Chapter 584 - 383: A Single Masterpiece Surpasses Thousands

Duan Rong stood in the shadows of the covered walkway, and for some reason, the phrase "sexual bribery" flashed through his mind.

In the remote room at the other end of the walkway, that was clearly the County Magistrate from one of the counties under Ruyang Prefecture.

Shen Yanliu hosting him so lavishly in the secluded inner courtyard of Shen Garden, if there were no unsavory dealings between these two, Duan Rong would definitely not believe it.

Shen Yanliu was the Inspector General of Ruyang Prefecture, overseeing the law and order of the entire region. As long as one was sufficiently ruthless, law enforcement had always been the most lucrative business.

Duan Rong looked at the vast Shen Garden under the dark night, and couldn’t help but marvel. Shen Yanliu had only been the Inspector General for three years and had already managed to acquire such a large estate on the outskirts of the city.

Within this garden, who knows how many officials he had pulled into the water...

As Duan Rong thought about this, Guan Kui walked a few steps ahead with a lantern, turned back, and said, "My Lord, this way."

Duan Rong snapped back to reality, followed Guan Kui, and continued along the walkway, walking half a zhang further, and then Guan Kui stopped in front of a room with a warm yellow glow emanating from it.

Guan Kui knocked lightly on the door three times and then called softly, "Lord Duan is here!"

Soon after, there was a sound of rustling footsteps from within the room, and then the door suddenly opened, with Tang Wanhong, dressed in luxurious clothing, standing there.

Not having seen him for three years, Tang Wanhong seemed a bit plumper, his face glowing with health. As soon as he saw Duan Rong, he immediately laughed heartily and bowed deeply, saying, "Tang greets the Imperial Envoy!"

Seeing Tang Wanhong bow, Duan Rong reached out to take his hand and said, "Mr. Tang, you’re being too formal. It’s been three years, have you forgotten we’re friends?"

Tang Wanhong appeared slightly nervous and said, "My Lord, it’s not that I’m being too formal; it’s just that etiquette cannot be disregarded..."

Duan Rong laughed and said, "Etiquette cannot be disregarded, yet you have me standing at the door drinking the wind?"

"How dare I? Please, come in, my Lord!" Tang Wanhong stepped aside, allowing Duan Rong to enter.

Guan Kui then closed the door, holding the lantern, and walked towards the other end along the dark walkway.

He was also responsible for arranging the reception for those two County Magistrates, with their increasingly strange and tricky demands that he had to think of ways to meet. In truth, he could hardly step away, and if it weren’t for Duan Rong being an old acquaintance, Tang Wanhong wouldn’t have arranged for him to come over at all.

But at least it wasn’t far, just a short trip, and hopefully those guys wouldn’t be too quick.

Duan Rong walked in and saw shelves filled with porcelain, lacquerware, and bronze artifacts, while the walls were covered with calligraphy and paintings, and a large jar of paintings in one corner of the room was filled with scrolls and calligraphy.

Duan Rong sat down in a Grandmaster’s Chair in front of a small table, cast a glance around, and looking at Tang Wanhong, said with a smile: "Mr. Tang, you’ve brought the Ancient Moon Studio right into Shen Garden!"

Tang Wanhong smiled slightly and said, "To be honest with Lord Duan, I’m working for Lord Shen now. The Ancient Moon Studio closed long ago."

Duan Rong smiled at Tang Wanhong, showing no surprise.

He had been aware of this for some time, though he hadn’t mentioned it, and Tang Wanhong brought it up directly. However, it was nothing to hide; since Shen Garden was Shen Yanliu’s domain, naturally, being within Shen Garden meant he belonged to Shen Yanliu.

Tang Wanhong held a purple clay teapot, pouring a small cup of tea for both Duan Rong and himself.

"Taste this top-grade Pu’er, my Lord."

Duan Rong raised the cup and drank it, feeling a pleasant fragrance linger in his mouth, and lightly praised, "Not bad."

Tang Wanhong also took a sip, refilling Duan Rong’s teacup with the purple clay teapot, and smiled: "My Lord, three years ago, we got to know each other in Xianggu County over paintings, and it was truly enjoyable. The antiques in this room have been collected over the years, and among them, there are some fine pieces. You’ve come at the right time; just a few days ago, I came across a truly exceptional piece!"

"An exceptional piece?!"

"Indeed. This painting is a matchless masterpiece, unrivaled in all works," Tang Wanhong teased. "My Lord, would you be interested in taking a look?"

Duan Rong laughed: "You’ve piqued my interest. If you don’t show it to me today, I’ll turn the table over!"

Tang Wanhong laughed heartily and then retrieved a long wooden box from deep within a wooden shelf.

He placed the box on the small table, gently slid it open, and took out a yellowed, old scroll painting.

He carefully unfurled the painting on the rosewood table, smiling at Duan Rong and said, "My Lord, please take a look! This is Ni Yunlin’s ’Autumn Clearing’!"

Duan Rong stood up, gazing at it intently.

Tang Wanhong stroked his goatee and softly said, "This picture has a foreground of rolling hills with five or six miscellaneous trees standing tall like scholars, noble and untainted. The lake in the middle ground is tranquil and clear. In the distance, layers of low hills rise and fall with delicate brushwork. There is no trace of human presence, no sound of birds. It embodies tranquility and the Way, serene as silent meditation, with a mental realm both sparse and distant."

Duan Rong looked at the aged ink, and although he did not understand art, he sensed an ethereal and lofty aura emanating from it.

But at this moment, Duan Rong’s hand gently placed on the edge of the scroll, inwardly thinking, "Read the Artifact Spirit!"

Immediately, a set of data appeared before his eyes.

Artifact: Fisherman’s Village in Autumn

Artifact Spirit Tier: Tier Twelve

Devouring Requirements: Host’s Spiritual Power Level 12 (Fulfilled)

Devouring Effect: Danqing Brush Level Eleven, Powerful Penetration Level Eleven, Connecting Celestial Being Level Two.

Duan Rong looked at the data and couldn’t help but click his tongue.

The Artifact Spirit Tier of a painting reached Tier Twelve; this was the realm of Martial Arts at the Qi Vortex Realm!