179 Chapter 179- The Stone’s Hidden Blade and a Master’s Menace
179 Chapter 179 – The Stone’s Hidden Blade and a
Master’s Menace
“He’s also dangerous,” I said, carefully wrapping the sword in a cloth provided by an attendant. “And he didn’t want me to find this weapon.”
“How much?” I asked the attendant.
“What is it?” Leopold whispered, his face illuminated by the crystal’s glow.
“Fifteen million!” countered another voice.
His certainty struck me as excessive. Why was he so determined to dissuade me? I focused on him more carefully, looking beyond his physical appearance. There was something about his aura–extremely charming and persuasive on the surface, but underneath, I detected a coldness that didn’t match his outward persona.
“Ten million for the blade!” someone called out.
Alvin’s eyes narrowed slightly. “With all due respect, Mr. Knight, I’ve been evaluating rare stones for over thirty years. This type of mineral often tricks amateurs with its appearance, but it has no practical value.”
“Almost a decade!” Leopold declared. “One of the most knowledgeable men I know when it comes to precious materials.”
The crowd pressed closer, murmurs of amazement filling the room. Dealers who had been watching from afar rushed forward, already calculating offers in their minds.
“A Dharma Treasure,” Alistair breathed, his eyes wide with recognition. “A weapon crafted in the Founding Era, when the boundary between heaven and earth was still thin. They’re exceedingly rare.”
I held up my hand, silencing the impromptu auction. “It’s not for sale.”
Amidst the commotion, I noticed Alvin Ward’s expression. For just a moment, his mask slipped completely, revealing intense greed and something far more dangerou murderous intent that flashed in his eyes before he quickly composed himself.
“That won’t be necessary,” interrupted.
179 Chapter 179- The Stone’s Hidden Blade and a Master’s Menace
Leopold gasped. “Liam, that’s-‘
“Absolutely! Why do you ask?”
“Congratulations on your extraordinary find,” he said smoothly, though his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “It seems your instincts were correct after all.”
The man cleared his throat. “That particular piece is four million, sir.”
“Thank you,” I replied, meeting his gaze steadily. “Interesting how differently we assessed the stone’s potential.”
Leopold placed a hand on my arm. “Liam, I respect your enthusiasm, but perhaps Alvin should examine it first? His reputation is well–established.”
Before anyone could respond, I placed both hands on the stone. Focusing my energy, I sent a controlled pulse of qi into the rock. With a sharp crack that echoed through the room, the stone split perfectly down the middle.
“Even experts make mistakes,” Leopold interjected with a nervous laugh. “This calls for a celebration! Drinks on me!”
Leopold looked increasingly concerned. “Liam…”
I carefully lifted the sword from its stone prison. It was surprisingly light, and the moment my fingers wrapped around the hilt, I felt a surge of energy running through my arm. The blade hummed faintly, as if awakening from a long slumber.
Later that evening, as Leopold escorted us out of the Jade Chamber, his mood jovial from both the evening’s excitement and numerous celebratory drinks, I decided to test my suspicion.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pulsing blue crystal nestled within the split stone. The energy radiating from it was unlike anything I’d encountered before- ancient and powerful, practically singing to my senses.
I moved to another table where larger, more expensive specimens were displd. My hand hovered over them until I felt another distinct energy signature–this one more subdued but equally compelling. The stone was massive, easily four times the size of my first selection, with a rough gray exterior that gave no hint of its contents.
“Impossible,” Alvin whispered, his facade of indifference cracking.
179 Chapter 179 – The Stone’s Hidden Blade and a Master’s Menace
Something about his immediate assessment struck me as off. The energy I felt contradicted his words completely.
“This will require specialized tools,” he explained. “Perhaps if you return tomorrow-”
But as our carriage pulled away, I caught sight of a figure watching from the shadows near the Jade Chamber’s entrance. Even at a distance, I recognized Alvin Ward’s distinctive silhouette, his eyes tracking our departure with an intensity that confirmed my suspicions.
“Both, actually.” He glanced in the direction Alvin had gone. “Leopold has known Alvin for years. Says he’s one of the most respected appraisers in Eldoria.”
Alvin approached the stone with obvious irritation. He placed his hands on it, closed his eyes for a moment, then scoffed loudly. “As I suspected–completely ordinary. Not even trace minerals of value.”
“And completely trustworthy?”
He bowed slightly and departed with Leopold, who was excitedly recounting the evening’s events to other patrons.
Alistair approached, his expression thoughtful. “That was… unexpected.”
The transaction completed, we moved to the cutting station. The artisan examined the massive stone with apprehension.
“I disagree,” I said firmly. “This crystal has significant qi fluctuations.”
“Thank you for your assessment,” I said, turning to the attendant. “I’ll still purchase it.”
I paused, then decided direct honesty was best. “Mr. Shepherd, this Alvin Ward wants to kill me.”
“Of course,” I agreed, stepping back with a polite gesture.
Alvin’s face reddened. “This is absurd! Mr. Shepherd, please talk some sense into your friend. That stone is worthless!”
“What… how did you…?” Leopold stammered.
“Mr. Shepherd,” I said casually, “how long have you known Alvin Ward?”
I ignored the commotion, my attention fixed on what the split stone had revealed.
3/5
179 Chapter 179- The Stone’s Hidden Blade and a Master’s Monace
Nestled in a natural cavity was a sword–not of metal, but of a translucent green material that resembled jade but was clearly something more exotic. The blade was approximately three feet long, unadorned yet possessed of a deadly elegance that spoke of ancient craftsmanship.
Leopold’s laughter burst out immediately. “Kill you? Oh, Liam, that’s absurd! Alvin’s many things–exacting, sometimes brusque–but he’s no killer.”
A small crowd had gathered around our table, drawn by the unusual glow. I noticed Leopold shifting uncomfortably between us, clearly torn between his friend’s expertise and the evidence before his eyes.
“I’ll take it,” I said, pulling out my guild token which was linked to my personal account.
Alistair stepped forward. “It’s his decision, Leopold. Every gambler has their own method.”
“The sword or Alvin Ward’s reaction?” I asked quietly.
A new enemy had revealed himself tonight, and the Dharma Treasure at my side had somehow been the catalyst. The question was–why did a stone appraiser care so deeply about an ancient weapon buried in rock?
As the crowd began to disperse, Alvin leaned slightly closer to me. “A word of advice, Mr. Knight,” he said, his voice pitched so only I could hear. “Fortune favors fools only once. The next time you cross paths with true mastery, the outcome may not be so pleasant.”
Gasps erupted around me. The artisan stumbled back, his face pale with shock.
“Perhaps,” I said with a smile, “we should continue looking. I see several more stones that interest me.”
Alvin Ward stepped closer, his expression shifting from dismissive to calculating in an instant. “Just a common phosphorescent mineral. Visually striking but ultimately worthle
