Brian Zane’s expression was calm as he said, “Since I have nothing else to do, and it’s been a long time since I’ve come to the east to enjoy the scenery, I thought I’d take a look while I’m here.”

Mr. Turner replied, “Frank Ford is already waiting in the pavilion ahead by Bailing Lake.”

Brian Zane acknowledged with a sound and said nothing more.

There were rumors outside that he was passionate about antiques, especially ancient books. In fact, it was he who had instructed his subordinates to spread these rumors in the first place.

For the past six years, he had expanded his business and influence among mortals, amassed wealth, recruited people, and sought all kinds of rare treasures and precious materials—including various ancient books.

Within the Dongsheng Dynasty, though cultivators were rarely seen among the common folk, some ancient book fragments left behind in the mortal world were not all worthless; some contained profound mysteries.

It was a pity, however, that most of the inheritances among mortals were incomplete.

Occasionally, a complete Daoist text could be found, but it was always a basic and shallow work.

Still, for him, these ancient book fragments, though lacking a system, might still offer some useful insights by analogy.

Most importantly, for him, anything that could be bought with silver was not considered a high price.

“Of the countless collections throughout history, I wonder if any contain a method to restore the dantian?”

“Or perhaps a way to raise divine birds and exotic beasts, so I might find a method to help a young dragon grow?”

“Though it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack, the cost is low, and it leaves a sliver of hope.”

……

Beneath the pavilion.

The young man named Frank Ford, who looked to be in his twenties, wore a worn white robe, yellowed from washing, and held a scroll in his hands, appearing nervous and uneasy.

From afar, he saw a carriage slowly approaching, flanked by two guards. He recalled the advice from the distinguished gentleman about how to negotiate for more silver, but now he only felt more anxious.

“Is Mr. Thirteen in the carriage…?”

“Stop.”

The carriage halted, and the curtain was lifted.

Someone inside looked out through the window.

Frank Ford’s heart skipped a beat. He vaguely saw that the person was about his own age, but the other’s delicate face was pale and sickly, with a cold and indifferent expression.

In that instant, Frank Ford suddenly felt a sense of bitterness.

They were about the same age, yet their fates were different. The other had built his fortune from nothing and was now the richest man in the sixteen prefectures of Huai’an, while he himself was still a poor scholar relying on selling his ancestors’ ancient books.

“Mr. Turner said the ancient book in your hand is priced at twenty taels?”

“That’s right,” Frank Ford said. “This was passed down from my ancestors, obtained by chance back then, and there’s only this one copy.”

“To fetch a high price, it must be worth it.” Brian Zane said slowly, “Let me take a look and flip through a couple of pages. What do you think?”

“Of course.”

Frank Ford stepped forward and handed it over.

Henry Clark stepped up to receive it and brought it into the carriage.

Brian Zane reached out to take it, flipped through five or six pages, glanced over them, his gaze sharpening slightly, then closed it and said lightly, “Mr. Turner, bring twenty taels of silver for this brother of the Fang family.”

A look of surprise appeared on Mr. Turner’s face. He hadn’t expected that the young master would agree to the price of twenty taels of silver after having the ancient book in his hands for less than three breaths.

“Wait—”

But at that moment, Frank Ford suddenly spoke up.

Brian Zane’s brows furrowed slightly. He reached out to part the carriage curtain and looked out through the small window.

Frank Ford’s face was clearly tense and uneasy, but a glint of greed flashed in his eyes.

“I want fifty taels!”

“How dare you!” Mr. Turner shouted angrily. “Raising the price on the spot again? You’re simply insatiable!”

“Twenty taels was the previous price.” Frank Ford gritted his teeth slightly and said, “This is a treasure left by my ancestors. Without fifty taels, I absolutely won’t sell! Mr. Thirteen is as rich as a nation—surely you can afford this much silver?”

“Of course I can.” Brian Zane handed back the ancient book, let down the carriage curtain, and said calmly, “Not to mention fifty taels—even five hundred taels is just a small sum to me. However… I am not willing to be treated like a fat sheep, to be fleeced as much as you please.”

“You…” Frank Ford panicked, feeling as if he had shot himself in the foot.

“Mr. Turner, bring twenty taels. If he’s willing, the deal is done. If not, forget it.” Brian Zane’s voice came from inside the carriage, and he added, “Henry Clark, let’s go.”

“Wait—”

Frank Ford hurriedly called out to stop them. He was simply blinded by greed, always wanting to raise the price, but in truth, aside from this wealthy Mr. Thirteen who loved ancient books, there was probably no one else in the entire Dongsheng Dynasty willing to spend dozens of taels of silver to buy his ancient book.

Henry Clark continued to drive the carriage forward.

Brian Zane paid no further attention.

This time, he had mainly come to relax, and passing by the pavilion, he was just taking a look in passing.

The matter here was left to Mr. Turner.

But just then—

A group of people approached from the direction of Bailing Lake.

Inside the carriage, Brian Zane’s gaze sharpened slightly through the curtain.

But Henry Clark stopped.

……

“Fifty taels of silver isn’t that much, after all.”