Chapter 46: Old Tang Has Arrived

“What’s wrong, Lin Feng?” Li Bing’er looked at him in surprise, confusion evident in her voice.

“I don’t think much of this antique,” Lin Feng replied with a gentle smile, trying to persuade her. “Let’s leave. I’ll help you look elsewhere.”

In truth, he had already seen through this jade pendant as a fake. The kind of pendant the owner described was nothing like the one in his hand.

Li Bing’er furrowed her brows, refusing to accept it. “What do you mean, Lin Feng? I finally found a thousand-year-old Pure Yang antique, and now you won’t let me buy it?”

“This thing is tied to my life. Are you trying to harm me?”

“Sister, if I wanted to harm you, would I have told you that you were affected by evil energy earlier?” Lin Feng was speechless, seeing how thoroughly she’d been brainwashed.

Hearing this, Li Bing’er realized Lin Feng had a point. After a moment, she asked again, “Then why don’t you want me to buy it? Is there something wrong with the antique?”

“Well… Yes. The jade pendant you want to buy is actually a high-quality imitation. It’s not genuine, nowhere near worth forty million, and it won’t resolve your evil energy,” Lin Feng explained helplessly.

“What? A fake?” Li Bing’er’s mouth opened wide in shock.

She stared at the pendant in the owner’s hand in disbelief, asking, “That’s impossible, isn’t it? How could the jade pendant be fake? The owner explained it in such detail, and it looks so good to me.”

“You’re right, young lady,” the owner retorted, “This jade pendant is absolutely authentic. I, Pei Dafu, have never sold a fake antique in my life. If you say it’s a fake, what proof do you have?”

Pei Dafu’s expression turned stern, questioning Lin Feng coldly.

“Of course there’s proof,” Lin Feng replied. “You said this pendant is made from the Five-Colored Stone that Nuwa used to patch the sky. But do you know what that stone was, really?”

“That’s nothing more than a myth. Though books record it as a very hard stone called Qing Tian Jade, no one can verify its existence.”

“Furthermore, real Qing Jade is soft and the luster subdued. But the brilliance of your jade is far too vivid, which only happens with fluorescent powder implantation.”

“This technique makes the colors dazzling under light, but it reduces the jade’s texture, making it feel unnatural to the touch.”

“True Qing Jade feels gentle and smooth, but this pendant has a clear sanded texture. That’s why the forger carved the Eight Dragons motif on it—to reduce the risk of being discovered.” Lin Feng patiently explained to Pei Dafu.

The crowd, noticing the commotion, gathered to watch the drama unfold.

Li Bing’er listened, unable to distinguish who was telling the truth. Lin Feng’s professional terminology seemed convincing.

“Hmph, nonsense!” Pei Dafu, seeing the crowd around him, became more determined. “You don’t even know where you are. I’ve sold antiques for half my life, and no one has ever questioned my goods.”

“My Mingyu Pavilion’s appraisers are famed throughout Jiangcheng. How could they ever be wrong?”

“That’s right! Who is this youngster, daring to question Boss Pei’s merchandise? He’s got guts!”

“He’s just a young man, flaunting his little knowledge of antiques to show off. How arrogant!”

The audience pointed at Lin Feng, clearly not believing his words.

Lin Feng frowned, addressing the crowd, “Everyone, please calm down. I’m not trying to stir up trouble.”

“Boss, I didn’t mean to expose your antique, but this concerns my friend’s life—I cannot keep silent.”

“If the pendant is truly genuine, I, Lin Feng, will take full responsibility.”

“Bah!” Pei Dafu sneered at Lin Feng’s “good guy” act. “Who are you pretending to be? I think you’re a rival sent here to ruin my reputation!”

“Someone, throw this kid out and blacklist him. He’s never allowed in my shop again!”

“Yes, boss.”

The security guards rushed forward, surrounding Lin Feng and pushing him toward the door.

Lin Feng’s expression remained unmoved. He hadn’t expected the owner to be so unreasonable.

As he prepared to resist, Li Bing’er hurried forward to stop the guards, explaining, “Everyone, it’s a misunderstanding—a mistake! Lin Feng just misjudged the pendant. Please don’t get angry.”

“A mistake?” Pei Dafu scoffed. “Your friend’s words have seriously damaged my shop’s reputation. You think a simple ‘mistake’ clears it up?”

“If you hadn’t stopped me, I might not have remembered. According to the rules of the antique world, causing trouble in my shop means I must cut off one of his hands.”

“What? Cut off his hand?” Li Bing’er’s eyes widened in shock.

She regretted meddling—had she just let them throw Lin Feng out, it would have been better than cutting off his hand.

Now she was stuck in the mess, unable to help him.

She glanced back at Lin Feng, whose expression remained resolute, with no sign of fear or blame toward her.

After a few seconds, Lin Feng spoke disdainfully, “Boss Pei, even if you want to cut off my hand, shouldn’t you have an authority verify the authenticity of that antique first?”

“If you cut off my hand based on your word alone, wouldn’t that be a great injustice?”

“Hmph. Every item in my shop is appraised by professionals. What need is there for another expert?”

“Cut his hand off immediately, feed it to the dogs, and throw him out.”

Pei Dafu dismissed him, and the crowd cheered, raising their hands and shouting to cut Lin Feng’s hand.

The scene was in an uproar.

The head of security picked up a knife and strode menacingly toward Lin Feng, ready to act.

Lin Feng had already gathered true energy in his palm. If the guards tried anything, he would fight back and defend his rights.

“Everyone, stop!” At this critical moment, an elderly voice sounded from outside the shop.

The crowd turned to look, and saw an elderly man in a traditional suit, leaning on a cane, entering with a stern face.

People recognized him instantly, giving way in awe.

It was the famous Tang Chunqiu of the antique world!

Pei Dafu immediately became respectful, hurrying forward to greet him. “Master Tang, what brings you here? Your visit brings honor to my humble shop.”

“What’s going on here? I was passing by and heard shouting inside, so I came to see.” Tang Chunqiu asked sternly.

“It’s nothing, really. Just a young man who doesn’t know better, insisting my goods are fake. I was just enforcing the rules of the antique trade.” Pei Dafu explained.

“Oh? Is that so? Where’s the troublemaker?” Tang Chunqiu’s face turned icy as he looked around.

Pei Dafu pointed respectfully at Lin Feng. “Master Tang, it’s him.”

“Master Tang, it’s been a while.” Lin Feng met Tang Chunqiu’s gaze with a slight smile, greeting him proactively.