Chapter 1332: Betting Agreement

The steward looked at the rough stones on a nearby table and said, "These four rough stones would normally cost 1080 yuan stones, but since you're a friend of the prince, we'll round down. You can have them for 1000 yuan stones."

It was a good opportunity to curry favor with the Lion Prince.

Zu An, however, was not in a hurry to agree. Instead, he pretended to examine stones on other tables while saying to Ban Ka, Blacktooth Gu, and the others, "Gentlemen, would you be interested in a wager with us? If the rough stones we select for 1000 yuan stones later turn out to be worthless, we'll compensate you 1000 yuan stones. But if they contain something valuable, you'll compensate us on a one-to-one ratio for whatever it's worth. How about it?"

Ban Ka snorted, "If you lose, you'll pay 1000, which essentially means that money is coming from us anyway."

"What's wrong? Afraid to gamble?" Zu An taunted.

Ban Ka hesitated, finding the risk too uncontrollable. Just as he was about to refuse, Blacktooth Gu, who was standing nearby, said, "Alright, I'll wager with you."

Unlike Ban Ka, who was an outsider, Blacktooth Gu had lived in the royal court for a long time and was naturally well-aware of the situation at the Jade Garden.

The rough stones in the 'Yellow' character room were inexpensive, and consequently, the chances of finding anything valuable inside were very low. Even if something was occasionally found, its value wouldn't be high, keeping the risk well within controllable limits.

Therefore, the probability of winning was quite high. Moreover, this group only had a little over a hundred yuan stones on them; how would they come up with a thousand yuan stones for compensation later?

Since the Snake Tribe was backing them, he wasn't afraid of them defaulting on the debt. This was a perfect opportunity to publicly humiliate them.

Ban Ka had just gambled with Blacktooth Gu and knew he was extremely cunning, the type who wouldn't let go of a hawk until the rabbit was caught. Since Blacktooth Gu had agreed, Ban Ka saw no reason to be afraid either.

If the other party lost and couldn't pay, that would be even better. The Medusa Queen was so beautiful; at worst, they could pay with their bodies.

His breathing quickened at this thought. "I'll bet too!"

Many others in the hall were also tempted. Having frequented the place for a long time, they naturally knew how small the chance was of actually finding anything valuable. Only a fool would pass up such a sure-fire, no-lose deal.

After all, the leader of the Snake Tribe couldn't possibly default, could she?

So, they all clamored to join.

"This might be too much. What if we lose..." Zu An feigned a look of distress.

Yun Jianyue's lips curved upward. That expression on his face surely meant he was planning to trick someone again. It was a pity he hadn't joined her Holy Cult.

However, the image of him seeing her naked that day suddenly flashed through her mind, and the smile on her face froze instantly.

*Humph*, if that guy really joined the Holy Cult, I would have thrown him into the flowerbeds as fertilizer long ago.

Yan Xuehen, on the other hand, felt a strange sensation. She used to find him glib and annoying, but now she realized that was merely a mask. In reality, he was remarkably calm, meticulously luring his opponents into a trap without them even realizing it. This level of cunning was truly admirable.

Suddenly, her expression also stiffened as she realized: could she also be a part of his scheme?

At this moment, others, fearing he might back out, quickly said, "It's fine. We're not asking you to pay on the spot. The Snake Tribe is such a large clan; we're not worried you won't be able to repay us."

"Exactly. And if you win, think how much you'll gain! It would be a story for the ages."

"That's right! I think I once heard a merchant who returned from Brightmoon City among the human tribes mention that there was a young man there who won millions of taels of silver with just a few dozen taels. You might be the next one."

Yan Xuehen and the other goddesses exchanged strange glances. Why did this story sound so familiar?

Zu An, pretending his eyes lit up, hurried over to Yu Yanluo and began persuading her. Everyone could even hear him urging Yu Yanluo to agree.

Everyone secretly sneered. He was clearly blinded by greed, only thinking about how much he could gain, never considering how much he would lose if they failed.

Yu Yanluo also feigned reluctance, but finally nodded slightly. "Alright, just this once."

Hearing her agree, everyone relaxed. After all, in their eyes, the Medusa Queen was the one truly in charge.

Then Zu An looked at Lion Min. "Third Prince, would you like to join?"

Lion Min smiled. "Since everyone is so enthusiastic, count me in too."

Lion Rong and Lion Gong quickly echoed, "Count us in as well."

Zu An was taken aback. He had expected Lion Min to refuse, as those four stones had been his own selection. If he knew they contained something valuable, wouldn't he be deliberately jumping into a trap?

However, he quickly dismissed the thought. Whatever Lion Min's intentions, he would deal with whatever came his way.

He then said to the steward nearby, "I'd like to ask you to be a witness, if you would."

With so many people, it would be impossible for him to draw up written agreements.

The steward nodded. "Rest assured, no one dares to go back on a fair wager made in the Jade Garden."

His tone carried a hint of arrogance. Perhaps there were some noble figures from the 'Heavenly' or even 'Immortal' character rooms whom the Jade Garden couldn't offend, but they were confident they could handle these people from the 'Yellow' character room.

Only the Lion Tribe princes might be a bit troublesome, but they had brought these people themselves, and the wager had been verbally agreed to by them, so they likely wouldn't renege.

"Alright, have you made your selection?" Ban Ka grew a little impatient.

Yu Yanluo ignored him, slowly walking around the hall, observing everything. She was concerned about a trick from Lion Min and decided to make her own selections to be safe.

As her skirt subtly swayed, showcasing her graceful demeanor, and as she focused intently on the rough stones, revealing her exquisite profile, the hall involuntarily quieted down, as if afraid of disturbing her.

Even many of those who were betting against her remained silent, simply appreciating her peerless beauty with greedy eyes.

Many even started breathing heavily, wondering if, once she owed them a huge debt, they might have a chance to get intimate with the Medusa Queen.

However, seeing how professional she seemed in examining the rough stones, some gradually grew nervous. Ban Ka clamored, "Have you chosen yet? Stop dragging your feet! Don't bother looking at the others; each of those is priced higher than a thousand yuan stones, and you can't afford them anyway."

As if in response to his words, Yu Yanluo returned to where Lion Min and his companions stood, gazing at the four rough stones on the table, lost in thought.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen secretly asked.

Yu Yanluo replied, "After looking around, it's true that these few stones have the most potential to yield something. But can Lion Min really be that benevolent?"

Although she had managed a jade family for many years and possessed extensive experience in identifying rough stones, she was only significantly better than ordinary people. Even the most discerning master couldn't be 100% accurate; otherwise, it wouldn't be 'stone gambling' but merely collecting money.

Therefore, she worried these stones might have a trick.

Zu An, on the other hand, was relaxed. "Don't overthink it. Perhaps he just pointed out a few random stones to trick us, and unexpectedly, there's actually something valuable inside."

Yu Yanluo still felt that Lion Min wouldn't be so simple, but she chose to trust Zu An. "Alright, I'll choose these four stones."

After saying this, she handed the two bags to the steward.

Ban Ka and Blacktooth Gu's eyelids twitched. This was their money.

A subordinate next to the steward stepped forward to take the money, while the steward himself moved to the table. "Since there's a wager involved, I shall personally cut the stones."

Given his seniority, rough stones from the 'Profound' or 'Yellow' character rooms usually weren't worth his effort. This time, it was an exception made for the Lion Tribe princes and the Medusa Queen.

As he spoke, he took out a rough stone. Without using any tools, he transformed his hand into a blade and cut into the side of the stone.

The hard stone was instantly cut as easily as tofu. Many onlookers' pupils contracted slightly; the Jade Garden was indeed extraordinary if even a steward was such a master.

As his hand gently brushed over it, the stone's outer layer was peeled away, layer by layer, making it smaller and smaller. When he finally cut it open, the inside remained dull grey.

The steward shook his head. "Nothing inside."

A round of laughter erupted around them. Those participating in the wager collectively breathed a sigh of relief. What had they been worried about? How could rough stones from the 'Yellow' character room yield anything so easily, especially these particular stones, which were among the least valuable even within that section?

Yu Yanluo remained calm. Such an outcome was perfectly normal; no one could guess correctly every time.

The steward then cut open another stone, which also proved to be empty.

Ban Ka and Blacktooth Gu both laughed, feeling a strange excitement at the thought of the Medusa Queen, her face tear-stained like a pear blossom, pleading with them later.