Chapter 31 (2/2)

Lan Jue chuckled “Suddenly my mood has improved I’ll tell you what, Barber – we’re both respectable ht before What would you say to a wager?”

The Barber blinked in surprise “You want to bet rinned

The Barber clapped his hands, their sound thru, he replied, “Excellent idea! How’d you knohat I was thinking Ahhh, I’ a Councilman – you understand me too well Fine, to tell the truth I’ve had my eye on that Soulfire diamond in your shop, the fifty karat one Unfortunately I’ as ere never that close it would have been improper to ask you for it directly”

Realization dawned on Lan Jue’s face “You should have said so earlier We’re all Council you like this, I assume you hadn’t intended to spend the money anyway”

The Barber nodded his head

The Beautician stood nearby, s pleasantly “Since you both have invited e, I have to make sure the scales are even, and e of equal value in return”

“Of course,” the Barber replied “I’m a fair and equitable businessman What do think of this, Jewel Master?”

The Barber’s hand searched his jacket as he spoke, retracting a hly the size of his palht bloomed from within It shone with the whole spectrureide “That’s a fair bet,” he said, without hesitation

The metal held in the Barber’s hand was called Harlequin Silver Like Technetium it was superconductive, but rarer still In addition to trans only a sreatly amplify any Adept’s power A piece that size orth far em the Barber had requested

There were several planets where technetiu Harlequin Silver caather, only traces could be found accoet indeed

The Barber handed the Harlequin Silver to the Beautician “Then it’s decided”

As he spoke, he entered the Reaper’s Arena

The Reaper’s Arena was in factitself didn’t look so large, but the arenas inside were all built with specific characteristics Whether one entered to fight or spar, a fee was always required This provided a professional referee, registration, and record keeping Only then could you fight

Of course, for Lan Jue and his companions as members of the Skyfire Council, they had no need to pay They also had free use of the best arena Necessary for such a top-level fight

The Barber registered the session Despite their status as Councilister and enter in to the records As for bets, however, that was up to them If they wanted the arena to act as arbiter, they would have to put down a ten percent deposit against the value of the winnings

“You want to make a deposit with the Arena, Jewel Master?” The Barber asked, shrugging his shoulders

Lan Jue responded with a small smile “Up to you”