The gatekeeper was the same man who recognized Li Chonglou, so he easily returned to the basement this time.
“Uncle Hua!”
Yu Xianxian was still the first to greet him, while A Dong and A Hai both visibly relaxed.
To Li Chonglou’s surprise, the young master of the Liu family was still there, staying close to everyone.
More accurately, he was following Yu Xianxian.
However, Liu Rui was no longer accompanied by six men in black, but by a bearded middle-aged man Li Chonglou had never met.
He wore gold-rimmed glasses and exuded an academic air.
Seeing Yu Xianxian rush over, Liu Rui’s face flickered with displeasure, but he quickly suppressed it, approaching with a smile.
Yu Xianxian, clearly excited by Li Chonglou’s return, asked, “Uncle Hua, where did you go? Have you been here before?”
Li Chonglou smiled without explaining, instead looking at Liu Rui, who had followed.
Liu Rui took the initiative to greet him, “Hua Dong, right? Xianxian mentioned you have extensive knowledge of antiques?”
Li Chonglou glanced at Yu Xianxian, who said somewhat sheepishly, “Yes, Uncle Hua. I wanted to ask for your appraisal of the birthday gift I picked for my grandfather, but Brother Liu said his friend is also an expert in this field, so…”
This was great. He didn’t need to help and could leave immediately.
Li Chonglou’s heart leaped, and just as he was about to speak, Old Master Fu suddenly walked over.
“What’s the matter? With one more person, there’s less risk, isn’t that better?”
Good heavens, this meant he was expected to stay.
However, out of respect for Old Master Fu, Li Chonglou nodded, “Old Master Fu is right. I’ve only learned a bit, perhaps Liu Shao’s friend is much more professional than I am.”
Liu Rui’s eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly interjected, “Of course. My friend is professionally trained and a member of the Shangjing Antique Association. In terms of professionalism, he is naturally not comparable to someone who learned through unconventional means.”
Li Chonglou’s expression froze.
Unconventional means? Was he referring to him?
Li Chonglou looked at Liu Rui, who was glancing in his direction intentionally or unintentionally. How dare he get arrogant just because he was being modest?
However, Li Chonglou didn’t bother to argue with him.
Suddenly, Liu Rui gave a subtle nod to the bearded man, who stepped in front of Li Chonglou.
“Hello, my name is Hu Tu.”
Li Chonglou’s expression faltered slightly, but he controlled his emotions and introduced himself.
At this moment, A Dong and A Hai also walked over. They thought the matter was settled, but unexpectedly, Hu Tu asked again.
“Brother Hua Dong, may I ask where you graduated from?”
Yu Xianxian’s interest was piqued at this point. When Li Chonglou was absent, Liu Rui’s friend had lectured her extensively about the antique world.
Among these topics was their profession: appraisers.
According to Hu Tu, in this field, without professional training, formal education, or apprenticing under a renowned master, it was virtually impossible to learn and improve through one’s own efforts.
Even the most talented individuals, without guidance from a good master, could only estimate, not truly appraise treasures!
Thus, Yu Xianxian also wanted to gauge Li Chonglou’s level of professionalism through this question.
However, Li Chonglou’s response was only two words.
“Graduated?”
Bearded Hu Tu immediately understood, a smile forming on his face, “So Brother Hua Dong doesn’t even know about the formal training in Shangjing? However, if one apprentices under a renowned master, then entering formal training is indeed unnecessary.”
“As far as I know, there are four renowned masters in Shangjing who are recruiting disciples. I wonder if Brother Hua Dong is following Master Chen or Master Huang, or one of the other two?”
Li Chonglou shook his head, “I’m sorry, I haven’t heard of them.”
Hu Tu’s smile widened, “Oh, so perhaps Brother Hua Dong’s master is a favored disciple of one of those sixteen top masters?”
Li Chonglou understood the implication but continued to shake his head.
Hu Tu grinned, raising his tone, “Brother Hua Dong, you haven’t been studying this yourself, have you?”
Li Chonglou rolled his eyes at his smug expression but nodded, “Yes, I have never followed any master.”
A Dong and A Hai exchanged glances.
They had been present when Hu Tu was lecturing Yu Xianxian, and they had gained some understanding of appraisers. Hearing Li Chonglou’s answer now, even as laymen, they understood one thing.
He was being completely outclassed!
After all, this person in front of them was a member of the Shangjing Antique Association, and according to him, the minimum requirement to join was formal training, or to be a disciple of a renowned master.
At this moment, Old Master Fu also walked over, his eyes clearly showing disappointment.
“Alright, everyone prepare yourselves. The banquet should be starting soon.”
Liu Rui immediately smiled, “Old Master Fu, please don’t worry. I’ve already had people make arrangements, and it will commence on time.”
Old Master Fu smiled slightly at him, “Then I’ll trouble you, Young Master Liu.”
“Old Master Fu, please don’t say that. It is my honor to be able to help Xianxian.”
They hadn’t even mentioned anything about that matter, yet he was being so shameless.
A Dong and A Hai thought this to themselves, while the bearded Hu Tu, after flaunting his credentials through Li Chonglou, moved aside.
As if he couldn’t be bothered to glance at Li Chonglou anymore.
Yu Xianxian, as one of the parties involved, had wanted to say something but was engaged in other topics by Liu Rui. Only occasionally did her eyes, when they fell on Li Chonglou, hold a hint of apology.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Liu Rui and his companion were not friendly towards Li Chonglou, and since she had brought him in, she naturally felt apologetic.
However, Li Chonglou did not care about this.
This way was even better; he wouldn’t have to exert himself and could still complete the task.
“Brother Hua, can you handle it? Don’t lose to that guy.”
A Dong suddenly whispered from beside him.
A Hai added, “Even if you can’t win, at least you should contribute.”
Li Chonglou raised an eyebrow, confused, “Isn’t it better if no one notices us? Are you two still childish? Do you have to retort every time someone provokes you?”
A Dong shook his head, “No, I just found out that one of the rules here is that payment is made after leaving, and each person entering must spend at least two hundred thousand!”
A Hai elaborated, “If Old Master Fu doesn’t take us out later, then it’s two hundred thousand per person, which totals six hundred thousand! Where are we supposed to get that?”
Li Chonglou was stunned.
What kind of bizarre rule was this? This was outright robbery!