Chapter 618: Despair

Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter

After leaving Jiu Tang, Ye Mo went to Jin City immediately. The Gem Banner, located on Jin City's antiques street, reminded him of Luo Yue Continent's cultivation cities; the architecture was ancient, and roadside stalls abounded. He paused, momentarily lost in the familiar yet unfamiliar street.

He quickly found Gem Banner. Boss Luo had said the owner was Pan Sheng, a slightly overweight middle-aged man in his forties. This shop was larger than Jiu Tang's, overflowing with goods. Ye Mo carefully scanned it with his spirit sense, but the Five Element Rock was not there.

"Is Boss Pan here? I need to discuss business," Ye Mo asked upon entering.

A bearded man with a ferocious-looking knife scar entered yelling, causing a commotion.

"Sir, our boss is at a business meeting. He'll be back tomorrow afternoon," a young man in his twenties replied, wisely avoiding any potential conflict.

Despite Pan Sheng's absence, Ye Mo felt a pang of disappointment. He needed to find the Five Element Rock; acquiring it would be simple.

Once the aggressive man left, the young man visibly relaxed. While they had security, he preferred to avoid any customer confrontations.

Bored, Ye Mo called Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue, informing them of his location in Jin City and his impending return. He then began strolling the antiques street, considering where to spend the night.

His spirit sense detected a large crowd gathered around a stone-betting square. Uninterested—fine jade held little value for him—he almost left. The potential earnings weren't worth the effort; jade's only use to him was in formations, and even then, the effects were minimal.

As he turned to leave, he saw a familiar figure in a corner: Xu Wei. She looked distressed and appeared to be crying. Had she lost a bet?

Xu Wei was kind, and he owed her a debt of gratitude. She had cared for his silver heart grass and spent considerable time with Ning Qingxue. He approached her.

"Hey, beautiful lady, why are you crying alone?" he asked, hoping to cheer her up.

"Huh? Who are you?" Xu Wei recoiled, taking a few steps back.

Ye Mo subconsciously touched his face and smiled bitterly. The onlookers assumed he had ill intentions. They quickly dispersed, preferring to avoid trouble.

Ye Mo smiled wryly, approached Xu Wei, and whispered, "Xu Wei, it's Ye Mo. I'm wearing a mask; the beard is fake. People are hunting me, so I'm in hiding."

"You—are Ye Mo?" Xu Wei stared in disbelief.

"We lived together in that small house in Ning Hai. Don't you remember?"

"Huh—You really are Ye Mo," she finally said, recognizing his voice.

Ye Mo nodded. "Why did you leave Ning Hai? I didn't expect to see you here. Did something happen?"

Xu Wei began crying again, longing to be comforted.

He glanced awkwardly at the onlookers' contemptuous stares. "Don't cry; people will think I'm harassing you. What's wrong?"

Xu Wei finally stopped crying and explained her situation. Her mother had been hospitalized for over a year, forcing her to quit her job in Ning Hai and care for her. Her mother required significant funds, as did her brother's education. Their financial struggles worsened when her father's taxi was involved in an accident, resulting in an 80,000 compensation demand.

Before they could resolve that, her brother got into a fight, incurring a 100,000 compensation demand. He was still at the police station.

Desperate, she consulted her close college friend, Xia Fangfang, whose suggestion to bet on stones seemed promising. Xu Wei used her 120,000 savings, only to be swindled by Xia Fangfang and her accomplice.

Overwhelmed with despair, Xu Wei found Xia Fangfang had cheated her, leaving her penniless. Her mother's medical bills and her brother's bail were due. Alone and destitute in Jin City, she wept in despair.

Ye Mo shook his head. Xia Fangfang's actions were deplorable.

"How much money do you have left?" he asked.

"Two hundred," Xu Wei sniffed.

Knowing her pride and strong will, he hesitated to lend her money.

"Xu Wei, if you trust me, use your two hundred to bet with me," Ye Mo smiled, determined to restore her cheerful spirit. She was his first acquaintance here.

"Ye Mo, I only have two hundred. How can I bet?" she asked.

Ye Mo smiled. "Two hundred means there are two hundred ways to bet. Follow me."

He led Xu Wei into the crowd. The cheapest bets were 500, all already taken.