Chapter 297: Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Du Fuwei, and the Gambling Match

The Cuibilou was resplendent with lights, its courtyards layer upon layer.

Since ancient times, prostitution and gambling have gone hand in hand; the Cuibilou was not only the largest brothel for a hundred miles around, but also the most luxurious casino, with people coming and going and money pouring in by the day—it would be hard not to make a profit.

Yet, the atmosphere in the casino was somewhat tense at this moment.

A burly man in a brocade robe with a broad face and narrow eyes let out a hearty laugh, sitting down with a heavy thud like a collapsing mountain of gold and a pillar of flesh: "Good! It is rare that the Third General Manager is willing to act as the dealer, and that the pretty strategist of the Wagang Fortress, Lady Shen, is willing to accompany us. How could I, Xiang Gui, dare not oblige!"

If one were a gambler well-versed in the art of gambling, one would surely recognize this man in the brocade robe as Xiang Gui, one of the two great Gods of Gambling of the current age. This man started out by trafficking people, and his family business of brothels and casinos spread across the Central Plains.

As for the Third General Manager he spoke of, it was Renmeimei, the Third General Manager of the Pengliang Association. This woman was known as the "Flirtatious Lady"; her face was like peach blossoms, her pair of peach-blossom eyes were soul-stirring, and the collar of her robe was cut extremely low, revealing a deep cleavage that made people unable to stop their eyeballs from falling into it.

As for the so-called Lady Shen, it was Shen Luoyan of the Wagang Fortress, nicknamed the "Pretty Strategist." Her person was as her name suggested, truly possessing a beauty that would make fish sink and geese fall. Her eyes were like autumn water, her skin was whiter than snow, and her grace was elegant; she was a rare beauty. In particular, her incomparably noble bearing put the flirtatious Renmeimei to shame.

Renmeimei looked at Shen Luoyan, her coquettish smile turning somewhat cold: "So it is the 'Pretty Strategist' Shen Luoyan. I wonder what the Strategist Shen wishes to gamble? I, Renmeimei, will accompany you regardless of whether I win or lose."

Shen Luoyan smiled faintly and said indifferently: "You two hold this little woman in too high regard; I, Shen Luoyan, am merely running errands for Mi Gong. This time, I am only here to find two wild children who have gone astray for Mi Gong."

Hearing this, the two youths in the casino could not help but show bitter smiles.

They were the wild children Shen Luoyan spoke of.

And after the people in the casino heard the name of the Wagang Fortress, how could they dare to stay? By now, not a single one was left, and even the two hundred or so gamblers in the inner hall had fled at the news.

Yet, one person remained. This person wore a high crown and had a stiff, archaic expression. He stared straight at Renmeimei opposite him and said coldly: "Since you want to gamble, why not hurry up and throw the dice and deal the cards?"

This person was exceptionally tall and stood proudly with his hands behind his back, but it was only after all the gamblers had retreated and dispersed, and he had spoken, that anyone noticed he was standing there.

This concealment skill alone was enough to make everyone else remaining turn pale.

And the two youths called Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were even more terrified out of their wits, crying out involuntarily: "Old Dad is here!"

Kou Zhong was seventeen years old this year, with a square face and large ears, and a full forehead.

Xu Ziling was slightly younger, about sixteen, clear-featured and delicate, though his frame appeared slightly thin.

Their parents and family had all been killed by bandits while fleeing the chaos of war, leaving them as orphans without father or mother, relying on each other for survival and becoming two little hoodlums in Yangzhou City.

Yet, through a stroke of serendipity, the two stole the Longevity Formula, and their lives underwent a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering change, unfolding a magnificent path through the world of martial arts.

These two might not have had particularly brilliant martial arts, but they were alert and clever, and each had mastered one diagram of the "Longevity Formula," returning from the acquired to the Innate, progressing with astonishing speed.

Along this journey, because of the secret of the Yang Gong Treasury, there was no telling how many people wanted to deal with them, yet no one could truly do anything to these two. Instead, they became whetstones on their Martial Dao path, making these two lads more formidable day by day.

Shen Luoyan was first-class in the world of martial arts in both strategy and martial arts. Kou and Xu could still remain calm when facing her, calculating in their hearts how to escape.

But the appearance of this middle-aged man with the high crown and archaic expression terrified them to the extreme, giving rise to a sense of despair.

The middle-aged man with the high crown, however, revealed an unexpectedly gentle smile and said softly: "My two good sons truly have ability, to actually be able to escape from Old Dad's hands. But for Old Dad to want to catch you is as easy as turning over one's hand. Today, I shall let you see Old Dad's true ability."

Shen Luoyan had always studied the other rebel leaders most thoroughly and was the first to recognize this person's identity, gasping as she said: "Du Fuwei of Jianghuai!"

Renmeimei, Xiang Gui, and the others could not help but tremble.

It turned out this person was none other than the leader of the Jianghuai Army, Du Fuwei, known as the "Sleeve-Hidden Universe."

Du Fuwei was not only a powerful figure carving out his own territory, but his unique skill, "Sleeve-Hidden Universe," was also world-renowned, ranking in the forefront of the "List of Strange Skills and Arts," with a reputation no less than the Ice Profound Energy of the Yuwen Clan.

Du Fuwei's tiger-like eyes shot straight at Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, but the words from his mouth were directed at Shen Luoyan: "Has Zhai Rang not yet been killed by Li Mi?"

Shen Luoyan's delicate body trembled slightly, and she whispered: "General Manager Du is joking."

Du Fuwei sat down in a grand manner, his tiger eyes sweeping onto Renmeimei's face, and said indifferently: "I, Du, have not seen 'Ghost Claw' Niejing for several years. Is he still as fond of women as ever?"

Renmeimei had already become as docile as a kitten, lowering her head as she said: "The Great Elder is still the same."

Du Fuwei finally looked at Xiang Gui and said coldly: "I heard you are one of the four great experts under 'Smoking Pipe' Luhang, specializing in finding handsome men and beautiful women for Luhang. You haven't taken a fancy to my two wayward sons, have you?"

Xiang Gui was startled: "General Manager Du, you misunderstand. Your sons are merely honored guests of the casino; we have no relationship at all."

Du Fuwei nodded expressionlessly: "That is for the best."

This man was worthy of being a hegemon of the underworld; just by appearing, he made the atmosphere of the entire casino heavy, with a sense of a storm about to break, pressing down so hard that people could not catch their breath.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling secretly groaned; whether in martial arts or wits, they were far from being a match for this old fox. Especially now that Du Fuwei would never be careless or negligent again, giving them no opportunity to exploit.

After a moment of silence, Du Fuwei's gaze turned back to Renmeimei, as if it were tangible, causing the "Flirtatious Lady" to tremble, and he said indifferently: "Why not throw the dice yet!?"

Renmeimei hurriedly said yes and threw the three dice onto the table.

The dice spun at high speed at first, gradually slowing down, when suddenly, as if pulled by some force, they stopped abruptly, all showing one point facing upward.

Du Fuwei pressed his hand on the gambling table; it was clearly the trick he had used.

"General Manager Du has good luck; why not let this seat draw the cards for you?" A clear, resonant voice rang out, and everyone was shocked to discover that there was actually another man in black sitting in front of the gambling table.

Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Shen Luoyan, and the others were instantly terrified out of their wits, and even Du Fuwei could not help but feel his heart jump, giving rise to an unprecedented sense of warning.

Du Fuwei had at least been hidden in the crowd, which was why he hadn't been discovered by everyone.

But this person was sitting right in front of the gambling table, as if he had been sitting there from the very beginning.

As long as they weren't blind, they could see the other party, yet before this person spoke, not a single person had noticed him, as if he had practiced an "Invisibility Technique."

"Since General Manager Du does not speak, this seat shall take it that General Manager Du has agreed."

Yu Liancheng wore a smile, his hand placed on the gambling table, and wisps of True Qi were sent into the table.

As his words fell, one stack of cards seemed to be pushed by an invisible hand, sliding across the table to in front of him, and at the same time, they flipped open; surprisingly, two were 'Heaven' and the other was 'Supreme', a layout that was guaranteed to win.

Except for Du Fuwei, whose brow furrowed, everyone else watched with their scalps tingling.

This person not only had profound internal energy, but had also seen through the "trick" Renmeimei had previously performed on the cards at a single glance.

Yu Liancheng pointed at Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling and said indifferently: "These two lads are the stakes. General Manager Du 'threw' the dice, and this seat flipped the cards, so this round counts as our win. Let us each take one of these lads; I wonder what General Manager Du thinks of that?"

A chilling murderous intent flashed in Du Fuwei's tiger eyes, his voice cold and deep: "Oh, and what if I do not agree?" His words were filled with a confrontational aura.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other, both happy and worried.

What they were happy about was that a figure capable of contending with Du Fuwei had appeared; what they were worried about was that he might not be a match for Old Dad, or that he might be even more sinister and terrifying than Old Dad.

Kou Zhong said with a cheeky grin: "Otherwise, Old Dad, why don't you and this black-clad gentleman have a fight to see whose martial arts are more powerful? Dad, you must be careful; I see this black-clad gentleman is elusive and his methods are formidable; he might even beat you until you're looking for your teeth all over the floor."

Xu Ziling also laughed: "We two brothers rely on each other and have never been separated. Since you two want to use us as stakes, you must win both of us. If you force us to separate, we will at most use the mental cultivation method Mother taught us to sever our own heart meridians."

The words they spoke made the already oppressive atmosphere become even more tense.

Xiang Gui, Shen Luoyan, and the others retreated a few steps without a trace, clearly not intending to intervene.

Shen Luoyan in particular revealed a look of joy in her beautiful eyes. If Du Fuwei were to be injured here, then Mi Gong's chances of contending for the world would increase by a few points.

Yu Liancheng suddenly changed the subject and said, "Where are Xiang Yushan and Xiang Gui?"

Xiang Gui was startled, but immediately revealed a radiant smile, stepped forward, and said, "I am Xiang Gui, and behind me is my son, Xiang Yushan. I wonder what instructions the young master has? If we can be of any help, our father and son will certainly not refuse."

Behind Xiang Gui was a young man aged around Twenty-Three or four, with a handsome appearance, but a pale face and unsteady gait, as if he were too weak to withstand the wind.

This young man was Xiang Gui's son, Xiang Yushan; although his gambling skills might not be as exquisite as his father's, his ambition and methods were even greater than Xiang Gui's.

Yu Liancheng said, "Do you know my name?"

Xiang Gui said respectfully, "Please enlighten us, Young Master."

Yu Liancheng said indifferently, "Flawless white jade, a treasure of a city."

Everyone present could not help but be moved upon hearing this.

A moment later, Xiang Gui cupped his fists and bowed, his face wearing a radiant smile as he appeared even more respectful: "So it is the 'Young Master Yu' who 'cleaved the sea with one palm and broke the army across,' I have been disrespectful, I have been disrespectful!"

It had been seven or eight days since the Yuhang sea battle; that battle could be called earth-shattering, and with the deaths of two great generals of the Yuwen Clan and the Haisha Gang defecting to the Dongming Sect, it was even more shocking, making it impossible to completely conceal the news.

A peerless expert named Yu Liancheng had gradually surfaced.

It was rumored that this person, all alone, had killed three experts—Yuwen Chengdu, Yuwen Wudi, and Han Gaitian—amidst over a thousand soldiers. With one palm he parted the sea, his might unrivaled.

"Good, since you know it is me, you can die with your eyes closed," Yu Liancheng said indifferently.

"What?" Xiang Gui was greatly shocked: "I do not know how my son and I have offended you? That Young Master Yu would actually want to take action against us."

Yu Liancheng said indifferently, "I am the Supreme Emperor and the Supreme Heaven, acting on behalf of Heaven; how could I tolerate such wicked thieves as you who traffic in people and abduct women?"

Xiang Gui's expression sank slightly as he said, "This is nothing but hearsay, does the Young Master have any evidence?" While he spoke, he gestured with his hand behind his back, and immediately eighteen burly men appeared, surrounding Yu Liancheng.

These eighteen men all possessed impressive martial arts, their gazes sweeping coldly over Yu Liancheng; as soon as Xiang Gui gave the order, they would immediately launch a thunderous attack against Yu Liancheng.

"The dark Heaven rewards the good and punishes the evil; when has it ever spoken of so-called evidence?" Yu Liancheng smiled grimly, and as his gaze lifted slightly, a flash of lightning seemed to overflow, illuminating the entire room as if it were piled with white snow.

Boom—!

The eighteen guards' bodies trembled, feeling as if a bolt of lightning had exploded in their minds, blurring all their consciousness. Immediately, blood flowed from their seven orifices, and they fell down stiffly, with no breath left.

Shen Luoyan's pretty face changed slightly, and she whispered, "Supreme Emperor, Supreme Heaven. A glance of shock, the fearful human world. What a 'glance of shock,' what a 'glance of shock.'"

Yu Liancheng looked toward the father and son, Xiang Gui and Xiang Yushan, with seven-colored divine light surging in his eyes.

And this pair of evil-doing father and son immediately felt waves of terror surging into their hearts.

This was an indescribable terror.

In just an instant, it firmly gripped their minds, making them tremble all over, as if falling into hell.

The strings of reason for Xiang Yushan and Xiang Gui snapped one after another; they acted as if they had gone mad, using their hands to choke their own throats, their faces turning purple and constantly twisting, their pupils dilating, until they finally fell down stiffly.

Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong shivered violently, their eyes revealing an unprecedented sense of terror.

They had not been in the pugilistic world for long, but among the people they had met, including Yuwen Huaji, Fu Junchuo, and Shen Luoyan, all were first-class figures of the world. Yet they had never seen such mysterious, such terrifying methods.

At this moment, they only hoped their "old man" would display his divine might and beat this "Black Young Master" to a pulp, but when their eyes darted over to see the grim-faced Du Fuwei, they knew their old man was likely not confident either.

Yu Liancheng looked at Shen Luoyan: "Pretty strategist, make your move."

Shen Luoyan said hoarsely, "I... why..."

Yu Liancheng said indifferently, "You should know the reason, Strategist Shen, why bother playing dumb?"

"Good, good, good." Shen Luoyan called out 'good' three times, a sharp light shooting from her beautiful eyes; she suddenly pulled a golden hairpin from her head, her sleeves fluttering as the hairpin turned into a point of cold light and stabbed over.

Her "Life-Taking Hairpin" was a family-inherited unique skill, ranked on the world's "List of Strange Skills and Arts." She usually kept it secret and unused, but in this strike, she had almost no confidence, it was merely a counterattack born of despair.

Yu Liancheng did not even look, his finger tapping lightly on the tabletop, and a die suddenly jumped up, shooting violently toward the golden hairpin.

The golden hairpin was knocked away in an instant, and the die struck Shen Luoyan in the chest, carrying her whole body to crash through the window and fly out, drawing a burst of exclamations from downstairs.

Yu Liancheng finally swept his gaze toward Du Fuwei, this hegemon-level figure famous in the underworld.

"General Manager Du, the miscellaneous people have all been dealt with, it is finally our turn."