The Chen Family had no industries, and Chen Zheng was their only descendant, which led to their current predicament.
The other three Families were flourishing, with their own industries and vast estates.
"Do you dare to bet or not? If you don't dare, then get lost! Who's the real waste here? If you can't afford to bet, then go home!"
Chen Zheng spoke sharply and without courtesy. Time was his life; he couldn't afford to waste it and didn't want to exchange any more useless words with them.
"Chen Zheng, since you're looking for humiliation, we'll give it to you!"
Peng Liang's eyes turned cold, emitting a strong Killing Intent. Peng Liang naturally knew about the Peng Family being chased out of the Chen Family today.
If the Peng Family could obtain this noble title, the beneficiary would be Peng Liang, who could rely on it to live a life free from worry, enjoying royal benefits.
"Words alone are not enough. Take out twenty thousand gold coins, lest someone loses and tries to renege on the debt!"
Ten thousand gold coins was not a small sum. They might not even have that much between the two of them, so Chen Zheng wanted to make things clear upfront.
"Waste, I thought you could really win!"
Peng Liang laughed heartily. Shi Hao and another man and woman burst into laughter, amused by Chen Zheng. A hundred-year Spirit Medicine was worth over ten thousand gold coins; how could this waste afford it?
"I don't know if I can win, but I do know that the First Young Master of the Peng Family is a dishonest scoundrel. Today truly opened my eyes. Compared to a waste like me, you two are even worse than wastes."
Chen Zheng's words were extremely vicious, slandering the Peng Family as dishonest scoundrels and, in turn, humiliating them by saying they were worse than wastes. If this were confirmed, it would be a huge blow to the Peng Family's reputation.
It was a classic case of trying to show off and getting burned instead.
Peng Liang and Shi Hao's faces darkened. Being mocked by a waste in front of so many people made them feel utterly disgraced.
"Chen Zheng, very well. Since you wish to die, I shall grant your wish!"
Laughter erupted from all around. They had proposed the challenge, and now it was Chen Zheng's turn to retort, yet the Peng Family couldn't respond. It was quite embarrassing.
"I'm ready whenever you are. First, prepare twenty thousand gold coins, then come talk to me. Don't waste time dawdling here. I don't have time to chat idly with you."
Chen Zheng, instead, was no longer in a hurry. He sat down in a chair, watching the two of them with a smiling gaze.
Facing their taunts, Chen Zheng not only didn't get angry but, with a few words, turned the tables from passive to active. Many elders secretly wondered, 'Is this still the Chen Zheng who used to bear the title of waste?'
"You two, go to the Peng Family's shop, take my token, and exchange it for twenty thousand gold coins!"
Without the gold coins, Chen Zheng wouldn't bet with him. Peng Liang was already in a difficult position; he had to bet, otherwise he would lose.
The Peng Family had many industries in Yan City. As the Fourth Young Master of the Peng Family, it was acceptable for him to advance some gold coins.
The man and woman left. Peng Liang and Shi Hao also found a place to sit, glaring fiercely at Chen Zheng.
The latter, however, remained unmoved, appearing calm and collected, as if observing his nose with his eyes, his expression unperturbed no matter how many gazes were directed at him.
Chen Zheng's Heart-Nature alone earned him much admiration.
"Brother Shi, when he barks like a dog, make sure to record it well. Such an event will surely become a new joke in Yan City."
Peng Liang took a sip of the fragrant tea brought from Yu Shan Hall, not avoiding anyone.
"Don't worry, Brother Peng, I've already ordered three recording talismans to be sent over, guaranteeing a 360-degree, dead-angle-free recording."
Shi Hao laughed heartily. The onlookers shook their heads. In terms of Heart-Nature and composure, the two of them were far inferior to Chen Zheng.
After waiting for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the man and woman returned, carrying a large bag containing twenty thousand gold coins.
Not everyone could possess a card. Twenty thousand gold coins filled a whole sack, enough for an ordinary Family to spend for several lifetimes. The Peng Family's monthly income was at most one hundred thousand gold coins.
"Young Master, the gold coins are here."
Opening the bag, a burst of golden light shot out, illuminating the entire Yu Shan Hall. Gasps of cold air could be heard all around.
Many people had never seen so many gold coins in their lives; their eyes showed a fervent desire, yet they dared not act presumptuously.
The gold coins were slightly larger than an adult's thumbnail and thicker than gold leaves. They appeared to be made of pure gold, engraved with the national emblem of the Great Yuan Kingdom, a seven-headed divine bird.
Seeing the gold coins, Chen Zheng's eyes showed a hint of fervor. Although he had fifty thousand gold coins, it was only on a card, not as visually impactful as this sack of gold coins, which had a stronger visual effect.
"Chen Zheng, the gold coins are here. Let's start the bet now!"
Peng Liang had already informed Yu Shan Hall to bring out the hundred-year Spirit Medicine. If Chen Zheng couldn't afford it, he would have to kneel and kowtow to them and bark like a dog in front of everyone.
Yu Shan Hall was an old apothecary and certainly had hundred-year Spirit Medicine stored away. It was rarely purchased and kept in the warehouse.
A young attendant in green robes hurried into the Yu Shan Hall warehouse to retrieve the hundred-year ginseng.
"Shopkeeper, I need three plants. Please bring them out all at once, no need to run back and forth so many times."
Chen Zheng was still very polite. Three plants could not only treat his mother's body but also strengthen his own body and increase his physique if he consumed them.
From Chen Zheng's clear eyes, the shopkeeper saw no hint of mockery, but rather sincerity.
Nodding, the attendant quickly ran inside. It had been a long time since Yu Shan Hall had a customer purchase three hundred-year Spirit Medicines at once.
"Chen Zheng, let's see how long you can keep up this act. Three hundred-year Spirit Medicines, let's see how you die later."
Shi Hao sneered. The onlookers frowned. Purchasing one might be possible, but three at once was too difficult, requiring at least forty thousand gold coins.
"How do you know I'm acting and not genuinely capable of purchasing them?"
Chen Zheng scoffed. Today, he would slap them hard to repay the humiliation he had endured all these years.
The young attendant in green robes held a jade plate, on which lay three hundred-year Spirit Medicines: a ginseng, a Green Yang Fruit, and a Blue Bone Grass.
"Young Master Chen, these are three Spirit Medicines over a hundred years old, totaling forty-seven thousand gold coins!"
The shopkeeper was honest, not interfering with the market price because of their gamble, and sold them to Chen Zheng at the most common price.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper. Here are fifty thousand gold coins!"
In everyone's sight, Chen Zheng slowly pulled out a green card. Peng Liang and Shi Hao's hearts sank, realizing something was amiss.
Cards could only be used by royalty and nobles. Peng Liang, as a direct descendant of the Peng Family, didn't even have such a card; he always carried gold coins when he went out.
So from the beginning, he had overlooked that Chen Zheng came in empty-handed, and could at most carry dozens of gold coins. Who would have expected him to have a green card?
The shopkeeper was also stunned. To hold a green card meant one was either rich or noble, a prominent figure in Yan City. Had Chen Zheng picked it up somewhere?
"Hahahaha... I know! This card must be stolen!"
Peng Liang suddenly burst into laughter, slandering Chen Zheng's card as stolen. A waste suddenly having fifty thousand gold coins was too illogical.