Chapter 64: Walking to the Peak of Life

Cher, who ordinarily didn't drink, found it hard to contain her joy at such good news without a celebratory drink. She instinctively took the glass, saying, "Thank you for your help, Gang Leader, during this time. When I return to my young master's side, I will certainly put in a good word for you."

Mei Chaofeng laughed heartily. "A pleasure doing business with you!"

Seeing them clinking glasses and celebrating, the messenger disciple finally realized they had misunderstood him. He was so anxious he was almost in tears. "Gang Leader, Zu'an didn't lose 7.5 million taels; we lost 7.5 million taels to him!"

Mei Chaofeng and Cher were in the middle of clinking glasses, their smiles still lingering. Hearing this, Mei Chaofeng's hand, usually so steady with a blade, trembled. The wine cup slipped from his grasp and shattered on the ground.

Cher, facing him, also looked bewildered. Clearly, no matter how much she tried to imagine the possibilities, she couldn't comprehend how such a situation could arise.

"Say that again?" Mei Chaofeng's face darkened. He was highly skilled and known for his decisive manner; he never made subordinates repeat reports. But today's events were so bizarre that he had no choice but to confirm again.

"Zu'an won 7.5 million taels from Silverhook Casino," the disciple, almost in tears, rushed on. "Now Master Seven has fainted, and the casino is in chaos. Gang Leader, please go there quickly to take charge of the situation."

Mei Chaofeng finally understood. He was completely petrified. 7.5 million taels of silver—what kind of sum was that?

Forget the Plum Blossom Gang; even Brightmoon City—no, even several nearby commanderies combined—didn't generate that much in annual tax revenue!

It's over, completely over!

Mei Chaofeng felt unsteady on his feet and swayed as he slumped onto a stool.

Cher, on the other hand, was slightly more composed. She quickly asked the messenger disciple, "What happened? How could he possibly win so much?"

The disciple was somewhat surprised to see such a delicate and beautiful young woman in the Gang Leader's room. Though veiled, her figure and eyes revealed her extreme beauty. However, he had no time to appreciate her now and quickly replied: "His first bet was all on 17, with odds of 1 to 50, winning him fifty thousand taels of silver. Then, for the second round, he placed all fifty thousand taels on a 'three ones' leopard, which had odds of 1 to 150. That's how he instantly won 7.5 million taels."

Mei Chaofeng finally snapped out of his daze. Like an enraged lion, he sprang from his chair and grabbed the disciple by the collar: "How could that good-for-nothing win every single time, especially with such tiny odds? Did he cheat?"

"No," the disciple stammered, his legs turning to jelly, fearing the Gang Leader might twist his neck in his rage. "No one could possibly cheat in Silverhook Casino right under our noses. That's why the whole thing is so baffling!"

At this moment, Cher suddenly spoke: "Could it be that Miss Chu can sense the dice's movement and secretly told him?" She herself lacked confidence saying this, as she couldn't fathom Chu Chuyan participating in gambling, much less helping that good-for-nothing.

Mei Chaofeng shook his head: "Impossible. Our dice cup has a formation carved by Master Fu from the capital, which blocks spiritual energy sensing. Not to mention her fifth-rank cultivation, even a grandmaster wouldn't be able to know. Otherwise, there wouldn't be any casinos left in this world; they'd all have been bankrupted by experts long ago."

Cher said, "It's useless for us to speculate so much here. Let's go quickly and see what's happening."

"You're right, you're right," Mei Chaofeng, who had been somewhat disoriented, finally reacted upon hearing this. "Give the order! Brothers, arm yourselves and follow me!"

He had already made up his mind: Pay? Never in this lifetime!

7.5 million taels! What kind of concept was that? Even if the entire Plum Blossom Gang were dismantled and sold off, it wouldn't fetch that much.

He had decided that even if it meant openly antagonizing the Chu family tonight, he absolutely would not acknowledge this debt.

The Plum Blossom Gang's headquarters and the Silverhook Casino were not too far apart. Mei Chaofeng, burning with anxiety, rushed at full speed and quickly arrived at the casino.

By this time, a large crowd had gathered outside the casino. Hearing that someone had won 7.5 million taels of silver in just two hands, people from many places had rushed over to witness the spectacle.

Mei Chaofeng struggled to push his way in. Inside the casino, chaos reigned, and those who enjoyed a good spectacle began to chant, "Pay up! Pay up! Pay up!"

They even chanted rhythmically.

Zu'an, meanwhile, was sprawled back in a large chair that seemed to have been brought from nowhere, his feet propped directly on the gambling table. A group of people surrounded him, bringing tea and water, while others massaged his legs and back. Some even had maidservants peeling grapes and feeding them to him one by one.

Mei Chaofeng's face twitched. He recognized that these maidservants and attendants were all from Silverhook Casino, specifically assigned to entertain esteemed guests. Now, they were serving that good-for-nothing in such a manner?

"Are you all trying to rebel against me? They might as well put poison in the grapes he's eating!"

Rage points from Mei Chaofeng: +400!

Hearing the incoming rage points from the background, Zu'an waved his hand. "Move aside, move aside!" he said, pushing aside the people in front of him, getting a clear view of the scowling Mei Chaofeng.

"Presumably, this is Gang Leader Mei," Zu'an said, extending his hand. "Since you're here, let's settle the bill. A total of 7.5 million taels. Thank you for your patronage."

Chu Chuyan, who had initially been standing aside with a look of disdain, instinctively moved closer to him. This Mei Chaofeng was a ruthless individual, having unified Brightmoon City's underworld over the years, with countless lives on his hands.

Mei Chaofeng's face twitched. He remained silent for a long moment. 7.5 million taels—how could he possibly produce that amount?

Seeing his continued silence, Zu'an smiled: "Gang Leader Mei is a prominent figure in Brightmoon City. Surely you're not planning to default on the payment, are you? So many witnesses are watching."

"That's right! Pay up! Pay up!"

The surrounding crowd stirred up, as the saying goes, "At the gambling table, there are no fathers and sons." What's more, with Miss Chu from the Chu family backing them, what did they have to fear?

Their only regret was why they hadn't bet alongside the Chu family's son-in-law earlier. Otherwise, they'd be rolling in money now.

Of course, given another chance, none of them would dare to bet on such an outrageous 1 to 150 odds.

Mei Chaofeng took a deep breath, composed himself, and then said to Zu'an, "It's too crowded and noisy here. How about we go inside to discuss this in detail?"

To his surprise, Zu'an refused without hesitation: "I think it's quite nice here. Everyone is so enthusiastic, and their words are pleasant to hear. I really like it here. As the saying goes, 'nothing that cannot be said openly.' Gang Leader, you can say whatever you want right here, so everyone can be a witness."

What a joke! With his previous experience, he knew that the more people there were, the better for collecting rage points. Why would he want to go to a private room to talk with him?

"That scoundrel!" Mei Chaofeng cursed inwardly, furious that Zu'an showed him such disrespect.

Rage points from Mei Chaofeng: +631!

"Fine, if Young Master Zu wants to talk here, then we'll talk here," Mei Chaofeng said, quickly regaining his composure, for he was a formidable leader after all. "Since Young Master has such good luck today, how about we have another bet?"

He wasn't sure what exactly had happened earlier—whether it was Plum Blossom Seven and the others betraying him or Zu'an's luck truly being heaven-defying. But now that he was personally stepping in, no trick or tactic could escape his notice. If the opponent could win 7.5 million taels in one go, he was equally confident he could win it back.

Everyone believed Plum Blossom Seven was the gang's top gambler, but only Mei Chaofeng knew that he had personally taught Plum Blossom Seven everything he knew. With his current cultivation level, he could utterly crush Plum Blossom Seven in a real gambling match.

It was just that in his years as gang leader, he hadn't revealed his full abilities.

As for losing?

He couldn't possibly lose. And even if he did, what difference would it make? Was there really a difference between 7.5 million and 10 million taels? He couldn't pay either way. As the saying went, "many lice don't itch, many debts don't bother."

Hearing his invitation, Chu Chuyan immediately became anxious. Plum Blossom Seven couldn't play any tricks in front of her earlier, but Mei Chaofeng was different. He was also a fifth-rank cultivator, and having been famous for so many years, there was no telling how many cunning methods he had mastered.

If Mei Chaofeng resorted to trickery, she might not even be able to discern it. So she felt compelled to warn Zu'an. After all, he was so reckless; Plum Blossom Seven had easily provoked him into a trap just now. If he impulsively agreed to this as well, it would be over.

To her surprise, before she could even speak, Zu'an had already waved his hand in refusal: "Who would still bet with you? I've already won 7.5 million taels; isn't that enough? Besides, don't think I don't know you might not even be able to produce 7.5 million taels, let alone have more money to lose to me. Do you really take me for an idiot? Stop with the nonsense, just hand over the money! I'm in a hurry to go back and sleep with my wife!"

Even if the other party had money, he wouldn't gamble again. After so long, by his reckoning, the effects of the Lucky Fruit must be wearing off soon.

Chu Chuyan, standing nearby, had initially allowed a slight smile to grace her lips, thinking that this fellow, though seemingly reckless, wasn't actually stupid. But then she heard his last sentence, and her smile instantly froze.

Rage points from Chu Chuyan: +199!

The onlookers, the gamblers from earlier, suddenly felt a pang of jealousy. Just half a month ago, this fellow was a good-for-nothing loser, despised by everyone. Yet, this very person had today won 7.5 million taels—a fortune they couldn't earn in ten lifetimes—and even won over the beautiful, rich young lady. He had truly reached the pinnacle of life.

But couldn't he just enjoy his success in private? Did he have to deliberately provoke them like this?

Imagining Zu'an wantonly enjoying the angelic Miss Chu of the Chu family upon returning home, their rage surged. Originally, they just wanted to watch the show, but now they began to support the Plum Blossom Gang, wishing Mei Chaofeng would kill this guy.

Rage points from Gambler A: +77!Rage points from Gambler B: +77!Rage points from Gambler C: +77!