I Can See Your Combat Power

In the cabin, there were more than a hundred young gentlemen, yet for Mi Bai and Xiao Ziyu, they only saw each other, their powerful auras equally matched, each determining the rightful ownership of the painting in their own minds, completely ignoring the more than a hundred Xiling noblemen who were spectating.

The sons of the nobility who had been pushed aside, though disgruntled, did not dare to express their dissatisfaction, because the struggle for the painting had escalated beyond their qualifications. In a sense, whoever ended up owning this painting would effectively become the top-ranked transcendent of Xiling.

Although they belittled martial arts verbally, that was only because of their extraordinary backgrounds. In reality, they were a group of people who understood the importance of martial arts more than anyone else. From a young age, they had been bathed in the one and only absolute truth of the world: the strong rule.

Therefore, this situation was sufficient for these nobles to willingly withdraw from the struggle for the painting, leaving the stage to the two individuals in the center.

Even so, the two gentlemen continued to explode with martial spirit, and the urge to battle in their eyes became stronger and stronger, as if they were about to determine a winner in the midst of this cabin.

The attendant standing by the display case, seeing the two with tangible determination over the painting’s ownership, was nearly in tears.

Overwhelmed by the dominant aura of the two, she, a dominant force in Mortal Realm, felt icy cold and was trembling, unable to utter a word. If it was not for her support against the display case, she would not even be able to maintain her standing posture.

Just as the two seemed ready to fight, a harmonious voice echoed from afar. It was the voice of the host of the appreciation event, a major Xiling businessman, and eldest son of Xiao Jinlin – Xiao Zheng.

“Gentlemen, please restrain your auras.”

Voluntarily, people made way, and Xiao Zheng, dressed in a golden brocade robe, his long black hair neatly gathered behind him, approached the display case surrounded by respectful young men, exhibiting an air of maturity and authority.

After all, he was over forty, a full generation older than the two men who were both under thirty. According to etiquette, this top player in Xiling was an elder to all the gentlemen present, and his appearance was aimed to end this dispute.

As soon as Xiao Ziyu and Mi Bai released their auras, someone had gone to report to him. Knowing that a conflict had arisen between the two, he immediately came with his people. Although he did not know much about Mi Bai, he was quite familiar with Xiao Ziyu, this rising star in the clan. Hot- tempered and highly competitive, if the two really started fighting, he would not know what it meant to back down. Counting on a dominant figure like Mi Bai to back down was simply a pipe dream.

This Jasper Lake was certainly not a warship. If the two started to seriously fight, they themselves would be fine, but Xiling’s number one treasure ship might become history. How could he not be apprehensive?

As Xiao Ziyu watched Xiao Zheng arrive, he was the first to pull back his aura and salute at a distance, “I greet my uncle according to our clan’s ranks.”

Based on family hierarchy, his father was of the same generation as Xiao Zheng, but older. Therefore, he addressed him as ‘uncle’. Even with his excellent martial arts skills, he had to respect the etiquette when faced with an elder.

Seeing Xiao Ziyu restrain his aura, Mi Bai also dispelled his aggressive attitude. He appraised the arriving Xiao Zheng, “It’s great that you’re here, sir. Lord Xiao and I have agreed to settle the ownership of the painting through a duel. But after all, the painting is yours, please make a price for it first and auction it off. This will also save others from coveting it.”

Although Mi Bai didn’t quite understand the quality of the painting, he just exceedingly liked the poem and handwriting beside it. He couldn’t wait for an auctioning process. Apart from Xiao Ziyu, was there anyone else present who could vie with him for this item?

There could be Tang Qjngshan, but he was a complete brute. He took a lady back to his room as soon as he got on the Jasper Lake. The audible bed creaking from his room could be heard in a dozen or so nearby rooms. Such a person obviously wouldn’t come to vie for a piece of calligraphy and painting. Therefore, the painting could only be acquired by either him or Xiao Ziyu.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ziyu also spoke to Xiao Zheng, “I have the same intention.”

Seeing Xiao Ziyu accepting the challenge while maintaining his manners, Xiao Zheng couldn’t suppress a laugh. He pointed to the upper right of the display case, “Gentlemen, please look there.”

Following his finger, Xiao Ziyu and Mi Bai turned around and saw a small yellow note in the upper right corner of the display case, it read: This art piece is only for exhibition, not for sale, please excuse.

“This painting is done by a close friend of mine. Due to Mr. Huang Ting’s long wanderings, he lent it out for this grand finale exhibition. As this painting is his favorite, none of the other works are unsaleable, only this one can’t be sold. ” Xiao Zheng lamented that when he first met this young man with extraordinary calligraphy, he didn’t recognize himself.

Even though he thought his reputation should have reached his ears, he was taken aback by his obliviousness. More surprisingly, even though the artwork had received his own appraisal and could sell for hundreds or thousands of gold, after changing paper and ink, he only sold it for five gold.

Although people always tout flexibility and intelligence as the standard of intelligence, when making friends, they still unconsciously choose those who are honest and kind. That was the moment he began to show interest in Mi Bai, and intentionally approached him.

Both were enthusiasts of calligraphy and painting, and they hit it off instantly.

Hearing that Xiao Zheng came to see the painting, Mi Bai even took him to his house and took out the painting he was most proud of.

The moment Xiao Zheng saw the “Viewing Peaks” painting, his reaction was no different from that of the two gentlemen in the cabin – he wanted to buy the painting.

Ten thousand, a hundred thousand, a million!

Xiao Zheng finally offered a billion gold, but Bai Bai’s answer was still the same: “If Mr. Xiao likes it, I can make another one for you. Only this one is unobtainable.”

Looking at the relatively simple layout of the yard and the dozens of children in clean but patched clothes, Xiao Zheng knew even if he offered a higher price it would be meaningless. Because to the man in front of him, this painting must mean a lot, perhaps even more important than money.

But wasn’t it a pity to keep such a masterpiece of poetry, painting, and calligraphy and not exhibit it? With this thought in mind, Xiao Zheng proposed an appreciation event and asked Mi Bai if he could borrow the painting for exhibition, promising to return it immediately afterward.

In fact, he had prepared to be rejected. If he had such a valuable painting, would he lend it to someone he’d just met? Certainly not. His words were barely out and he felt he had crossed the line of friendship, prepared to be turned down.

Yet to his surprise, Mi Bai agreed to his request and handed the painting worth more than a billion gold easily into his hands.

At that moment, Xiao Zheng was a bit stunned: “Brother Bai, aren’t you afraid I’ll take the painting and disappear?”

As a businessman, he naturally knew how important honesty was. But because he was a businessman, he understood that honesty mostly came about when the price of breaking a promise wasn’t high enough.