2026-08-20 21:00:39Guo Jiang stepped out of Prosperity Store and into a busy Jinhung street while customers and nearby workers gathered at a cautious distance. News of the confrontation inside had already spread through the doorway, but most passersby still knew only fragments about broken spears, unconscious soldiers, and a wealthy store owner who had vanished into his private rooms.
Guo Jiang did not give them a grand speech. He simply said that Prosperity Store had been selling imitation
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Gold for Those Who Had None
Guo Jiang stepped out of Prosperity Store and into a busy Jinhung street while customers and nearby workers gathered at a cautious distance. News of the confrontation inside had already spread through the doorway, but most passersby still knew only fragments about broken spears, unconscious soldiers, and a wealthy store owner who had vanished into his private rooms.Guo Jiang did not give them a grand speech. He simply said that Prosperity Store had been selling imitation goods at inflated prices, cheating customers, and using its reputation to protect those practices when challenged.At first, only poorer residents stopped long enough to listen. A few laborers, an old beggar, and several workers from nearby shops watched him with uncertainty, while wealthier passersby treated the gathering as another street disturbance that did not concern them.Guo Jiang opened one storage pouch and released a stream of gold coins into
The Locked Room of Wan Huang
Wan Huang locked the door of his private office and emptied Guo Jiang's gemstone pouch across the desk. Emeralds and sapphires rolled over the polished wood, each stone catching the lamplight with a depth of color that quickened his breathing.He picked up one emerald and turned it between his fingers, no longer pretending to doubt what he had already recognized in public. The clarity, weight, and internal color were unmistakable, and the realization that the pouch contained enough wealth to transform Prosperity Store made his earlier lie seem increasingly profitable."Shangguan Rong could not identify these even when they were placed in his hand," Wan Huang muttered with a contemptuous smile. "A clan surname can open doors, but it does not teach a young master how to appraise treasure."He began calculating how many branches he could open in Jinhung and how much better property he could purchase near the wealthiest comm
Five Spears and Three Broken Faces
Guo Jiang remained beside the staircase while four spear users formed a shallow semicircle around him and the fifth soldier approached with restraints. Shangguan Rong stood several steps above with the attendants, while customers retreated toward counters and walls."Extend your wrists and kneel," the soldier with the restraints ordered. "Owner Wan Huang has accused you of using counterfeit gemstones to defraud Prosperity Store, so you will come with us for questioning."Guo Jiang looked at the four spearheads and then at the man speaking. "Do city soldiers normally arrest someone based only on a merchant's accusation without asking the accused what happened?"One spear user scoffed. "Wan Huang is a respected businessman in Jinhung, and Prosperity Store has operated here for years. Only someone with something to hide would begin arguing about procedure after being caught."Shangguan Rong opened his f
The Merchant Who Chose the Lie
Wan Huang approached the staircase with the smooth courtesy of a merchant accustomed to adjusting his posture according to the status of the customer before him. He bowed first to Shangguan Rong and barely acknowledged Guo Jiang, making his priorities clear before asking what service the Shangguan young master required."Owner Wan, inspect these stones," Shangguan Rong said as he handed over the pouch. "This man claims he can pay for the second floor, and everyone here has agreed that your judgment will settle the matter."Wan Huang accepted the pouch with both hands, and the instant the weight settled into his palms he knew the dispute was more dangerous than the room realized. He studied one emerald against the lamp, then examined a sapphire with the efficient movements of an experienced gem merchant.He tested one edge gently against a small appraisal plate carried by the store and stopped after seeing the resistance.
A Bag No One Dared to Price
Guo Jiang drew a large pouch from his spatial ring and held it in one hand without immediately emptying its contents. The bag looked ordinary, but the weight dragged against the fabric enough that several merchants near the staircase stopped laughing before he loosened the cord.A deep green gleam appeared first, followed by the colder blue of sapphires catching the store lamps. Guo Jiang opened the pouch only enough for the people nearest him to see several thumb-sized stones with rich color and unusual clarity resting against one another inside.The reaction spread unevenly through the first floor because not everyone knew what they were seeing. A wealthy young customer scoffed and said imitation gemstones could be polished to look impressive, while an older trader narrowed his eyes and leaned forward without speaking.Another merchant who had laughed earlier stopped at once. He had handled enough cargo to recognize th
The Young Master on the Fifth Step
Guo Jiang remained beside the first stair while the attendant stood in front of him with the confidence of someone protected by the name of Prosperity Store. Several customers were still laughing, and the attendant seemed to enjoy the attention because each amused glance made his borrowed authority feel more solid.Before Guo Jiang could answer, the front doors opened and the mood of the first floor changed almost at once. A young man entered wearing expensive silk with gold-trimmed hems, embroidered shoes, and a conspicuous ornament fastening his high-tied hair, while a folding fan rested loosely in one hand.The staff recognized him immediately as Shangguan Rong of the Shangguan Clan, one of the influential families in Jinhung City. An attendant abandoned another customer in the middle of explaining a robe price and hurried over with a bow, while two other employees straightened their backs and adjusted their smiles before approaching.
You may also like
Immortal Universe
Shin Novel 20.0K viewsBeyond The Immortal
Shin Novel 38.1K viewsSupreme Alchemist
Know Micro41.9K viewsA Dream Harem Life Built With Superior Firepower
Runaway_Cactuar21.9K viewsMY MENTOR CAN HEAR MY THOUGHTS
Landing Vale28 viewsDao Of Nihility: Possessor Of The Nameless Scripture
Dream_Weaver505 viewsThe Rise From The Dust
Shugaboi288 viewsReborn With the God-Tier Spirit Beast System
omolaayo194 views