Yu Feibai, standing nearby, was also thrilled. He could certainly tell that if Gao Dequan was taking two people, the other one besides Wang Guan could only be himself.

"Don't celebrate too soon. The exchange meeting is in a week. Elder Qian is going ahead of time to reunite with old friends."

Gao Dequan snorted, "For the next few days, I want you two poring over your books. Even if it's cramming at the last minute, it's better than making the most rudimentary factual errors and embarrassing me."

"Don't worry, Uncle De, I'll study diligently and won't disgrace you," Yu Feibai declared, pounding his chest, though secretly thinking that if all else failed, there was always his mobile network.

Unaware of Yu Feibai's little scheme, Gao Dequan nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly asked, "Wang Guan, these Qing inksticks of yours are comparatively high-grade masterpieces. How do you plan to handle them?"

"Uh..."

Wang Guan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and finally sighed, "I suppose I should sell them."

Truth be told, Wang Guan was only tentatively dabbling in collecting. His house in the porcelain capital was still rented. Taking the ancient inkstones back was not only unsafe but also took up space. More importantly, a single trip home had severely depleted his bank account, leaving him with only a hundred thousand in savings. He urgently needed to sell the ancient inkstones to recoup some capital.

"Otherwise, if I encounter another fine treasure and don't have the money to buy it, I’ll be filled with regret," Wang Guan reasoned, strengthening his resolve to part with the ancient inkstones.

"Good!"

Gao Dequan nodded. "It just so happens that at the exchange meeting, there will be many bosses from auction houses, antique shops, and experts who collect inkstones. They should be interested in these things."

"Haha, not only are they interested, but I'm interested too!"

At this point, Yu Feibai chimed in with a grin, "Wang Guan, since you want to sell, why not transfer them to me? But I’m not greedy; just the masterpieces by the Four Great Masters of the Qing Dynasty will do. One piece from each of the four, four ink cakes in total, which would perfectly complement the Kui Xing Ying Shi Inkstone Slab."

"Deal."

Wang Guan readily agreed without discussing the price, confident that given Yu Feibai's character, he wouldn't take advantage of him.

As expected, after picking out four ink cakes in excellent condition from the collection on the ground, Yu Feibai pondered briefly and then wrote a check for one hundred and fifty thousand, handing it over to Wang Guan.

Wang Guan immediately hesitated upon seeing the amount. "This is a bit too much."

"It’s not too much; it's actually a discount price."

Yu Feibai chuckled, "I looked up some data just now. Fine inkstones by the Four Great Masters, preserved this well, are worth at least forty to fifty thousand each. Moreover, having all four together counts as a set. If you put them up for auction, they should appreciate considerably."

"Wang Guan, don't mind him. We appreciate the favor. He's been flush lately and doesn't care about this small change," Gao Dequan laughed. "He’s actually being frugal now; two years ago, if he were buying these things, he'd insist on adding double the money."

"Uncle De, please don't bring up my reckless youth," Yu Feibai said with a wry smile. "The past is unbearable to recall. I'm terrified of being poor now. Unlike you two, you are the truly wealthy tycoons."

"Especially Wang Guan, truly blessed by fortune. Just going home to buy a few things, and in the blink of an eye, he stumbles upon another bargain," Yu Feibai envied. "Pity me, I've taken losses for years, why haven't I encountered such good fortune?"

"This was an accident," Wang Guan could only offer a dry laugh.

Gao Dequan took the opportunity to say, "Well, striking a bargain requires not only luck but also discernment. Instead of envying others, you should focus on diligent study. Sooner or later, it will be your turn."

Yu Feibai wasn't spurred to ambition; instead, he muttered, "Without luck, no matter how sharp your eye is, you can only watch others strike bargains."

This left Gao Dequan speechless, having to admit that for those with discerning eyes like them, luck was indeed the primary element in finding a bargain.

Seeing the two looking dejected, Wang Guan could only express that he was unable to help. What is destined to be will be, and what is not, one should not force—even if luck is vague and ethereal, one must acknowledge its existence.

After sighing for a while, Gao Dequan, whose disposition was relatively mature and steady, quickly recovered and laughed, "Alright, you two, go back and prepare. We set off in a couple of days."

"Where are we going?" Yu Feibai asked.

"Mount Longhu!"

Three days flashed by.

By this time, Wang Guan and the others were already on a train heading to Mount Longhu.

In the soft sleeper compartment of the train, Wang Guan quietly picked up a travel magazine and began reading the introduction to Mount Longhu.

Mount Longhu is located within the territory of Guixi City, Yingtan, and is the ancestral home of the Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi) school of Taoism. For those less familiar with Taoism, mentioning the Zhengyi school might leave them confused. However, if one mentions Celestial Master Zhang, most people will instantly grasp the reference.

Mount Longhu was originally named Cloud Brocade Mountain (Yunjin Shan). Legend has it that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Daoling, the founder of the Zhengyi school and the first Celestial Master, practiced alchemy on Mount Longhu. When the elixir was perfected, a dragon and a tiger appeared, and thus the mountain was named Mount Longhu (Dragon Tiger Mountain).

Wang Guan had long been familiar with the fame of Mount Longhu. However, he had never had the leisure or the funds to visit. Unexpectedly, now, without any specific intention, his wish was being granted.

As for why the Treasure Exchange Meeting was being held at Mount Longhu? This was quite understandable. One only needs to look around to see that nowadays, whether it's a research society, a discussion forum, or a farewell gathering, they are all convened in famous scenic mountain areas.

For many people, the content of the meeting is not as important as the location where the meeting is held.

Of course, the participants of the Treasure Exchange Meeting were certainly not that superficial. But this exchange meeting was inherently not a strictly formal event; participants could relax, appreciate treasures, and enjoy the scenery simultaneously—killing two birds with one stone, why not?

"Most importantly, the host of this year's exchange meeting lives in Yingtan."

Gao Dequan chuckled, "With a local like that, and having announced that lodging and board are all covered, the confluence of heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony is complete. If the exchange meeting wasn't held at Mount Longhu, it would almost seem wrong not to."

"Hearing you say that, Uncle De, it seems you have a good relationship with him." Yu Feibai asked curiously, "A friend of yours?"

"A nouveau riche who affects refinement," Gao Dequan laughed. "He has no real ability but insists on playing at collecting like others. He was swindled quite a bit in the early years but remained oblivious, instead feeling self-satisfied. Every year he buys a pile of junk, and many people consider him a walking ATM."

"So, a big spender," Yu Feibai chuckled.

"But no one is a complete fool. After being fooled too many times, he learned his lesson. Since he isn't short on money, he simply hired a team of experts to serve him. In the last couple of years, he has also collected quite a few good things," Gao Dequan said with a slight smile.

"Sounds very interesting," Wang Guan remarked with a smile. "Uncle De, that person probably tried to hire you to serve him too."

"Heh, that’s right. Not just me, almost every expert in the province received an invitation from him. However, most people refused," Gao Dequan laughed. "Although he’s not as easily fooled as he used to be, he is, after all, a major financier. This year, he offered to be the host himself, and everyone gave him face, going along with it. Privately, we suspect he acquired some phenomenal item and wants to show it off to everyone at this opportunity."

................. New book, seeking collections and recommendations, please support.