Family Heritage Test (1)
After successfully finishing his meeting with his father, the manor lord Seok Ji-sung, Seok Geum-ryong had about a month left before his fifteenth birthday.
And during that month, there was something he was investing in.
“Master Na!”
“You’re back again.”
It was not some item or commodity, but a technique.
And it was also a reliable means of overcoming the Seokga Manor Family Heritage Test in perfect form.
“My fifteenth birthday is almost here, so I want to master it completely.”
“Hahaha! Who am I to stop Young Master Seok?”
Na Cheon-lip, the Heaven-Earth Scholar, laughed heartily, though he still clicked his tongue in admiration.
As befitted a peculiar man reputed to be the greatest jack-of-all-trades in the martial world, Na Cheon-lip was teaching Seok Geum-ryong a variety of useful skills.
They ranged from light smithing arts to practical tricks that would let him maintain and repair his own armor and weapons with ease.
Then there was one craft Seok Geum-ryong had become deeply obsessed with.
That was...
“Good. Then shall we learn True-Artifact Appraisal Arts again today?”
Appraisal arts, in other words, the skill of examining an object in detail, judging it, and determining its value.
Some might ask why such a thing would even require a skill, but that was nonsense.
There was learning to be found in every trivial field under heaven.
Appraising objects was no exception.
“Back to the theory first. Great masters and artisans, once they reach a certain level, naturally end up putting their soul into what they make, often without even realizing it.”
What Na Cheon-lip meant was that even ordinary craftsmen, if they had reached a true level of mastery without ever studying internal energy or martial arts, could still pour their spirit or intent into the work they created.
It was as natural as a martial artist infusing a weapon with qi or force.
“And the True-Artifact Appraisal Arts pour powerful internal energy into the eyes, letting one discern whether a master craftsman’s soul and intent dwell within a piece or object.”
Just as a martial artist could detect a weapon imbued with inner force, one would focus internal energy into the eyes and, with sharpened sight, determine whether the craftsman’s soul and intent had been left behind in the work.
“Of course, just because a craftsman’s soul and intent are present doesn’t mean every item is valuable, and it doesn’t mean every item is genuine either.”
For example, what about an item made by a skilled artisan who had spent his whole life imitating other people’s work?
That imitation might be nearly worthless, but the craftsman’s soul and intent would still be in it.
“So valuing a work through the True-Artifact Appraisal Arts alone is somewhat dangerous... but if it’s you, Young Master Seok, someone as versatile as you are, with internal energy several times greater than ordinary masters, then raising the probability dramatically should be easy enough. Which means your chances are high.”
Na Cheon-lip had great expectations of Seok Geum-ryong.
His own True-Artifact Appraisal Arts were only meant to support the process.
That was because Na Cheon-lip’s internal energy level was ordinary.
But Seok Geum-ryong was different.
So long as he has that bottomless internal energy, akin to that of an expert in the Ascension / Divine Realm, he can inspect and observe an object or work piece down to its very core.
Thus, if he could simply hone his ability to identify imitations, Seok Geum-ryong might awaken as yet another profession beyond merchant, martial artist, and physician: an appraiser.
“All right, then. Shall we begin?”
Na Cheon-lip guided Seok Geum-ryong and concentrated his internal energy into his eyes and sight.
Seok Geum-ryong’s internal energy and talent were so abundant that all that remained was to draw them out.
This True-Artifact Appraisal Arts will bring in a massive profit.
That was precisely why Seok Geum-ryong had accepted the Family Heritage Test with such confidence.
Antique markets and secondhand markets already held enormous value in the present day, so if he could accurately determine the authenticity and worth of goods, he would certainly make profits not merely twenty times over, but far beyond that.
The Family Heritage Test was originally a simple trial in which one received around ten gold coins and had to multiply them by five or more, but Seok Geum-ryong’s mindset was different.
My goal is to utterly surpass Seok Dong-seo’s record of twenty times profit.
He swore he would not return until that goal was achieved.
* * *
“Congratulations, Young Master!”
“Happy fifteenth birthday, Young Master!”
At last, the fifteenth birthday of the Golden Prince, Seok Geum-ryong, had arrived.
With Seok Geum-ryong’s standing soaring lately, the celebration was held with unprecedented splendor.
For one thing, not only Bukcheon-won and Seokma-gwan, Seok Geum-ryong’s own territory, but also Cheonji-gwan, newly established for manufacturing and distributing a variety of weapons and armor together with Na Cheon-lip, had all gathered under one roof.
Was that all?
Since it was Seok Geum-ryong’s fifteenth birthday, the Nine Yin Association, with whom he had previously forged a blood oath, as well as the Hebei branch of the Beggars’ Sect and numerous martial artists, all came to mark the occasion with a grand banquet.
“Thank you all for attending such a modest birthday of mine.”
Seok Geum-ryong, deeply moved by the warm welcome that rivaled even the birthday he had shared during the fourteenth Hebei Exchange Conference, spoke with heartfelt gratitude.
Each year when his birthday came around again, what he felt was the quiet thought that he had indeed lived diligently for another year.
I’m still nowhere near satisfied.
He did not content himself with the grand celebration and chose, once again, to make his birthday a challenge.
“As much as I would like to share this meaningful occasion with the distinguished guests who came to celebrate me... I am the heir of Seokga Manor, and as a man, I must depart and complete the Family Heritage Test.”
That very last night, Seok Geum-ryong had met not only Seok Ji-sung, the manor lord, but also the first butler and chief steward, Sword Discussant Jo Seung-pyo, and declared that once the birthday banquet ended, he would leave to take the Family Heritage Test.
And since Butler Jo Seung-pyo gave me ten gold coins...
Using that as his starting capital, he would only be satisfied once he had at least shattered Seok Dong-seo’s record of twenty times profit.
Ahhh!
As soon as it was announced that the protagonist of the birthday banquet would be leaving, many people expressed their regret.
In particular, the disappointment of Xiao Wugui Qian Zifu, the Hebei branch leader of the Beggars’ Sect, and Yin-Extending Sword Cho So-yeon of the Nine Yin Association was especially deep.
Still, Seok Geum-ryong had plenty to do.
If I can master the True-Artifact Appraisal Arts to near perfection in a short time... and if Young Master Seok can show me the superiority of the blue above the indigo, then it’s entirely possible!
Watching him from a distance with a satisfied smile was Na Cheon-lip.
Over the course of roughly two months, Na Cheon-lip had spent every moment with Seok Geum-ryong, and once again realized just how astounding his persistence and talent were.
Na Cheon-lip was certain there were not many appraisers in all the world as sharp as Seok Geum-ryong.
At the very least, in terms of sensing what was exceptional in an object, he might well be the best among appraisers.
“Young Master. Then where do you plan to go?”
Scholar in Blue Gong Sang-pil asked.
The Seokga Manor Family Heritage Test was to be taken entirely alone, which meant all companionship was forbidden, and no advantage could be taken from the Seokga Manor’s standing or help from one’s maternal family.
For that reason, not even the Bukcheon-won leadership, including Gong Sang-pil, had the slightest idea where Seok Geum-ryong was headed.
The only person who could make a guess was Na Cheon-lip.
“I’m going to the antique market in Hefei, Anhui Province.”
“What? The Hefei market in Anhui Province?”
“Why there...?”
Many people voiced their confusion at Seok Geum-ryong’s answer, but among everyone present, only two people knew that the Hefei market in Anhui Province held the largest antique market in the Central Plains.
Would Seok Geum-ryong truly be able to uncover a jackpot item that no one else had found in the Hefei market of Anhui Province?
* * *
At the Hefei market in Anhui Province, where the largest antique market in the Central Plains was held, there was someone standing there in anxiety.
A handsome young master dressed in somewhat shabby clothes and disguised as modestly as possible, yet still exuding effortless refinement.
He was, of course, the Golden Prince Seok Geum-ryong.
This shouldn’t be happening...
To his surprise, Seok Geum-ryong was currently struggling.
That was because by the time he arrived at the Hefei market and had examined the vast array of goods, seven days and seven nights had already passed.
And yet, unbelievably, he had found nothing.
Seok Geum-ryong had worked hard to use the True-Artifact Appraisal Arts, but he had not discovered a single piece imbued with a craftsman’s soul or intent.
At first I even wondered whether something was wrong with my technique, or with the True-Artifact Appraisal Arts themselves.
He had looked again and again, and still no brilliant works appeared, so he had felt flustered enough to suspect that. But he shook the thought away.
It was one thing to doubt a random source, but this had been taught to him by Na Cheon-lip, the greatest jack-of-all-trades. The trust he placed in it was strong.
Then what was the problem?
Is there some separate place where the real treasures in the Hefei market gather?
Only low-quality goods had appeared in front of him, so the thought rose naturally.
Otherwise, he believed there was no way the Hefei market, the greatest antique market in the Central Plains, could be this terrible.
With that conviction, after searching for a long while, Seok Geum-ryong finally discovered the street where the true craftsmen and truly high-quality goods of the Hefei market were gathered.
That street was tucked away in a very inconspicuous place, and the reason it had been arranged that way was to separate the amateurs from the drifters.
Found it at last!
He was just about to enter with a satisfied look after finally finding the place where the high-grade goods congregated, but then another problem arose.
“Shoo! This isn’t a place you can just wander into.”
“If you don’t have a pass, anyone can’t come in.”
Since its purpose was precisely to filter out wandering peddlers, Seok Geum-ryong, who had no connections and no reputation whatsoever in Anhui’s Hefei market, lacked the qualifications to enter.
Only wealthy merchants, prosperous trading caravans, escort agencies recognized by all, or a few longstanding local merchants who had earned trust in Anhui Province were allowed in.
This is frustrating.
And yet if he revealed his true identity, that he was the heir of Seokga Manor, it would violate the rules of the Family Heritage Test.
The Family Heritage Test explicitly stated that one must not benefit from Seokga Manor’s name.
That was because if one used the Seokga Manor name, turning ten gold coins into dozens or even hundreds of times that amount would be far too easy.
He had dressed as plainly as possible, hidden his status completely, and even covered the lower half of his face, all for that reason.
So Seok Geum-ryong was at a loss, unable to move forward or back, when a saving hand reached out to him.
“Child, do you want to see the Hefei Master Market?”
The time permitted for the Seokga Manor Family Heritage Test was not very long.
Time was gold, and when he still did not know what might happen later, there was no room to waste it.
So just as he was growing anxious, a voice too kind and gentle to ignore reached him.
“Who...?”
When Seok Geum-ryong turned around, he saw a pretty young lady who looked three or four years older than him, smiling brightly at him.
“Gasp! Aren’t you Miss Sun Ok-ran, the only daughter of Sunwind Express?”
“Were you with her? I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you!”
With Sun Ok-ran, the sole heir to the famous escort agency in Anhui Province, following behind Seok Geum-ryong, he gained not only freedom from suspicion but even free access.
“Thank you. I don’t know how I should repay this kindness.”
Seok Geum-ryong smiled in deep gratitude after unexpectedly receiving her help.
Perhaps because he had lately encountered so many villains who showed the ugliness of human nature, the pure goodwill within a person felt especially welcome now.
“There’s nothing to repay. You seem to be quite interested in antiques... go to a place called Myeongguk Hall behind that bookstore. There are many rare things there that are not displayed openly.”
Not only did Sun Ok-ran help him get inside, she also introduced him to a good shop known only to local regulars.
“You’re very kind.”
“I hope you have a pleasant journey.”
Because she had other matters to attend to, Sun Ok-ran soon waved and disappeared, and Seok Geum-ryong sincerely hoped that kindness would return to such a gentle soul.
Then he headed straight for the nearby Myeongguk Hall.
“At last... found it!”
Before even using the True-Artifact Appraisal Arts, he had succeeded in finding an old antique that radiated a powerful aura and presence.