102: Chapter 102 The aura of a Grandmaster! Old Han was convinced.

This teahouse followed a purely traditional Chinese antique style; the Four Treasures of the Study were standard fixtures in the large VIP private rooms.

The waiter nimbly brought in a solid wood desk and set up the Four Treasures of the Study.

Lin Chen walked over, smoothed out the high-quality rice paper on the desk, and turned to Tong Liya behind him. "Grind the ink," he said.

"Oh!"

Tong Liya was as obedient as a little maidservant. She leaned over to the desk, dripped a few drops of clear water into the Duan inkstone, picked up the Huimo ink stick, and began to grind it carefully.

After a while, Lin Chen picked up the brush and dipped it into the thick ink.

Without the slightest pause or hesitation, he lowered his wrist slightly. The large brush, like a dragon emerging from the sea, instantly swept across the rice paper.

The brush moved like dragons and snakes; the strength of the strokes could be felt through the paper!

Lin Chen's strokes were majestic, as if swallowing mountains and rivers. The mixed-hair brush flowed like clouds and water across the rice paper, completing the work in one continuous motion.

The friction of the brush tip against the paper faintly exuded an aura of killing, like gold-clad warriors and iron horses, yet it also felt like a wild horse galloping without end.

"The Ocean Accepts All Rivers!"

Four vigorous and powerful characters leapt onto the paper.

The brushwork was majestic and dangerously bold, the posture unbridled and unrestrained. A sense of heroic, free-spirited, and overwhelming power seemed ready to burst through the paper and hit one in the face.

This was the first time Lin Chen had held a brush since mastering the Calligraphy skill granted by the system.

It had to be said, the feeling was incredibly exhilarating. Especially since he had just drunk quite a bit of high-proof baijiu; in this slightly tipsy state, his brushwork had reached the realm of unity between heaven and man.

"Excellent Calligraphy!"

A shout of applause, trembling with excitement, suddenly burst out from the crowd.

In truth, most people present only felt that Lin Chen's posture while holding the brush was cool and his aura was imposing.

As for how good the Calligraphy actually was, they didn't really understand.

After all, Calligraphy has a very high barrier to entry. Laypeople can only see the surface; at most, they might think, "This writing is quite imposing."

But there were true experts present.

That shout of applause had come from Han Meilin.

As the saying goes, laypeople watch the spectacle, while experts watch the technique.

The moment Lin Chen picked up the brush, Han Meilin's eyes lit up. He knew this young man was definitely an expert.

It was like playing a game; a professional expert could judge your rank at a glance just by watching your positioning and farming.

And when Lin Chen finished the work in one go, the shock it gave Han Meilin was no less than seeing a novice suddenly unleash a peerless martial art, defeating everyone in one move!

Han Meilin held a revered position in the art and Calligraphy world and was a leading authority in art design.

But what he was most proud of was his own Calligraphy attainments.

Looking at the current China, among the living calligraphers, not one could catch his eye.

Without false modesty, he considered himself the top figure in the contemporary Calligraphy world.

But at this very moment, standing before this piece of Calligraphy, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness, as if looking up at a towering mountain.

This feeling was too strong, and he was incomparably clear in his heart: this piece of Calligraphy completely crushed his own! It was ten times, a hundred times better than any masterpiece he had written in his entire life!

To outsiders, "The Ocean Accepts All Rivers" was just four good-looking characters.

But in Han Meilin's eyes, these four characters truly possessed the artistic conception of "The Ocean Accepts All Rivers"!

That underlying quality of absorbing heaven and earth, that graceful and grand atmosphere, that magnificent scope—it was as if one were standing by the sea amidst crashing waves, feeling infinite heroism rise in the heart!

Chinese Calligraphy and ink wash painting share the same origin, emphasizing "spiritual charm" rather than "physical resemblance."

And this piece by Lin Chen had already reached the supreme realm where "spirit and charm are one"!

"How does this piece compare to the one that was just torn?"

Lin Chen tossed the brush next to the brush washer and turned to look at Zhang You, his tone flat.

Zhang You's eyelids twitched wildly, his throat felt dry, and he couldn't squeeze out a word for a long time. He could only stiffly turn his head to look at Han Meilin.

Han Meilin took a deep breath, let out a long sigh, and smiled bitterly. "Shameful, truly shameful... I am truly, extremely ashamed."

He didn't use any flowery language to critique it, but these two expressions of "shame," filled with awe, were already the highest praise for this work.

A sound of gasping echoed throughout the room.

The way everyone looked at Lin Chen was as if they were looking at a monster.

What kind of monster was this?

A piece of Calligraphy he wrote casually could actually make the world-renowned Master Han Meilin call himself ashamed?!

What was Han Meilin's status? He was a true titan of contemporary art!

If even he bowed his head in defeat, then just how terrifying was Lin Chen's Calligraphy realm?

...

The few people who were close to Lin Chen did not react so exaggeratedly.

Tong Liya's eyes were sparkling, and she stared at her man with a face full of admiration.

This is my husband!

He looks lazy usually, but once he gets serious, he'll drop your jaws in minutes!

Huang Bo and Yue Yunpeng were even less surprised.

What kind of freakish thing couldn't this guy do?

God-tier cooking skills, a singing voice like a king of the music industry, supernatural magic and Ventriloquism—now adding the title of Calligraphy master, is that strange?

Although Guo Degang was somewhat surprised, he quickly returned to calm.

He didn't understand Calligraphy; in his heart, Lin Chen's Ventriloquism was truly the best in the world.

Only those who truly understood the field knew how unfathomable Lin Chen's strength was.

"I'm asking you, how does this piece compare to the one from before?"

Lin Chen didn't even look at Han Meilin, pressing Zhang You again.

Zhang You's mouth was bitter now; he wished he could immediately turn around and kick that troublemaking crazy woman to death!

What did he rely on to grow his business here in the capital and live such a successful life?

He relied on being slick and adaptable!

But today, he had actually been blind and offended such a powerful figure, one that even Master Han bowed to!

He really wanted to slap himself twice.

If he hadn't been blinded by his wife's nonsense earlier, if he hadn't worn colored glasses from the beginning and looked down on this "kept man" young man, how could he have made such a low-level mistake?

Could someone who could make Guo Degang personally come out to mediate, and make Huang Bo hesitate not for a second to pay millions to settle the matter, be a simple character?

With thoughts racing through his mind, Zhang You's stiff face instantly changed like a Sichuan opera mask, filling with a fawning smile.

He knew very well that he had gotten to where he was today entirely by relying on his connections.

If he offended all these big shots, his teahouse would have to close down tomorrow.

Although his few courtyard houses were valuable, in this place called Beijing, without background or connections, having money just made you a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

"Oh, we're all brothers here, it's just a misunderstanding! How about this, today's matter is my fault, brother. Tomorrow I'll host a table and specifically apologize to you, brother..."

"I'm asking you, how does this piece compare to the one from before?"

Lin Chen interrupted him mercilessly, his eyes cold.

Zhang You was so embarrassed he wished he could crawl into a crack in the ground. He could only bite the bullet and smile apologetically: "If Master Han says it's good, then it's definitely a work of peak perfection!"

"I'll give you this piece to compensate for the one that was torn. Can this debt be cleared now?"

This time, before Zhang You could speak, Han Meilin stepped forward and said, "More than enough! Sir's Calligraphy forms its own school; it already has the aura of a Grandmaster!"

Han Meilin's evaluation was extremely high; even his form of address had changed to the respectful "Sir."

The onlookers were tongue-tied, but Han Meilin spoke with genuine conviction, without a shred of hypocrisy.

He loved Calligraphy like his life and had studied it for a lifetime. Suddenly seeing such a supernatural Calligraphy realm, calling him "Sir" was completely out of instinctive respect.

This was the same logic as Guo Degang being won over by Lin Chen's Ventriloquism and insisting on calling him "Teacher Lin."

Zhang You hadn't expected Han Meilin to hold Lin Chen in such high regard.

Hearing this, his eyes lit up instantly, and his internal abacus started clicking rapidly.

If he could get a free piece of peerless Calligraphy that even Master Han was amazed by, he would have made a huge profit today!

And he could use this as a stepping stone to build a relationship with this hidden Mr. Lin; it would definitely be a great asset in the future.

"It can! Of course it can!" Zhang You smiled like a blooming flower, nodding repeatedly.

Lin Chen looked at his smug, petty face and sneered.

He casually grabbed the Duan inkstone filled with ink from the table, backhanded it with a "smack," and slammed it hard onto the "The Ocean Accepts All Rivers" he had just finished writing!

Ink splattered everywhere, instantly staining the entire sheet of rice paper into a pitch-black piece of waste paper.

Everyone was stunned by this scene.

The one who reacted most strongly was Han Meilin.

Watching that peerless masterpiece being destroyed, his heart ached so much his eyes almost popped out. He stamped his feet in anxiety: "Oh! This... how could you destroy it! The Calligraphy is innocent! What a waste! What a terrible waste!"

Lin Chen pulled over a tissue and wiped his hands slowly and methodically, his tone flat without a ripple.

He turned to Tong Liya and said, "If you do something wrong, you have to accept the punishment. Pay the money; if three million isn't enough, swipe four million."

After saying this, Lin Chen turned and walked out the door.

Tong Liya tilted her head, a proud, cold smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. She took a black card out of her designer bag, held it between two fair, tender fingers, and handed it to the waiter. "Swipe it! Remember, give me a proper receipt. If you are short by even a penny, I will sue you until you close down."

The smile on Zhang You's face froze completely, his face ashen, and he said nothing.

Lin Chen's slap was too ruthless, too absolute; he had ripped his face off and stepped on it on the ground.

"Why make things so awkward... it's not necessary, really not necessary! Old Zhang, give me some face, let's turn the page on this matter. If you want Calligraphy, I'll personally write you a piece to make up for it later." Han Meilin quickly came out to smooth things over.

Seeing this, Huang Bo gave his wife a look.

Huang Bo's wife understood and quickly pulled Tong Liya to walk outside.

Lin Chen had left, Huang Bo had left, so naturally, Guo Degang and his group had no reason to stay, and they all dispersed.

Han Meilin was sweating profusely with anxiety and quickly chased after Lin Chen.

In the blink of an eye, only Zhang You and his main wife, who was sitting on the floor crying with a face full of makeup, were left in the lobby.

Zhang You was so angry he kicked over a nearby chair and pointed at his wife, cursing, "What are you howling for! You think I haven't lost enough face yet? Get the hell home now!"

After scolding her, Zhang You stormed off, waving his hand in anger.

...

In the open-air parking lot outside the teahouse.

Everyone exchanged a few pleasantries.

Huang Bo and his wife were the first to say goodbye.

His relationship with Lin Chen didn't require polite formalities; he just left behind the words "Call me if anything happens" and drove away.

Guo Degang was also preparing to leave.

Before getting in the car, he rolled down the window and specifically instructed Lin Chen: "Teacher Lin, tomorrow night at seven, at the Deyun Society garden, I will be waiting for your arrival with clean water sprinkled on the streets!"

Lin Chen was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

After this group had all left, Han Meilin finally came up panting and started chatting with Lin Chen.

The two talked quite congenially.

Perhaps because their realms had reached the same level, even with a difference of several decades in age, and even though it was their first meeting, they felt a sense of meeting a kindred spirit, as if high mountains and flowing waters had met a soulmate, regretting not having met sooner.

This was probably the legendary mutual appreciation.

Moreover, Han Meilin was likely the first person Lin Chen had encountered since transmigrating who had reached the Grandmaster level in a certain skill.

He had carefully examined the torn piece of Calligraphy earlier; Han Meilin's Calligraphy attainments had indeed reached a level of pure perfection.

Although there were gaps between Grandmasters, and Lin Chen was a cut above thanks to the system's cheats, both of them undoubtedly stood at the pinnacle of the same dimension.