Chapter Sixty-Six Walking Upon the Waves (Part Four)

“Could it be that someone within the Shadowkill Organization has already recognized this Azure Rock Snow Lotus?” Jiang Yu mused silently for a moment.

Then, using his divine sense, he transmitted a message, “Tianzong, stop fooling around. Offer the highest price. I don’t have time to play along with these children’s games.”

Ma Tianzong nodded. Amidst dozens of complicated glances, he slowly rose to his feet. “The reason I’ve managed to become powerful these years is that I know when to yield. Making appropriate concessions is the way of a businessman—and of a person. Tonight, I won’t contest anything else, but I must have this snow lotus. Whoever tries to stop me, I’ll destroy them. Even if the gods themselves descend, it won’t help!”

His words radiated utter dominance.

The crowd was silenced. Anyone daring to vie for the snow lotus now risked provoking Ma Tianzong’s wrath on the spot.

“Three hundred million!”

With a cold snort, Ma Tianzong sat back down.

The host gently reminded, “Mr. Ma, the price you’ve offered has already exceeded the snow lotus’s intrinsic worth. Please reconsider. While we, the organizers, strive to maximize value, we also hope none of our esteemed guests engage in bidding wars out of pride.”

Every wealthy participant felt their mouths go dry; this round of bidding had long surpassed most of their net worths.

Although Sotheby’s was the host, compared to true top-tier auctions, tonight’s event was merely a diversion for entertainment. If this three-hundred-million bid succeeded, the news would soon sweep through the upper echelons of Yu Prefecture.

If they failed to give Ma Tianzong a satisfactory explanation tonight, the organizers would offend one of the wealthiest men in Jiangbei.

Just as the hosts hesitated over whether to bring down the hammer, a leisurely voice rang out again.

“Four hundred million!”

The crowd erupted. Countless people rose, craning for a glimpse of the new bidder.

The host frowned. “Sir, please present proof of your assets. This auction isn’t a lark, nor is it a contest of tempers.”

The man’s face was shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to discern his features. He handed over a Centurion Black Card. Soon, the manager returned to his side, respectfully holding out the card.

The man gave a dismissive smile. “With a billion at my disposal, I wonder if that’s enough to secure the snow lotus?”

Cold sweat beaded on Ma Tianzong’s forehead. A billion could finance a Hollywood blockbuster, build five luxury hotels, or buy three such extravagant cruise ships.

The liquid assets he and Li Hao had brought tonight totaled no more than nine hundred million.

There was little hope of claiming the snow lotus now.

A pang of guilt and self-reproach stabbed at him for failing to meet Jiang Yu’s expectations. Clenching his fists, he said coldly, “Who are you, sir?”

The man smiled. “Heaven and earth’s divine might, for the glory of Shadowkill!”

Ma Tianzong’s expression shifted, his pupils narrowing.

Not a few in the crowd paled.

“What does Shadowkill mean?” Zheng Xuan asked with curiosity.

Jiang Shaoqi beside her shook his head. “I don’t know. That’s a world far beyond our circles.”

Jiang Ziyue snorted coldly. “Just a bunch of charlatans trying to act mysterious.”

With that, she stood up, intending to find Jiang Yu and take him home.

...

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu quietly left through a side door.

At some point, Ma Tianzong and the others had also slipped out. Even the richest man in Jiangbei would rather avoid clashing head-on when a billion was at stake.

On the edge of the deck, Jiang Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his robe snapping in the evening breeze.

Ma Tianzong and his group approached, faces full of guilt. “Teacher, forgive us. I’ll call back home right now. Within half an hour, I’ll have three billion ready. Tonight, unless we win the snow lotus, I, Ma Tianzong, will not rest.”

Li Hao had already pulled out his phone, calling the Wolf Leader. “Find a billion in half an hour. If it’s not enough, sell Bishui Yuntian at a loss immediately.”

Gu Feifei whispered, “I have fifty million in savings.”

Their frantic response genuinely frightened her.

Du Yanran was silent for a moment. “I have another nine million.”

Lin Wangtian gritted his teeth. “Fine then, tonight I’ll risk these old bones and scrape together another three hundred million for you.”

It was about more than just the lotus—it was about pride.

Jiang Yu shook his head. “Enough. Your money doesn’t fall from the sky. The organizers were right: the price has already far outstripped the lotus’s worth. To keep fighting is to lose more than you gain.”

With that, he stamped his foot.

Suddenly, the cruise ship sank several meters. River water nearly surged onto the deck.

In that instant, everyone aboard believed it was an earthquake. Screams erupted; everyone felt the ship drop several meters into the river all at once.

Beneath the water, three clouds of blood burst forth. Diving suits tore apart, along with flesh, blood, organs, and bone. Silt roiled on the riverbed; within a hundred meters of the ship, the water turned instantly turbid.

If one looked closely, a faint red hue could be seen within the churning water.

Du Yanran’s face turned deathly pale with fear.

They could only barely stay upright by clinging to the mast.

Liu Shao gritted his teeth. “Boss Jiang, I could also get a few hundred million together. My old man would definitely agree.”

Jiang Yu waved him off and sneered coldly. “No need. I’ll just collect a bit of interest for now.”

At that moment, Li Hao, sharp-eyed, noticed blood rising to the surface and drew in a sharp breath.

“When we dock, leave without me,” Jiang Yu said calmly.

Ma Tianzong asked quietly, “Teacher, what are you going to do?”

Murder flickered in Jiang Yu’s eyes as he smiled. “Tonight, I’ll bathe Shadowkill in blood!”

He walked to the edge of the deck. One step forward, and it was the surging Yu River.

Many on deck, enjoying the night view, suddenly shrieked, “Someone’s about to jump! Stop him!”

But Jiang Yu had already leaped. A few people rushed to the rail, some good-hearted souls even stripping off their shirts, ready to dive in after him.

The next moment, a hush fell over the deck, so quiet that you could hear each other’s breathing.

On the river’s surface, a solitary figure glided atop the waves, as if walking on solid ground, racing for the shore.

“He’s walking on water—this… this…”

Someone rubbed his eyes, disbelieving.

“Am I dreaming? How could anyone run across the surface of the water?”

“Maybe they’re filming a movie here, using the Yu River as a backdrop?”

Everyone’s hearts thundered wildly.

Many pulled out their phones, capturing the astonishing scene. Perhaps after tonight, another video of ‘dragon sightings,’ ‘UFOs,’ or ‘immortals crossing tribulation’ would join the ranks online—this time, someone walking on water.

...

Jiang Ziyue had searched from the top deck to the bottom but found no sign of Jiang Yu. Her brows knit. “Could Jiang Yu have gone off by himself after being mocked by Second Uncle and the others? Given his stubbornness, he’d really do something like that.”

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. The Yu River’s currents were swift, with hidden eddies below. Jumping in was almost certain death.

A small hand patted her on the shoulder, making her jump.

She turned to see the youthful, lovely Zheng Xuan behind her. “Ziyue, what are you doing down here?”

Jiang Ziyue sighed. “Nothing, just wandering.”

Zheng Xuan smiled knowingly, not exposing her. She could easily guess what this blunt but soft-hearted girl was thinking.

“Ziyue, don’t waste your time on Jiang Yu. I know you care for him, but has he ever really cared for you? Shaoqi is the real dragon of the Jiang family. As for Jiang Yu, let him do as he pleases.”

For some reason, Jiang Ziyue suddenly asked, “What if, someday, Jiang Yu appears before us, high above, looking down—what should we do then?”

Zheng Xuan didn’t even hesitate. “You’re overthinking. Maybe I’d believe it of someone else, but Jiang Yu? You’ve grown up together—don’t you know him? I’ve never seen anything in him that suggests he could soar to greatness.”

Maybe I really am overthinking things.

Jiang Ziyue felt a dull ache in her heart, hard to describe.

A commotion outside caught their attention.

“Someone’s running on the Yu River—come see!”

Jiang Ziyue instinctively dashed outside.

Zheng Xuan shook her head with a smile. How could something so absurd be happening in this world?

She followed, still grumbling about Jiang Ziyue’s gullibility—did she actually believe such a prank?

A few minutes later, when Zheng Xuan reached the deck, her smile froze.

A hundred meters away, a black figure dashed across the surface of the river, unaided by any device, feet gliding as if strolling in a garden. The distance was too great to see clearly, but it was unmistakably a human figure.

She clapped a hand over her mouth, overwhelmed by disbelief.

Jiang Ziyue shouted, “Xuanxuan, did you see that? There really is someone running on the river!”

Zheng Xuan quickly regained her composure, shaking her head firmly. “Impossible—it can’t be. It must be some water performance or trick.”

Jiang Ziyue said nothing, simply watching the retreating figure, suddenly feeling that it looked hauntingly familiar.