Chapter Twelve: The Legendary Treasure, the Luminous Pearl

Qin Tianming had come to Qiantang this time purely for leisure. Renowned as a paradise on earth, Qiantang boasted both exceptional living and travel environments. Over the past years, his role at Wanli Auction House had been little more than a figurehead; unless a true treasure surfaced, he seldom received assignments, a situation he found most agreeable.

This trip was partly for pleasure, but also to pay a visit to his young protégé, Huang Wei. Huang was meticulous in his work, exacting in appraisals, and the most diligent of his disciples in paying respects during holidays—qualities that made him Qin’s favorite and most accomplished student.

At the moment, since Huang Wei was engaged in an urgent appraisal, Qin Tianming waited in Huang’s office, sipping tea.

Suddenly, the door was flung open with a bang, and someone rushed in.

“Master, Master, you must come see this! I think we’ve encountered a true treasure—I dare not make a judgment on my own, it’s simply too astonishing!”

...

With another resounding bang, the door to Appraisal Room One was pushed open, admitting an elderly man with a full head of silver hair and a healthy flush to his cheeks—Qin Tianming—followed closely by Huang Wei.

Zhou Peng hurried over to support him. “Master Qin, you’ve arrived!”

Qin Tianming waved him off. “I’m not so old that I can’t walk. Let me see this so-called marvel—let’s see if it’s as extraordinary as Huang Wei claims.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze fell upon the pearl resting on a silk scarf atop the table.

“Sir, may I take a closer look?” Qin Tianming courteously sought Wu You’s permission, and upon receiving it, leaned in for a careful examination.

He inspected and gently handled the pearl for five full minutes before finally letting out a long breath.

He turned to look at Zhou Peng.

He was familiar with the internal workings and politics of Wanli Auction House, but his distinguished standing kept him above the fray. Still, after this event, Zhou Peng’s career was likely about to soar.

Qin Tianming then turned to Wu You.

“Sir, congratulations. What you possess is a natural pearl, exceedingly rare in this world, with luster and quality approaching perfection. Its value is at least ten million.”

Zhou Peng was elated. At last, a treasure worth tens of millions had passed through his hands. The difference between seven million and ten million might seem a mere three million, but in the world of auctions, the leap from the millions to the tens of millions was a chasm.

“Huang Wei, quickly issue Mr. Wu his certificate of appraisal.” Zhou Peng was relieved he hadn’t been as arrogant as Zhao Xing earlier. To be fair, Zhao Xing hadn’t been entirely wrong—everyone in this business makes misjudgments, especially when they haven’t even seen the item in question.

“Wait.”

Wu You, who had barely spoken since the appraisal began, interjected in a calm, even tone.

Zhou Peng tensed. Was Wu You still upset about the incident at the reception, and planning not to consign the gem with Wanli after all?

He asked, anxiously, “Mr. Wu, the appraisal is complete. Is it our service you’re dissatisfied with?”

Wu You regarded Zhou Peng with a hint of amusement. The general manager was quite a character—perhaps even worthy of friendship. In the past, he would never have dared to befriend someone of Zhou’s stature, but now Wu You had earned the right to a little pride.

“Mr. Zhou, I have no complaints about your company’s service. Though there was a misunderstanding at first, it hasn’t affected my overall impression.”

Zhou Peng breathed a sigh of relief.

“But—”

His heart lurched again.

Wu You continued evenly, “The appraisal is not yet finished.”

Zhou Peng rubbed his chest in exasperation. “Brother, can’t you just say everything at once? Wait—what do you mean the appraisal isn’t finished?”

Both Huang Wei and Zhou Peng blurted out this question in unison, while Qin Tianming’s expression also turned to one of surprise.

Wu You nodded at them.

“May I ask, can this appraisal room be completely isolated from all light sources?”

At this question, a sharp gleam instantly flashed in Qin Tianming’s eyes as he fixed his gaze upon the pearl on the table.

A moment later, Huang Wei and Zhou Peng also realized what might be unfolding.

Could it be?

Surely not!

But Zhou Peng reacted first. “Yes, yes, for appraising jadeite and certain transparent gemstones, a fully dark environment is sometimes required. Our conference room can be rendered completely lightless.”

Wu You nodded. “Very well, then please block out all light.”

Zhou Peng, his nerves taut, retrieved a remote control from a drawer and pressed a button. The room’s sunshades began to descend, and two wooden panels slid out to seal the windows completely.

He then walked to the wall and switched off the lights.

The moment the bulbs were extinguished, a miraculous transformation occurred: the pearl on the table began to emit a soft, golden light.

The glow grew stronger, illuminating the faces and the surroundings of those present, until the entire thirty-square-meter appraisal room was bathed in its radiance.

The jewel’s light was gentle, never harsh; at that moment, it appeared to the observers as a luminous, crystalline point.

As the glow intensified, the mouths of Huang Wei, Zhou Peng, and Qin Tianming opened wider and wider in awe.

It was a long moment before anyone recovered. Zhou Peng, almost incoherent with excitement, pointed at the glowing pearl and shouted,

“This—this—is a luminous pearl, a true luminous pearl!”

Huang Wei stood at the side, gripping his own hand tightly, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the dazzling source of light.

Qin Tianming exhaled slowly, calming himself.

“The moon over the sea brings tears to the pearl; warm sunlight on Bluefields raises mists from jade. I never thought, in my lifetime, that I, Qin, would see such a legendary treasure.”

Wu You was quite satisfied with their reaction—far more dramatic than his own had been the previous day.

In truth, no one could blame these industry veterans for their astonishment. Luminous pearls had been the stuff of legend since ancient times, often said to be treasures of merfolk or sea spirits. Yet in reality, so-called luminous pearls were nothing more than polished fluorite or synthetics, mostly the latter. These required prior exposure to light to glow for a short time, and their spherical shape was always man-made. To call them the legendary luminous pearls was a stretch; their light was neither beautiful nor translucent, and, frankly, they were no more valuable than a common light bulb—hardly worthy of being called treasures.

But the pearl in Wu You’s possession was altogether different. Qin Tianming had already authenticated it as a natural pearl, and it was self-luminous—a true luminous pearl, evoking the air of myth and legend.

“Master Qin, may I ask—what is this pearl’s value?” Wu You, seeing that they had finally calmed down, voiced the question most on his mind.

Qin Tianming blurted out without thinking, “Value? How can one estimate the value of this? This is a peerless treasure, priceless beyond measure!”

Zhou Peng could not accept this—an appraisal with no estimate was unacceptable. What if the client refused to auction? This was a heaven-sent fortune; he could not let it slip away.

“Ahem, Master Qin, after all, Mr. Wu is here to consign the pearl for auction. There must be at least a starting bid.”

Qin Tianming caught himself. “Yes, yes—though the treasure is priceless, an auction needs an opening. I suggest a starting bid of one hundred million.”

Both Zhou Peng and Wu You inhaled sharply.

“To be honest, the final sale price will be at least ten times that,” Qin Tianming declared. “It is utterly unique, a singular treasure throughout history. If one must draw a comparison, only the He Shi Jade Disc comes to mind.”

With that, Qin Tianming finished giving his opinion.

Zhou Peng was at a complete loss for words. Should this auction succeed, the commissions alone would net the company more than a hundred million. After the incident at the front desk involving Zhao Xing, word had spread: this business was saved by Zhou Peng’s own efforts. If this didn’t prove his capability, nothing would. If anyone doubted him, let them fetch the He Shi Jade and see who came out ahead.