Everyone's Suppressing Ghosts: Others Contract Divine Weapons, I Contract Blank Paper

Chapter 53: Showdown in the Appraisal Hall! The word "True" + "Present"! The source of the black market emerges!

The first blank sheet of paper flew up.

In the appraisal room, everyone's eyes were fixed on that blank sheet of paper.

The original comparison photos from the whistleblower were placed in the center of the authentication table.

The sealed bag has been opened.

White light shone down from above the testing table, illuminating the comparison image very clearly.

On the left is a screenshot of the character "出" (chu, meaning "to go out") on a paper talisman on the wall of an old alley in Linjiang County.

On the right is an archival image of the weathering patterns on the gray town artifacts.

Between the two images, red lines circle around similar locations.

In the most prominent place, it says:

Texture similarity: 60%.

Huang Bowen stood on the other side of the appraisal table.

He did not back down.

The black identification box has been opened, and the portable spectral plate inside is glowing with a pale blue light.

"Xu Du, before the evaluation begins, I need to make some statements."

He pushed up his glasses.

"The report I submitted used spectral comparison and texture scanning."

"The two results are consistent."

He pointed to the comparison image.

"The weathering patterns on the grey town artifacts share a 60% surface similarity with the patterns on the 'Chu' character paper talismans from Linjiang County."

"This proportion is insufficient for a direct conviction."

"But that's enough to launch an investigation."

Zeng Li stood to the side, the record book already open.

"Process confirmed."

"The whistleblower, appraiser Huang Bowen, has explained the basis of the original appraisal."

Teacher Chen sat in front of the recording screen.

She did not speak.

Lin Qingzhu stood on the left side of the appraisal table, her gaze fixed on Xu Du.

Xu Du did not look at Huang Bowen.

His fingers landed on the white paper.

real.

One word at a time.

The bluish-white light floated up along the strokes of the brush.

The white paper trembled slightly.

A piece of white paper with the word "True" flew to the center of the authentication table and was pasted onto the original comparison image provided by the whistleblower.

The comparison image shows no signs of burning.

It wasn't broken.

But the red line on the paper suddenly twisted.

The next moment, a layer of pale gray eerie aura emerged from the surface of the comparison image.

The eerie aura was very faint.

Like a layer of dust.

But under white light, it is clearly visible.

Teacher Chen suddenly looked up.

Her tablet simultaneously displayed the test results.

The source of the eerie aura has become apparent.

[Source type: Remnants of a weathered talisman.]

She adjusted her glasses.

"The source of the eerie atmosphere."

"Black Market Mortality Talisman"

Zeng Li looked at the comparison image.

"A weathering talisman?"

Huang Bowen immediately spoke up.

"That's not surprising."

"The image on the right submitted by the whistleblower is actually a weathering pattern file of a black market grey town item."

"It's normal that it has remnants of black market weathering talismans."

He spoke very steadily.

He doesn't speak fast.

"This only proves that the source of the image on the right is indeed a black market grey town item."

"This cannot prove that there is a problem with the comparison chart."

Zeng Li did not express his opinion.

He looked at Teacher Chen.

Teacher Chen lowered his head and continued taking notes.

Lin Qingzhu did not speak.

Huang Bowen looked at Xu Du.

"Xu Du, this step actually proves that the source of the whistleblower's materials is genuine."

Xu Du raised his hand.

The second sheet of white paper flew up.

Huang Bowen paused for a moment.

Xu Du's fingertips touched the paper.

Now.

The second character takes shape.

The character "现" (xiàn) flew out of the white paper and stuck onto the same comparison picture.

Two pieces of white paper, one on top of the other.

The character “真” is on the left.

The character “现” is on the right.

A bluish-white light is superimposed on the comparison image.

The eerie, pale gray aura did not disappear.

Instead, it was fixed above the paper.

Immediately afterwards, a second layer of eerie energy emerged.

This layer is even finer.

Like strands of thread that have been pieced together.

It did not emerge from the gray town image on the right.

Instead, it emerges from the position where the red lines overlap between the two images.

The denser the red lines, the more obvious the eerie atmosphere of the second layer.

Teacher Chen's tablet vibrated continuously.

[The second layer of eerie energy has materialized.]

[Source type: Artificial synthetic traces.]

[Location of traces: contrast lines, overlapping edges, magnified areas of texture.]

Teacher Chen stood up.

"Artificially synthesized."

She looked at Zeng Li.

"The comparison image has been manipulated."

Huang Bowen's expression finally changed slightly.

"Processing does not mean it's fake."

"All identification images will undergo image enhancement."

Teacher Chen didn't look at him.

She displayed 13 samples of paper talismans from Linjiang County on the large screen.

Thirteen paper talismans with the character "出" (chu, meaning "to go out") unfolded one by one on the screen.

Some are pasted on the wall.

Some were pasted on the edge of the platform.

Some were posted at the sealed-off entrances of old alleys.

Each character has a different shape.

However, the underlying blue-white patterns are consistent.

Teacher Chen then enlarged the comparison image from the whistleblower.

"Xu Du's 'Chu' character paper talisman was generated using a special rule from the white paper soul-guiding lamp."

"It does not belong to the category of ordinary talisman paper, nor does it belong to the category of black market weathering talismans."

She opened the test results.

"The surface similarity is 60% because both have been processed to have Chinese character-patterned edges."

"But the underlying eerie structure is completely different."

She reached out and projected the two layers of eerie energy onto the large screen.

The first layer is light gray.

The second layer is made of fine threads.

Two layers side by side.

"The first layer is the residue of the black market weathering talisman itself."

"The second layer consists of traces left from the artificial synthesis and comparison."

She looked at Huang Bowen.

"This is a comparison image created by combining a weathered talisman with a Xu Du 'Chu' character paper talisman."

"Artificially amplifying surface similarity."

The appraisal room fell silent.

Only the recording screen is still refreshing line by line.

[13 samples of paper talismans from Linjiang County.]

[The underlying, eerie structure is consistent.]

[Inconsistent with the underlying structure of the Black Market's "Weathering Symbol".]

[The whistleblower's comparison images show signs of being artificially synthesized.]

Huang Bowen's fingers pressed against the edge of the identification box.

He didn't speak immediately.

Zeng Li closed a page of the record book.

"Appraiser Huang".

His voice was not high.

"What was the basis for your composite image?"

Huang Bowen looked at Zeng Li.

"I simply compared the original materials provided by the client."

Zeng Lidao: "Your report is about comparing the original documents."

Huang Bowen's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

"I----"

Lin Qingzhu spoke.

"The whistleblower's independent assessment is itself a fabrication."

Zeng Li did not immediately draw a conclusion.

He asked the recorder to save the two eerie images on the big screen.

Then he looked at Teacher Chen.

"Teacher Chen, can the Department of Geophysics confirm this?"

Teacher Chen nodded.

"confirm."

"The comparison images show signs of being artificially manipulated."

The paper talisman sample bearing the inscription "From Linjiang County, Xudu" has a different underlying structure than the weathered talismans found on the black market.

Zeng Li then looked at Lin Qingzhu.

Lin Qingzhu said, "Jiang Gui confirms."

Zeng Li looked at Huang Bowen one last time.

"Huang Bowen".

"As the independent forensic expert for the whistleblower, you submitted forensic materials containing traces of artificial synthesis."

"He has now been taken back for questioning by the Investigation Department of the Jiangcheng Lingzhi Management Bureau."

Huang Bowen's expression changed completely.

"Deputy Director Zeng, there's a misunderstanding here."

Zeng Li took out a communicator.

"Jiangcheng Lingguan Bureau Investigation Department"

"Appraisal Hall".

"Bring Huang Bowen back."

He glanced at the appraisal table again.

"The identification kit and original report were sealed simultaneously."

Two investigators quickly entered from outside.

Huang Bowen wanted to say something else.

Zeng Li only glanced at him.

"Go to the investigation department and tell them."

Huang Bowen shut his mouth.

His identification kit was sealed by the staff.

The original report was also placed in an evidence bag.

Two investigators led him out of the examination room.

The door closed.

The only sound in the appraisal room was the notification sound from the recording screen.

Teacher Chen entered the final conclusion into the recording screen.

[Counter-identification result: Valid.]

[The whistleblower's materials show signs of being artificially synthesized.]

[The "Chu" character paper talisman from Linjiang County, Xudu: No underlying structure of the black market grey town artifacts was found.]

[Suggested course of action: Report the fabrication and investigate.]

Records are saved.

The two blank sheets of paper are still pasted on the comparison picture.

The characters “真” (zhen, true) and “现” (xian, appear) are placed on the left and right, respectively, fixing two layers of eeriness above the paper.

Teacher Chen did not allow Xu Du to retrieve it.

She looked at the staff of the town's materials department.

"Archive it along with the comparison images."

The staff immediately brought over a new sealing box.

The comparison chart, the original characters on paper, and the current characters on paper were placed together in the box.

Close the lid.

The seal fell down.

[Authorization Certificate: Genuine Word Paper.]

[Authorization document: A piece of paper with inscriptions written on it.]

[Status of attached certificate: Sealed.]

Zeng Li walked up to Xu Du.

"Xu Du, the counter-identification is established."

"The investigation into the suspension will not be initiated."

Xu Du: "Mm."

Teacher Chen walked over.

She looked at the two labels on the sealed box.

"Well done."

Xu Du: "Mm."

Lin Qingzhu looked at the large screen.

The projection of the comparison image from the whistleblower is still there.

The first layer has a pale gray, eerie atmosphere.

The second layer shows traces of artificial synthesis.

The two layers are placed side by side, like a piece of skin that has been peeled off.

Lin Qingzhu spoke.

Who is behind Huang Bowen?

Xu Du looked at the screen.

"Weathering Talisman"

Lin Qingzhu looked at him.

Xu Du added, "Black market distribution."

Zeng Li's eyes flickered.

Are you sure?

Xu Du looked towards the doorway.

"He knows."

Lin Qingzhu nodded.

"Interrogation complete."

"Black Market Raid"

Zeng Li put away the notebook.

"I will proceed according to the procedures."

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Jiangcheng local forum.

The expert's findings were posted publicly.

There is no complete video recording.

There are only three official screenshots.

The first sheet, with the character "真" (true) on a white sheet of paper, reveals a pale gray, eerie image beneath the comparison.

On the second sheet, beneath the white paper with the character "现" (xiàn), a second layer of artificial synthetic traces emerges in the comparison image.

The third image is a counter-identification report.

The whistleblower's materials show signs of being fabricated.

No underlying structure of the black market grey town artifacts was found on the "Chu" character paper talisman from Linjiang County, Xudu.

[An investigation into the alleged fabrication has been launched.]

The forum situation instantly reversed.

[Fake?]

[Those who criticized smuggling this morning, come out!]

Did you understand the two layers of eerie energy diagrams? I didn't understand them, but I understood the conclusion.

[Has the independent appraiser from the whistleblower been taken away?]

[Huang Bowen, the one Jiang Gui graduated from five years ago?]

This isn't a whistleblower report, isn't it a frame-up?

Jianggui Forum is faster.

[Xu Du denies on-site forensic examination fraud!]

[A combination of the characters "真" (zhen, meaning truth) and "现" (xian, meaning present)!]

[The whistleblower's materials have been exposed as having two layers of suspicious activity!]

Waste paper has staged another comeback!

The comments section was flooded with messages.

[Can the Reality Combination be used in this way?]

[The characters "真" and "名" were used in the previous Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny) analysis; now they are being analyzed separately.]

Without a word of explanation from Xu Du, Huang Bowen was taken away.

The special A+ rating for the white paper lamp is not just for show.

Black market distribution? This isn't over yet.

Nine o'clock in the evening.

Xu Du was organizing the talisman box in his dormitory.

My phone vibrated.

Zeng Li's phone call.

Xu Du answered the call.

Zeng Li's voice came from inside.

"Huang Bowen has confessed."

"The supplier is a black market distributor."

"Their underground banquet this week starts tomorrow."

"The location has been identified."

Xu Du remained silent.

Zeng Li paused for a moment.

"Tomorrow is the opening day of the market."