortals from the upper kingdom."

"Mr. Cui, you are too polite. We are both cultivators. We are both young. If you don't mind, just call me Xiao Yang."

Zhao Yushu took the scroll from Jin Shigui and said, "I came here in a hurry and didn't prepare any good gifts. I hope Mr. Cui won't mind."

"Mr. Yang, you are so thoughtful. It's getting late. I have prepared some light wine. Please take a seat."

Following Cui Jinghao into the living room, they saw a round table that was almost full of people. When they saw the three people coming in, everyone stood up and bowed. Judging from their clothes and hairstyles, they didn't seem to be from the Central Plains.

"Let me introduce you. These two couples are talented people from Jiangning Prefecture in the Central Plains, Mr. Yang and Ms. Fang."

Everyone greeted each other one by one.

"This is Li Canjun from the Andong Protectorate."

Li is a prominent royal family in the Central Plains, and also a prominent family in Goguryeo. Li Canjun has a rough face, a broad smile, and a flash of spiritual light on his body. It is obvious that he is also a cultivator.

"This is Mr. Ye Shi from Japan. He has done business with me for many years and is my good friend."

The Japanese man whom Zhao Yushu had met once also saluted with a smile. If Zhao Yushu had not heard his complaints before, he would have thought that he was very friendly to him.

For a businessman, changing one’s face is a talent.

Cui Jinghao only focused on introducing these two people, and only mentioned the rest in passing. It was obvious that there were only five main people at this table, and the rest were just guests.

To be fair, the banquet prepared by Cui Jinghao was of very high standard, with the table literally covered with delicacies from land and sea, which even Zhao Yushu, who was used to eating delicacies from all over the Central Plains, praised highly.

"Mr. Yang, Ms. Fang, the conditions in this bitter cold place are simple and poor. I am sorry to have embarrassed you two today."

After having a good meal, Zhao Yushu took up the warm handkerchief and wiped his mouth: "Mr. Cui, you are too polite. I have seen a lot in Jiangning, but it is rare to see anything comparable to this meal. The new tea sent from Qiantang is even rarer. Well, I don't know how to be polite. Should we get down to business?"

Cui Jinghao laughed loudly and waved his hand to let the guests leave. "Of course, in fact, Li Canjun and Mr. Ye Shi both know that the treasure appraisal should be three days later, but today I happened to meet Mr. Yang and his wife. I was afraid that you two had important matters and could not stay for long, so I moved it up two days. Everyone wait a moment, I will go and get it now."

Zhao Yushu was stunned when he saw the glowing eyes of Li Canjun and Ye Shi. If it weren't for these three old brothers joining forces to set up a trap to trap a newcomer like him, then is there really any treasure exchange meeting?

Or is Cui Jinghao so bold that he even dares to cheat a local tyrant like Li Canjun?

He exchanged glances with Lan Ling. There was too little information, so he should just wait and see.

Cui Jinghao did not keep everyone waiting for long and soon came back from the back hall, followed by three servants. Each of them held a brocade box, put it down, bowed and left.

Cui Jinghao looked at the four pairs of curious eyes with a proud look on his face.

"General Li and Mr. Ye need not be mentioned. Young Master Yang and Miss Fang must have heard what Jin Shigui said. I don't have many things, but I do have a few. And I only exchange them and don't sell them. If you don't like them, we can just treat them as friends. Come on, open your eyes."

Cui Jinghao opened the first box, and inside it lay a small copper stove.

"This item was brought by my friend from Lingnan. It is said that it is used by the Miao people to make medicine. You can catch some poisonous insects and put them in there to let them kill each other. The ones that survived can be used to make pills. It can cure all kinds of poisons. I personally think it can be of middle to upper grade yellow grade."

Oh, it’s a simplified version of the Shenmu Wangding.

Zhao Yushu lost interest after taking a look. An antidote would be good, of course, but he didn't have time to catch any poisonous insects, and he wasn't sure if there was any unique formula. Most importantly, if he needed the elixir, why didn't he just go to Longhu Mountain and ask for it? How could the little Taoist not give it to him?

Cui Jinghao secretly observed the expressions of the two young people. The girl showed some interest, while the boy looked disdainful. This expression immediately startled Cui Jinghao. This boy seemed to have seen a lot and could not be fooled by ordinary things.

"This stuff is good."

The short and fat Mr. Ye Shi nodded: "Old Cui, is it still the same old rules?"

Cui Jinghao hummed, "Yes, Mr. Yang, Miss Fang, our rule is that if you like something, you can take out something of the same grade. If I like it, I will exchange it."

Ye Shi put his hand into his sleeve. He didn't have a storage bag, so he could only hide it close to his body.

After groping for a while, a small Bagua plate appeared.

"This was made by our Japanese Onmyoji master (later evolved into Onmyoji), and it has the effect of bringing good luck and avoiding disaster. Although it can only indicate a general direction, it is more than enough as a top-grade yellow-level item. Lao Cui, what do you think?"

I have to say that this thing is really good. If it can be more precise, it can even be ranked among the Earth Grade, but now it is only the Yellow Grade, which means that its so-called approximate direction is probably only roughly like east, south, west and north.

"Haha, good stuff, but I rarely leave the house, so it's useless to know."

Cui Jinghao refused calmly. No one is stupid.

"Li Canjun?"

General Li shook his head, indicating that he was not interested.

A hint of disappointment flashed across Ye Shi's eyes.

"Mr. Ye Shi, if I am interested in this item, what should I exchange it for?"

Although Zhao Yushu didn't speak, Lan Ling suddenly spoke.

Ye Shi's eyes lit up: "If Miss Fang has something good, you can take it out and let me see it. Even if I don't need it, maybe Lao Cui will like it. It's just a matter of going around in circles."

"it is good."

Lan Ling shook her sleeves, revealing a small jade token.