Chapter 137: Yang Ling Lost

“What could possibly be inside to emit such a dazzling light?”

“I’m certain it must be an earth-shattering treasure. This is truly unexpected.”

“So this kid has been playing the fool all along, hiding his true strength. Yang Ling is really going to be in trouble now.”

Hearing the murmurs around him, Yang Ling’s face darkened considerably.

How could this be? They actually uncovered a rare treasure. This kid had been putting on an act right under my nose.

Damn it, how dare he trick me!

A chill ran through Yang Ling’s heart as he realized the staggering value involved, counting both his and that kid’s selected raw stones.

Even if he lost everything now, he wouldn’t be able to cover the loss.

With that thought, Yang Ling began to retreat involuntarily, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

“Young Master Yang, where are you going?” The staff from Origin Heaven Pavilion noticed Yang Ling’s unusual behavior.

“Nothing, nothing. I just need to use the restroom,” Yang Ling replied with an awkward smile.

“Then we shall accompany you,” they said.

“No, no need. It’s a minor matter. I can go myself,” Yang Ling insisted.

“We insist on accompanying you,” they replied firmly.

Yang Ling’s expression changed instantly. “What, you’re afraid I’ll run away?”

“Young Master Yang, it’s Origin Heaven Pavilion’s rule that no one may leave during the gambling process.”

“Come along. We’ll accompany you to the restroom.”

Yang Ling sighed deeply. “You’ve ruined my mood. I’m not going.”

In the end, he could only return begrudgingly.

“So, caught trying to skip out on the bill?” Li Jian San chuckled upon seeing him return.

“Don’t talk nonsense. I just went to the restroom,” Yang Ling retorted.

Li Jian San teased, “Well, I don’t think you’re that shameless.”

After hearing that, Yang Ling’s face twisted with frustration.

“Master, hurry up and open the stone,” Li Jian San urged.

“Yes, what’s inside? We’re all too curious,” others chimed in.

“We’ve been gambling stones for so long, but never seen a treasure like this…”

One by one, the crowd grew restless, even more anxious than Li Jian San.

“All right.” The master stopped hesitating. Knowing there was a treasure inside, his hands moved swiftly.

In no time, he finished opening the stone.

“Hm? What is this...”

Everyone was stunned at what lay within.

“Is this just a piece of iron?”

“What? No way. It emitted such a golden light before, but it’s just this thing?”

“This twist is unbelievable.”

Yang Ling burst into triumphant laughter.

“Hahaha! I thought it was some rare treasure, but it’s just a rusty iron shard. This is hilarious.”

Then, he glared coldly at Li Jian San. “Kid, it’s obvious you lost this bet!”

“Who told you I lost?” Li Jian San replied calmly.

“Isn’t it obvious? Why are you still pretending?”

“Master, how much is this worth?” Li Jian San asked the stone opener.

“What do you mean, you’re about to lose too…” The master glanced at the small iron shard, his expression gradually shifting.

“Wait a moment, this seems…”

He examined the golden iron piece carefully, then gasped softly before saying,

“This golden iron shard appears to exceed the category of ordinary spirit tools. As for its exact grade, I cannot tell.”

“As for its value… such a treasure hasn’t appeared in the Imperial City’s market yet.”

“But I estimate the golden iron shard’s worth to be around five thousand spirit stones.”

“If some old connoisseur values it highly, it might even fetch ten thousand spirit stones.”

Pausing, the master continued,

“It should have originally been part of a complete weapon, judging by its shape, likely a sword.”

“If all the shards could be gathered together, it would become a priceless treasure!”

Hearing this, the crowd fell into stunned silence, as if dumbfounded.

“How… how is this possible?”

“That’s obviously just an iron shard. How could it suddenly become priceless?”

“Priceless? Didn’t the master say it only becomes priceless when all shards are assembled?”

“Even so, a price close to ten thousand spirit stones is astronomical.”

“Didn’t expect this kid to be so lucky, selecting such a stone.”

“Heh, you still think it’s luck? Don’t be naive.”

“Exactly. I bet he’s a new disciple of some gambling master, just trying his luck here. But after being provoked by Yang Ling, he wanted to teach him a lesson.”

“Heh, that lesson came at quite a cost. Those stones they picked must have cost seven or eight thousand spirit stones. Even if Yang Ling opened two treasures before, he still owes at least five thousand spirit stones.”

Hearing the whispers, beads of cold sweat formed on Yang Ling’s forehead.

Five thousand spirit stones was a huge sum for him.

“This… how is this possible? A worthless stone turned out to hold such a treasure!” His face was dark and filled with unwillingness.

“Heh, if you don’t believe me, we can have others appraise it,” Li Jian San said with a smile.

Yang Ling’s face suddenly turned ashen. The master opening the stone was a professional appraiser; others were nowhere near as skilled.

“Accept your loss. What are you waiting for? Go settle the bill.”

Li Jian San’s smile grew wider as he looked at him.

Hearing this, Yang Ling felt drained of all strength and collapsed to the ground, utterly despondent.

“I say, you wouldn’t be broke, would you? If you are, don’t do anything foolish.”

Li Jian San chuckled.

“Money’s easy to earn nowadays. Why not go work for Origin Heaven Pavilion moving raw stones? After three or five years, you’d probably pay off your debt.”

“They’re short-staffed now. Might even offer you a good price. Maybe a year of moving stones will cover it all.”

Yang Ling trembled with anger, his face pale as he pointed at Li Jian San.

“You… you…”

He now bitterly regretted it. Whether it was the brothel girls not enticing enough or the money in his pocket losing its appeal, how could he have been so foolish as to gamble on raw stones with that kid?

He wanted nothing more than to slap himself hard.

“Go pay up. Didn’t you say whoever loses pays?”

“So many people are watching. You’re not thinking of cheating, are you?”

After Li Jian San’s words, all eyes turned to Yang Ling.

“I…”

At that moment, Yang Ling felt unbearably humiliated.

“Wait, if you’re so capable, dare you bet with me once more?”