Chapter 5 - Venerable Estimator

The group soon entered the Shining Pillar Pavilion courtyard, passing through a golden gate. At the centre of the courtyard a shining pillar stood tall, imposing, a memento of the Pavilion’s prestige. This was the place where the most precious items in the entire country could be found. The Pavilion was known for its honest and unstained reputation, the right place for both purchasing and selling.

The access was allowed only to esteemed guests, luckily Unbroken Fang was one of them. He was not a usual costumer, but his reputation was widespread. The entrance of the Pavilion resembled an old temple, high columns in marble sustained marble sculptures. If looking from afar, the sculptures would depict the scene of heavily armoured generals bowing to an ascending emperor, resembling a rising sun. Awe, ambition, inferiority and yearning could be generated in everyone looking at such an inspiring scene.

The huge doors with golden carvings opened, a young and elegant maid was waiting for them. “Welcome to the Shining Pillar Pavilion esteemed guests, how can I help you?” “We’re here to see the Venerable Estimator” Unbroken Fang confidently spoke.

The young maid continued smiling without batting an eye “Have you reserved an appointment with our Venerable?” “No, but we need to see him for an urgent matter. We cannot wait for another time” the mercenary made himself clear again. “Please wait here for a moment” the lady left for marble stairs leading to the other floors.

Any young lady like her would feel intimidated by facing the mercenary leader, but she was used to deal with renowned experts. After a little she was back “Esteemed guests, please follow me” she politely said, before leading the way for the group. They got to the third floor and were brought to a vast salon, with wooden furniture and golden embellishments. The taste of the furniture was refined and sophisticated, a fresh fragrance dispersed in the air made the presents feel at peace, comfortable harm-chairs had been prepared, one for each member of the group, as well as a cup of fuming tea.

“Heaven Flood Dragon Tea, such a marvellous drink, thanks for the warm welcome” Falven greeted the Venerable upon entering. The Venerable Estimator was the director of the Pavilion, a Commander expert.

He had been a brilliant genius in the past, who had decided to dedicate his life to exploring the mysteries of the world, becoming a terrifically knowledgable expert. The Pavilion took him in and groomed him to be the next director, today he was without any doubts the greatest estimator of the Unbroken Kingdom.

“I see this young friend has good taste. Please take a seat my guests, what can I do for you?” His tone was very friendly and he lacked the imposing aura of a Commander cultivator. His white long rare hair falling on his back and his slightly closed eyes gave him an even more amiable grandpa look.

“We would be extremely honoured if Venerable would appraise some goods for us. We know that many estimators are available in Unbroken City, but we believe that the nature of the goods here would require your direct involvement” Falven introduced the issue, before showing one item after another. They were all things purchased in the scamming street. The lieutenants felt embarrassed to show to such a grand character this pile of garbage and they could only smile helplessly.

“Please Clara, be ready to take note” the Venerable announced, calling to a maid who quickly came closer with paper and ink, before he started observing one object after another. “32 knight crystals, 70 knight crystals, 44 knight crystals, 520 knight crystals, 275 knight crystals, 92 knight crystals, 58 knight crystals…” hearing the value of the items the lieutenants were jaw-dropping, they had no idea how this was possible.

These so astonishingly high evaluations put them in a state of shock. Unbroken Fang, who had been a bit tense, was now satisfyingly smiling, while Falven was calmly listening to the Venerable Estimator evaluations, as if this results was clearly to be expected.

When the Venerable took the fake Tribulation Desert Bamboo he stopped, taking his time to assess the branch in his hands. “Quite a peculiar bamboo branch…may this be” “Dried Sheer Immortal Bamboo” Falven interrupted him, with a smile.

An amazed look appeared on the old face of the Venerable “Young friend, your eyes are golden treasures. The Dried Sheer Immortal Bamboo is a bamboo that used to be processed in the past, before the Heavens Punishment sentenced to death the evil Sects that defied the Heavens will. There are just a few available in this world, unfortunately their actual value is far less than what it could be. Nowadays it’s impossible to leverage its maximum potential because of the lack of experts capable to work with these materials. If you’re willing to sell this bamboo to our Pavilion I can offer 820 commander crystals”.

Silence. The mercenaries didn’t have words for what was happening, they could just stare at Falven, as if watching scenes that were completely out of their comprehension.

“820 commander crystals is a fair price, we’ll have to burden you for the transaction then. We would be also willing to sell anything else we have to your Pavilion, I believe all the named prices are fair enough. As a payment for the estimating service, would you be willing to charge a 5% on the total amount?”

“Oh young friend, meeting a young one so interesting is my pleasure, don’t worry about the estimating service, that’s on the house. Considering all the items you have brought, I’d be willing to pay the bulk for 820 commander crystals and 10 Captain crystals, are you satisfied with this?” the Venerable asked. “Very satisfied” Falven confirmed.

The innate ability of the youth to communicate with the Dao, the very origin of the laws that drench the whole universe and his God Mind Eye talent allowed him to literally rob the scamming street. He managed to identify every and each of its valuable items, both the ones known to the merchants and the unknown ones. In the whole Unbroken Country only the Venerable Estimator could achieve a result somewhat similar to this, but not before having spent days and nights to analyse each item on display. More likely, at his arrival merchants and scammers would have fled the street. Falven was the only one who could gain so many profits and Unbroken Fang now was sure of this.

The first part of the deal consisted in landing the money to Falven so that he could buy precious items that once sold to a pavilion would generate a profit. In the process the youth could retain one of the bought items if the deal would end up being profitable plus 25% of the profits. The end results were amazing.

The lieutenants who had been skeptical and hangry at the youth were now looking at him as if he was a ghost, a terrific existence outside of their imagination.

“Well, it’s time for phase two!” Unbroken Fang exclaimed “But first, Venerable Estimator, could you answer a shameless question of this junior here?” “Unbroken Fang, you’re a renowned expert of this generation, please speak your mind, no need to be so polite” the Venerable amiably said.

“What’s your estimation of the Purple Spiral Herb?”