Volume One, Chapter 23: The Jade Ring of Qing Liuli

“What’s your account number? I’ll have someone transfer the money.” Jiang Chen’s tone was calm, as though fifty million meant no more to him than the cost of a stick of candied fruit.

And in truth, that was exactly the case. At Jiang Chen’s level, money was irrelevant—a mere scrap of paper. Yet unless it was for official business, he couldn't move funds from the base. After all, there was an elder sister there who kept a close eye on his expenses. If he dared visit any questionable establishment, someone would be sent to assassinate him before day’s end.

Sun Yingxiong had his people provide the account number. Within thirty seconds, the staff member who’d given the number announced, “Boss, the funds have arrived.”

Sun Yingxiong hurriedly smiled. “Young man, you truly are wealthy. Then this golden bowl is yours.”

“He really has the money?” Zhou Hua was dumbfounded, his expression awkward.

Jiang Chen beckoned Zhou Hua over with a finger, and Zhou Hua, as if spellbound, walked up to him.

“My master told me that after leaving the mountain, I must not act recklessly. Yet when my heart is unsettled, my dao becomes clouded. Would you be willing to help me cleanse the impurities from my heart?” Jiang Chen stared into his eyes as he spoke.

Zhou Hua stammered, “W-what do you mean?”

Smack—

Smack—

Zhou Hua’s teeth flew, one side of his face swelling up like a small hill, bloodied teeth scattering across the floor. He hadn’t even comprehended what had happened, only that his face burned fiercely.

“That’s what I mean. If you dare utter another word, I’ll knock out another tooth,” Jiang Chen said in the same calm tone. Yet this scene left the nearby young heirs, who had been poised to come to Zhou Hua’s aid, gasping in shock.

To strike someone in the banquet hall, in front of everyone—such an audacious act placed him in direct opposition to all present.

“Oh, and let me make this clear. That was only a warning. If anyone else dares say another word, their fate will be the same. If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to try.” Jiang Chen’s arm was pulled by Jiang Ning, who shook her head, signaling him to stop.

He returned a reassuring look to her. Ye Qingming let out a scornful laugh and was about to speak, but as his eyes inadvertently met Jiang Chen’s, his whole body tensed—like a mouse before a cat. He forcibly swallowed back his words.

Sun Yingxiong hadn’t bothered to check the amount transferred; he no longer doubted Jiang Chen’s wealth. He simply surmised that if Jiang Chen needed to call for such a sum, his family likely kept tight control over his finances. That meant he probably wouldn’t be bidding on any more treasures.

The pace of the banquet quickened, confirming Sun Yingxiong’s hunch. He had no desire for an unruly guest to disrupt his event, so he would smooth things over where he could; only as a last resort would he employ extraordinary measures.

At that moment, Jiang Chen was surrounded by Ning Rou and Su Yike—both women’s eyes blazing with anger.

Ning Rou stealthily pinched Jiang Chen’s waist so hard he nearly cried out. Jiang Chen had thought nothing of buying the bowl for Jiang Ning—fifty million was a small price for a friend’s smile—but Ning Rou saw it quite differently. In her eyes, there was no way Jiang Chen could have produced such a sum without some underhanded trickery. Furthermore, who buys a fifty-million gift for someone they barely know? Only a fool would believe there were no ulterior motives.

Su Yike, in a fit of pique, stomped on Jiang Chen’s foot. She’d known him for quite some time, and after all they’d been through together—even risking their lives—a token of affection was only fair. She would have settled for a five-yuan hair tie.

“Jiang Chen, if you’re really so heartless, we’re done. If you ever get yourself arrested, don’t expect me to help you,” Su Yike declared angrily.

Jiang Chen felt bitter, but could say nothing. “So, what will it take to appease you?”

Hands on her hips, Su Yike pointed to the golden bowl in Jiang Ning’s hands. “I don’t care what it is, I want a gift too. And it can’t be worth less than that bowl.”

“Well…” Jiang Chen hesitated, and Su Yike turned to leave. With a sigh, he pulled her back. “You’ll have one. Both of you will. I promise.”

Ning Rou snorted. “You’d better sort this out.”

Jiang Chen pressed his hand to his forehead. If he handled this poorly, not only would he lose his friends, he’d be out of a place to stay. Given Ning Rou’s temperament, his luggage would probably be tossed out before he even made it home—he dared not risk it.

After a while, Sun Yingxiong noticed Ye Qingming’s growing impatience and signaled to a nearby staff member, who immediately understood.

“Next item: the Pure Glass Jade Bangle. Starting bid, twelve million.”

Sure enough, Ye Qingming’s eyes lit up at the announcement.

“Young Master Ye, interested in this bracelet?” Ma Minglong, his face still swollen, hurried over to ingratiate himself.

Ye Qingming nodded lightly. “It’s decent.”

Ma Minglong exchanged a glance with Zhou Hua. The two understood each other.

“Twenty million!”

“Twenty-three million!”

“Thirty million!”

No one else in the hall spoke up at first. The previous items had been grossly overpriced, but now, seeing the Pure Glass Jade Bangle, everyone realized that the true treasures were only now appearing. Each person was eager, hoping to snatch up a bargain.

Ma Minglong called out, “Thirty-five million!”

He was determined to secure this item. Though he couldn’t handle Ning Rou, obtaining this bangle would allow him to latch onto the Ye family. If he could cultivate a good relationship with Young Master Ye, Jiang Chen would be of no consequence.

Once he’d gotten closer to Ye Qingming, he would repay Jiang Chen’s humiliation tenfold—this disgrace he would never forget.

Ye Qingming gave a subtle nod of approval to the one currying his favor.

Sun Yingxiong managed to suppress a laugh at Ma Minglong’s appearance. “Thirty-five million. Any other bids?”

“Let me introduce this item. The Pure Glass Jade Bangle is said to have once belonged to Yang Yuhuan, the famous concubine of the Tang dynasty. It has been passed down for centuries, and its most recent owner was a queen of commerce who gifted it to me by chance.”

Hearing the bangle’s storied provenance, many in the crowd were tempted, but knowing the real treasures were still to come, they chose to hold back. Why squander money on a bangle when greater prizes awaited?

Ma Minglong was ecstatic; Zhou Hua felt vindicated.

Sun Yingxiong called, “Pure Glass Jade Bangle, going once!”

“Pure Glass Jade Bangle, going twice!”

“Pu—”

His final call was cut off by a voice that had been silent for some time.

“Fifty million!”