"You're truly arrogant, kid. Do you think someone of your caliber can even reach my master? How ridiculous!"
Qing Long naturally didn't believe Li Yang. He knew his master's character well; only those in high positions in the capital had the chance to meet him.
Furthermore, exchanging contact information wasn't just about meeting; it required a deep connection.
The number of people who could proactively contact his master across all of China was less than four.
Therefore, Qing Long was certain this kid could never possibly know his master.
Li Yang sneered contemptuously, mocking him, "You truly are short-sighted. You don't even recognize your own master's friend. As a disciple, you're a disgrace to him."
"Since you're so unconvinced, I'll contact your master right now and have Old Wu personally judge his unfilial disciple."
With that, Li Yang took out his phone and called Wu Lei in front of everyone.
At this moment, everyone present showed a look of doubt.
They felt Li Yang couldn't possibly know Wu Lei. Among the wealthy businessmen and magnates present, not a single one could proactively contact the old man.
However, just as everyone was filled with doubt, Li Yang's call connected, and an old man's voice came from the other end: "Hello, why is Mr. Li calling me? Is there something?"
"Old Wu, I do have something to report to you. Do you know your good disciple Qing Long is in the provincial city today?" Li Yang inquired on the phone.
"What? Qing Long is here? What is he doing in the provincial city?" Wu Lei asked, puzzled.
"What else? Of course, he's up to no good. Otherwise, I wouldn't be calling you. Today, he not only tried to snatch my wife but also refused to pay me back. He lost to me in stone gambling but refused to admit defeat, completely disgracing you."
Li Yang deliberately raised his voice, recounting everything Qing Long had done.
The people present were still full of questions, unsure if the voice on the other end was indeed Old Wu.
If it truly was Old Wu, then Li Yang's reputation today would spread nationwide!
Qing Long absolutely refused to believe Li Yang was calling Old Wu. Before Li Yang could finish, he walked towards Li Yang, snatched his phone, and berated him, "Kid, stop pretending. How would my master answer your call?"
"I'll put this on speakerphone now and let everyone here hear clearly that you're just lying."
With that, Qing Long immediately pressed the speakerphone button, and the old man's voice came through again: "Qing Long, you have great audacity. Mr. Li is my honored guest, and you dare to disrespect him."
"Mas- Master!"
Qing Long was stunned on the spot, then quickly reacted. The voice on the phone was indeed his master.
"Master, I pay my respects."
Terrified, Qing Long immediately placed the phone on the ground and kowtowed several times towards the floor.
Wu Lei's anger flared, and he said coldly, "Mr. Li just said you lost to him in stone gambling today but refused to honor the bet, is that right?"
"Mas- Master, that's not true. This is all a misunderstanding. I didn't know Mr. Li was your honored guest. If I had known his identity, how would I dare to disrespect him?"
Qing Long no longer cared about his pride and quickly apologized to Wu Lei, then said, "Master, please rest assured, I will take good care of Mr. Li and ensure he doesn't suffer any grievances. I hope you'll give me a chance."
"Hmph, you better. I will settle accounts with you slowly when I return to the capital for your actions today. I order you, right now, to kneel and kowtow to Mr. Li to apologize. He is my savior. If you cause him even the slightest dissatisfaction, I will take your life."
"Yes, yes, I definitely won't dare again." Qing Long trembled all over.
Even though it was through a phone call, Old Wu's imposing aura made everyone present dare not breathe freely.
Li Yang walked forward, hung up the phone, and looked coldly at Qing Long, "Qing Long, I didn't tell Old Wu about you ambushing me just now. Doesn't that count as saving your life?"
"It does, it does. Thank you, Mr. Li, for saving my life. Today I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. I apologize to Mr. Li. It was all my fault. I know I was wrong. Please forgive me."
Qing Long quickly knelt on the ground, thanking Li Yang gratefully.
Li Yang waved his hand, letting him get up, and continued, "Then, is our bet from earlier still valid?"
"Mr. Li, please rest assured. I swear to the heavens that I will never harass Miss Long again. Ah, no, she is my sister-in-law from now on, and I will not disrespect her."
Qing Long raised three fingers and swore to the heavens.
Seeing his sincerity, Li Yang decided to let him off the hook today in front of so many people.
After all, his treasure-appraising skills were rare, and if he could correct his mistakes in the future, they would still be useful.
"Good, you can get up and get out now. Go find Old Wu to confess your crimes when you get back. Perhaps if Old Wu is pleased, he might keep your position as one of the Four Heavenly Kings." Li Yang waved them away.
"Thank you, Mr. Li. I'll be going now. If you have any instructions in the future, please feel free to contact me."
Qing Long said respectfully, then immediately rolled away from the ground, not daring to show any disrespect to Li Yang.
After Li Yang drove them away, everyone present swarmed towards Li Yang, not only congratulating him and Long Lingling but also proactively offering their contact information, wanting to befriend Li Yang.
"Mr. Li, I didn't expect you to know Old Wu. Why didn't you reveal your identity earlier?"
"This is my business card. I hope Mr. Li will remember me. I am willing to serve Mr. Li in the future."
"Everyone, no need to be so polite. Today, everyone is here for the Dragon Soul Banquet. Please be seated. I'm sure everyone is hungry." Li Yang gestured to everyone.
He didn't accept their business cards. If he accepted them all, he would be pestered endlessly.
Qing Long's arrival today had already helped promote his reputation significantly.
It was only when his gaze swept over Zhang Fenfang again that he remembered her promise from earlier and asked, "Madam Long, who was it just now that said if I won against Qing Long, she would kneel and kowtow to me three times?"
"Li Yang, look, we're family. Why take it so seriously!"
Zhang Fenfang's eyes darted, and she immediately changed her tone, coming over to Li Yang with a smile and saying, "Li Yang, you are our Dragon family's good son-in-law from now on. I am, after all, your future mother-in-law. Can you let me off the hook?"
"Let you off the hook? You were about to kick me out just now and wanted to marry Lingling to Qing Long. Which of these things is worth letting you off the hook for?"
Li Yang said with a cold smile, "If you truly admit your mistake, I'll give you a chance. Apologize to Lingling sincerely and promise not to make things difficult for her anymore. If you can't do it, may you be struck by lightning."