"Outside Reed City, on Nine Crescent Lake, I've razed a branch of the Demonic Appraisal Association to the ground. They should be fine for now, but it's only a matter of time before they return."
Upon hearing this, the Qiao family members' expressions darkened.
Before this, they had no idea what sort of thieves had set their sights on their Qiao family, but now, they understood.
They didn't know much about the Demonic Appraisal Association. After all, not many people in this world knew about the association. However, if a mere branch already possessed such terrifying strength, how could the Qiao family deal with the bandits from the main branch?
They wouldn't be able to handle them.
Qiao Feigong understood this. He immediately got up and bowed deeply to Lin Jin. "Appraiser Lin, although our Qiao family is the number one family in Reed City, we only have three Rank 3 pet beasts and all of them are injured. If those villainous thieves return, we won't be a match for them. Please save us, Appraiser Lin."
He wasn't putting on an act. Qiao Feigong was genuinely afraid.
The Qiao family wasn't afraid of regular thieves, but the Demonic Appraisal Association had too many experts and they had witnessed their treacherous methods with their own eyes. If it weren't for Appraiser Lin's timely intervention, the Qiao family would have been wiped out by now.
Hence, Qiao Feigong knew that if the thieves' accomplices were to return, the only one who could protect the Qiao family was Appraiser Lin.
As for other guests?
They couldn't be counted on.
Lin Jin smiled. He had no intention of leaving them in the lurch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come back to warn them. He thought he had repaid the favor by helping them once, but who knew there would be a follow-up.
There was no need for Lin Jin to continue helping them since the Demonic Appraisal Association didn't know of his existence. But the Qiao family definitely couldn't escape.
Since that was the case, he might as well help them to the end.
Hence, Lin Jin nodded. "I will make arrangements later. Lord Qiao, there's no need to panic."
That was enough.
After a pause, Lin Jin recalled that the demonic appraisers were after the Qiao family's treasures. After some thought, he asked, "Lord Qiao, do you know why those villainous thieves are targeting our family?"
Of course Qiao Feigong knew. However, their ancestral heirloom was a secret. Should he reveal it?
If it was any other time, he definitely wouldn't say it out loud, much less admit it.
However, now that the Demonic Appraisal Association knew about it, it was no longer a secret. Moreover, Qiao Feigong had no idea what the ancestral heirloom was used for. This had been bothering him for a long time.
Back then, his father, the previous head of the Qiao family, had called him into his room and told him about the family heirloom.
Many members of the Qiao family knew that the Qiao family had a treasure. In fact, it was thanks to this treasure that the Qiao family was able to prosper in the past. However, no one knew exactly what treasure it was or what use it had.
The other members of the Qiao Family didn't know. Even Qiao Feigong himself didn't know.
But there was no way for him to tell anyone about this. It wouldn't be right to say that he didn't know anything. His father had told him many things when they had a private conversation, but most of it sounded like a fantasy to Qiao Feigong.
Upon hearing Lin Jin's question, Qiao Feigong thought for a moment before answering, "Appraiser Lin, when that thief first came, he said that he wanted our Qiao family to hand over our family heirloom. So what he's after must be our family heirloom."
Qiao Feigong didn't hide this from Lin Jin.
Lin Jin nodded. If Qiao Feigong was deliberately hiding this, he wouldn't mind saving the Qiao family.
Suddenly, Qiao Feigong said, "If Appraiser Lin would like to take a look, I can let you have a look."
At this, the other members of the Qiao family were shocked.
After all, the Qiao family's heirloom was their family's secret. Even the core members of the Qiao family only knew of its existence. As for what it was, none of them had ever seen it before.
Today, Qiao Feigong actually wanted to show the family heirloom to someone else. This naturally shocked the Qiao family.
However, despite their shock, no one objected.
The reason was simple. If it weren't for Appraiser Lin, the Qiao family would have been finished when the villainous bandits invaded. Just the fact that he had saved their lives was more than enough. Moreover, the Qiao family would still need to rely on Appraiser Lin from now on. Since Appraiser Lin had taken the initiative to ask, it must mean that he was curious.
Although the Qiao family were merchants, they were magnanimous. Back then, when they learned that their convoy was robbed and they lost a valuable Ganoderma, they didn't pursue the matter further.
Truth be told, Lin Jin was curious.
However, he didn't think that the Qiao family's heirloom was anything special. After all, he was now more knowledgeable and knowledgeable. In Lin Jin's eyes, the 'water reservoir armor' was the real deal.
The Qiao family was just a mundane family. What kind of treasure could they possibly have?
Just then, a member of the Qiao family came in to report that Reed City's city lord had arrived and wanted to see Qiao Feigong.
The arrival of a city lord was a major event.
However, Qiao Feigong clearly didn't want to see the city lord so he said, "Report to the city lord that I'm not around. Second Uncle, please help me receive the city lord."
The Qiao family member didn't dare to say anything. Qiao Feigong's second uncle hesitated. "Feigong, this … isn't appropriate."
"Second Uncle, there's nothing inappropriate about it. It's not like you don't know about the grudge between the city lord and our Qiao family. I'm sure he's here to test the waters. Besides, Appraiser Lin is here as well." Qiao Feigong's second uncle reacted immediately.
Reed City's city lord had always been wary of the Qiao family due to the previous generation's grudge. Over the years, the City Lord Manor had been making things difficult for the Qiao family so there was no need to pay too much attention to them.
Comparatively speaking, Appraiser Lin was the Qiao family's savior so his presence here was more important.
Qiao Feigong's second uncle was a tactful man so he nodded without another word. He saluted Lin Jin before leaving.
No one in the Qiao family objected to this.
It was Lin Jin's first time witnessing such a scene. He wanted to say something but after some thought, the Qiao family must have their own reasons for making such arrangements. It wouldn't be good for him to say too much.
"Appraiser Lin, please follow me." Qiao Feigong led the way. Without another word, Lin Jin followed.
Qiao Xing followed behind them. Escort Zhang, on the other hand, was tactful enough not to tag along. Naturally, the Qiao family sent someone to greet them.
Qiao Feigong was now heading toward the Qiao family's ancestral house. Qiao Feigong had informed his clansmen about the family's treasure. Now that the thief knew about it, the secret treasure was no longer a secret.
Qiao Feigong didn't hide it from his clansmen so knowing that Lin Jin was curious, he generously offered to take a look. Because Qiao Feigong knew very well that the family's secret treasure was merely a 'treasure' in name. To him, it wasn't of much use.
At least, he couldn't tell and neither did his father back then.
When they arrived at the ancestral house, Qiao Feigong invited Lin Jin in. Lin Jin took a look around and saw that the Qiao family's ancestral house was a courtyard within a courtyard. It was clearly an old house. Although it had been renovated, it still didn't fit in with the rest of the Qiao family.
Perhaps noticing Lin Jin's confusion, Qiao Feigong explained, "Back then, our ancestors settled down in Reed City and lived in this old house. Later on, when our Qiao family prospered, we bought the surrounding land and expanded the Qiao family's mansion. That's how this old house has been preserved."
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