Chapter 151: With Your Strength, You Do Not Deserve This Stake

Su Li looked at Old Man Shi's retreating back, a fierce struggle raging in her heart.

I knew what Su Li was thinking. This person simply resented the fact that I was doing well now.

Did she forget how I had once lived under her family's roof, subjected to her bullying and oppression?

I sneered, "What does it matter to you whether my life goes well or not? Either you gamble with me on jade stones, or you get lost! This is a jade gambling market, not a place for you to come and air your grievances!"

"I, Su Li, choose to continue this challenge!" Her voice rang out, clear and sharp like a drawn sword piercing the market's silence.

The surrounding crowd instantly quieted down, all eyes instantly converging on her as a tense atmosphere filled the air.

"Old Man Shi's departure hasn't scared me off! Even if I am the only one left, I, Su Li, will face you fair and square!"

Su Li's voice grew firmer, the blood in her veins boiling at that moment.

The look she gave me seemed capable of breathing fire.

"I will keep gambling, and I'll do it for my dignity!"

Her words boomed like thunder, shocking everyone present.

Su Li's resolve acted like a powerful magnetic field, instantly shifting the atmosphere in the market.

Whispers broke out among the crowd. Old Man Shi's exit hadn't put them at ease; instead, it sparked even more discussion and anticipation.

Some admired Su Li's courage, while others worried about her decision.

"Do you really want to keep going? Do you know the consequences?" I asked.

"I know! It's nothing more than ending up like Old Man Shi, never setting foot in this market again!"

Yet, the moment Su Li finished speaking, I burst out laughing!

I looked at Su Li, amused. "Seriously, Su Li, are you out of your mind? Who do you think you are?"

"That was a stake meant for Old Man Shi. Based on who you are, you aren't qualified to claim that wager!"

I stared at Su Li, a cold smirk on my face.

Su Li's gaze grew even more resolute. The surrounding whispers faded away. She clenched her fists tightly, mustered her courage, and announced to me and the crowd, "Fine! You say I'm not worthy, then let's change the stakes. Tell me, how do you want to play?"

I looked at Su Li, pondering what kind of wager would actually be appropriate.

My first thought went to Xiao Mi...

But right now, Su Li was merely Sister Hong's subordinate. She couldn't possibly know about Xiao Mi's true control, and she might not even be privy to that information!

That was unlikely!

Then...

Just as I was thinking, Black Blade whispered from behind me, "Sister Hong integrated several of the previously consolidated jade markets into the Red Sun Jewelry and Jade Group, and among them is the Greater Red Sun Market..."

Confused, I turned my head to look at Black Blade. He continued, "All the opponent has to do is guarantee that you can go over at any time, pick any piece of rough stone you want, and they will foot the bill. That's all!"

Hearing Black Blade's words, I suddenly found this wager rather interesting!

Giving me the chance to randomly show up at their market at any time and walk away with a piece of rough stone free of charge—that certainly carried some imagination!

Hearing this, I nodded, then looked back at Su Li and spoke up: "Let's wager on this: if you win, I'll still give you the stake I previously offered to Old Man Shi. But if you lose... not only will you never come to Spring Breeze Market again, but you are also banned from Sharp Peak Market. Furthermore, you must grant me one full day of random treasure hunting at your Greater Red Sun Market! And your side cannot put up any form of obstruction!"

"Do you dare to take a wager like this?"

Su Li was momentarily stunned, but a cold smirk quickly surfaced at the corner of her lips. "Did you think I'd be scared? I, Su Li, have never been one to cower!"

The surrounding crowd began murmuring again, the tension mounting.

"Good. Since you have so much courage, let's gamble."

I smiled faintly, secretly thrilled that Su Li's determination was precisely what I needed.

"But I have a condition." A gleam flashed in Su Li's eyes. "Before the gambling starts, I want to add three pieces of rough stone as my own stakes."

"Unlike you, Wang Hu, I, Su Li, don't like playing with leftovers discarded by others!"

I was slightly taken aback, not expecting Su Li to make such a demand.

This was not only a challenge to my wager, but also a declaration of absolute confidence in her own abilities.

I looked at her, silently evaluating the situation.

"Fine, three rough stones. Accepted."

I nodded in agreement, though my mind was racing to figure out her bottom line.

Her courage impressed me. Could it be that her jade-gambling skills had improved as well?

"I hope you pick carefully, because these three rough stones won't be ordinary ones," I warned, my gaze wandering over her body as I tried to read her hidden cards.

"I will pick the best ones!" A flash of resolve crossed Su Li's eyes, and she seemed ready to give it everything she had.

The tension in the crowd thickened further as everyone eagerly awaited the start of this gambling match.

Su Li walked over to the pile of rough stones, studying each piece meticulously as if searching for the one destined for her.

"Are you ready?" Just as Su Li was picking the stones, I suddenly walked up to Pan Ximi. Pan Ximi looked at me in confusion and asked, "Wait, Boss, what are you up to?"

I stepped close to Pan Ximi and lowered my voice. "For this jade gamble, you'll be the one stepping up to play. Su Li's standard isn't worthy of gambling with me directly."

Pan Ximi was momentarily stunned, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes. "Boss, what do you mean? She's clearly fully resolved. You know what my skills are like—they're an absolute mess!"

"Resolve?" I sneered, casting my gaze toward Su Li, who was concentrating intently on selecting a stone, her face full of focus and determination. But I knew in my heart that her courage alone wasn't enough to sustain her survival in this market.

"She's merely trying to use this opportunity to prove herself, yet her foundation is far too weak," I continued. "In this gambling match, victory or defeat doesn't hinge on her determination, but on sheer strength."

Pan Ximi hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Then what should I do? I know nothing about jade gambling!"

"You just need to follow my instructions," I said softly, my eyes locked firmly on Su Li. "Later on, I'll tell you how to analyze the characteristics of each rough stone, and you just execute."

Pan Ximi frowned slightly, but ultimately nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you."

By this time, Su Li had selected three rough stones, a look of complete confidence on her face.

She walked back to us, holding the three rough stones in her hands, her eyes burning with intensity. "These three are my stakes. I believe they will bring me victory!"

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I felt a wave of internal amusement.

Her confidence seemed to me nothing more than blind impulsiveness.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the atmosphere grew suffocatingly tense. I knew this moment would seal her fate.

"Alright, let's begin." I gave a slight wave of my hand, signaling Pan Ximi to step forward.

Pan Ximi stepped up and slowly turned his gaze toward Su Li.

Su Li wore a cold and expressionless face.

On the table right now sat a total of three rough stones.

Best two out of three wins!

Now, who would make the first pick—that was crucial!