"This bracelet?" Old Master Xu was taken aback. Could it be that he had misjudged—that this bracelet was actually a treasure?
Xia Tian said nothing. He bit his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the bracelet. Instantly, it emitted a blood-red glow. The moment everyone saw that light, they froze in shock.
Blood Jade.
"Little brother, I'll take that bracelet for one million," a nearby shop owner hurried forward and said.
"Old Kang, that's not right of you. How can you offer only one million for Blood Jade? I'll pay two million." Another shop owner came over as well. Blood Jade was an exceptionally rare treasure—essentially priceless.
And this was an entire string of Blood Jade beads; its origin was clearly extraordinary.
"Sorry, I'm not selling." Xia Tian gave a faint smile and turned toward the street. It was time to leave.
Old Master Xu quickly followed him out of Gu Wan Street, his four bodyguards trailing behind. "Little brother, may I know your name?"
"My name is Xia Tian," he replied.
"Little brother, would you consider becoming friends with me, Xu Decheng?" Xu Decheng saw great potential in Xia Tian. He was certain that Xia Tian's skill in appraising treasures was not a matter of luck—he must be a disciple of some great master.
Before today, Xia Tian had known little about Jianghai City, nor had he expected to meet anyone important. But ever since obtaining the Clairvoyance, the world itself seemed to have changed. There were too many questions he needed to find answers to—
Where had his mother gone? Why had his father forbidden him to ask about her? And why had his father's death been so strange? He hadn't even seen the body before it was cremated. His aunt had handled the burial.
If he relied on his own strength, he would never uncover the truth. But if he could ally with the treasure appraiser Xu Decheng, his chances would increase significantly—Xu's network of connections was far broader than his own.
It would also save him a great deal of trouble later on.
"Of course. It's an honor to be friends with Master Xu," Xia Tian said with a polite smile. He had already decided to befriend Xu Decheng—but against such a shrewd old fox, he would have to keep his Mind's Eye open.
"Little brother, you flatter me. Your skill in treasure appraisal has already reached the level of a true master. I'm the one showing off before you." Old Master Xu clasped his hands respectfully. "May I ask again for your full name?"
"My name is Xia Tian."
"So, Little Brother Xia," Xu said, "may I ask who your esteemed teacher is?" He was even more curious about the person behind Xia Tian. To have trained a disciple this talented, that person must be a legendary figure in the world of antique appraisal.
Xia Tian's current level was already enough to see through the fake works crafted by Fang Quzi. His future achievements would be boundless.
Just then, a Land Rover pulled up in front of them. Gu Wan Street was fairly secluded—crowded within, but quiet outside.
When Xu Decheng saw the vehicle, he frowned.
The car door opened, and three men in black stepped out. One of them walked with a limp. His hair was cropped short. Unlike the other two in suits, he wore a plain tracksuit—no adornments—paired with gleaming black military-style leather boots.
At the sight of them, Xu Decheng instinctively took several steps back, while his four bodyguards moved in front to shield him.
The crippled man's cold gaze swept past Xu Decheng and fixed on Xia Tian. "You're Xia Tian, aren't you? Come with me."
"Come with you? And who might you be?" Xia Tian said, immediately sensing trouble.
"His name is Ah San," Xu Decheng said quietly behind him. "He's Xu Qinghua's personal guard." Xu knew very well how dangerous Ah San was.
"Xu Decheng, this has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it—or don't blame me, Ah San, for showing no mercy," Ah San said, stepping forward. Though he wasn't afraid of Xu Decheng, he knew interference from him would make things messy.
"Ah San, don't think that just because Xu Qinghua backs you, you can act so arrogantly in front of me. I'm Xu Qinghua's uncle." Xu Decheng stepped up, meeting Ah San's gaze. He knew Xia Tian was no ordinary young man—there had to be a powerful master behind him. If he helped now, their relationship could grow stronger.
Ah San was formidable, but whoever stood behind Xia Tian would certainly not fear him.
The two men in black behind Ah San moved toward Xia Tian. Xu Decheng's four bodyguards immediately positioned themselves to block the way. A fight was about to erupt.
"Stand back," Ah San ordered his men. "If you move, it'll just waste time."
"All four of you, attack together. Don't underestimate him—he's no ordinary fighter," Xu Decheng warned. He knew Ah San too well.
Xu Qinghua's firm hold on the family's power was largely due to Ah San—who had quietly eliminated every threat in his way.
Xu Decheng's four bodyguards were professionally trained experts, each capable of handling several opponents at once. They were his personal protectors.
Ah San advanced slowly toward them. Xia Tian was curious—could this half-crippled man really be so strong?
Then Ah San moved.
His left leg shot out in a lightning-fast kick, striking one guard square on the chin. Using that momentum, he spun and delivered a sweeping kick that sent another man flying.
Xia Tian was stunned. Even the Taekwondo demonstrations he'd seen before couldn't compare to this.
"It seems I've underestimated Ah San," Xu Decheng muttered. "Brother Xia Tian, I'm afraid I can't help you. You'd best have your master intervene. Anyone targeted by Xu Qinghua rarely meets a good end." He said this deliberately, hoping to make Xia Tian reveal his master's identity.
"So this old fox was planning this all along," Xia Tian thought. He had been wary of Xu Decheng from the start. A man like him was a double-edged sword—useful if handled well, but deadly if not.
The reason Xu Decheng was so eager to befriend him was because he believed Xia Tian had a powerful master. Since that was the case, Xia Tian decided not to play along. "My master is very busy. He wouldn't bother with such a trivial matter."
By now, Ah San had already taken down all four guards within seconds. Still, the men endured their pain and struggled back to their feet.
"Hmph. Still got some fight in you," Ah San sneered. He struck again—two swift kicks sent two of them sprawling. He stomped hard with his right foot, flipped, and struck the third man square on the head. As he landed, he pushed off lightly and vaulted onto the last guard's shoulder.
With a sudden twist, he flipped again—sending the man crashing to the ground.
"Come with me," Ah San said coldly to Xia Tian. His mission was to bring Xia Tian back, not to harm him. As for Xu Decheng, he didn't even acknowledge his presence.
In his eyes, the only reason Xu Decheng still lived was because Xu Qinghua had spared him out of respect for his age. Otherwise, he would have joined Xu Qinghua's other unfortunate brothers long ago.
"What, do you expect me to invite you?" Ah San frowned. His two men moved in to seize Xia Tian.
Just as they reached for him, Xia Tian stepped back slightly, then grabbed both by the shoulders and pulled sharply. The two men crashed to the ground in an instant.
Though his movements looked effortless, everyone saw them clearly.
Ah San froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing in surprise as he looked at Xia Tian.