Free Web NovelChapter 1236: Chapter 950: The Bet (Part 2)
The old man feigned a genial demeanor and replied, "Our esteemed guest must have some restraint. As long as no lives are at risk, how could one be controlled? The Mountain Master’s array is quite powerful, and it provides the best protection for all of us.
Without this all-encompassing array, I’d be hesitant to let the girls under my care interact freely with unfamiliar guests. I’m sure you’d be concerned, too; even if you won, you wouldn’t dare leave with the girls. Fortunately, the Mountain Master has provided such a sophisticated protection array, and we can all rejoice!
A single round only costs five hundred Spirit Stones. Even if you lose twenty rounds in a row, it only provides us with some funds for several days of food and lodging. I wouldn’t dare dampen our esteemed guest’s enthusiasm. The ladies may choose freely, and you can take them away for half an hour, how about it?"
"Half an hour is too short, isn’t it?"
"Yeah! What can you do in just half an hour?"
"The opportunity is provided to our esteemed guests," the old man chuckled. "If you have the means to keep the girls happy and willing to follow you and not return, am I supposed to resort to force?
Whether you’d stay with the girls for the night depends on your skills, esteemed guests! Just one thing—no matter what, you must not leave Qihan Mountain."
"Ha!" Mist Dragon’s shadow shifted, and in a cold voice using secret communication said, "If truly taken away, give the ’girls’ a bowl of Bewitching Potion and simply drag the unconscious person away to sell them; what good is my array then?"
Jiang Yuan watched as a Demon Cultivator got captivated and was about to step forward; he immediately pulled the person aside and stepped in, loudly saying, "It’s just five hundred Spirit Stones, right? Let me try the waters!"
The Demon Cultivator pushed aside had an angry look.
But due to the rule against fighting within Qihan Mountain, he could only swallow his anger, thinking to let him try; if he lost, it would be a chance for ridicule, and meanwhile keep an eye on any tricks under the old man’s hand.
"Our esteemed guest, as a handsome and dignified person, must be truly blessed. Come, come, our gambling game is simple; it’s simply guessing the dice size." The old man saw someone taking the bait and enthusiastically explained the rules.
Three dice, a dice cup infused with mana to prevent peeking or tampering.
The game begins with placing the dice in the cup, shaking it lightly and stopping, 4—10 is small; over 11 is big.
After shaking, do not open it immediately, guests choose big or small, finalize the bet, and open the cup to verify. If guessed correctly, they choose their spoils; if wrong, the five hundred Spirit Stones go to their opponent.
Simple and easy to understand, anyone with money and basic math skills can join.
"Please, esteemed guest, inspect the table, the dice cup, and the dice. I swear by the heavens that everything used is completely free from tricks," the old man spread his hands, indicating it was open for inspection.
Jiang Yuan, however, smiled and took out five pieces of Immortal Jade, shaking them, "The ten girls under the old master’s care are each extraordinarily charming, quite hard to choose from. How about this, I’m willing to gamble a hundred times the price on one round.
If I lose, the five Immortal Jade are yours to treat the girls well; if I win, I get to have all ten girls serve me for half an hour. How about it? Do you dare to gamble?"
The old man pretended to think it over, turning to discuss with the "girls".
Finally encountering a fool with money, a perfect fat sheep not exploiting would be a sorry waste of Immortal Jade!
If his luck is bad and he loses, five Immortal Jade in hand, find any excuse to send someone with him, give him a bowl of Bewitching Potion and both people and money are in hand;
If luck is good and he wins, it’s even simpler.
Have all ten girls act, guarantee he leaves not even his undergarments, pockets scoured clean, either sold off or devoured, ultimately, winning or losing leads to a single outcome.
"Tsk tsk, on Qihan Mountain, wealth should not be flaunted, you really are too young," Mist Dragon said helplessly, "Luckily, I’m covering you, go ahead and act as you please, no matter the mess you make, I can pull you back."
Jiang Yuan chuckled without a word, while the old man beamed, "The girls all admire your courage, and are willing to gamble this once on a round. Don’t worry, esteemed guest, even if luck is not on your side, the girls won’t let your visit be in vain!"
The dice cup was shaken thrice, put on the table, "Please esteemed guest consider your bet."
The passive skill of the Earth Mirror Book functioned properly. Observing closely, the wooden dice cup became thinner, revealing the three dice inside.
1, 1, 3, five small points.
Previously at Yongle Square, Jiang Yuan discovered the Earth Mirror Book skill was exceptionally proficient in viewing gambling implements, able to see Pai Gow tiles with clarity.
This gamble where you shake before betting is practically a clear card game.
Participants were barely engaged, but the onlookers were stimulated by the atmosphere, some shouting "big" and others "small", attracting many Demon Cultivators to watch.
"Place your bets and leave!"
Jiang Yuan placed five pieces of Immortal Jade in the circle labeled with the word small, allowing the old man to enhance the atmosphere, then, with everyone’s necks craned in anticipation, the dice cup was opened, revealing small.
"Oh! Such luck is incredible, isn’t it?"
"If I had such strong luck, why bother with women, I’d immediately go to Shengkang Square for a big gamble!"
"Look at you, going to Shengkang Square? You should go to Yongle Square!"
"Exactly, gamble at Yongle Square, with perpetual good luck you might even get to gamble with the Mountain Master..."
......
Among the onlookers, some were envious; some had itching hands wanting to join a round too. Jiang Yuan collected his Immortal Jade with a smile, "Friends, please be patient for half an hour. Having won, of course, I must take the ten girls to share in the pleasure."
"Congratulations to our esteemed guest, with exceptional luck!" The old man internally puzzled, yet still couldn’t help grinning broadly, waving his hand and saying, "In holding these gambling sessions, I deceive neither old nor young, keeping my word. Esteemed guests, please wait a moment for the girls to return before reopening the gambling session."
As he spoke, he turned his head and gave a meaningful look.
The ten Evil Cultivators looked at each other, stood up with charming and graceful postures to greet the esteemed guest.
"Ladies, please compose yourselves a bit, follow me." Seeing a group of disguised people approaching, Jiang Yuan, fearing they might pounce on him, quickened his pace and waved his hand, "Quickly, let’s get this over with, I still have important matters to attend to."
"Oh~ young master, such words make it seem as if we ladies don’t have that bit of allure? To need to expedite things?"
"Hee hee! Sister Wang even dislikes it, the young master did say there’s important business, so do make it quick..."
......
Under the gazes of many, ten charming ladies walked farther and farther with the other party.
Some praised his good fortune with women; some envied his exceptional luck with gambling. The old man crossed his legs sitting at the stall, leisurely lighting and puffing on his tobacco pipe.
Thinking about today’s good fortune, catching a rich sheep to snatch a large sum of money, exceeding the task and surely earning a reward, made him increasingly joyful, the smile at the corner of his mouth could not be suppressed.
He knew that to gain both people and money without anyone noticing, one must act discreetly. Such wealthy bait attracted a lot of attention today, and this group of "lovely maidens" wish not to attract too much notice either, quieted down after some playful remarks, to avoid leaving witnesses.
Thus, both sides each with their calculations, tactfully headed toward a secluded path rarely trafficked. Walking on, a silent entrance to a meandering path appeared on the stone wall.
Jiang Yuan led them directly in, and the entrance vanished, as if it had never appeared.
"Hmm? Where does this path lead? How come I’ve never taken it?" One of the remnant Evil Cultivators felt something was amiss after entering the meandering path, puzzled, turned around to find no path!
"Deceit..." The shout hadn’t fallen when the shadows on the stone wall expanded to envelop the ten Evil Cultivators, immediately freezing them in place, their faces still holding the expressions of panic before they were frozen.
At this moment, Jiang Yuan was just about to use his Capture Net, turning to see the Mountain Master indeed was handy, he sincerely expressed his gratitude.
"I told you I’d assist you as conveniently as possible, no need for politeness. However, when handling things, be wary not to leave any evidence behind, and ensure no one discovers it!" Mist Dragon still couldn’t fathom what method he employed or where he would dispose of so many Evil Cultivators.
Destroying the evidence would be ideal, just fearing any traces might incite suspicion; initially, he didn’t handle the Evil Cultivator’s remains properly, which led to a lot of trouble.
"Rest assured, I’ll handle it cleanly." As he said this, he stepped forward, first looting their spoils, only finding two Storage Bags from the ten Evil Cultivators.
Then grabbing Chen Li, the highest realm male disguised as a woman, he dashed into the Seven-Layered Glazed Treasure Tower.
Activating the Soul-Devouring Demon Skill to drain his lifespan, Jiang Yuan asked, "Since you are a member of the Leisure Sect, you should be aware of some inner secrets of the sect. Speak truthfully, and I might consider sparing your life, what do you say?"
