Dragon Vein Mystery, Half-Step Crushing Fist

The dust around the stage had yet to settle when the Su Family servants hurriedly carried away Li Bawang's mountain of a body.

Only a shocking pool of purplish-black blood remained on the ground, proof that Hidden Force had shattered his organs.

The cheers gradually died down, replaced by a heavy, oppressive silence.

Every gaze turned toward the long table draped in brocade on the main viewing platform.

It was time to settle the wager.

Smith leaned on his snooker-wood walking stick, his knuckles white around its handle.

Beside him, Link's face was ashen.

"Foreigners, a wager's a wager. You lost."

Third Master Cao had somehow sidled up to the platform, wearing the sort of mercenary smile that made people want to punch him. His words, though, were barbs wrapped in velvet: "Here in Great Xin, we value keeping our word above all else. The show's over and a man's dead. Isn't it time to show us the prize?"

Smith drew a deep breath.

He turned and nodded to the attendants behind him.

Two foreign bodyguards in tailcoats lifted the chest containing the Dragon Head and set it on a large table.

"This is the Dragon Head."

Smith spoke in stiff Chinese, his voice tight with bitter resentment. "As agreed, it is returned to Great Xin."

"Excuse me. Make way."

Shen Yi's military boots creaked against the floorboards. His calloused hand came down on the lid. "This is a national treasure of Great Xin, and a matter for the Dragon-Guard Office."

Jia Xincun was not about to yield. He strolled over, slowly waving his folding fan. His movements were leisurely, but he positioned himself just right to stop Shen Yi from claiming the treasure alone.

"Lord Shen is right. As a national treasure, it should be held temporarily by the