C35 Even a Painting of Mine Is so Powerful!

"Regret?"

"Sorry, but the word 'regret' doesn't exist in this young master's vocabulary!"

Lin Chen gave Lee Chen a look that carried a deeper meaning.

He then commanded the art shop owner, "Bring me your shop's ink, brush, paper, and inkstone."

"You're all about to witness a miracle!"

Inkstone? A miracle?

As if!

Were it not for Liu Wu's watchful eye, the art shop owner would have been tempted to smack Lin Chen right across the face.

Accusing his painting of being a forgery was one thing, but treating him like a lackey was downright insulting.

"Listen, kid, if you fail to prove this painting is a fake, you'll be carried out of here on your back!"

The art shop owner's threat hung ominously in the air as he begrudgingly fetched the inkstone.

He laid out the inkstone on the table without another word to the art shop owner.

Turning his attention to Su Qingyin, Lin Chen's voice was firm, "Beauty, I have a question for you first."

"Why did you purchase Master Kunlun's original piece?"

It was a question even a toddler could answer, yet Lin Chen posed it with utmost seriousness, leaving Su Qingyin momentarily at a loss for words.

Nevertheless, she maintained her composure, courtesy of her impeccable manners.

She began to explain, "Master Kunlun's paintings may seem simplistic, yet they're imbued with profound energy."

"Take this piece, for instance. It features a mere 'ten' character, but within its simple strokes, it exudes an undeniable presence."

"At first glance, it resembles mist swirling amidst clouds, but upon closer inspection, it's like a gentle, flowing stream that effortlessly draws one in."

After a brief pause, Su Qingyin continued earnestly, "There was once an elder who had never reached the Innate Stage in all his years of martial practice."

"However, upon acquiring an authentic work by Master Kunlun, he immersed himself in it for three full days and nights. When he finally emerged, he had ascended to the Innate Stage!"

"That is the essence and charm of Master Kunlun's artistry!"

Her words not only struck a chord with Lin Chen but also left Liu Wu and the art shop owner in awe.

The idea that a single painting by Master Kunlun could create a master of the Innate Stage had never crossed their minds. The very thought was staggering!

"Boss, is an expert of the Innate Stage really that formidable?" Qian Duoduo, clueless about the situation, noticed the shock on everyone's faces and couldn't resist asking.

Liu Wu, catching Qian Duoduo's bewildered expression, chuckled and replied, "Kid, if you just drop the word 'really,' then there's nothing wrong with your question!"

Qian Duoduo's lips tightened as he grumbled, "Hmph, no matter how strong they are, can they really compare to my boss?"

The idea that an Innate Master wasn't as formidable as his boss made Liu Wu burst into laughter.

"Do you have any idea why our three major chambers of commerce hold sway in A City?" Liu Wu asked. "It's because our chairman is an Innate Stage expert. His presence alone keeps troublemakers at bay!"

Liu Wu's eyes blazed with fervor as he spoke of their chairman. Qian Duoduo, now more cautious, refrained from any further comments. Growing up in A City, he was well-versed in the tales of the legendary chairman of the three chambers. A common saying even went, "Better to offend a thousand people than to cross the chairman." That alone spoke volumes about the chairman's formidable reputation.

"Wow, so you're telling me the Innate Stage is that incredible?" Qian Duoduo marveled. "Actually, the real deal has to be Master Kunlun himself! To think a mere painting of his could elevate someone to the status of an Innate Expert—it's downright legendary!"

As Qian Duoduo expressed his amazement, Lin Chen, overhearing the conversation, felt a twitch in his expression. He had planned to unveil a genuine Master Kunlun painting publicly, not only to expose the forgery but also to impress the crowd. But now, considering Master Kunlun's overwhelming renown, he realized such an act would only draw endless attention and hassle.

"No way, I can't afford to put on that kind of act," Lin Chen decided. "Otherwise, I'll be hounded by martial artists to no end."

After Lin Chen made his decision, his eyes darted around twice.

He then faced the crowd and declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, the reason I claim this painting is a forgery is quite straightforward."

"And that is because... the original painting is in my possession!"

As Lin Chen's words hung in the air, the art shop fell into a silence so profound you could hear a pin drop.

Unfazed by the stunned looks around him, Lin Chen remained cool and composed.

"I know you're skeptical," he continued. "No matter. I'll leave my best friend here as collateral. In ten minutes, I'll return with Master Kunlun's genuine piece."

"Just wait and see!"

With that, Lin Chen gestured towards Qian Duoduo.

Qian Duoduo, seeing Lin Chen's earnest demeanor, became as jittery as a cornered dog.

He knew Lin Chen well; if he had an original work by Master Kunlun, he'd have sold it off long ago.

Why would he have waited until now?

"Kid, are you out of your mind?"

"It's clear you're in a tight spot and looking to make a break for it, yet you speak with such conviction," the shop owner scoffed, having regained his composure.

"Let your brother go fetch it for you."

Lee Chen also suspected Lin Chen was plotting an escape, so he preemptively cut off that path.

"Fetch it yourself!"

"That's an original by Master Kunlun. Do you think I'm as foolish as you?"

"A treasure like that should obviously be in the hands of a professional."

Lin Chen rolled his eyes and snapped back at Lee Chen.

Today, their feud was set in stone, so Lin Chen didn't hold back the insults.

Otherwise, Lee Chen might actually start to think he mattered.

"You..."

As Lin Chen insulted him once more, Lee Chen was on the verge of exploding with anger.

But it was Su Qingyin who spoke up calmly, "Sir, we accept your proposal."

"However, if you fail to produce Master Kunlun's authentic work within ten minutes,"

"Then, even I won't be able to safeguard your friend here."

Lin Chen looked at Su Qingyin, genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected her to come to his defense at such a pivotal moment.

"Boss, I don't want to stay here," Qian Duoduo finally snapped out of his daze as he watched Lin Chen about to make a solo escape, his voice tinged with desperation. He knew Lin Chen was too honorable to leave him in the lurch, but the thought of potentially getting his legs broken was still unnerving.

"Qian, once I've made a billion from Mr. Wang, I'll cut you in for a hundred million," Lin Chen reassured him, clapping him on the shoulder before he turned to leave.

After departing from the antique street, Lin Chen picked up a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on a whim and then quickly ducked into a restroom.

"I should've known why the old man was so insistent on me practicing my drawing back in the day," Lin Chen muttered to himself. "He was using me to rake in the cash. What a piece of work."

After a round of grumbling about the old man, Lin Chen centered himself and began to channel the Dragon Roar Spell. His past doodles, though seemingly effortless, were the work of no ordinary talent—how else could he have reached the Innate Stage?

Su Qingyin's talk of 'Dao luck' was nothing more than the residual traces of Lin Chen's cultivation method left on his artworks.

With a few swift strokes, Lin Chen's eyes narrowed as he worked the spell, and a series of lines materialized on the rice paper. He finished by confidently inscribing the words 'Master Kunlun' in the lower right corner.

"Hmm... Not bad at all. It looks like I've made quite some progress since the old days," Lin Chen mused, scrutinizing the calligraphy and painting. Satisfied there were no flaws, he nodded approvingly.

Chuckling at the thought of turning this piece of art into a billion from Lee Chen, Lin Chen couldn't help but laugh out loud.