Chapter Forty: Within Lies the Universe

punch landed on his chest like it hit steel, not budging him an inch. Instead, my own fist throbbed with a sharp ache."Stop struggling, it's useless. Just come back with me quietly."After Bardis fini...Looking at the 5,000 yuan in front of him, the middle-aged man was incredibly incredulous: "Young brother, are you sure you want to buy this calligraphy"

Ye Bufan smiled slightly: "I've already taken the money, is there still a fake"

"Alright, I'll take the money. Now this painting is yours."

The middle-aged man happily accepted the 5,000 yuan, originally thinking he had lost this time, but unexpectedly he gained it back.

After receiving the money, he left the antique shop happily, while Ye Bufan rolled up the scroll and put it away.

The shopkeeper, seeing that although Ye Bufan was dressed plainly, he was extremely generous with his spending, immediately stepped forward and said, “Young brother, do you still want the calligraphy of Yan Zhenqing I have many more here.”

Ye Bufan shook his head and said, "No need, this one is enough."

The shopkeeper said stubbornly, "To tell you the truth, little brother, this painting was fake from the start."

Ye Bufan didn't want to waste time talking, so he casually said, "How is that possible I think this is a genuine work by Yan Zhenqing."

The shopkeeper said, "Little brother, I'm not fooling you, this was from the last time I participated in a treasure appraisal show. An old lady brought it up."

All experts have confirmed that this item is not only a fake but also very poorly made, it's worthless.

"The old lady originally wanted to take it home to paste on the walls, but I bought it for 50 yuan."

He told all his heartfelt truths, hoping Ye Bufan would regret it greatly and then buy a painting from him.

"To my surprise, Ye Bufan shook his head and said, 'Sometimes even expert appraisals are not always accurate.'"

"Little brother, you're really stubborn."

The shopkeeper, as he said this, pulled out dozens of paintings from under the counter and placed them on the counter. "Take a look, all the paintings here are genuine masterpieces. You can choose any one you like, brother. I guarantee to sell it to you at the lowest price."

Ye Bufan said, "No need, I already have one."

"Hold on a moment, little brother," the shopkeeper called out to Ye Bufan, taking out a scroll and unfurling it. "Take a look at this. This painting is an authentic work by Ji Xiaolan. Keep it for a few years and its value will definitely double."

Ye Bufan glanced at the painting. It was filled with a faint trace of spiritual energy, confirming that it was indeed a genuine work by Ji Xiaolan.

An average middle-aged man would probably fall for this painting, it reminded him of the joke about selling a cat with a bowl. It seemed like the shopkeeper was using the same trick again, trying to lure him in.

What he was looking for were artifacts, calligraphy and paintings were just a way to make some quick money on the side, so he didn't bother talking to the shopkeeper, turned his head and walked out of the store.

The shopkeeper was busy for half a day, but Ye Bufan didn't even glance at him. This made his anger surge and his face immediately turned gloomy: "I said, are you sick"

You bought such a fake for 5,000 yuan and thought it was a treasure. I really don't know if you got kicked in the head by a donkey or if your eyes are blind

This is really harsh, and it even sounds like a personal attack.

Ye Bufan didn't originally want to argue with him, but hearing this, his face darkened as well. He turned back and said, "You're holding a treasure in your hand, yet you treat it like junk and force it onto others. Am I blind or are you"

"You wouldn't say this is a treasure, would you" The shopkeeper said with disdain. "Kid, let me tell you, no one has ever managed to get a bargain from me, the White Rat."

This guy's name is Bai, he has a sharp nose and monkey cheeks, and he's extremely cunning. People on the antique street all call him "White Mouse".

Ye Bufan held up the scroll in his hand and said, "That's right, this is a big treasure, it's a pity you didn't see it."

The white mouse's eyes rolled, and a treacherous smile spread across its face. "Since you're so confident, how about we make a bet"

He has been in the antique world for over ten years and considers himself incapable of making a mistake. Besides, this painting has been authenticated by experts, so how could it possibly be a treasure

As for this kind of treacherous businessman, Ye Bufan didn't mind giving him a lesson. He said: "Okay, you say how to gamble."

The white mouse's face lit up. Since this kid wouldn't be fooled no matter what, winning a little money through a bet wasn't a bad idea either.

He said, “If you can prove this painting is valuable, I’ll lose to you 200,000 in gambling. If not, you pay me 200,000.”

In his eyes, this kid in front of him was a silly, cute sheep, and he wanted to take a big bite out of it.

"Sure, but words are cheap. We need a written agreement to make sure you don't back out later."

"No need, with me, Yang Mo, here, no one can shirk responsibility in the Treasure Garden."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a man in his 50s appeared at the entrance of the antique shop.

This person is wearing a long robe and has an elegant demeanor, clearly not an ordinary individual.

"Master Yang, how did you get here!"

The white rat, seeing the middle-aged man, immediately scurried up to him with a fawning expression.

"Master Yang is here, Master Yang is here, make way quickly."

The antique street was bustling with people, and just moments after Ye Bufan and Bai Lao Shu had their conversation, a dozen or so onlookers had gathered at the entrance.

As a middle-aged man walked over, these people moved aside to make way for him.

"Who is this"

"Don't you recognize him This is Yang Zichen, the master appraiser of Ju Bao Yuan, and also the president of the Jiangnan Antique Association."

Master Yang is a highly influential figure in the Jubao Garden. As a witness, his word carries immense weight; no one would dare to refute him, or else they wouldn't be able to leave the Jubao Garden.

Yang Ziqian nodded to Bai Lao Shu after entering the door, and looked at the painting scroll in Ye Bufan's hand, "Little brother, can you lend me a look"

"Sure."

Ye Bufan passed the painting scroll in his hand.

Yang Ziqian unrolled the scroll and took a look, then frowned slightly. "Little brother, take my advice, don't make this bet."

At his words, the white rat's face immediately fell. He had also wanted to make a profit off this fat sheep, but Yang Zichen's interference had turned everything into nothing.

But his position was nowhere near theirs, so he didn't dare to complain.

Just then, Ye Bufan said: "Mr. Yang, this painting isn't as simple as it appears on the surface. There is a universe within it. You just need to serve as a witness."

Yang Ziqian was taken aback for a moment. He naturally knew the nature of the white mouse and didn't want this young man to suffer a loss.

After hearing Ye Bufan's words, Yang said with interest: "Well, I want to see if there are any antiques that I, Yang, can't see through."

"I've notarized this, now you guys start the game. If anyone loses and refuses to pay up, I Yang [Last Name] will take full responsibility."

Seeing that Ye Bufan insisted on gambling, Bai LaoShu's heart blossomed with joy. If he had misjudged the situation, it was still possible.

All the treasure experts on TV have said it's a fake, and even Master Yang Zichen couldn't see any mystery. It's clear this kid is just mentally ill.

He said triumphantly: “Well, now that Master Yang is here to attest, no one need worry about reneging. Show us what it means to have a universe within.”

Ye Bufan took the painting and first removed the side wooden shafts.

The white rat sneered, "Boy, you wouldn't tell us there are hidden layers in this painting, would you"

To be honest with you, we've already tested these common tactics and they simply don't work.mn Moonchan also had her own considerations. Although she had broken through to a higher level of cultivation, a beginner in the Great Ascension stage did not significantly change the strength of the...