"Are you alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Your girl left. Aren't you even a little sad?"
"Sad? What's the use of that? Besides, why should I be sad? With my wealth, looks, and martial prowess, I only need to lift a finger and girls will be begging to climb into my bed—crying and moaning for it!"
"...Okay, forget I asked. Weather's nice today—breezy and sunny. Let's get out of the house before your body starts growing mold. You're already set on entering the Wulin Tournament in seven days. With me and Old Li watching your back, nobody's gonna lay a finger on you. But once we get to the tournament grounds, there might be a proper bloodbath waiting. Who knows when you'll next get a few days of peace? Better enjoy yourself while you can. Maybe take little Ye out with you for a stroll, hmm?"
"Little Ye's coming too? Excellent! I'm getting dressed right now—go find my most handsome outfit! Hmm? Is it starting to rain? Wei-ge, didn't you say it was sunny?"
…
Raindrops spattered the stone-paved streets as Third Young Master sauntered along, folding fan in hand and a smug grin on his face. Li Xiaoye trailed beside him, umbrella in hand, pouting in annoyance. Most of the umbrella's coverage, of course, was tilted toward him.
Qiao Wei and Old Li flanked them like shadows, straw hats on their heads, rain cloaks draped over their shoulders—altogether mismatched with Third Young Master's dandy flair.
"Strolling on a rainy day—now this does feel different," Third Young Master said, casually surveying the street. "Hardly a soul out, no pretty girls about… so peaceful."
"Peace is good," Qiao Wei chuckled. "Too many people, and we might run into trouble. There've been a lot of martial artists gathering in Dingzhou lately. One wrong look and bam, another street brawl. Not that it matters if we kill someone in public, but still—bad image for the common folk, y'know?"
"Hmph. Just a bunch of stray dogs and wild cats in Dingzhou—who'd dare come barking at me?" Third Young Master suddenly perked up. "Oh? A gambling hall? Since shopping's a bust, Wei-ge, Uncle Li, how about we roll some dice?"
Qiao Wei rubbed his hands eagerly. "Been a while since I touched dice, I'd love to."
Old Li added, "And it's been a while since I tested whether my sleight of hand's gotten rusty."
"Then in we go!" Third Young Master led the way into a lavishly decorated gambling den.
Inside, the atmosphere was the complete opposite of the quiet street. The hall buzzed with excitement, voices shouting, dice clattering, some gamblers cheering wildly, others collapsing in despair.
Qiao Wei's eyes lit up like a child in a candy store, and even Old Li's wrinkled face broke into a wide grin.
Third Young Master glanced at them and muttered, "Didn't expect these two to be such degenerate gamblers. They get one whiff of a dice table and their hearts start pounding. Hope they don't die from sheer excitement once the dice actually roll."
Just then, a bouncer walked over, bowed respectfully. "Welcome, esteemed guests. May I offer you some chips?"
Third Young Master flashed a mischievous smile, slipped a banknote from his sleeve, and tucked it into the bouncer's hand. "Chips are heavy. I prefer betting in banknotes. That alright with you?"
The bouncer glanced at the note—one hundred taels. His smile bloomed like spring. "Absolutely, sir. Whether you bet coins or notes, it's all the same. We cater to your preferences. If you'd like, we can exchange your notes for chips too. However you prefer to gamble, we're here to serve."
Third Young Master gave a casual nod and began strolling through the hall with the grace of a noble tiger entering a henhouse.
The bouncer, now practically folded in half with respect, walked behind him, explaining enthusiastically: "We've got it all—mahjong, pai gow, dice, cockfighting, underground boxing... Whatever your pleasure, young master. Just say the word."
Third Young Master pondered, then said, "Dice it is. High-low's simple and fair—fifty-fifty odds."
The bouncer led them to a large dice table, shooed away some loudmouthed gamblers who had been betting nothing but single copper coins, and cleared space for the group.
The seats, unfortunately, were already full—and taken by gamblers betting serious silver. The bouncer hesitated, not daring to evict them.
"Apologies, young master… the chairs…"
Third Young Master smiled, took out a few high-value notes, and laid them in front of one of the seated gamblers—then said nothing, just smiled.
The man had been on a losing streak and instantly brightened at the sight of the notes—five hundred taels! He leapt to his feet. "Please, sir, have a seat! I'll just stand."
Third Young Master patted him on the shoulder. "Smart lad."
He took the seat with theatrical flair, Li Xiaoye standing beside him, while Qiao Wei and Old Li stood behind him, seemingly casual but in truth blocking all possible angles of attack.
The dealer started shaking the dice. Qiao Wei narrowed his eyes, watching his hands. Old Li tilted his head, listening to the sound of the dice. Third Young Master, meanwhile, was… studying the ceiling.
Suddenly, Li Xiaoye felt a warm hand creep onto her thigh—and move upward with slow, shameless boldness. Her face turned crimson as she looked down and saw Third Young Master still staring at the ceiling with exaggerated innocence, one hand twirling his fan, the other exploring her leg.
Grinding her teeth, she whispered furiously, "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"Ah, the road is long and winding," he said serenely, "and I must explore it thoroughly. My hand got dusty—I was just wiping it on the nearest cloth. Quite springy, this cloth."
Li Xiaoye nearly fainted from rage. If not for the trauma of seeing his "Asura Devil Eyes" once before, she might've kicked him across the room.
"Place your bets!" the dealer called.
"Big or small?" Third Young Master asked his guardians.
"1-3-4. Eight points. Small," both replied in unison.
Third Young Master nodded, placed a hundred-tael note on big, then—before they could stop him—placed a thousand on small.
"Can I bet both?" he asked the dealer with a grin.
The dealer, seeing the large sum, replied with a smile as greasy as pork fat. "Of course, sir. However you like."
Third Young Master leaned back. "Take notes, boys. When gambling, don't be too sharp. Leave room for others to breathe. Win money, sure—but don't get yourself killed over it."
Qiao Wei and Old Li exchanged glances and nodded, albeit reluctantly. With the three of them here, even betting a million taels wouldn't pose any danger.
The dice rolled. "1-3-4. Eight! Small!"
Third Young Master lost a hundred—but won a thousand. He tossed two fifty-tael chips to the dealer. "For you."
"Much appreciated, sir! Sorry, I'll have to pay you in chips…"
"That's fine. Chips turn to silver just as well. Now—again!"
And so it continued. Qiao Wei read hands. Old Li listened to dice. And Third Young Master, with no clue how gambling worked, just kept winning. Every round, he'd bet a hundred the wrong way, a thousand the right way, then tip the dealer a hundred.
Thirty rounds. Thirty wins. Total haul—24,000 taels.
Chump change for Third Young Master. But for the dealer, it was the beginning of a nightmare. He wasn't the owner—just an employee. Even with 3,000 in tips, losing 24,000 was going to get him skinned alive.
Worse—other gamblers had started mimicking Third Young Master. While their bets were smaller, the combined impact was enormous. The house had now lost nearly 40,000 taels.
More gamblers swarmed the table. By round thirty-one, the dealer's hands were shaking, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Well? Roll the dice!" Third Young Master said cheerily. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to bankrupt you. I'm a gentleman. But don't tell me this fine establishment can't handle a little loss?"
The dealer gritted his teeth.
Time to cheat.
—
Meanwhile, on the casino's second floor, in an opulent private chamber draped in silks, a woman dressed in a pink gown—low-cut to reveal a scandalous amount of cleavage—listened to the bouncer's report.
A red veil concealed her face, save for a pair of captivating eyes.
"Oh? He's gambling?" she giggled. "Perfect. Bring him to the VIP room. I'll play a round with him myself."
She licked her lips behind the veil.
"Qin Ren… the infamous Devil of Desire. I've been dying to meet him."