He'd seen enough frauds over the years, people who claimed they could judge a stone's value without using a scanner or cutting tools. It was nonsense most of the time, but these people always had the same similarities, they wanted to get close to his Tian Clan.
He had never fallen for such lowly tricks. Sure, there were others who truly could see through objects, people from those rare clans gifted with the ability to perceive through solid matter.
But even then, individuals like that didn't waste their talents on gambling with stones. They had more important matters to attend to—and far more profitable ways to use their abilities. Besides, powers like those were rare and precious, and using them carelessly could take a serious toll on one's mind and health.
To Alen's surprise, Matthew only chuckled. "I have my methods, but why don't we make a bet?"
"A bet? Huh… You even have the confidence to actually want to gamble against us knowing that the rock was from our reserves?" he asked. Rick's gaze sharpened. "What kind of bet are you proposing?"
Matthew leaned back slightly, his eyes never leaving the stone. "Simple," he said. "We bet on the quality of the gem inside this rock. If it's of high quality, I win. If not, you win."
Rick glanced at Alen, who remained silent, then back at Matthew. "And what do you propose as stakes?"
"If I lose, I'll pay you one million," Matthew replied without hesitation.
Rick raised an eyebrow. "One million? That's quite a sum for a simple bet."
Matthew shrugged. "If you think that's too small, we can make it ten million."
Hearing this, Alen spoke. "Let's not be hasty, young man. This is just a game, after all." He glanced at Matthew. The staff's earlier assessment appeared to be accurate, this Ghost really was naive and someone who liked to gamble. Alen couldn't help but wonder if the young man's confidence was genuine or just foolish arrogance.
Matthew smirked beneath his mask. "Without stakes, where's the fun? Didn't you come here for some fun?"
Rick studied Matthew for a moment, then nodded. "You seem to be very confident that you will win. Do you understand what you're doing? Not only did you decline a gift from my uncle, you even wanted to bet on the quality of the gem inside the rock. Are you looking down on the Tian Family?"
Matthew shook his head. "I came here to have fun, Young Master Tian. However, if you—" Matthew was not able to complete his words when Rick held his palm toward Matthew.
"Very well," Rick said. "We'll accept your bet. If you win, you will be taking this gem and we will be paying you ten million. Would that suffice?"
"Rick…" Alen called out his nephew.
"It's alright, Uncle," Rick said. He refused to believe that someone could actually identify if the gem inside the rock was of high quality without even touching or examining it! "However… since you are so confident, I would like to add another clause if I win."
Matthew snorted. "And that is?" Matthew asked. In his past, Rick was always so clumsy in his bets. Ruthless but clumsy. He liked the thrill of betting, and sometimes he would bet without even thinking.
"Alright then… if you lose," Rick said. "You'll apologize to my uncle and tell everyone outside that you tried to scam your way into our family's good graces."
Matthew smiled behind the mask. Yes. Indeed. This was the Rick that he knew. This man was unlike his uncle. Rick is incredibly confident that their Tian Family would support him no matter what happens. And he was not wrong. Most of the time, the Tian Family always supported him. In fact, all of them supported him even if they knew the Tian Family was about to fall.
The Tian Family was simply like that. To them, family is everything.
"Rick…" Alen looked at his nephew. However, instead of telling his nephew that he had gone overboard, he said, "Don't be too hasty."
"I know what I'm doing, Uncle," Rick said as he kept his eyes on Matthew. "You have to understand, we've seen plenty of people claim they can tell what's inside a stone. You're just the first to do it without even touching it. And frankly, your confidence is a bit much."
Matthew smiled. "Well, since you added your own condition, why don't I throw one in too?"
Rick folded his arms. "Go ahead. If you're looking for a payout—"
"If I win," Matthew said, "I get the gem, a million credits, and one favor from the Tian Family."
Both Rick and Alen stared at him, the silence between them stretching for a moment.
Matthew tilted his head slightly. "So, Young Master Tian, do we have a deal?"
Hearing his words, Alen shifted his posture. "And what kind of favor are we talking about?"
Matthew nodded once. "Something simple. Since you mentioned being collectors, and I'm one as well, I'd like to view the scrolls and ancient prescriptions your family has gathered over the years. Just once. Nothing more."
"That's it?" Rick asked.
"That's it," Matthew nodded.
Rick quickly turned toward his uncle.
"Alright," Alen nodded. "I will give you this opportunity, but… that is only if you win."
The staff brought over a small table-mounted machine—a precision cutter used for opening gem rocks without damaging the potential stone inside. It was Matte black with a digital control screen that looked more like lab equipment than something for a betting game.
The stone was placed inside a clamping mount. A soft mechanical buzz began as the diamond-tipped blade slowly lowered onto the rock's surface.
Matthew kept his eyes on the machine, but his mind was already reviewing what he sensed earlier. The energy—whatever it was inside that rock felt heavier, denser than anything he'd seen recently. He had no scientific explanation, only instinct. This was the instinct of a person who once experienced death.
He watched as the machine started cutting, layers peeling back with each pass. At first, there was nothing, only dull, gray sediment. Seeing this, Rick immediately smirked. "Looks like I win," he said.