The Five Spirit Mountains

Huo Xuan replied earnestly, "I didn't weigh them, but I'd estimate at least three hundred pounds."

Lin Yue took a deep breath, gritting her teeth as she repeated, "At least three hundred pounds!"

"Three hundred, if not more," he confirmed. "Most are gemstones, though the quality varies—some excellent, some mediocre. Diamonds make up only two to three percent, mostly fancy-colored ones. As for their exact value, I'd need an expert appraisal. Gemology isn't my forte."

Lin Yue's bright eyes sparkled. "Even at mid-grade estimates, these gems are worth billions!"

Huo Xuan's face lit up. "Billions?"

"Don't celebrate yet," she cautioned pragmatically. "The domestic market's appetite for gems is limited. Annual diamond sales barely hit two to three billion—there's no way to offload this volume quickly. The smart move is a long-term strategy, making these gems another flagship for Tianxing Jewelry!"

Nodding eagerly, Huo Xuan agreed. "You're right. Since they're priceless but hard to sell, we'll use them to build prestige." After a pause, he added, "We could host a gem exhibition to attract international buyers."

Lin Yue smiled. "You're developing quite the business acumen. That's a brilliant idea—and we should go all out, holding it in a global hub like Hong Kong."

"Whatever you say, Yue-jie," Huo Xuan chuckled.

After discussing the gems, Lin Yue brought up Su Pingnan. Days earlier, the renowned northern jade-carving master had finally arrived in Jiangzhou. After touring Tianxing Jewelry, he agreed to collaborate.

As a grandmaster, Su Pingnan came not alone but with a cadre of elite carvers. Lin Yue had signed them to exclusive fifteen-year contracts, securing their talents for Tianxing in exchange for generous compensation.

Su Pingnan also delivered a completed piece—a carving from the "Fu Lu Shou" jadeite, now transformed into Three Stars Herald Prosperity, showcasing his peerless skill.

This masterpiece, destined as a gift for Lin Yue's grandfather, had been meticulously packaged in a sandalwood case costing tens of thousands.

When Lin Yue unveiled the carving, Huo Xuan marveled at the lifelike trio of deities—Fu, Lu, and Shou—their robes flowing with ethereal grace.

"Truly worthy of the 'Northern First Blade' title," Huo Xuan praised. "Su Pingnan's reputation is well-earned."

Beaming, Lin Yue said, "Little brother, my grandfather's birthday is next week. Will you come with me?"

"Of course," he agreed, then hesitated. "But I need to visit the capital the day after tomorrow for a case."

Lin Yue's smile vanished. "You just got back! No, I forbid it!" She pinched his ear, her pretty face stormy.

Wincing, Huo Xuan explained, "I promised a friend—it's about a murdered elderly couple. I've put it off too long already."

Blushing, Lin Yue huffed, "Fine, go! But don't expect me to care."

Huo Xuan grinned, pulling her close until her breath hitched. "Yue-jie, don't tease me..."

Her next words dashed his hopes. "My... troubles came."

Deflated, Huo Xuan sighed. "I'll endure."

The next morning, Lin Yue drowsily clung to the bed—until the lion cub bounded in, yowling for food.

"Hungry, little guy?" Huo Xuan laughed.

Suddenly, Lin Yue perked up. "Let's go hunting today!"

Huo Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Where?"

"Five Spirit Mountains!" She batted her lashes. "Postpone the capital trip, please?"

Her coquettish plea short-circuited his resolve. "Alright, we'll leave today."

True to his impulsive nature, by noon they'd packed and set off for the mountains—a four-hour drive into Jiangbei Province.

Arriving at 4 PM, they faced five towering peaks: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth Spirit Mountains, spanning a hundred kilometers north to south as a natural divide between climatic zones.

At the base, Lin Yue quailed. "It's... so high. Do we really have to climb?"

Huo Xuan rolled his eyes. "You wanted to hunt. No backing out now."

With a pout, she admitted, "I'd only heard about the scenery—never imagined this."

"Don't worry," he said, hoisting her onto his back, the cub cradled in his arms. "I'll carry you."

Like a mountain goat, he scaled treacherous paths in leaps, reaching the midway point in minutes.

Amid lush foliage teeming with wildlife, he set Lin Yue down and nudged the cub. "Go hunt if you're hungry."

As the lion bounded into the undergrowth, Lin Yue fretted, "Will it be okay?"

Huo Xuan smirked. "Relax. It's a lion."