In the face of Shi Mingwei's mad-dog-like roar,Chen Xiaobei merely smiled without a word.
After all, who would take on a job without the proper skills?
Shortly after.
Murong Tian called for his driver and personally accompanied Chen Xiaobei to retrieve the painting.
In the car, Chen Xiaobei kept his head down, playing with his phone, showing no signs of nervousness or unease whatsoever.
This surprised Murong Tian greatly. How could this kid stay so calm? Could he really have the Spring Trees and Autumn Frost Painting in his possession?
Yet, even in his wildest dreams, Murong Tian could never have imagined that what Chen Xiaobei owned was not the Spring Trees and Autumn Frost Painting itself, but the painter behind it—Tang Bohu!
Ding—
The phone vibrated, and a look of joy immediately spread across Chen Xiaobei's face.
Tang Bohu: Greetings, Immortal! May I ask what brings you to summon this humble one today?
This man, once the leader of the renowned "Four Talents of Jiangnan" during the Ming Dynasty, spoke in a refined, literary tone.
Chen Xiaobei: Uh... How did I become an "Immortal"?
Tang Bohu: The All-Powerful Sage announced in the group that he has accepted you as his closed-door disciple. Although you have not yet ascended to the ranks of immortals, it is only a matter of time.
Chen Xiaobei: I see... I'm looking for you today because I want you to paint a Spring Trees and Autumn Frost Painting for me.
Tang Bohu: Why bother painting a new one? If the Immortal desires it, I can send you a private copy right away.
Chen Xiaobei: (sweating) You have a ready-made one on hand?
Tang Bohu: Alas, you are unaware. This humble one has been cultivating in the Netherworld for thousands of years, and the days are endless and boring. In my leisure, I often paint replicas of my works from life. I've painted Spring Trees and Autumn Frost Painting hundreds of times—it's piled up in my warehouse to the point of overflowing.
Chen Xiaobei was taken aback.
Like Xiang Yu, this Tang Bohu was a ghost cultivating in the Netherworld, having failed to attain immortality after thousands of years. It must have been a miserable existence.
Ding— Received a red envelope from Tang Bohu.
"I'll grab it!"
Chen Xiaobei tapped the screen, and as the red envelope opened, a scroll appeared in his treasure box.
Ding— Congratulations! You've obtained a Spring Trees and Autumn Frost Painting by Tang Bohu. It has been stored in your treasure box. Extract now?
Through his Eight Trigrams Aura-Viewing Technique, Chen Xiaobei could clearly see the golden aura surrounding the scroll.
This proved it was absolutely genuine, and its rarity was fully up to standard.
With this, the matter of tearing up the painting could be perfectly resolved.
The Shi father and son would soon be crying their eyes out!
Of course, he couldn't extract it now.
After all, Murong Tian was sitting right beside him. He had to return to the dormitory first to put on a show.
Chen Xiaobei hid his inner excitement, but suddenly froze.
Ding—
Trading with a ghost deducts 10 points of Three Realms Merit. Current Three Realms Merit: 90. Rank: Commoner.
"Damn it! This counts as a transaction? What a forced sale!" Chen Xiaobei was utterly embarrassed.
In the blink of an eye, his rank had dropped back to "Commoner." It was infuriating!
Ding—
Tang Bohu: Thank you for the merit, Immortal! This humble one is one step closer to the rank of Earth Immortal! (three surprised emojis)
Chen Xiaobei was depressed, but on second thought, these ghosts had it tough too.
A mere 10 merit points—why not give it to him?
Thinking this, Chen Xiaobei replied warmly: You're welcome. (three cheering emojis)
Tang Bohu: Thank you again, Immortal! You are the kindest immortal this humble one has ever met! (three teary-eyed emojis)
Chen Xiaobei smiled knowingly, imagining Tang Bohu's grateful expression even through the screen.
Looking back, helping others (or ghosts) was actually quite satisfying.
After that.
Chen Xiaobei took Murong Tian back to his school dormitory.
He pretended to rummage under his bed and "extracted" the scroll.
Murong Tian's head was practically Black lines（shows speechless）,thinking: This kid actually hid a national treasure-level Spring Trees and Autumn Frost Painting under his bed? Unbelievable!
Of course, Murong Tian was a steady man. He only found it strange but said nothing, directly taking Chen Xiaobei back to the North Mountain Manor.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting—we're back!"
Under everyone's gaze, Chen Xiaobei stepped into the mansion.
"You little bastard! Don't think you can fool me with a fake! You must pay me back today!" Shi Dafeng shouted angrily.
"Hehe,"
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly: "Everyone here is an antique expert, and we even have a authority like Master Wang Jianjun in appraisal. Whether it's real or fake, we'll know at a glance."
Shi Dafeng scoffed: "Hmph! I see you won't stop until you hit the wall! I've already told Master Wang to expose your trickery!"
"Hehe, then I'll trouble Master Wang,"
Chen Xiaobei, full of confidence, unrolled the scroll and spread it on the long table.
Master Wang adjusted his glasses, leaned over solemnly, and began examining it carefully.
At the same time, everyone around craned their necks, widened their eyes, and waited anxiously for the final result.
"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!"
After a moment, Master Wang suddenly exclaimed: "Spring mountains exuding emerald green, waterfalls splashing! High peaks towering, withered trees bearing frost! This brushwork is divine—indescribably exquisite!"
Shi Dafeng's heart skipped a beat. He asked tremblingly: "Master Wang, please clarify... is it real or fake?"
"Of course it's genuine!"
Master Wang said firmly: "I swear on my reputation—this Spring Trees and Autumn Frost Painting is definitely an authentic work by Tang Yin!"
"How... how is this possible?"
Shi Dafeng froze, feeling as if he'd been struck by lightning. His mind went blank. He stumbled backward a few steps and collapsed onto the floor.
If Master Wang said Chen Xiaobei's painting was real, that meant the one Chen Xiaobei had torn up earlier was just a fake!
In other words, the 200 million Shi Dafeng had spent had gone down the drain completely!
This was a fatal blow to Shi Dafeng, and even to the entire Shi family!
"Dad! Uncle! Master!"
Shi Mingwei, Yao Bingbing, and Jin Fei hurried over to help the stunned Shi Dafeng.
"You little bastard! This must be your trick! You can't get away with it! You must pay back our Shi family's 200 million!" Shi Mingwei flew into a rage, jumping up and down.
"Idiot!"
Chen Xiaobei rolled his eyes, scoffing: "In front of everyone, with Heavenly Master and Master Wang as witnesses, saying that is nothing but slapping their faces!"
"I..." Shi Mingwei was left speechless, his face turning red with frustration.
Master Wang was just an expert—no big deal—but Murong Tian was someone cannot offensive!
"Young Master Shi, the truth is plain to see," Murong Tian said deeply: "Your family spent 200 million on a fake. I sympathize, but this is not Mr. Chen's fault."
"If you insist on making Mr. Chen compensate, then according to the price of a fake, I think 1,000 yuan is more than enough."
"What!?! 1,000 yuan!?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Mingwei's eyes filled with tears.
Chen Xiaobei, however, grinned mischievously, pulled out a stack of cash from his wallet, and threw it on the table.
"Here's 2,000 yuan from me! No need to thank me!"