As he listened to the brief muttering, Wang Guan felt a surge of curiosity. “Right, how did you manage to acquire the item?”

“Through certain channels,” Xiao Duan answered vaguely, then chuckled. “Brother, you understand the unspoken rules—rats have their own paths. I can’t just blab secrets and invite trouble from the higher-ups, or they’ll cut ties.”

“That makes sense…” Wang Guan understood Xiao Duan’s meaning. Fakes couldn't just appear out of thin air; they needed a source. These sources were spread across the country but operated with extreme secrecy, usually dealing only with people from the lower echelons of society to funnel goods into the market. This way, if the items were seized, they could slip away quickly.

However, this was merely the lowest tier. There was an even more advanced level: taking specific orders. Those with connections would approach them directly, specify what they wanted made, and the artisans would produce it, guaranteeing satisfaction. They even offered returns—if an expert pointed out a flaw, they would genuinely refund half the money as compensation for the loss. Honest, in a twisted way.

Of course, the highest echelon consisted of masters who controlled production and sales. The items they created were so lifelike that even seasoned connoisseurs might be fooled. For such works, there was no need to use intermediaries; they sold them directly.

It was obvious that Xiao Duan’s channels belonged to the most basic tier, which explained why he was so certain the item was a fake. Lacking the visual acuity to spot flaws in the scroll, he stubbornly clung to the issue of the seal mark.

Thinking this, Wang Guan felt a wry amusement bubble up, sighing inwardly at the waste of talent—a pearl cast before swine.

It was no wonder Wang Guan felt such profound emotion, because just moments ago, to save time and avoid raising Xiao Duan’s suspicion, he had used his special ability and immediately witnessed a brilliant, dazzling purple-gold light emanating from the long scroll. Every character radiated brilliance, each one a gem, indescribably beautiful.

Such a treasure, yet two half-wits deemed it counterfeit. This was… wonderful!

At the same time, Wang Guan felt immense relief, relieved that he had seen the inscription by Huang Tingjian on the colophon. Within that inscription was a line: You also laugh at me for claiming the throne where there is no Buddha.

It was those few words, You also laugh at me, that alerted Wang Guan. In the colophon for the Cold Food Observance Post, Huang Tingjian had written a similar line: It should make me laugh that I claim the throne where there is no Buddha. The general meaning was that by inscribing the post while Su Dongpo was absent, Huang Tingjian was showing off in a place where a true master wasn't present.

This was Huang Tingjian’s self-deprecation, revealing his modesty; he considered himself inferior to Su Dongpo.

Regardless, this single phrase, whose handwriting was remarkably similar to the Cold Food Observance Post, caused Wang Guan to change his mind. Upon careful inspection, he discovered the long scroll of the Former and Latter Odes on the Red Cliff was far from ordinary.

Wang Guan was certain that even if the long scroll wasn't penned by Su Dongpo himself, it was likely the work of someone from the same era. Otherwise, the treasure light wouldn't be so radiant. However, Wang Guan leaned towards the greater possibility of it being Su Dongpo’s genuine work. This would require meticulous study for a final conclusion, though.

Certainly, the immediate priority was securing possession of the item before any peace of mind could be achieved.

Wang Guan composed himself, nodded with a smile, and said, “The execution is indeed quite good. An expert certainly won't be fooled, but it’s more than enough to deceive an amateur.”

“Exactly,” Xiao Duan nodded repeatedly, his eyes glinting. “So, Brother, you mean…”

“I mean your plan is sound, but it’s a bit risky,” Wang Guan chuckled lightly. “Old Man Xing and the others lack appraisal skills, so they’ll be easy to dupe, but they have Old Man Tian among them—a renowned antique appraisal master from the neighboring province, a heavyweight in the Collectors’ Association.”

“What?” Xiao Duan was deeply shocked, immediately glaring at Liu Liang. “Why didn’t you mention that?”

“Haha, well…” Liu Liang’s eyes darted around, and he quickly stammered, “Brother Wang, Brother Wang definitely has a way around this.”

“You’re right, I do have an idea.”

Just then, Wang Guan seized the opportunity. “You were present yesterday, so you know Old Man Xing is approaching his seventieth birthday, and his grandson, Xing Qiu, plans to buy a gift for the occasion…”

“I know, I know,” Liu Liang nodded hastily. How could he not know? The cinerary urn he sold to Fourth Brother nearly became the birthday gift Xing Qiu intended for Old Man Xing.

Liu Liang wasn't dense; he caught on immediately. “Brother Wang, you plan to approach that kid?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Wang Guan nodded gently, thinking deeply. “This is an opportunity. Compared to Old Man Xing and the others, Xing Qiu is very young and certainly knows nothing about calligraphy and painting. I know him, so whatever I say, he’s unlikely to doubt it.”

“Yes, yes…” Liu Liang agreed wholeheartedly, a look of excitement crossing his face. “We’ll fleece him soundly.”

“Fleece him, yes, that’s a given. But how to fleece him willingly, without revealing any flaws, requires careful consideration,” Wang Guan’s expression remained gentle and refined, his smile warm. “After all, we’re acquaintances. If I fleece him too hard, I’d feel awkward about it, wouldn’t I?”

Xiao Duan and Liu Liang exchanged a look, sensing that Wang Guan was simply attempting to play the whore while demanding a monument to chastity.

“Then how do you plan to operate, Brother?” Xiao Duan asked with genuine deference, now realizing Wang Guan was indeed a veteran with vast experience.

“We’ll discuss the operations later. But there’s one thing you two need to understand,” Wang Guan cautioned. “We cannot sell this item as an authentic piece; it must be presented as a replica.”

“Why?” Liu Liang blurted out, utterly confused.

“Idiot,” Xiao Duan reacted quickly. “An authentic Su Dongpo piece is likely worth hundreds of millions. Who could afford that?”

“Precisely,” Wang Guan chuckled. “Huang Tingjian’s Stalwart Pillar Inscription sold for four hundred million. Imagine the value of Su Dongpo’s Odes on the Red Cliff if it were genuine.”

“Oh, right,” Liu Liang realized. “If we claim this is the real thing, that kid couldn’t afford it even if he bankrupted his entire family.”

“Affordability isn't the main issue. The point is, if you offer something worth hundreds of millions for just a few hundred thousand, anyone would become suspicious, wouldn't they?” Wang Guan smiled, instantly winning the conviction of the other two.

Xiao Duan felt that an expert was truly an expert, considering every angle. If they had tried to pass it off as authentic immediately, unless they found a truly obsessed sucker, any normal person would quickly become wary.

This showed that even swindling required strategy; it needed to be believable, not raise alarms. Xiao Duan understood, and immediately conceded, “Brother, you are the expert at this. Do as you say.”

“Then I’ll go make arrangements,” Wang Guan said with a slight smile. “I’ll talk to him first, then I’ll call you, and you bring the painting over to act as instructed.”

“Great, no problem.” Xiao Duan nodded repeatedly, politely seeing Wang Guan off. Watching his retreating figure, Xiao Duan was filled with admiration. “A master, truly a master. He’s even paved a clear escape route.”

“What do you mean?” Liu Liang looked perplexed.

“Are you dense or pretending?” Xiao Duan scoffed. “Didn't you hear him? We’re selling a replica. A modern replica is still a replica. As long as we don’t specify the exact date, even if someone exposes it as a fake later, they might not be able to pin fraud on us in court. That’s why I say he’s a master—meticulous, leaving no loose ends…”

“Of course.”

Liu Liang’s eyes spun, and he puffed up proudly. “I told you, he’s an expert, a genuine grand master.”

“Mm,” Xiao Duan agreed, though he found it a little strange. “Why haven't I heard you mention him before?”

Xiao Duan actually wanted to ask: with such an expert supporting him, why was Liu Liang still struggling so badly? But he couldn't bring himself to deliver such a direct slap, so he skirted the issue.

“Haha… He’s a master… a big shot operating in the capital, how could he visit often?”

It must be said that Liu Liang was accustomed to spinning lies; the words flowed out effortlessly. “My uncle has a very good relationship with him. He occasionally drops by to visit my uncle and just gives me a few pointers casually…”

“I see,” Xiao Duan was appeased and didn't suspect anything further.

Meanwhile, Wang Guan was already on the phone: “Xing Qiu? It’s me. I need your help to put on a show…”

Shortly after, in a coffee shop, Xing Qiu exclaimed in surprise, “You mean someone asked for your help to scam my grandfather, and you want my help to turn the tables and trap them? Is that it?”

“Exactly,” Wang Guan smiled. “If you’re going to try and deceive people, you have to be prepared to be deceived yourself.”

“Fine, tell me what to do,” Xing Qiu was thoroughly intrigued by the thrill of it.

“You don’t need to do much, just improvise on the spot, just make sure you don’t slip up…” Wang Guan gave a few instructions, then immediately called Xiao Duan to bring the painting over.

Ten minutes later, Xiao Duan arrived as scheduled. He appeared calm on the surface, but his eyes kept shifting nervously. Xing Qiu, too, seemed a bit on edge. When they greeted each other stiffly, they were too focused on themselves to notice anything unusual about the other.

Besides, it was their first meeting; reservedness was the natural reaction. If strangers were overly familiar, that would be cause for suspicion.

Of course, with Wang Guan present, Xiao Duan wouldn't get a chance to spot any flaws. After he sat down, Wang Guan immediately asked, “You brought the item?”

“I did,” Xiao Duan indicated, gently opening the long, square box where the scroll lay quietly nested.

Wang Guan picked it up, slid it over in front of Xing Qiu, and smiled gently. “Take a look.”

“No need. If you say the item is good, there shouldn’t be any problem,” Xing Qiu recited his lines mechanically. “How much? Name your price. If the price is right, I’ll take it.”

Truly obedient, Xiao Duan thought with admiration. He suddenly realized they hadn't even discussed the price yet, so he naturally looked toward Wang Guan, noticing him hold up a single finger on the table as a gesture.

In an instant, Xiao Duan understood and immediately declared, “One million!”

“Hmm?”

Xing Qiu frowned instantly, his expression shifting to one of difficulty…