Chapter Twenty-Two: Stirring Up the Market

I sat on the half-broken chair, feeling the desolation of my surroundings grow even more pronounced. Hu San’s eyes were filled with anticipation; he knew we had no way out and needed to give it our all.

“Hu San, I need you to help me with something,” I said, looking straight into his eyes, my tone resolute.

“Just say it. If I can do it, I won’t refuse,” Hu San replied without hesitation.

“I want you to pretend to be my bodyguard,” I revealed my plan.

Hu San was stunned for a moment, then laughed, “Brother, you really underestimate me. Such a low standard? That’s an easy job for me.”

“That’s right.” I nodded. “Gao Youde has taken the bait, but we have to be careful. He’s an old fox. If he senses our plan, the consequences will be dire.”

Then I looked at him seriously. “Don’t think playing a bodyguard is easy. When the time comes, you’ll have to risk your hands and eyes as collateral!”

“My hands and eyes?”

Hu San fell silent for a while, seeming to ponder my words.

I watched him, waiting for his answer.

The next moment, his expression darkened.

Suddenly, I realized my demand might really be too much.

He stood up, walked to the cabinet, and took out a set of somewhat decent-looking suits, handing them to me. “These are my old clothes. They’re a bit worn, but they fit well.”

“Do I look like a bodyguard in these?” I took the clothes, smiling.

“Next, we need to make Gao Youde believe we’re completely on his side,” I continued. “You must stay alert at all times; his eyes could be on us at any moment.”

Hu San nodded, his face turning solemn. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

We quickly discussed our next steps and then left Hu San’s place.

Outside, the wind was fierce, as if it heralded the coming storm.

We walked through the dilapidated neighborhood, Hu San close behind me, fully embodying the role of a bodyguard.

Passersby cast curious glances our way, but we paid them no mind.

“Next, we’re going to meet Gao Youde.”

But before that, we needed to find some good stones!

Hu San nodded in understanding.

We hailed a taxi and headed straight for Mengnong Market.

This was one of the more remote jade markets in Ruijing. According to the records in “Blood-Eye Jade Appraisal,” the market had existed for quite some time. In fact, it was run by a group of elderly, semi-retired jade merchants—a market that had completely fallen behind the times.

Yet, such places often yielded fine jade!

We got out of the taxi, the sign for Mengnong Jade Market swaying in the wind, as if welcoming us, two strangers.

Inside, the market was sparsely populated. Only a few old shops clung to their stalls.

The shopkeepers were all aged men; if you expected good goods here, you’d likely be disappointed.

“This place is really rundown,” Hu San whispered, doubt flickering in his eyes.

I nodded, but my heart brimmed with anticipation.

In these secluded places, visitors were few and the jade seldom changed hands.

Coupled with the fact that the shopkeepers’ eyes were dim with age… there might be undiscovered treasures hidden here.

We slowly entered the market. The shops displayed all sorts of jade—some dazzling, others dull.

“Let’s split up,” I told Hu San. “You check over there, I’ll look here.”

Hu San was taken aback. “Come on, Tiger, are you joking? With these eyes of mine, do you really think I can spot anything good?”

His words made me realize I’d almost forgotten, in my eagerness for jade, that despite Hu San’s years in the market, he was essentially blind to jade’s secrets.

“All right, then follow me!” I said.

Hu San nodded and headed toward the other end of the market.

I walked into the oldest looking shop.

The owner, an elderly man with snow-white hair, was bent over, meticulously carving a piece of jade.

“Boss, do you have any good jade to recommend?” I asked as I approached.

The old man raised his head, his gaze deep and wise. He sized me up, then pointed to a pile of stones in the corner. “There are a few over there. Pick for yourself.”

I walked over and carefully examined the stones.

I found nothing noteworthy among the raw material in his shop and felt a bit disappointed.

I casually remarked, “Sir, your stones are rather ordinary.”

My words seemed to irk the old man; his face darkened instantly, a hint of displeasure in his eyes. He put down his carving tool, slowly stood up, and walked over.

“Young man, do you know what truly makes good jade?” His voice was low and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority.

I was taken aback, not expecting such a strong reaction to my offhand comment.

Just as I was about to explain, the old man continued, “Good jade isn’t about appearance, but about the quality within. Look at these stones—plain on the outside, but inside might be priceless treasures.”

I smiled. “I understand your reasoning, sir, but the pile you pointed out has a maximum value of five thousand at best.”

“It’s not that there’s no jade—it’s that there’s no good jade!”

The old man’s demeanor changed at my words. He adjusted his reading glasses and said, “So, you’re an expert?”

I smiled, then quoted, “Water has its source, jade its eye; in the southwestern region lies Emerald Mountain!”

A flicker of surprise crossed the old man’s eyes. His reaction was noticeably larger this time.

After carefully studying me, he slowly replied, “The peacock flies northwest, agate and Hetian jade pile high!”

I laughed.

The old man laughed as well.

Only Hu San, standing nearby, looked at us in confusion.

The old man pushed up his glasses and suddenly sighed, “So many years, so many years, and yet there are still inheritors of the old school. I, an old man, have truly opened my eyes!”

He nodded. “It seems you really know your stuff.”

With that, he handed me the keys.

“The garden behind is a stone storehouse. Take as much as you need; the price is three hundred thousand.”

You don’t need to go anywhere else; the whole market is mine!

“What? The whole market belongs to you?” Hu San, behind me, stared at the old man in astonishment.

He could hardly believe it.

The old man smiled. “It’s not just the whole market. Do you know my name?”

“My name is Wu Mengnong. Wu—like fierce beast; Mengnong—as in jade carving!”

“That is the true origin of Mengnong Market!”