Chapter 1792: Chapter 1422: Is Mr. Li an Enemy? The gloomy wood mentioned by Bai Xiaosheng is actually the same thing as the ebony described by the antique shop owner Mr. Li. “The name ‘gloomy wood’ sounds rather… gloomy. Is there some story behind it?” Dong Tianxiu couldn’t help but ask Bai Xiaosheng while guarding the solid wooden board in his hands, noticing Mr. Li’s eyes lighted up as he looked at it. Thıs text ıs hosted at 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥 “It’s just ebony, not as exaggerated as you make it sound! You can find it at the timber market!” Mr. Li made a show of diverting his gaze, pretending to be indifferent. Yet, Mr. Li couldn’t help but steal glances at the wooden board Dong Tianxiu was holding. He had initially found it at a farmhouse, where it was being used to prop up furniture legs. He thought it was good, so he paid some money to acquire it. Originally, he intended to have this solid board planed into a tea tray, thinking it would have a unique charm. However, upon returning, Mr. Li’s business declined, and as time passed, he lost interest in the idea. Eventually, he just threw the board on the ground, brushed a few rows of characters with red paint for decoration, and ignored it thereafter. “How would I know it’s gloomy wood! I had only heard about it, never seen it; my expertise lies in calligraphy and coins!” Mr. Li’s heart was filled with regret. He barely had any friends in the circle, and those he did were not skilled in this area. Upon hearing Mr. Li’s intentional dismissive remarks, Bai Xiaosheng chuckled and slowly explained to Dong Tianxiu, “Currently, on the market, some woods are labeled as ‘ebony,’ but those are actually a type of mahogany mostly sourced from Africa, primarily African ebony and East African black rosewood.” “The truly precious ebony was anciently known as gloomy wood.” “It’s said that real gloomy wood was formed when earthquakes, floods, and mudslides pushed large trees into rivers and buried them in silt millions of years ago. Under isolated oxygen and high-pressure conditions, with the help of bacteria and microorganisms, these became carbonized wood over millions of years, also known as ‘carbonized wood.’ Bai Xiaosheng’s explanation intrigued Dong Tianxiu. People are always particularly interested in the unknown, so once Bai Xiaosheng finished talking, Dong Tianxiu urged him to say more. Mr. Li couldn’t help but stare at Bai Xiaosheng as well. He had heard of ‘gloomy wood,’ but knew only a little about it, naturally sparking his interest. “Simply put, gloomy wood is naturally carbonized under special geographical conditions, lying between carbon and wood, possessing unique wooden qualities,” Bai Xiaosheng said with a smile. With Red Lotus’s assistance, he was thoroughly knowledgeable, speaking eloquently with ease. “Oh my, preserved for millions of years, this ebony… such trees must be very rare?” Dong Tianxiu exclaimed. “Gloomy wood isn’t actually a type of tree,” Bai Xiaosheng corrected with a smile, “The trees that can become gloomy wood vary widely, from fringe trees, evergreen oaks, camphors to golden silkwoods, small-leaf nanmu, red camphors, rosewoods, and the like. Whether they qualify as gloomy depends on how carbonized they are—if they’re too carbonized, they become coal and cannot be used as materials, they can only—” “Only what?” Dong Tianxiu couldn’t help but ask. Mr. Li also fixed his gaze on Bai Xiaosheng. “‘Rotten wood, it can burn,'” Bai Xiaosheng shrugged and smiled. Dong Tianxiu laughed heartily. Bai Xiaosheng continued, “Its long gestation period and risk of turning into carbon make gloomy wood hard to form, yet it combines the essence of wood and the luster of stone, making it excellent material.” “Just from the perspective of rarity, the value of gloomy wood can be imagined.” “Additionally, in Huaxia culture, gloomy wood is regarded as an object that wards off evil.” This last point is very important. The ancients had a never-ending pursuit of enhancing fortune and longevity, avoiding harm and seeking benefit, which holds true for modern people as well! Dong Tianxiu couldn’t help but rub the wooden board, already considering crafting beads. Mr. Li also couldn’t stop his eyes from gleaming. He knew that craftsmanship and artifacts, statues, and amulets made from gloomy wood have always been loved and pursued by all different social classes throughout history. An old saying goes, “Having half a piece of ebony at home surpasses a chest full of treasures.” Unfortunately, this item has been sold! Mr. Li felt more than just regret. “Is this piece of gloomy wood particularly valuable?” Dong Tianxiu was concerned about this question. Although he didn’t lack money, finding something valuable himself brought a unique thrill. Bai Xiaosheng laughed, “Of course. But—” “Although gloomy wood is quite precious, not all gloomy wood is priceless; it depends on quality differences, which determine the price.” “Quality assessment mainly looks at wood texture, tree species, size, color, shape, degree of carbonization, and so forth.” “In fact, even within gloomy wood, the price differences are enormous; the top-tier ones go for tens of millions per ton,” Bai Xiaosheng said, “And for good gloomy wood to emerge, the harmony of time, geography, and human relationship is needed. The former two factors are for material formation, and the last is for its discovery and identification. Otherwise, even a treasure would be regarded as a broken board.” Upon hearing Bai Xiaosheng’s last statement, Mr. Li couldn’t help but scowl. He was the one unknowingly keeping a treasure, treating it like a broken wooden board. Dong Tianxiu smirked at Mr. Li and asked Bai Xiaosheng, “Then how much is the piece in my hands worth?” Bai Xiaosheng consulted Red Lotus internally, and after estimating, he said, “With a good craftsman finely sculpting it, the finished product could… range between one million to three million!” Mr. Li’s face turned green upon hearing Bai Xiaosheng’s valuation. A piece worth one to three million had been sold for so cheap! Now knowing its worth, the feeling of heartbreak was inexplicably difficult to bear! Dong Tianxiu grinned widely, his face full of delight, “Wow, that’s a huge profit!” Bought for thirty thousand, then selling for one to three million—in the antique trade, indeed crazy profits! “Rarely making a deal, but once made, it lasts for three years, definitely not a myth.” “Bai, I, Dong Tianxiu, am impressed!” Dong Tianxiu laughed loudly. Bai Xiaosheng couldn’t help but glance at Dong Tianxiu, thinking his laughter was a bit too much. Still, he was in the presence of the shop owner, it was best to be a bit restrained. Bai Xiaosheng intended to signal Dong Tianxiu with his eyes and guide him to leave. The antique circle places great importance on rules; once a transaction is complete, both parties pay and receive goods, regardless of finding a bargain or getting deceived, it’s all based on skill, no complaints allowed—this is the business ethos of the industry. Therefore, Bai Xiaosheng wasn’t worried about Mr. Li reneging or causing trouble. However, Bai Xiaosheng was surprised to see Mr. Li suddenly staring at Dong Tianxiu intensely, his pupils constricted, seemingly in shock, upon hearing Dong Tianxiu reveal his name. Bai Xiaosheng was immediately puzzled. Dong Tianxiu, who was originally looking at Bai Xiaosheng, turned his head upon noticing him staring at the shop owner. Then, Dong Tianxiu also noted Mr. Li’s unusual look in his eyes. “What is it, sir, you’re not planning to renege, are you? That’s not acceptable! Doing business requires clarity—responsibility for one’s decisions!” Dong Tianxiu thought Mr. Li was about to renege, refusing to sell, and immediately guarded the gloomy wood tightly, speaking loudly. The ordinary remark was like a trigger, instantly igniting Mr. Li’s fury. “Same words! It’s the same words! You’re her brother!” Mr. Li’s expression turned fierce as he shouted sharply. Bai Xiaosheng and Dong Tianxiu were startled by Mr. Li’s shout, looking at each other, unsure what had provoked him. What “same words”? What “her brother”? Could it be that Mr. Li knows Dong Tianxiu… his sister? This is what Bai Xiaosheng thought, looking at Dong Tianxiu with questioning eyes. But Dong Tianxiu was confused, not recognizing Mr. Li despite repeated glances, and planned to ask him. Unexpectedly, Mr. Li suddenly went into frenzy, roaring while picking up a porcelain vase nearby, raising it high and directly throwing it at Dong Tianxiu. “Five years ago, she tricked me terribly, and five years later, you come to trick me again!” “I’ve already said, you Dong Family people can’t let me go; even if I run back to my hometown, you are unrelenting!” “In that case, I’m not afraid of anything, screw it, I’ll fight you!”