Chapter 21: Casino Experience

Unlike the bustling first floor, the second floor was remarkably quiet. More patrons wore masks and hats. Even the gaming tables were hushed, each occupied by a seasoned gambler. The dealer’s shaking of the dice cup created a palpable tension; each roll seemed to vibrate the table.

Chu Baige’s mouth twitched. “What’s this? Is this blatant cheating?”

“First time here, little brother?” A man in a ghost mask asked.

Having reached the second floor, Chu Baige and Shen Fu noticed the absence of the masked men seen on the lower level. This man, happy to provide exposition, was an easy target for Chu Baige’s flattery.

“Brother, I’m a first-timer. Could you enlighten me?” Chu Baige slipped him a one-hundred-tael note.

He’d observed that while the stakes upstairs were lower—generally under one thousand taels—the atmosphere was more refined. A hundred taels was a small price to pay for information.

The man examined the note, a smile evident beneath his mask. He pointed to the opposite gaming tables. “See the difference?”

Before Chu Baige could respond, the man explained, “Downstairs, they gamble with gold and silver. Upstairs, it’s martial arts manuals, weapons, even secret treasures. The methods differ, too. Downstairs is luck; upstairs, it’s skill. Casinos don’t make money from the dealers; they make it from the players.”

“Doesn’t the dealer lose?”

“You underestimate the house. See that table? If it’s destroyed, the dealer keeps the winnings.”

The house always wins.

Chu Baige was impressed. “How do you verify the authenticity of martial arts manuals passed down through families?”

“That’s another matter. Treasures are categorized as ‘open’ or ‘secret’ bets. An ‘open’ bet involves a manual graded on a scale of one to nine (one being the best). The grade determines the wager.”

“And a ‘secret’ bet?”

“A ‘secret’ bet is more interesting. You describe a manual’s effects, assign a grade, and gamble. Anyone who accepts your assessment can bet against you.”

“What if someone misrepresents a manual? For example, if they claim a ninth-rank manual is first-rank…”

“As long as the other gambler agrees, it doesn’t matter. But do you think these gamblers are fools?”

Chu Baige scratched his head. “True enough…”

While talking to the masked man, Shen Fu discreetly observed several individuals:

A tall, powerfully built man with dark, gleaming skin, eyes like copper bells, and long black hair. His appearance was intimidating.

A slender man in white, with a silver fox mask and a surprisingly feminine gait. His hand, occasionally visible from beneath his clothing, revealed six fingers.

A petite woman, appearing almost childlike, yet with a mature face and deliberately seductive expression. The contrast was unsettling.

These were infamous criminals: Black Hair Ears, Six-Fingered Qin Demon, and the Old Virgin—all wanted by the authorities, with bounties exceeding one thousand taels and countless victims.

Shen Fu felt a sudden urge to kill. Black Hair Ears gambled intently, ignoring her. Six-Fingered Qin Demon, however, was more perceptive, his gaze sweeping the room. The Old Virgin, sensing the killing intent, responded with a provocative smile and lip-licking gesture, the incongruity between her appearance and demeanor unsettling.

Shen Fu subtly shifted her gaze to the gaming table, feigning interest. Chu Baige, a novice, remained unaware of the silent tension between these masters.

Intrigued, Chu Baige said, “Shall we try?”

“I only brought money.”

“There are low-stakes tables. Let’s try!” Chu Baige’s eyes shone with excitement.

Shen Fu, after surveying the scene, placed a silver note on a table and gently touched the surface. The other gamblers watched impassively. She focused on the dealer’s dice cup.

Clack!

The cup was thrown high, then landed. Shen Fu instantly unleashed her internal energy, causing the table to tremble. Several internal energies clashed, causing beads of sweat to form on the gamblers’ foreheads.

The dealer, unfazed, tapped the table three times. Everyone simultaneously withdrew their hands. The dealer revealed the dice.

The three dice were perfectly aligned, showing identical numbers on all three visible sides.

“Haha, we won!” Chu Baige cheered, scooping up the winnings.

The loser glared, but said nothing. Shen Fu stood, bored. “This is tedious. Let’s go.”

The others were secretly relieved. Shen Fu’s superior internal strength made her a formidable opponent at higher stakes. Why bother with small fish when she could easily win at the high-roller tables?

Chu Baige happily counted the money. “That’s a hundredfold return! Even merchants can’t make money that fast.”

Shen Fu snorted. “You simply lack experience in lucrative ventures…”

Chu Baige tried to ask more, but she was already observing the other tables.

He leaned in to whisper, “You recognized some of those gamblers…”

Shen Fu nodded. “I’ll tell you later.” She had identified several renowned martial artists. Her disdain for Ruyilou grew.

…

“How was the gathering?” A woman asked, combing her hair.

“Ninety-nine invitations were sent; eighty-four attended. Seventy-six were our people; the rest were acquired.”

“Anyone noteworthy?”

“Seven. A silk merchant from Shu, possibly royalty; the illegitimate son of Admiral Wu Wenshan…”

The woman chuckled. “Admiral Wu has only two sons, right?”

“Yes, his eldest, Wu Tiancheng.”

“He went to Shunxin Tower?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting… Admiral Wu’s family is complicated. He has a younger son… Continue.”

Three more names were mentioned.

“Two others?”

“Their identities are unknown.”

“Unknown? Did they appear out of thin air?”

“They used invitations intended for Xu Wenqin, a wealthy Yangzhou merchant. One is a top-tier martial artist; the other is exceptionally skilled in light work, though not world-famous.”

The woman’s eyes gleamed. “This is intriguing… Where are they? I want to see them.”