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Gourmet Hunter - Chapter 443
🕑 Added 2024-06-23 23:50:49 +0000 UTCChapter 443: Discovery
The torturous singing ceased after five minutes. In the next moment, a forced enthusiastic applause echoed throughout the venue, as if it could shatter the ceiling.
"This..."
Luo and Salin looked around at the applauding crowd. Not wanting to stand out, they clapped a few times as well.
On stage, Clover nodded in all directions to the guests. Once the applause subsided, he smiled.
"I've always believed that music is an excellent way to relieve stress. Although my singing skills are not great, I can still calmly showcase them. I’m sure everyone here feels the same."
"To be honest, the Ohara Museum recently acquired three old music scores. Today, I've decided to create a new section for music-related artifacts in the museum. If anyone has good items..."
At this point, Clover merely gave the crowd a knowing smile.
As a wealthy and renowned appraiser, Clover never suppressed prices when acquiring antiques. Anyone in the industry who wanted to avoid the auction process preferred to sell their items to Clover.
In fact, many famous collectors were envious of the Ohara Museum's ancient artifacts. However, Clover only acquired items and never sold them. It seemed that only if he faced financial difficulties would he consider selling his collection.
The song that showcased his inadequacy ended, seemingly only to announce the opening of the new section. Afterward, Clover stepped off the stage without further ado.
The orchestra began to play again. As the music flowed, waiters entered the banquet hall with delicacies, serving each table.
"Music scores, huh..."
Luo touched his chin. Since acquiring the first Dark Sonata, he had heard no news about the other three scores for many years.
In his future vision for the Luo Ling Museum, he envisioned a platform for acquisitions, hoping to obtain the other Dark Sonatas through it, even if it was just news.
Among the collectors in the Hunter world, many had peculiar hobbies, such as collecting human organs, dog feces, and the nails and hair of a certain famous old singer.
Compared to those, music scores and instruments were relatively traditional categories and not difficult to acquire.
As the food was served, the guests began to toast and exchange pleasantries, gradually enlivening the atmosphere.
Clover walked around the tables toasting and eventually reached Luo's table.
Everyone stood to return the toast. Clover maintained his polite smile and gave Luo a meaningful look while toasting.
Through his two days of conversation with Salin, Clover knew that Luo was a key figure in the website. However, this glance was actually directed at the expectations for Ersek's brush and the final letter, as Luo's arrival prevented him from examining them in advance.
After fulfilling his host duties, the guests began to enjoy the exquisite food Clover had prepared.
"The taste is quite good. This is B-grade ingredient, this is C-grade ingredient..."
After a few dishes, Luo marveled at Clover's generosity. Not everyone could afford to host such a lavish feast using B-grade ingredients, and the cost of this single meal was unimaginable.
After returning to the table, Mitch toasted Luo with a smile, "The founder of Luo Ling Museum, I've heard a lot about you."
"It's not worth mentioning," Luo replied politely.
"You are the first to put antique trading online, pioneering an endeavor that deserves respect," Mitch said with a refined smile.
Luo smiled back and said earnestly, "You flatter me. All my items are genuine. If you're interested, you can browse the website. If you find anything you like, I'll give you a 20% discount."
Upon hearing this, Salin kicked Luo under the table, but Luo didn't react.
Mitch was taken aback, then responded courteously, "I will, Mr. Luo. Remember your words."
A 20% discount on antiques could mean a substantial amount of money, assuming they were genuine.
Mitch didn't take Luo's words seriously. As an auction house owner, he had no difficulty sourcing items and wouldn't buy antiques from Luo.
He didn't pursue the topic further, merely considering that poaching Salin might not be too difficult.
The banquet concluded, and the guests moved en masse to the Ohara Museum.
Clover, surrounded like the moon by stars, walked at the forefront.
Luo and Salin walked side by side, not too closely.
"Do you even know how to chat?" Salin said helplessly.
"Yes," Luo replied bluntly.
Salin rolled her eyes and said, "Then you have the ability to kill a conversation, do you know that?"
Luo shrugged and chuckled, "That guy wants to poach you, and he's a competitor."
"Is that a reason?" Salin asked.
"Yes."
Luo raised the ancient-looking box in his hand and said seriously, "Rather than such trivial matters, think about how we can sell these two items at a high price later and advertise a bit."
"That's your job," Salin said bluntly.
"Don't be like that. My face isn't suitable for public appearances," Luo said.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"…"
The group arrived at the Ohara Museum and saw the huge ancient tree up close, filled with the marks of time and a heavy sense of history.
"What a pity."
Luo looked at the giant tree, which was over a thousand years old, and shook his head slightly. Though it couldn't compare to the World Tree, it was still a rare giant tree in nature.
Judging by the untouched bark, these three giant trees were evidently sacrificed for human needs.
No matter how strong a tree was, it couldn't withstand a human axe. After surviving a thousand years, it couldn't escape falling within mere minutes.
There were about a hundred important guests, not including journalists and the guests' female companions and families. If those were included, about two hundred people could enter the museum, while their bodyguards had to wait outside.
The largest tree stood in the center as the main hall, with the other two trees on either side as annexes.
The tour started from the left annex. Inside the ancient tree, the antique style was overwhelming. A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air.
The tree's area was circular overall, with a spiral staircase winding along the wall, connecting platforms built on the wall.
The ground floor already housed many artifacts, placed inside bulletproof glass.
Luo glanced around. They were mostly handmade items from ancient times, with some collectible value, but nothing with Nen.
Guided and explained by Clover, the group toured the annex, witnessing Clover's collections from last year and new acquisitions this year.
"In a few more years, the Ohara Museum might not be able to contain all of Master Clover's collection," someone remarked lightly.
Clover only laughed heartily, leading the group out of the left annex towards the right annex.
The tour was a necessary prelude. The main event, the appraisal conference, took place in the main hall. It was also one of Clover's ways to acquire good items. If the price offered was attractive, those who intended to show off their collections might be willing to sell.
"Twenty-three items, not bad."
Luo glanced back at the left annex. Among the collection, he found twenty-three items with Nen, a testament to the astonishing number of Clover's collections, with potential value rivaling nations.
No wonder he dared to call it a museum...
Speaking of which, Luo hadn't defined his website as a museum yet.
On the way to the right annex, Luo suddenly noticed a familiar woman leaning on a bald man.
"Pakunoda?"
Luo squinted his eyes.
In the banquet hall, his attention was on Clover and the food. In the annex, he focused on the collections. He hadn't noticed Pakunoda's presence until now.
"What is she doing here..."
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