Chen Shaojun walked straight through the living room and past the screen in the middle of the room.
Behind the screen, there were a few rooms that were separated from one another. They looked like small courtyards with a series of arched doors. There were also plaques hanging above the doors.
The words on the plaques were: Purple Jade Pavilion, Gold Treasure Room, and Water Cloud Room respectively…
They were the appraisal rooms of the three official pawnbrokers.
"This is what being an official pawnbroker is like. Their treatment is much better than that of the apprentice pawnbrokers."
Chen Shaojun sighed and went straight to the door of the Water Cloud Room.
Just as he was about to knock on the door, he vaguely heard a conversation coming from inside.
After his strength had increased, the sensitivity of his five senses had likewise increased. Even though he was separated by the door and the sound of their conversation was rather soft, he could still hear them clearly.
"This is the second batch. It's best if the appraisal is completed before the Treasure Gathering begins."
"You have to hurry up with the first batch as well. After all, they mentioned that they wanted these items."
A deep voice sounded.
Chen Shaojun stopped in his tracks and a look of bewilderment appeared on his face.
This voice sounded a little familiar.
Moreover, this conversation seemed to be somewhat confidential.
"Don't worry. I'm almost done appraising the first batch of treasures. I'm just left with two tricky treasures."
"You know as well as I do that I have to help the pawnshop appraise treasures on a regular basis. I'm running out of time and energy."
"However, it will be done soon. I plan to call a few more apprentices over to help. It will definitely not delay your matters."
Zhang Gao's voice was heard.
"Don't talk nonsense."
"This has nothing to do with me. I'm just doing it to earn some money."
The other voice seemed to be afraid and quickly warned Zhang Gao in a low voice.
"Don't worry, I know."
"We're all here to earn some extra money. It has nothing to do with that side."
Zhang Gao chuckled. There was some tacit understanding in his voice.
"It's good that you know."
"Also, let me remind you that it's fine to call a few apprentice pawnbrokers to help, but don't make too much of a ruckus."
"In particular, don't touch the newcomers for now."
"After all, Lin Qi's status isn't simple."
"The newcomers can't withstand much baleful aura. I won't choose them."
"Meanwhile, the veterans have been here for at least half a year. Thus, they are always more efficient in blocking the baleful aura."
"In particular, didn't one of them just raise their Divine Vision technique to the Proficient-Level?"
"He would be useful in appraising these treasures."
"As for Lin Qi, isn't he just a collateral relative?"
"A collateral relative? There might be true dragons in the collateral family line too."
"Since that's all I have to say, I won't stay here any longer. Hold on tight to this batch of treasures."
"Understood…"
As the conversation ended, a chair was pulled. Then, the sound of someone walking towards the door could be heard.
Chen Shaojun was shocked and quickly hid behind a huge wooden pillar.
After hearing this secret, he knew that it was no longer suitable for him to appear in front of the two of them.
In next to no time, the door to the Water Cloud Room opened. Then, a robust figure hurriedly walked out and directly headed downstairs.
"It's really him, Xu Hongtao."
When Chen Shaojun saw this figure, his eyes flickered.
Earlier, he already heard that the person who spoke was Xu Hongtao. Now that he obtained confirmation, he was not too surprised.
What really surprised him was that the other party had connections with Zhang Gao.
Moreover, from their previous conversation, it was not hard to tell that the two sides had made transactions more than once or even twice.
"Earn extra money? But what's with that secretive look?"
Chen Shaojun knew that being a pawnbroker was a dangerous and special occupation that was also sought after by the outside world. Indeed, he could earn extra money by appraising treasures for outsiders.
Even if the shopkeeper knew about this, he would usually turn a blind eye and not say much.
However, judging from Zhang Gao and Xu Hongtao's sneaky looks, things were definitely not that simple.
"Furthermore, the Third Pawnbroker Zhang Gao is about to call another apprentice pawnbroker to help him appraise treasures, just as I expected."
"His next choice is actually me."
Chen Shaojun trembled with anger. Who did he offend? He was targeted just because he was slightly outstanding!
When would an apprentice pawnbroker like him be able to stand up against his superiors?
In his heart, he felt lucky that he had chosen to strike first. Otherwise, if he sat there and waited for death, dealing with the matter would've been inevitably tricky.
Initially, he couldn't bear to use the Substitution technique on Zhang Gao as he had some misgivings.
After all, this technique was harmful to others. Based on his experiences from his previous life, he was still a simple and kind young man.
Would he murder someone else? He had never thought of that.
However, when he knew that Zhang Gao's next target would be him, he was furious and immediately threw away his last bit of hesitation and pity.
As for the Lin Qi that the two of them were talking about, Chen Shaojun had long known that he was not simple. Right now, Chen Shaojun had simply received a confirmation.
It was normal for him to be from a collateral family line.
True descendants of the main family bloodline would not lower themselves to be a small ticketing manager in a pawnshop.
After deliberately waiting for a while, Chen Shaojun walked back to the door of the Cloud Water Room and knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
A gloomy voice sounded.
Chen Shaojun pushed open the door and was greeted by the sight of a large, solid table. There were all sorts of carved wood and jade ware placed around it. In the distance, there was a screen. Through the screen, one could vaguely see a large wooden bed.
Only Zhang Gao was in the Cloud Water Room. He was sitting on a chair. Then, he looked up at Chen Shaojun and asked curiously, "Why are you here?"
"Third Pawnbroker, when I was downstairs, I happened to bump into Ah Zheng. He was having a stomachache and was afraid that he would delay the Third Pawnbroker's tea session, so he asked me to bring the tea over."
Chen Shaojun hurriedly explained.
Zhang Gao wouldn't investigate anyway.
"Put it down."
Zhang Gao nodded and did not mind. Instead, he looked at Chen Shaojun with interest and said, "It's good that you're here. It saves me the trouble of making another trip."
"Come to the Water Cloud Room on the second floor tomorrow. I have a few treasures that I need you to appraise."
Chen Shaojun's heart trembled. He knew that what he had expected had indeed come. However, he said, "Thank you for your good intentions, Third Pawnbroker. However, I've been diligently appraising treasures lately, and my spirit is affected by the baleful aura, so I'm slightly powerless."
"Affected by a baleful aura?"
"This isn't a big deal. I have some Spirit Calming Incense here. You can take them back and light them up. It won't take long for you to recover."
"Furthermore, if you appraise treasures for me, I won't mistreat you."
"I can give you 600 wen a day. In three days, you will be able to save up two taels of silver. This is much higher than your previous income."
"Furthermore, you will also have guidance from me, an official pawnbroker. Ordinary people don't have this opportunity."
Zhang Gao advised him.
"But…"
Chen Shaojun was about to speak, but Zhang Gao was already impatient. There were very few apprentices who dared to go against him, so he interrupted him directly. "It's settled then. Come with Zhang Ke tomorrow."
"Don't fail to appreciate my kindness."
"…"
"Yes!"
Chen Shaojun responded in a low voice, but a cold light flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Since the other party was so impatient, he couldn't be blamed.