Upon hearing Lu Ming's answer, everyone expressed their ignorance, and the name Mueller was something they had never heard of, as if such a person did not exist within the Imperial Coalition.
Yet, the curator declared his answer to be correct, which left many baffled and some even suspecting foul play.
"No, who is this Mueller? Does such a person exist?"
"Curator, you must be impartial and not engage in any underhanded dealings. We are quite knowledgeable about the matters concerning the War God, and we won't be fooled by you."
"Exactly, I've never heard the name Mueller. It feels like he just made it up."
The curator smiled at their confusion and explained, "I do not know Mr. Lu, so how could I possibly engage in underhanded dealings? What benefit would that bring me?"
Upon reflection, everyone felt that this made sense.
Lu Ming, with no money and no background, how could he possibly have the influence to get the museum curator to bend the rules for him?
But the problem was, the answer was truly perplexing.
Before the curator could elaborate, Murong Shuang intervened, "Stop arguing, everyone. Lu Ming's answer is indeed correct. When Sunken Sun launched their sneak attack on China years ago, the Chariot Country was also secretly causing trouble, attacking China from the north and south. However, the Chariot Country immediately retreated after encountering minor setbacks. Their General Mueller was the first high-ranking officer to die in battle. After that, Sunken Sun was thoroughly routed by the War God, and Holza was shot dead on the spot by the War God."
So, the war years ago had so many hidden details. However, for ordinary citizens, it was impossible to know so much.
Only those of Murong Shuang's caliber could grasp the full picture.
This made everyone even more curious about Lu Ming. How did a lowly graveyard keeper, a live-in son-in-law, know such intricate details?
It didn't add up.
Even Murong Shuang was filled with doubt. She looked coldly at Lu Ming and asked, "How did you know such detailed information?"
Lu Ming smiled, "Do you want to know? Beg me, and I'll tell you."
Arrogant!
Presumptuous!
Audacious!
He's pushing his luck, getting a foot in the door and thinking he owns the place. Daring to speak to a three-star general like that, does he have any respect for hierarchy?
Murong Shuang's expression darkened, and she snorted, "Look at you, thinking you've won because you answered one question correctly. Do you think this painting is yours now? Let me tell you, it's not over until the final winner laughs!"
The curator signaled for them to stop arguing and then presented the second question.
He asked, "In the surprise attack on the Cherry Blossom Country's headquarters five years ago, how many enemy soldiers were annihilated?"
This time, Murong Shuang was well-prepared. As soon as the question was posed, she immediately replied, "Twenty-three thousand, seven hundred and twenty-one."
'23721', a number precise to the unit.
"Congratulations, General Murong, you are correct," the curator nodded with a smile.
1:1, Murong Shuang and Lu Ming were tied.
Everyone else began to panic. If this continued, Master Zhu's latest work might fall into Murong Shuang's hands, as she was more familiar with the events of five years ago than anyone else.
She was a direct participant!
Every face was etched with bitterness, disappointment, and helplessness. They all wanted to bid, but they couldn't compete.
Murong Shuang glanced at Lu Ming and said proudly, "What I, Murong Shuang, have set my sights on, no one else can take. If I don't give it, you won't get it."
Wow, she's quite formidable.
Lu Ming smiled, remained silent, and refocused his attention on the curator, awaiting his next question.
Soon, all ten questions were presented.
The result was a tie: Lu Ming and Murong Shuang, 5:5!
Each of them answered five questions correctly, while everyone else combined hadn't secured a single answer.
Gao Yuheng, Jiang Mengxin, and others were greatly disappointed.
However, Jiang Mengxin held a flicker of hope. Although she knew she wouldn't get Master Zhu's painting, based on the current outcome, Lu Ming had a good chance.
If Lu Ming got it, wouldn't that be the same as Jiang Mengxin getting it?
Jiang Mengxin silently cheered Lu Ming on.
At this moment.
The curator frowned and said, "A 5:5 tie was an unforeseen outcome, haha. However, Master Zhu and I did anticipate the possibility of multiple individuals tying, so we had prepared a tie-breaker question from the start. It's a single question, for Mr. Lu and General Murong to compete for. Whoever answers correctly will receive Master Zhu's painting."
It was essentially overtime.
Murong Shuang said haughtily, "I didn't expect to be in an overtime match with such a nobody. This is my mistake."
She truly looked down on Lu Ming.
The curator walked up to the painting and pointed to it, saying, "This tie-breaker question is based on this painting. As you can see, the Dragon Warlord in the painting is facing away from us, his chest puffed out, looking into the distance. The question is, what was the War God looking at at that moment?"
Huh?
Looking at what?
Everyone was stunned. What else could he be looking at? The blue sky and white clouds, perhaps?
But since the curator asked, the answer couldn't be that simple. There must be a hidden trap, something they hadn't considered.
As expected.
The curator chuckled and said, "This question has a deeper meaning. You two should consider it carefully."
"No need to consider. I know the answer," Murong Shuang stated with extreme calm and confidence.
She was intimately familiar with this scene that had first stirred her heart. At the time, she had also gazed into the War God's line of sight and knew what he was looking at.
"Oh? General Murong knows the answer? Then please tell me," the curator said.
Murong Shuang immediately replied, "Looking into the distance along the War God's line of sight, it is Twin Dragon Mountain! After the ten enemy armies were defeated, they were driven out of Twin Dragon Mountain and forced to return to their homelands. What the War God was looking at was Twin Dragon Mountain; he was enjoying the fruits of his victory!"
Makes sense.
The others nodded in agreement. This answer seemed plausible.
Twin Dragon Mountain held significant meaning; it was from here that the ten enemy armies were expelled. With the victory, the War God was indeed enjoying the spoils.
No problem. It seemed Murong Shuang had won this round. She was truly powerful.
"Sigh, General Murong's strength is indeed formidable, far surpassing ours. Compared to General Murong, we are all mere trifles."
"But speaking of which, it's quite impressive that Lu Ming could even make it to overtime with General Murong. As an ordinary person, he has done exceptionally well."
"He can be proud even in defeat. Lu Ming has done enough."
Just as everyone was preparing to congratulate Murong Shuang on winning Master Zhu's latest work, Lu Ming chuckled.
The War God was enjoying the fruits of victory at that moment?
Heh.
Lu Ming sighed and said, "No, the War God wasn't looking at Twin Dragon Mountain at that moment, nor was he enjoying the fruits of victory."
Hmm? From his tone, Lu Ming had a different answer. He was still struggling to survive.
Murong Shuang smiled, "What do you know? I was there at the time. I followed the War God's gaze into the distance. Don't I understand it more specifically than you? Lu Ming, you're quite amusing. Are you that much of a sore loser?"
Here we go again.
As always, her arrogant attitude, her self-righteous and conceited nature. Lu Ming detested that the most.
"Heh," Lu Ming scoffed dismissively, "I'm afraid the one who can't bear to lose is someone else."
"What did you say?" Murong Shuang's face flushed with anger.
The curator quickly intervened to stop their argument and asked Lu Ming, "Mr. Lu, since you are not satisfied with General Murong's answer, please provide your own answer?"
"Of course."
Lu Ming looked at the figure in the painting, his thoughts drifting back to the scene after the victory, standing before the army and gazing into the distance.
What he was looking at was...
"I... cough cough... The War God was looking at the banks of the Wen River!"
The banks of the Wen River?
Upon hearing this answer, everyone was stunned for a few seconds before erupting into fierce laughter.
"I can't anymore, this is hilarious. He's started talking nonsense again."
"Wen River banks, what the hell are you talking about? Do you even know where the Wen River banks are? The Wen River banks are over 100 kilometers past Twin Dragon Mountain. Is the War God's eyesight that of a god, able to see over 100 kilometers away?"
"Besides, the view ahead is completely blocked by Twin Dragon Mountain. How could the War God's gaze possibly bypass Twin Dragon Mountain to see the Wen River banks over 100 kilometers away? Isn't that ridiculous?"
"Lu Ming, you're just a sore loser!"
Facing the mockery of everyone, Lu Ming showed no sign of panic. Instead, his eyes were firm and his belief unwavering. He had absolute confidence in the answer, the banks of the Wen River!