Stranger Danger

Chapter 403: Bet

The crowd looked and saw a tall, muscular man that resembled a tower in human form. His mere stature was enough to cow most of the crowd into a stunned, temporary silence.

He was, of course, Chen Wuxin.

What a big man, they all thought at the same time.

“Who is Ye Qing?” Someone scanned the ranking list from top to bottom but couldn’t find the name anywhere. “I don’t see a Ye Qing.”

“Not yet, but very soon,” Chen Wuxin declared calmly.

“Very soon?”

“It means that Ye Qing will show up right about... now.”

As soon as he finished, a silhouette suddenly flickered across the crowd’s eyes. Before they knew it, it was gone.

“Did... Did someone just dash past us?”

“I think so, but I’m not sure.”

“I thought I was hallucinating! It was real?”

“Hey look, the name Ye Qing suddenly popped up on the ranking list!”

“Where?”

“Down there! The one at the bottom of the list.”

“... It can’t be the guy that just ran past us, right?”

“Why not?”

“Are you guys joking? Of course it’s the guy who ran past us just now! The name appeared only after he entered the mountain!”

An uproar immediately broke out.

“What is he thinking? It’s been over six hours since the climb began! He didn’t think he could make it, did he?” Someone snorted.

“I know right? And someone actually bet ten thousand silvers on him to win! Ten thousand!”

“Who’s it? They must have a screw loose in their head.”

“Shh! It’s that big guy over there, so you might wanna keep it down!” Someone pointed at Chen Wuxin.

“Man, there are more and more crazy people these days,” the guy lowered his voice as he sighed. “The worst part is, he’s fucking rich too. Like how is this fair?”

The hushed conversations didn’t escape Black Tai Sui’s ears, of course. He looked at Chen Wuxin and asked for confirmation, “Are you sure you want to bet on Ye Qing, brother?”

Chen Wuxin crossed his arms and smirked. “I’m the one who should ask you if you dare to accept my bet.”

“Heh. why wouldn’t I? His odds of winning is one hundred-to-one.” Black Tai Sui guffawed. “So? Is there anyone who would like to bet on Ye Qing?”

“Seriously? Do you I look dumb to you?”

“Today must be Black Tai Sui’s lucky day. I can’t believe someone is willing to donate ten thousand silver on him! Why can’t I be as lucky as him?”

“You? I haven’t forgotten that time you choked on water. You’re better off killing yourself and reincarnating into a better life.”

Suddenly, someone cried, “Stop arguing. Look! Ye Qing’s rank just went up.”

The crowd looked, and they saw Ye Qing surpassing the second last ranker and taking his place.

Someone scoffed, “So, he overtook the previous last person on the ranking list. So what? That’s pretty much noth—”

Before he could finish, another person cried out, “Look, his rank just went up again!”

The hater looked, and Ye Qing’s name was now sitting at the third last spot. Just a few breaths later, Ye Qing’s rank shot up again.

Slowly, the jeering, noisy crowd fell into stunned silence as Ye Qing shot up the ranks like he was on steroids. In just four hours, he had gone from dead last to the thirteenth spot!

But of course, Ye Qing couldn’t maintain this speed forever. As he slowed down, Black Tai Sui’s heart slowly lowered back into his chest cavity.

If Ye Qing actually reached the peak first, the amount of money he was going to loose could only be described as astronomical. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he would have to give up even his underwear.

Even so, no one dared to question Ye Qing’s qualification anymore. In just four hours, the guy had surpassed countless others who had twice the amount of time he had. It was unbelievable to say the least.

“Say, do you think that this Ye Qing is that Ye Qing?” Someone finally found their voice.

“Which Ye Qing? Don’t keep us in suspense! Just say it already!”

“You know, the one from Luo Shui, the Qing Emperor Junior?”

“The Qing Emperor Junior? You’re right! It has to be him.”

“If he’s really the Qing Emperor Junior, then it all makes sense.”

“Is he the Qing Emperor Junior?” asked Black Tai Shui while looking at Chen Wuxin.

“You’re not going to burst into tears if I say yes, are you?” Chen Wuxin joked.

“A man doesn’t cry. He only bleeds.” Black Tai Sui declared bravely before asking another in a hushed voice, “Can I give you back your ten thousand silvers?”

Black Tai Sui had heard of the “Qing Emperor Junior” Ye Qing as well. It was why he couldn’t help but worry.

“Of course not. A man may die, but he must never become a pauper,” Chen Wuxin declared.

Black Tai Sui’s face crumpled.

Of course, he wasn’t actually too worried that Ye Qing would get first place. After all, the guy had literally missed the first half of the competition. But as the saying goes, just because it\'s improbable doesn\'t mean it\'s impossible. Black Tai Sui could only pray that the leading participants wouldn’t disappoint him.

The people on the ground weren’t the only ones who were discussing Ye Qing. The smaller, but much more important crowd at the peak were discussing him as well.

“Jianglong, that boy is the Qing Emperor Junior of Luo Shui Pacification Bureau, right?” The Harmony King exclaimed while watching the young man who surpassed most of the remaining participants in just four hours with astonishment.

It wasn’t just the Harmony King. Fang Muyun, Song Xilai, Zhang Huai’en, Yang Shixiu and more were watching Ye Qing as well. Even Chu Wangsun had set down his book to examine the young man, though unlike the others, he was far contemplative, not shocked.

“What’s wrong, Wangsun?” Fang Muyun asked after sensing his strange reaction.

“It’s nothing. I just feel like I recognize this Ye Qing from somewhere,” Chu Wangsun replied expressionlessly. “But I’m not sure yet. I’ll tell you about it later.”

Fang Muyun nodded and didn’t press him for clarification. He knew Chu Wangsun well, and he knew that the scholar would never share something he was unwilling to share.

Hong Jianglong wasn’t aware of Fang Muyun and Chu Wangsun’s conversation. He was focused on answering the Harmony King’s question, “You are correct, Your Highness. His name is Ye Qing.”

“Ye Qing? A good name! I can tell that he deserves his moniker!” The Harmony King stared fixatedly at the screen while saying, “In the future, he might become the second Qing Emperor.”

The Harmony King didn’t mean anything by it, but everyone who heard his comment was taken aback and contemplative.

“Hahaha, please, Your Highness. There is no way Ye Qing can compare to the Qing Emperor. He would be lucky if he was even half as accomplished as him.” Hong Jianglong tried to laugh it off.

“It is the natural order for the young to replace the old, Lord Hong. No one knows how Young Ye would do in the future. Personally, I’m pretty confident in his chances,” Lei Xiaodan chimed in casually.

Hong Jianglong shot him a glance but said nothing.

Fame was a double-edged sword. It could lift as much as it could drop someone. But then again, those who wished to bear the crown must also be able to carry its weight. This was a trial Ye Qing must face whether he liked it or not.

“Do you guys think the Qing Emperor Junior can reach the top first?” Someone asked suddenly.

“I definitely think well of his chances of making it to the top, but first? That seems unlikely.”

“It would be difficult. He started very late after all. Meanwhile, Yang Zhao isn’t far away from the peak.”

“Yes, it looks like Nephew Yang will be the champion of this stage. Congratulations, Brother Yang,” said Zhang Huai’en to Yang Shixiu.

Yang Zhao was Yang Shixiu’s eldest son. Extraordinarily talented, he was already a late-stage Spirit Purifier at his age and the ninety-second warrior on the Human Champions Ranking. They called him the Silver Flute Scholar.

“Haha, Nephew Zhang isn’t doing bad either. With luck, who is to say he couldn’t surpass expectations?” Yang Shixiu replied politely. He was talking about Zhang Huai’en’s son, Zhang Tiancheng, of course. Zhang Tiancheng was currently at ninth place.

While the duo were busy complimenting each other, Lei Xiaodan chimed in casually, “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Considering Young Ye’s speed, it’s not impossible for him to make it to the top first.”

“No way! The higher you climb, the stronger the Strangers you’ll run into. Even with the Qing Emperor Junior’s strength, there is no way he can maintain this speed. There is no chance he’ll reach the peak first.” The Harmony King shook his head firmly.

“Everything is possible, Your Highness. You best not underestimate the young,” Lei Xiaodan declared smilingly.

“Hehe, it sounds like you don’t believe me, Xiaodan. That’s fine. Dare you make a bet with me?” The Harmony King challenged Lei Xiaodan.

“A bet? I wanna join too!” Chu Qingli abruptly jolted awake from his slumber and yelled.

“Get lost! Like you have anything you can bet that isn’t mine!” The Harmony King shot his son a glare before turning back to Lei Xiaodan. “So? What do you say, Xiaodan?”

“If that is your desire,then this one will oblige,” Lei Xiaodan answered.

“Good, good! You’re not such a wet blanket after all, Xiaodan!” The Harmony King exclaimed in excitement. “But first, what are the stakes?”

“What do you want, Your Highness?” Lei Xiaodan asked.

The Harmony King answered without hesitation almost as if he was waiting for this. “I heard that you have a Golden Celestial Offering Censer. I want it!”

Lei Xiaodan broke out in surprised laughter. “I see you’ve set your eyes on my precious treasure!”

The Golden Celestial Offering Censer was a special censer where the smoke of the incense would form a lifelike picture of celestials offering birthday gifts and felicitations. Besides that, the incense smoke could improve sleep quality and extend one’s lifespan.

“So? Will you bet your censer?” The Harmony King asked.

“Sure, I will. What about you, Your Highness? What will be your stake?” Lei Xiaodan asked.

“What do you want?” The Harmony King barely resisted the urge to let out a whoop when Lei Xiaodan agreed.

The Judicial Commissioner thought for a moment before replying, “I know that you have a strange book that records all kinds of extraordinary events. At night, one can experience any one of the scenarios via dreaming...”

“You want my ‘Strange Encounters’? Nope! Absolutely not! Forget it!” The Harmony King rejected Lei Xiaodan’s demand immediately and watched the Judicial Commissioner warily.

“Calm down, Your Highness. I’m not done talking yet.” Lei Xiaodan let out a bitter chuckle. “I just want to borrow it for a few days.”

“Oh, that’s fine.” It was only then the Harmony King relaxed his guard and said, “Alright. If I win, you will give me the Golden Celestial Offering Censer. If you win, I will lend you the ‘Strange Encounters’ for seven days.”

“You are most kind, Your Highness,” Lei Xiaodan replied. He didn’t seem worried that he would lose in the slightest.

The Harmony King wasn’t done yet, however. He looked at the rest of the group and challenged, “Hehe, is there anyone else who’d like to place your bets? Time is limited, so don’t wait until it’s too late!”

Everyone shook their heads. Everyone, except Hong Jianglong. “In that case, I’d like to bet on Ye Qing to win!”