"President Xu, you must bring glory to China today, and you absolutely cannot lose to those little Japanese,"
"That's right, President Xu, we came all the way here just to cheer you on. You must make those people from Sakura Country pay a heavy price."
The audience members clenched their fists, encouraging Xu Shenglong.
Xu Shenglong nodded seriously and said, "Everyone, please rest assured. Since I, Xu Shenglong, dare to accept the challenge, I naturally have full confidence. This Mr. Li is the treasure appraiser I carefully selected."
"Today, he will challenge Sakura Country's top treasure appraiser and help our China gain prestige."
"What? This young man is the one fighting today? We don't seem to have seen him before. President Xu, aren't you going to fight personally to deal with those little Japanese from Sakura Country?"
A middle-aged antique magnate in the audience asked with a face full of doubt.
"Everyone need not doubt. Mr. Li's treasure appraising skills are superior to mine. With Mr. Li fighting, victory is certain today," Xu Shenglong said to boost their morale.
However, even so, the doubts from the audience remained strong.
No one in the provincial capital had ever seen Li Yang, so they did not believe in his treasure appraising skills. Perhaps he had deceived President Xu.
The same middle-aged magnate spoke again, "President Xu, in the provincial capital, we only recognize your treasure appraising skills. We have never seen this kid. We cannot joke about matters concerning the honor of Chinese treasure appraisers."
"Therefore, we hope President Xu will seriously consider it and preferably have this kid withdraw from the competition. His treasure appraising skills are definitely not as good as yours, so it's better for you to compete personally."
"Who says Mr. Li's treasure appraising skills are not good?"
Just then, another familiar face walked in from outside the shop. He was Jiang Long, the God of Gamblers.
Jiang Long's status in the antique world was second only to President Xu. His appearance surprised everyone present again.
He walked forward and said solemnly, "Mr. Li's treasure appraising skills are unparalleled in this era. I, Jiang Long, was defeated by Mr. Li. Whoever dares to say his treasure appraising ability is not good is questioning me, Jiang."
"What? This kid actually beat the God of Gamblers, Master Jiang?"
"This is impossible, right? There are only a handful of people in the entire provincial capital who can beat Master Jiang. What right does this kid have?"
The audience magnates whispered to each other, showing doubt.
Jiang Long looked disdainfully at the middle-aged magnate who had just spoken and sneered, "Old Man Wang, you have some reputation in the antique world. You took the lead in disagreeing just now, didn't you? Do you dare to challenge Mr. Li?"
"If you win, I, Jiang Long, will become your disciple today and give you another hundred million. If you lose, you will obediently apologize to Mr. Li and compensate him with another hundred million."
"This..."
Old Man Wang was a miser. Hearing Jiang Long speak so seriously, his courage from before instantly diminished by half.
Everyone knew that the God of Gamblers was best at gambling. When he dared to gamble with someone, he had more than a ninety percent chance of winning.
Old Man Wang would not embarrass himself by playing against the God of Gamblers!
If the bet today was lost, it would be a laughingstock and people would say he was ungrateful!
"I was just making a small joke. How could I not believe Master Jiang?" Old Man Wang came to his senses and said with an awkward laugh.
"Hmph, it seems you have some self-awareness. Since you don't dare to gamble, then shut your mouth obediently!"
Jiang Long snorted coldly. After reprimanding him, he walked directly to Li Yang's side and said respectfully, "Mr. Li, those scoundrels from Sakura Country are already on their way and should arrive soon."
"Do you have any preparations? Please feel free to instruct me, Jiang, to do them."
"There's nothing much to prepare. I, Li Yang, have my own ways to deal with these treasure appraisers from Sakura Country. However..."
Li Yang paused halfway through his sentence, his gaze suddenly becoming profound, and continued, "I do have one thing I need you to do. Lean your ear over here, and I'll tell you."
"Alright, Mr. Li."
Jiang Long leaned closer to Li Yang and listened as Li Yang whispered a string of words. After listening, his eyes widened in surprise, and he said incredulously, "Mr. Li, is this news accurate? Do those scoundrels really have other plans?"
"Just do as I say, and you won't be wrong. After the mission is completed, return quickly to report," Li Yang said seriously.
"Alright, Mr. Li, I'll make arrangements now."
Jiang Long nodded gravely and then turned to leave the shop to make his arrangements personally.
The others present did not know what Li Yang and Jiang Long had discussed, and they all looked curious.
After Jiang Long left, Xu Shenglong, feeling puzzled, stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Li, what did you just ask Old Jiang to do? Do you need my help?"
"No, Jiang Long alone is enough for this matter. If you also leave, when the people from Sakura Country arrive, it might arouse their suspicion," Li Yang said with a smile.
"Okay, then I will stay by Mr. Li's side and cheer you on later."
From Li Yang's words, Xu Shenglong sensed that Sakura Country might have other actions. To avoid alerting the enemy, he cooperated fully with Li Yang.
A moment later, footsteps could be heard from outside the shop, drawing everyone's attention.
A treasure appraiser from Sakura Country, dressed in a kimono, walked in with a stern expression, accompanied by over a dozen top samurai.
This was Mr. Kuteng, who was to compete with the Chinese treasure appraiser today!
The samurai he brought with him had murderous intent in their eyes, sending chills down one's spine.
When the people present saw them, they simultaneously showed hostility. These scoundrels from Sakura Country were simply too arrogant and did not put Chinese treasure appraisers in their eyes at all!
The leading treasure appraiser, Mr. Kuteng, walked forward arrogantly. Upon seeing Xu Shenglong, he said confidently, "President Xu, you are indeed punctual."
"Since both our parties have arrived, let's not delay any further and begin the appraisal directly."
"According to the rules we agreed upon earlier, today's appraisal competition will be a best-of-three format. As long as you can correctly appraise two of the antiques I bring, I will leave the Chinese antique world forever and never return."
"Kuteng, don't be arrogant. Our Chinese appraisal techniques are the crystallization of thousands of years of culture. How can you allow you little Japanese to provoke us? Today, I will definitely let you know the power of our Chinese treasure appraisers."
After Xu Shenglong spoke confidently, he turned to Li Yang and said, "Mr. Li, the rest of the competition is up to you. These scoundrels from Sakura Country are wicked and want to dominate our China.
"No matter what, you must appraise the three antiques he brings and bring honor to our Chinese appraisal world."
"No problem, please rest assured, President Xu."
Li Yang said confidently, then walked up to Kuteng and said dismissively, "Are you the one challenging our Chinese treasure appraisers? What have you brought today? Present it."
"I didn't expect the prestigious Chinese antique world to have no decent treasure appraisers, only sending a young kid like you. It seems Chinese treasure appraisers are nothing special," Kuteng sneered mockingly.
"Who says China has no treasure appraisers? It's just that to deal with a weakling like you, a young treasure appraiser like me is more than enough."