Chapter Seven: The Wager Duel

Jade Pavilion Street stretched on, lined on both sides with all manner of jade shops.

Large and small raw stones lay quietly along the ground. Some were heaped together carelessly by the shopkeepers, while others were arranged in neat rows.

Li Pengcheng was a frequent visitor. He knew intimately which shops had the best resources and were most likely to yield valuable jade.

He cast a cold glance at Qin Feng, snorted derisively, and turned away, heading to the back of the street.

Qin Feng, however, was in no hurry. He was unfamiliar with the area, so he preferred to take his time and look around.

In an instant, his clairvoyant vision activated.

In that moment, the jade flesh wrapped beneath dull gray or blackish skins appeared before his eyes with perfect clarity.

A single sweeping glance was all he needed to discern which stones had true value and which were utterly worthless.

Wealthy merchants from all corners of the country watched, curious to see whether this shabby-looking youth could possibly defy the odds.

Many began to trail after him, observing Qin Feng as he strolled about as if window-shopping, neither touching the stones nor using a strong lamp to examine them.

Disappointment quickly spread among the crowd.

“So it’s true—this kid is a complete amateur!” someone sneered.

“Exactly! He doesn’t even know the most basic methods for inspecting stones! I bet he can’t even tell which skins are more likely to yield good jade!”

With that, the merchants following Qin Feng burst into hearty laughter.

Just then, Qin Feng suddenly stopped.

A fine piece of material—so pure he could see through the skin to the innermost layers of jade.

Most importantly, the entire stone was flawless! Pure and clear as water, lush and vibrant green!

Such jade...

A smile took shape on Qin Feng’s lips. He reached out and cradled the raw stone, about the size of two adult fists, in his arms.

“Boss, how much for this piece?” he called out.

At that moment, every merchant in his wake was stunned.

Who in the jade business didn’t know? Moxisha stones were the most likely to produce high-grade icy jade and were the most valuable.

But what was this in Qin Feng’s arms?

The stone’s skin was stiff and hard, completely lacking any oiliness, and its top was lumpy and pitted, showing an unappealing ashen white.

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

“My goodness!”

“Fool! He’s just a fool! With his pathetic manner, he actually thinks he can beat Young Master Li? Ridiculous!”

One merchant, with apparent goodwill, strode over to Qin Feng, clapped him forcefully on the shoulder, and laughed, “Kid, if you’re not up to it, don’t force yourself! It’s not too late to admit defeat. Otherwise, you’ll lose both your wife and your capital—a humiliation you’ll have brought upon yourself!”

“Exactly! We’re only looking out for you. Admit your loss now. Later, just bow three times to Young Master Li and apologize. He’s a magnanimous man and won’t hold it against you!”

Surrounded by wealthy merchants taunting and ridiculing him, Qin Feng brushed off the hand on his shoulder, his expression calm.

“The stone hasn’t been cut yet. Who knows the outcome?”

His words only provoked louder laughter, and the sneers grew even more blatant.

“Look at him! Still so stubborn at this point—won’t cry until he sees the coffin!”

“What a joke!” a rotund merchant jeered, sidling up to the one who’d spoken before, his tone mocking.

Did they take him for a mute?

Qin Feng sneered.

“I may not know what I’m worth, but some people, for all their airs, are worth even less—like the stray dogs at the west end of our village, barking at strangers without a second thought!”

“Whoever takes offense, that’s who I mean!” Qin Feng paid for the raw stone by mobile scan, then headed toward the direction of Old Yan.

“I'll beat you to death, you little wretch!” the fat merchant snarled, lunging forward.

“Now, now—your so-called Old Yan is still here. Are you sure you want to lay hands on me in front of him?” Qin Feng replied coolly, borrowing authority.

The fat merchant froze, and the others hurried forward to restrain him.

“Let it go, Old Guo! Don’t stoop to his level. With his grandstanding, he’ll be the one crying soon enough!”

“Hmph!” Old Guo’s face eased somewhat at these words, though he was clearly not reconciled.

“Still so unwilling?” Qin Feng tapped the stone in his hands, his voice unhurried. “Why not join the wager yourself?”

The others were taken aback, but Old Guo immediately sneered, “Since you’re so eager to court death, I’ll oblige you! Name your terms.”

“I bet on whether I’ll win or lose this stone gamble. I say I’ll win—two million as the stake. Do you dare take the bet?” Qin Feng shot him a sidelong, challenging glance.

“Fine! Just two million? I’ll take that bet! I say you’re bound to lose, you little wretch!”

Given Qin Feng’s clueless display, Old Guo was certain of victory.

Qin Feng smiled, then swept his gaze over the other merchants.

“Anyone else care to join?”

For a moment, no one spoke.

“If I lose, I’ll kneel before Li Pengcheng and call you all ‘Grandfather’!”

If anyone wasn’t tempted, it could only mean the stakes weren’t high enough.

Several merchants exchanged glances, their eyes flashing.

The Li family might not be at the very top of the jade world, but they were at least a second-tier powerhouse. If humiliating Qin Feng meant currying favor with Li Pengcheng, it was a bargain too good to pass up.

“Deal! I’m in!” a tall, thin merchant shouted.

“Me too!”

“And me!”

Soon, six or seven merchants stepped out from the crowd.

Two million each—seven meant fourteen million, plus the original four million from Old Guo and himself...

Well.

A genuine smile blossomed in Qin Feng’s eyes.

“You’re all such generous souls!”

Weren’t they just?

With only four million to his name, he could play only on a small scale. But with eighteen million, the game changed entirely.

At that moment, Qin Feng found these merchants exceedingly endearing.