Mu Lin had no idea what these people were up to; he was busy enhancing the martial cultivation of his two newly appointed butlers. He left the New York visitors waiting at the hotel, as Boston’s influential figures had turned them away from visiting Mu Lin’s villa, claiming Dr. Daniel was currently occupied with urgent matters.
Mu Lin was completely unaware of the actions of these people, as he was busy enhancing the skills of his two newly recruited stewards. This left the visitors from New York stranded at the hotel. When they attempted to visit Mu Lin’s villa, the Boston elites dismissed them, citing Dr. Daniel’s urgent matters.
The two stewards had previously practiced a low-level form of Rou Quan (Soft Fist), which, in the current mundane world, was considered advanced. However, upon examining their techniques, it was clear that their knowledge was incomplete—fragments of a higher-level art. Despite this, their diligent training had allowed them to reach the Xiantian (Innate) realm, a testament to their natural talent. Yet, having only achieved this in their fifties, their progress would have stagnated had they not encountered Mu Lin. Now serving as his stewards, they far surpassed the other female attendants in skill. While Mei Zi might match them in cultivation level, her lack of real-world experience paled in comparison.
With Mu Lin planning to leave Boston for some time, the household would rely on these two elderly stewards to maintain order. Using Peiyuan Pills, Mu Lin channeled his energy in the basement, directly transmitting the Yi Jin Gong (Mind-Force Technique) into their minds through a spiritual empowerment method. He also restored the missing sixteen forms of Rou Quan to them. Confident that the two could handle armed intruders—short of a full-scale assault—Mu Lin left them to refine their newfound power.
A day later, when they emerged from the basement, the two stewards had reached the late Xiantian stage, nearing the threshold of San Hua Ju Ding (Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit). Their rejuvenated appearances now belied their age—hair once streaked with gray had turned jet black. Before departing, Mu Lin set up a Kunlong Formation (Dragon-Trapping Array) at the basement entrance, teaching his household the method to navigate it. Only then did he leave for his clinic.
Upon arriving at his office, he learned that the New York delegation had been waiting for three days. Mu Lin promptly invited them in. The leader stepped forward and said, “Dr. Daniel, we sincerely welcome you to New York.”
He then presented over a dozen wooden boxes, placing them on Mu Lin’s desk. “As a token of gratitude, your friends in New York have sent us to escort you. We are at your service, sir.”
Mu Lin hadn’t expected such an elaborate gesture—sending a group of people and a trove of gifts just to invite him. After a brief contemplation, he decided against accepting the offerings.
“Sir, we’ve prepared a modest clinic for you on Long Island, New York,” the envoy hastily added, noticing his hesitation. Long Island, situated east of Manhattan and surrounded by water on three sides, was America’s renowned enclave of luxury estates.
Home to tycoons and celebrities—including the Vanderbilts, Guggenheims, and Hearsts—the island boasted sprawling million-dollar mansions. With its breathtaking scenery and exorbitant property values, its coastline was dubbed the “Gold Coast.” The island’s security was surprisingly sparse, with only about twenty police officers.
The fact that they had secured a “modest clinic” in such prime real estate spoke volumes about their eagerness to bring Mu Lin to New York. Having a villa there himself, Mu Lin understood the magnitude of their investment.
“Sir, to honor your arrival, we’ve specially curated a collection of Han Dynasty jade artifacts, all meticulously verified to be carved in the ‘Han Eight Cuts’ style. These are but a humble tribute to your esteemed character,” the envoy said, a hint of pride in his voice.
“Oh?” Mu Lin was mildly surprised. These foreigners now knew of the “Han Eight Cuts,” but did they realize it was merely one technique among many in Han jade carving? He chose not to enlighten them.
“Look, Dr. Daniel, these are all Han Dynasty jades you favor,” the envoy urged, swiftly opening every box to display the pieces before Mu Lin.
Given their persistence, and the old adage about not striking a smiling gift-bearer, Mu Lin graciously accepted. He examined each piece, impressed by their collection—bi discs, gui tablets, rings, huang pendants, chicken-heart ornaments, chongya ornaments, belt hooks, sword fittings, gangmao seals, yanmao seals, dancer figurines, animal carvings, and even nine-orifice plugs. Only larger items like jade burial suits, screens, and door knockers were missing.
Han jade craftsmanship was renowned for techniques like “Flying Silk Hair Carving” and “Han Eight Cuts.” With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Mu Lin confirmed that only three pieces were genuine Han artifacts—the rest were Qing Dynasty replicas.
Picking up the three authentic pieces, he remarked coolly, “Congratulations. I’m pleased you managed to find these three Han jades among so many. It’s no small feat. I’ll gladly accept your gift.”
“Impossible! We hired professional appraisers!” The New York delegation, expecting to flaunt their wealth and discernment, was taken aback.
Mu Lin held up a jade cicada. “Observe its flat, thin form, the smooth head, eyes carved on either side, the slit between wings, and the 5-6 incised lines on the abdomen. The sharp angles of the wings and lower body, along with the ‘Han Eight Cuts’ technique between the eyes, neck, and wings—all hallmarks of Han work.”
He pointed to the back. “See how the lines are crisp, forceful, and unbroken, with no tool marks.” Looking up at their blank stares, he chuckled inwardly. Why was he explaining this to money-hungry wolves?
One defiant member gestured to the other pieces. “Then how do you explain these? Are they not Han jades?”
Mu Lin picked up a dragon-patterned bi disc. “This dragon motif uses fine incised lines, focusing on the frontal head—large eyes and nose, a double-bodied dragon with ribbon-like extensions representing claws or wings. You assumed it was Han based on this unique style, correct?”
“That’s exactly what our appraiser, Steve, said,” the man retorted.
“Did no one tell you that Han bi discs were typically made of ‘water jade’ with white speckles—’rice seepage’? Han green jade often bears water or soil stains. Qing artisans used pure nephrite or green jade, rarely replicating such patina. Do you see any such staining here?” Mu Lin replied calmly.
Mu Lin was completely unaware of the actions of these people, as he was busy enhancing the skills of his two newly appointed stewards. This left the visitors from New York stranded at the hotel. When they attempted to visit Mu Lin’s villa, the Boston elites dismissed them, citing that Dr. Daniel was currently occupied with urgent matters.
The two stewards had previously practiced a low-level form of Rou Quan (Soft Fist), which, in the current mundane world, was considered an advanced martial art. However, upon examining their techniques, it was clear that their knowledge was incomplete—fragments of a higher-level art. Despite this, their diligent training had allowed them to reach the Xiantian (Innate) realm, a testament to their natural talent. Yet, having only achieved this in their fifties, they would have peaked in their cultivation had they not encountered Mu Lin. Now serving as his stewards, they far surpassed the other female attendants in skill. While Mei Zi might match them in cultivation level, she lacked their depth of experience in the martial world.
With Mu Lin planning to leave Boston for some time, the household would rely on these two elderly stewards to maintain order. Before departing, Mu Lin used Peiyuan Pills in the basement to directly transmit the Yi Jin Gong (Mind-Force Technique) into their minds through a ritualistic empowerment, while also restoring the lost sixteen forms of Rou Quan to them.
Confident that the two, now significantly enhanced, could handle armed intruders—barring a full-scale assault—Mu Lin left them to consolidate their gains. After a day in the basement, the stewards had advanced to the late Xiantian stage, nearing the threshold of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit (a high-level cultivation state). Their rejuvenated appearances, with once-gray hair now jet-black, reflected their newfound vitality. Before leaving, Mu Lin set up a Kunlong Formation (Dragon-Trapping Array) at the basement entrance, teaching his household the method to navigate it. Only then did he depart for his clinic.
Upon arriving at his office, Mu Lin learned that the New York delegation had been waiting for three days. He promptly invited them in. The leader stepped forward and said, “Dr. Daniel, we warmly welcome you to New York.”
He then presented over a dozen wooden boxes, placing them on Mu Lin’s desk. “To express our gratitude, your friends in New York sent us to escort you. We are at your service, sir.”
Mu Lin hadn’t expected such an elaborate gesture—sending a delegation laden with gifts to invite him. After a brief contemplation, he decided against accepting them.
“Sir, we have prepared a modest clinic for you on Long Island in New York,” the envoy hastily added, noticing his hesitation. Long Island, east of Manhattan, was a prestigious enclave surrounded by water, renowned for its opulent estates.
Home to tycoons and celebrities—including the Vanderbilts, Guggenheims, and Hearsts—it was a symbol of wealth, with mansions priced in the millions. Its scenic coastline, dubbed the “Gold Coast,” was patrolled by a mere twenty police officers.
The fact that they had secured a “modest clinic” in such an exclusive area spoke volumes about their eagerness to bring Mu Lin to New York. Having a villa there himself, Mu Lin understood the cost involved.
“Sir, to honor your arrival, we’ve gathered a collection of Han Dynasty jade artifacts, meticulously verified to be carved in the ‘Han Eight Cuts’ style. These are but a humble tribute to your esteemed character,” the envoy boasted, with a hint of pride.
“Oh?” Mu Lin was surprised they knew of the Han Eight Cuts technique—though unaware that it was merely one of many Han Dynasty carving methods, not representative of the era’s full craftsmanship. He chose not to enlighten them.
“Look, Dr. Daniel, these are all Han jades you favor,” the envoy urged, opening the boxes to display the pieces.
Given their persistence—and the adage that one shouldn’t rebuff a gift-bearing guest—Mu Lin accepted graciously.
As he examined the artifacts, he noted their impressive collection: bi discs, gui tablets, rings, huang pendants, chicken-heart ornaments, chongya ornaments, belt hooks, sword fittings, gangmao and yanmao seals, dancer figurines, animal carvings, and even nine-orifice plugs. Only large items like jade burial suits, screens, and door knockers were missing.
Han jade craftsmanship was distinguished by techniques like “Floating Silk Hair Carving” and “Han Eight Cuts.”
With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Mu Lin confirmed that only three pieces were genuine Han Dynasty works—the rest were Qing Dynasty replicas.
Picking up the three, he remarked coolly, “Congratulations. I’m impressed you identified these authentic Han pieces among so many. I’ll gladly accept them.”
“Impossible! We hired professional appraisers!” The New York delegation, expecting to flaunt their city’s wealth and discernment, was stunned.
Mu Lin pointed to a jade cicada. “Observe its flat form, smooth head, and eyes carved on the sides. The wings are separated by a seam, the abdomen incised with 5–6 uneven lines, and the wingtips sharp. The cuts between the eyes, neck, wings, and abdomen exemplify the Han Eight Cuts.”
He traced the back. “The lines here are concise yet forceful, each stroke precise and unbroken, without fissures or tool marks.” Looking up at their blank faces, he chuckled inwardly. Why explain to these money-driven collectors?
One skeptic pointed to other pieces. “Then how do you claim these aren’t Han?”
Mu Lin lifted a dragon-patterned bi disc. “This dragon motif uses fine incised lines, focusing on the frontal head—large eyes and nose, twin bodies like ribbons, with entwined patterns suggesting claws or wings. You assumed its uniqueness meant Han origin, correct?”
“That’s exactly what our appraiser, Steve, said,” the man retorted.
“Did he also mention Han bi discs were typically made of ‘water jade’ with white ‘rice grain’ inclusions? Han jade often bears water or soil stains, unlike Qing pieces of pure nephrite or jasper, which rarely mimic such patina. Do these show such staining?” Mu Lin replied evenly.
Upon arriving at the clinic and returning to his office, Mu Lin learned that the New York visitors had been waiting for three days. He immediately invited them into his office. Upon seeing Mu Lin, one of the visitors, evidently the leader, stepped forward and said, “Dr. Daniel, we warmly welcome you to New York.”
He then took a dozen wooden boxes from the people behind him and placed them on Mu Lin’s desk. “To express our gratitude, our friends in New York have sent us to escort you. We are always ready to serve you, sir.”
Mu Lin hadn’t expected such an elaborate invitation with people and gifts. After a brief moment of contemplation, he decided not to accept the gifts.
“Sir, we have already prepared a small house for you in Long Island, New York, to serve as your clinic,” the man hurriedly explained while noticing Mu Lin’s contemplation. Long Island, located east of Manhattan, is a famous luxury residential area in the U.S., surrounded by sea on three sides. Many influential figures and celebrities reside there. As a renowned affluent district, Long Island is densely populated with million-dollar mansions. Among its current 2,800 residents are notable families such as the Vanderbilts, the Guggenheims involved in copper smelting, and the Hearsts in the news industry. With its picturesque scenery and expensive property prices, Long Island’s coastline is known as the “Gold Coast,” with only about twenty police officers on the entire island.
To prepare even a small clinic in such a high-value location showed how eager these people were to have Mu Lin in New York. Mu Lin already owned a villa there and understood the effort they had put in.
“Sir, to welcome your arrival, we have specially prepared a collection of Han Dynasty jade artifacts as a gift for you. After thorough inspection, we can confirm they were carved using the Han Eight-Cut technique. These items are merely a token of our deep respect for your character,” the man added, somewhat boastfully.
“Oh!” Mu Lin was somewhat surprised that these foreigners now knew about the Han Eight-Cut technique. However, did they know that the Han Eight-Cut was merely a burial jade carving method of the Han Dynasty and did not represent the overall jade carving standard of that era? Mu Lin had no intention of explaining this to them.
“Look, Dr. Daniel, these are the Han Dynasty jade artifacts you like,” the man eagerly opened all the boxes, displaying all the jade items before Mu Lin.
Since the situation had reached this point, the saying goes, “One does not strike a smiling face,” let alone a smiling gift-giver. Since they were so sincere, Mu Lin decided to accept their gifts without further hesitation.
Mu Lin was completely unaware of the actions of these people, as he was busy enhancing the skills of his two newly appointed stewards. This left the visitors from New York stranded at the hotel. When they attempted to visit Mu Lin’s villa, the Boston elites dismissed them, citing Dr. Daniel’s urgent matters as the reason.
The two stewards had previously practiced a low-level form of soft fist martial arts, which, in the current mundane world, was considered advanced. However, upon examining their techniques, it was clear that their knowledge was incomplete—fragments of a higher-level art. Despite this, their diligent training had allowed them to reach the innate realm, a testament to their exceptional talent. Yet, having only achieved this in their fifties, without Mu Lin’s intervention, they would have peaked at this level. Now serving as Mu Lin’s stewards, they far surpassed the other women in skill. While Mei Zi matched their realm, her lack of real-world experience paled in comparison to theirs.
With Mu Lin planning to leave Boston for a while, the household would rely on these two elderly stewards. They would need to hold the fort in his absence. Using the Peiyuan Elixir, Mu Lin channeled his energy in the basement, directly transmitting the Yi Jin Gong technique into their minds through a ritualistic transfer. He also restored the missing sixteen forms of their soft fist technique. Confident that the two could handle armed intruders—short of a full-scale assault—Mu Lin left them to refine their newfound power.
A day later, when they emerged from the basement, the two stewards had reached the late innate stage, on the verge of achieving the Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit. They appeared decades younger, their once graying hair now jet-black. Before departing, Mu Lin set up a Dragon-Trapping Formation at the basement entrance, teaching the household how to navigate it. Only then did he leave for his clinic.
Upon arriving at his office, he learned that the New York delegation had been waiting for three days. Mu Lin promptly invited them in. The leader stepped forward and said, “Dr. Daniel, we sincerely welcome you to New York.”
He then presented over a dozen wooden boxes, placing them on Mu Lin’s desk. “As a token of our gratitude, your friends in New York have sent us to escort you. We are at your service, sir.”
Mu Lin hadn’t expected such an elaborate gesture—sending a group and lavish gifts just to invite him. After a brief contemplation, he decided against accepting the presents.
“Sir, we’ve prepared a modest property for you on Long Island, New York, to serve as your clinic,” the envoy hastily added, noticing Mu Lin’s hesitation. Long Island, east of Manhattan, was a renowned enclave of wealth, home to elite families like the Vanderbilts, Guggenheims, and Hearsts. Its pristine coastline, dubbed the “Gold Coast,” boasted million-dollar estates and minimal law enforcement—only about twenty officers for the entire island.
The fact that they had secured a “modest clinic” in such a prime location spoke volumes about their eagerness to bring Mu Lin to New York. He himself owned a villa there and understood the exorbitant cost involved.
“Sir, to honor your arrival, we’ve specially curated a collection of Han Dynasty jade artifacts, all meticulously verified to be carved in the ‘Eight Cuts of Han’ style. These are but a humble tribute to your esteemed character,” the envoy said, with a hint of pride.
“Oh?” Mu Lin was surprised. These foreigners knew about the “Eight Cuts of Han,” but did they realize it was merely one technique, not representative of the entire Han Dynasty’s jade craftsmanship? He chose not to enlighten them.
“Look, Dr. Daniel, these are all Han Dynasty jade pieces you’d appreciate,” the envoy urged, swiftly opening every box to display the artifacts before Mu Lin.
Given their persistence, and the old adage of not striking a smiling gift-bearer, Mu Lin decided to accept graciously. He examined each piece carefully. Remarkably, they had gathered nearly every type of Han jade—bi discs, gui tablets, rings, huang pendants, chicken-heart ornaments, chongya ornaments, belt hooks, sword fittings, gangmao and yanmao seals, dancer figurines, animal carvings, and even nine-orifice plugs. Only large items like jade burial suits, screens, and door knockers were missing.
Han jade was known for techniques like “Flying Silk Carving” and the “Eight Cuts of Han,” each distinctive in style.
With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Mu Lin confirmed that only three pieces were genuine Han artifacts—the rest were Qing Dynasty replicas.
Picking up the three authentic pieces, he remarked coolly, “Congratulations. I’m impressed you managed to find these three Han pieces among so many. It’s no small feat. I’ll gladly accept your gift.”
“Impossible! We hired professional appraisers!” The New York delegation, expecting to flaunt their wealth and influence, were stunned.
Mu Lin pointed to a jade cicada. “Observe its flat, thin form, the smooth head, eyes carved on either side, the slit between the wings, and the 5-6 incised lines on the abdomen. The sharp angles of the wings and abdomen, along with the cuts between the eyes, neck, and wings—these are classic ‘Eight Cuts of Han’ techniques.”
He traced the cicada’s back. “See how the lines are crisp, bold, and flawless, with no chipping or tool marks.” Looking up, he saw only blank stares. Realizing he was lecturing a pack of money-hungry wolves, not art connoisseurs, he chuckled self-deprecatingly.
Undaunted, one skeptic pointed at the other jades. “Then how do you explain these? Why aren’t they Han?”
Mu Lin lifted a dragon-patterned bi disc. “This dragon motif uses fine incised lines, focusing on the frontal head. The eyes and nose are exaggerated, the body splits into two ribbon-like forms, and the engravings suggest claws or wings. You assumed this was Han because of its unique dragon design, correct?”
“That’s exactly what our appraiser, Steve, said,” the man retorted.
“Did he also tell you that Han bi discs were typically made of ‘water jade,’ with white speckles known as ‘rice seepage’? Han jade often bears water or soil stains, while Qing pieces used pure nephrite or jadeite, rarely replicating these marks. Do any of these show such staining?” Mu Lin replied calmly.
Mu Lin was completely unaware of the actions of these people, as he was busy enhancing the skills of his two newly appointed stewards. This left the visitors from New York stranded at the hotel. When they attempted to visit Mu Lin’s villa, the Boston elites dismissed them, citing that Dr. Daniel was currently occupied with urgent matters.
The two stewards had previously practiced a low-level form of soft fist martial arts, which, in the current mundane world, was considered advanced. However, upon examining their techniques, it was clear that they were incomplete remnants of a higher-level art. Despite this, through diligent training, they had managed to reach the innate realm—a testament to their exceptional talent. Yet, having only achieved this in their fifties, their progress would have plateaued had they not encountered Mu Lin. Now serving as his stewards, they far surpassed the other female attendants in skill. While Mei Zi’s abilities matched theirs in terms of cultivation, her lack of real-world experience made her incomparable to them.
With Mu Lin planning to leave Boston for some time, the household would rely on these two elderly stewards to maintain order. Using the Peiyuan Elixir, Mu Lin channeled his energy in the basement, directly transmitting the Yi Jin Gong technique to their minds through a method akin to spiritual empowerment. He also restored the missing sixteen forms of their soft fist technique. Confident that the enhanced stewards could handle armed intruders—short of a full-scale assault—Mu Lin left them to refine their skills.
A day later, when they emerged from the basement, the two stewards had reached the late innate stage, on the verge of achieving the Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit. They appeared decades younger, their once graying hair now jet black. Before departing, Mu Lin set up a Dragon-Trapping Formation at the basement entrance, teaching the household how to navigate it, and then left for his clinic.
Upon arriving at his office, he learned that the New York delegation had been waiting for three days. Mu Lin promptly invited them in. The leader stepped forward and said, “Dr. Daniel, we sincerely welcome you to New York.”
He then presented over a dozen wooden boxes, placing them on Mu Lin’s desk. “As a token of gratitude, your friends in New York sent us to escort you. We are at your service, sir.”
Mu Lin hadn’t expected such an elaborate gesture—sending a group of people and a trove of gifts just to invite him. After a brief contemplation, he decided against accepting the offerings.
“Sir, we’ve prepared a modest residence for you on Long Island to serve as your clinic,” the visitor hastily added, noticing Mu Lin’s hesitation. Long Island, situated east of Manhattan and surrounded by water on three sides, was a renowned enclave of luxury estates in the U.S.
Home to elites and celebrities, the island boasted sprawling million-dollar mansions. Among its 2,800 residents were illustrious names like the Vanderbilts, the Guggenheims of copper industry fame, and the Hearsts of media prominence. Its picturesque shoreline, dubbed the “Gold Coast,” was policed by a mere twenty officers.
The fact that they had secured a “modest clinic” in such prime real estate spoke volumes about their eagerness to bring Mu Lin to New York. Having a villa there himself, Mu Lin understood the cost involved.
“Sir, to honor your arrival, we’ve specially curated a collection of Han Dynasty jade artifacts, meticulously verified to be carved in the ‘Eight Cuts of Han’ style. These are but a humble tribute to your esteemed character,” the visitor said, with a hint of pride.
“Oh?” Mu Lin was surprised. These foreigners had even heard of the Eight Cuts of Han—though they likely didn’t realize it was merely one carving technique and not representative of Han jade craftsmanship as a whole. But he saw no point in enlightening them.
“Look, Dr. Daniel, these are all Han jade pieces you’d appreciate,” the visitor urged, hurriedly opening the boxes and displaying the artifacts before Mu Lin.
Given their persistence, and the old adage about not striking a smiling gift-bearer, Mu Lin decided to accept their goodwill. He examined the jade pieces one by one.
To his surprise, they had nearly assembled a complete Han jade collection—bi discs, gui tablets, rings, huang pendants, heart-shaped ornaments, chongya ornaments, belt hooks, sword fittings, gangmao and yanmao seals, dancer figurines, animal carvings, and even nine-orifice plugs. Only large items like jade burial suits, screens, and door knockers were missing.
Han jade was renowned for techniques like “Floating Silk Hair Carving” and the “Eight Cuts of Han.” With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Mu Lin confirmed that only three pieces were genuine Han artifacts; the rest were Qing Dynasty replicas.
Picking up the three authentic pieces, he remarked coolly, “Congratulations. I’m impressed you managed to find these three genuine Han pieces among so many. I’ll gladly accept them.”
“Impossible! We hired professional appraisers!” The New York delegation, expecting to flaunt their wealth and connections, was stunned.
Mu Lin held up a jade cicada. “Observe its flat, thin form, the smooth head, eyes carved on either side, the slit between the wings, and the 5-6 incised lines on the abdomen. The sharp angles of the wings and abdomen, along with the Eight Cuts technique between the eyes, neck, and wings—these are all hallmarks of Han craftsmanship.”
Pointing to the cicada’s back, he continued, “Note the concise, bold strokes—each cut sharp and forceful, with no signs of chipping or tool marks.” When he looked up, he was met with blank stares. Shaking his head, he chuckled at himself. Why bother explaining to these money-driven individuals?
Yet one defiant member pointed at the other jades. “Then how do you explain these? Surely they’re Han as well?”
Mu Lin picked up a dragon-patterned bi disc. “This dragon motif is composed of fine incised lines, focusing on the frontal head. The exaggerated eyes and nose, the twin bodies resembling ribbons, and the entwined carvings representing claws or wings—yes, these are typical of Han dragon bi discs. But did anyone tell you that Han bi discs were made of ‘water jade’ with white speckles—known as ‘rice seepage’? Han jade often bears water or soil stains, while Qing jade is pure and rarely mimics such patina. Do these pieces show any of that?”
The man stubbornly replied, “Our appraiser, Steven, said the same as you.”
Mu Lin sighed. “Then he should’ve also mentioned the absence of authentic Han patina.” His tone remained calm, but the message was clear—their treasures were fakes.
With a sweep of his spiritual awareness, Mu Lin quickly determined that out of all these jade items, only three were authentic Han Dynasty pieces, while the rest were Qing Dynasty imitations.
He picked up the three Han Dynasty jade items and said to them in a calm tone, “Congratulations to you! I’m delighted that you managed to find these three Han Dynasty jade artifacts among so many others. That is no small feat. Still, I am very pleased to accept your gift.”
“That’s impossible! We hired professional appraisers to authenticate them!” The New York visitors had expected to showcase their city’s wealth and capability, but they hadn’t anticipated this outcome.
“Take a look at this jade cicada,” Mu Lin continued, “Its shape is flat and thin, with a smooth head and eyes carved on both sides. Between the two wings, there is a narrow gap, and the abdomen is engraved with five to six shaded lines. The wings and the lower end of the abdomen are carved into sharp, pointed shapes. The areas between the eyes, the neck, between the wings, and the abdomen all exhibit the typical Han Eight-Cut technique.”
He pointed at the back of the jade cicada. “Observe the lines here; they are simple yet boldly carved, powerful and forceful, each stroke sharp and upright, with no signs of chipping or tool marks.”
Looking up, he saw a series of blank expressions on their faces, and only then did Mu Lin realize, shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile. Why was he even bothering to explain all this to them? They were not antique enthusiasts but merely a group of greedy money-grubbers. Wasn’t he speaking to them like a chicken talking to a duck?
To his surprise, one of the visitors still wasn’t convinced and pointed at the other jade items, asking, “Then how do you explain that these jade artifacts are not from the Han Dynasty?”
Mu Lin was completely unaware of the actions of these people, as he was busy enhancing the skills of his two newly appointed stewards. He had left the visitors from New York waiting at the hotel, and when they expressed a desire to visit Mu Lin’s villa, the Boston elites dismissed them by claiming that Dr. Daniel was currently occupied with urgent matters.
The two stewards had previously practiced a low-level form of Rou Quan (Soft Fist), which, in the current secular world, was considered an advanced martial art. However, upon examining their techniques, it was clear that their knowledge was incomplete—fragments of a higher-level art. Despite this, through diligent training, they had managed to reach the Xiantian (Innate) realm, a testament to their natural talent. Yet, having only achieved this in their fifties, they would have peaked at this level had they not encountered Mu Lin. Now serving as his stewards, they far surpassed the other women in the household in terms of skill. While Mei Zi might match them in cultivation, she lacked their depth of experience in the martial world.
With Mu Lin planning to leave Boston for some time, the household would rely on these two elderly stewards to maintain order. Using Peiyuan Pills, Mu Lin channeled his Yi Jin Gong (Mind-Force Technique) through a direct transmission method, imprinting it into their minds while also restoring the missing sixteen forms of Rou Quan.
Confident that the two could now handle armed intruders—short of a full-scale assault—Mu Lin left them to consolidate their newfound power. After a day in the basement, the stewards had advanced to the late Xiantian stage, nearing the threshold of San Hua Ju Ding (Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit). Their rejuvenated appearances were striking—hair once streaked with gray from exhaustion now jet-black, their vitality restored. Before departing, Mu Lin set up a Kunlong Formation (Dragon-Trapping Array) at the basement entrance, teaching the household its activation method. Only then did he leave for his clinic.
Upon arriving at his office, he learned that the New York delegation had been waiting for three days. Mu Lin promptly invited them in. The leader stepped forward, saying, “Dr. Daniel, we warmly welcome you to New York.”
They then presented over a dozen wooden boxes, placing them on his desk. “As a token of gratitude, your friends in New York sent us to escort you. We are at your service, sir.”
Mu Lin hadn’t expected such an elaborate gesture—sending a delegation laden with gifts to persuade him. After a brief contemplation, he decided against accepting them.
“Sir, we’ve prepared a modest clinic for you on Long Island,” the spokesperson hastily added, noticing his hesitation. Long Island, east of Manhattan, was a prestigious enclave surrounded by water, home to America’s elite—the Vanderbilts, Guggenheims, and Hearsts among its 2,800 residents. Known as the “Gold Coast” for its opulent estates and scenic beauty, the island had only about twenty police officers.
The fact that they had secured a “modest clinic” in such a prime location spoke volumes about their eagerness to bring him to New York. Mu Lin, who owned a villa there himself, understood the cost of such an offer.
“Sir, to honor your arrival, we’ve gathered a collection of Han Dynasty jade artifacts, meticulously verified to be carved in the ‘Han Eight Cuts’ style. These are but a humble tribute to your esteemed character,” the man said, a hint of pride in his voice.
“Oh?” Mu Lin was mildly surprised. These foreigners knew of the Han Eight Cuts technique—though unaware that it was merely one style of Han jade carving, not representative of the entire era’s craftsmanship. He chose not to enlighten them.
“Look, Dr. Daniel, these are all Han jades you favor,” the man urged, opening the boxes to display the pieces.
Given their persistence, Mu Lin saw no reason to refuse. As the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling gift-bearer. He picked up the artifacts one by one.
Remarkably, they had assembled nearly every Han jade category—bi discs, gui tablets, rings, huang pendants, chicken-heart ornaments, chongya ornaments, belt hooks, sword fittings, gangmao seals, yanmao seals, dancer figurines, animal carvings, and even nine-orifice plugs. Only large items like jade burial suits, screens, and door knockers were missing.
Han jade craftsmanship was renowned for techniques like “Floating Silk Hair Carving” and “Han Eight Cuts.”
With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Mu Lin confirmed that only three pieces were genuine Han artifacts; the rest were Qing Dynasty replicas.
Holding the three, he remarked coolly, “Congratulations. I’m impressed you identified these authentic Han pieces among so many fakes. I’ll gladly accept them.”
“Impossible! We hired professional appraisers!” The New Yorkers, expecting to flaunt their wealth and discernment, were stunned.
Mu Lin pointed to a jade cicada. “Observe its flat form, the eyes carved on either side, the slit between wings, and the 5-6 incised lines on the abdomen. The sharp angles of the wings and abdomen, along with the neck and wing joints—all classic Han Eight Cuts.”
He traced the back. “The lines are concise, the cuts bold and precise, with no signs of chipping or tool marks.” Looking up at their blank faces, he chuckled inwardly. Why bother explaining to these money-driven novices?
One skeptic gestured to the other pieces. “Then how do you explain these aren’t Han?”
Mu Lin lifted a dragon-patterned bi disc. “This dragon motif uses fine incised lines, focusing on the frontal head—large eyes and nose, a double-bodied design resembling ribbons, with entwined patterns suggesting claws or wings. You assumed it was Han based on this unique style, correct?”
“That’s exactly what our appraiser, Steve, said,” the man retorted.
“Did he also tell you Han bi discs were typically made of ‘water jade’ with white ‘rice grain’ inclusions? Han jade often shows water or soil erosion, while Qing pieces used pure nephrite, rarely replicating such patina. Do these show any of that?” Mu Lin replied evenly.
“That’s exactly what our appraiser, Steve, said,” the same man replied.
Mu Lin was completely unaware of the actions of these people, as he was busy enhancing the skills of his two newly appointed stewards. This left the visitors from New York stranded at the hotel. When they attempted to visit Mu Lin’s villa, the Boston elites dismissed them by claiming that Dr. Daniel was currently occupied with urgent matters.
The two stewards had previously practiced a low-level form of Rou Quan (Soft Fist), which, in the current mundane world, was considered an advanced martial art. However, upon examining their techniques, it was clear that their knowledge was incomplete, derived from a lost higher-level system. Despite this, their diligent training had allowed them to reach the Xiantian (Innate) realm, a testament to their natural talent. Yet, having only achieved this in their fifties, they would have peaked in their abilities had they not encountered Mu Lin. Now serving as his stewards, they far surpassed the other female members of the household in skill. While Mei Zi matched them in cultivation level, her lack of real-world experience paled in comparison to theirs.
With Mu Lin planning to leave Boston for some time, the responsibility of safeguarding the household fell upon these two elderly stewards. To prepare them, Mu Lin used Peiyuan Pills in the basement, channeling his Yi Jin Gong (Mind-Force Technique) directly into their minds through a ritualistic transmission. He also restored the missing sixteen forms of Rou Quan to them. Confident that the enhanced stewards could handle armed intruders—short of a full-scale assault—Mu Lin left them to consolidate their gains.
A day later, when they emerged from the basement, the two stewards had advanced to the late Xiantian stage, nearing the threshold of San Hua Ju Ding (Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit). Their rejuvenated appearances now belied their age, with once-gray hair restored to jet-black. Before departing, Mu Lin set up a Kunlong Formation (Dragon-Trapping Array) at the basement entrance, teaching the household how to navigate it. Only then did he leave for his clinic.
Upon arriving at his office, Mu Lin learned that the New York delegation had been waiting for three days. He promptly invited them in. The leader stepped forward and said, “Dr. Daniel, we sincerely welcome you to New York.”
He then presented over a dozen wooden boxes, placing them on Mu Lin’s desk. “As a token of gratitude, your friends in New York have sent us to escort you. We are at your service, sir.”
Mu Lin was taken aback by the grand gesture—sending a delegation and lavish gifts just to invite him. After a brief contemplation, he decided against accepting the offerings.
“Sir, we have prepared a modest clinic for you on Long Island,” the representative hastily added, noticing Mu Lin’s hesitation. Long Island, situated east of Manhattan and surrounded by water on three sides, was renowned as an enclave of American wealth.
Home to influential figures like the Vanderbilts, Guggenheims, and Hearsts, the island boasted multi-million-dollar estates along its “Gold Coast.” With only about twenty police officers patrolling the area, securing a property here was no small feat. The fact that they had arranged a clinic in such a prime location spoke volumes about their eagerness to bring Mu Lin to New York.
“Sir, to honor your arrival, we’ve gathered a collection of Han Dynasty jade artifacts, meticulously verified to be carved in the ‘Han Eight Cuts’ style. These are but a humble tribute to your esteemed character,” the representative said, with a hint of pride.
“Oh?” Mu Lin was surprised that these foreigners knew of the Han Eight Cuts technique. Yet, he doubted they understood that it was merely one style of Han jade carving, not representative of the entire era’s craftsmanship. He chose not to enlighten them.
“Look, Dr. Daniel, these are all Han Dynasty jades you favor,” the man said, hurriedly opening the boxes to display the pieces.
Given their persistence, Mu Lin decided to accept the gifts graciously. He examined each piece carefully. Remarkably, they had assembled nearly every major Han jade category—bi discs, gui tablets, rings, huang pendants, chicken-heart ornaments, chongya ornaments, belt hooks, sword fittings, gangmao seals, yanmao seals, dancer figurines, animal carvings, and even nine-orifice plugs. Only large items like jade burial suits, screens, and door knockers were missing.
Han jades were known for techniques like “Flying Silk Carving” and “Han Eight Cuts,” each distinctive in style.
With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Mu Lin confirmed that only three pieces were genuine Han artifacts; the rest were Qing Dynasty replicas.
Picking up the three authentic pieces, he remarked coolly, “Congratulations. I’m impressed you managed to identify these three Han pieces among so many. I’ll gladly accept them.”
“Impossible! We hired professional appraisers!” The delegation, expecting to showcase New York’s wealth and discernment, was stunned.
Mu Lin pointed to a jade cicada. “Observe its flat, thin form, the smooth head, eyes carved on either side, the slit between the wings, and the 5-6 incised lines on the abdomen. The sharp angles of the wings and abdomen, along with the precise cuts between the eyes, neck, and wings, are classic Han Eight Cuts.”
He traced the cicada’s back. “Note the bold, clean strokes—each line sharp and unbroken, without a single flaw.” Looking up, he saw only blank stares. Realizing his audience cared little for artistry, he chuckled wryly. Why bother explaining to these money-driven individuals?
One defiant member pointed at the other jades. “Then how do you explain these? Are they not Han?”
Mu Lin picked up a dragon-patterned bi disc. “This dragon motif uses fine incised lines, focusing on the frontal head—large eyes and nose, a double-bodied design resembling ribbons. The intertwined patterns suggest claws or wings. You assumed this was Han based on its unique dragon style, correct?”
“That’s exactly what our appraiser, Steve, said,” the man retorted.
“Did he also mention that Han bi discs were typically made of ‘water jade’ with white ‘rice grain’ inclusions? Han jade often bears water or soil stains, while Qing pieces used pure nephrite, rarely replicating such patina. Do you see any such staining here?” Mu Lin replied calmly.
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