Chapter 173: [173] Master, did you just hear a dog barking?_1

By this time, it was nearing noon, yet the antique street was bustling with exceptional activity.

The stalls and pedestrians completely congested the entire street.

Tang Feng was very familiar with the area, knowing the names and owners of most shops.

The two reached a vacant space at the corner of the street.

A crowd had already formed there, with three layers inside and three outside, many of whom were appraisers from various antique shops.

Clearly, like them, everyone was there to hunt for bargains.

Tang Feng and Zhang Jicheng squeezed through the crowd and saw a stall in the middle.

There were two people sitting at the stall, an old man and a young one.

The elder was probably in his sixties with a severe hunchback, coughing violently from time to time.

The younger seemed to be in his twenties, with a fierce expression that screamed trouble.

In front of them, the stall was covered with various items: calligraphy, jade, porcelain, and many other miscellaneous artifacts.

There were already several people squatting in front of the stall examining the goods.

Pei Tianyuan, the owner of Shengdingxuan Antique Shop across the street, was there with his appraisers squatting as well.

Upon seeing the two arrive, Pei Tianyuan nodded but said nothing.

Tang Feng and his companion were just about to step forward for a closer look.

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out from behind, “Isn’t that Mr. Zhang from Ya Garden? Have you come to look at the goods as well?”

Tang Feng turned around and saw an old man with a goatee, smiling amiably at Zhang Jicheng.

He was likely in his sixties too, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, as if capable of seeing through one’s heart.

Following him were two men in their forties, who seemed to be his disciples.

Upon seeing the old man, Zhang Jicheng clasped his hands in greeting, “It’s Mr. Qi, Qi Maocai from Mo Xiang House. Long time no see.”

The elder known as Qi Maocai slowly approached, “Indeed, indeed, Mr. Zhang is always so busy. We seldom see you out and about. I thought you had already retired.”

Zhang Jicheng threw his head back and laughed boldly, “I’m afraid I’ve disappointed you, Mr. Qi. I’m still pridefully serving as the chief appraiser at Ya Garden.”

Even someone as oblivious as Tang Feng could detect the competitive undertone in their conversation.

It seemed these two were arch-rivals.

Qi Maocai’s smile barely concealed his sneer as he looked at Zhang Jicheng, “The prowess of Mr. Zhang’s appraisals is recognized by all. It’s just a pity…”

“A pity what?” Zhang Jicheng asked without betraying any emotion.

“It’s a pity that Mr. Zhang, with all your great talents, has yet to find a worthy successor. It’s distressing to see such skills potentially going extinct. It truly worries me on your behalf,” said Qi Maocai, feigning a look of sorrow and concern.

“How kind of you to worry for me, Mr. Qi. You may have many disciples, but isn’t your own expertise at risk of being lost as well?”

Zhang Jicheng’s words were somewhat harsh.

He was implying that the disciples of the man standing before him were worthless, in front of them.

As expected, the two middle-aged men glared angrily at him.

Zhang Jicheng appeared unfazed, pretending not to notice.

Qi Maocai stroked his goatee, “There is no need for you to worry about me, Mr. Zhang. My disciples are talented and have already received my true teachings. But if you truly cannot find a successor, you could always pass your skills to my disciples. That’s better than letting your art die out, isn’t it?”

“There’s no need for your concern, Mr. Qi. I have also found a talented apprentice, who may not be much inferior to your disciples,” said Zhang Jicheng, pulling Tang Feng to the front, “Besides, in terms of appearance alone, he’s certainly much better than your disciples, right?”

Qi Maocai gave Tang Feng a scrutinizing look, then scoffed, “What’s the use of good looks? Our profession relies on skill, not faces. If you want to live off appearances, why don’t you go work at a host club?”

Tang Feng really wanted to slap the old man.

Wasn’t he being called a gigolo?

Though he certainly had the looks, who would be pleased to be labeled as such?

“Master, did you just hear a dog barking?”

“Uh…”

This question caught Zhang Jicheng off guard.

He and Qi Maocai might not get along, and a snarky comment here and there was no big deal.

But for his precious apprentice to outright call someone else a dog was a bit too much.

Unsurprisingly, Qi Maocai became instantly enraged, pointing at Tang Feng’s nose, “You little brat, how dare a young upstart like you disrespect me? Didn’t your master teach you the rules of the antique circle? Indeed, like master like disciple.”

Tang Feng immediately sneered, “Spare me the elder act. I don’t make exceptions for anyone except my master. If you want my respect, you’d better show some skills worth respecting. Show me you’re stronger, and we can talk. Otherwise, save your breath.”

“Wow…”

His bold statement immediately caused an uproar.

Although the rigid hierarchy of the antique world had loosened over the years, the basic principle of respecting one’s seniors was still valued.

Tang Feng’s public defiance of an elder was indeed bold.

Qi Maocai, not expecting a retort, trembled with anger.

His two disciples, seeing their master insulted, couldn’t hold back and began to curse Tang Feng loudly.

“Where did this wild kid come from? He knows no rules and dares disrespect my master? Are you looking for trouble?”

“Apologize to my master immediately, or it won’t end well for you today.”

Confronted by their combined wrath, Tang Feng remained defiant, “Come on then, both of you at once. I’d like to see what kind of trash disciples a trash master can teach.”

As the confrontation escalated, it looked like it could turn physical at any moment.

Then, Zhang Jicheng suddenly spoke sternly, “Feng, others may lack manners, but we must remain polite, lest we become the laughingstock of others. As people of the antique world, we must settle our disputes according to its rules.”

“Well said,”

Qi Maocai agreed loudly, “Since both our apprentices are present, there’s no need for us old-timers to step in. Let the younger generation compete to see whether your disciple or mine is superior.”

Zhang Jicheng immediately laughed, “Have you no shame? How old are your disciples, and you’re calling them the younger generation?”