"What do you mean?"
Not only were the onlookers stunned, but even the appraisal master Zheng Xibei himself was a little bewildered.
Li Yang chuckled, "Old man, your hearing isn't good, I'll say it again for you. If you lose, you'll work for me for ten years, at my beck and call, without any complaints!"
"You want to take me in and torment me slowly?" Zheng Xibei's face turned ashen, almost laughing with anger.
Arrogant!
This young man was simply too arrogant!
To actually want to recruit a renowned appraisal master as his subordinate, he was outrageously presumptuous!
Who else in this world, besides Li Yang, would dare to do such a thing?
Some streamers who had rushed over, based on this exchange, quickly came up with sensational live-stream titles and started broadcasting!
During their last broadcast, they had already gained a significant following. Now, with the appraisal master Zhen Banshan, Zheng Xibei, challenging them, it wasn't just about attracting viewers; it was drawing in many professionals as well.
"Director, Director! Something big has happened!"
"Oh dear, Xiao Cai, why are you howling so early in the morning? Even if something big has happened, you should speak slowly. You're not calm at all."
In the Jiangcheng Museum's director's office, the museum director, who had just turned fifty-eight but had remained unmarried his entire life, rubbed his ears. He was somewhat exasperated with his assistant, who barged in shouting.
They say men mature and become more steady after getting married. But this Xiao Cai, who already had children old enough to fetch soy sauce, was still so flustered.
Xiao Cai quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Director, but this matter is too sensational. Look, someone is live-streaming. Old Zheng is challenging a young man in his early twenties, and if he loses, he has to work for the young man for ten years!"
"Which Old Zheng?"
The director glanced dismissively.
However, he couldn't have imagined that upon looking, even this lifelong bachelor was no longer calm. He hastily snatched the phone and exclaimed, "My heavens! It's Zheng Xibei!"
"Boss, trouble is brewing!"
At the same time, Lou Dong, the owner of Tong Jian Tie Ma Lou, was startled by a shout from his employee. His arm twitched, and he almost ruined the freshly prepared "Preface to the Sacred Teachings" by Wang Xizhi with a blemish.
The president of the Antique Jade Association, Feng, and his grandson also noticed one of the live streams, their faces changing drastically. Fang Xiaoqing said, "This is too exciting! Grandpa, let's hurry to the scene! We might still catch the action while it's hot!"
Gradually, antique appraisal professionals from distant places also saw the live broadcast. They put down their work and focused intently, even sending people to inquire about Li Yang's background, wondering how he managed to get the reclusive old master Zheng Xibei to come out and challenge him!
In an instant, thousands of professional eyes across the country were fixed on Li Yang. Millions of ordinary citizens were also focused on the scene.
Someone saw a sign at the entrance that read "Xu Zhongding Vomiting Blood Check-in Point" and almost burst out laughing.
Li Yang was also smiling at this moment, "Old man, if there are no issues, let's not waste each other's time anymore. Let's be direct, are we going to compete in appraisal or not?"
"Of course, we'll compete, otherwise how can I get justice for my disciple!" Zheng Xibei didn't believe he would lose at all. His previous anger was purely because he felt Li Yang was too arrogant towards him!
As he spoke, he glanced at Wang Dongsheng. "Dongsheng!"
"Yes, Master." Wang Dongsheng immediately waved to the crowd outside and shouted, "Hurry up and bring everything over!"
"Everything?"
Some people noticed this word and felt a hint of confusion. What was going on? Was this appraisal competition not just for one item?
Li Yang looked up and saw seventeen or eighteen people carrying seven or eight large chests. Then, others brought in display shelves.
Next, they opened the large chests and placed the miscellaneous items inside onto the shelves.
Discerning individuals counted them and exclaimed, "Good heavens, there are at least a hundred items, big and small!"
"Is this 'Hundred Steps Through the Willow'?" Li Yang raised an eyebrow and whispered.
Zheng Xibei sneered, "You have some insight, kid. You're right, this is 'Hundred Steps Through the Willow'!"
"This is bad!" Hearing his admission, Er Dong's expression changed slightly, and he broke out in a cold sweat for Li Yang.
Some people present asked in surprise, "What does this mean? Are they asking someone to step back a hundred paces and shoot arrows at these items? But if that's the case, it's not appraisal, it's a comparison of archery skills, isn't it?"
"Hahaha, don't just go by the literal meaning. 'Hundred Steps Through the Willow' in the antique circle means finding the single genuine item among at least a hundred antiques. Generally, an appraiser needs to step back ten meters to observe, and they cannot touch the items with their hands."
"My goodness, this is no easier than shooting with a bow and arrow!"
"That's natural. Putting aside whether your appraisal skills are high or not, just looking at things from ten meters away, even if your eyesight is perfect, you can't see clearly." A streamer quickly explained, "Secondly, you cannot touch these antiques, and some antiques look identical to the real ones on the surface, but the difference lies in the feel. If you can't touch them, it's even harder to determine their authenticity."
"And the third point is the most ruthless. Over a hundred antiques, ninety-nine are fakes, and only one is real, and all of them are different. You don't even have anything to compare with. Even a seasoned appraisal master would have their eyes dazzled."
"As expected of a streamer, knowledgeable!" everyone nodded. Many who understood felt as if they were appraising themselves and started breaking out in a cold sweat for Li Yang.
Let alone a hundred antiques, even if a phone screen displayed a hundred zeros with a single one mixed in, it would be enough to make one's eyes water.
This 'Hundred Steps Through the Willow' was simply a nightmare for appraisers!
Er Dong whispered, "Boss, they came prepared. How about we avoid this for now?"
"We've already accepted the challenge. There's no reason to back down in the antique circle." Li Yang shook his head. If they hadn't presented 'Hundred Steps Through the Willow' earlier, they were probably afraid he would refuse the challenge upon seeing it.
Although they could block him in his shop if he refused, he would never be able to avenge Xu Zhongding.
Zheng Xibei said coldly, "Kid, if you think you can't do it, you can admit defeat directly. That way, everyone can save some time."
"When did I ever say I couldn't do it?" Li Yang smiled and looked at him, "I just feel that your 'Dragon Gate Formation' is too simple, and I wanted to ask if you wanted to put more items on display. A mere hundred items, I can scan them at a glance, it's not enough to look at."
"You, utterly arrogant!" Zheng Xibei stomped his cane in anger and roared.
Wang Dongsheng also felt Li Yang was too arrogant. 'Hundred Steps Through the Willow' could be considered one of the most formidable killing moves in appraisal duels.
Even if he participated, hitting the target would depend on luck!
He immediately said coldly, "Since Boss Li says it's not enough to look at, then let's light an incense for you. Please find the real item before this incense burns out!"
"Otherwise, you'll be considered defeated. How about that?"
"There's no need for such trouble. I can appraise the treasure now." Li Yang said with a smile.