Chapter 24: The Lazy Man's Kung Fu

  Bao Guoqiang led Qu Wen to a display cabinet at the back and took out two bottles that were slightly larger than a normal man's palm. He said, "This is a pair of Yongle-style blue-and-white glazed 'Sea Water Cloud Dragon' garlic-head vases. The style is exquisite and elegant, with intricate patterns and dense layout. The blue glaze is vibrant, and the painting is top-notch. More importantly, this is a complete pair, so its collection value is even higher. If we take it to an auction, 18 million won't be a problem."

  "Can I get it right?"

  The text translates to:

  "The spiritual energy emanating from the vase filled the entire room, and a dense spiritual aura flowed back, revealing an ecstatic expression on his face. It seemed that his previous thoughts were wrong, and it wasn't just about having a large body, but rather the quality of the object was related to its ability to condense spiritual energy. The more exquisite and precious the item, the stronger its ability to condense spiritual energy. But what exactly constitutes a treasure? Qu Wen had some doubts in his heart, and there was still some discrepancy between his perception of spiritual energy and the secular value of antiques."

  "Just be careful." Bao Guoqiang instructed in a low voice, carefully handing the Longwen garlic jar to Qu Wen.

  The reason to take a closer look at this pair of bottles is not just curiosity, but mainly because the spiritual energy condensed on top cannot be let go. If you can absorb such pure and dense spiritual energy every day, it will have great benefits for your spiritual awareness and heart method.

  Holding the Dragon Blood Ginseng Bottle, he sensed a large amount of spiritual energy condensing on top. Qu Wen continuously released Spiritual Awareness, wrapping the spiritual energy in it like wrapping dumplings, and then slowly drew it back. Due to the growth of his Spiritual Awareness ability, he no longer needed his eyes to absorb it, and could simply use his thoughts to draw in the hidden spiritual energy into his body.

  Such a small pair of Ming dynasty porcelain bottles, Quwen actually spent more than five minutes to absorb the spiritual energy on top, and when he fully recovered his spiritual awareness, he suddenly felt refreshed and invigorated, with enhanced senses, as if his mind could penetrate everything in front of him.

  It's clear that after inhaling the spiritual energy from the porcelain bottle, my own divine powers have increased somewhat, and it really is just as Master Pighead said - effortless and without needing deliberate cultivation.

  This is indeed a set of kung fu suitable for lazy people.

  It seems that he has become accustomed to Qu's meticulousness, and seeing him look at it for a long time, Bao Guoqiang did not urge him on, but waited until he handed the bottle back to his own hands before saying: "The more I stay with you, the more I feel ashamed. If I had half of your meticulousness and diligence back then, my achievements might have already surpassed those of Master by now."

  Bao Guoqiang's words made Qu Wen's face flush with shame, and he was actually a thief who was praised by the owner.

  "Qiang Ge, tell me the main characteristics of Qing Hua." Qu Wen awkwardly cleared his throat and looked around for a long time, as if he couldn't come up with an answer, which would be laughable.

  "Come on, let's have some tea and talk."

  Just then Zhao Haifeng brought the tea upstairs, and the refreshing tea fragrance filled the air, making Qu Wen, who didn't particularly like tea, also feel a strong craving.

  "Afeng you're just in time, I'll give you a detailed explanation of the identification methods and main characteristics of Ming Qing porcelain..."

  Bao Guoqiang spoke very slowly and meticulously, spending the entire morning explaining. Zhao Haifeng graduated from the Department of Archaeology and then studied under Bao Guoqiang for five years, his ability to appreciate was not weak, he had a certain understanding of this, listening to his master again, it was just reviewing and learning anew, strengthening cognition.

  The text is already in Chinese, I will translate it to English:

  "The atmosphere of the lecture was completely different from what he had experienced before. Being able to hear such formal explanations about antiques, combined with Bao Guoqiang's hands-on comparisons, was far more effective than listening to lectures in class. This further increased his interest and enthusiasm for antique appreciation."

  Just as the explanation was finished, it happened to be lunchtime. Bao Guoqiang suggested going to a nearby hotel for a meal. Before they could rush out of the store, a man about his age walked over.

  "Lao Bao, didn't you say that someone at home dug up a piece of Hu Kaiwen's calligraphy? It's been two days now, how come you still haven't brought it to me to take a look. I'm saying your method is too unscrupulous, you're teasing someone's addiction and then watching them die of thirst!"

  Bao Guoqiang heard a loud laugh: "That's right, didn't I bring the old American you dug up today?"

  "Who is it?" The newcomer's face was filled with excitement, and after glancing at Qu Wen beside Bao Guoqiang, he turned his gaze to the inside of the store and looked around for half a day before urging: "Quickly invite that expert out!"

  Looking at his expectant expression, Bao Guoqiang's laughter grew louder: "Don't look inside anymore, just stand beside me."

  "What? You mean... the one who's been searching for Old Mo is this little brother?"

  The newcomer seemed to be skeptical, staring at Qu Wen, seeing that he was not very old, and about the same age as a college student who was reading a book, naturally did not take him as an expert who could find treasures in Panjiayuan. "Old Bao, don't tease me anymore, either bring out the expert or show me the evidence."

  "Evidence!" Bao Guoqiang was also stunned for a moment. Ever since Qu Wen bought Hu Kaiwen's antique brush for 800 yuan, the news spread like wildfire in Beijing the next day. Of course, the first person to spread the word was Bao Guoqiang himself, and then it was passed on from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and soon everyone knew that someone had picked up a treasure for just 800 yuan.

  "Ah Wen, are you wearing that old watch you bought the day before yesterday?" The other party wanted evidence, so Bao Guoqiang could only ask Qu Wen for it.

  Knowing that he had found something good, he carefully placed it in Bao Guoqiang's house and didn't dare to carry it with him. Qu Wen shook his head: "I asked Master Gu to help take care of it, I didn't bring it with me, or should I go back and get it?"

  His name is Yin Chengjun, and he is a fellow practitioner of Bao Guoqiang. However, he operates a business selling calligraphy and paintings. He personally loves these types of things and has collected many famous works of art and writing materials at home. After hearing that Bao Guoqiang's family had found an old Hu Kaiwen inkstone, he couldn't sit still and ran to Bao Guoqiang's store several times in just two days.

  "It really does exist, so trouble you, Qu Laoxiong, to make a trip."

  Bao Guoqiang was about to take Qu Wen out for a meal, but instead he had to run back home and said to Yin Chengjun in an impolite tone: "What's the hurry? We haven't even eaten lunch yet. Let us eat our fill first before bringing it over for you to see."

  It's rare to encounter something that interests me, Yin Chengjun's enthusiasm was raised, and he stared at Bao Guoqiang with an urgent gaze: "No way, we've been friends for many years, are you willing to let me wait to death here? Bring the old inkstone now, and I'll treat you to a meal at Quanjude."

  It's said that people who collect things are a bit crazy. Once they see something they like, they can't help themselves and will do anything to get it, even if they're over 40 years old. They act just like kids and don't care what others think of them.

  Qu Wen wasn't very hungry, and he found Yin Chengjun to be quite interesting. He said to Bao Guoqiang, "Brother Qiang, even if it's just for the sake of Quanjude's roast duck, I'll make a trip."

  Bao Guoqiang also had a good relationship with Quan Judede, after listening to Qu Wen's words, he turned to Zhao Haifeng and said: "Ah Feng, drive the car and take Ah Wen back to my place for a trip."

  "Alright, Master."

  Zhao Haifeng responded, and soon drove a Buick Regal to the front of the store, opening the door for Qu Wen to get in.

  The Buick Regal is a mid-size car produced by the American company Buick. The car has smooth and elegant exterior lines, luxurious interior decoration, and is equipped with technology configurations of equal value. Compared to its price of over 200,000 yuan, it is a car with very high cost performance.

  But any normal man, apart from money and women, should love cars and guns the most. Although he didn't have much money, Qu Wen had long dreamed of owning a car of his own. During college, he went to several car shows with his brothers, and he was quite fond of the Regal model - as soon as he sat in it, he couldn't help but excitedly touch everything around him.

  "Brother Feng, this is the King Wei 3.0 luxury edition, right?"

  Zhao Haifeng and Qu Wen were not much different in age, and he himself was also a car enthusiast. He smiled and replied, "Does Little Shifu also understand cars?"

  Lao Ting heard Zhao Haifeng call himself "Little Shu Shu", which made Qu Wen feel particularly awkward. Moreover, he had not really accepted Gu Quan as his master, only knowing that Gu Quan was willing to teach him things, but whether or not he was willing to accept him as a disciple was another matter.

  "Brother Feng, you're older than me, and our generation isn't particular about these things, so just call me Qu Wen or A Wen."

  Due to family relationships, Zhao Haifeng learned to respect his teachers and elders from a young age, and he had great respect for Bao Guoqiang. However, when it came to calling someone who suddenly appeared and was several years younger than himself "Shifu", he couldn't help but feel somewhat unaccustomed to it. But on the surface, he said: "How can this be? Shifu dislikes people who don't know how to respect their teachers."

  Qu Wen spread his hands, with a nonchalant expression: "Master Gu didn't really take me as an apprentice, so you don't need to call me that. Even if he did, what's the big deal? When we see Qiang Ge, just call him by his usual name. In our daily lives, let's just address each other as brothers and mind our own business."

  Upon hearing this, Zhao Haifeng was delighted and thought to himself that Qu Wen was a nice person to get along with. He chuckled and replied, "Alright, then I can call you Awen in private."

  "Ah, Brother Feng."