"To all our viewers watching the livestream, you've just seen our Dragon Country's top Magician, Peng Changye, extend a very enticing olive branch to this Street Magician. If I were in his shoes, I'd be so happy I could faint."
"It's clear that Peng Changye is sincerely challenging this young and handso Street Magician. Furthermore, he's adopting the attitude of a senior guiding a junior, which is sothing we can all learn from. Now, let's eagerly await the magical showdown between them!"
Hearing Peng Changye's words, Xia Liang's smile didn't waver as he replied, "Thank you for your kind offer. However, since you've stated your terms, allow to propose one of my own. If I win, you must apologize to the people your bodyguards just pushed aside. Because of your arrival, a little girl nearly fell to the ground. You owe them an apology."
Peng Changye's actions had already infuriated Xia Liang. That, combined with his condescending attitude and arrogant words, left Xia Liang with not a single shred of goodwill toward the man.
A person like that doesn't deserve to be a Magician.
It was one thing for him to show up and leech off Xia Liang's popularity, but to act like so kind of savior on top of it all was simply detestable.
The surrounding crowd erupted into thunderous applause upon hearing Xia Liang's words. They were already unhappy about being shoved by Peng Changye's security, and his arrogant deanor had only made them angrier. But they were just ordinary people. Given Peng Changye's status, there was nothing they could do to him.
Now, however, Xia Liang had stood up for them, and their opinion of him instantly soared.
This is the true bearing of a master.
Peng Changye frowned slightly. Xia Liang's words had clearly irritated him, but this was a public place with countless onlookers. He couldn't afford to have a public falling-out with Xia Liang, as it would severely damage his image. So, Peng Changye smiled nonchalantly and said, "All right, I accept your terms. But first, let's be clear. Since we are performing street magic, we must be prepared to have our tricks exposed by each other or the audience. What makes magic 'magic' is its mystery and uniqueness. If anyone's trick is figured out by the audience, that person loses. What do you think?"
Xia Liang gave a faint smile. "No problem."
Peng Changye nodded. "Good, let's begin. Since this is street magic, let's choose the simplest trick. However, a 'simple' trick is not truly simple. Making a seemingly basic trick baffling to an audience is incredibly challenging. As for , I will choose to control this spoon with my mind!"
As Peng Changye finished speaking, a spoon appeared in his hand with a flick of his wrist.
"Everyone is welco to co forward and inspect this spoon to see if it has been tampered with!" Peng Changye said, handing the spoon to an audience mber nearby. "Would you like to check it?"
That audience mber, a loyal fan of Peng Changye's, grew visibly excited. He carefully took the spoon and began to scrutinize it. Manipulating a spoon with one's mind is a classic trick perford by many Magicians throughout history. Hearing that Peng Changye was about to perform it, the surrounding audience grew interested, and the chance to inspect the prop excited them imnsely.
"The spoon is fine! It's definitely made of steel, and it hasn't been tampered with at all. It's just an ordinary steel spoon. There's nothing wrong with this prop. I'm done checking!"
...
Across from them, a faint smile touched Xia Liang's lips as he watched. Of course, he knew there was nothing wrong with *that* spoon. The real question was how many identical spoons Peng Changye had hidden on his person.
Initially, Xia Liang hadn't wanted to embarrass Peng Changye, but his earlier behavior had infuriated him. He no longer cared about protecting Peng Changye's dignity.
Therefore, as soon as the spoon was returned to Peng Changye's hand, Xia Liang stepped forward.
"Master Peng, since we're performing street magic and want to truly convince this large audience, I think we should be more authentic. How about this: neither of us uses our own props. Instead, we randomly select an item from soone in the crowd. Since you've chosen to control a spoon with your mind, I happen to have one right here. Why don't you use it for your performance?"
As he spoke, Xia Liang took a spoon from the little girl beside him. This was the very spoon he had asked her to fetch from a restaurant in the nearby mall. With the restaurant's logo engraved on it, cheating would be impossible.
The mont Xia Liang started speaking, Peng Changye had a bad feeling. Sure enough, when Xia Liang produced the other spoon, Peng Changye's expression finally changed. If he had to use this spoon, he knew it would be impossible to control. It wasn't the prop he had prepared.
Now, he was in a bind. Left with no other choice, he had to force himself to take the spoon from Xia Liang. "Fine. No problem."
Seeing the two Magicians already locked in a subtle battle, the surrounding audience buzzed with even more excitent.
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