Chapter 121: Imperial Green

"Unless you can produce Imperial Green, you're definitely going to lose today!"

Young Master Chen spoke disdainfully, clearly believing his victory was certain.

A burst of jeering laughter erupted from the crowd, and the looks toward Jiangnan were full of mockery.

"Imperial Green?"

"Does he think Imperial Green is just a cabbage? That you can have it just because you want it?"

"What a fool's dream!"

"This kid, if he can't afford to lose, just say so—why pretend here?"

"Exactly, and he doesn't even look at his own conduct, yet he still wants to compare with Young Master Chen?"

"It's sheer self‑inflicted disgrace!"

The surrounding taunts surged like a tide, each voice louder than the last.

Xia Yurou felt her heart sink to the bottom of a valley; she bit her lip so hard she almost bled.

She felt a wave of helplessness, as if the whole world had abandoned her.

She didn't understand why Jiangnan still persisted.

Does he really think he can create a miracle?

"Imperial Green, is it that hard?"

Jiangnan spoke lightly, his tone so calm it raised no ripple.

"You…"

Chen Haonan was angered by Jiangnan's nonchalant demeanor; he felt deeply insulted.

"Fine!"

Chen Haonan laughed bitterly in his fury.

"I want to see how you produce Imperial Green!"

"Someone, Open Window for him!"

At his command, a staff member immediately stepped forward, ready to Open Window the Raw Stone for Jiangnan.

"Hold on!"

Jiangnan suddenly spoke.

"What? Scared?"

Chen Haonan lifted his chin smugly.

"Now you regret it, but it's already too late!"

"I'm not scared."

Jiangnan shook his head.

"I just think that Open Window this way is too slow."

"Too slow?"

Chen Haonan was stunned, then burst into a hearty laugh.

"You really are shamelessly boastful!"

"Who do you think you are? Gambling Stone Master?"

"Still think Open Window is slow?"

"That's downright laugh‑inducing!"

The surrounding people also laughed, their gazes at Jiangnan like they were looking at a Jumping Clown.

"Since you think it's slow, then tell me, what should we do?"

Chen Haonan forced back his smile and asked.

"Just cut it open."

Jiangnan pointed at the Raw Stone and said lightly.

"What?"

Chen Haonan wondered if he had misheard.

"What did you say?"

"I said, cut it open directly."

Jiangnan repeated it, his tone still calm.

"Hahaha…"

Chen Haonan could no longer hold back, erupting into a wild laugh.

"Cut it open directly?"

"Are you crazy?"

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"This is Stone Gambling, not cutting a watermelon!"

"Who do you think you are? That a single slash can cut out Jade?"

The crowd laughed uproariously, their eyes on Jiangnan as if he were a madman.

"This kid, is he scared dumb?"

"Cut it open directly? Does he think he's a deity?"

"Truly insane, insane!"

"Young Master Chen, stop wasting words with him; just drive him out!"

"Right, drive him out! Don't let him embarrass himself here!"

In the crowd, shouts rose and fell.

Xia Yurou was also stunned.

She stared blankly at Jiangnan, her eyes full of doubt and incomprehension.

She didn't understand why Jiangnan was doing this.

Could it be that he really gave up?

"Are you sure?"

Chen Haonan stopped laughing, fixed his gaze on Jiangnan, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"I'm sure."

Jiangnan nodded.

"Alright!"

Chen Haonan's eyes flashed with a trace of ruthlessness.

"Since you asked for death yourself, don't blame me!"

"Someone, cut it for me!"

At his command, a staff member immediately pushed in a Large Cutting Machine.

"Wait!"

Xia Yurou suddenly spoke.

"Chen Haonan, don't go too far!"

She stepped in front of Jiangnan, glaring at Chen Haonan.

"Too far?"

Chen Haonan sneered.

"He wanted to be cut himself; I didn't force him!"

"You…"

Xia Yurou's temper flared.

"Miss Xia, step aside."

Jiangnan gently pulled Xia Yurou behind him.

"But…"

Xia Yurou tried to say something else, but Jiangnan cut her off.

"Trust me."

Jiangnan looked at Xia Yurou, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

Xia Yurou stared blankly at Jiangnan, an inexplicable feeling welling up inside her.

She, almost involuntarily, nodded and moved aside.

"Begin."

Jiangnan said to the staff member.

The staff member nodded and started the Cutting Machine.

The massive Sawtooth Gear emitted a harsh roar, slowly advancing toward the Raw Stone.

Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the Raw Stone.

They wanted to see whether this Raw Stone could actually be cut to reveal Imperial Green.

"Bzz…"

The Sawtooth Gear touched the Raw Stone, producing a sharp grinding sound.

Stone chips splashed, lingering in the air, forming a thin veil of mist.

Everyone's hearts rose to their throats, nervously watching the Cutting Machine.

"Crack!"

With a crisp sound, the Raw Stone was cut open with a slit.

A rich streak of green emerged from the cut.

"The green came out!"

A burst of exclamations erupted from the crowd.

"It really came out green!"

"My god, this green, so rich!"

"It can't be… Imperial Green, can it?"

"Impossible, right? How could it actually produce Imperial Green?"

The surrounding people argued endlessly, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Chen Haonan's smile froze on his face, a flash of terror in his eyes.

He stared rigidly at that green, unable to believe his own eyes.

"Impossible… this can't be…"

He muttered to himself, his voice trembling.

"Keep cutting!"

Jiangnan said lightly.

The staff member nodded and continued operating the Cutting Machine.

As the Sawtooth Gear penetrated deeper, that green grew larger and richer.

The whole market fell silent, everyone staring dumbfounded at the Raw Stone.

Crack!

Another crisp sound rang out, and the Raw Stone was completely cut open.

A fist-sized piece of Jade appeared before the crowd.

This Jade was entirely emerald‑green, with a rich hue, full of water‑spirit, crystal clear, like a solidified green flame.

"Imperial Green!"

Someone in the crowd shouted it, though no one knew who.

"It really is Imperial Green!"

"My god, it really is Imperial Green!"

"How... how could this be possible?"

"I'm not dreaming, am I?"

The crowd instantly boiled over, and everyone rushed madly toward the Jade, eager to get a glimpse.

"It really is Imperial Green..."

Xia Yurou murmured to herself, her eyes filled with shock and joy.

She turned her head toward Jiangnan, only to find his expression still calm, like a still ancient well.

It seemed as if all of this had been within his anticipation.

"You... you already knew?"

Xia Yurou couldn't help but ask.

"Hmm."

Jiangnan nodded.

Young Master Chen's complexion changed abruptly; the face that had worn a smug smile now twisted like a demon.

"This... this is impossible!"

His voice was sharp, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, hysterical.

"This Imperial Green is fake! It must be fake!"

He pointed at the Jade, his finger trembling, his gaze frantic.

The crowd, which had been immersed in shock, was snapped back to their senses by his shout.