Chapter 107: Brother Tiger, can this Heaven-Cleaving Jade kill people?

The bald man hung up the phone, his face so grim it seemed as though ink might drip from it. He glared at me fiercely, clearly wanting to say something, but ultimately held his tongue. He turned and left the hospital with his subordinates in tow.

Old Leopard Chen, seeing this, let out a sigh of relief, though he remained puzzled. "Brother Hu, why did they just leave like that?"

I smiled, a glimmer of cunning flashing in my eyes. "It seems Boss Gao has run into some trouble and has no time to deal with us for the moment."

Old Leopard frowned. "Then what should we do next? Should we take this opportunity to strike back?"

I shook my head. "No rush. Our priority right now is to ensure Grandma Hu's safety; everything else can wait." I paused, a thought occurring to me, and turned back to him. "Old Leopard, tell me, if Gao Youde were to die, should we go and send him a bouquet of chrysanthemums?"

Old Leopard was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. "Brother Hu, you shift topics quickly. But that old fox Gao Youde—I’ve seen him survive for so many years; he’s always had a tough life."

I nodded, my gaze deepening. "True, his life is tough. But then again, anything is possible."

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor outside. A group of voices shouted, "Save them! Doctor, quick, save them!"

The commotion outside caught the attention of Old Leopard and me, though I remained unmoved. Old Leopard, however, stood up immediately and walked toward the door, eager to see what had happened.

Three minutes later, the clamor outside faded toward the emergency surgical wing. I watched as Old Leopard returned, his expression trembling as he looked at me. "No... Brother Hu... how is it that the one being rushed to emergency is Gao Youde?"

I sneered and said slowly, "The Heavenly Jade of Resolution—not everyone has the guts to carve it! Some things must be endured; otherwise... they turn back to consume you."

As my words fell, Old Leopard’s expression grew more complex. He fell silent for a moment, as if digesting my words. "Brother Hu, are you saying... Gao Youde might really not make it this time?" he asked in a low voice, his tone laced with disbelief.

I nodded, my gaze remaining profound. "Yes, Old Leopard. Although Gao Youde has been infinitely glorious all these years, he has also been walking a tightrope. After harming so many people over the years, the time has come for the wire to snap."

Old Leopard furrowed his brow, lost in thought. Suddenly, a spark flashed in his eyes. "Brother Hu, can that jade really kill a man..."

I didn't answer him, telling him instead, "Go out and buy some fruit. I want to have a word with the old lady."

Old Leopard hesitated, then nodded and left the ward.

I stood where I was, my thoughts swirling. Gao Youde had finally fallen. The 'Heavenly Dog' scheme was over. Killing the dog to appease the heavens—it was finally complete. Only now could I truly say I had reached the level of a 'Lantern Bearer.'

What sort of underworld exists without killing? If you don't kill, dare you enter? If you aren't killed, can you ever leave? That is why the chapter on jade dueling in *Blood Eye Jade Appraisal* clearly states: one cut for poverty, one cut for riches, one cut for a hempen shroud! And most importantly, when jade dueling reaches its zenith, if the problem of the jade cannot be solved, one must solve the problem of the man. Jade, in essence, is merely a pile of stone. It is only people who anchor their power, money, and greed upon it.

I closed the ward door and slowly took out the book *Blood Eye Jade Appraisal*. "By now, I suppose I have reached the first level: the Blood Eye."

Scenes flickered through my mind: meeting Gao Youde, borrowing money from him, his interrogation of me in the warehouse... Each memory made a cold sneer curl my lips. When Gao Youde had planned to drain me dry, he could never have imagined he would die by a stone.

I looked at the book in my hands. Suddenly, a tear fell onto the page. Before I could wipe it away, the ink on the page, saturated by the tear, began to turn a deep red. I watched, stunned, as the cold tear merged with the paper, the red ink spreading like blood, as if whispering endless secrets. Then, a dense web of symbols emerged.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I stared at the symbols. They looked like an ancient map, pointing toward an unknown destination. "This... this is..." I muttered, tracing the symbols with my fingers. The sensation was cold and hard, as if I could feel the power contained within. This was the third level of *Blood Eye Jade Appraisal*: the Golden Pupil Chapter.

I was stunned, a massive surge of emotion rising within me. So, there was a third level! The Golden Pupil Chapter—what could it truly mean? I flipped through the pages, eyes fixed on the symbols, a fierce curiosity and anticipation burning in my heart. Each page was like a new mystery, guiding me toward some unknown abyss.

"Golden Pupil... what mysteries do you hold?" I whispered, my fingers tracing the symbols, silently resolving to uncover the truth. But as I continued to watch, the symbols began to flow. A sharp, stinging pain began to bloom in my eyes. I gritted my teeth, enduring the pain, and kept reading.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over my mind, and the symbols before me began to twist and dance. I instinctively closed my eyes, and when I opened them, the world had changed. The entire ward seemed bathed in a golden radiance, and the air was thick with a mysterious aura. I looked down at the book again; the symbols had become incredibly clear, every detail seemingly carved into my mind.

"Golden Pupil..." I whispered to myself, a trace of wonder in my heart.

Just as my reaction reached its peak, a cough sounded beside me. Grandma Hu had awakened. I quickly closed the book, tucked it into my jacket, and turned to her bedside.

"Godmother, how are you feeling?" I lowered my voice, trying to appear calm.

Grandma Hu opened her eyes slightly, looking weak but resolute. "Little Hu, I’m fine... just tired. I just had a nightmare."

I nodded and took her hand. "Don't worry, we are safe now."

Grandma Hu smiled faintly and patted my hand gently. "You young people, be careful in what you do. Do not court danger easily."

My heart warmed. "Don't worry, Godmother, I will be careful."

Grandma Hu nodded, looking out the window, her expression wistful. "Sigh, I wonder how Hu San is doing now!"