Imperial Treasure

Chapter 636 - 413: The Game

Capital City’s Fu Ling, the city’s roses, a pond of spring water, tears falling to the ground...

"Fu Ling, a female player in the Capital City’s antiques circle," Gong Jiu said, stroking his chin, "She’s called a player because she really does play: she plays with antiques, she plays with men, she plays with women... there’s nothing she can’t play with." Gong Jiu added cautiously, "This person is very dangerous."

"Because she plays with women? As if she’d be interested in you," someone retorted.

"Get lost! I’m not talking about that," Gong Jiu glared at Flower Demon, saying irritably, "I mean, she’s got serious skills in the underworld... you get my drift?"

She made a gesture...

Everyone naturally understood that to mix in the circles of Capital City was to connect with the nation, and to mix on the streets of Capital City meant a reach to the heavens.

So, without a doubt, Fu Ling was a heavyweight.

Sui Yi’s gaze fell behind her...

"She has a master by her side," Sui Yi noted.

Sui Yi’s remark made Gong Jiu start, "I didn’t see anyone... Oh, come on!" Gong Jiu, priding himself on his own strength, had failed to detect the presence and prowess of that person, which made him wonder, how strong must that person be?

At Sui Yi’s level?

But Sui Yi said nothing more, merely watching in silence...

The Old Master didn’t seem to want to compete with Fu Ling either, after all, there ought to be a distinction between men and women. However, no one knew the real reason, and it seemed that Fu Ling’s price of 300 million taels was about to be settled...

"Three hundred and fifty million," Sherlock finally made his move.

It felt like a decisive stroke.

"Three point six," Fu Ling spoke again.

"Three hundred and seventy million," Sherlock kept up.

"Five hundred million."

The sudden bid of 500 million took everyone by surprise. Everyone looked up toward a compartment near the east, as Pang Shang walked out with a beaming smile. Sherlock and the others were stunned, recognizing the old man...

"I must have been seeing things," Sherlock said with a smile, though his expression was slightly sour.

Five hundred million was too domineering.

The organization had given him a maximum of 400 million.

Fu Ling glanced at Pang Shang and said, "Old Man Pang, haven’t seen you in a few days, and you’ve become even more domineering."

The Old Master also chuckled, "No kidding. I say, Mr. Pang, you haven’t just stumbled upon a gold mine on your trip, have you?"

Pang Shang, being familiar with these people, maintained a cheerful tone despite their private battles. Smiling, he said, "Don’t make fun of me. I’m acting on someone’s behalf. But don’t be hasty, folks. The buyer is quite playful. Hearing that Misty the Pearl is spirited and seeks harmony with human spirit, he wants to test who here is fated with it—"

Wow!

This pace seemed like he was giving it away for free?

"Are you saying that if this person sees someone is fated, he will give it to them?" The Old Master’s eyes glinted with playfulness as he interjected.

"More or less," laughed Pang Shang.

"I actually believe this money isn’t coming from you... You’re not that generous," Fu Ling said bluntly, obviously quite familiar with Pang Shang.

Unoffended, the latter waved his hand and said to the others, "Well, is there anyone else wanting to challenge for it? Or are you interested in trying your luck?"

Five hundred million! Despite their wealth, those present hadn’t expected someone to play such a big game.

It was like the god of wealth himself!

Indeed, no one there could match the bid of 500 million, but they were all now quite interested in the game, and those young gentlemen started to get excited.

As for celebrities like Qiao Yu and others, their hearts were pounding. Was this how the rich played their games?

It all felt so fantastical—

The TV reporters were bewildered too. Was this heading into superstition or some kind of farce? Would the Broadcasting Authority shut this down?

Well, probably not, everyone involved had reach to the heavens. Plus, a substantial part of the grand charity funds was to be donated, and it’s hard to criticize once you’ve accepted generosity. So it should all be smooth sailing.

No one made another offer and the auctioneer promptly brought down the Hammer, "Sold!" He then asked Mr. Pang, "May I ask how you would like to proceed...?"

"It’s simple. Get me a basin of water, mix some tung oil and mercury in it, and add a magnetic needle,"

While the three items seemed an odd combination, beyond comprehension to some, the auctioneer was capable, and Duke Zheng’s Mansion resourceful. Soon enough, a basin was brought out, and before the curious eyes of everyone, tung oil and mercury were added to the water. The three liquids clearly didn’t mix, creating a striking contrast. Then, Zheng Yu—to demonstrate the solemnity of Duke Zheng’s Mansion—came forward with white-gloved hands, solemnly picking up the magnetic needle with tweezers and placing it in the water...

Almost everyone, including Gong Jiu, widened their eyes. Uh, they got into character quickly...

Plop, the magnetic needle fell into the water...

After waiting three breaths. Uh, nothing happened?

Some wanted to laugh, and Fu Ling indeed laughed, "Old Man, are you going to perform some ritual? I’m waiting—!"

"Don’t rush, haha—" Mr. Pang interrupted, "Put Misty the Pearl in."

Zheng Yu and the people of Duke Zheng’s Mansion hesitated, but Pang Shang grew impatient, "Hey, Zheng kid, I’ve bought this thing... Your mansion has no right to grieve over it..."

Oh, that’s right—

Zheng Yu then realized his mistake and awkwardly chuckled, "Senior Pang is right. I was being absent-minded... Here goes—"

The palm-sized Misty the Pearl was placed in the water with even greater care by Zheng Yu...

"Wait a minute, the magnetic needle will start to turn..."

Really? Is that true?

Everyone gazed attentively...this time, they truly didn’t have to wait long, Xiao Xianting, who was sitting close by, soon saw the magnetic needle slowly move...

"Oh my goodness, it really moved!"

"Is it some kind of magic?"

"There must be some scientific principle behind it, like chemistry or physics."

"Electric conduction?"

"Is the magnetic needle remotely controlled? A miniature smart magnetic needle!"

One by one, their minds raced with wild ideas, letting their imaginations run free, until after several revolutions, the needle finally slowed down, passing by each person--some with wooden expressions, some joyful, some containing their excitement....

It stopped, pointing steadily at a spot.

Qiao Yu was somewhat stunned, her fists clenched and trembling, just as she was about to say something...

"Ha, it’s me!" Wang Feng leapt up all of a sudden, his demeanor ecstatic, causing a bit of commotion in the room.... Then, like a mountain bearing down upon them came Pang Shang: "Kid, aren’t you a bit too eager? Who said it was yours?"

"Ah!" Wang Feng was taken aback, his face turning red, "But the magnetic needle was clearly pointing at me... Does that not mean..."

Suddenly someone jeered: "Wang family’s boy, you seem to have forgotten about the people upstairs. Did you think this game was only meant for us down here?"

In terms of status and position, those upstairs totally outclassed them! And you dare say this game is none of their business--how big must your face and courage be~

Wang Feng’s face turned ashen, not daring to look up at who was above, only casting his gaze towards Pang Shang on the opposite balcony...

"Does anyone remember how many revolutions the magnetic needle just made?" intoned Pang Shang ominously.

Ordinary people might not pay attention to this detail, but given that most here were business elites, their observational skills were remarkable, and soon Cao Ling spoke up with a smile: "Thirteen revolutions."

"It was thirteen revolutions."

"Thirteen."

Several people provided the same answer, and subsequently, they also subconsciously looked up at the compartment above Wang Feng and the others... and wasn’t the number thirteen clearly marked beneath the railing and the sign?

"My God, it really is thirteen!"

"This is too much of a coincidence, pointing exactly at that spot and aligning with thirteen revolutions!"

"It’s like a miracle!"

If pointing at Wang Feng’s compartment was a coincidence, then thirteen matching thirteen was pure probability!

Is there truly a divine will at play?

Or is it all a human manipulation?

Even Fu Ling and the Old Master were quite astonished; could it be that Duke Zheng’s Mansion had set up some mystery? Or was the person behind Old Man Pang too powerful...

The photographers no longer knew what to say, and one could only imagine the explosion of excitement at the TV stations. Could they still edit this? Would there be a problem with broadcasting it live...

This was supposed to be a charity auction, and it just turned into a magic show!

In the midst of the commotion, Zheng Yu stood up and called out loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, there is no need for speculation. Everything in this basin is extremely ordinary, including this magnetic needle, which only costs a hundred yuan for a box of three. Everyone is welcome to come up and check for themselves..."

Zheng Yu’s words actually carried a hint of humor; some people laughed, but indeed, others went up to check...

Well, it was mainly the more rowdy youngsters and journalists, who quickly came to a conclusion together.

——Your thing for 100 yuan a box of three is quite expensive. You can get three for ten yuan in no time at the market!

We don’t understand the values of the wealthy...

If there’s no problem with the objects, then is it indeed fated, or as the legends say, meant to be?

Everyone’s eyes turned to compartment thirteen, their gaze landing on the balcony: a red-nosed, rough-skinned strong guy, an incomparably handsome blond man, and one more... when the camera couldn’t resist focusing on that short-haired, icy woman, she frowned slightly, only to hear Pang Shang ask, "What is the lady’s surname?"

Well, someone went straight for their darling! Just as Mr. Fei was about to say something, Sherlock, with a serious look, stopped him, gently saying, "Her surname is Yi."

"An ideal lady across the water... Miss Yi, my master says that Misty the Pearl naturally leans towards the yang, fishes swimming in water will instinctively favor a woman, and the fated one is bound to be physically frail and in need of protection. Misty the Pearl is destined to be yours..."

Wow, was all that calculated? Is this a fortune-telling trick or the ultimate pick-up tactic?

Five hundred million, that’s extravagant, and quite a few people began to doubt this view again.

"Who is he?" Yi’s voice was clear and cool, expressing some of the doubts in people’s hearts.

This master is too energetically high-powered; or is he the one who arranged all this...

But looking at this beauty’s demeanor, she seemed to know nothing at all.

"I’m afraid I cannot reveal that... If Miss Yi does not want Misty the Pearl, the fish without water could wither and die," Pang Shang spoke meaningfully, even Fu Ling felt that the person behind the old man must be quite extraordinary, as they would have spotted any trickery long ago...

Everyone looked to Yi... In the end, Yi closed her eyes and said indifferently, "Please thank him for me."

From beginning to end, she never glanced at Sui Yi and others across from her, and it was Sherlock who seemed dubiously to glance over at the others...

Then he shook his head. It wasn’t them.

There was no need to go through such trouble, nor was there a motive, right? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommended votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to continue reading.)