Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Xiang Yuanshan furrowed his brow, slammed the table, and roared at Zhao Dong, "How insolent! Who do you think you are to spout such nonsense? Do you think I, Xiang Yuanshan, am a fool you can deceive at will?"

As he finished speaking, the surrounding crowd also began to murmur with displeasure.

"He's a nobody. The Commander was kind enough not to kick him out, and he still dares to spout nonsense?"

"He'd better not claim to be an appraiser. He's only in his twenties; the antiques he's seen probably can't compare to the amount of salt I've eaten. How dare he compare himself to Patriarch Su?"

"Heh, Patriarch Su was just being kind, bringing this kid along for the experience. How could he turn around and question him?"

"I think this kid is just desperate for the spotlight. He wants to impress the Commander, so he's just making things up!"

As the crowd murmured, Su Tian's expression darkened. Frowning, he finally said earnestly, "Young Friend Zhao, although I admire you, when it comes to appraisals, I have rarely been mistaken. This bronze sword not only has incorrect reliefs; other aspects are flawed as well. What you just said was a bit..."

Zhao Dong walked up to Su Tian and took the bronze sword from his hands. After weighing it for a moment, he pursed his lips and tossed it back onto the table. "You're wrong," he stated lightly. "This is indeed from the Warring States period."

"Boy! You're courting death!" The Commander exploded with rage. "If you dare mock me again, you won't be leaving this place today!"

The object was clearly a fake, but Zhao Dong stubbornly insisted it was real. Wasn't that a blatant insult, calling him, the Commander, blind? He was already upset about buying a forgery, and now being ridiculed by Zhao Dong had pushed him over the edge.

"Boy! The Commander has already shown you plenty of face! If you know what's good for you, apologize to him and get lost!"

"Such a brash young punk, pushing his luck. Do you really think you know more than Patriarch Su?"

"Get out! Stop embarrassing yourself here!"

The crowd erupted in angry shouts.

Shaking his head helplessly, Su Tian stepped forward and apologized to the Commander. "Commander, please calm down. Young Friend Zhao is young and hot-headed. If his words have offended you, I apologize on his behalf. Young Friend Zhao is a benefactor to my Su Family. I beg you, for my sake, please spare him this once..."

"Hmph!" The Commander snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve. "Su Tian, how could such an insolent whelp be a benefactor to your family? It seems your old eyes are failing you as well! Take him and leave. I don't want to lay eyes on him again!"

"Yes, yes... It's my fault, all my fault... Thank you, Commander, for your great mercy." On the verge of tears, Su Tian grabbed Zhao Dong to pull him away. He had hoped to use this opportunity to build a connection with Zhao Dong. He never imagined that not only would he fail, but he would also offend a powerful figure like the Commander. Most importantly, Zhao Dong had publicly disrespected him! A wave of deep regret washed over him.

Ultimately, the remarks from the Commander and the others infuriated Zhao Dong.

"Alright, it seems you won't be satisfied until I slap you across the face," Zhao Dong said with a cold snort, looking at the Commander. "What happens if I prove this thing is real?"

Everyone's heart skipped a beat.

"My goodness! This kid won't cry until he sees the coffin! He's actually challenging the Commander?"

"Fine, just fine! What an arrogant, foolish boy. He seems determined to provoke the Commander to his breaking point!"

Amidst the crowd's discussion, the Commander turned his head, his expression grim. A cold sneer played on his lips, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. "Boy, I was going to let you go, but since you're so clueless, don't blame me for what happens next! If you can prove this item is real, it means I, Xiang Yuanshan, am blind. Not only will I give you this sword, but I will also personally apologize to you. How about it?"

"Good!" Zhao Dong nodded in satisfaction and reached for the bronze sword again.

The Commander slammed his hand down on the sword, his gaze fierce. "Not so fast! I'm in a very bad mood right now. I was already furious about buying a fake. If you waste my time and try to trick me, I will cripple you with my own two hands."

"Suit yourself," Zhao Dong replied with a casual smile, then forcefully wrenched the bronze sword free.

He tapped the flat of the blade a few times, then suddenly lifted it high and swung it fiercely at a nearby table!

"No! The boy is going to destroy the treasure!"

"Stop! Stop him!"

The sudden move shocked the crowd, and their faces paled. But before they could react...

CRACK!

A crisp sound echoed through the room. The bronze sword shattered on impact! However, instead of breaking into two pieces, its outer shell cracked open to reveal another object within!

Everyone gasped.

"This... this bronze sword is hollow?"

"Impossible! It was heavy! There's no way it could be hollow!"

"Wait! Look! There's something inside the bronze sword!"

Amidst the exclamations, Zhao Dong pulled apart the broken shell. The next moment, a different bronze sword, this one engraved with a nine-tailed fox relief, was revealed to all!

"Heavens! A sword within a sword?"

"No wonder I thought this bronze sword was a bit long—it turns out there was another one inside!"

Zhao Dong reversed his grip and handed the sword to the flabbergasted Su Tian. "Patriarch Su, take another look. Is *this* sword genuine?"

Su Tian took the sword with trembling hands. Five minutes later, his eyes wide with disbelief, he turned to the expectant Xiang Yuanshan and stammered, "It's real! This sword is real! This is not only a bronze sword from the Warring States period, but a blade wielded by royalty—a priceless treasure!"

His words hit the crowd like a thunderbolt, leaving them utterly stunned.

The Commander's pupils trembled as he stared at Zhao Dong. "You... how did you know there was a secret within this sword?"

Zhao Dong calmly explained, "Years ago, when foreigners invaded our country, they plundered countless rare treasures. To preserve many fine artifacts, some patriotic antiquarians concealed the genuine items within a fake shell. To help future generations identify them, they would usually engrave the fakes with special marks that only the people of the Great Xia could recognize."

With that, he looked at Su Tian. "You said the kirin relief was problematic. It wasn't that the forger didn't understand history. They deliberately used that flaw as a clue to tell future generations that there was a secret hidden inside."

His words sent a jolt through the crowd.

"I think I've heard of this before, but I've never encountered it, so I always thought it was just a legend..."

"This young man is no ordinary person. Without immense appraisal experience, how could he have possibly known about the secret of the bronze sword?"

"We were blind. We mistook a true dragon for a mere worm!"

As the crowd sighed in amazement, Xiang Yuanshan felt a deep sense of embarrassment. To think he had been so rude to Zhao Dong, only for the young man to prove that the bronze sword was an extraordinary treasure. Xiang Yuanshan loved antiques, and he respected those with true appraisal skills. Filled with remorse, he picked up the precious sword and presented it to Zhao Dong with admiration. "That was my shortsightedness just now. This bronze sword is yours!"

Xiang Yuanshan's previous attitude had been arrogant, but his current one was sufficiently humble. The stark contrast made it clear that Xiang Yuanshan was not an unreasonable person.

Zhao Dong simply waved his hand. "Let's forget it. I'm not particularly fond of these things. To me, this is just a very old sword. It's better to leave it with someone who will truly cherish it."

His words exploded like a thunderclap in Xiang Yuanshan's mind. "Young man, are you really turning down this sword?" Xiang Yuanshan was incredulous. Could someone truly resist such a temptation?

Zhao Dong smiled. "It was yours to begin with. I only stepped forward because I couldn't bear to see one of our country's treasures continue to gather dust. It has more meaning in your hands than in mine."

Saying this, Zhao Dong turned to leave. He wasn't lying. The reason he had stepped forward was not to curry favor with Xiang Yuanshan. He simply couldn't stand seeing a treasure thousands of years old remain hidden in a shabby shell. A treasure of its caliber deserved to see the light of day and speak of the past glories of the Great Xia!

Zhao Dong's words filled Xiang Yuanshan with deep respect. He hurriedly stepped forward to block his path. "Young man, please wait! Your magnanimity puts me to shame. I formally apologize for my previous remarks. Please, I hope you can forgive me!"

Seeing the dignified Commander bow his head, Zhao Dong was not one to press his advantage. "Commander, you're being too serious. You could say this conflict was how we got acquainted. I won't take offense."

"Thank you, Young Friend Zhao, for your understanding," the Commander said, overjoyed. He took out his business card and handed it to Zhao Dong, a clear gesture of friendship.

Zhao Dong naturally accepted it and gave Xiang Yuanshan his contact information in return.

Nearby, Su Tian's eyes filled with admiration. Poised, composed, and decisive. What a pity he already has a girlfriend... Sigh...

Xiang Yuanshan had acquired a treasure, Su Tian had forged a connection with him, and Zhang Wen, as the mediator, had also made a good showing. With that, everyone was beaming, and the atmosphere became harmonious.

After some pleasantries, Zhang Wen suggested they all go for tea. Zhao Dong, however, was thinking of Lin Qingyun, so he decided not to join them. Though they were disappointed, they didn't insist. After bidding everyone farewell, Zhao Dong was the last to leave the private room.

He walked down the corridor and was just about to call the elevator when, suddenly, several familiar voices sounded nearby.

Zhao Dong stopped to listen, his brows quickly knitting together. Why are Ding Lan and Zhang Shaowen here?