I Become The Richest Man With A monthly Salary of Twenty Thousand Yuan-Chapter 734 - 503: That’s It_2

"This is a real duel! You don't use your own props; you perform magic with the props the other person provides. Not letting us expose the trick is what makes a true master."

"God Xia has some real skill. It looks like he isn't going to let Master Peng off the hook."

"Hahaha, this contest is going to be interesting. Peng Changye is probably in a tough spot now!"

Peng Changye took the spoon in hand. The people around him consciously took a step back. He then pinched the spoon between his right thumb and forefinger, displaying it for the crowd.

"Now, everyone, please don't blink. I am about to control this spoon with my mind."

The spoon in Peng Changye's hands was no longer his usual prop, but it looked identical. As long as his sleight of hand was fast enough, no one would notice.

Upon hearing Peng Changye's words, everyone held their breath. They stared at the spoon in his hand without blinking, eager to see how he would control it right under their noses.

Once he had everyone's attention, Peng Changye focused his gaze intently on the spoon and made a motion with his left hand as if casting a spell.

And then, something incredible happened. Before everyone's eyes, the spoon in Peng Changye's right hand began to bend, bit by bit, as if imbued with magic power.

The crowd immediately erupted into thunderous applause.

"Holy crap! Is this for real? Master Peng actually controlled the spoon!"

"That's unbelievable! I'd bet he didn't switch spoons. That's the very same one from the restaurant. This is just incredible!"

"Incredible! Master Peng is truly a world-class Magician. This magic is amazing!"

"You're my idol, Changye! You're awesome!"

Even the female host was completely captivated by Peng Changye's magic. She stared at him without blinking, her eyes filled with excitement and exhilaration.

However, Xia Liang knew Peng Changye had tampered with the spoon. A moment ago, when Peng Changye's left hand had brushed past it, he had coated it with a special powder. This powder softened the spoon's material, and combined with the control from his right hand's fingers, he could bend it into any shape he desired.

To the audience, however, the trick seemed flawless.

Normally, Xia Liang wouldn't interfere and expose a fellow Magician's performance. But things were different now.

Xia Liang bent down and whispered a few words in a little girl's ear. The girl's eyes gradually brightened, and she nodded incessantly.

Peng Changye took in the expressions of all the onlookers. Seeing them so captivated by his performance, he couldn't help but smile smugly. Even if his magic had flaws, with his years of experience in the business, fooling this audience was an easy task.

However, his gaze fell upon Xia Liang. When he saw the young man's indifferent expression—as if he had everything under control—his heart skipped a beat. A sense of foreboding washed over him.

Impossible, right? He's just a second-rate Magician who relies on video editing to show off. He couldn't possibly know about my secret concoction, could he? Peng Changye thought to himself, remembering how he had studied Xia Liang's magic videos. They had certainly frightened him at first. But after reviewing them frame by frame, he found no traces of trickery whatsoever. This was especially true for the tricks where objects simply vanished into thin air. Even slowed down thirty-two times, nothing was discernible. Therefore, he had concluded that Xia Liang was just a second-rate Magician who relied on editing. Otherwise, it would have to be real magic, which was impossible, right?

But, as they say, what you worry about most is what comes to pass.

Just then, a clear, childish voice piped up beside Peng Changye.

"Mister, your trick is too simple. It has no technique at all. Even a seven-year-old like me can do it. Can you perform a more advanced trick for everyone to see?"

Peng Changye froze and looked down. A pretty little girl was gazing up at him with an innocent expression. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I'm only in my thirties, and this kid is calling me 'Mister' like I'm an old man? How rude can you get?

But at this moment, with so many people watching, Peng Changye certainly couldn't lose his temper and ruin his image.

"Young lady, do you know what you're saying? You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. I am a Magician, and my magic is the result of professional training. Are you sure you can do it too?"

Seeing it was just a little girl speaking, Peng Changye didn't take her seriously and asked patiently.

"I really can! If you don't believe me, give me the spoon in your hand and let me try!" the little girl said, smiling innocently.

At this point, Xia Liang also chimed in.

"Master Peng, surely you aren't afraid this little girl will steal your thunder? If you're worried about that, you can always refuse. Of course, if your magic truly lacks any technical skill, then your reluctance seems a bit telling."

The surrounding crowd started to jeer upon hearing this.

"That's right! Master Peng, what are you afraid of? Just give the spoon to the little girl and let her try!"

"Are you afraid a little girl will steal your limelight? Or is your magic really so full of holes that even a six- or seven-year-old can do it?"

"Master Peng, I believe in you! If she wants it, give it to her! I refuse to believe a little girl can bend a spoon with her mind!"

Peng Changye's expression turned ugly. However, as someone accustomed to handling difficult situations, he managed a faint smile upon hearing the crowd's jeers.

"Alright, since the young lady wants to try, I'll give it to her."

Naturally, he couldn't hand over the spoon he had tampered with, as that would completely expose his trick. So, with a flick of his right wrist, he prepared to swap the spoons as he handed it over.

But before he could complete the swap, a hand shot out and grabbed the very spoon he was pulling back.

Peng Changye was stunned. He looked up to see Xia Liang watching him calmly.

"Master Peng, the young lady asked for the spoon in your hand, not a prop you prepared earlier. Are you trying to switch them? That's not very good form. You can't go back on your word."

Peng Changye's face flushed with embarrassment, and he seethed with anger internally. If he gave this spoon to the little girl, his magic would be completely busted, and he would lose the first round of the competition. But now he was caught between a rock and a hard place. With Xia Liang holding the spoon, a swap was impossible.

"Are you sure you want to do this? It's not too late to let go. I'll give you fifty cents!" Peng Changye whispered, leaning forward.

In his eyes, a Street Magician might not earn fifty cents after performing for four or five years. Now, he could get that much just by letting go. Anyone would know how to choose. Moreover, he was a world-class Magician, far beyond a mere Street Magician.

"Heh," Xia Liang said nonchalantly. "Master Peng, I don't understand what you're saying. What do you mean? Could you repeat that so the people around us can help me decide what to do?"

"Fine, kid. You've got guts. I'll concede this round," Peng Changye said viciously. "But don't get cocky. I'm eager to see what magic you perform. Just hope I don't find any flaws or openings, or you won't be leaving this stage with your dignity intact."

Then, when he lifted his head, his face was once again decorated with a warm smile.

"In that case, please do me the favor of passing the spoon to this young lady."

Xia Liang smiled faintly.

"My pleasure."