It was Sunday afternoon, the streets were packed with people and traffic was heavy. Thus, the Hummer was stuck in a traffic jam, moving as slow as a snail.

The traffic was in fact not as bad as it seemed and the Hummer was still moving. However, for a speed demon like Tang Meng, the speed at which the vehicle was moving might as well be considered stationary.

The bored and impatient Tang Meng decided to take a cigarette out for a short smoke. At the same time, he looked at Ling Yun invitingly.

“Boss, want a stick?”

Ling Yun was sitting in the second driver seat, his left hand holding on to five bundles of hundred dollar notes. As if trying to show off, he slapped the bundle of notes onto his right palm repeatedly. Sometimes, he would slap it hard and other times, he would slap it lightly. Such arrogance! Such smugness!

“No!” Ling Yun replied, his tone firm and resolute as he shakes his head. This was not what he needed at the moment.

“What do you think I’m still missing? Am I missing any necessities for the apartment?” Ling Yun asked nonchalantly.

After Ling Yun turned down his offer, Tang Meng was busy lighting his own cigarette. Once lighted, he took a deep puff before giving a cheeky smile and replying.

“I don’t know about other things, but a laptop and eight to ten boxes of condoms are standard essentials, right?”

To emphasize what he meant, he even turned to face Ling Yun, giving him an ambiguous wink.

As for Ling Yun, he was puzzled and confused. A laptop? Condoms? What is this guy talking about?

“What’s a condom?” Ling Yun asked in a curious tone.

He had a rough idea of what this ‘laptop’ thing was and its function. However, he had absolutely no idea what a condom was.

On the other hand, Tang Meng was under the idea that Ling Yun was feigning ignorant. Thus, he did not want to persist and make things difficult for Ling Yun. After all, it would be bad for him if Ling Yun loses his temper and end up beating the life out of him. Hence, all he gave Ling Yun was a look that said ‘it’s up to you’ before turning his attention back to the steering wheel.

Ling Yun was now in deep thought. To function in this society, he, too, knew of the importance of a laptop. Thus, he made his decision and spoke to Tang Meng, “Alright then, let’s go and buy three laptops.”

“What… What?! Three?!” Tang Meng stuttered. He was so shocked he almost collided with the car in front.

Ling Yun laughed in return before answering, “What’s wrong? One for me, another for Lingyu and one for my mother. That makes three right?”

Tang Meng thought for a moment before agreeing with Ling Yun. After all, it wasn’t appropriate for Ling Yun to be the only one enjoying the use of a laptop while his family watched. Yep, they should all get a laptop!

“So is there a particular brand you’re looking at? Or should we give Lingyu a call and ask her what’s her favorite brand?”

“Doesn’t matter, I leave it to you. Just make sure it’s durable and easy to use.” Ling Yun replied indifferently.

Tang Meng nodded his head.

“Then let’s get the same one as mine, it costs just five to six thousand dollars. And it’s specs are not half bad either. Let’s go!”

In a flash, the two guys drove to an electronic shop and purchased three laptops. On top of the fact that Tang Meng knew the owner, they also bought three laptops at one go. Hence, the elated owner was so delighted he even gave them a huge discount. With that, they ended up spending just fifteen thousand dollars.

With the laptops bought, the five bundles of hundred dollar bills had reduced to three. Looking at the notes, Ling Yun could not help but think about how easy money burns out. In a single afternoon, they had spent twenty thousand dollars.

“So where to now, boss?” Tang Meng asked as he started up the engine of the Hummer.

Ling Yun wanted to buy iron nails and big needles for self-protection. He also needed to buy the fur brush, cinnabar and paper essential for talisman crafting. He had intended to purchase all these materials in a single day. However, knowing Tang Meng, Ling Yun was sure that he would kick up a big fuss and pose an endless number of questions. Hence, he decided that it would be better if he were to buy these things alone.

After much deliberation, he asked, “Do you know of any places that sell jade stones or jade items?”

Who knew that upon hearing this question, Tang Meng’s eye would light up so brightly? Tang Meng immediately answered, his voice overflowing with enthusiasm, “Boss, you have asked the right person!”

“In Qingshui City, there’s an old and famous antique trading market. There, be it jade items, antique paintings, rare gemstones, old books, and stamps or even pets and flowers can be found. If you so desire, you can even purchase religious tools that have been blessed!”

The reason Ling Yun had asked that question was due to the discovery of the jade box. Since it could absorb and store spiritual energy, Ling Yun was hoping that he would be able to find something similar. Hence, he held little interest over all those antiques mentioned by Tang Meng.

That being said, the moment he heard about the religious tools that had been blessed, his calm expression instantly changed. His eyes widened as he stared at Tang Meng.

“Tools that have been blessed?!” Ling Yun repeated.

Tang Meng glanced at Ling Yun as if he is looking at a newbie in Qingshui City.

“That’s right… You know how our city has a spiritual awakening monastery? The monks there are famous for blessing spiritual items. There’s even word that items blessed by them can bring about great fortune and expel all evil!” Tang Meng exclaimed while giving Ling Yun a doubtful look.

“Oh… I see,” Ling Yun answered softly nodding his head as if he had just been given enlightenment.

“But why do you know so much about that place?”

In response, Tang Meng smiled proudly, swinging his long black hair elegantly to the side before answering.

“Don’t tell me you forgot my nickname in Qingshui City? I’m not called the Little Gambling God for nothing! Every week, in this old antique trading market, there are events like stone gambling, cockfighting, and the likes…”

As he spoke, he intentionally lowered his voice before speaking secretively, “Every time the banker opens a bet, if I’m free, I would always take a look and bet a thousand or so if I feel confident…”

“Besides, my grandfather’s an antique collecting fanatic. Even though he has toned down now, whenever he’s free, he would go for a walk around the antique market. For the past two years, he has always brought me along…”

“What about now?” Ling Yun asked.

Tang Meng scratched his head awkwardly before replying.

“Well, on the 15th of January this year, he apparently spent thirty thousand dollars on an antique in the market. Initially, he was confident of its authenticity. However, after going through an antique appraisal, it turned out to be a replica. Rather than the money, he felt embarrassed for showing it off to his close friends. From then on, he has been reluctant to visit the market. Furthermore, since I have the entrance exams coming up, even when he decides to visit the market, he would not bring me…”

Upon finishing his explanation, Tang Meng suddenly remembered about an incident.

“Boss, during September last year, didn’t you watch the treasure search program broadcasted by the China Central Television? It’s called and was filmed right here in Qingshui City’s antique trading market. They even ended up finding two pieces of porcelain originating from the great Yuan dynasty.” Tang Meng exclaimed while shaking his head incessantly, his face filled with envy and regret.