Chapter Sixty-Nine: Nothing but Beasts, Not a Single Human!

At my reminder, everyone present burst into laughter. Gao Youde’s words were especially scornful, Su Li shook her head in regret, and Old Leopard Chen remained as indifferent as ever.

Gao Youde sneered, “What a joke—your so-called inheritance? Do you think a few words from you can scare us off? Stone gambling is all about keen eyes and experience, not something you can win with some so-called family legacy!”

“Let me tell you, those old-timers had to die out for stone gambling to come this far. If you want to play, then play. If you’re afraid, just quit. But don’t stand here talking about inheritance—it’s laughable!”

Su Li looked at me coldly but remained silent.

I scoffed inwardly, though my face showed no emotion. I continued, “Have any of you heard of fox eyes? At night, a fox’s eyes glow—just like when you shine a light through jade.”

The moment I said this, I could clearly see a subtle change in Old Leopard Chen’s expression.

I pressed on, “With the right inheritance, you ordinary people don’t stand a chance against me.”

My bold claim instantly tightened the atmosphere in the room.

Gao Youde’s sneer grew more pronounced as he mocked loudly, “Fox eyes? Are you joking? Stone gambling relies on real skill—not some supernatural inheritance!”

His words drew another round of laughter, and even the audience began to whisper among themselves.

“He’s just trying to be mysterious, right? What fox eyes in stone gambling? I’ve never heard of it!”

“Exactly! Look how confident he acts—it’s almost comical.”

Though Su Li still said nothing, the disdain in her eyes was clear. She obviously didn’t believe a word I said, simply staring at me coldly as if waiting for me to embarrass myself.

But their ridicule and doubts didn’t shake me in the least.

Because none of this was meant for them.

I smiled faintly, turned to face Old Leopard Chen, and said with unwavering gaze, “Old Leopard Chen, you’re the most experienced stone gambler here, and you favor the old ways. Why don’t you and I have a match—just the two of us—see whose eye is sharper?”

Old Leopard Chen kept his indifferent expression, but this time, a slight frown creased his brow.

After a brief silence, he looked toward Lu Yier on the side. “Mr. Lu, is this against the rules?”

Lu Yier nodded slowly, a subtle, meaningful smile on his lips. “During the match, it’s acceptable to set up a side game or arrange a private duel. However, when you lose a stone gambling round, half the amount you lose to your opponent must also be lost to the bystander. In this case, Mr. Gao Youde! So you’ll need Gao Youde’s agreement.”

Upon hearing this, Gao Youde’s eyes gleamed with cunning, then he burst into laughter. “Now that’s a windfall! Of course I agree. But if you lose, don’t come crying!”

I returned his jibe with a calm smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t lose. How could fox eyes lose?”

Just as I was about to proceed with my private match—

Su Li’s voice sounded from behind me. “Wang Hu, have you forgotten that you and I are now a team?”

“You can’t just decide to duel on your own. Did I agree?”

I turned to her and saw her expression was even colder than before, her gaze warning.

“Su Li,” I said evenly, “you should realize that this stone gambling match is more than a contest to me—it’s my chance to prove myself. Only by winning can I silence those who doubt me.”

“That includes you.”

Su Li snorted, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “Wang Hu, don’t forget, we’re in this together. Everything you do affects me. If you lose, I’ll be humiliated too.”

“Your superstitious fox eyes are your business. If you want to prove yourself, don’t drag me into it.”

I looked at Old Leopard Chen, but he remained silent, showing no intention of helping me.

Gao Youde, enjoying the spectacle, laughed all the harder. “Ha! You two are a real comedy act. Su Li, why don’t we do this: he matches Old Leopard Chen, I’ll match you. We’ll open a room next door—if your stone turns green, I’ll pay; if it’s just plain, you pay. What do you say? Let’s have a three-way contest and see who laughs last.”

As he spoke, Gao Youde’s grin grew more lecherous.

Su Li’s eyes turned to me, and she said calmly, “You wouldn’t let me withdraw when I wanted to, but now you want to play solo? Sorry, I won’t let you have your way. I’ll keep playing roller-coaster stone gambling!”

“I’m not interested in anything else.”

At that, the situation fell into a deadlock.

Gao Youde muttered salaciously to the side, while Su Li kept her cold gaze on me, refusing to give an inch.

I looked at Su Li, suppressed my irritation, and said quietly, “How about this—of the funds, I’ll concede half to you.”

On hearing this, her icy stare finally wavered.

“We have sixty-five million at hand. Half is thirty-two and a half million. Now, I’ll give you more: you take forty million, I’ll keep twenty-five million.”

At this point, I had no desire to keep wrangling with this woman. Whether or not she was Hongjie’s pawn, she would never refuse profit.

Seeing I had made myself clear, she smiled. “Fine, since you put it that way, I have no objection to the money.”

“Seven and a half million—I’ll sell you the opportunity. But if you lose, the amount comes out of your share. If you win, you still give me two-thirds.”

I didn’t argue.

“Deal.”

Once Su Li and I had reached an agreement, the atmosphere in the room grew tense. Gao Youde’s laughter faded; he seemed to sense things were getting out of his control. Old Leopard Chen remained silent, though a hint of interest flickered in his eyes.

“Is there really such a thing as fox eyes in stone gambling?”

“He’s bluffing. There’s no such thing—he’s just putting on airs.”

The audience was full of differing opinions, but I paid them no mind.

“All right, then. Old Leopard, let’s begin.”

I spoke firmly, eyes locked on Old Leopard Chen.

He nodded slightly and said, “If you’re going to use fox eyes, I’ll use a weasel’s.”

With that, he burst out laughing, and the whole crowd joined in.

Gao Youde sneered from the side, “Looks like it’s all beasts here—not a single human among us!”