It wasn't easy to preserve the manor in such good condition, even retaining its original style. Qiao Feigong then explained that this was the Qiao family's patriarch's dying wish and the descendants of the Qiao family were not allowed to violate it.
As for why, Qiao Feigong and the others didn't know. They just assumed it was a sentimental gesture from their patriarch.
Lin Jin stopped outside the yard and said, "I heard that this is your Qiao family's forbidden grounds and no one is allowed to trespass. Is it inconvenient for me to enter like this?"
Qiao Feigong quickly replied, "Don't worry, Appraiser Lin. Although the Qiao family does have such a rule, it only restricts the members of our family. You're our honored guest and our savior so it's fine. You don't have to follow this rule either."
Clearly, Qiao Feigong understood that rules were rules, and rules were dead. Moreover, he had been to the Qiao family's ancestral home many times in the past, and there was nothing special about it. Qiao Feigong didn't even think there was anything special about the family heirloom.
To Qiao Feigong, befriending someone like Appraiser Lin was of utmost importance. Hence, knowing that Appraiser Lin was curious, Qiao Feigong decided to let him have a look to show the Qiao family's sincerity.
If they could befriend Appraiser Lin, that would be the most important thing. In fact, it was even more important than the Qiao family's useless heirloom.
Since Qiao Feigong had said so, Lin Jin didn't say anything else.
However, although Lin Jin had Qiao Feigong's permission, no one else dared to follow him inside. Noticing Qiao Xing's expectant expression, Qiao Feigong thought about it and summoned his son over.
Qiao Xing was delighted. Being able to enter the Qiao family's ancestral home was an honor. Not only that, according to the rules, only the patriarch could enter. If his father summoned him here, didn't that mean he was going to appoint him as the next patriarch?
This was what made Qiao Xing happy.
And so, Qiao Feigong allowed Qiao Xing to enter while he chatted with Lin Jin.
"Back then, our Qiao family's ancestor was just a regular person. I heard that it was this family heirloom that allowed him to rise to the top and even own a Rank 4 pet beast. That was how he founded the Qiao family." There was a hint of pride in Qiao Feigong's tone when he mentioned this. After all, his ancestor's glory was something to be proud of.
"Father, I've heard of this before. But if our Qiao family's secret artifact is so powerful, why hasn't anyone managed to evolve their pet beast to Rank 4 after our ancestor?" Qiao Xing couldn't resist asking. It was obvious that he had been wondering about this for a long time.
"This …" Qiao Feigong was obviously unable to answer this question. Not to mention Qiao Xing, even he himself had been wondering about this for decades.
Qiao Feigong's father had said so in the past, but Qiao Feigong and his father had studied the treasures left behind by their ancestors for so many years, yet they had not grasped the slightest secret.
It was inevitable that they would have doubts.
No, it wasn't suspicion. They were certain that their ancestor definitely didn't leave behind the truth on this matter. Perhaps he had just said it casually back then.
At the very least, the fact that her ancestor owned a Rank 4 pet beast definitely had nothing to do with that family heirloom.
Apart from that, the ancestor didn't say much. He only requested that the Qiao Family's descendants take good care of that treasure and not lose it.
In this way, three generations of the Qiao family had passed.
When it came to Qiao Xing, it was equivalent to the fourth generation.
Lin Jin raised an eyebrow as he listened. The Qiao family had a Rank 4 pet beast before?
Indeed, he hadn't expected this. But judging by the time, that should have happened a hundred years ago. It was no wonder the Qiao family was able to prosper for a hundred years. So their ancestor was that impressive.
Back in the Jade Dragon Kingdom, anyone with a Rank 4 pet beast would have been considered a prominent figure.
Entering the ancestral house's yard, Lin Jin saw that everything was simple. The ground was made of mud and the things in the yard were old and shabby. However, they had been cleaned up nicely.
To Lin Jin, this was just an ordinary old yard. It was probably even more run-down and average than the one he used to live in.
After Qiao Feigong entered, his voice became softer. Clearly, he was still very respectful towards his ancestors. Even Qiao Xing was the same. He was very careful. Other than that, Qiao Xing had a curious look on his face as he looked around.
The yard wasn't big and there was only one house. There were some farming tools hanging on the wall and even a stone mill.
"Appraiser Lin, please wait for a moment. I'm going to retrieve the family heirloom," Qiao Feigong said before heading for the house. Qiao Xing looked excited.
Although he was the son of the first wife, he had never seen the family heirloom with his own eyes. Now that he could see it with his own eyes, he was obviously excited.
On the other hand, Lin Jin didn't think too much about it. At first, he was puzzled by Qiao Feigong's generosity, willing to show the family heirloom to someone else. But after giving it some thought, Qiao Feigong must have confirmed that there was nothing special about the heirloom. Since Lin Jin had saved the Qiao family, Qiao Feigong had every reason to do so. No one in the Qiao family would object.
The house was small so Qiao Feigong returned quickly. When he came out, he was holding a box in his hand. The box was wrapped in a brocade cloth and looked very luxurious. Those who didn't know better would think that it contained some valuable porcelain.
But when he put it down and opened it, he took out a wooden plaque.
The wooden plaque looked ordinary, but on the wooden plaque, there was a 'three' written on it.
"Father, is … is this our Qiao family's heirloom?" When Qiao Xing saw this, his face was filled with disappointment. Clearly, in his heart, his Qiao Clan's secret treasure was definitely not to be underestimated. However, he had never expected that it would only be this brand, and there was nothing special about it.
"That's right. This is our family heirloom. It was passed down by our Great Ancestor." Qiao Feigong knew what his son was thinking.
Truth be told, he had the same thought when he first saw it.
Moreover, after years of research, he would visit every few days to touch the wooden plaque but to no avail.
It was just an ordinary wooden plaque.
More than once, Qiao Feigong wondered if his father had accidentally lost the heirloom and replaced it with something else. Of course, he would never dare to say it out loud.
Just then, Qiao Feigong took out the wooden plaque and looked at Lin Jin. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed Lin Jin staring at the wooden plaque in his hand with an odd gaze.
This made Qiao Feigong swallow the words he wanted to say.
Then, he asked, "Appraiser Lin, what's wrong?"
He could tell that Lin Jin must have some idea so he asked out of curiosity.
Lin Jin said, "Lord Qiao, may I take a look at it?"
Qiao Feigong obviously wouldn't refuse. To him, this wooden plaque was useless. Moreover, Appraiser Lin was an expert who had seen all kinds of treasures. He must have been eyeing this wooden plaque.
Hence, Lin Jin handed it over.
Lin Jin took it. The moment he touched it, he confirmed his strange guess.
"I knew it …"
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