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Chapter 438: 【438】Afraid? I’m afraid you will lose too ugly_1
 

Tang Feng and Sun Changfeng ceased their writing almost simultaneously, handing in their answers.

The surrounding crowd exchanged puzzled glances.

That Tang Feng could come up with the answer so quickly was within their expectations—it was, after all, his consistent approach.

But the fact that Sun Changfeng could also provide an answer so quickly was beyond everyone’s expectation.

No wonder they were the two appraisers selected to compete in the final round, both clearly skilled in their craft.

Now, since both had taken nearly the same time, it all came down to whose answer was correct.

Zhong Pan’er took the answers from both men, looked them over, and her expression immediately became odd.

This only made the onlookers all the more anxious.

“Miss Zhong, stop keeping us in suspense and announce the answer,” someone urged.

“Yes, we’re dying of curiosity here. Who won?”

“Is there even a need to ask? It must be Mr. Tang who won. He has already won sixteen matches in a row, so this shouldn’t be an exception.”

“I’m not so sure; Mr. Sun wouldn’t be the final contestant if he were a nobody.”

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“Shh, let’s all stop speculating and listen to what Miss Zhong has to say…”

Under the persistent urging of the crowd, Zhong Pan’er reluctantly revealed the answers.

“Sun Changfeng’s appraisal result: this set of Southern Song Dynasty Xu Wei’s Ritual Documents, authenticated as genuine.”

“Wow…”

Her words caused quite a stir among those present.

Just moments ago, everyone had unanimously believed this set of so-called Southern Song documents to be forgeries.

The appraisal result given by Sun Changfeng, however, surprised everyone.

Before the crowd could voice their shock, Zhong Pan’er continued to announce, “Tang Feng’s appraisal result: this set of Southern Song Dynasty Xu Wei’s Ritual Documents, authenticated as… genuine!”

There was a moment of quiet, which was abruptly shattered with an outburst louder than any prior.

“What? Both experts have authenticated it as real? I can’t seem to understand this.”

“Exactly, all of us thought it was a fake, but both experts believe it’s genuine. What’s the reason for that?”

“If both Mr. Tang and Mr. Sun think it’s real, then it probably can’t be fake.”

“So, who wins this match? They both took the same time, and their answers match too. Is it a draw?”

“After all that fuss, a draw? That’s so boring…”

Upon hearing Tang Feng’s answer, Sun Changfeng’s face clearly flashed with surprise.

Tang Feng hadn’t seemed to observe in detail earlier, yet he had arrived at the same conclusion as himself, which was quite impressive.

Zhong Pan’er also looked at Tang Feng in astonishment.

She had been silently observing the documents herself, but had been unable to judge their authenticity at a glance.

But Tang Feng and Sun Changfeng had quickly come up with the same answer.

This alone proved that both men were more knowledgeable in the field of calligraphy and paintings than she was.

It was one thing for Sun Changfeng, an esteemed senior in the antiques world, praised endlessly by her own master.

She could excuse her own deficiency due to her youth and relative inexperience.

But Tang Feng was around her age.

And that made her feel deep frustration.

Fortunately, she wasn’t experiencing Tang’s blow for the first time and had gradually come to terms with it.

It was as if losing to him was normal and winning would be the real anomaly.

Quickly adjusting her mentality, she looked at the two men with a smile, “This round, both of you matched in timing and answers. Shall we call it a draw?”

“I have no objections,” Tang Feng said nonchalantly, for him, not losing was all that mattered.

But Sun Changfeng wouldn’t have it, “If it’s a competition, there needs to be a victor. Since when do we settle for a draw?”

Zhong Pan’er had no choice but to heed his opinion, “So, what do you suggest?”

Sun Changfeng glanced back at Tang Feng, “Sometimes, an answer could be a lucky guess. To test one’s true ability, we need to see the reasoning behind their appraisal. Let’s do this: we’ll take turns to state one reason for our appraisal, and it must be convincing. The moment one can no longer provide a reason, they lose. What do you say?”

“Are you sure that’s how you want to play?” Tang Feng said with a crooked smirk.

“What, you scared?” Sun Changfeng asked tauntingly.

“Scared? I’m afraid you’ll lose too embarrassingly,” Tang Feng maintained his air of arrogance.

With the system to aid him, who could understand the antique better than him?

Sun Changfeng laughed angrily, “Very well, let’s see what you’ve got, young man. We’ll do as you said. To give you a bit of an advantage, you start.”

However, Tang Feng waved his hand dismissively, “You go first. I reckon you won’t have many reasons to share, so I’ll let you have this advantage.”

Far from being grateful, Sun Changfeng sneered, “Fine, but remember you suggested this. Today, I will teach you a lesson on the consequences of arrogance.”

Pointing at the documents, he said, “In the creation of forgeries, there must always be a basis. Southern Song paper documents are exceedingly rare, both elaborate in form and unprecedented in content, impossible for forgers to fabricate out of thin air…”

Listening to his reasoning, the onlookers couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

Most forgers base their efforts on existing originals, which they replicate to create their fakes.

Creating a previously non-existent antique from scratch without any flaws would be exceedingly difficult indeed.

Nobody would attempt such an ungrateful task.

Clearly, Sun Changfeng’s reasoning was persuasive.

“Young man, it’s your turn,” Sun Changfeng said while stroking his beard, assuming the demeanor of a superior elder.

Tang Feng calmly pointed to the documents, “Xu Wei’s name is obscure, and the contents of the ritual documents are rare and abstruse. There’s little motivation for forgers.”

The crowd, upon hearing his reasoning, nodded in agreement once more.

Typically, forgers choose to replicate pieces that are widely recognized in the market and are easier to fake.

Creating forgeries of documentary antiques, which are obscure and not highly regarded in the market, would be foolish.

With the same effort, one could replicate works of well-known artists like Su, Huang, Mi, and Cai, which are less challenging to mimic and enjoy higher market value, yielding a much higher return on investment than documents.

Sun Changfeng narrowed his eyes slightly, taken aback.

“Not bad, not bad at all. The youngster is promising. I suddenly feel an urge to nurture talent. Young man, if you concede now, I’m willing to take you as my pupil and pass on all I know.”