I'll take a break today to organize the upcoming plotlines, so there will only be two updates. Please forgive me. Also, I'm still requesting monthly votes, so please give your support.

From the very beginning, Elder Qian mentioned that the Golden Silk Jade Brocade was woven. Wang Guan hadn't doubted this at the time, but now he was certain that during the weaving process, contraband had been intentionally included within the Golden Silk Jade Brocade.

Of course, it was also clear that the contraband within the brocade was deliberately incorporated; otherwise, it wouldn't possess such lifelike fidelity and solemn majesty...

Even now, Wang Guan still couldn't fathom how the effect in the Golden Silk Jade Brocade was achieved through weaving.

He saw that amidst the dense array of Sanskrit scriptures, a Buddha with a solemn Dharma appearance sat cross-legged, his form appearing and disappearing with the refraction of sunlight, as if a true Buddha seated in the void.

Furthermore, the Sanskrit characters on the silk were not copied at all; they were clearly interwoven using threads of gold and silver. The brilliant gold and silver light, the yellow and white colors, resembled the dazzling starlight of the night sky.

Under the bright sunlight, the infinite light source cast upon the Golden Silk Jade Brocade not only made the Buddha appear as if seated in the void, but the surrounding Sanskrit characters seemed like the sun, moon, and stars filling the heavens, circling around the Buddha. With every flash of light, an inexhaustible mystical aura emanated.

Given this scene, it was no wonder that Monk Banshan couldn't stay calm, immediately prostrating in worship and reciting scriptures for practice.

After a very, very long time, he finally concluded his rituals, and only then did Wang Guan and Elder Qian eagerly step forward to study it.

After appreciating it for a moment, Wang Guan couldn't help but sigh, "Elder Qian, I finally understand why, after Buddhism spread eastward, the indigenous Daoism began to decline step by step, rarely holding its own against Buddhism for most of the time."

"Why?" Elder Qian asked with keen interest.

"Primarily because their methods aren't as potent," Wang Guan stated frankly. "I can tell just by looking at what I have here. Daoist treasures are always so small and exquisitely delicate, completely lacking the grand presence and immediate impact of Buddhist supreme treasures. As the saying goes, great things can be inferred from small ones; comparing them simply on this aspect, it’s clear Daoism didn't lose unfairly."

"Nonsense," Elder Qian laughed and scolded, "Do you really think you’ve amassed all the world's great treasures?"

"Uh, I wouldn't dare," Wang Guan quickly shook his head. Perhaps he had such an idea before, but after visiting the Jia family, his slightly upturned tail was promptly tucked back in. It was better to remain humble and low-key; who knew which grand collector’s secret vault might hide a world-shaking treasure.

"It's good that you know that."

Elder Qian admonished him, "The world is vast, boundless as the ocean and sky. Never be like a frog in a well, complacent with your achievements. Your perspective determines your scope; the more your eyes can hold, the greater your potential accomplishment."

"Understood," Wang Guan lowered his head, accepting the lesson.

"But it doesn't matter much; you are still young, with plenty of time to see and learn more. After learning enough, you will understand this principle without others needing to tell you."

Elder Qian waved his hand, then pointed at the Golden Silk Jade Brocade. "How do you plan to deal with this item of yours?"

"This, well..." Wang Guan stroked his chin, pondering, choosing his words carefully. "If I were to sell this, say for three to five hundred million, wouldn't that price be too low?"

"Low, indeed very low," Elder Qian said solemnly. "Never mind anything else. Call over the heads of the temples in the capital. After they view and appreciate this object, don't talk about three to five hundred million; people would fight to buy it for one or two billion."

"Amitabha."

Hearing this, Monk Banshan couldn't help but emphasize, "Benefactor Wang, this is a divine Buddhist affinity..."

"Heh heh, Master, rest assured, I was just joking," Wang Guan immediately smiled. "How could I bear to part with such a supreme treasure so casually?"

Monk Banshan clearly didn't believe him. Wang Guan was constantly feigning poverty, which made him uneasy.

At this moment, Monk Banshan felt a bit of regret for having revealed the secret of the Golden Pagoda. But then again, if he hadn't revealed it, Wang Guan probably would have sold the pagoda to someone else directly, resulting in the same outcome.

Thoughts churning, Monk Banshan realized his mind was unsettled. He immediately recited the Heart Sutra several times to calm his spirit. Then, steeling his resolve, he made a certain decision: "If Benefactor Wang truly intends to sell this Buddhist treasure, this humble monk is willing to buy it."

"The Master wishes to buy?" Wang Guan was momentarily stunned, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. It wasn't that he looked down on Monk Banshan, but primarily because Monk Banshan shouldn't possess that much money.

Indeed, as he spoke, Monk Banshan's face flushed slightly, and he stammered, "Of course, as an ordained monk, I possess no personal wealth and cannot produce such a massive sum immediately. Therefore, I hope Benefactor Wang, out of our acquaintance, can grant an extension."

Although Wang Guan might not agree to Monk Banshan's request, he was still very curious. "May I ask how long an extension the Master would need to raise this money?"

"...One hundred years!" Monk Banshan looked extremely embarrassed, his slightly flushed face turning completely crimson.

"How many years?" Wang Guan thought he must have misheard.

"A limit of one century."

At this point, despite his face burning red, Monk Banshan could no longer afford to be reserved. He declared solemnly, "If Benefactor Wang is willing to let this humble monk have the Buddhist treasure, then I will pay Benefactor Wang ten million annually until a hundred years have passed—which will total one billion.

"Master!"

Instantly, Wang Guan felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. "I'm afraid I won't live that long."

"Don't worry. The Benefactor will marry and have descendants, and I, too, have disciples," Monk Banshan was not joking. "At that time, my disciples will naturally assume the debt and pay the full amount until the century is up. We can draw up a detailed contract; if I breach the agreement, the Benefactor can directly reclaim the Buddhist treasure."

At that moment, Wang Guan thought of the young novice guarding the temple in Singapore. He probably never dreamed that his master would try to sell him off. One hundred years—one generation of disciples certainly wouldn't be enough; it would take until the generation of grand-disciples to barely settle the debt.

Moreover, one shouldn't doubt Monk Banshan's ability to earn money. Previously, he followed the flow, occasionally making things to sell, enough to sustain the temple. Otherwise, with his Master-level carving skills, earning ten million a year would absolutely not be an issue.

Monk Banshan was only in his early forties and, barring accidents, could maintain an artistic career for at least thirty years. During those thirty years, he would have enough time to cultivate a Master-level disciple. Afterward, the disciple could take over for another thirty or forty years, and the grand-disciple could continue the work for another thirty years... Of course, considering potential inflation, they could also agree on a friendly negotiation to appropriately raise the price. Since he was selling off his grand-disciples, Monk Banshan wouldn't mind selling the great-grand-disciples either—truly an endless lineage descending through generations.

For a moment, Monk Banshan went on muttering, possessing a certain air of the Tang Monk.

"Master..." Wang Guan couldn't bear it any longer and quickly interrupted, forcing a wry smile. "You've misunderstood. I was truly joking just now; I have no intention of selling the Buddhist treasure. Actually, I also believe in Buddhism... Alright, my mother is a devout believer. I'll take the treasure back to her to enshrine later; I certainly won't sell it."

"Amitabha," Monk Banshan persisted relentlessly. "The Benefactor might want to reconsider..."

"I have made my position clear. This is my ancestral treasure, which must be passed down at least to my great-great-great-grandchildren. Anyone who dares to sell it during that time will be immediately cast out of the family," Wang Guan declared righteously. "Surely the Master can rest assured now. We will take good care of this item and ensure no harm comes to it."

"Alas!"

Monk Banshan sighed, left with nothing more to say.

Seeing the situation, Wang Guan quickly urged, "Master, please stay calm. Come have a cup of tea."

Monk Banshan gently shook his head and complied, sitting down. He raised the cup and sipped the fragrant, refreshing Xinyang Maojian tea, his mood slowly settling. However, his gaze grew increasingly firm.

Wang Guan sensed this and felt a headache coming on, knowing that from now on, he likely had another persistent nuisance on his hands.

"Wang Guan."

At the same time, Elder Qian, perhaps worried Wang Guan wasn't feeling enough pressure, smiled slightly. "Someone was looking for you just now; they want to discuss the Enamel-Painted Porcelain Mahjong set with you."

"Who?" Wang Guan frowned. "Curator Wang?"

"Not him, but likely someone connected to him."

Elder Qian smiled. "Have you seen the recent news? News about Mahjong."

Wang Guan blinked, thought for a moment, and suddenly realized. "The news about the return of the Aisin Gioro Puyi's Five-Color Mother-of-Pearl Tiles?"

"Exactly."

Elder Qian nodded. "The Mahjong Museum in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, intends to return a large batch of Mahjong collections, including the Five-Color Mother-of-Pearl Tiles. Some people plan to establish a dedicated museum with these collections but lack a true centerpiece. The person in charge has a good relationship with Curator Wang, and perhaps learned about the ceramic Mahjong tiles you possess through him, so they came knocking."

"No way, why is everyone coming to me?" Wang Guan groaned in frustration. "Other major collectors have plenty of treasures; why don't they go to them, but specifically target me?"

"Because they are major collectors, and you are not. Who else would they go to if not you?"

Elder Qian pierced the mystery with a single, sharp observation, then glanced over. "Besides, how do you know major collectors aren't sought after? Go stay at a major collector's house for a few days sometime, and you'll know what it means to have the door besieged by visitors."

"No wonder Elder Qian's house receives visitors every day," Wang Guan suddenly understood. "They are all people coveting your treasures?"

"More nonsense," Elder Qian laughed and scolded, then commanded, "It’s getting late. Go order a vegetarian feast at the Taisu Hall. Master Banshan rarely visits; we mustn't slight him."

Hearing this, Monk Banshan quickly said, "Benefactor Qian is too polite. As an ascetic, I do not crave luxury; simple tea and coarse meals suffice; there's no need to be overly fussy."

"Just a regular vegetarian meal," Wang Guan explained, then added with a smile, "I'll also call Brother Pi over; he'll surely be delighted to hear the Master is in the capital."

As he spoke, Wang Guan immediately ran out to make a call, urgently needing Pi Qiusi to come over and help deflect some of the pressure.

As expected, upon hearing that Monk Banshan had arrived, Pi Qiusi drove over from Tianjin without a second thought. However, after being warmly ushered into the living room by Wang Guan, the moment he saw the Golden Silk Jade Brocade, he too was left speechless... (To be continued)