Chapter 127: Playing with Fire

A burst of applause suddenly erupted inside the bar, the patrons enthusiastically applauding the Black Widow’s overwhelming dominance.

The Black Widow glanced around with a sharp glint in her eyes. The once boisterous bar immediately fell silent; everyone was hushed and wary.

“Everyone, let tonight’s events just be a bit of entertainment. Eat and drink as you please,” she said softly, her usual seductive smile returning. “Tonight, all expenses are on me.”

A cheer rose up from the bar, and the customers raised their glasses, grateful for the Black Widow’s generosity.

She then approached Qin Feng, a hint of apology on her face. “Mr. Qin, I’m really sorry for putting you through that spectacle.”

“No need to mention it,” Qin Feng replied calmly with a faint smile. “As for tonight’s trouble, don’t worry about the losses—I’ll make it up to you.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Qin. Actually, I should be thanking you,” she said with a grateful tone. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have realized those people dared to cause a ruckus on my turf.”

Qin Feng knew she was referring to the earlier disturbance caused by Liu from Kuaishou and his gang at the bar. He simply smiled lightly and said nothing further.

“Mr. Qin, why don’t we move somewhere quieter to talk?” the Black Widow suggested.

Qin Feng nodded in agreement. They took a seat at a secluded table in the corner of the bar.

The Black Widow called over a waiter and ordered two drinks before speaking. “Mr. Qin, your friend back there was quite skilled—not an ordinary person, I presume. You came because of that Stone Buddha, right?”

Qin Feng took a measured sip of his drink, knowing some matters, no matter how deeply hidden, cannot escape a watchful eye.

“You have good intelligence, Black Widow. I admire that,” Qin Feng said calmly, setting his glass down without denying her words.

She chuckled lightly with a hint of pride. “This hidden region isn’t that big, but not small either. Anything strange or unusual simply cannot escape my notice.”

“Since you know about the Stone Buddha, you must be aware it’s no ordinary artifact,” Qin Feng said, his gaze piercing as he sought more information from her.

The Black Widow didn’t answer directly. Instead, she stood and retrieved an exquisite wooden box from a shelf behind her.

“Mr. Qin, you might want to take a look at this first.”

She opened the box to reveal a jade bracelet, vibrant green and translucent with exceptional luster.

Qin Feng took the bracelet, examining it closely, his brow furrowing slightly.

“This jade bracelet…” Qin Feng hesitated to speak.

“Why? Mr. Qin, you’re an expert in treasures—can’t you tell where it’s from?” the Black Widow smiled slyly, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

“This bracelet is indeed fine jadeite, but…” Qin Feng paused, his tone turning serious, “I sense a sinister aura emanating from it.”

“Ha! Mr. Qin has sharp eyes indeed!” The Black Widow suddenly laughed heartily. “This bracelet is no ordinary trinket. I bought it from a tomb raider. It’s said to be a burial item, buried underground for centuries!”

Qin Feng was startled. No wonder the bracelet exuded a chilling coldness—it was an item meant for the dead.

“Sister, you didn’t just bring me here to look at a bracelet, did you?” Qin Feng asked directly, setting the jade down.

“Of course not.” Her smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. “I have a collection of antiques with a complicated background. I want you to take a look and appraise them for me.”

“Do you really trust me with this?” Qin Feng was somewhat surprised.

“Who in the underworld doesn’t know Mr. Qin is a prodigy in treasure appraisal? Naturally, I trust you.” She lowered her voice. “Besides, I know you came for that Stone Buddha. I can help you, but you have to do me a favor in return.”

Qin Feng was silent for a moment. He knew the Black Widow must have strong leverage to speak so boldly.

“Aren’t you afraid I might take your things and not help you?” he asked ambiguously, eyes fixed on her, trying to read her intentions.

The Black Widow laughed, a captivating yet chilling smile curling her lips.

“Mr. Qin, you flatter me. If I dared to speak like this, it means I’m confident.”

She came closer, gently stroking his cheek, her breath like a fragrant breeze. “I believe you’re smart enough to make the right choice.”

Qin Feng gripped her hand, stopping her touch, his gaze growing intense.

“Sister, who exactly are you?”

Surprise flickered in her eyes before she regained composure. She withdrew her hand, stepping back with a teasing tone:

“What? Mr. Qin interested in me? Too bad, I’m no good girl—you’d better be careful, or you might get burned.”

“I’m merely curious. Someone like you—how could you be content to stay hidden in a small bar like this?” Qin Feng didn’t respond to her teasing but pressed on.

The smile on her face faded, her eyes turning deep and enigmatic. She walked to the window, gazing out at the city’s neon lights and nocturnal revelry, her voice tinged with melancholy and weariness.

“Mr. Qin, do you know what people in the underworld call me…”

She turned, moonlight streaming through the window casting half her face in brightness, half in shadow, enhancing her mystery and allure.

“The Ghost Hand.”

Qin Feng’s pupils contracted sharply. He had never imagined that the seemingly worldly bar owner before him was, in fact, the infamous “Ghost Hand” of the underworld.

Rumor had it that the Ghost Hand was elusive and enigmatic, a master of intricate traps and concealed weapons, skilled in disguise; no one had ever seen her true face, yet none dared underestimate her power.

“Scared?” The Black Widow observed Qin Feng’s stunned expression, a playful smirk curling her lips.

“Scared?” Qin Feng recovered quickly, a spark of excitement lighting his eyes. “I just think this matter is getting more and more interesting.”

A flicker of approval shone in the Black Widow’s eyes. This guy was intriguing.

“Since you say so, I’ll take that as a yes.”

She withdrew her hand and moved to the bar, pouring two glasses of red wine. “These antiques are very important to me. I hope you won’t disappoint.”

“You know my terms well enough, sister,” Qin Feng said, accepting the glass with a calm yet resolute tone. “All I want is that Stone Buddha.”

“Rest assured, if you help me with this, the Stone Buddha will be yours, no questions asked.”

The Black Widow raised her glass, clinking it gently against Qin Feng’s. The crimson liquid swirled like the turbulent night around them.

By the time they left the bar, it was already deep into the night.

The Black Widow led Qin Feng through winding alleys to an antique shop exuding an air of antiquity and charm.