Drinking Poison to Quench Thirst

The crafty and insatiable greed flickering within the eyes of the elderly men and women was easy to be confused with the possibility of running away with a grand profit. For someone who had never come into contact with massive heaps of profit, it was a divine opportunity; to sell a precious treasure to a financial mogul, and rake in a significant sum of money in exchange. Better yet, if such precious 'treasures' were in great abundance in their possession.

Xi Chen had made such a mistake before, and when faced with a similar circumstance, his back trembled and trickled with sweat.

"F*ck, this old man. Playing dirty against a junior!"

The sheer market value of a perfectly intact Dragon Mirage Jade presented on the table, by calculation of mass, would yield him over 40 million RMB at its quality and purity. When combined with the divine artisanal skills the specialists employed by the elderly figures, it was no mere possibility that the jewelry market was bound to witness the creation of divine accessories worthy of shedding ties and spilling blood. And yet, whilst it was tempting…

Each treasure worthy to be recognized as such required the holder responsible of grasping an equally influential authority and prestige. A person whose background was insufficient to properly account for the treasure's origin was bound to receive a fierce scolding and beatdown at every turn:

Where did the treasure originate? How was it obtained? Are there multiple means of obtaining such treasures – and how can it be exploited?

If his prestige was insufficient to dominate and quell such questions from appearing from the negotiation table, then all that awaited Xi Chen was death. Either by the means of career suicide or through physical means of forcing his hand, each and every person seated before him held the authority to squelch his self out of existence.

Hence, he couldn't ask for money, but rather, favors. Money held a finite value that depreciated with each fiscal period, whereas a favor was bound to the recipient's reputation. Though it was possible that they might reject the veracity of his claims once the treasures left his hands, if he threatened extinction of any loopholes…

Xi Chen thumbed his palms behind his back, and clucked his tongue when he arrived at the decision. The youth's eyes flickered with a great ardor, and as he stepped forward, his voice was dignified yet not subservient.

There was no other choice than to assume a superior identity, no matter what form it took!

"To the Elders all present; this Junior will not sell this Dragon Mirage Jade for money. However, this Junior is willing to exchange the Dragon Mirage Jade, and all successive jadestones and precious gems Junior finds, for three favors."

There were multiple paths of assuming a superior identity at the negotiation table, but revolved around the general concepts of established prestige and control of supply. He could apply inadvertent pressure on the opponent by wielding the identity of an influential being in society or holding connections to such people, and force the latter into a risky gambit should they defer. The other was to control the means of production to an extent that the opponent's vision was beguiled at the short-term analysis.

"Not money, but rather favors? How austere, yet risky – this child truly holds a gambler's spirit!"

"Young man, should you not name yourself before demanding such conditions? How could the identity of an unknown person be permitted to request favors of infinite value from our person?"

"No, no – rather than holding a gambler's spirit, he is rather greedy! Rather than accepting the penance of being granted the right to indirectly sell his product before us, he wants us to bequeath two favors! Hmph!"

The elderly figures seated around the hexagonal table narrowed their gaze onto the young man, whilst Mu Yun exhibited a pitiful expression of betrayal. Xi Chen held still as he neither responded to their incisive glares nor attempted to explain his actions. His fingers curled into fists, and the youth questioned perusing the wooden bowl in his mind on numerous occasions as the merciless time continued to pass without delay.

He didn't hold any useful identity to his name – if Mu Yun could extract all of his background information and daily activities with ease, then it wasn't far-fetched to expect the same from the remaining elderly men and women seated at the table. However, if they caught onto the hint…

"Young man, if this pair of old ears heard correctly, you can offer precious stones of similar quality to this splendid artifact before us?" an elderly man seated to the right of Mu Yun rubbed the rim of his glasses, and frowned.

"A fist-sized spherical chunk of Dragon Mirage Jade of Imperial quality, and intact – you mean to state that all you demand from us in exchange are three favors per stone?"

"That is correct."

"And any profits we acquire from the shaping and production of accessories, artifacts, and treasures, you will not stake a claim for them?"

"That is indeed correct. Junior shall sacrifice any monetary gain in exchange for the three favors."

"Hm. How bold, and resilient to greed," the elderly man rubbed his palms, and smiled.

"Then, young man, name your conditions! But do not overreach your position!"

Xi Chen cupped his fists and lowered his back into a light bow, extending his thanks to the elder with the glasses. The youth twitched his lips in distaste whilst secluded in the dim lighting, but when his visage was exposed to the members seated around the hexagonal table, all that was presented was an indifferent countenance gleaming with a youthful spirit.

"For the Dragon Mirage Jade, Junior shall ask for three favors. The first condition shall be that the Elder who accepts the Dragon Mirage Jade, shall provide to Junior the full services of Gu Zhenghe for six months, and no more nor less," the youth gauged the varied reactions, and paused.

"The remaining conditions… shall be left blank for another time."

There was a brief breath of silence as the elders sank into contemplation. The candlelight-themed lights hanging from overhead flickered angrily and swayed from side to side, and with each intake of breath, the atmosphere hovering over the hexagonal table soured and chilled. It didn't take far too long for Mu Yun to sharply intake in breath, and twist his gnarled lips into a pained grimace.

"What… a hefty price."

"Indeed. Convincing Gu Zhenghe is an easy matter – we can exchange that for nothing, in fact. The problem is that of the conditions… to be left blank, huh?"

The elderly woman seated directly across Xi Chen's standing position sniffed, and drummed on the table's surface with her bony fingers. Before the elders could exchange their opinions, the youth reached into his briefcase to withdraw a similar-sized object to place besides the Dragon Mirage Jade. When the crude paper wrapping was gently peeled away to expose the glimmering shower of falling stars amidst a golden sunset, the table erupted into a great furor –

"What – Cosmic Rat Jade, and it's of Imperial quality as well!?"

"No f*cking way, this young man…"

"For this Imperial quality Cosmic Rat Jade, Junior will demand for the acquisition of three mining corporations to be placed under his ownership," Xi Chen permitted no moment of respite, and curved his lips into a ruthless smile.

"There does not need to be any development; a title, a functioning corporate foundation, and ownership of at least one depot and vein each. The quality of such does not matter."

The fall of his words was greeted by the dull thud of a heavy object placed on a flat surface of wood, then the unwrapping of paper, to reveal a dominating sea of dark green cast with the shimmering imprint of a pouncing tiger.

"In exchange for an Imperial quality Fierce Tiger Jade, three corporations specializing in production and manufacturing. Likewise, the quality does not matter as long as they possess the proper minimum legal and commercial structure, at least one factory under their ownership each, and located near Suzhou's premises. The number of employees does not matter."

Three stones were heaved onto the hexagonal table in quick succession. The youth's words were powerful hammer blows onto the elders' spirits, awakening their minds from a long-awaited stupor, awe and vigor, but most importantly – their greed.

"Imperial quality, Golden Pig Jade. Shall be exchanged for the right for Junior to participate at the annual 'Golden Appreciation' convention at Beijing."

"The Peach Monkey Jade shall be exchanged for certification permitting Junior to own a firearm. Of course, strictly limited to a handgun, and the caliber is to be chosen by the law enforcement of Suzhou. Junior shall obey all civilian laws and not misuse the firearm for any criminal or non-compliant activity under the use of firearms and self-defense of the nation."

"The Divine Ox Jade is to be exchanged with the exemption of first-wave inspection of any corporation listed under Junior's name…"

The number of jade stones placed at the table increased from five, to six, then seven, eight, and ultimately to twelve. Each was presented with a condition and two blank, reserved for future use, and the dazzling array of the twelve heavenly animals dancing around the walls of the dimly-lit room dazzled the eyes and ears of the wizened elders.

Combined with the impressive and mouth-watering quality of the jadestones presented before their eyes and fingers, and their individual delusions and dreams of the potential of such jade evolving under their influence, as well as Xi Chen's implied promise of providing additional jadestones of Imperial quality and similar size… they couldn't help but submit.

"You damned brat, you didn't even let this old man get anything! Such cunning plans – no wonder you demanded an entry into the meeting; you had this all planned out, didn't you!?"

Mu Yun flamed and waved his arms in a frenzy as he pouted, scowled, and punched the air before Xi Chen. The elderly man's heart was torn into two as he witnessed the gleeful smiles of his colleagues' wretched, aged countenance, and when he remembered his own plights, couldn't help but drown in sorrow.

"Thirteen old follies drowning in their delusions of guaranteed success and greed, but only twelve Imperial quality jadestones – how unfair!" the elderly man howled, grim tears escaping from his eyes.

"You damned brat! You damned brat! If you don't dare take my Yu-er into your house and save my family from falling behind those bastards, this old man will shove her in your door with a pre-written marriage agreement! They may take away the jadestones, but I will secure the root!"

How could he have known that a brat from a poor and destitute village could extract a full collection of the Heavenly Animal Array, and of intact, Imperial quality!? When did a small accumulation as Tianguang Plaza experience such divine luck!?

Heavens, taking this youth along was akin to drinking poison to slake thirst! He could witness divine artifacts and miracles, but they would never reach his hands!!!

No - he had to obtain this golden tree, no matter the cost!

The elderly man planted a hand over his heart, and felt the blood flowing through in great angst. A fresh river of tears dripped from his aged eyes, and Xi Chen did his best pretending not to notice the wrinkled sobs from behind.