Chapter 65: Mindset Collapsed

Zu An happily accepted this huge wave of rage points, thinking to himself that not agreeing to a private discussion in the back room was indeed a brilliant decision.

Seeing Zu An's smug expression, Mei Chaofeng gnashed his teeth in anger. Just half a month ago, a piece of trash like this wouldn't have even been fit to appear before him; he would have had to bow and scrape if Mei Chaofeng merely sent a subordinate. Now, in just a few days, he was on equal footing with him, and he dared to threaten Mei Chaofeng with such righteous indignation?

Damn it! It made him almost want to become a kept man himself!

Rage points from Mei Chaofeng: 666!

Mei Chaofeng took a deep breath. He waved to his side. "Guards, bring Mei Huaqi here."

Soon, his subordinates escorted Mei Huaqi, who was practically a pile of jelly, forward. Seeing him, Mei Huaqi immediately struggled free and plopped down on his knees. He hugged Mei Chaofeng's leg tightly, sobbing with snot and tears streaming down his face. "Godfather, your son has let you down! I've caused such a huge disaster for you."

Mei Chaofeng kicked him away without even a glance. He said coldly to Zu An, "The bet with you just now was Mei Huaqi's personal act and does not represent our gambling house. If you want your money, get it from him. Furthermore, in light of Mei Huaqi's illicit actions, which have brought significant negative impact to our gang, effective immediately, he is expelled from the Plum Blossom Gang and will never be readmitted."

"Godfather! Gang Leader, you can't do this to me! I've been so diligent for you all these years..." Mei Huaqi immediately understood that he was being used as a scapegoat. He panicked instantly. Forget 7.5 million taels; he'd struggle to produce even 10,000 taels. Even if his bones were crushed and sold, they wouldn't amount to 7.5 million taels.

He tried to speak again, but someone nearby punched him in the jaw. His jaw was dislocated, and he could only make muffled sounds, unable to speak another word.

Seeing his miserable state, the previously boisterous gambling house instantly fell silent. Everyone remembered that this was a ruthless underworld magnate who wouldn't bat an eye at killing. One by one, they backed down, no longer daring to shout with the same enthusiasm as before.

Zu An's eyes narrowed. This guy was quite skilled at the "temporary employee" trick.

But he wouldn't defraud him of his money so easily!

"Gang Leader Mei, aren't you taking everyone here for fools?" Zu An said. "Mei Huaqi is your sworn son and trusted subordinate, and Silver Hook Gambling House is an asset of your Plum Blossom Gang. Now you've lost money and refuse to pay up. Who would dare to come to your gambling house in the future?"

"Exactly, exactly," the surrounding people whispered. What was most important for a gambling house? Reputation. A gambling house without reputation was destined to close its doors. If the Plum Blossom Gang dared to renege on a debt to someone backed by the Chu clan, what would happen to these powerless, uninfluential ordinary gamblers if they won money in the future?

Mei Chaofeng sneered. "I don't mind telling you, today I'm definitely taking your money! I will pay every penny to other customers, but you are the only exception in the entire Brightmoon City. I won't pay you a single copper coin of the money you won. What can you do about it?"

You good-for-nothing, you think you can fight me? A common hen perched on a branch won't become a phoenix. I've weathered so many storms over the years; how could a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you possibly imagine it? Do you think this world is all about reason and fairness? Today, I'll show you just how treacherous the world can be!

"Gang Leader Mei, that's utterly shameless of you!" Chu Chuyan's face turned cold. She was about to step forward but was stopped by Zu An's outstretched hand.

Zu An smiled. "Gang Leader Mei, do you think this leaves me with no options?"

Mei Chaofeng snorted coldly. "What options could you possibly have?" A good-for-nothing who got ahead by relying on a woman couldn't possibly turn the tables.

Zu An spread his hands. "It's fine if you don't pay me. From now on, I'll go to every gambling house under your name. I won't even need to bet myself. I'll teach these people how to bet, and I'll make sure they win every single hand. What do you all say?"

The gamblers and even the onlookers outside instantly erupted in excitement:"Yes!""Long live Young Master Zu!""Young Master Zu, you're so handsome!""Young Master Zu, you are our benefactor!""Young Master Zu and Miss Chu are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect couple!""Damn it, how can you say such insincere things?""Aren't you shouting enthusiastically too?"

As a great person once said, with 50% profit, people will take risks. For 100% profit, people will trample on all human laws. With 300% profit, they will commit any crime, even risking the gallows.

Zu An had just personally demonstrated how massive the profits could be at the gambling table. A 15,000% profit!

Who wouldn't go crazy? Moreover, these gamblers were all people who valued money more than their lives. What if it was the Plum Blossom Gang? If they dared to withhold the money, these people combined could wipe out the Plum Blossom Gang.

Mei Chaofeng clearly understood this principle, and his face turned extremely grim. "Do you really think you can win every hand?"

Zu An spread his hands. "I won 7.5 million taels from you in just two hands today. What do you think? From now on, please call me the God of Gamblers."

Hearing that he was going to help them win money, the surrounding onlookers shamelessly flattered him:"God of Gamblers!""God of Gamblers!""God of Gamblers!"

Zu An closed his eyes, his face beaming with delight as he basked in the cheers of the crowd. All that was missing now was that classic background music.

Mei Chaofeng's face twitched. To be honest, he wasn't sure how the other party managed it. From Zu An's tone, it was clear that the previous two wins were no coincidence. In fact, it couldn't have been a coincidence; otherwise, how could he have placed his bets so accurately?

If this guy really led these gamblers to cause trouble in his other gambling houses, his businesses would be ruined. But paying him was even more impossible. It was 7.5 million taels, not 75,000! For a moment, he was in a dilemma.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance.

"Clear the way! Clear the way!"

A group of soldiers stormed in. Immediately after, a young general in golden armor entered. He was tall and slender, with a dignified appearance. Coupled with his shining armor, he was quite eye-catching.

"Wow, he's so handsome!" some servant girls nearby whispered.

Zu An looked annoyed. It was just the advantage of a uniform; these women clearly hadn't seen much of the world. He secretly glanced at Chu Chuyan and, seeing her expression was normal, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Who is causing trouble here?" The young general scanned the room after entering, his gaze finally settling on Zu An.

"Why are you looking at me? Are you jealous I'm handsomer than you?" Zu An retorted irritably. This guy immediately pointed fingers at him, clearly with ill intentions, so there was no need to be polite.

Rage points from Sang Qian: 100!

"Surname Sang? That's quite an unusual surname," Zu An mused to himself.

The young general was originally preparing to interrogate Zu An, but with this interruption, he was momentarily at a loss for words. Fortunately, Mei Chaofeng quickly went over, adding fuel to the fire. "Commander Sang, you've arrived at just the right time. This fellow came to our gambling house to extort money. When I refused, he threatened to bring other gamblers to cause trouble in my gambling houses, making it impossible for them to operate."

The surrounding people's eyes widened. Although everyone knew he was a gang leader, he didn't have to be so ruthless, did he? Did he think they were blind? However, no one spoke up. They knew this world wasn't truly a place where reason always prevailed. Before the situation became clear, it was best not to get involved. While the money Zu An promised was tempting, one needed to be alive to spend it.

The young general named Sang Qian immediately scolded Zu An. "Do you know what the crime of extortion is? By the way, how much money did he extort from you?"

Mei Chaofeng said with a bitter smile, "7.5 million taels!"

"7.5 million taels?" Sang Qian was instantly startled. "You're playing for such high stakes?" Even when his father was the Grand Administrator of Agriculture, this amount of money would have been an astronomical figure in the national treasury. Thinking of this, his face instantly lit up with excitement. "Extortion of property from others, if the amount is huge or there are other serious circumstances, is punishable by imprisonment of three to ten years. If the amount is exceptionally huge or there are other especially serious circumstances, it is punishable by imprisonment of ten years or more. With 7.5 million taels, you can expect to rot in jail!"

Zu An couldn't help but roll his eyes, completely ignoring him. Instead, he looked at Chu Chuyan beside him. "Wife, who is this guy? How can he just come in and convict me based solely on Mr. Mei's one-sided story? It seems he often takes benefits from the Plum Blossom Gang, doesn't he?"

Hearing his words, whispers and murmurs arose from the surroundings.

Chu Chuyan's lips curved slightly upwards as she explained. "This Commander Sang is the son of Sang Hong, the former Grand Administrator of Agriculture. Now Master Sang has taken office as the new Prefect of Linchuan Commandery. You must not treat him lightly."

Sang Qian quickly bowed. "Miss Chu, you exaggerate. My father's future work will rely heavily on the cooperation of the Chu clan."

There was no man who could resist the charm of a stunning beauty like Chu Chuyan. So, even though it was clear that he and his father had taken office to deal with the Chu clan, he still subconsciously wanted to present his most elegant and proper side to her.

Just as Sang Qian thought his manners were impeccable, a discordant voice spoke up. "Hmph, I thought he was so capable. Turns out he's just like me, relying on family background."

Zu An was seen picking his ear. Then he flicked his finger at Sang Qian.

Sang Qian's breath hitched. Although he had never met Zu An before, he had long heard of the "great name" of the Chu clan's son-in-law. This good-for-nothing was merely a laughingstock in their circles. Yet, today, he had been dragged down to the same level as him? Even being associated with him in this manner felt like an insult!

Rage points from Sang Qian: 300!

Mei Chaofeng, standing by, also widened his eyes. Sang Qian's family was prominent; his father was a high-ranking official at court, and he himself was now a high-ranking official overseeing a region. He was truly a top-tier young master from an aristocratic family. You, Zu An, are just a street punk who luckily latched onto the Chu clan. But can that be considered your family background? How can you even say such a thing? Have you no shame?!

Rage points from Mei Chaofeng: 300!

Zu An was momentarily stunned, thinking, "I was talking about Sang Qian, why is Mei Chaofeng getting angry?" It seemed they truly had some unspeakable "friends with benefits" relationship.

Seeing the fire in Sang Qian's eyes, Chu Chuyan secretly chuckled, thinking that finally, others were also witnessing Zu An's shamelessness. She cleared her throat and said, "Young Master Sang, if I'm not mistaken, you are merely the commander of the River Defense Battalion. You don't have the authority to manage local affairs. It would probably be inappropriate for you to arbitrate the matter here today."