Chapter 88

"Whatever good things are left are all here with me and your junior brother." Shi Huang patted his belt smugly, his gaze towards Qin Yu was particularly gentle, yet the bloodlight swirling around him was also particularly terrifying. "This time, you really did it. How did you guess? And the timing was so precise?"

Before meeting Xi Zhicai, Qin Yu had clearly told the three elders that after meeting Xi Zhicai, they should each find an excuse to leave and search the two other paths leading to the Shen Nong Three Towns.

These two paths were the northern and southern routes, which could also enter the Shen Nong Three Towns. Although they were a bit roundabout, with the speed of the three elders, they should be able to complete the search quickly.

The main reason for waiting until after meeting Xi Zhicai before leaving was to avoid arousing his suspicion. Although he knew nothing now, once the plan was put into action, if the goods did not match up in the end, Xi Zhicai would certainly have some suspicions.

If everyone met him beforehand and then disappeared together, his doubts would not be so great.

Qin Yu was not afraid of Xi Zhicai knowing, but he did not want to casually provoke the Cao family's forces, which would be detrimental to their long-term cooperation.

However, he did not expect their actions to be so smooth.

"It's nothing much. I just thought, people usually don't show their wealth, but Yuan Shu transported treasures to such a distant place with a convoy of twenty carts, which is quite a big deal." Qin Yu smiled. "As for the timing, it's simple. They must have a delivery point, which can't be open for a long time, so the various groups should arrive at the designated location around the same time."

When something is abnormal, it must be strange!

Qin Yu was actually not sure if they would have any gains. But now... he could only say that the situation was very good, not just a little good!

"Junior brother, you are really a diligent little bird... with a big worm to eat!" Qin Yu patted Zhang Ren's shoulder and said with a smile, completely unaware of the change in Xi Zhilan's demeanor.

Wang Yue and Shi Huang were the first to notice Xi Zhilan's abnormality. Wang Yue coughed.

Qin Yu still did not realize and continued, "Old Master Shi, have you calculated the value of these treasures yet?"

Shi Huang could not help but cough heavily.

"Qin Yu!" A sharp, angry voice suddenly rang in his ear.

"Ah?" Qin Yu was startled and turned around, only to see Xi Zhilan with a red face, tears in her eyes, and a slender finger pointing at his nose.

"You... deceived my brother! You... deceived me!"

Qin Yu's face darkened, and he shook his head lightly, "No, I didn't deceive you!"

"I saw everything, you... you are still deceiving me!" Xi Zhilan stomped her foot, suddenly turned, and leaped away.

Her wind-dancing technique was a top-notch secret skill. Once she used it, Wang Yue and Shi Huang might not be able to catch up with her in a short time.

Qin Yu sighed and continued, "I really didn't deceive you. Everything is open to you, you just didn't realize it. Why are you so angry?"

Shi Huang, seeing Qin Yu still dazed, scolded, "What are you talking about now? Go and chase her quickly!"

Qin Yu shook his head and said calmly, "I can't catch up. Forget it, let her calm down! We'll meet up with Xi Zhicai later, and I'll explain to her."

Zhang Ren thought to himself, "Second Master is really a man of great spirit, he won't bow to a woman, how impressive!"

"Do you not fear she will tell her brother?" Wang Yue asked.

"She won't say anything," Qin Yu said firmly. "If she has to say, I will say it myself. And this time, I can't be considered to have deceived them."

Wang Yue nodded. Shi Huang chuckled, "If you didn't deceive them this time, you can try again next time."

Qin Yu gave him a dirty look, "Old Master, don't corrupt my junior brother!"

Shi Huang clicked his tongue, "Your junior brother... does he need me to teach him?"

Zhang Ren blushed and lowered his head, feeling both ashamed and pleased by this indirect praise.

Wang Yue said, "The two batches of treasures we seized are not many, about fifteen or sixteen items, mostly high-value goods. There is only a small part of the gold ingots, which, when converted, are worth about five to six thousand gold, estimated to be close to half the total value. The other half should be on those large carts."

Qin Yu smiled, "Great, let me see what treasures you have."

Wang Yue felt that Qin Yu's mood seemed a bit off, and frowned. Shi Huang and Zhang Ren, however, were excitedly taking out their packages and opening them to count.

In the Han Dynasty, jade objects were the most numerous and exquisite. Especially during the reign of Emperor Wu, Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions opened the famous "Silk Road," through which beautiful jade from Xinjiang and Hetian flowed into Central China, significantly improving the quality of jade craftsmanship.

Among these dozen or so treasures, apart from some pearls and gold jewelry, more than half were jade objects, and most of them were sets, greatly increasing their overall value.

For example, the set of three辟邪 (bixie) items: the Gang Mao, the Weng Zhong, and the Si Nan Pei, made of high-quality materials, finely polished, with fine lines carved like silk threads, were highly sought after by noble families. There was also a pair of simple and elegant green jade bracelets, and another set of four灵璧 (lingbi) jade disks, featuring the four divine creatures (Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, Xuanwu) as intricate carvings, with a simple and flowing style, exquisite craftsmanship, and a very innovative design.

However, what Qin Yu paid more attention to was the remaining exquisite jade sword, less than a foot long.

This jade sword, carved from beautiful jade, was considered a symbol of good fortune and protection, with little practical value for combat or self-defense. It was often used to bring prosperity to a household, as the saying goes: "A jade sword in the home, generations of wealth."

Wang Yue, who was relatively indifferent to wealth but had keen observation, noticed Qin Yu's interest in the jade sword and reached out to take it out.

"This is the first one I picked. Does Master Shi have any objections?"

Shi Huang said, "It should be Master Wang's turn to pick first. Just tell Han Sheng later, what objections could there be?"

"Thank you, Master Shi." Wang Yue smiled and handed the jade sword to Qin Yu, "I'll give it to you as a toy."

Qin Yu was surprised and looked up, seeing Wang Yue smiling and nodding, feeling a warmth in his heart, knowing that his thoughts had been seen through by the old man.

He did not hesitate and took it, tucking it into his belt, and smiled, "I'll give it to Little Lan later, she will surely like it."

Wang Yue and Shi Huang both laughed heartily.

Zhang Ren was dumbfounded, completely unable to fathom his second master's unpredictable mind, and could only admire him with deep respect.

Shi Huang took the set of three辟邪 (bixie) items, laughing and saying he was not greedy, so he left the most precious four灵璧 (lingbi) jade disks for Huang Zhong.

Because Huang Zhong and Xi Zhilan were absent, the distribution of the treasures ended, and Shi Huang and Zhang Ren put their packages away.

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