“What? Li Chonglou wants Master to represent the Qin Prefecture Antiquities Association and fight him?” Lin Ao’s face was filled with astonishment as he spoke to Lu Weishen via video in the Antiquities Association office.
He couldn't understand why Li Chonglou would do such a thing, which was no different from seeking death.
Who was Lu Weishen?
He was a titan in China’s cultural relics and museum world. Although he resided in the small city of Qin Prefecture, his name was renowned throughout China.
When discussing modern masters of antiques, his name was always mentioned.
He was as famous as the deceased Li Shiqiu, known as "North Li Shiqiu, South Weishen."
In his lifetime, he had made very few misjudgments, becoming more astute with age.
He also single-handedly founded the Qin Prefecture Antiquities Association. Although it was a county-level unit, it surpassed the provincial Antiquities Association.
Li Chonglou was actually so arrogant to the point of challenging Lu Weishen’s decades of reputation.
Seeking death!
“Lin Ao, your biggest problem is your arrogance. When one is arrogant, they tend to underestimate their opponents. This young man, Li Chonglou, is not simple.” Lu Weishen’s expression was grave. “I have interacted with him several times, and I cannot see through him.”
“The rough jade he left me was also easily resolved. Although it didn’t harm my bones, my morale and prestige were greatly diminished.”
“With the Wu family from Shangjing backing him, his arrogance is understandable.”
“However, he shouldn’t use me as a stepping stone.”
As he spoke, a hint of ferocity appeared between his brows.
The moment he received Li Chonglou’s call, he almost lost his composure.
A mere unknown junior, first using the Wu family to oust him from the Antiquities Association, then disrupting his plans, and now relentlessly pursuing him for a duel.
Preposterous!
However, being an old fox, he suppressed his anger and realized the matter was not simple.
Let alone where Li Chonglou got the ability to contend with him, the very reason why he wanted to contend was perplexing.
Was it merely to solidify his position in the Qin Prefecture Antiquities Association?
If so, why did he disappear for half a month?
He completely disregarded the Antiquities Association, and this time he was representing a fledgling internet company.
He had already sent people to investigate. This company was initially started by Li Chonglou and a classmate.
But now, Li Chonglou had withdrawn, and the shareholders had become his wife Jiang Yuxin, the daughter of Lü Chenggong, and the original classmate Wu Hao.
Was he doing this to help his wife?
Such a challenge would be detrimental to him.
The antique circle was not like the martial arts world, where it was said that there was no first in martial arts, but second in culture.
In the martial arts world, challenging a senior, whether winning or losing, was a matter of pride and a necessary means to gain fame quickly.
But the antique world was different. For a senior like Lu Weishen, who had been famous for decades, merely winning against Li Chonglou publicly, along with a dismissive remark, could send Li Chonglou to the eighteenth level of hell, rendering all his previous efforts in vain.
Why was he still willing to take such a huge risk, specifically naming him to challenge him?
This was the only thing he couldn’t understand.
He called Lin Ao merely to instruct him to inform the members of the Antiquities Association about this matter.
“Then how does Master plan to respond?” Lin Ao looked unconvinced, but not daring to say more, he could only change the subject.
“This fellow is insidious. I heard that he just set up a trap in Yongan to kill a tomb robber named Tian Shan,” Lu Weishen pondered for a while. “This matter might help him establish a good reputation in the antique world, but his methods are not honorable; he used poison.”
“Therefore, I must guard against him to avoid a major defeat due to carelessness.”
“It seems I have no choice but to use that treasure.”
“Don’t worry. Before the year ends, I will return to Qin Prefecture. I will definitely make that young man regret his decision, ruin his reputation, and reclaim the Qin Prefecture Antiquities Association!”
As he said this, the ruthlessness in Lu Weishen’s eyes was as thick as substance.
Although he couldn’t cause any substantial harm to Li Chonglou due to the Wu family, his reputation was not exempt.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have set up the rough jade trap to harm Li Chonglou when he left.
Unexpectedly, it was easily resolved, and he ended up in trouble.
He was so angry that he didn’t sleep for two days and harbored a deep hatred.
He thought about what opportunity he could find to retaliate.
Unexpectedly, Li Chonglou delivered himself to his doorstep, so why should he be polite?
He had participated in countless appraisal competitions in his life, only misjudging once. His opponent that time was Li Chonglou’s master, Lin Zhendong.
Now, it was time to settle the score and avenge that incident.
“Welcome Master back!” Lin Ao was incredibly excited.
He had been so suppressed by Li Chonglou that he couldn’t even lift his head. Now, his master was finally willing to take action seriously.
Li Chonglou, this time, you are doomed!
—
“Little Uncle-Master, did you need me for something?” Zhou Yacheng, dressed in a pink floral playboy suit, sat opposite Li Chonglou, who was already waiting at the coffee shop, with Tian Lingli. His tone was respectful.
Tian Lingli’s gaze flickered, not daring to look at Li Chonglou, as if she had done something unspeakable.
“Nonsense,” Li Chonglou chuckled. “Tian Lingli, have you gotten together with this kid?”
Tian Lingli’s face instantly turned red to her ears. With a look of shame and indignation, she looked up and replied, “Yes, we have. What’s wrong? Do you want me to call you Little Uncle-Master too?”
“Classmate Li Chonglou, are you deliberately trying to humiliate me?”
She had thrown caution to the wind. She knew Li Chonglou’s relationship with Zhou Yacheng.
Without Zhou Yacheng, she wouldn’t be where she is today, although Li Chonglou also played a significant role in it.
She was different from women like Lü Yunxu. She had no background or capital; all she had was her appearance.
Therefore, she was willing to use her body to climb up without hesitation.
She had originally intended to target Li Chonglou, but Li Chonglou disdained her. Coincidentally, she encountered Zhou Yacheng and couldn’t let the opportunity pass.
Both of them were experienced in relationships: one a playboy, the other a social butterfly.
It was truly a case of a broken pot finding a fitting lid, and they hit it off immediately.
As expected, with Zhou Yacheng’s resources, her follower count had increased by more than two million in just a few months, yielding huge profits.
She hadn’t wanted Li Chonglou to know about this, but Zhou Yacheng insisted on bringing her along.
Alright, she could no longer hide it from Li Chonglou’s discerning eyes.
“I don’t have the right to control you. Do whatever you want. Why are you so ashamed?” Li Chonglou chuckled. “I asked Zhou Yacheng to call you over.”
“I heard from Wu Hao that his company is cooperating with you.”
“Before the year ends, I’m holding an antique appraisal competition. My opponent is Lu Weishen. I need your live reporting and your company’s promotional resources.”
Li Chonglou never minced words. He got straight to the point, leaving both of them stunned.
“You want to challenge Lu Weishen?” Zhou Yacheng looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Although he was now convinced by his Little Uncle-Master, who was Lu Weishen?
A titan famous for decades!
Wasn’t his Little Uncle-Master a bit too arrogant?
Or perhaps, a newborn calf fearless of a tiger?
Even Tian Lingli was shocked. She had learned a lot about the antique world recently and knew Lu Weishen’s status.
Li Chonglou, her classmate, the former son-in-law of the Jiang family, why did he dare to challenge him?
Wasn’t this courting death?
“He wants me to challenge him? Does he even deserve it?” Li Chonglou smiled slightly, the corners of his mouth curling up. “I just want to make him realize that his era has passed.”
His words struck like thunderous bolts.
He was utterly lawless!