Ji Mo quickly led Bo Niu to the stall. It was rare for something to move him.
It was a book stall, displaying various ancient books, beast skins, and tortoise shells, all ancient artifacts.
What caught Ji Mo's attention was a yellow paper, not because it was old, but because it was written in hieroglyphs, in the traditional Chinese characters of his hometown.
The last time he saw such a thing was a notebook that the Great Immortal Kong Xu had specifically left for him, which was then destroyed by Chen Cheng and Wang Shou Zheng, insiders lurking in the Void Sword Sect, who also stole a portion of it.
Wang Shou Zheng hailed from the Small Thunderclap Temple, while Chen Cheng's origins were unknown. After their escape, they had not reappeared, and their whereabouts were unknown.
"Could this also be left behind by Elder Brother Kong Xu?"
Ji Mo mused, picking up the yellow paper and examining it closely.
In this world, it was likely only the Great Immortal Kong Xu and himself who understood this script. Therefore, it was highly probable that it was an artifact of the Great Immortal Kong Xu.
Seeing Ji Mo's eyes light up, and how he immediately snatched the yellow paper, a gleam flickered in the book stall owner's eyes.
"This young master truly has a discerning eye, a treasure hunter's insight. This page has a significant origin and is an extraordinary item."
The book stall owner explained while observing Ji Mo's expressions.
Ji Mo, however, showed disappointment. This was not the Great Immortal Kong Xu's handwriting, but a copy.
The forger had clearly possessed considerable skill, and the imitation was indeed very lifelike. However, they obviously did not grasp the essence of Chinese calligraphy, writing with form but lacking spirit. Outsiders might find it difficult to distinguish between the genuine and the fake, but Ji Mo saw through it at a glance.
"Boss, where did you get this?"
Ji Mo put down the yellow paper and inquired about its origin.
If it could be copied, it meant the original handwriting of the Great Immortal Kong Xu had been seen. Could it be that very notebook?
The book stall owner did not understand why Ji Mo, after appearing as if he had found a treasure, would discard it like worthless grass after just one glance.
His eyes darted around, and he whispered mysteriously, "To be frank, young master, this paper is extraordinary. It is the calligraphy of the founding ancestor of the Void Sword Sect, the Great Immortal Kong Xu. The Great Immortal Kong Xu's life was legendary, a talent of unparalleled prowess. His Void Sword Technique was the nightmare of that era, and countless powerful beings in the Immortal Spirit Realm lived in fear of the Great Immortal Kong Xu. This paper likely records the Void Sword Technique. Buying it is a massive gain."
Ji Mo smiled at the book stall owner and retorted, "If that were true, would you still be selling it?"
The book stall owner gave a sheepish smile and explained, "I cannot understand this script, and many renowned scholars are also unable to decipher it. Therefore, I can only sell it with a heavy heart."
Ji Mo, naturally, did not believe a word of the deceitful merchant. He said, "If you can't understand it, how do you know it's from the Great Immortal Kong Xu? Are you trying to fool me?"
"You are being too harsh, young master. I conduct honest business, fair to all. I can guarantee it is the genuine work of the Great Immortal Kong Xu. As for the content on the paper, since no one understands it, I cannot guarantee whether it is the Void Sword Technique."
The book stall owner maintained a look of honest simplicity, speaking with conviction, as if confiding in Ji Mo.
His acting was indeed superb, leaving no room for fault. Anyone would be deceived by his sincere demeanor.
Ji Mo sneered, "Since you are fair to all, then bring out the genuine article. It is not honorable to deceive people with fakes."
Because the book stall owner's confidence made Ji Mo suspect that he might have seen the real thing, he decided to seize the opportunity to bluff him.
The book stall owner's expression changed drastically, his face turning cold. "Do not slander me and tarnish my reputation. If you do not give me an explanation today, you will not leave."
As he spoke, he revealed his cultivation as a Profound Immortal, glaring menacingly at Ji Mo.
He had sold many fake ancient books recently without any issues. If Ji Mo exposed his fraudulent sales, it would likely lead to significant trouble.
"The paper is old, but the ink is new."
Ji Mo did not intend to reveal that it was not the Great Immortal Kong Xu's genuine work. He casually found an excuse and mocked, "You wouldn't happen to say that the Great Immortal Kong Xu is not dead and is still alive, would you?"
The book stall owner was speechless and forcefully argued, "Nonsense! You can find someone to appraise it and see if the ink is new. If you don't understand, don't act like a big shot here. I don't do business with people like you."
Ji Mo, too lazy to argue further, left with Bo Niu.
Soon after, the book stall owner packed up his stall and hurried down into the ship's hold.
In a dark ship's cabin.
The fake corpse, whose thigh Ji Mo had broken earlier, tearfully complained to a middle-aged scholar, "Boss, you must seek justice for me. That scoundrel is not human. He directly grabbed me and snapped my leg. This revenge must be taken."
The stall owner also chimed in, "Boss, that kid is extremely arrogant. He threatened to break all three of our legs. I can't stand this insult. Let's find an opportunity to get rid of him."
The middle-aged scholar frowned after hearing the story, surprised that the fake corpse had revealed a flaw.
He was the foremost forger in the Immortal Spirit Realm, his counterfeits so convincing that they were indistinguishable from the real thing. Although it was his first time forging a Blue Blood person's corpse, he shouldn't have been seen through so easily.
"Did you make a mistake?"
The middle-aged scholar glared angrily at the fake corpse, believing that this fellow had caused the problem and refusing to believe his skills had been recognized.
"Boss, I didn't. My Corpse Breath technique has reached the ninth major perfection stage. I am more like a corpse than a corpse."
The man shivered and quickly explained, not wanting to take responsibility.
"Hmph, there is definitely no problem with my forgery skills. It must be you..."
The middle-aged scholar's face was filled with indignation and malice. He raised his palm, intending to discipline these two.
But at that moment, the book stall owner rushed in and reported, "Boss, your creation was seen through by a young man. He seemed to have recognized it as a counterfeit at a glance."
"What?"
The middle-aged scholar's face instantly turned ashen, and he awkwardly retracted his raised hand.
It was too embarrassing. He had just boasted that his forging skills would never have flaws, only to be proven wrong.
"What exactly happened?"
He lost face and quickly asked what had occurred.
However, after listening to the entire sequence of events, he fell into contemplation and snorted, "The paper is old, and the ink is also ancient ink over ten thousand years old. My methods are flawless, there are definitely no issues. Moreover, I compared it, and the imitated characters are identical to the Great Immortal Kong Xu's manuscript. Unless it is the Great Immortal Kong Xu himself, no one will be able to detect a flaw."
The other three stared intently at the middle-aged scholar, implying: Boss, your boasting is impressive, but you were still seen through, and by the same person.
The book stall owner, being perceptive, noticed the middle-aged scholar's increasingly grim expression and the potential for him to vent his anger on them. He quickly said, "Boss, your skills are unmatched in the world, capable of deceiving deities. There are definitely no flaws. Could it be that the other party understands this square script, and after seeing the content, knew that the item was not right?"
"That possibility cannot be ruled out."
The middle-aged scholar seized the opportunity to save face and instructed, "Have someone else approach him and offer a high price for him to decipher this script of the Great Immortal Kong Xu. I also want to know if the manuscripts Wang Shou Zheng obtained from the Void Sword Sect are indeed the Void Sword Technique?"
He had previously interacted with Wang Shou Zheng and had personally seen the portion of the notes in his possession. He had secretly memorized parts of it but had been unable to decipher it. Now, he saw hope.
If Ji Mo truly understood this script, it would be wonderful.
Not long after, someone proactively approached Ji Mo, offering a sky-high price for him to translate some ancient texts, which included a large amount of hieroglyphs.
Ji Mo sensed that something was amiss and did not agree to their request.
"Could it be that someone has the Great Immortal Kong Xu's notes and is trying to decipher them?"
Ji Mo figured out the key point and muttered to himself, "If that's the case, then I'll lure you out and make a quick profit."