"Alright, I, Big Hammer Smith, just like artists with guts. The previous artists didn't have your boldness. That's why the tigers they pieced together always looked like sick cats." Big Hammer Smith slapped his chubby head and said, "Bring the sample, let Master Bennett give it a try."

Soon, his men brought over a white jade wall only half a meter wide, and the pre-carved tiger sculpture fragments were also carried in.

The idea was to assemble a sample first for him to see, and if satisfied, then officially start the work.

It seemed that although Big Hammer Smith looked like a butcher with his fat head and big ears, he was actually quite shrewd—a real sharp one. No wonder he had amassed such a huge fortune.

Evan Bennett noticed that all these tiger puzzle pieces were irregularly shaped. Some fragments were as small as a hair, and some needed to be fitted into tiny rings in the middle. For example, there were quite a lot of tiger hairs.

Some of the tiger hairs even had to be inlaid individually. They were about the size of a needle's eye, and if not handled properly, they would snap instantly. No wonder so many artists had failed.

Without another word, Evan Bennett examined the pieces for a while, then started working with swift, continuous movements, as if performing a snake dance. Before long, using Master Dawson's wall-mounting technique, he pieced together a vivid little tiger.

"You... you actually didn't use any glue?" Big Hammer Smith exclaimed in surprise.

Normally, artists had to use glue to carefully assemble the pieces bit by bit. But Master Bennett just used his hands, not even bothering with glue.

"Heh, that's my special technique. Ordinary people can't do it. Now you can rest assured, right?" Evan Bennett puffed out his chest, raised his head high, hooked one hand behind his back, and put on a true master’s air.

In fact, he had just let out a sigh of relief. He had been a bit worried it wouldn't work out, and had only come here by gritting his teeth.

"Good! Let's get started." Big Hammer Smith was completely convinced, clapped his hands, and his men busily brought in the giant wall puzzle.

"Wait, Mr. Smith, we haven't discussed the price yet," Evan Bennett said, waving his hand in a showy manner.

"The price, isn't it set at 500 taels?" Big Hammer Smith was taken aback and asked.

"That's the price for other artists. I'm not like them. Six thousand taels—if it's even one coin less, I'll turn around and leave," Evan Bennett said, making as if he was about to walk out at any moment.

Of course, Evan Bennett's real price was three thousand taels. As for why he doubled it, it was just to have room for bargaining later.

"Six thousand taels? Why don't you just go rob a bank? That's my salary for over ten years," a chubby-faced middle-aged man said angrily.

Chapter 10: Fixing Someone Before Getting to Work

"That's right, other artists only charge 500 taels. You're asking for six thousand, that's more than ten times as much. Even if you're a bit better than them, at most you should get seven or eight hundred taels, that's already a lot," another elder chimed in.

"I don't have time to argue with you. If you can't pay, I'm leaving," Evan Bennett lifted his leg and turned to go.

Big Hammer Smith didn't even try to stop him, letting Evan Bennett leave as he pleased.

Damn, did I overplay my hand? Shouldn't have asked for so much. Evan Bennett felt a bit of regret, but he didn't stop walking. If he stopped, he'd probably only get seven or eight hundred taels at best.

"One thousand taels!" When Evan Bennett had taken seven steps, Big Hammer Smith's voice called out.

"Five thousand taels!" Evan Bennett didn't stop, nor did he look back, just replied directly.

"One thousand five hundred taels!" Big Hammer Smith's lips twitched as he spoke.

"Four thousand taels!" Evan Bennett slowed his pace.

"Two thousand taels, not a coin more. Otherwise..." Big Hammer Smith had just started when Evan Bennett suddenly turned around and said, "Three thousand taels. For two thousand, you won't find a high-end artist like me. You get what you pay for—why is it that the same porcelain vase can cost ten taels or ten thousand taels? It's all about the material and the craftsmanship."

"Alright, three thousand taels. But you have to make the tiger look imposing," Big Hammer Smith finally nodded and compromised.

"That's easy." Evan Bennett strode back, and after carefully examining the pieces, began to move his hands and play with the puzzle.

As his hands flipped and turned, each fragment was skillfully fitted into its proper place by Evan Bennett. The members of the Li family felt a bit dizzy just watching.

"Master Bennett looks like he's doing martial arts," the Li family's chief steward said admiringly.

"This is art—only a top master can pull this off. These three thousand taels are well spent. Look, the tiger's tail is done, and the tiger's backside too..." Big Hammer Smith said excitedly.

Just then, Evan Bennett suddenly started panting, his face turning pale, as if he was running out of strength.

"What's wrong, master, is something happening?" Big Hammer Smith was startled and asked anxiously.

"This jade wall is too huge, I don't have enough stamina. If I take a break, I'm afraid the tiger's imposing aura will be weakened. This kind of thing is best done in one go. What a hassle, am I only going to be able to make a half-finished product?" Evan Bennett deliberately frowned and said.

"Then what should we do? Oh right, can you replenish your strength? I'll get you a Qi-boosting pill," Big Hammer Smith said.

"A Qi-boosting pill isn't strong enough. At the very least, I need two first-grade Spirit Gathering Pills," Evan Bennett demanded boldly.

"First-grade Spirit Gathering Pills..." Big Hammer Smith's lips twitched. Even the wealthy Mr. Smith felt the pain.

"Sigh..." Evan Bennett deliberately shook his hand, looking as if he was about to collapse.