Volume One, Chapter 20: The Stone Gamble

Although Baiyue City was a single city, its area was vast. Several young men strolled along the bustling main street, one of whom was Feng Jingmo, the young master of the Feng family.

His pair of phoenix-like eyes added a touch of allure, while the deep red robe enhanced his dashing and ethereal charm. With a slight smile, he instantly captivated the surrounding young women.

With both formidable strength and a powerful background, Feng Jingmo had become the object of admiration for many girls. Among them, the most fanatical was Jiang Hanbing, the young mistress of the neighboring Fengyue City. As long as she was around, no one dared to approach Feng Jingmo even half a step.

Seeing Jiang Hanbing absent, the girls around became even more blatant in their admiration.

“The young master of the Feng family is just too handsome.”

“Yes, I wonder what kind of woman could catch his eye.”

“No matter what, it’s definitely not someone like you.”

“Shut up! Do you think you’re so pretty?”

“I’m definitely prettier than you.”

“I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

The two started fighting over a trivial quarrel, causing chaos. Feng Zhiyue glared at Feng Jingmo, who awkwardly scratched his nose.

Taking advantage of the commotion, the group hurriedly escaped the scene of disaster.

“Big brother, we have to keep a low profile, understand?”

“Exactly.”

Zhao Yan nodded slightly, and Feng Jingmo reluctantly changed out of his robe and put on a half-mask that was barely effective.

This was Zhao Yan’s first time wandering Baiyue City. It resembled the cities on the Holy Spirit Continent, with everything imaginable for sale, bustling and lively.

“Cousin, what is your current strength?” Feng Jingmo asked curiously. He had observed her for a long time but couldn’t discern her true power. Moreover, there was no trace of spiritual energy radiating from her, making her appear as if she could not cultivate at all, which puzzled him.

“I really couldn’t cultivate before. Three years ago, I unexpectedly met a powerful Spiritual Emperor who taught me cultivation and some other skills.”

Feng Jingmo’s eyes flickered strangely. He couldn’t help but ask, “Was it the man from yesterday?”

The pressure that man released yesterday was that of a Spiritual Emperor—the youngest he had ever seen. Considering the man came from Snow Territory City, it made sense.

Zhao Yan was slightly taken aback but, to build trust, nodded without changing her expression. “That’s right.”

Feng Zhiyue looked somewhat confused. The height of a Spiritual Emperor was beyond what she had ever imagined.

“Then why can’t we detect any spiritual energy or strength from you?”

“Sorry, that’s a secret of Snow Territory City. I swore never to reveal it.”

Zhao Yan was very serious, and surprisingly, the two believed her and didn’t question the matter further.

Suddenly recalling something, Zhao Yan asked, “By the way, did Grandmother enter seclusion for twenty years because her root was injured?”

Both nodded. The root referred to the soul of a cultivator. Physical wounds could be healed with pills, but soul injuries required seclusion.

Grandmother’s twenty-year seclusion showed how grave her injury had been.

“What about Grandfather’s leg?”

Mentioning Lord Feng, a hint of helplessness and sympathy flashed in their eyes.

“We don’t know what Grandfather experienced in the secret realm, but ever since he returned, he’s seemed like a different person—often despairing, plagued by nightmares, and staring blankly at one spot.”

“No one could find the problem with his leg. Cousin has visited multiple times, and even the national master came.”

Zhao Yan narrowed her eyes; this was indeed strange. She resolved to find an opportunity to investigate further.

At that moment, a commotion arose ahead, instantly drawing their attention.

“A new batch of stones has arrived at the Gemstone Workshop—first come, first served!”

People rushed eagerly into a shop named Gemstone Workshop.

Feng Jingmo’s eyes gleamed with excitement, his mind already inside the shop. Feng Zhiyue hastily grabbed his sleeve.

“Brother, everyone in Baiyue City knows you, the Feng family’s young master. Your luck in gambling stones is terrible. Stop throwing money away.”

“Nonsense. This time we brought our cousin to have some fun, right?”

Zhao Yan raised an eyebrow; she hadn’t gambled on stones for a long time, so she nodded quickly. “Then let’s go.”

They squeezed inside quickly, but Feng Jingmo was soon recognized.

“Everyone, the young master Feng is here!”

Instantly, all eyes fixed on him. The shopkeeper beamed with delight; the young master’s generous spending was his main source of income this month. How could he be unhappy?

He even sent a servant to follow Feng Jingmo one-on-one.

Feng Jingmo’s face darkened immediately.

“What’s going on?”

Zhao Yan was puzzled, and Feng Zhiyue whispered in her ear, “It’s because brother’s luck is so bad. No stone he touches sells. So they always assign a servant to mark the stones he picks, forcing him to buy them himself. He’s never found a single spiritual stone.”

Zhao Yan’s mouth twitched—his luck was indeed terrible!

Within moments, Feng Jingmo had touched six spiritual stones, all marked in red.

“…”

Zhao Yan followed behind Feng Jingmo, carefully choosing stones. The crowd noticed her unfamiliar face and assumed she wasn’t a regular gambler, so they paid little attention.

Then Zhao Yan tapped Feng Jingmo’s shoulder. “Cousin, you pick whichever one I tell you. Now choose the fourth stone from the front.”

Feng Jingmo paused, thinking perhaps his cousin’s choice might yield a spiritual stone, redeeming his reputation and blinding these naysayers.

From then on, Feng Jingmo followed Zhao Yan’s lead completely, selecting eight stones in total.

“All done. That’s enough.”

Feng Jingmo turned back. “Cousin, just this few?”

“Yes, and the six stones you picked before can be discarded.”

Seeing Zhao Yan’s serious expression, Feng Jingmo gritted his teeth, paid, and threw the previous six stones into the crushing device. Everyone watched eagerly, and unsurprisingly, they were all worthless stones.

Laughter erupted across the venue.

Feng Jingmo was known for his good temper and naturally refused to stoop to their level.

“Bring out a ‘one-look’ master to cut the remaining stones.”

His words sparked another burst of laughter.

“Young master Feng, why don’t you just throw them all into the crusher? Save time and money.”

“Yeah, that so-called ‘one-look’ master is the most expensive among all cutters. Instead of paying him, you might as well pick more stones and try to break the curse of bad luck.”

“Hahaha!”

Feng Jingmo’s face darkened again. Just as he was about to respond, Zhao Yan stopped him.

At that moment, a shifty-eyed middle-aged man appeared. Seeing Feng Jingmo, a smile spread across his face—he was Feng Jingmo’s personal bringer of wealth.

“Oh, young master Feng is here again. Old customer! Since you’re asking me to cut them, I’ll give you a 20% discount.”

The ‘one-look’ master smiled broadly, stroking the small tuft of beard on his chin.