"I don't believe it, I don't believe it!"
Jiang Long was on the verge of collapse!
He had been in the gambling stone industry for so long, and he had never encountered a situation like today.
He absolutely refused to believe that his skills in Jiangcheng would be surpassed by a young man!
A moment later, his eyes turned red with desperation. He turned to Li Yang and said, "Kid, I want to challenge you to a 'Naotian Gong'. I bet your stone only has that one layer of jade."
"If I guess correctly, I want you to sever your own tendons and spill your blood on the spot!"
Naotian Gong refers to a situation where, after failing to reach the heavenly gate, one refuses to concede and demands a rematch. If the Naotian Gong is successful, all previous losses can be compensated, and the winner will suffer dire consequences.
However, if one loses again during Naotian Gong, they will be at the mercy of the winner, even willing to give up their life.
But there is a prerequisite for Naotian Gong: the winner must agree!
If the winner refuses to allow the challenge, the previous bet's outcome will be final, and it will be executed according to the earlier rules.
"Are you sure you want to gamble with your life? Right now, you've only lost two fingers, but if I finish cutting this stone, what you stand to lose is your life," Li Yang asked with a faint smile.
"I'm betting my life. If you have the guts, keep gambling with me. If I lose, I'll pay you with my life today!" the gambling saint Jiang Long said furiously.
As soon as he said this, even Peng Hai dared not breathe heavily!
It was no small matter for the dignified gambling saint to gamble with his life against a young man.
Seeing that Li Yang was still contemplating, Qing Luan quickly ran over and said, "Mr. Li, you have already won. I suggest you don't let him challenge you to Naotian Gong; the risk is too great."
"Yes, Li Yang, don't play with him anymore. He's already lost and is blinded by desperation. He won't rest until he wins your life. You don't need to get entangled with him to the end," Shui Xiang also quickly came forward to persuade him.
She didn't want Li Yang to lose his life. She had finally found the man she wanted to spend her life with, and if he died, she wouldn't want to live either.
Li Yang appeared incredibly calm. He touched Shui Xiang's face and said, "Don't worry about me. I won't lose my life. The one who will lose their life today is him!"
Then, Li Yang looked at Jiang Long, his eyes stern, and said, "Master Jiang, I agree to your Naotian Gong. However, I must remind you beforehand that my stone contains imperial green full jade. If you choose to withdraw now, there is still a chance to survive."
"If you insist on proceeding, you will truly lose your reputation today and also your life."
"I, Jiang Long, can afford to lose!"
Jiang Long said dismissively, his gaze sweeping over Li Yang's stone, and continued, "Your stone cannot possibly be full jade. I have never seen sandstone like this yield full jade. I am determined to win this bet."
"Master, please cut it carefully. If the jade inside is damaged, it will lose its value."
Li Yang stopped wasting words with him and turned his attention back to the stone cutter, giving instructions before starting the cut.
The audience gradually recovered from their shock, and everyone turned their gaze to Li Yang's stone.
In just five minutes, Li Yang's stone was also cut open. Inside, a vast expanse of green was revealed, like a clear spring – imperial green full jade!
"It's truly full jade! Mr. Li's gambling stone skills are simply divine!"
"Haha, he won! Mr. Li won! The master of our Jiangcheng antique world has actually defeated the Gambling Saint of Jiangcheng!"
"If this news gets out, Jiangcheng will become famous!"
The audience members were more excited than each other!
Everyone cheered for Li Yang. Today's challenge, the "Shangtianshan," could truly be recorded in history!
Li Yang came back to his senses and smiled at Jiang Long, saying, "Master Jiang, a bet is a bet. Your Naotian Gong has failed again. Now your life is mine. Do you have anything to say?"
"I... I admit defeat!"
Jiang Long had nothing to say!
He never expected to lose so completely today. If he had lost in the previous rounds, Li Yang might have relied on luck.
But this last round truly proved that Li Yang had the ability. His ability was far inferior to Li Yang's!
After speaking, he walked up to Li Yang and, with a thud, knelt down, saying solemnly, "Today, I, Jiang Long, have failed the Naotian Gong. A bet is a bet. Mr. Li can kill me or torture me as he pleases."
"Beauty Qing Luan, get me a knife!"
Li Yang said expressionlessly, turning to Qing Luan.
Qing Luan was stunned for a moment, wondering if Li Yang would really take his life.
This Jiang Long was, after all, the Gambling Saint from the provincial capital. His reputation and status in the gambling stone world were extremely high. If he were killed, it would likely offend a large number of people in the provincial antique circle.
However, seeing Li Yang's firm attitude, she knew it would be difficult to persuade him. She could only follow his instructions and had a store employee bring Li Yang a knife.
Li Yang swiftly placed the blade on Jiang Long's neck. Jiang Long trembled with fear but did not beg Li Yang for mercy.
Li Yang nodded slightly and smiled, "Seeing that you're still a man, I thought you would beg me to let you go."
"Because you have upheld integrity, I will not kill you today. However, while the death penalty is waived, punishment is not escaped. I will break two of your fingers today as a warning. From now on, do not bully others with your power, nor harbor evil thoughts."
"If there is a next time, I will surely make you pay with your life!"
"I... Thank you, Mr. Li, for sparing my life. Jiang Long will never forget this great kindness. From now on, Jiang Long is willing to follow Mr. Li's instructions and be at his beck and call." Jiang Long was grateful on the spot and kowtowed to Li Yang several times.
The audience was also surprised that Li Yang would be so magnanimous as to let this extremely arrogant old man go.
Just now, this old man had been so disrespectful to Li Yang, even wanting his life.
It was rare in the world to find someone as generous and magnanimous as Li Yang!
"Alright, you can get up. Today's matter ends here. However, regarding your threats to the beautiful Qing Luan earlier, have you thought about what you will do?" Li Yang asked casually.
"I am willing to compensate the beautiful Qing Luan voluntarily and will never harass her again," Jiang Long said very seriously.
Li Yang nodded, then pointed to Peng Hai behind him and continued, "Your sincerity is good, but what about him? Will he respect your choice?"
"Please rest assured, Mr. Li. My intention is Peng Hai's intention. As long as I promise something, Peng Hai will absolutely not dare to violate it," Jiang Long stated with certainty.
This was something he could decide. After all, his status was very high, and Peng Hai was merely his client. With a single word from him, he could make Peng Hai unable to get by in Jiangcheng.
Hearing Jiang Long's words, Peng Hai also quickly stepped forward and respectfully looked at Li Yang, saying, "Mr. Li, Senior Gambling Saint speaks the truth. His intentions are my intentions. I will absolutely not provoke the beautiful Qing Luan again in the future."
"Furthermore, our bet is canceled. I concede to the beautiful Qing Luan, and I will pay her the compensation shortly."