The "heavenly book" that Su Jialiang mentioned is an industry term, referring to a book on authentication, which naturally refers to our Duan family's Judge's Record.

When he asked about it, I remained outwardly calm, but inwardly I became wary.

Before he passed away, my grandfather repeatedly told me that I must never mention the Duan family's Judge's Record to outsiders. Among the people around me, only Monkey knew about it.

When Su Jialiang mentioned the "Judge's Record," he used the term "heavenly book" instead of its name, indicating that Duan Jinyan definitely did not tell him about the book.

Did he not contact Duan Jinyan at all, and only call me out for this book?

Su Gouzi was a master of bronze ware forgery in China, and the Judge's Record also contained many methods for identifying forgeries. Once this book fell into his hands, its usefulness was self-evident.

Seeing that I remained silent, Su Jialiang laughed and said, "What, you don't think I'm bluffing you, do you?"

After thinking for a moment, I decided to keep this trump card: "Of course not, Mr. Liang, you are a top figure in the antique business. If you didn't trust my identity, you would never have brought me out alone. The Duan family does have that book you mentioned, but it's not in my possession."

Su Jialiang was a man who had seen his share of troubles. When he heard me say that, he didn't reply, but just gave a contemptuous smile: "Hehe."

“I’m not lying to you. Because of my father’s situation, my grandfather forbade the descendants of the Duan family from getting involved in the antique business. If I hadn’t been looking for Duan Jinyan, I wouldn’t be here.”

I paused for a moment: "My grandfather said that starting from me, the Duan family for three generations must not enter this industry. He gave me that book, but he didn't allow me to look at it. He only told me to pass it down from generation to generation, so I left the book in Shenyang."

“I’m a professional counterfeiter, but counterfeiting isn’t just about working on the object itself, because even the most authentic thing is still a fake. So, I also need to deal with buyers and convince them of the story I tell. You have to understand, my success is also inseparable from my ability to read people.”

Su Jialiang sat in the chair opposite me: "Actually, I didn't need to ask you this question. I could have verified the truth of your words by interrogating other people about their words and actions. But do you know why I didn't do that?"

I was put on the defensive and remained silent.

Su Jialiang took out a cigar from his pocket, and the person next to him also handed him a cigar cutter.

As he exhaled a puff of smoke, Su Jialiang slowly spoke: "I bet that since you are Duan Jinyan's son, you will be just like him, a smart person."

I was still too naive, and I felt flustered under Su Jialiang's sharp gaze: "If you want me to tell the truth, you can, but you have to agree to three conditions."

Su Jialiang pulled out an expensive Dannemann cigar and tossed it to me: "Tell me about it."

I looked at the cigar brand and twirled it between my fingers like a pen: "First, call Duan Jinyan. I need to speak with him."

“I can’t do it.” Su Jialiang rejected my question without hesitation: “Second point.”

I frowned: "This is my first condition."

Su Jialiang's eyes suddenly turned cold: "I said, I can't do it! If you force me, then we'll have to part ways, and I'll choose other ways to make you talk. Have I made myself clear enough?"

I felt the pressure he was putting on me, so I had to give up on that option: "Song Laosan, who is being held in the basement, is my teammate. You can't keep him there. You have to let him out to see me."

This time, Su Jialiang did not hesitate and gently waved to the people around him: "Bring the person out."

My third condition was originally to have Su Jialiang retrieve the Rhino Zun that Mr. Leng had sent me to investigate. But the words that came out of my mouth changed to another condition: "Tell me what kind of person Duan Jinyan is! You can't talk to him, but talking to me shouldn't be difficult, right?"

Seeing me staring intently at him, Su Jialiang gave me a mocking smile: "Interesting, truly interesting! As a son, you have to ask others what kind of person your father is. How amusing! I never thought that lone wolf Duan Jinyan would make such a fool of himself, hahaha!"

Seeing Su Jialiang's happy expression, I looked displeased and asked, "Can you tell me or not?"

"In my eyes, Duan Jinyan is a legend, and I admire him very much."

Su Jialiang didn't beat around the bush with me. When he mentioned Duan Jinyan, his gaze became serious: "Although the outside world doesn't have a very good opinion of Duan Jinyan, I really like him! He has great courage, great ability, and great charisma! In the antique circle, of all the people I've met, whether they are wealthy merchants or professors, no one can compare to him!"

I pressed further, "You mean your eyesight?"

"No! It's brutality! It's cunning! It's ruthlessness!"

Su Jialiang shook his head and said, "Humans are the most complex animals in the world. We cannot simply judge whether a person is good or bad from our own perspective. But Duan Jinyan is different. He is a thoroughly bad person!"

For some reason, when Su Jialiang said these words, I always felt that there was a hint of admiration in his eyes, and even a trace of fear. So I asked, "You said that people can't judge others' good or bad from their own perspective. Does that mean that Duan Jinyan is just a bad person in your eyes?"

"Don't get me wrong, the bad guy I'm talking about isn't a derogatory term! Duan Jinyan's badness is the pure, captivating kind of badness! At least he fulfills all my fantasies about bad guys!"

The adoration in Su Jialiang's eyes grew even more intense: "This feeling is hard to describe, but if you're looking for him to seek a father's love, I advise you not to have any illusions."

This is the first time I've heard someone comment on Duan Jinyan, apart from Grandpa Wei.

These words felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over me.

I can fool others, but I can't fool myself.

Deep down, I still harbor a hope of being able to reunite with him and his son.

Although I firmly believe that to distinguish between a good and a bad person, one needs to verify it personally, this is a bad person whom even someone like Su Gouzi admires.

A person who neither respects his father nor supports his son.

Is it really worth my wishful thinking?

Seeing the smile on Su Jialiang's face, I tried hard to control my emotions: "Can you tell me where Duan Jinyan is? What does he do for a living?"

"This is not part of our deal. I have said everything I need to say, and adults need to know when to stop."

Su Jialiang exhaled a puff of smoke in my direction: "Now it's your turn to answer my question. Where exactly is the Duan family's secret book?"