Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121 - Portrait Of Titus (2)
Chapter 122 - Visitor From The Desert (1)
Chapter 123 - Visitor From The Desert (2)
Chapter 124 - Visitor From The Desert (3)
Chapter 125 - Visitor From The Desert (4)
Chapter 126 - Rookie Of Boston Red Sox (1)
Chapter 127 - Rookie Of Boston Red Sox (2)
Chapter 128 - Buddhist Scripture Written With Gold (1)
Chapter 129 - Buddhist Scripture Written With Gold (2)
Chapter 130 - Buddhist Scripture Written With Gold (3)
Chapter 131 - Chaebol, Painting, And Happy Tears (1)
Chapter 132 - Chaebol, Painting, And Happy Tears (2)
Chapter 133 - Chaebol, Painting, And Happy Tears (3)
Chapter 134 - Enemies Are Everywhere (1)
Chapter 135 - Enemies Are Everywhere (2)
Chapter 136 - More Paintings (1)
Chapter 137 - More Paintings (2)
Chapter 138 - To Florence, Italy… (1)
Chapter 139 - To Florence, Italy… (2)
Chapter 140 - To Florence, Italy… (3)
Chapter 141 - People Who Are After The Masterpiece (1)
Chapter 142 - People Who Are After The Masterpiece (2)
Chapter 143 - People Who Are After The Masterpiece (3)
Chapter 144 - The Medici And The Aristocrats (1)
Chapter 145 - The Medici And The Aristocrats (2)
Chapter 146 - The Medici And The Aristocrats (3)
Chapter 147 - The Medici And The Aristocrats (4)
Chapter 148 - The Medici And The Aristocrats (5)
Chapter 149 - Drawings In The Charity Auction (1)
Chapter 150 - Drawings In The Charity Auction (2)
Chapter 151 - Drawings In The Charity Auction (3)
Chapter 152 - Drawings In The Charity Auction (4)
Chapter 153 - Drawings In The Charity Auction (5)
Chapter 154 - Now, To London… (1)
Chapter 155 - Now, To London… (2)
Chapter 156 - Now, To London… (3)
Chapter 157 - Now, To London… (4)
Chapter 158 - Seeing The Light Again (1)
Chapter 159 - Seeing The Light Again (2)
Chapter 160 - Seeing The Light Again (3)
Chapter 161 - Seeing The Light Again (4)
Chapter 162 - Uninvited Guest (1)
Chapter 163 - Uninvited Guest (2)
Chapter 164 - Uninvited Guest (3)
Chapter 165 - Uninvited Guest (4)
Chapter 166 - Dark Shadow (1)
Chapter 167 - Dark Shadow (2)
Chapter 168 - Dark Shadow (3)
Chapter 169 - Change And Progress (1)
Chapter 170 - Change, And Progress (2)
Chapter 171 - Change, And Progress (3)
Chapter 172 - Appraiser Talks Through Appraising (1)
Chapter 173 - Appraiser Talks Through Appraising (2)
Chapter 174 - Appraiser Talks Through Appraising (3)
Chapter 175 - Appraiser Talks Through Appraising (4)
Chapter 176 - Appraiser Talks Through Appraising (5)
Chapter 177 - Inheritance Left By The Parents (1)
Chapter 178 - Inheritance Left By The Parents (2)
Chapter 179 - Inheritance Left By The Parents (3)
Chapter 180 - Inheritance Left By The Parents (4)
Chapter 181 - Star Appraiser (1)
Chapter 182 - Star Appraiser (2)
Chapter 183 - Star Appraiser (3)
Chapter 184 - Terms Of Return Of Artifacts (1)
Chapter 185 - Terms Of Return Of Artifacts (2)
Chapter 186 - Terms Of Return Of Artifacts (3)
Chapter 187 - Terms Of Return Of Artifacts (4)
Chapter 188 - Terms Of Return Of Artifacts (5)
Chapter 189 - Artifact From North Korea (1)
Chapter 190 - Artifact From North Korea (2)
Chapter 191 - Artifact Match (1)
Chapter 192 - Artifact Match (2)
Chapter 193 - Artifact Match (3)
Chapter 194 - Artifact Match (4)
Chapter 195 - Artifact Match (5)
Chapter 196 - What Happened In Austria (1)
Chapter 197 - What Happened In Austria (2)
Chapter 198 - What Happened In Austria (3)
Chapter 199 - What Happened In Austria (4)
Chapter 200 - Bait To Catch The Big Fish (1)
Chapter 201 - Bait To Catch The Big Fish (2)
Chapter 202 - What The Depressed Man Left (1)
Chapter 203 - What The Depressed Man Left (2)
Chapter 204 - Where The Faith Leads Him To (1)
Chapter 205 - Add Painting To Painting (1)
Chapter 206 - Add Painting To Painting (2)
Chapter 207 - Add Painting To Painting (3)
Chapter 208 - Finally, To There… (1)
Chapter 209 - Finally, In There… (2)
Chapter 210 (End) - Epilogue
Categories Genre: All, Completed, Fantasy, Supernatural Status: Completed ______
Total Chapters in book: 210
Estimated words: 468205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 2341(@200wpm)___ 1873(@250wpm)___ 1561(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 468205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 2341(@200wpm)___ 1873(@250wpm)___ 1561(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 210 Page No. 209 Page No. 208 Page No. 207 Page No. 206 Page No. 205 Page No. 204 Page No. 203 Page No. 202 Page No. 201 Page No. 200 Chapter 106
Chapter 106: Charity Auction in Shanghai (3)
The Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi is famous for depicting the internal thoughts of the Chinese people
who are living entangled in capitalism and communism.
No, he is more than famous. His paintings are extremely expensive. So, of course, Wang Huiyang
was worried as he looked at the screen in front.
It wasn’t his, but it had been donated by someone else…
“This painting has been donated by Vice Premier Lee Yang. It has surprised the world, and I also
wonder at how much it will be sold,” Dojin covered his mouth with his hand and asked quietly, “What
price do you think it will be sold at?”
“I don’t know. However, judging from the tendency of Chinese people, it should go over ten billion.”
One of Zeng Fanzhi’s painting was sold at 2.7 million dollars in Hong Kong’s Christie’s Auction in
So, objectively thinking about the Chinese art market that was getting bigger and bigger, Haejin was
sure the price would go over ten billion today.
“Hmm… that’s impressive. I’ve heard that Zeng Fanzhi is a great artist, but I never thought his
painting would be sold at ten billion.
“That painting looks strange to me. Why is it so expensive? There are many other beautiful paintings.”
Dojin wasn’t an expert of contemporary art so, of course, he had that question.
“The most important feature of contemporary art is painting the mental and philosophical belief. Each
line and touch of the brush has a meaning. So, without knowing that meaning, it’s just a weird painting
with no pleasure and beauty. For example, I can draw a blue line on a dark background and say, ‘I
depicted the energy of the dusk blooming in the darkness’. You don’t know that meaning, so of
course, you would think it is strange. That’s only right.”
“Then, what do Zeng Fanzhi’s painting have that everyone is so enthusiastic about them?”
Haejin pointed at the screen and started to explain.
“Zeng Fanzhi’s paintings have a bright background that gives a cheerful feeling. And the characters
are mostly wearing smiling masks. However, it looks weird because of the unnaturally huge hands
and the red shadows that look like blood. Doesn’t that give anxiety to you?”
“Hmm… I think so.”
“It shows how Chinese people are being forced to smile without showing their own thoughts. And the
handkerchiefs mean that they are members of the communist party, but those smiling masks say
there is another true feeling under them. In a way, Zeng Fanzhi’s paintings are not that hospitable
toward the Chinese government… but I don’t know why they are letting him do that.”
Dojin faintly smiled.
“I think I can tell you that. Even if that painting has this kind of message, the Chinese government
does not have full control over the art market. As you know, that matter is directly linked to secret
funds of billionaires and taxes. If they start messing up with the paintings of famous artists, they would
be diminishing the value of their own paintings, so it wouldn’t be easy. Especially when that artist is
also internationally famous.”
“It’s all about money.”
“Of course. If they try to capture one artist and kills Chinese contemporary art, they would be losing
billions and trillions. And, because of the anti-corruption policies of the Communist Party that were
created a few years ago, money is not coming in through luxurious goods. Things are the same in the
art market. So, they have to be even more careful.”
“Hearing that makes me think that this event itself might have been planned. A sudden charity
auction…”
“Of course, it was planned. Politicians and businessmen donated works of art to this auction, but
that’s not all they have. So, if they donate some of what they have and liven the market itself, the
value of the other artifacts they own would soar up.”
“They are trying to affect the art market with a charity auction? This is… this is practically investing
through politics.”
“That happens in every country. It’s like making a road within the land.”
“Well, it makes sense.”
Dojin smiled at seeing Haejin agree.
“Anyway, that simple painting has that kind of meaning. It is amazing, it certainly is different from the
eastern painting before the 19 th century.”
“Right?”
Eastern paintings also have hidden meanings, but Haejin didn’t bother to explain. He wasn’t there to
lecture about eastern paintings but was there to work, so he thought there was no need to explain all
that.
“10 million yuan again!”
Just as Haejin had predicted, the price soared up and up and was settled at 71.2 million yuan.
“Ten billion won for that painting… I’ve read reports about it in advance, but seeing it get sold at such
a price doesn’t feel real.”
Dojin shook his head as if he couldn’t understand.
“An auction is always like that.”
“But isn’t this bad for us? Do you think one of Wang Huiyang’s artifacts can be sold at over 70 million
yuan?”
“Well, we should wait and see.”
“You’ve seen the catalog I gave you, so you must know.”
“There are a few promising artifacts, but I need to see them with my own eyes.”
Dojin couldn’t understand that.
People who participate in auction select the things they will bid for and determine the highest bid they
can afford in advance.
Even Dojin, who didn’t know much about auctions, had read reports about it, so he knew this.
“You mean something will change if you see it with your own eyes?”
He asked, half-joking, but that was the point.
“I would rather say I would be able to see more accurately.”
“See more accurately…”
After Zeng Fanzhi’s painting, people calmed down a little. The artifacts that came after were all sold at
under five million yuan.
About 30 minutes later, people moved around to meet each other.
This auction would last at least three hours, so they were using it as a chance to befriend each other.
But Wang Huiyang, who was sitting in the middle of the hall, stood up and started to come toward the
front.
Dojin was about to stand up, but Wang Mingwan, who was sitting opposite to Haejin, waved her hand.
“Why are you here when you are so busy?”
Wang Huiyang was on his way to meet his cousin. Dojin thought for a moment, but he exhaled deeply
and sat down again. He thought it wasn’t a good time to chime in.
“Are you tired today? Your paddle isn’t going up.”
Mingwan smiled.
“That’s because Lee Shian isn’t with me now. Someone has promised to help instead, but he isn’t
talking.”
Haejin instinctively looked away. It was because Mingwan was looking at him, and he couldn’t decide
if he should pretend to be close to her or not.
“Who is he…”
However, hearing Wang Mingwan’s answer, Wang Huiyang looked at Haejin. Dojin stood up and
introduced Haejin in Chinese.
“Hello, sir. I couldn’t go to meet you earlier as you were busy.”
“Oh… ambassador Yang Dojin. I heard that you would be here.”
Wang Huiyang greeted Dojin, but Haejin could see that he wasn’t that happy to see Dojin. He looked
rather bothered.
“This is Mr. Park Haejin, who owns an art museum in Korea and also works as an antiquity appraiser.”
“Oh… you own an art museum?”
Both Wang Huiyang and Wang Mingwan were surprised.
“You have an art museum? You didn’t tell me that when we met in Hong Kong… what kind of art
museum is it?”
Haejin had no choice but to answer.
“I’ve opened a small art museum in Seoul. It doesn’t have many artifacts, but there are a few good
ones including Picasso’s painting. I will send you an invitation.”
Haejin mentioned Picasso’s painting on purpose. He thought it wasn’t the time to be humble.
“Picasso? Yes, I remember. I read it on the internet about an art museum with Picasso’s painting
opening in Korea, and it is yours? I thought you were a poor appraiser, to think that you were quite
important! I’m sorry, I used to think you were an appraiser who worked for that rude little girl.”
“It’s okay, I know it looked that way.”
Wang Huiyang waited for his cousin to finish and asked Haejin, “What do you think about today’s
artifacts?”
That was a tricky question. Was he asking because he wanted to know if his artifacts were great, or
was he just trying to boast about Chinese artifacts?
“They are all impressive. Especially Zeng Fanzhi’s painting.”
Haejin couldn’t be sure, so he provoked him on purpose. Then, he laughed out loud.
“Hahaha! You have a discerning eye. Zeng Fanzhi is the pride of China, the master of contemporary
art.”
However, Haejin didn’t miss the anger that silently appeared in his eyes.
“Yes. I must acknowledge him. But…”
“But?”
“I don’t want to believe the most important work of art came out so early. I have a feeling that there
would be something even better among those I haven’t seen yet.”
“Really?”
Wang Huiyang’s gaze was strange. He looked like he was curious about Haejin, but he also looked
like he was scolding him.
“I believe so. The star always appears later.”
Then, another artifact appeared on the screen.
“A Blue Flower White Porcelain stole the heart of everyone, not just us Chinese. I am personally
honored to introduce this beautiful artifact today.”
Regardless of the auctioneer’s grand explanation, the people didn’t get excited. Everyone knew about
the beauty and greatness of the Blue Flower White Porcelain, but they were so used to it at the same
time.
Only Wang Huiyang looked at the dais with excitement: it was one of the artifacts he had donated.
On the other hand, Haejin had decided that if he got one chance to use magic today, it would be now.
Haejin stood up, went to the huge porcelain at the front and used magic. Then, he came back and sat
down again as if nothing was wrong.
“Why did you go there?”
Dojin asked in Chinese for everyone who was surprised.
“I wanted to know if that’s what I am thinking it is.”
“What is it?”
Haejin glanced at Wang Mingwan and replied.
“Do you know the Zhan Guo Ce (Strategies of the Warring States)?”
“Zhan Guo Ce? Are you talking about the book that contains the anecdotes of political manipulation
and warfare during the Warring States period?”
“Yes, that book.”
At that moment, Wang Mingwan raised her paddle as if she was possessed by something.
Total Chapters in book: 210
Estimated words: 468205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 2341(@200wpm)___ 1873(@250wpm)___ 1561(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 468205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 2341(@200wpm)___ 1873(@250wpm)___ 1561(@300wpm)
______