In the ancient antique circle of Guangbei, there was once a peculiar man named Liu Zaicheng.
This man was not only a master of appraisal but also a great collector. People at the time said his collection of antiques outnumbered that of museums.
However, this man had a flaw: he was addicted to gambling, especially engaging in appraisal wagers.
He set up a "three entrances, three exits" game in his home. Anyone could participate by paying fifty yuan.
The so-called "three entrances, three exits" involved a large courtyard with three side rooms. Each room was filled with various antiques.
Within each room, there was one fake item. Whoever could identify that fake item would pass the test and be allowed to choose one antique they liked from that room.
Many people came from far and wide. Although fifty yuan was a considerable sum back then, some were still willing to risk it for a chance.
Others came simply to admire the collection, showing little interest in identifying fakes.
This game lasted for over three years, and during that time, not a single person managed to take away an authentic item.
This continued until a man named Ma Xiuchuan appeared. He was said to have a sharp eye, capable of distinguishing genuine from fake with a single glance.
He visited Liu Zaicheng's home, passed all three challenges, and broke the game.
Liu Zaicheng was somewhat surprised, but a bet is a bet. He readily agreed to let the man choose three items.
However, Ma Xiuchuan was not interested in the items in the three rooms. Instead, he desired Liu family's heirloom—the Qianlong Imperial Seal.
Very few people knew about this heirloom of the Liu family. Liu Zaicheng was surprised how the other party knew the Qianlong Imperial Seal was in his possession.
Naturally, Liu Zaicheng refused to hand over this treasure.
Ma Xiuchuan did not press the issue. Seeing that the other party was unwilling to part with the treasure, he chose three inconspicuous antiques and left.
With his game broken, Liu Zaicheng stopped setting it up.
Seven years passed in a flash. Liu Zaicheng had a daughter in his old age and began to consider retiring.
The antique market in Guangbei at that time was chaotic, with the influx of overseas individuals creating a mess.
The largest antique shops decided to rectify the situation. Thus, the five families—Kong, Cao, Yan, Hua, and Ma—united to standardize the market.
To increase their influence, they brought Liu Zaicheng into their alliance.
Liu Zaicheng did not refuse. He felt it was his responsibility to contribute to the Guangbei antique circle.
Consequently, the six families began to pool resources, combating fakes, regulating the market, and even investing in the construction of an antique street.
With their efforts, the Guangbei antique market finally stabilized.
However, this peace was short-lived, as conflicts soon arose among the six families.
The origin of the dispute was an antique. Someone paid the Yan family to authenticate it, and they declared it genuine. Later, that person took the same item to the Kong family for appraisal, and the Kong family declared it a fake.
Initially, this matter did not cause much stir, but it escalated, creating rifts between the families.
Seeing the deteriorating relationship among the six families, the Ma family proposed establishing an association. Whoever became the president would have their commands followed by everyone else.
In essence, they wanted to select a leader to quell internal disputes.
The Guanggu Association was thus born, with Liu Zaicheng appointed as its first president.
He was recommended by Ma Xiuchuan, with whom he shared a close relationship at the time.
Liu Zaicheng was not particularly interested in the position of president. He was a free-spirited individual who acted according to his whims and was not a suitable manager.
However, out of consideration for his friend's recommendation, he accepted the presidency.
During Liu Zaicheng's tenure as president, all matters were handled by Ma Xiuchuan.
The emergence of the Guanggu Association united everyone, and the antique circle of Guangbei was managed exceptionally well.
But good times did not last. At some point, a batch of counterfeit goods flooded Guangbei.
These fakes were so sophisticated that even the four major families struggled to authenticate them.
Panic ensued, and the reputation of the Guanggu Association was threatened.
Everyone was determined to find the person responsible for creating and selling these fakes.
Just as people were trying to uncover the culprit, a piece of news began to spread among the six families.
Some claimed these fakes originated from Liu Zaicheng himself. They said he was a master appraiser who, bored at home, started making fakes.
At first, no one believed it until Ma Xiuchuan visited Liu Zaicheng's home and caught him in the act.
Liu Zaicheng offered no explanation but calmly admitted to making fakes. However, he stated that while he created some fakes, he never allowed them to enter the market.
Furthermore, he claimed that the fakes he made were usually destroyed periodically.
The other families naturally did not believe this explanation.
If the news that the president of the Guanggu Association created fakes were to spread, the association would lose all credibility.
However, this matter still needed to be addressed.
Faced with their doubts, Liu Zaicheng became indignant and agreed to an appraisal wager with them.
This wager became the largest in history.
Liu Zaicheng wagered his entire fortune. If he lost, all his collections would be unconditionally donated to the Guanggu Association.
If he won, he would resign from his position as president, and the Guanggu Association would not be allowed to question or interfere with his actions thereafter.
This wager was conducted internally and not made public.
A contract was drawn up by both parties, with Ma Xiuchuan serving as the referee.
Liu Zaicheng's decision to make such a wager was largely due to his personality.
While he appeared carefree and easygoing on the outside, he was stubborn at heart.
He never intended to be president. If not for Ma Xiuchuan's recommendation, he wouldn't have joined the Guanggu Association at all.
What he detested most was being wrongly accused. Since explanations were futile, he chose the most direct way to resolve the issue.
He had never feared anyone in an appraisal wager.
However, this particular wager not only cost him his fortune but also his life.
The specifics of what transpired remain unknown. All that is known is that after the wager concluded, Liu Zaicheng was overcome with anger and grief. He fell ill that very day, became increasingly erratic, and eventually hanged himself.
For someone with his disposition, the worst fate was to have their spirit crushed. Once their spirit was broken, inner demons would fester, rendering life meaningless.
After hearing Liu Zaixi's story, I surmised that Liu Zaicheng must have been her father.
As for Ma Xiuchuan, he was likely Ma Xiuyong's father.
I hadn't expected the Guanggu Association to have such a history.
"So, your current objective is to seek revenge on the four families?" I asked Liu Zaixi.
A mist formed in her eyes, but her gaze was unwavering: "That's right. Because they plotted to kill my father! I will make them pay with blood!"
"Plotted?" I asked, puzzled.
Liu Zaixi remained silent, her gaze fixed on a point in the distance. Yet, I could sense a strong aura of killing intent radiating from her.