Inside Peach Blossom House, Lin Jin started preparing tea using a skill that resembled telekinesis. Everything was done remotely, from harvesting the night dew to filling up a pot to boil water in.
The tea leaves were of fine quality, and it was provided by Wang Xin. Lin Jin was quite fond of them and they were also the best he could offer to guests for now.
Mr. Shu wasn’t a picky person. He took a sip of the tea without second guesses.
All of a sudden, they heard a plop from the pond nearby and someone called, “Greetings Master, it’s your disciple, Qin Lin[1]!”
Lin Jin knew it must be that talking carp from earlier.
The creature had clearly regained its senses by now but Lin Jin was surprised that it was still around. No, what surprised him more was the fact that it had decided to speak up.
‘Master?’
Lin Jin glanced at Mr. Shu. Before long, he connected the dots and realized who it was, that taught this carp cultivation.
Besides the carp, Lin Jin was also surprised to find that three other beasts remained here at his mansion as well.
Mr. Shu smiled at Lin Jin.
“I was bored when I noticed how this carp was showing signs of intelligence, so I decided to teach it some cultivation methods. However, those methods clearly could not compare to Appraiser Lin’s teachings.”
Lin Jin was startled by that compliment.
So Mr. Shu had been observing and listening to him this whole time? He must have at least been lurking here when Lin Jin was teaching Senior Mo. It meant that he had overheard Lin Jin’s Beast Energy Formation formula.
It went without saying that Mr. Shu’s cultivation experience was profound enough that he was able to conceal his presence to avoid detection by Lin Jin.
“Appraiser Wang Xin mentioned to me that Peace Blossom House would usually be vacant. I was told that my stay here was an exception. I’m guessing that this had something to do with you, Mr. Shu?” asked Lin Jin after recalling this detail.
Indeed, Wang Xin had pointed out to Lin Jin this oddity. The mansion hadn’t been assigned to anyone for quite some time now, so to allocate it to a new teacher came as a surprise to him.
Mr. Shu chuckled in response. “You’re a sharp man, Appraiser Lin. At times, I would come over and stay in this Peach Blossom House.”
Although he didn’t say much, it affirmed Lin Jin’s suspicions.
Lin Jin found this puzzling. This decision was beneficial to Lin Jin, so there must be a reason for Mr. Shu to have done it. After all, the two of them weren’t formally acquainted with each other.
Then, Lin Jin recalled Mr. Shu mentioning the desire to exchange beast appraising methods yesterday so this might be his reason for allowing him to stay at Peach Blossom House.
“When Appraiser Lin touched the beast specimen samples at the Beast Appraisal Pavilion yesterday, the circulation of spirit energy told me it was indeed a unique appraisal method. I’ve read of such a method in ancient books before and have been researching them for quite a while, but to no avail. Hence, I’m hoping that Appraiser Lin would be generous enough to share this information with me,” said Mr. Shu, cutting straight to the chase.
Lin Jin was well aware of what he was talking about. However, strictly speaking, that wasn’t an appraisal method at all. Instead, he was just using the museum to appraise beasts so it wasn’t like he could share this method with anyone else.
Still, it would be inappropriate for Lin Jin to reject him now. Mr. Shu definitely saw something, so if Lin Jin insisted that it was just a regular appraising method, he would be lying through his teeth. Hence, it was best to confuse the other by using similar appraisal methods to cover up.
One appraisal method came to Lin Jin’s mind.
Of the sixth basic appraisal method, there was a ‘touch’ method. Lin Jin thought about it before saying, “Mr. Shu, to be honest, I was only using the most fundamental ‘touch’ method of the sixth basic appraisal technique. But I did alter it slightly…”
Utilizing his knowledge, Lin Jin began sharing this impromptu improvised ‘touch’ method. Admittedly, his idea sounded so ground-breaking that he could even consider writing a book or giving a lecture on it.
Mr. Shu listened intently to his explanation. He started pondering in silence before raising his hand at the crane.
“Bai He, come here.”
After he had spoken, the large crane perched along the mansion’s outer wall jumped down and bowed low before Mr. Shu.
Mr. Shu reached over and spirit energy began to flow around his finger when he touched the white crane.
“Oh, how mystifying,” Mr. Shu exclaimed. He managed to pull it off after just listening to Lin Jin’s explanation.
To be able to try it out after a brief explanation proved how formidable Mr. Shu was. It was especially so given how Lin Jin’s theory was merely a possibility. Even he had not used it before.
Perhaps, such a method only existed in theory and couldn’t actually be performed in reality.
In spite of the odds, Mr. Shu succeeded!
Just what kind of deity was he?
At that moment, Lin Jin noticed the rings on Mr. Shu’s sleeve when he reached his hand out.
One, two, three, four, five…
There were five full beast-patterned circles.
Lin Jin was dumbstruck when the realization finally set in.
No doubt, Mr. Shu was a Rank 5 beast appraiser.
To think Rank 5 beast appraisers actually did exist in Heavenly Spiral Kingdom. After interacting with prominent Rank 4 appraisers like Mr. Zhong, Lin Jin came to realize the sheer number of capable individuals there were, despite them being on the same rank. Of course, there were a couple of average ones, but there were distinctly impressive figures too.
After learning that someone as capable as Mr. Zhong was only Rank 4, Lin Jin became highly skeptical about the existence of Rank 5 beast appraisers.
Now, his doubt was cleared away.
They certainly existed.
One was standing right before Lin Jin’s eyes.
Judging solely by the patterns on his sleeve and his rank, this Mr. Shu was definitely above Mr. Zhong in terms of capability. For this reason, Lin Jin subconsciously straightened his back and took on a more serious mood.
It was no wonder that he was able to perform this appraisal method on the first try, even though it had never been tested before.
“No, no, although this execution looks familiar, it’s still different. This isn’t the same one you performed at the Beast Appraisal Pavilion yesterday, Appraiser Lin,” said Mr. Shu after pondering slightly.
Lin Jin mused, ‘He’s good.’
Being a Rank 5 appraiser, Lin Jin figured it was normal for Mr. Shu to see through his lies.
Yet, Lin Jin had no choice but to continue lying at this point. Other than this excuse, he genuinely had no other explanations he could use to cover up the fact that he was relying on the museum. It was impossible to fool Mr. Shu with other explanations.
Hence, Lin Jin braced himself and kept insisting that it was what he used. Regardless of Mr. Shu’s suspicion or denial, Lin Jin insisted that the appraisal method he used yesterday was this exact one he just explained.
Anyhow, Mr. Shu couldn’t well do anything to Lin Jin even if he behaved this way.
Visibly annoyed, Mr. Shu stared at Lin Jin for the longest time before saying, “If you’re not willing to tell me, just say so. Why do you have to come up with this excuse?”
Lin Jin looked embarrassed but he could only continue acting.
Fortunately, Mr. Shu didn’t concern himself with this any further.
“Appraiser Lin, you’re dishonest, but never mind. If you don’t want to share, that’s that. Let me ask you then about the cultivation method you just taught this dark jade dragon. What was that? You can at least tell me this, right?” Mr. Shu asked grumpily.
Lin Jin gave it some thought and figured that there was no need to hide this one.
After all, it was only part one of the Beast Energy Formation, Lin Jin didn’t particularly value it. Moreover, he felt guilty looking at Mr. Shu’s irritated expression. Considering how serious he was about knowing the method, Lin Jin would just spill the beans for this one.
Thus, Lin Jin slowly recited the contents of Beast Energy Formation Part One to Mr. Shu.
After the delivery, Mr. Shu immediately clapped his hands.
“Wonderful. Truly remarkable stuff. It’s so much better than that ‘Seven Bird Cultivation’ of mine. Amazing!” Mr. Shu spoke sincerely, without the pretentiousness Lin Jin expected from a man of his status.
Lin Jin felt somewhat embarrassed to be praised like this.
After all, instead of inventing the method, he had received it from the museum.
When Mr. Shu inquired about the origin of this method, Lin Jin was forced to lie again. Unlike his previous lie, this was more of a half-truth.
Lin Jin answered his question, saying that he didn’t invent this method but got it from his master instead.
“Oh? So it was an original creation of your master’s?” Mr. Shu asked.
Lin Jin nodded.
His non-existent master, Curator, was most suited to be revealed here and now. Furthermore, Lin Jin regarded Curator as a physical manifestation of the Museum of Deadly Beasts he wasn’t really deceiving anyone.
He merely anthropomorphized the museum and deemed it his master.
“May I have your master’s name?” Mr. Shu seemed adamant about getting to the bottom of things. Fortunately, Lin Jin could answer this one too.
“My master’s name is Curator!”
“Curator?”
Mr. Shu paused, probably not expecting such an answer.
However, he didn’t doubt Lin Jin’s answer.
“Your master is an expert. I’d like to meet him Would you please pass the message to him?” he asked.
This was when Lin Jin began to worry.
He could only try to fool the man for now, but judging by Mr. Shu’s character, Lin Jin’s attempt was destined to end in failure. Mr. Shu sounded adamant about meeting Curator, and was expecting a firm answer from Lin Jin.
Lin Jin could only explain that Curator was a mysterious man whose whereabouts were difficult to track. He could try to contact Curator and if he managed to find him, that would be best, but if he couldn’t, it wasn’t like he could change anything.
Anyway, this Mr. Shu had the temper of a stubborn brat. Whatever he set his mind on, he would see it done. Even if the task was insurmountable and filled with obstacles, he would push through no matter what.
“Alright, then I’ll be troubling Appraiser Lin to get in touch with your master. It’s getting late so I won’t keep you from your rest. I’ll be back next time to disturb you.”
Having said that, Mr. Shu simply stood up and left.
What an interesting character…
Coming and going as he pleased.
How carefree and aloof.
Lin Jin couldn’t even see him off. After all, Mr. Shu was a legendary Rank 5 appraiser. Even when he decided to leave, Lin Jin would never be able to catch up with him.
As for his declaration, Lin Jin did not treat it as a joke.
Since Mr. Shu mentioned he would be back to disturb him, he was sure to return.
“Just who is this Mr. Shu? Rank 5 appraisers truly are amazing.” Lin Jin was currently drenched in sweat. The pressure that built up from talking to a Rank 5 appraiser for so long finally overwhelmed him.
Unbeknownst to Lin Jin, Mr. Shu practically floated back to the Beast Appraisal Pavilion like a ghost in the night.
On most days, he would head up to the fourth floor and return to the painting whenever he arrived at the Beast Appraisal Pavilion.
However, he decided to take a detour this time. Instead of heading up the stairs, he stopped by the second floor. Without knocking, he simply passed through the wall and entered Zhong Zifeng’s room. Fortunately, Zhong Zifeng was still awake and in the midst of researching some books. Despite how well-respected Zhong Zifeng was, even he was startled by Mr. Shu’s unannounced arrival.
“S-Senior Shu? Is something the matter?”
Zhong Zifeng recollected himself hastily. He sounded shocked, confused, and a little bewildered. In spite of this, he was still able to maintain a respectful attitude.
Unashamedly, Mr. Shu asked with his hands held behind his back, “Little Zhong, I want to ask you about someone. Have you heard of this person called ‘Curator’?”
[1] Qin Lin means green scale in Mandarin
