Chapter 108: Shock

We were like headless flies, fluttering our wings incessantly but achieving little in actual progress.

Qian Guang said, "Listen to me, we three will take this stone. Boss Wei will have a share, and if we make it back alive, we'll split the profits with him."

I nodded in agreement; it was a plan made for the worst-case scenario. Qian Guang went to settle the bill, as we always had one person handle the payment, then divided the profits based on overall gains. This method demonstrated absolute trust—had it been anyone else, I'd have paid my share directly.

Qian Guang emerged quickly, holding the receipt. "No sign of anything unusual," he said. "Maybe we're overthinking."

I looked at the wooden door, still closed. "If you planned to ambush someone, would you shout about it in their face? It's when things are quiet that danger lurks."

Qian Guang nodded. "Let's take it step by step."

I nodded back, signaling Zhao Kui to bring in the stone. We entered the room designated for stone cutting, where Liu Qiang lounged, smoking, a smug grin on his face that I found revolting. I wanted to strangle him.

But I said nothing, simply gesturing for Wang Gui to start cutting. Wang Gui set the stone on the saw, asking me, "Brother Fei, since we've got the base color, what's our bet?"

"Bet on it changing color. No cracks, no flaws—this stone is cube-like and could be cut from any angle. But let's go with the window cut for safety," I replied.

Wang Gui nodded, flipped the stone, and positioned it beneath the blade. Suddenly, I heard footsteps outside, steady and synchronized, like a military march. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and I felt an urge to look outside, but there was nothing visible. Still, I knew someone had come.

"I'll go take a look. Stay put and don't panic," Qian Guang said.

With that, he left with Old Qian and Zhuzi, leaving only a few of us in the room. Despite the fear gnawing at me, I forced myself to stay composed. "Cut," I said.

Wang Gui nodded, glancing at Zhao Kui with a look that silently conveyed: protect me if anything happens. Zhao Kui nodded, understanding.

I stayed grounded, the chaos strangely quieting my mind. I waited, watching, knowing I had to maintain control. If I faltered, we'd lose any chance of handling the enemy.

Wang Gui started the saw, and as it sliced into the stone, a screeching noise filled the air. Sparks flew, and I took a few steps back. Inside, I felt numb, detached, until someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to see Liu Qiang.

Smirking, he sneered, "Zhao Fei, I told you, you'd leave here with no return. And I mean it."

I glared at him. "This is Kun Sang's territory. Dare to try me? Go ahead."

"Oh, don't worry, I'd never kill you on Kun Sang's turf. That'd just be rude. But don't you wonder why Kun Sang hasn't shown up?" Liu Qiang taunted.

Sweat trickled down my face, my back soaked. I understood now. Kun Sang had struck a deal, just like with Boss Wei, who was also missing. The footsteps outside? The signs were all too clear.

Perhaps we'd relied too much on others. In a world driven by profit, who's to say a promise won't change?

As Seventh Elder always said: trust yourself over anyone else.

Liu Qiang leaned in, his voice a chilling whisper, "I'm after Qian Guang's life, not yours. But you've also irked me. Your girl? She was with me last night, a consolation prize. I don't need your life, but you'll do something for me. She told me you once spotted a stone here, dismissed it as worthless but knew it to be worth a fortune—over a billion. Help me get that stone, and I'll let you go and spare her."

His words slithered into my ears like a curse, grating and painful. I watched as he stepped back, patting my shoulder. "Think carefully, Zhao Fei. Refuse me, and you'll regret it. Hear those footsteps? Kun Sang's granted me free rein to settle scores here. Just keep his place clean."

Seething, I spat, "You despicable scoundrel. What have you offered Kun Sang?"

Liu Qiang's lips curled. "All the stones you cut are his. He knows your skill, values your eye. These two stones aren't worthless, are they?"

Frowning, I questioned this arrangement. Would Kun Sang really sell us out? It didn't seem possible. But Liu Qiang's words gave me an unexpected sense of relief.

"Brother Fei, look! Damn, it changed color!"

Wang Gui's voice cut through my thoughts, excitement in his eyes. Liu Qiang smirked. "Go take a look. Let's hope it's good enough to spare you, assuming Kun Sang would even want you spared."

I said nothing, walking over to Wang Gui. He held up the sliced stone. I looked—it really had changed color. Only two inches in, and the pale blue outside had given way to a rich, deep blue.

The cut was stunning, the translucency impressive. With just one slice, we'd hit a jackpot. This was the essence of gambling on stones—a slice to ruin or to riches.

This material was at least ice grade. Ma Lan peered over, grinning. "Didn't I say blue's our lucky color? This shade is gorgeous. What's it worth?"

I smiled slightly, feeling lighter. This was "blue water jade," a rare type with a soft blue hue that also requires exceptional clarity, texture, and translucency to bear this name. True blue water jade resembles the deep, entrancing blue of the sea.

This block was an even rarer treasure. "Cut all four sides," I instructed. "I want to see it as a whole."

Wang Gui nodded, beginning to slice. I watched, excited. The stone's color shift had already surpassed expectations. Even after discarding lower-quality pieces, we'd still be looking at millions in value.

Then, the door swung open, and I froze. In walked Qian Guang, Boss Wei, and others, hands raised. My heart sank. No, this couldn't be happening.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked, unwilling to accept the betrayal.

A group of armed men filled the doorway, surrounding the stilt house. It felt like a pit of ice was opening beneath me. We'd been sold out.

Silence hung thick in the air. Liu Qiang stood, his companions grinning. Kun Sang approached him, greeting the dark-skinned stranger beside him. "With this money, your expansion can continue. Our hold on the city will be secure. Cheers to a successful partnership, Adailer."

The man smiled, shaking Kun Sang's hand. Watching, I seethed. "Kun Sang, why? Why do this?"

Kun Sang said nothing, just moved over to Wang Gui, as a group armed with guns moved in on Wang Gui and Zhao Kui. Zhao Kui shot me a sharp look, and I shook my head; there was no way out of this.

Kun Sang lifted the stone, his eyes gleaming. "Such fine material, blue water, and full of potential. If not for your sharp eye, Zhao Fei, it might've been overlooked. I really must thank you."

I took a deep breath, knowing we'd lost. Trusting others had led us here, proving Seventh Elder's words true:

Trust yourself over anyone else…

Kun Sang's words struck a bitter chord within me. In this world of stone gambling, where fortune and ruin often balanced on a knife's edge, loyalty was as fragile as the jade we sought.

"Brother Fei, cut's finished," Wang Gui called. I walked over, but my mind was a storm. The stone revealed was flawless—a rich, deep blue that seemed to glow from within. It was a masterpiece of nature, and even Kun Sang couldn't help but look at it in awe.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Liu Qiang sneered, but his gaze was greedy. "Imagine how much this is worth. With this piece, our profits will soar."

I felt a wave of despair, seeing how we had unearthed something so priceless, only for it to fall into the hands of traitors. Kun Sang turned to his men and gestured towards us. "Take them outside. We'll discuss your fate after we've secured this place."

Two men grabbed my arms, dragging me out with Wang Gui and Zhao Kui following. Liu Qiang and Kun Sang stayed behind, gloating over their prize. I tried to remain calm, but inside, my heart raced. This wasn't how it was supposed to end.

Outside, the cold night air stung my face, heightening the sense of doom. Around us, more armed men patrolled, and their eyes held a ruthless gleam. I knew that escape was impossible. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Seventh Elder's words echoed in my mind: "Trust yourself over anyone else."

For too long, I had relied on others, hoping they'd come through in times of need. But now, faced with betrayal and isolation, I realized I could only trust myself.