Chapter Fifty-One: Incense Burned, Jade Broken

"Burn incense?"

My request drew puzzled looks from everyone present. Gao Youde's mocking voice echoed through the hall, laced with ridicule and disdain. "Hahaha, that's a first—burning incense before gambling on stones? What next, call on the local earth god for guidance?"

Others wore expressions of confusion and derision, but Sister Hong's face remained calm and composed, as if watching a farcical play unfold before her eyes. Old Leopard Chen, on the other hand, looked desolate and lifeless.

I drew a deep breath, struggling to keep my composure. I could not be shaken by their jeers. "Gao Youde, this is Manager Lu's table. Surely I don't need your approval for my requests?" I replied coldly. "Do you think I'm playing tricks? Burning incense is merely to help me focus, to better judge the value of the next rough stone."

Gao Youde's laughter broke off abruptly. A flicker of doubt flashed across his eyes, but his sneer quickly returned. "Heh, just playing at mysticism. Do you think this will help you turn things around? Utterly delusional!"

Ignoring his taunts, I turned to Lu Yier. "Manager Lu, my request isn't excessive, is it? I only need a few minutes."

Lu Yier pondered briefly, then nodded. "Very well, since you insist, we'll do as you say."

Soon, someone brought over an incense burner and some incense sticks. I lit one, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. The curling smoke rose gently, filling the air with a faint fragrance, and my heart gradually calmed.

Most importantly, the strange perfume scent from Su Li had vanished!

I knew that now, more than ever, I had to focus all my attention. I could not afford the slightest distraction. This was no longer just about winning back lost money; it was about proving myself, proving that I was not someone who could be easily crushed.

Even if Sister Hong wanted to keep me down, I would not let her succeed!

I, Wang Hu, would one day carve out my own path, win my own sky!

As the incense smoke drifted through the air, my thoughts grew sharper. I recalled every detail from "Blood-Eye Jade Appraisal," all those minute points I once overlooked now became crucial.

I set the miniature train on the landscape table in motion!

Soon, the third rough stone was brought out.

Taking a deep breath, I fixed my gaze on the third stone. The subtle aroma of sandalwood soothed my mind and cleared my thoughts. My eyes swept over the surface, feeling its texture and temperature, though I didn't even let my fingers touch its skin.

There were fine cracks on the stone's surface, but they did not affect the quality within. I continued to observe, noticing a faint glimmer of green in one corner.

"This stone may well contain high-quality jadeite," I silently concluded.

Lifting my head, I looked resolutely at Lu Yier. "Manager Lu, this one—cut it!"

A stir swept through the hall. Gao Youde sneered, "You really aren't afraid of dying, are you? Think your luck is better than mine? Hah!"

I paid him no mind and remained focused on the stone. Lu Yier nodded, signaling the staff to begin cutting. Meanwhile, I quickly wrote down my price and sealed it.

The cutting machine screeched again, time stretching unbearably as all eyes locked on the stone, awaiting the outcome.

The machine stopped. The stone was split open, revealing gleaming, translucent jadeite inside—radiant and exquisite.

"Well, not bad, I suppose! But who knows what price you called?" Gao Youde jeered from the side.

Luck, it seemed, had nothing to do with virtue. This piece of jade was, in truth, quite good. Yet compared to the best one Gao Youde had found earlier, it was still lacking.

"This jade is valued at nine hundred thousand," announced the staff.

They immediately opened my sealed price box and took out my label.

"Mr. Wang Hu's label reads: nine hundred thousand!"

"Exact price! Triple payout!"

Hu San, who had been sulking on the sidelines, shouted, "Tiger, you really did us proud!"

Lu Yier raised his voice, "No commotion from the crowd!"

"Another winner takes all!"

In that moment, I noticed Sister Hong's gaze turn severe. My victory, it seemed, had not won her blessing. Old Leopard Chen stroked his chin thoughtfully, as if pondering something.

On this entire field, the only one who seemed genuinely happy for me was probably Hu San. Even Su Li, who had now merged her funds with mine, looked utterly incredulous. Clearly, she was just a tool—she had no desire for me to win.

Thinking it over, even if she lost Gao Youde's four million, she could earn it back easily. But if I lost, it would be utter ruin.

It struck me deeply then—here, I was the lowest of the low, the tiniest of ants. Each of my opponents had their own ways to manipulate me. All I had was "Blood-Eye Jade Appraisal" and Hu San. Nothing else.

A sudden, hollow sense of despair swept over me, as if all things were empty.

But after that fleeting wave of despair, I made a crucial decision.

In this game, everyone must fall. Not one shall remain. Be it Gao Youde, Old Leopard Chen, Sister Hong, or Su Li—every last one would be my enemy.

Lu Yier began calculating my funds. This round, it was winner takes all. By the rules, hitting the exact price meant a triple payout on the stone's value, so the other three owed me two million seven hundred thousand.

However, because of Su Li's involvement, I would actually receive only one million three hundred fifty thousand. Split among the three, each paid less than half a million.

Gao Youde laughed heartily, calling out to me, "What a grand display, but so bittersweet in the end... Wang Hu, you really are something. I, Gao Youde, couldn't match you!"

Ignoring his sarcasm, I waved to the staff to bring up the next stone. By now, my mind was set—I would turn this game around, earning not only respect but also fear from everyone present. One by one, every last person here would be brought low.

The staff quickly rolled out the next rough stone, the miniature train carrying it steadily forward. The stone's surface creaked against the metal rails.

I did not choose this one. Neither did Sister Hong, nor Gao Youde, nor Old Leopard Chen. The fourth stone passed by untouched.

Then came the fifth. The sixth. The seventh.

Three consecutive stones, and not a single one held any jadeite.

At that point, anxiety began to creep into my heart.