Chapter 148: A New Showdown
Chapter 148: A New Showdown
After completing the deal with the Qinghe Merchant Caravan, the Elder Shaman and Shanze left first.
Gao Jing stayed behind.
The Spirit Energy Puppet lifted its right arm, opened its right palm, and pressed it against the iron armor on its chest.
Accompanied by a series of dense “click-click” mechanical sounds, the shield-shaped armor slid up automatically, revealing a compartment inside.
And Zhiqi, who was controlling the puppet.
He was still in his wheelchair, lowered onto the large table via a wooden ladder.
Two pretty maids followed him down, placing a low table between this large, plump man and Gao Jing.
They began to boil water and prepare tea.
“Your Honor, Gao Jing?”
Zhiqi asked in a complaining tone, “Have I offended you?”
Gao Jing chuckled softly: “No.”
He knew the reason for the other’s displeasure: it was because he had spoken up to remind Old Shaman Shan Yan earlier.
That ended up messing up Zhiqi’s big business deal.
But so what?
On one side were the Shan Yue Giants, who treated him as a true friend. On the other was a greedy merchant only after profit.
Did he need to think about which side to take?
Not at all!
Most importantly, Zhiqi’s purpose in wanting to buy Mu Teng Village was clearly for that Seven-Colored Stone Mine Cave.
Gao Jing wanted it too!
Even though he currently didn’t have a single Shell Coin.
He had the ability to provide the Shan Yue Tribe with goods worth fifty thousand, five hundred thousand, or even five million Shell Coins.
Zhiqi shook his head: “Forget it.”
His face showed an expression that seemed to say, “I thought we were friends, but apparently you have another dog now.”
He raised his arm and made a gesture.
The two maids immediately produced cigarettes and a lighter, expertly lighting one for Zhiqi.
After taking a drag, Zhiqi smiled and asked Gao Jing: “Care for one?”
He put on the act of a seasoned old pro at showing off.
Gao Jing waved his hand: “Thanks, but I don’t smoke these anymore.”
He picked up the backpack beside him.
Unzipped it.
Pulled out a cigar box, a cigar cutter, matches, and a crystal ashtray.
Plus a bottle of whisky and two glasses.
He placed them neatly in a row in front of him.
Zhiqi stared, momentarily stunned.
Haven’t seen this before!
Ignoring him, Gao Jing put the backpack back, then opened the wooden box and took out a cigar.
First, he used the shiny silver cigar cutter to trim about 1/8 inch off the cap. He struck a match, held the cigar at a 45-degree angle, and brought the foot close to the flame, about 2.5 cm away, toasting it several times.
He rotated the cigar foot occasionally to ensure even heating, letting the cigar warm up fully.
When the foot turned a charred black color, he put the cigar in his mouth and took a few gentle puffs, feeling the smoke swirl in his mouth.
Then he calmly checked if the cigar was burning evenly, puffing lightly on the foot to make sure it was fine.
Finally, he took a long, satisfying draw.
He opened the bottle of fine Scottish whisky and poured himself about a third of a glass.
Cigar in his left hand, glass held high in his right.
He gave Zhiqi an uncle-like smile.
Hehehe!
Zhiqi, the big fatty, was dumbstruck.
Compared to Gao Jing’s thick and hefty item, he realized his own thing was so scrawny.
Most crucially, Gao Jing’s entire sequence of actions flowed smooth like water.
Smooth, elegant, full of impressive flair!
It made Zhiqi feel like a crass upstart trying to show off before a real noble.
Utterly, confusingly crushed into dust!
Zhiqi couldn’t help but swallow his saliva and asked, staring at Gao Jing’s large item, “What… what is this?”
“Cigar.”
Gao Jing smiled faintly. “Top-quality, from the Abyss City of Great Xia. Each one is hand-rolled on the thighs of beautiful women. Has the most alluring fragrance.”
“Want to try one?”
Honestly, Gao Jing hadn’t planned to pull out cigars.
But Zhiqi dared to smoke and show off right in front of him? Unacceptable!
He had no choice but to discreetly take this big guy out from his Storage Space, shielded by his backpack.
Teach this guy to dare try showing off an axe before Master Lu ever again!
Zhiqi was completely stunned.
He offered an awkward yet polite smile: “Th-then… can I have one?”
At this moment, Zhiqi was absolutely, one hundred percent sure.
Gao Jing was a noble from a prestigious clan of Great Xia Abyss City.
At the very least, a direct descendant!
This large man couldn’t help but feel a trace of inferiority.
And this kind of inferiority, born from status and bloodline, couldn’t be erased with money or wealth.
“Here.”
Gao Jing beckoned with a finger towards the maid named Xiao Dai.
The latter instinctively turned to look at Zhiqi, her large, clear eyes full of innocent panic.
Zhiqi hastily nodded.
Only with her master’s permission did Xiao Dai timidly approach Gao Jing.
She trembled and curtsied respectfully: “Sir, what would you have me do?”
Gao Jing smiled: “I will teach you how to light a cigar.”
Lighting a cigar really was pretty simple.
And the maid Xiao Dai happened to be smart.
So after Gao Jing gave just one demonstration, she had learned the basic skill.
Gao Jing signaled the maid to offer the newly lit cigar to Zhiqi.
Zhiqi accepted it.
The feeling in his hand truly didn’t match that of a cigarette.
It made him look like a true tycoon.
He took a puff, copying Gao Jing’s posture.
Cough, cough!
While Zhiqi had learned to smoke years ago, he didn’t grasp a cigar’s potency.
The result was fierce smoke stinging his eyes until tears streamed down!
Gao Jing “kindly” comforted: “Take it slow.”
Zhiqi nodded through his tears, the cigar pinched between his fingers.
He felt like his dignity had taken a fresh tumble.
And he had to endure it.
Gao Jing filled a glass halfway with whisky and slid it towards him: “Try this Malt Ale from Su’ge’lan Abyss City.”
“Thank you.”
Zhiqi quickly picked up the glass and sipped, his expression instantly tightening: “It’s terribly awful!”
“If you like it, I’ll gift you two bottles,”
Gao Jing said calmly. “Think of it as a token gesture to make up for your losses, Mu Teng Village.”
He directly equated the two bottles of whisky to the value of Mu Teng Village.
Zhiqi broke out in a sweat: “Your Honor Gao Jing exaggerates.”
He took another sip of the whisky.
This drink was utterly different from the Starlight Wine he’d had before.
It lacked that dazzlingly beautiful mystery, but possessed a fiery boldness Zhiqi had never tasted.
As the uniquely flavored liquor slid down his throat, it felt like swallowing fire, making his blood boil!
As a clever merchant,
Zhiqi easily formed a business judgment.
Compared to the Starlight Wine best suited for women,
this harsh liquor from Su’ge’lan Abyss City was undoubtedly fitter for men!
And the whisky bottle sitting before Gao Jing
was crafted with such opulent artistry.
Zhiqi could easily imagine
the immense profits he’d gain by taking it back to Wuzhi Abyss City and offering it to the powerful nobility!
His hand instinctively brushed over the silver snake ring on his left ring finger.
He gritted his teeth silently.
Suddenly, Zhiqi swept his left hand over the low table.
A sandalwood box appeared soundlessly.
There had been no warning. It was almost magical!
Gao Jing couldn’t help but focus his eyes sharply!
A tidal wave of shock roared inside his chest.
Seeing Zhiqi suddenly display this skill, Gao Jing felt extremely familiar with it.
This was no mere magic trick relying on misdirection.
Because he himself had used it countless times!
Space equipment.
Zhiqi actually possessed space equipment to store objects!
Noticing the shock flickering in Gao Jing’s eyes, a faint smile touched Zhiqi’s lips.
He felt he had finally fought back a round in their exchange.
In his estimation, Great Xia Abyss City, represented by Gao Jing, held profound mystery and great strength.
It produced wondrous artifacts and beautiful wines that made people marvel.
But Zhiqi suspected Great Xia had limited achievements in Witch Artifacts,
or even lacked the capability to craft them.
This, of course, was quite normal.
The Abyss held thousands upon thousands of Abyss Cities, an uncountable sum.
Only a very few Abyss Cities possessed the ability to create Witch Artifacts.
Wuzhi Abyss City stood as one of the leading examples!
Therefore, in this regard, Zhiqi held a psychological advantage over Gao Jing.
He was using this advantage now to counter the imposing pressure Gao Jing projected.
Being completely overwhelmed felt truly miserable!
“Your Honor Gao Jing, I accept your gesture.”
Zhiqi pointed to the sandalwood box on the table, smiling as he said, “Please, in return, accept this gift.”
A gift for a gift.
What Zhiqi offered Gao Jing was naturally a Witch Artifact.
The Artifact’s name was the Phantom Wing Pendant.
It was a black necklace pendant.
Within the pendant, sealed inside a Gangpo Stone (Steel Soul Stone), resided the life-force spirit of a Winged Spirit Mouse.
Once activated using Totemic Power or Spiritual Energy, it instantly bestowed upon the user a pair of phantom wings.
This granted the ability to glide through the air!
Though it couldn’t flap like a bird and soar freely through the sky,
once the phantom wings manifested, falling from any height would no longer be fatal.
They could aid in battle,
and were also perfect for escaping.
This Phantom Wing Pendant, paired with Gao Jing’s existing Weaver’s Wrist,
was an absolutely perfect match!