C34 A Bet of a Hundred Million!!

"A fake?"

"Listen, kid, you've got to stand by your words on this antique street!"

The owner of the calligraphy shop's face soured instantly upon hearing Lin Chen's accusation.

Yet, deep within his eyes, a flicker of panic betrayed him.

He had no clue how Lin Chen discerned the painting was a forgery, but he was certain of one thing: he could never confess to the truth, not even under duress.

Otherwise, if word got out, who would dare patronize his shop again?

"Stand by my words?"

"When I speak, I always stand by my words," Lin Chen retorted with a sardonic laugh.

The painting in question was nothing more than a doodle he had sketched years ago.

And this so-called Master Kunlun was surely a fabrication of the old man's imagination.

Lin Chen had recognized the forgery and intended to advise Su Qingyin against the purchase, hoping to curry favor in the process.

Then, with the credibility of her name, he could leverage it during his stone gambling endeavors.

Wouldn't that allow him to make a legitimate fortune in the stone gambling scene?

Little did Lin Chen know that his own original work hadn't earned him a penny, while this unscrupulous merchant was asking for a fortune for a counterfeit. How could he possibly tolerate such audacity?

"Very well, then!"

"If you're so confident, provide the evidence that this painting is a counterfeit," the shop owner challenged with a cold smirk.

He was bold enough to sell a fake attributed to Master Kunlun, confident in its ability to deceive.

He seriously doubted that a young upstart like Lin Chen could present any real proof.

"Boss, I've heard about a certain rule here in A City's antique street."

"Whether it's a customer or a merchant, anyone who stirs up trouble will have a leg broken by the enforcers of the three major trade associations, as punishment."

"Does such a rule really exist?"

Lee Chen interjected at that moment, casting a meaningful glance at Lin Chen.

Since Qingyin preferred to keep her identity under wraps, he was ready to play a more cunning game.

If Lin Chen failed to provide evidence, he'd soon find himself at the mercy of A City's trade association enforcers, facing the grim prospect of a shattered leg.

"Break a leg?"

"Boss, maybe we should steer clear of trouble, huh?"

"The three major chambers of commerce aren't a joke."

"Imagine trying to impress a lady and ending up with a broken leg instead."

Qian Duoduo shuddered at the mention of the three major chambers of commerce and quickly whispered a word of caution to Lin Chen.

His voice was soft, but it carried clearly to everyone present.

The art shop owner had been on the fence, especially with the enforcers of the chambers of commerce potentially getting involved—a situation no one took lightly.

If Lin Chen had proof, wouldn't that backfire spectacularly on him?

But Qian Duoduo's apprehensive words seemed to embolden him.

He grew more convinced that Lin Chen was just a lucky guesser who stumbled upon the painting's true nature.

"Indeed, sir, we do have such a policy here on Antique Street in A City."

"I'll call the chambers' enforcers right now. They'll be sure to uphold justice!"

With that, the shop owner whipped out his phone and dialed swiftly.

Meanwhile, both the shop owner and Lee Chen were secretly hoping to see Lin Chen get his comeuppance.

Qian Duoduo, on the other hand, was visibly worried, watching Lin Chen's nonchalant demeanor.

Only Su Qingyin kept her gaze fixed on Lin Chen, her eyes filled with curiosity.

She sensed something familiar about him but couldn't place where they might have crossed paths.

And his unwavering confidence? It made her suspect that the calligraphy piece was indeed a counterfeit.

"Boss Zhang, did you report a customer causing a disturbance on Antique Street?"

Minutes later, a middle-aged man in traditional Tang attire arrived briskly, flanked by several imposing bodyguards.

"Hallmaster Liu, this is the young man in question!"

"You're aware of the genuine Master Kunlun piece I acquired through exclusive channels."

"These customers were interested in purchasing it, but this young man out of nowhere claimed it to be a forgery!"

The shop owner raised his voice to address the middle-aged man.

"Young man, I am Liu Wu, the Hallmaster of the three major chambers of commerce."

"You're familiar with the rules of Antique Street, aren't you?"

"Without evidence at this moment, we'll have no choice but to be inhospitable. I trust you understand."

Liu Wu regarded Lin Chen with a detached expression.

Lin Chen found Liu Wu's demeanor satisfactory.

It was impartial and unbiased.

"Hallmaster Liu, this kid is wet behind the ears. Doubtful he knows the first thing about calligraphy, much less has any evidence."

"My suggestion? Break a leg now and save us the trouble of him disturbing other businesses on Antique Street later."

The calligraphy shop owner spoke with impatience.

"Boss Zhang, are you trying to tell me how to handle this?"

A chill flickered in Liu Wu's eyes as he arched an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't dare... It's not my place to instruct Hallmaster Liu."

"I'm simply concerned about wasting everyone's time."

The shop owner shuddered, speaking with a tinge of fear.

Though Liu Wu was just one of the Hallmasters of the major chambers, his reputation for being cold and unyielding was well-known.

No one who crossed him ever came out unscathed.

"I believe the boss here has a point."

"Appreciating calligraphy takes time. No one, no matter how skilled, can discern authenticity at a mere glance."

"Especially when it comes to Master Kunlun's paintings, which are far more challenging to replicate than ancient ones."

Lee Chen spoke with a serene tone, his words measured.

Liu Wu's eyes betrayed a flash of annoyance at his words.

He wasn't fond of Lee Chen's haughty demeanor.

Yet, as a Hallmaster, Liu Wu had an eye for talent.

The two young men before him, in both bearing and dress, were clearly no ordinary folk.

"Young man, now it's your turn to speak."

Liu Wu, setting aside his irritation, prompted Lin Chen with a neutral face.

"Thank you, Brother Liu, for allowing me this opportunity to speak."

"Otherwise, I might have ended up dog food right here on the street."

At Lin Chen's words, both the painting shop owner and Lee Chen visibly bristled with indignation.

Can you believe this jerk just indirectly called them dogs?

"Mr. Wang, since you're so convinced I'm deliberately stirring up trouble."

"How about we place a wager?"

Lin Chen paused, a smirk playing on his lips as he challenged Lee Chen and the antique shop owner with a defiant look.

"Boss, I think one of them is a Zhang, and the other's a Li."

Qian Duoduo, bolstered by Lin Chen's assurance, put aside his concerns about the painting's authenticity.

He thoughtfully pointed out the surname issue to Lin Chen.

"Utter rubbish!"

"Two Mr. Woofs, if they're not Mr. Wang, then what are they?"

Lin Chen chided Qian Duoduo with a straight face.

Two Mr. Woofs?

Lin Chen's earnest demeanor managed to infuriate even Lee Chen, a man known for his cunning and depth. At that moment, he was livid.

How could he stand being likened to a dog?

"Young man, if you're looking to bet on the genuineness of this painting."

"I'll take you up on that!"

"But just so we're clear, if you lose, I'm taking your legs!"

Lee Chen's expression was icy as he locked eyes with Lin Chen, his voice dripping with menace.

"Lee Chen, don't you think you're crossing a line?"

Su Qingyin's brows knitted together in disapproval upon seeing Lee Chen's genuine fury.

She believed that if Lee Chen and the art shop owner hadn't been provoking Lin Chen, none of this would have happened.

"Qingyin, I..."

Lee Chen began to speak, looking for a way to explain, but Lin Chen cut in.

"True to form, Mr. Wang, you've got spirit!"

"Well then, let's lay out the rules. If I can provide evidence that this painting is a fake."

"I won't ask for your prized hams, Mr. Wang. Ten billion will do just fine."

"What do you say, Mr. Wang? Are you game?"

As Lin Chen's proposition hung in the air, the room collectively inhaled in shock.

Liu Wu and Su Qingyin, in particular, couldn't peel their eyes away from Lin Chen.

A bet of ten billion against his own legs—this man was an absolute lunatic!

Both connoisseurs, they hadn't spotted a single flaw in Master Kunlun's work.

What made Lin Chen so sure of himself?

"I accept!"

"Just don't come to regret it later!"

Lee Chen gave Lin Chen an icy stare and, without a moment's hesitation, gave his assent.