Chapter 37: First Clash

Early the next morning, when Yang Qi arrived at the restaurant, Shen Yuxuan and the others were already waiting for him.

"Little Yang, did you sleep well last night?" Shen Yuxuan asked as soon as she saw him.

"It was fine," Yang Qi nodded. Although the room Shen Yuxuan booked wasn't a presidential suite, as a business room, he didn't feel out of place. The only downside was that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth here was far too thin. After a whole night of cultivation, the increase in his internal primordial energy was negligible. At this rate, it would likely take three to five years to reach the level of an eight-star martial disciple.

"I need to cut open a piece of jade soon to aid my cultivation; otherwise, I won't be able to make any progress during my stay in Yue Dong," Yang Qi thought to himself. In the path of martial arts, no one ever complains about having too much time; they only fear having too little, only to turn into a handful of dust before ever making a breakthrough.

"You'll get used to it. The cuisine in Yue Dong is quite different from what we have in Qingzhou. The Yuehai Hotel serves excellent food—you should really try it," Shen Yuxuan said with a smile.

Yang Qi nodded. The cuisine of Yue Dong was legendary, and Cantonese cuisine was one of the most famous culinary traditions in all of China. Even for breakfast, the five-star hotel presented the food with more care and aesthetic appeal than anywhere else, truly excelling in color, aroma, and taste.

Martial artists have particularly large appetites, and Yang Qi didn't stand on ceremony. Under the surprised gazes of Shen Yuxuan and the others, he consumed enough for three people all by himself.

"I never imagined you could eat so much!" Shen Yuxuan said in astonishment.

"Sister Shen, you know I practice martial arts. People who train their bodies usually have much larger appetites than the average person," Yang Qi said, feeling a bit embarrassed. When coming to a high-end restaurant, most people were there to enjoy the delicacies, but for Yang Qi, it was more about filling his stomach to ensure he had the energy for his training.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuxuan nodded. Even the bodyguards like A-Long ate more than the average person, and she had seen Yang Qi’s martial arts skills with her own eyes—they were far beyond what A-Long and his companions could match.

"President Shen, what a coincidence!" Just then, an abrupt voice rang out. A young man dressed in casual attire, accompanied by several others, walked up to their table.

"Liu Xiangnan, it’s you!" Shen Yuxuan’s expression sank upon seeing him. The person who had arrived was none other than Liu Xiangnan of Liu’s Jewelry.

"Liu Xiangnan?" Yang Qi looked up when he heard Shen Yuxuan mention the name.

Liu Xiangnan wasn't exceptionally handsome, but he gave off an extremely steady impression—a sense of composure that even surpassed Shen Yuxuan’s. "This man is no simple character," Yang Qi thought to himself.

"This must be Consultant Yang, right?" As Yang Qi observed him, Liu Xiangnan looked back and spoke slowly.

"President Liu," Yang Qi nodded slightly. Although their respective jewelry companies were at odds, he had no personal grievances with Liu Xiangnan, so there was no need to be hostile toward someone being polite.

"A consultant? Being a jade-betting consultant isn't easy. When I was your age, I was still following my master and learning how to haul rough stones," a slightly disdainful voice cut in. Following the sound, Yang Qi saw an old man dressed in a traditional Tang suit looking at him with a sneer.

"This is Wu Shan, the jade-betting consultant for Liu’s Jewelry," Shen Yuxuan whispered.

Wu Shan? He was a famous master of jade gambling in Qingchuan and had served as the Liu family's consultant for years. Having made a name for himself long ago, he naturally felt disdain toward Yang Qi, wondering what a twenty-something-year-old could possibly know about the trade. With his own expertise, he wasn't even afraid of the Jade King's disciples, let alone a young novice.

"Forgive my ignorance, but who might you be, senior?" Yang Qi asked.

"I am Wu Shan, the current jade-betting consultant for Liu’s Jewelry," Wu Shan said with an arrogant air.

"Oh, so you're the consultant for Liu’s Jewelry," Yang Qi nodded and turned to Liu Xiangnan. "President Liu, your company should hire more people. Older people really shouldn't be doing the heavy lifting; if something were to happen, it wouldn't be good."

"Boy, what is that supposed to mean?" Wu Shan was furious. Wasn't Yang Qi implying that he was old? As a master of the trade, he considered himself in his prime; this profession required not just technique, but a vast amount of experience. That was why consultants at major jewelry firms were almost always over forty.

"It means nothing. I’m just showing respect for the elderly," Yang Qi shrugged.

"Ignorant! What do you know? This is the golden age for a jade-betting consultant!" Wu Shan suppressed his anger and said coldly. As a master, he had his pride; even the executives at Liu’s Jewelry treated him with respect. He never had to worry about finding work, and to be humiliated by a junior was something he couldn't swallow.

"So, Senior Wu is 'old but still sturdy.' My apologies for being rude," Yang Qi said calmly.

"Pfft!" Upon hearing this, the two women, Shen Yuxuan and Xu Jiajia, couldn't help but giggle. Wu Shan’s face turned an ugly shade of blue. "Old but sturdy" was a backhanded insult; "old but still vigorous" would have been a compliment. Yang Qi was clearly insulting him in a roundabout way!

"You..."

"Senior Wu," Liu Xiangnan interrupted before Wu Shan could continue. He turned to Yang Qi and said, "It seems Mr. Yang is not only skilled at jade gambling but also has a very sharp tongue. President Shen has found herself a good helper."

"You flatter me, President Liu," Yang Qi replied with a calm smile.

Since Wu Shan had come over acting as if he could bully others based on his seniority, Yang Qi wasn't about to show him any courtesy. When it came to verbal sparring, two Wu Shans put together wouldn't be a match for someone like Yang Qi, who frequented online forums.

"I wonder if Mr. Yang would be interested in joining Liu’s Jewelry? The compensation would be very generous," Liu Xiangnan suddenly proposed.

"Liu Xiangnan, what is the meaning of this? Trying to poach my people right in front of me—isn't that going too far?" Shen Yuxuan’s face darkened. The previous consultant for Shen’s Jewelry had been poached by Liu Xiangnan; if he succeeded again, her company would truly be finished.

"Yuxuan, you’re being unreasonable. People seek better opportunities, and water flows downwards. Besides, a consultant is just a consultant; strictly speaking, they aren't even company employees!" Liu Xiangnan said dismissively.

"I appreciate your kind offer, President Liu, but I am quite happy at Shen’s Jewelry, so I won't be joining your firm," Yang Qi said with a calm smile.

"In that case, I won't force you. If Mr. Yang ever changes his mind, the doors of Liu’s Jewelry will always be open to you." Liu Xiangnan glanced at Yang Qi, then turned and left, followed by the furious Wu Shan.

"That Liu Xiangnan!" Shen Yuxuan’s face remained pale. Liu Xiangnan had come purely to show off his power, and there was absolutely nothing she could do about it.