Chapter 363 You want to be number one in calligraphy and painting?

Cao Kang naturally recognized Watanabe Kazuma. Among overseas calligraphers, this guy was the most outspoken. Although he was keen on showing off, he did have some skill.

While others were furious, Cao Kang looked at Watanabe Kazuma with a strange expression.

"President Cao, please do not hesitate to give me your guidance."

Sai Goyou chimed in from the side, and even Kim Cheol-eun wore a fake smile, seemingly waiting for Cao Kang to join the game.

"Excuse me, has Michikawa Kazuhiko arrived yet?"

Faced with these people's provocations, Cao Kang did not rush to express his opinion.

Su Banshan was somewhat surprised by Cao Kang's reaction. Come on, is this the time to discuss this issue?

Suddenly, Su Banshan thought of a possibility, and a hint of shock flashed in his slightly cloudy eyes, but he quickly hid it.

As the person in charge of the floating islands, Zuo Wuyou naturally had the corresponding composure to visit Huazhou. He felt that the question Cao Kang raised at this moment was very strange, but he couldn't figure out which part was wrong for the time being.

Just as he was about to give it a good look, Kim Cheol-eun smiled and said, "As expected of Chairman Cao, Master Daochuan has indeed arrived."

Baka!

Looking at Kim Cheol-eun with a shocked expression, Sai Gou wanted to stomp the guy to death!

Kazuhiko Michikawa and Kazuma Watanabe were considered the best calligraphers and painters on the floating island. These two were his backup plans for this trip, and he really didn't want to reveal all his cards unless absolutely necessary.

But this guy next to me really seems to enjoy watching the drama unfold. What exactly is he trying to do?!

Also, how did he know that Michikawa Kazuhiko was also there?

Sai Go looked around suspiciously. To be honest, even he didn't know if Kazuhiko was there, so how did Kim Cheol-eun know?

While Sai Go was still doubting, Kim Cheol-eun suddenly smiled and said, "Mr. Sai, let's invite Master Dokawa out."

Seeing Sai Gou looking at him hesitantly, Kim Cheol-eun, who was originally full of confidence, twitched his lips slightly, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.

Seeing Kim Cheol-eun's reaction, Sai Go-yu knew perfectly well that this bastard was just guessing, and the fact that he actually guessed right was just pure luck. Wasn't this like a blind cat catching a dead mouse?!

"President Cao, I have long admired your name."

Unlike Watanabe Kazuma's halting and hesitant speech, Michikawa Kazuhiko's Japanese was fluent and standard.

As soon as he finished speaking, the onlookers made way for him, and an old man dressed in black walked slowly in wooden clogs.

At that moment, many thoughts flashed through Cao Kang's mind, and in the end, he decided to end this farce as soon as possible.

Right now, we're holding a Mid-Autumn Festival poetry competition, a time of universal celebration. He doesn't want to waste too much time on this trivial contest, especially since it's being broadcast live.

If this were just a private duel, Cao Kang might still be interested in playing along with Fudao and Mujin. But as the organizer of the Mid-Autumn Poetry Competition, he has to be responsible for the program.

"You two have come at the perfect time. I recently acquired a book and a painting, and I was just about to take advantage of this Mid-Autumn Poetry Competition to invite people from all walks of life to observe them."

Watanabe Kazuma and Michikawa Kazuhiko exchanged a glance, the former smiling slightly: "Coincidentally... we also... would like to ask... for your opinion?"

Daochuan Kazuhiko chimed in, "We've long heard that Huazhou boasts the number one building under heaven. We have a book and a painting in our possession. We'd be grateful if our friends in Huazhou could judge whether they deserve to be the best in the book and painting."

Holy crap!

It's true what they say, if you don't court death, you won't die!

We were already thinking of letting you off the hook, so why are you still being so relentless?

Cao Kang's expression was extremely strange, while Su Banshan, standing to the side, watched as if he were watching a show, feeling immense sympathy for the two people in front of him.

"Move the table!"

A big shot from the No. 1 Restaurant in the world waved his hand, and immediately someone from the crowd moved a table over.

This is a long table, about five or six meters long, which was moved by seven or eight tall and strong men working together.

"Please, gentlemen."

Cao Kang smiled slightly. At the same time, a long brocade box was brought over. After taking the box, Cao Kang looked thoughtfully at the people in front of him.

Sai Gou finally realized that something was wrong!

A brocade box!

It's exactly the same style as the brocade box I just put in the "Spring River Flower Moon Night" collection!

The craftsmanship here is quite rare. The brocade box may look unremarkable, but anyone with a discerning eye can see its extraordinary nature.

Could it be that what's inside this brocade box isn't an ordinary item either?!

Upon seeing Cao Kang gently open the brocade box and take out a scroll of silk, he realized that Cao Kang had taken it out.

Silk scroll?!

Seeing this, Sai Gosuke felt uneasy and inexplicably became nervous.

Then, he saw Cao Kang carefully place the silk scroll flat on the table and then slowly unfold it.

At the same time, each word clearly came into everyone's view.

—Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion

Just seeing those four words made Watanabe Kazuma's expression turn sour, and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets!

At that moment, Su Banshan, who was closest to the subject, also had a glint in his eyes, and all his attention was focused on the silk scroll.

"In the ninth year of Yonghe, the year of Guichou, at the beginning of late spring, we gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in Shanyin, Kuaiji..."

"On this day, the sky was clear and the air was fresh, a gentle breeze was blowing, and one could look up at the vastness of the universe..."

"When people get along, they live out their lives in the blink of an eye. Sometimes they share their innermost thoughts and have heartfelt conversations within the confines of a room, while other times they entrust themselves to something and indulge in unrestrained behavior. Although their interests and preferences differ greatly, and their temperaments vary..."

"Whenever I read the reasons for the emotions expressed by people of the past, they resonate deeply with me, and I cannot help but sigh with sorrow as I read their words, unable to fully express the feelings in my heart..."

At that moment, Watanabe Kazuma took out a magnifying glass from somewhere and was examining the silk scroll word by word.

Those literati and calligraphers who were watching the live stream were practically glued to their monitors, their eyes sparkling with astonishing brilliance, and their bodies trembling uncontrollably!

Sai Go temporarily put aside his inner turmoil, and at this moment, he was also attracted by the silk scroll on the table.

The scene became unusually quiet; the only sounds were the increasingly rapid heartbeats and hurried breathing of the crowd.

A treasure!

This is a treasure!

The calligraphy is elegant and graceful, each character exquisite, with strokes that resemble a dance. It seems as if a divine being could have helped to complete this piece!

"The brush is mainly centered, with occasional side strokes. The strokes are delicate and light, or the brush is broken but the meaning is connected. The lifting, pressing and pausing are all natural."

One can imagine the shock Su Banshan felt: "The overall layout is ingeniously designed, possessing an endless charm that is elegant, graceful, and captivating!"

"Refined but not flashy, simple but not crude, neither aggressive nor harsh, gentle and elegant."

Some scholars couldn't help but praise it.

After a long silence, Watanabe Kazuma raised his head, his eyes blazing with fervor: "Chairman Cao... ten billion... I... bought it..."

One billion?!

Upon hearing this, the scholars and writers present, who had been awakened, all revealed their anger.

So what if you have money?!

Does having money mean you can do whatever you want?!

Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror? What kind of person are you?!

Cao Kang glanced at Watanabe Kazuma with a strange expression, then at Sai Goyu, whose expression kept changing. He calmly rolled up the silk scroll again. When Watanabe Kazuma tried to stop him, Cao Kang coldly snorted.

Watanabe Kazuma's outstretched hand paused mid-air, startled awake. Seeing the angry glares around him, he felt immense pressure: "I'm...sorry...to...me..."