Chapter 0014: The Silver-Haired Buddha

The shopkeeper was a discerning man. When Zhang Xiao produced three jade pendants, he immediately recognized them as extraordinary, and only then realized he had underestimated his customer. His heart raced with excitement—such exquisite jade, even if not owned, to hold and admire them would be a rare delight. Watching Zhang Xiao carry the pendants in his hand, while he himself was denied even a glimpse, the shopkeeper was filled with regret.

"You are gracious and won't hold my mistakes against me. I was blind to your worth, please don't take offense. Would you allow me to examine these jade pendants?" The shopkeeper, clever as he was, quickly changed his tone and attitude, now humble as a grandson.

Zhang Xiao smiled teasingly. "I don’t mind letting you take a look. But earlier, when I asked you for good items, how did you respond?"

The shopkeeper cursed himself inwardly—how could he have been so tactless today, offending someone so easily?

He said at once, "How about this: please wait here for a moment, I'll fetch some fine alchemy furnaces from the back for you!"

As if afraid Zhang Xiao would refuse, he rushed off without waiting for a reply.

Zhang Xiao, at ease, lay down in the wicker chair the shopkeeper had previously used, crossing his legs comfortably.

Not long after, the shopkeeper returned, carrying a wooden tray filled with various small medicinal furnaces, all much finer than those displayed outside.

"Sir, do any of these appeal to you? These are the best our shop has to offer."

He placed the tray beside Zhang Xiao, picked up a four-legged furnace about the size of a palm, and said, "This furnace is from the Southern Song period, said to have belonged to the alchemy master Li Jianyi."

Zhang Xiao glanced at it and scoffed, "No, the quality is too poor."

The shopkeeper wasted no words and picked up a round cauldron. "This one has quite a pedigree; it’s from the Two Jin dynasties, and it’s said Ge Hong of the Eastern Jin used it for alchemy!"

Zhang Xiao looked it over, a sneer curling his lips. "‘It’s said’? I can tell you for certain, this piece is no earlier than the Tang Dynasty. You claim it’s from the Two Jin? Shopkeeper, honesty is essential in business. Do you really take me for a fool?"

The shopkeeper was startled, realizing this man truly knew his stuff—one glance and he could discern the cauldron’s era. His petty deception exposed, he laughed awkwardly, "Ah, my mistake, I must have remembered wrong."

He now understood fully: this young man was an expert; he had truly encountered someone remarkable today.

He abandoned any further tricks, picked up a square cauldron with solemnity, and said, "That was my error. Please look at this one—this is actually the alchemical cauldron used by Ge Hong during the Eastern Jin."

Zhang Xiao glanced at it, knowing this time the shopkeeper was telling the truth. He nodded. "Yes, this is indeed from the Eastern Jin. This one is interesting."

Just then, an elderly voice sounded from outside the door. "I didn’t expect this young man’s discerning eye—identifying the era at a glance."

Turning to look, they saw an old man with silver hair, hands clasped behind his back, smiling as he entered. Behind him followed two young men in black suits and sunglasses, likely bodyguards or drivers.

The shopkeeper, surprised, quickly forgot about Zhang Xiao and hurried over, bowing respectfully. "Master, what brings you here today?"

The old man chuckled, "I had nothing to do, happened to pass by, so I thought I’d drop in and take a look."

He then glanced at Zhang Xiao. "It seems the things in my little shop can’t catch your fancy, young man."

Zhang Xiao frowned in confusion. "And you are?"

The shopkeeper immediately introduced, "This is our real proprietor, Mr. Zhuo, known as the Silver-haired Buddha!"

Zhang Xiao understood—so the previous shopkeeper was merely tending the shop, and this Mr. Zhuo was its true master.

Mr. Zhuo waved his hand, smiling. "Silver-haired Buddha, or whatever, those are just nicknames friends in the trade give me. You may simply call me Zhuo."

Zhang Xiao rose from the wicker chair and saluted him with a fist-and-palm gesture. "Greetings, Mr. Zhuo."

Mr. Zhuo waved him off and said, "Actually, I’ve been here for a while, listening from outside. Earlier, Lao San offended you; I apologize on his behalf."

Lao San, the shopkeeper, instantly panicked, dropping to his knees before Mr. Zhuo. "Master! It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have cheated the customer!"

Mr. Zhuo glared at him, snorting. "How many times have I said, honesty is the foundation of our business! Yet you deceive customers behind my back—if I hadn’t happened by today, who knows how many such scams you’ve run!"

He referred to Lao San’s attempt to pass off the Tang Dynasty cauldron as something much older.

Zhang Xiao was unfazed—business, especially antiques, was often three parts genuine, seven parts fake. If you found someone naive and wealthy, you tried to swindle them.

He found Mr. Zhuo upright, and couldn’t help but feel some respect. He smiled, "No need to be angry, Mr. Zhuo. Lao San acted without malice."

Mr. Zhuo regarded Zhang Xiao, thinking this young man had been cheated yet still spoke kindly for Lao San. Such magnanimity was rare, and his opinion of Zhang Xiao rose further.

He smiled. "Young man, you’re generous-hearted. I do have a question. Would you mind enlightening me?"

"Please, ask away."

Mr. Zhuo laughed, stepping closer and picking up a small cauldron. "I’ve met many collectors of rare antiques, each with their own preferences—some love calligraphy, others jade, or porcelain, or bronzes. But those who seek out alchemical cauldrons are rare. May I ask, what do you want them for?"

Zhang Xiao saw no need to hide, and replied with a smile, "I use them to prepare medicine for a friend’s injuries."

Mr. Zhuo was surprised, scrutinizing Zhang Xiao again, then smiled. "Oh? You know the art of alchemy?"

Zhang Xiao nodded. "I know a little."

Mr. Zhuo laughed. "Are you, perhaps, a practitioner of the Dao?"

Zhang Xiao looked at him, thinking Mr. Zhuo was truly remarkable to even know about Daoist cultivation.

He waved his hand. "Nowadays, I can’t claim to be a Daoist. Just some family traditions—skilled in medicine-making."

Mr. Zhuo’s face showed a trace of disappointment, but he still smiled. "So that’s it. I see you’re young yet well-spoken, and your eye for antiques is extraordinary. I sincerely hope to make your acquaintance."

Zhang Xiao readily agreed, smiling. "To be appreciated by you, Mr. Zhuo, is an honor."

Mr. Zhuo laughed heartily and said to Lao San, "Go fetch the Black Gold Cauldron."

Lao San dared not protest, and hurried to the back.

Soon, he returned with a zitan wood box, handing it respectfully to Mr. Zhuo.

Mr. Zhuo took the box and presented it to Zhang Xiao. "There’s a great age difference between us, so allow me to act as your elder. It’s customary for elders to give a gift upon meeting. Take this Black Gold Cauldron as a token from me."

Zhang Xiao accepted the box, opened it, and saw a Black Gold medicinal cauldron, its exquisite carvings and clear patterns a marvel. Most remarkable, it was forged from black gold—a treasure beyond price, perfect for refining medicine.

He hadn’t expected Mr. Zhuo to be so generous, but he didn’t show excessive surprise. Smiling, he said, "I was just in need of a fine cauldron. I gratefully accept your gift. As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another; I’ll be sure to visit and thank you in person when the opportunity arises."

"Excellent! I, Zhuo Tianxiong, appreciate young men like you." Mr. Zhuo laughed loudly and with great spirit, secretly admiring Zhang Xiao’s composure—most would be astonished and effusive upon receiving such a valuable item, but Zhang Xiao accepted it calmly and naturally.

Such self-possession and steadiness made Zhuo Tianxiong regard him highly.

They exchanged contact information. Zhang Xiao, eager to return and prepare medicine, said a few words in farewell and left.

After Zhang Xiao departed, Lao San seemed anxious.

"Master, the Black Gold Cauldron is worth a fortune! You just gave it away? Is that young man truly worth it?"

Mr. Zhuo chuckled, unconcerned. "Ah, Lao San, your eyes are too worldly."