Chapter Six: Impossible

“Let’s bet, then!” Qin Feng had neither power nor influence, nor money; he was so poor he could barely afford to survive. If he truly possessed any remarkable skills, he wouldn’t have spent years working in an antique shop, greeting and seeing off customers day after day. Why should he be afraid of him?

“How do you want to bet?” Li Pengcheng arrogantly raised his chin, striding over to Qin Feng, attempting to intimidate him with his imposing demeanor.

But this tactic was utterly useless against Qin Feng. He had already surveyed the area, noting that Jade Pavilion Street was lined with stalls, each crowded with stones. Merchants and wealthy businessmen from all over the country were selecting stones based on their knowledge and keen judgment.

Scoff!

“Did I hear that right? You, a penniless wretch, wearing clothes that together wouldn’t cost more than a hundred yuan, actually want to bet on stones with me? Do you even have the money?” Li Pengcheng feigned disbelief, exaggeratedly digging at his ear with his finger.

The surrounding businessmen burst into raucous laughter.

Oh my, a pauper wants to gamble on jade!

“Friend, don’t pretend to be something you’re not if you can’t afford it. You’ll only embarrass yourself further!”

“That’s right! Even the cheapest stone on Jade Pavilion Street costs over ten thousand yuan. Can you afford that?”

Despite the renewed skepticism and ridicule from the crowd, Qin Feng remained unmoved, his deep, black eyes fixed steadily on Li Pengcheng.

“Whether I have the money to pay after choosing the stone is my business. The real question is you: you keep changing the subject, are you afraid?”

Shen Fei, seeing Qin Feng dare to speak to Li Pengcheng that way, became furious, clenching her teeth and snapping, “Qin Feng, what nonsense are you spouting? How could Brother Li ever be afraid of a loser like you?”

“Qin Feng! Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige you!” Li Pengcheng, never one to fear the man he regarded as worthless, scowled and grabbed Qin Feng’s collar. “Today, I’ll show you that you’re nothing more than mud beneath my feet!”

“Who’s the mud is yet to be decided,” Qin Feng replied calmly, forcefully shaking off Li Pengcheng’s hand.

At the edge of the crowd, an elderly man with white hair and beard slowly approached, leaning on his cane. Seeing so many people gathered at the entrance of his jade shop, he raised his brows.

“What’s going on here? Why are so many people crowding around? How am I supposed to do business?” The old man instructed his assistant to investigate.

Soon, the assistant squeezed through the crowd.

“Master Yan, I found out—it’s a young man betting on stones against Young Master Li Pengcheng! But that young man…” The assistant hesitated.

“What about him?” Yan asked casually, not particularly concerned. After all, this was Jade Pavilion; betting on stones was an everyday occurrence.

“He’s dressed in rags and looks gaunt—a true pauper! For someone like that to bet on stones with Young Master Li Pengcheng…”

The assistant did not finish his sentence, but the old man understood perfectly. In the jade gambling business, anyone with even a bit of insight or skill was making money hand over fist, living in luxury. If someone was so poor their clothes were in tatters, it meant they had no skill or resources. Yet he dared to challenge an experienced veteran like Li Pengcheng—was he simply foolish, or did he have some hidden trick up his sleeve?

Yan’s interest was piqued; his bodyguards immediately moved forward to clear the crowd.

By this time, Qin Feng and Li Pengcheng had already settled the terms of their bet.

“Best two out of three! Whoever cuts out jade of superior quality and higher value wins the match!”

Li Pengcheng had no objections, glancing contemptuously at Qin Feng and sneering, “Beating a useless wretch like you is a walk in the park for me!”

“Let’s hope you can keep your word and not end up slapping your own face,” Qin Feng replied with a stoic expression.

“You!” Li Pengcheng’s forehead pulsed with rage.

“Gentlemen! Gentlemen!” At that moment, Master Yan emerged from the crowd. The instant he appeared, nearly everyone recognized him—except Qin Feng.

“Master Yan!” Li Pengcheng was first surprised, then quickly plastered his face with a smile. Everyone knew Master Yan was a renowned authority in the jade world, famous for never misjudging a stone. His jade business was worth billions, and a single word of praise from him could make anyone a dominant figure in the industry. Li Pengcheng’s heart burned with excitement, and he hurried to greet Yan.

Yan nodded at him, then turned to scrutinize Qin Feng. Thin and tall, with delicate features and shabby clothes, yet his posture was straight, exuding the unyielding spirit of a pine tree weighed down by snow.

Qin Feng did not know Yan’s identity, but seeing how respectfully everyone treated him, he nodded in acknowledgment.

“Well, as luck would have it, I have nothing pressing at the moment. I do have some standing in the jade world, so why not act as referee and witness for you both? What do you say?”

Qin Feng was surprised, but Li Pengcheng was overjoyed. Such a stroke of luck—it was like pie falling from the sky! He could thoroughly humiliate Qin Feng, shine in front of Shen Fei and the crowd, and win Master Yan’s favor—a double victory!

“Excellent, let Master Yan be our referee for this jade betting contest!” Li Pengcheng eagerly helped Yan to the central chair, showering him with flattery.

“I was worried Qin Feng might cheat or play dirty, but with Master Yan presiding, I’m completely at ease! With your keen eye and upright character, I’m sure the judging will be fair and just!”

The other jade merchants nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, Master Yan is just and impartial. With him adjudicating, there’s no doubt about fairness!”

“Haha! With Master Yan on the scene, no one could hope to pull any tricks!”

At the mention of tricks, many glanced surreptitiously at Qin Feng, convinced that his earlier confidence meant he planned some underhanded scheme.

Qin Feng couldn’t be bothered to get angry—if he took offense at every slight, he’d die from rage a hundred times a day.

“Master Yan, is it? May we begin now?” Qin Feng asked, his expression icy calm.

Yan was also eager to see if Qin Feng was a fraud or genuinely skilled, so he nodded.

The jade betting contest between Qin Feng and Li Pengcheng was officially underway.