Dragon Emperor, Martial God

Ling Yun was in awe of Song Zhengyang’s amazing senses. He could assess its value with plain sight?

It looked like there were experts within the Antique Market! They must not be underestimated!

“Uncle Song, I picked the stone randomly. You… you can tell the quality?” Ling Yun was surprised.

“You think I would invite Yong Yongshou to my Pearl Jade Court otherwise?” Song Zhengyang smiled, casting a glance at Ling Yun that expressed volumes.

After that, Song Zhengyang chuckled and explained, “I’m not entirely certain, but I’m fairly sure that beneath the stone’s ordinary surface lies a smooth texture filled with spiritual energy. Cut it open, and the price would be at least a million! You earned a considerable starting bonus even before going to the gambling stone event!”

Tang Meng had just finished calling and hurried over excitedly, asking, “Uncle Song, what did he earn? What starting bonus?”

Song Zhengyang had predicted that Ling Yun would be a legendary character, and hence Tang Meng would have a lustrous future following him with unyielding loyalty. “Ling Yun just picked up a major antique!” Song Zhengyang was honest and straight to the point with Tang Meng.

Tang Meng was stupefied. He eagerly snatched the rock from Ling Yun, knocking and rubbing it before exclaiming, “Starting bonus? From this melon-looking rock?”

It was evident that great minds think alike, or that fools rarely differ.

Song Zhengyang didn’t rebut his observation. He smiled and said casually, “If Ling Yun agrees, we can cut the stone live at Yu Ding Xuan. If the product isn’t worth a million yuan, I’ll pay you the difference in value!”

Song Zhengyang’s confidence was a result of countless years of dealing with Yu Ding Xuan!

“Uncle Song, I think it’s alright. I have other uses for this rock.” Ling Yun gently shook his head.

The trio continued to walk against the current. Throughout the journey, Ling Yun sensed spiritual energy radiating from several shops, but since Song Zhengyang was present, he resisted the urge to enter and merely noted the names of the shops.

On the one hand, Ling Yun was uncomfortable with such a prominent figure waiting for him to pick stones; on the other hand, Ling Yun’s accuracy would arouse suspicion, especially with Song Zhengyang’s astounding visual prowess.

Limited resources should be deployed where they were needed the most, and since the shops couldn’t run away, Ling Yun wasn’t in a rush to buy the stones today.

“Young chap, the weekly stone gambling event will begin in Yu Ding Xuan. Picking, buying, cutting — all of them are live and incredibly exciting. Want to join in the fun?”

Song Zhengyang smilingly offered Ling Yun advice as they were approaching the center of the Sudoku square.

Of course, Ling Yun would gladly proceed, after all, that was his intention for coming over. However, he commented, “Uncle Song, I have to make a trip to Tianxi Pavilion to settle another issue today.”

“Oh? You have business dealings with Tianxi Pavilion?” Song Zhengyang was amazed.

Ling Yun gave a cheeky smile while he scratched his head and held his tongue. Tang Meng, however, interrupted, saying, “Uncle Song, did you know that Ling Yun saved the life of the owner of Tianxi Pavilion, Elder Murong Wenshi?”

Song Zhengyang was dumbfounded. “The time Elder Murong had a car accident on the pedestrian street?”

“Yeah, that one. Hehe, the time Big Brother Yun displayed his amazing assortment of medical skills…” Tang Meng was about to commence his bragging, like the storytellers spewing saliva at unprecedented speeds.

Song Zhengyang had witnessed the medical skills of Ling Yun and needed no further elaboration from Tang Meng. “Hm, no wonder Elder Murong tried to divert the topic the last time I asked him who saved his life. So it seems he didn’t want to share it with me, haha, who knew I’d be with him now!”

Song Zhengyang cackled as he grabbed Ling Yun’s elbows. “I drink tea with Elder Murong every now and then. Let’s go, I can bring you there today and give him a good shock. Let’s see if he still has anything to hide from me!”

Ling Yun had originally intended to only go with Tang Meng, but now that Song Zhengyang was adamant about visiting Elder Murong, he had no choice but to bring him along.

Sudoku Square was the area most densely populated with brand name shops in the Antique Market, such as Tianxi Pavilion, Yu Ding Xuan, Pearl Jade Court, House of Strange Stones, and a few others. The night Ling Yun rescued Lin Menghan from the lion’s den, he sat on the white marble steps of Yu Ding Xuan, and as a result, was familiar with the place since he had done some cultivation there.

Song Zhengyang was a chatterbox talking about Tianxi Pavilion. He informed Ling Yun and Tang Meng about the recent losses Murong Wenshi incurred, totaling tens of millions. Furthermore, his dear granddaughter had stirred some trouble in her company in Hong Kong, so Murong Feixue had to fly between the two cities constantly.

“Elder Murong has been in the dumps ever since the 20 million loss last week. He’s poised to make a big bet this week, and coincidentally, the House of Strange Stones has gotten a lot of magical stones, so Yu Ding Xuan should be a sight to see today…

“However, his dear granddaughter Murong Feixue is seemingly being pestered by two nouveau riches who started a stiff competition to win her over. One of them is from Beijing, the other one from Hong Kong, and they’ve made a fool of themselves in the Antique Market trying to one-up each other…”

Song Zhengyang was evidently well-informed on the situation around Tianxi Pavilion and was brutally honest with Ling Yun.

“Uncle Song, do you know the origin behind the name Tianxi Pavilion?” Ling Yun had his thoughts on something else and asked casually as Song Zhengyang was taking a breath.

“Not sure exactly, but I heard that the Murong have a large seal inherited from the ancestors resembling the Tianxi of a certain emperor, hence the name Tianxi Pavilion…

“Nonetheless, in our industry, we assign a historical story to every artifact we have to raise the price. So for stories like this, just treat it with a grain of salt…”

In a moment’s time, Song Zhengyang had already led them into the Tianxi Pavilion. The first floor had shops selling gold and silver jewelry, jade and pearl items, and pottery. Without a single curious glance, Song Zhengyang made his way across the hall straight to the second floor.

“Welcome, Boss Song…”

“Welcome, President Song.”

Regardless of their status and influence, everyone who was part of the Antique Market in Qingshui City knew Song Zhengyang, and every staff member and employee in the pavilion had to great him with all due reverence.

That was the power, status, and fame that a person attained after participating in the market for so long. With all that, money, along with reverence and respect, came all too easily.

Ling Yun entered the Tianxi Pavilion and naturally scanned the place with his divine sense. He found intense traces of spiritual energy radiating from the second floor.

“With such valuable treasures, no wonder this is Murong’s signature shop…” Ling Yun murmured to himself as he made his way upstairs.

“Elder Murong, are you still depressed? Look at who I brought!”

Song Zhengyang went up to the second floor, turned right, and made a beeline for Murong Wenshi’s office while chanting the same things as Ling Yun.

Ling Yun’s far-reaching senses detected the irritated sounds of a lady in a room.

“Can you two go out and give me some time to cool down? I already told the both of you that I have a boyfriend, so stop pestering me, ok? Are you not embarrassed enough from what happened over the past two weeks?”

Ling Yun could tell from the crisp-clear voice that it was Murong Feixue, and he couldn’t help but secretly take pleasure in her situation.

“Yo, the stone gambling event in Yu Ding Xuan is about to begin, so hurry up and go prepare your stones. Gambling Addict Song, why are you here at my place?”

Murong Wenshi opened the office door. His tone was, however, blatantly disrespectful.

Song Zhengyang chuckled. “Stone gambling should be done live for the thrill. If I had prepared the stones in advance, who would take part?”

Murong Wenshi smiled slightly and directed his attention to Ling Yun and Tang Meng.

Murong Wenshi’s facial expression underwent a drastic change!

Even though Ling Yun lost weight and was basically unrecognizable now, Murong Wenshi could recognize Tang Meng!

Tang Meng had previously come to Tianxi Pavilion for business dealings about Maseratis. While he was unable to stop Murong Feixue, he had indeed seen Murong Wenshi before.

“You are Tang Meng, and this is…” Murong Wenshi found Ling Yun familiar but was unable to confirm.

Song Zhengyang deliberately withheld Ling Yun’s introduction and stopped Tang Meng from saying anything. He wanted to see the two stare at each other.

Ling Yun was smiling and paid great attention to Murong Wenshi’s cranium. He noticed that while his previous wound had completely healed, a big scar remained on the top of his head, preventing hair growth.

Song Zhengyang was puzzled at the situation. Could Elder Murong have forgotten Ling Yun?

If that was the case, the recent losses were justified, given his aging eyes and brains.

What Song Zhengyang didn’t know was that Ling Yun lost almost 30kg in less than two months!

“Elder Murong, did your brain really suffer such serious damage? Forgetting your own benefactor?” He cackled and inched up to Murong Wenshi.

At that moment, Ling Yun smiled and bowed lightly. “Hello, Elder Murong, Ling Yun has come to see you!”