Top Grade Immortal Emperor in the Flower City

That line again!

That line again!

Can't you fucking say something else?

Wang Tao was about to go mad from hearing that sentence; he wanted to either curse out loud or surge forward like a shrew to brawl with Ye Ling.

But he couldn't, for today was the grand birthday celebration of Elder Lin, and all the guests were either veterans in the industry or people of significant influence in this region.

He had to maintain his image, his image!

"Ye Ling, tell me what you mean, bringing a fake to Elder Lin's grand birthday celebration. Doing such a thing is even worse than not coming at all. Truly, I have no idea what's on your mind," Wang Tao said viciously, putting on an act as if he were determined to protect Elder Lin to the death.

Ye Ling was taken aback for a moment, then sneered: "You idiot, which dog eye of yours saw that this painting is a fake?"

"Both my dog eyes saw it!" Wang Tao responded quickly.

But suddenly, laughter exploded from the crowd in front, and he was startled. Then his face went pale with a flush of anger, and he ground his teeth—incredible, this bastard was utterly insufferable!

"Regardless, Ye Ling, you dare to bring a fake to trick Elder Lin at his birthday feast. I, Wang Tao, will be the first to disagree!" Wang Tao said through gritted teeth.

Seeing Wang Tao like this, anyone else might really think he was a protagonist with a strong and upright appearance. It's just too bad, to borrow a phrase from Old Chen, "Who would have thought, Wang Tao, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, you too have betrayed the revolution."

"You don't agree with your damn self, you don't agree?"

"Who do you think you are?"

"Sticking a leek in your nose, really fucking think you're an elephant?"

"Today is Elder Lin's grand birthday, and the old man hasn't spoken yet. You're blabbering over here. What are you showing off, that you have a stinking mouth? Can you spew shit?"

Ye Ling cursed Wang Tao with each sentence, pointing at him in anger as he spoke. What a piece of trash, he thought, originally not wanting to bother with this vermin, but the man's sheer shamelessness forced him right into Ye Ling's face, seeking a lashing.

After cursing Wang Tao, Ye Ling didn't even give him another glance and instead bowed deeply to Elder Lin: "I'm sorry, Elder, for being so rude at your birthday feast. Please forgive me."

Elder Lin waved his hand, rolled up the scroll, and said indifferently to Wang Tao, "Tell me, what exactly is fake about this painting?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Tao was overjoyed, thinking Elder Lin was testing him and had at the same time ignored Ye Ling's apology—you see, Elder Lin didn't even bother with it.

Wang Tao gave Ye Ling a scornful look; see that? You're no good; Elder Lin has already started to dislike you.

"Ahem, Elder Lin, according to my expertise, this scroll is a highly skilled forgery."

"This scroll is indeed made of paper from the Ming Dynasty. The color and the quality of the paper are beyond doubt."

"However, the fakeness of this painting lies in the paper itself. The forger could never have imagined that in meticulously copying the original, he would reveal the true nature of his own work."

"The workmanship of the painting is fine, but it is a top-quality imitation from the period of the 1990s."

"The painting itself, in its overall form, characters, and details, differs substantially from the genuine works of Tang Bohu!"

"Therefore, this painting is truly a case of genuine paper but fake artwork, intended to deceive those who are not well-versed in the art."

With each statement peeling away the layers of truth and falsehood in the painting, many in the audience nodded in agreement, and feeling their gazes, Wang Tao couldn't help but puff out his chest.

After listening, Elder Lin secretly shook his head, but the excited Wang Tao didn't notice. Meanwhile, the middle-aged man standing next to Elder Ye, Lin Yuqing's father, also harbored a hint of doubt.

He wasn't puzzled about the authenticity of the painting but about why this once world-wise student was acting like he had gone rabid today, attacking the friend of his own daughter with such ferocity.

Elder Lin turned his head and gave Ye Ling a slight smile, "You tell me, where lies the essence of this painting?"

Ye Ling gave a calm smile, showing not the slightest hint of fear, which left the crowd below somewhat puzzled. This guy's composure was truly remarkable; he remained so unruffled even at this critical moment.

"Mr. Ye, as he said earlier, the paper of this painting is genuine, but the painting is a fake." Ye Ling maintained his serene composure.

Below, Lin Yuqing's palms were soaked with sweat, incredibly nervous, her eyes fixed intently on Ye Ling before her.

At that, Wang Tao became even more agitated, "Haha, how about that, Ye Ling, you've finally admitted it, haven't you? I'd like to see how you wrap this up, bringing such a fraudulent item to deceive Mr. Ye at his birthday feast, you really deserve to die!"

"I think you'd better kneel down and confess!"

Ye Ling let out a cold laugh, "I think, it is you who should be kneeling on the ground and confessing, isn't it?"

"Mr. Lin, the essence of this painting lies in the painting within the painting!" Ye Ling's eyes shone brilliantly as he pointed to the scroll.

A painting within the painting?

The crowd below burst into an uproar; such a feature was a big deal, often found in major works. It was a deliberate measure taken to protect the piece from the covetous intentions of others, revealing their thieving nature.

"A painting within the painting?"

"Ye Ling, have you lost your mind? This may be a painting within a painting, but it's still a counterfeit!"

Ye Ling turned to look at Wang Tao with utter disdain, "You imbecile, talking to you really lowers my IQ."

With that, Ye Ling walked up to the scroll, unfolded it, and with a gentle flick of his fingernail, a gap appeared where the paper had seemed whole.

Ye Ling's expression remained unchanged as his fair fingers gently pulled, and with a faint tearing sound, the paper was peeled away by Ye Ling as if shedding a layer of skin.

Wang Tao's eyes were filled with unshakable confidence, but when the top layer of paper was completely removed, they were filled with an incredible shock.

On the paper underneath, there was another painting, a portrait of a beauty!

Identical to the one Ye Ling had torn off!

Wang Tao's heart plummeted, sinking to the depths, a chill rising within him.

"Mr. Lin, this painting reveals the true face of Mount Lu," Ye Ling pointed out.

On the scroll, the beauty amidst the flowers gazed into the distance; her form and expression both vividly lifelike.

It seemed as if even the flowers on the paper were being stirred by a gentle breeze, with the traces of wind seemingly findable upon the painting.

At the bottom of the scroll, Tang Yin's seal was engraved, appearing to have withstood the test of time yet still stood out proudly.

Mr. Lin laughed, carefully examining the painting beside him for a good three minutes. During these three minutes, Wang Tao didn't even dare to breathe heavily, waiting for Mr. Lin's verdict.

Finally, Mr. Lin lifted his head, looking at Ye Ling with a slight smile.

"You young man, not bad, your discerning eye even impresses me."

Wow!

Everyone was stunned, what a dramatic reversal, a huge turn of events!

Wang Tao was dumbfounded, his head buzzing; it was over, his illustrious image built up in front of Mr. Lin and his own teacher was gone!

Secretary Mo beside them also patted Ye Ling on the shoulder, "Young man, not bad, not rushed or impatient, you're someone who can achieve great things."

Ye Ling puffed out his chest - of course, he was the Immortal Emperor after all.

And beside him, Wang Tao felt as though his cheeks were resounding with the loud smacks of slaps.