"What? How is that possible?"
Kuteng's brow furrowed deeply, refusing to believe that Li Yang could know what was inside the red cloth without opening it, let alone discern its authenticity.
He had never encountered such a formidable appraisal master in Huaxia!
Li Yang shrugged dismissively. "If you don't believe me, you can open it yourself. It's a bronze Lou Lan, likely from the Western Zhou Dynasty. However, the one you brought has unnatural patina and signs of artificial aging."
"If you open it yourself, you should be able to tell the real from the fake this time, as it's the easiest of the three antiques to appraise."
"I don't believe it, absolutely not!"
Kuteng refused to accept this and personally stepped forward to untie the red cloth. But when he looked at what was inside, he froze on the spot!
Li Yang was right again!
The prominent figures present were all astonished by Li Yang's appraisal skills!
This kind of remote appraisal was something few in all of Huaxia could achieve.
Li Yang shrugged dismissively again. "Now that you know the truth, and I've appraised all three items, why don't you admit defeat and announce that you'll be leaving the Huaxia appraisal world and never show your face here again?"
"That's right, get out of Huaxia quickly! We don't welcome people from Sakura Country here."
"Scram as soon as possible. With such meager skill, you dare to challenge us in Huaxia and dream of taking our treasures? What a pipe dream!"
In an instant, all the spectators present shouted at Kuteng and his group.
Although Kuteng was deeply unwilling to accept it, he had lost so clearly today that he had no words to retort and could only choose to concede and leave.
But just as he was about to turn and lead his subordinates away, Li Yang suddenly spoke again, "Kuteng, wait a moment. I have one more thing I want to ask you."
"What is it?" Kuteng asked coldly.
"You came here today to gamble with us. Regarding the plan on the other side, are you confident it will succeed?" Li Yang asked with a cold smile and composure.
"What do you mean?" Kuteng's gaze sharpened, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart as he asked sternly.
"You know better than anyone. Your challenge with President Xu today was just an excuse. The outcome of the bet holds little significance for you. Even if you lose, the people you sent to the museum will help you steal a batch of national treasures."
"Judging by the time, they should be succeeding by now. Am I correct?" Li Yang asked icily.
The surrounding spectators heard Li Yang's words and exchanged bewildered glances, not quite understanding his meaning.
They looked at each other, their eyes filled with confusion.
Kuteng, however, flashed a murderous glint in his eyes and said sinisterly, "How could you possibly know my men went to the museum?"
"Don't you know yet? Yesterday, your men went to rent a shop, but I seized the shop. Then you sent people to kill me. Your skills were lacking, and you were all killed by me. Before I killed them, I also learned that your participation in the appraisal convention today was merely a facade."
"While coming here, you also sent people to the museum to steal treasures. But unfortunately, I also sent my own people to the museum before you arrived. Your plan today is likely to fail." Li Yang stated calmly.
"So it was you!"
Kuteng suddenly realized!
Yesterday, he had received news that a young brat had disrupted his plans. He had dispatched assassins to deal with him, but the assassins had not returned that night.
He had assumed the mission was difficult to execute and had continued to wait for an opportunity. But he never expected that they were all dead, and at the hands of this young man standing before him.
Li Yang sneered mockingly. "You're truly foolish. When sending people on missions, you don't even send competent ones. Just a few scrawny misfits, not even enough to warm me up."
"However, you were quite clever today, knowing to split up. The only pity is that your plan was foiled prematurely, and you'll be left empty-handed once again."
"Let's go quickly."
Kuteng felt the situation was dire. Since this brat had already arranged for people to go to the museum, he might have even involved the security forces. Once the security forces apprehended his men, it was highly probable that they would quickly track them here.
If the security forces discovered them, there would be no possibility of escape.
"Want to leave? Not so easily!"
Li Yang's brow furrowed. Before they could rush out of the antique shop, a swift sword shadow shot forward, blocking the exit. He turned back to them and said, "You bunch of Sakura Country traitors, stealing our national treasures in Huaxia, and you think you can just leave after your plan failed?"
"Kid, you can't stop me. I advise you to move aside quickly, or you'll be the one to suffer today." Kuteng said with icy eyes.
"Still threatening me when death is at your doorstep? You truly are unrepentant!"
After Li Yang finished speaking, Kuteng ordered all his subordinates to attack simultaneously. They all drew their blades and lunged swiftly at Li Yang.
Their swordsmanship was exquisite, and streaks of silver light flashed before Li Yang as they simultaneously aimed for his vital points.
However, Li Yang reacted far faster. Before they could get close, he executed a "Swift Flash," easily evading their attacks. He swept a leg through the air, and with a series of cracking sounds, accompanied by their screams, they all fell to the ground.
Kuteng, witnessing his subordinates' defeat, felt his heart pound violently. He looked up at Li Yang in fear and said, "Young brother, spare me, and I will be forever grateful. We are all from the Ryūden-sha of Sakura Country. If you kill me, Ryūden-sha will surely not let you go."
"There's no need to endanger yourself to kill me. What do you think?"
"I see no point in keeping you alive. As for your Ryūden-sha, I hope they come to find me soon so I can capture them all at once." Li Yang said dismissively.
"Stop!"
Just as Li Yang was about to act, a stern voice suddenly came from outside.
Li Yang turned his head and saw several security personnel entering from outside. The leader was a middle-aged man who, upon entering, sternly asked, "We received a report that people from Sakura Country are suspected of stealing antiques here. Who is the culprit?"
"It's them! These people are all running dogs of Sakura Country. Since you're here, I'll hand them over to you. Take them back and interrogate them thoroughly." Li Yang stopped his actions and pointed at the group of Sakura Country subordinates.
Kuteng trembled uncontrollably. As the security personnel approached him, he continued to cry out his innocence, trying to get them to release him.
But the security forces gave him no opportunity. Under the captain's command, they directly escorted him away from the antique shop.
Subsequently, the security captain also left the scene.
After the security personnel departed, Li Yang suddenly sensed something was amiss. Why did that group of security personnel not inquire about the situation? They came in and hastily took Kuteng away?
Could it be that he had been tricked?