Chapter 376 - 376: China’s Top Ten National Treasures! A Genuine Artifact Discovered! Shocking the Entire Internet!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Mr. Zheng listened, a puzzled expression coloring his face. “Currently,” he began, “all copies of Wang Xizhi’s Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection are deemed first-class cultural relics. Yet, I confess, I’m unfamiliar with this Monk Zhiyong and Biancai.”
Zhang Shaowei promptly offered a brief account of the two characters.
After absorbing the explanation, Mr. Zheng concluded, “If Monk Zhiyong is indeed a direct descendant of Wang Xizhi, then it stands to reason that his work should be classified as a first-class cultural relic!”
The group absorbed his pronouncement without surprise.
“Little Luo suspects that a genuine Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection is concealed within this silk copy,” Zhang Shaowei unveiled Luffs theory.
Mr. Zheng was momentarily floored. “Could that be possible?” he stammered.
Zhang Shaowei sought Luo Feng’s assurance. “Are you certain of your claim,
Little Luo? Remember, we are dealing with a first-class cultural relic!”
Luo Feng, poised confidently, turned to Mr. Zheng. “Indeed, I am certain. And that is precisely why I intend to dismantle it!” His announcement sent ripples through the room. “Mr. Zheng, I sought your expertise on this matter. Rest assured, I don’t intend to destroy the silk copy during disassembly. Furthermore, even if the outer part gets damaged, the revelation of the original work inside would far outweigh the loss, correct?”
Mr. Zheng, eyeing the knife in Luo Feng’s hand, found himself at a loss. Was Little Luo really prepared to risk damaging a first-class cultural relic?
Before Mr. Zheng could gather his thoughts, Luo cut him short, “I firmly believe that the truth within must be unveiled. However,” Luo Feng paused, acknowledging Mr. Zheng’s discomfort, “we won’t proceed right away. We’ll prepare properly before the extraction.”
“We have sufficient preservation materials for now,” Luo Feng reassured, quickly addressing the preservation concern.
Gu Santong, deeply concerned about potential damage, chimed in, “We’re prepared to handle the calligraphy with extreme care. We have the right tools for examination. If any damage occurs, we can attend to it immediately.”
Zhang Shaowei echoed Luo Feng’s confidence, considering Luo Feng’s previous analysis. “Little Luo, you own the artifact, you have the right to decide what to do with it. And we know you wouldn’t act on a baseless hunch. Perhaps Monk Zhiyong and Biancai did conceal something within their flawed rendition of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection. If the original work is inside, it would certainly be a priceless discovery!”
Luo Feng’s declaration sparked apprehension amongst the observers. “Are you really going to dismantle a first-class cultural relic, Luo Feng?” Qin Rubing expressed her worry.
With anticipation mounting, Luo Feng remained resolute. “We must dismantle it. If it houses the original, it will be an invaluable find. If not, the damage incurred will merely lower its price marginally.”
Luo Feng understood the conflicting emotions around him. The stakes were not about money, but about preserving cultural heritage. It was his analysis that ignited this debate, but the lack of concrete evidence left room for doubt. Was it right to risk damaging a relic on the basis of speculation? What the others did not realize was that Luo Feng possessed a system price prompt. A copy with a question mark. If it did not contain something extraordinary, it would be hard to justify such a figure.
As the tension in the room escalated, comments flew around. “He’s bold, planning to cut into a first-class cultural relic based on mere speculation?
“Suddenly, Zhang Shaowei broke the tense silence, “There… there really is a hidden layer!”
The room fell deathly quiet, the suspense palpable.
“Could it be? The most treasured relic in the calligraphy world about to be revealed?”
With firm resolve, Luo Feng began the delicate task of disassembling the silk copy. Mr. Zheng, on the other hand, looked on anxiously, continually suggesting, “Luo Feng, perhaps we should take it back first. It might be wiser
to…”
His words struck a chord with everyone. The artifact was akin to a mystery box, its value hinging on the unopened secret it contained.
“Let’s take it back,” voices echoed around the room. But Luo Feng remained unfazed, continuing his work. The uncertainty did not worry him; he had faith in his system. Even if he discovered nothing, the silk copy’s value would only drop by a fraction at most..