Chapter 222: I Believe Your Ghost!

"Can you tell the truth now?" Chen Guanlou asked. "Don't mention your brother's name yet—I'm not that curious. My brother's short on cash lately. Isn't it time you handed over the money you've been hiding? If you want your child to live well, you can't do without money."

The Second Boss's understanding was once again shattered.

Lu Datou puffed out his chest, assuming a fearsome, menacing posture. One played the good cop, the other the bad—no rehearsal needed, they all understood the routine.

Chen Guanlou stared at him seriously. "This is the last time I'll see you. This is your final chance. If you think you can trick me, I can revoke my promise at any moment. Think carefully about your child."

The Second Boss slowly closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

When he opened them again, he had clearly convinced himself.

He took a deep breath. "You… are exactly as people say—money-crazed. Fine, I'll confess. I did hide some money, but not much. Most of what I earned over the years went to my brother. If I hand it over, will you take care of my child?"

"Depending on the amount, I'll leave you one-tenth for your child. But you must show real sincerity. Don't try to fool us with a few hundred taels." Chen Guanlou spoke coldly.

He wouldn't have come all this way for a few hundred taels.

In the Jia-class prison, just opening your mouth could earn you a few hundred taels. Why bother trekking out to the Bing-class prison to haggle with the Second Boss?

A veteran bandit of over a decade, and a Second Boss at that—without a thousand taels, this deal wouldn't go through.

The Second Boss wiped his face, clenched his teeth. "You'll keep your promise? You'll really leave my child one-tenth?"

"Of course! You can doubt me—if you do, bear the consequences." Chen Guanlou bared his fangs. To get him to act, you had to pay a price. The child was pitiful, but that didn't mean he'd help for free.

"Fine! I believe you! My older brother is now a Tongpan of the Jingzhao Prefecture—his surname is Zhou."

"Zhou Tongpan?" Lu Datou exclaimed. "Your brother is the Zhou Tongpan? I never guessed!"

Chen Guanlou glanced at Lu Datou. "Is he famous?"

"Zhou Tongpan used to serve in the county yamen—he was even a colleague of Sun Datou. He's highly capable; everyone respects him. He solved several major cases, caught the attention of his superiors, and rose steadily through the ranks. Sun Datou especially admired him. Who'd have thought he built his fortune this way? You were tricked by Zhou Tongpan—you're not wrong to be angry!" Lu Datou concluded.

The Second Boss could only smile bitterly. Yes, he wasn't wrong at all.

He continued: "I hid… a seal. With this seal, I can withdraw silver from Sitong Bank—up to fifteen hundred taels total."

"You've been a bandit for over a decade, robbed countless merchants—yet you only saved fifteen hundred taels?" Lu Datou was dissatisfied—far below his estimate.

The Second Boss explained: "The loot was split: the Boss took half, the rest divided among us, with a little left for the lower men. Most of my share went to my brother. Saving fifteen hundred taels over all these years is already good. The others spent everything—they didn't save a single copper."

Lu Datou remained unsatisfied.

This bandit gang had committed countless crimes. Just the losses he knew of from robbed merchants totaled over ten thousand taels. Over the years, they must've amassed at least three or five thousand.

Zhou Tongpan's greed was simply outrageous—he'd drained the Second Boss's entire savings and even used him as a tool to kill. Such avarice, such malice—it was staggering.

Whatever. Fifteen hundred taels is fifteen hundred taels. He didn't mind the amount. A three-seven split would keep him flush for a long time, silence his wife, and pay for his child's tuition. Perfect.

Lu Datou kept shooting glances at Chen Guanlou, eager to retrieve the seal and withdraw the money.

Chen Guanlou signaled him to calm down. The seal wouldn't fly away, the money wouldn't vanish—what difference did a day or two make? Skipping a day of gambling wouldn't kill him.

Lu Datou: …

He could only endure in silence.

Chen Guanlou asked the Second Boss again: "Have you finished confessing? Don't come back in two days with another secret."

The Second Boss gave a self-deprecating smile. "Chen Tou, rest assured—there are no more secrets. I've told you everything. Please look after my child."

"Don't worry. I'll leave your child his full one-tenth. As long as Tianmen Sect doesn't mistreat him, he'll grow up healthy, safe, and with a bright future."

"Thank you! Thank you!" The Second Boss could only kowtow in gratitude.

Chen Guanlou left the Bing-class prison.

Lu Datou urged him to retrieve the seal.

The Second Boss had hidden the seal cleverly—inside the brim of the Three Pure Ones' hat at a temple outside the city.

Chen Guanlou took Lu Datou out of the city and retrieved the seal without trouble.

Lu Datou held the seal and chuckled gleefully. "We're rich! We're rich!"

Chen Guanlou ignored him, snatched the seal, and asked: "Do you want to withdraw all the money at once, or in installments over months?"

"Of course all at once!" Lu Datou didn't hesitate.

"Are you sure?" Chen Guanlou's gaze pinned him. "Are you sure you can control yourself?"

A lump sum of hundreds of taels? With Lu Datou's gambling addiction, he'd spend the next month in the gambling den, drunk on dice and cards, refusing to stop until every copper was lost.

"How can't I control myself?" Lu Datou protested.

Chen Guanlou snorted. "I think installments would be better for you."

"What?! Chen Tou, Chen Ge, my dear big brother, my grandpa—can't we just take it all now? Splitting it up is like taking off your pants to fart!"

"You can't control yourself."

"I can!"

"Gambling dens are starving for gamblers like you."

"I promise I won't gamble today."

"Your promises are worth nothing." Chen Guanlou showed no mercy.

Lu Datou tried to throw a tantrum, but Chen Guanlou slammed his palm against the wall—a clear palm print remained, instantly silencing Lu Datou.

"Brother, did you do that? When did you get so strong?"

Chen Guanlou snorted. "I have no martial vein, but beating you is more than enough. Last time I saw your wife, she told me to keep an eye on you."

"Don't listen to that tigress…"

"Hmm?" Chen Guanlou uttered a single soft sound—and Lu Datou swallowed every curse, whimpering: "Fine, fine, I'll do as you say. Installments, monthly—it's your call. Can we get the money today?"

Chen Guanlou lectured earnestly: "Learn from me. Sleeping with courtesans at a brothel is a hundred times better than gambling. Gambling will ruin you, destroy your family—but brothels won't. Courtesans might drain your body, but they won't leave you homeless."

Lu Datou: …

I don't believe your ghost!