Should I go up and expose this scam? That's a question worth considering. First, I can't judge based on subjective wishes, but rather I need to analyze rationally what the designer of this quest intends.

Nie Yan inadvertently glanced at his status bar. There was an additional attribute there called High Executor Karen's Recommendation.

High Executor Karen's Recommendation: With this recommendation active, Hilderlock City Respect +30, duration 30 minutes.

Seeing this, Nie Yan felt much more at ease.

Nie Yan thought for a moment. With High Executor Karen's recommendation, the status effect would last for thirty minutes. During this time, his Hilderlock City Respect would reach 37, not inferior to that of an average noble.

If he successfully triggered and completed this quest, he might get some reward. If the quest failed, as long as he left Hilderlock City within thirty minutes, there shouldn't be a problem.

Having made up his mind, Nie Yan walked towards Equipment Master Korsi.

It would be foolish to rush up and tell these nobles that Korsi was actually a liar. He would definitely be trampled to death by these stupid, arrogant nobles. He was human, not one of these NPCs programmed by the main control system.

"Respected Master Korsi, I was recommended here by High Executor Karen. He asked me to convey his sincere respect to you," Nie Yan said as he approached Korsi.

Hearing Nie Yan mention High Executor Karen's name, the nobles immediately dared not act presumptuously and whispered to each other. The high executor was a local political figure who controlled local finances, military affairs, and public security, and possessed absolute leadership in the city. He had to be at least a duke, while the nobles here were at most counts.

Seeing Nie Yan approach, they all silently retreated to the side.

Korsi's triangular eyes narrowed, revealing an even more complacent expression. He glanced at the many nobles present.

"Thank you for High Executor Karen's concern and affection, Mister Nie Yan. Would you like to try your luck too? There are twenty identical Akasha's Sparkling Gems here. As long as you find the real one, this legendary piece of equipment will be yours," Korsi said with a smile.

Nie Yan glanced at the twenty identical gems densely arranged on the table, as if they had been cast from the same mold. They looked extremely dazzling.

"Master's craftsmanship is indeed extraordinary," Nie Yan praised.

Korsi smiled slightly, revealing some arrogance. He must have been very proud of his counterfeiting skills.

"These rings look just like the real thing. But I think they have flaws, like ice placed next to crystal. You might not be able to tell the difference with your eyes, but in the sunlight, the ice will melt, while the crystal will still be dazzling." Nie Yan pondered, slowly leading Korsi into the linguistic trap he had set. NPCs were always NPCs. The main control system gave them fixed personalities and ways of speaking. With a little exploration, you could find their weaknesses.

Nie Yan used words to provoke Korsi. Sure enough, Korsi's expression began to freeze, like a layer of frost.

"Mister Nie Yan, then please tell me, which of these twenty gems is the real one?" Korsi asked angrily, sure that Nie Yan would not be able to find the real one.

"How about Master Korsi and I make a bet?"

"What bet?"

"I can easily find the real Akasha's Sparkling Gem among these twenty gems. If I lose, I will give this land deed to Master Korsi. But I need to carefully observe each gem to be sure," Nie Yan said. His only purpose was to expose the scam. Since Korsi was a liar, he didn't think Korsi would honor the bet.

"I agree to this bet. If I lose, I will give you gold coins of equal value. How about that?" Korsi saw the land deed in Nie Yan's hand and revealed a greedy expression.

Nie Yan had roughly figured out the main control system's settings for Korsi, so he was confident. He set a trap for Korsi, and Korsi immediately jumped in stupidly.

"Respected Master Korsi, let me take a look at these Akasha's Sparkling Gems. I believe in your reputation. You won't interfere with me, will you?"

Korsi snorted coldly and retreated a short distance.

The nobles surrounded the table at a distance of about two yards, curiously watching Nie Yan. They were watching how Nie Yan would identify the real Akasha's Sparkling Gem.

Nie Yan was sure that he had grasped the thread of the quest. He picked up a gem and examined it, looking very serious.

"A crude work. Akasha's Sparkling Gem possesses a bright and pure light, but the light of this gem is turbid and impure. This is not a real Akasha's Sparkling Gem at all. Am I right, Master Korsi?" Nie Yan said as he looked at Korsi. He couldn't tell the difference between the gems, but he still made up a piece of quest dialogue.

Korsi snorted coldly and turned his head away.

"Respected Master Korsi, I have learned to appraise equipment attributes. Would you allow me to appraise this Akasha's Sparkling Gem?" Nie Yan asked with a smile.

At this time, the nobles at the side shouted out in unison, strongly requesting that Nie Yan appraise this Akasha's Sparkling Gem, whether it was real or fake.

Seeing that he could not change the wishes of these nobles, Korsi could only remain silent.

Nie Yan cast Super Appraisal on the gem. A flash of white light passed, and he lowered his head to look at the gem's attributes.

Imitation Gem (Fake): No attributes.

Nie Yan gave the gem to one of the nobles, and the nobles began to pass it around.

"It's really fake."

"It's amazing. It looks just like the real thing. How did he see it?"

"Okay, let's continue." Nie Yan smiled slightly and picked up another gem from the table. He looked at it pretentiously and shook his head regretfully, "The edges have subtle flaws. Sparkling Gems are perfect. Such a thing is simply blasphemy against Sparkling Gems. This gem is also a forgery, isn't it, Master Korsi?"

At the urging of the nobles, Nie Yan cast appraisal. It was still a fake gem.

Nie Yan continued to give the gem to the nobles to pass around. The nobles whispered to each other.

One gem after another was appraised. Nie Yan had confirmed that none of the twenty gems on the table were real. Since that was the case, he could just make up a reason and reject the gem in his hand.

There were fewer and fewer gems on the table... ten... eight... six... three...

All of them were counterfeit gems!

There were two gems left. The nobles widened their eyes. The result was coming out soon. They were becoming more and more nervous, staring intently at the gems on the table.

Nie Yan revealed a confident smile, picked up one of them, and looked at Korsi. Korsi's face was already turning blue with anger.

"There are some impurities in the center of this gem. Its material is not in the same grade as a Sparkling Gem at all, so it is also fake!" Nie Yan said firmly, looking at Korsi.

Nie Yan picked up the gem and began to cast appraisal on it.

The nobles stared intently at Nie Yan's hand. This was already the nineteenth gem. If this gem was still fake, then the remaining one must be real, right?

A flash of white light landed on the gem, refracting colorful light.

But the result of the appraisal was undoubtedly that this gem was also fake.

The nobles let out low exclamations, expressing their deep admiration for Nie Yan.

Nie Yan picked up the last gem and looked at Korsi. At this time, Korsi's expression was a little flustered, and he was gradually slipping towards the door.

"Respected Master Korsi, you wouldn't want to go back on your word, would you? Are you trying to run away?" Nie Yan said with a smile. Now he was the victor.

Korsi smiled awkwardly. At this time, all the nobles were staring at him intently. He had no chance to slip away.

"Respected Master Korsi, there is only one gem left here. It should be real, right? But why is the workmanship of this gem so poor? I can be sure that it is also fake!" Nie Yan said with a smile as he cast the appraisal skill on the gem in his hand. A flash of white light passed, and the gem was appraised. It was still a counterfeit gem. Nie Yan looked at Korsi with a sneer and said, "So, respected Master Korsi, you are a liar!"

System: You have identified twenty counterfeit gems and obtained the skill Eye of Truth.

Nie Yan was stunned when he saw this system notification. He couldn't help but be moved. It was actually the Eye of Truth skill!

Hearing Nie Yan's words, the nobles were stunned for a long time, seemingly unable to accept this reality.

At this time, Korsi and three other middle-aged men fled towards the door.

"Catch them! They are all liars!" Nie Yan pointed at Korsi and the other three middle-aged men.

The nobles surged forward, pushing Korsi and the other three middle-aged men to the ground.

"We will hand this liar over to the high executor for judgment!"

"Yes, we must punish these damned liars and get our money back!"

The nobles shouted and cursed, grabbing Korsi and the other three middle-aged men and walking towards the executive hall.

Nie Yan thought for a moment and followed them. Since the quest had reached this point and he had exposed Korsi, he would definitely get a reward from High Executor Karen. Karen had inadvertently mentioned Equipment Master Korsi, and he had discovered this quest and exposed Korsi's scam.

A group of people angrily dragged Korsi towards the executive hall, while Nie Yan followed behind them, walking slowly. What he was most concerned about was the Eye of Truth skill.

He looked at the attributes of the Eye of Truth.

Eye of Truth: After using this skill, there is a certain probability of seeing through illusions and invisibility. The probability depends on the level difference between the two sides. Instant skill, skill cooldown time is one hundred and twenty seconds.

When fighting against a thief of the same level, if Nie Yan used the Eye of Truth skill, there was a 60% chance of seeing through the opponent's invisibility. Moreover, some monsters and players could use illusionary clones, which were very confusing. Nie Yan also had a certain probability of destroying them.

This skill was extremely useful. Among the many auxiliary skills, it ranked among the top few. It could greatly restrain thief-type classes and was also very useful when doing quests.