Chapter 377 - 377: China’s Top Ten National Treasures! A Genuine Artifact Discovered! Shocking the Entire Internet!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Or perhaps the silk copy was worthless to begin with?
This prompted Luo Feng to think, would the system give a prompt full of question marks if the object was worthless?
Naturally, there was a chance that the artifact within held no value, or perhaps it contained a p*nis, which was beyond the system’s ability to assess. But, could that truly be possible?
Was it possible that numerous invaluable artifacts were hidden within this delicate silk scroll instead? The thought seemed utterly illogical.
The soft noise of careful slicing reverberated, as the silk scroll was gradually unfolded. The anticipation in the spectators’ hearts palpitated rhythmically, echoing the widening seam of the silk scroll.
“Wow, the host sure is audacious, nonchalantly slicing into a Grade I cultural relic!” A viewer commented.
“He’s absolutely relentless!”
“Were it me, I’d be trembling! But just look at him, utterly unflappable!” A third viewer remarked.
The unfolding was a slow process, and it took nearly ten minutes. Luo Feng, the presenter, approached the task with steadfast determination yet utter care. A Grade I cultural relic, particularly one guarded by a silk scroll, merited delicate handling, after all.
“Could it be empty?” someone queried.
“It’s not empty, there appears to be a white paper-like object within!” another pointed out.
“A piece of white paper? Might it be Xuan paper?” a third person inquired.
Luo Feng’s expression subtly shifted. Gloved, he carefully removed the Xuan paper, revealing the calligraphy underneath. The Xuan paper was purely a protective layer with no markings. If this protective layer were not there, the hidden artifact would be discernible through the silk scroll in sunlight. It essentially concealed the imprints of the genuine artifact.
The spectators were electrified, “Beneath the white paper? Could it be the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion?”
“By heavens!”
“Is the original artifact surfacing?”
Even Luo Feng’s hand slightly quivered at this moment, but he composed himself. He meticulously extricated the original artifact from between the Xuan papers, a process that consumed another five minutes.
“Go easy, take your time, Little Zhao, Little Wang, be cautious!” Gu Santong instructed his two apprentices with unwavering hands. Despite the audience’s growing impatience with Gu Santong’s ceaseless reminders, there was no room for error. Any damage to such a priceless artifact would result in an irreplaceable loss.
Simultaneously, in the Association in the capital city, a cluster of venerable scholars were captivated by the calligraphy on the Xuan paper.
“It seems to be an authentic Preface to the Orchid Pavilion! Notice the fluidity in the strokes!” one of them exclaimed.
“But the mastery of calligraphy is unparalleled!” another added.
“However, I hesitate to confirm it,” a scholar confessed. The weight of authenticating such a piece was tremendous. A hasty assertion was out of the question.
At long last, Luo Feng turned to Zhang Shaowei with a smile, “You must safeguard this artifact for now.”
“Is it genuine, Luo Feng?” Zhang Shaowei inquired.
“Indeed, it is,” Luo Feng responded with a chuckle. If it wasn’t authentic, then what was it?
If there were a ranking for the top ten national treasures of the Dragon Nation, China, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion would assuredly secure a spot. Though it might not be as rare as the Imperial Jade Seal, in the sphere of calligraphy, it towered over paintings by Tang Bohu, writings by Wang Anshi, artwork by Wu Daozi, and even the Along the River During the Qingming Festival.
The Preface to the Orchid Pavilion was undeniably the most momentous artifact in the realm of calligraphy!