The general that was Facing a Fake War!

　　When the crowd heard this, a wave of discussion arose.

　　“This dude’s criticism is really blunt. Now that I’ve seen at Master Tao’s painting, it really does have an obvious flaw!”

　　“Yeah! If he had not said it, none of us would have seen it! Master Tao’s general in this painting is drawn very well, but without the real enemies, the whole painting lacks substance, leaving it without grace or charm!”

　　“I know, right? It’s just like how Xi Yang-Yang must be paired with Hui Tailang; Ultraman against the beasts! Without one, the other is nothing! Without the enemy in it, the painting looks a little lackluster!”

　　…

　　Almost everyone agreed with Chen Xiaobei’s criticisms.

　　But Lu Changwei refused to admit defeat, and hardened his heart. “So what if you’re right? Everyone knows master Tao’s skills! You keep talking about how Master Tao is an amateur! You’re basically slandering him with every chance you get!”

　　A deafening silence fell in the room. It was apparent now that Lu Changwei refused to let Chen Xiaobei off the hook!

　　“First of all, I was criticizing this painting! Not Master Tao himself! This painting is drawn with a layman’s level. It doesn’t mean that every painting of Master Tao’s is!” Chen Xiaobei retorted. “I believe that all these years, Master Tao’s successes are due to his many excellent works along the way! It might be difficult to say that this painting is elegant but this alone does not represent all of Master Tao’s lifetime’s work! You are just putting words in my mouth! Are you in any way attempting to tarnish my name or Master Tao’s?”

　　“I…” that very moment, Lu Changwei’s tongue failed him.

　　“Wow! This kid has a sharp tongue!” laughed Qin Luoshu, sounding delighted. “He basically killed two birds with one stone!”

　　“What two birds-one stone? What are you talking about? Didn’t he just refute Lu Changwei? What else did he do?” Wei Ruilong asked.

　　“That’s one! But he also said that this painting is not worthy to be displayed up here!” Qin Luoshu laughed, “Think about it! Everyone knows that this painting is not worthy! How can Lu Changwei have the nerve to give this to the grand elder?”

　　“Oh! No wonder!” It finally dawned on Wei Ruilong. “This kid really is quite incredible! Not only did he shut Lu Changwei up, he even crushed him! Now that this painting can’t be given away, the title ‘rich fool’ will surely stick to him like glue! Haha…”

　　“6,000 medium-grade Spiritual Stones down the drain. What an idiot! Haha…” laughed Qin Luoshu.

　　The two of them had been victims of Lu Changwei’s bullying, but seeing the tables turn put them in a good mood.

　　On the other side, Miao Yiyue looked at Chen Xiaobei thoughtfully. “This guy really is quite something! I won’t be able to see him anymore, unfortunately!”

　　Meanwhile, on the stage.

　　Chen Xiaobei cracked Lu Changwei a smile and asked, “Do you have anything to say? If not, then bye bye!”

　　“Stand there!” Lu Changwei now turned an ugly shade of purple. “Master Tao… Say something! This idiot is slandering your good name! Are you not going to defend yourself?”

　　Tao Qianli shook his head, and looked up quickly as if he had just been pried from his deepest thoughts. “No, I don’t. This young man is right… In fact, I need to thank him for his correcting me!”

　　“What?!”

　　Lu Changwei’s expression was that of shock and horror.

　　Tao Qianli was supposed to be exasperated, asking to challenge Chen Xiaobei. Instead, he was thankful to Chen Xiaobei?!

　　Lu Changwei felt as if he was on the verge breaking down.

　　Tao Qianli himself did not mind the critic, what about him? Even if he had a thick face, he could not afford to lose so much skin!

　　“Alright. Since everything is settled, let’s not bother ourselves with it anymore! The auction must go on! Everybody, settle down!” spoke Dong Xiaowu putting an end to the squabble!”

　　“Please, let’s not fight anymore! Young Master Dong rarely makes a trip here so let us not rain on his parade!”

　　Lu Changwei knew that there was no way he could put Chen Xiaobei in his place today. It would be better to get off the boat before it sank.

　　“Then I…”

　　Chen Xiaobei was done showing off and was about to leave when someone called out, “Bro Bei! Don’t go!”

　　Xiao’er crawled out of Chen Xiaobei’s collar.

　　Because he was speaking in an insect’s language, the audience could only hear unintelligible chirps.

　　“Huh?”

　　It was then inconvenient for Chen Xiaobei to say anything.

　　Xiao’er quickly exaplined, “I smell some amazing delicacies! It smells really amazing! That would be at the very least a Nine-Star Spiritual Item! It could be even a Half-Step Divine Item!”

　　“Where?”

　　Chen Xiaobei’s swept his gaze across the crowd, but he did not see anyone with anything that valuable.

　　“It’s behind the stage! It’s drawing closer and closer! It has to be the next item on auction!”

　　“Alright! Then I won’t leave. I’ll stay and find out what it is!”

　　Chen Xiaobei had already decided, and walked to his seat.

　　“Idiot! Why aren’t you leaving?” Lu Changwei barked.

　　“These legs are mine. I’ll leave whenever I like, and I’ll stay if I want to. What does that have anything to do with you?” Chen Xiaobei replied; his tone filled with spite and ridicule.

　　“Hmph! You’re only an outsider. What can you even buy? Even if you decide to stay, you’ll just be helping us warm the seats! Utterly useless!”

　　Lu Changwei glared at Chen Xiaobei from the corner of his eyes, as he sat down on his chair.

　　Chen Xiaobei continued to walk towards his seat when Qin Luoshu and Wei Ruilong called out to Chen Xiaobei, eyes pleading. “Mister! If you don’t mind, sit among us please!”

　　Miao Yiyue looked torn. He wanted to invite Chen Xiaobei to sit next to him but now, he felt that it might be awkward since he did not even greet him earlier.

　　“Don’t fight against me, the two of you!”. Dong Xiaowu stood up and said earnestly, “Sir, please grant me the pleasure of seating yo next to me! I enjoy the arts and have lots of questions I’d like to ask you!”

　　“Alright! Since Young Master Dong has expressed such kind hospitality, I shall oblige!”

　　Chen Xiaobei smiled.

　　The last thing he wanted was to go to the back and sit next to that disgusting gold-digger of woman.

　　“I will have to decline your kind invite. But thank you!”

　　Chen Xiaobei remembered to acknowledge Qin Luoshu and Wei Ruilong and he also expressed affability.

　　“Please sit, sir! Please!”

　　Dong Xiaowu stood up and gave the center seat to Chen Xiaobei!

　　What’s more, Chen Xiaobei did not attempt to refuse it. He sat down without the least bit of hesitation and said, “If you want me to teach you, then I do indeed deserve this seat!”