C91 The Dog Licked for a While and Then Licked for a Long Time

Lin Chen made separate calls to Huang and Vice-chairman Liu.

Half an hour later, their party reached Antique Street.

"Mr. Lin, Vice-chairman Liu is tied up with some matters here on Antique Street and sends his apologies for not being able to greet you in person," Liu Wu said as he approached them with a respectful bow at the entrance.

"No worries. Vice-chairman Liu has his hands full; it's only natural he's busy," Lin Chen replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"By the way, Mr. Lin, here are the medicinal herbs and the cauldron you requested."

Relieved to see Lin Chen wasn't the least bit displeased, Liu Wu exhaled and presented a large bundle of herbs and a bronze cauldron.

Lin Chen couldn't help but feel impressed as he examined the herbs.

The deputy chairman of Antique Street had managed to procure such costly herbs in mere minutes.

Shortly after, led by Liu Wu, they entered a room steeped in antiquity.

"Mr. Lin, please enjoy some tea," Liu Wu offered, pouring a pot of exquisite bamboo leaf green tea. "I'll check if Vice-chairman Liu has finished his tasks."

Having witnessed Lin Chen's formidable presence at the Sun family's event, Liu Wu was careful not to show any disrespect.

"Brother Liu, drop the formalities; 'Mr. Lin' sounds so odd," Lin Chen chuckled. "Just call me Little Brother Lin, like you used to."

"And don't worry about Vice-chairman Liu. This is a good opportunity to work on some calligraphy."

Liu Wu's face brightened at the familiarity.

The title 'Little Brother Lin' might have seemed offhand, but it signified Lin Chen's approval—a privilege many cultivators sought with Master Kunlun.

"Little Brother Lin, let me prepare the ink for you," Liu Wu said eagerly, fetching the writing materials and meticulously starting to grind the ink.

Huang watched Liu Wu's sycophantic display, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

Before, when Lin Chen had asked him to collaborate with Vice-chairman Liu and Zhang Yongnian, he harbored some doubts. Would the vice-chairs of the top three chambers of commerce really take an interest in their modest enterprise?

But Liu Wu's recent behavior had completely shattered his expectations!

"Isn't Liu Wu the Hallmaster for the three major chambers?"

"I get why he's so deferential to Lin Chen; the guy's got some serious hidden talents."

"But Liu Wu groveling like this? Something's off."

Huang was in the dark about the dealings between Lin Chen and Vice-chairman Liu.

So, witnessing Liu Wu's over-the-top flattery toward Lin Chen was nothing short of astonishing to him.

"Huang, isn't this just par for the course for our boss?"

"What's so shocking?"

Chung Yu queried Huang, genuinely perplexed.

Chung Yu was aware that Lin Chen was none other than Master Kunlun.

Moreover, Lin Chen had effortlessly pinpointed the critical weakness in his cultivation method.

Given that, Chung Yu saw nothing amiss with a chamber's Hallmaster grinding ink for his boss.

"What do you know, you little tub?"

"Liu Wu's reverence for Lin is just the weak showing due respect to the strong."

"But him grinding the ink himself? That's Liu Wu trying to get in Lin's good graces!"

"Ah, I'm done arguing with someone who blindly idolizes. How about you, young lady? Do you think it's normal for a Hallmaster to willingly play Lin Chen's lapdog?"

Huang turned his attention to Zhang Xiaoyu as he spoke.

Chung Yu was a die-hard Lin Chen fanboy; everything Lin did was beyond reproach in his eyes.

Debating this with him would be futile.

"I suppose it's pretty normal?"

Zhang Xiaoyu offered a timid response to Huang.

'Normal?'

Huang's face contorted in disbelief.

He could understand Liu Wu and Chung Yu acting subservient, but why would someone as delicate and lovely as Zhang Xiaoyu want to be Lin Chen's lapdog?

Amidst Huang's brewing frustration, Lin Chen picked up his brush, pondered for a moment, and then began to paint on the rice paper.

This time, Lin Chen didn't just scribble a simple character as he had in the past; he meticulously crafted a landscape painting. The canvas depicted a towering Taoist temple, its doors ajar, nestled among a backdrop of mountains and trees. It could easily be said that this was the most visually striking piece Lin Chen had ever created!

"This... is nothing short of a miracle!" exclaimed Liu Wu, his eyes wide with astonishment as he beheld the painting while grinding ink.

"A miracle?"

"Little Fatty, do you guys always go above and beyond like this as sycophants?" Huang couldn't help but scoff upon hearing Liu Wu's exclamation. While a painting could be praised for its lifelike quality or the artist's masterful skill, calling it a miracle seemed excessive.

Chung Yu just smirked and paid Huang no mind, his gaze fixed on the painting with a hint of curiosity. But upon closer inspection, Chung Yu felt a jolt run through his body. Without a second thought, he dashed over to Lin Chen and pleaded excitedly, "Boss, can I have this painting? From now on, I'll do anything for you—I'll be at your beck and call, even keep your bed warm. Just name your price; if it's within my power, Chung Yu, I won't hesitate!"

Chung Yu's dramatic plea outdid even Liu Wu's reaction. Huang watched with a mix of disdain and jealousy. He had never been treated with such reverence in all his years, yet here was Lin Chen, young and already blessed with wealth, good looks, and formidable strength. What more could he possibly have?

Feeling slightly irked, Huang turned his attention to the painting. He was curious to see what sort of mediocre work had Liu Wu and Chung Yu fawning to such an extent. "So, after all that fuss, it's just a shoddy painting of a Taoist temple's gate," he muttered dismissively. "I thought it was some priceless artifact."

But then, a sudden realization stopped him short. "Hold on, why is my cultivation method activating on its own?" he gasped. "Could it be... this painting embodies the essence of the Great Dao?"

Before Huang could finish his thought, he felt an unusual sensation within him. His eyes grew wide with amazement. The partially opened door of the Taoist temple seemed to exert an inexplicable pull, drawing in anyone who laid eyes upon it, unable to resist being immersed in its depths.

It felt as though beyond the door lay a hidden paradise, stirring a deep longing in the heart.

"Rather than coveting this piece of art, we'd be better off studying it closely."

"Let's strive to pass through the gate and glimpse a new realm!"

Lin Chen glanced at Liu Wu, Chung Yu, and Huang, their faces alight with fervor, and offered a gentle reminder.

With their abilities, if they could unlock the secrets of the partially opened door, it would greatly enhance their cultivation.

Upon Lin Chen's prompt, Liu Wu, Chung Yu, and Huang cast aside all distractions.

They each took a seat on the ground, legs crossed, channeling their cultivation methods while intently gazing at Lin Chen's landscape painting.

Observing their focus, Lin Chen left them to it and led Zhang Xiaoyu into another room.

"Brother Lin, the painting you created earlier seemed so mystical to me," Xiaoyu remarked.

"But why are they looking at it with such intensity?"

Her curiosity was evident, as an ordinary person unable to perceive the profound truths within the artwork.

"You'll understand the reasons yourself once you reach their level," Lin Chen replied with a smile.

"Oh, then let Xiaoyu give you a shoulder massage, Brother Lin. I've been practicing massage techniques lately."

Zhang Xiaoyu offered with a dutiful nod.

"Ah, that's quite good. Your hands are truly skilled."

Lin Chen savored the massage with his eyes closed before taking out his herbs to start concocting the pills.

Zhang Xiaoyu needed to build her strength if she was to keep company with Sun Qing'er.

Otherwise, were she to fall victim to an unforeseen danger, where would Lin Chen find another secretary as diligent, understanding, and adept at massage?

While Lin Chen was immersed in his alchemy, Vice-chairman Liu and Zhang Yongnian entered the room shortly thereafter.

They had intended to inquire about Lin Chen's whereabouts from Liu Wu but were immediately captivated by the sight of Lin Chen's calligraphy and painting.

"Is this... an original from Master Kunlun?"

"Moreover, this piece is even more formidable than his previous works!"

"I can sense a whisper of destiny within it!"

Zhang Yongnian's face paled as he whispered, astounded by the revelation.

"This appears to be a fresh piece of calligraphy from Mr. Lin."

"Zhang, time is of the essence. Miss this chance and you'll regret it for a lifetime!"

Vice-chairman Liu squinted his eyes as he issued the warning to Zhang Yongnian, then joined Liu Wu and the rest in sitting cross-legged on the floor.