Chapter 64: Walking to the Peak of Life

Xue'er didn't usually drink, but the good news made it hard not to celebrate her joy. She instinctively took the cup. "Thank you for your help during this time, gang leader," she said. "When I return to my young master, I will certainly put in a good word for you."

Mei Chaofeng burst out laughing. "A pleasure working with you!"

Seeing them clinking cups in celebration, the messenger disciple finally realized they had misunderstood him. He was so anxious he was almost in tears. "Gang Leader, it's not that Zu An lost 7.5 million taels, but that *we* lost 7.5 million taels to him!"

Mei Chaofeng and Xue'er were clinking cups, smiles still on their faces. Hearing this, Mei Chaofeng's hand, usually steady with a blade, trembled. The wine cup slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground and shattering.

Xue'er, across from him, also looked bewildered. No matter how wild her imagination, she couldn't conceive of such a situation.

"Say that again?" Mei Chaofeng's face darkened. He was highly cultivated and usually spoke with absolute authority, never requiring a subordinate to repeat a report. But today's events were so bizarre that he had to confirm.

"Zu An won 7.5 million taels from the Silver Hook Casino! Master Seven has fainted, and the casino is in chaos. Gang Leader, please go quickly and take charge!" The disciple was almost in tears.

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

Not to mention the Plum Blossom Gang, even Moonlit City—no, even several nearby commanderies combined—didn't generate that much tax revenue in a year!

It's over, completely over!

Mei Chaofeng felt unsteady, swaying before collapsing onto a stool.

Xue'er, on the other side, was slightly more composed. She quickly asked the messenger disciple, "What happened? How could he possibly win that much?"

The disciple was somewhat astonished to see such a delicate and beautiful young woman in the gang leader's room. Despite her veiled face, her figure and eyes suggested she was exceedingly beautiful. However, he had no time to admire her and quickly replied, "In the first round, he bet everything on 17 points, which had 1:50 odds, winning 50,000 taels of silver. Then, in the second round, he put all 50,000 taels on a 'triple one' (three of a kind), which had 1:150 odds. That's how he instantly won 7.5 million taels."

Mei Chaofeng finally snapped out of his daze. Like a furious lion, he sprang from his chair, grabbing the disciple's collar. "How could that good-for-nothing win every single time, especially with such small odds? Did he cheat?"

"No!" The disciple was also weak with fear, terrified that the enraged gang leader might twist his neck. "No one could possibly cheat in the Silver Hook Casino right in front of us. That's why the whole thing is so baffling!"

At this moment, Xue'er suddenly spoke. "Could it be that Miss Chu can sense the dice's movement and secretly told him?" She spoke without much conviction, finding it hard to believe that Chu Chuyan would participate in gambling, let alone help that good-for-nothing.

Mei Chaofeng shook his head. "Impossible. Our dice cup has an array carved by a master runesmith from the capital. It can block vital energy perception. Even if she were a Fifth Grade master, let alone a grandmaster, she couldn't know. Otherwise, there would be no casinos left in this world; they would have all been won into bankruptcy by experts."

Xue'er said, "It's useless for us to speculate so much here. We should go and see the situation quickly."

"You're right, you're right..." Mei Chaofeng, who had been at a loss, finally came to his senses upon hearing this. "Give the order! Brothers, grab your weapons and follow me!"

He had already made up his mind: pay? Never in this life would he pay!

7.5 million taels! What a concept! Even if he dismantled the entire Plum Blossom Gang and sold it off, it wouldn't fetch that much!

He had decided that even if it meant openly antagonizing the Chu family tonight, he would never acknowledge this debt.

The Plum Blossom Gang's headquarters and the Silver Hook Casino weren't far apart. Mei Chaofeng, burning with anxiety, rushed all the way and quickly arrived at the casino.

By then, a large crowd had already gathered outside the casino. Word had spread that someone had won 7.5 million taels in just two rounds, and people from many places had rushed over to watch the spectacle.

Mei Chaofeng struggled to push his way in. Inside the casino, it was utter chaos, with those who loved a good spectacle shouting, "Pay up! Pay up! Pay up!"

They even chanted in a rhythmic fashion.

Zu An was currently lounging like a "Ge You Slouch" in a large chair, brought from who knew where, with his feet propped directly on the gambling table. A group of people around him served him 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 maids and servants were specifically employed by the Silver Hook Casino to attend to esteemed guests. Yet, here they were, serving that good-for-nothing in such a manner?

Are you all trying to rebel against heaven itself?

Even if they just poisoned the grapes he was eating, that would be something!

Rage value from Mei Chaofeng +400!

Hearing the influx of rage value from the system, Zu An waved his hand. "Clear the way, clear the way~" He pushed the people in front of him aside, clearly seeing Mei Chaofeng's darkened face.

"You must be Gang Leader Mei," Zu An said, extending a hand towards him. "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 been standing by with a look of disdain, instinctively moved closer. Mei Chaofeng was a ruthless individual; over the years, he had unified Moonlit City's underworld and had countless lives on his hands.

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

Seeing his silence, Zu An smiled. "Gang Leader, you're a prominent figure in Moonlit City. Surely, you're not planning to renege on a debt, are you? So many witnesses are present."

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

The surrounding crowd began to jeer. As the saying goes, there are no fathers and sons at the gambling table. What's more, with Miss Chu of the Chu family backing them, what did they have to fear?

Their only regret was not betting alongside the Chu family's son-in-law earlier. Otherwise, they would have made a fortune by now.

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

Mei Chaofeng took a deep breath, calming himself, before speaking to Zu An. "It's too crowded and noisy out here. How about we go inside and discuss this in detail?"

To his surprise, Zu An refused without hesitation. "I think it's perfectly fine here. Everyone's so enthusiastic, and the conversation is enjoyable. I absolutely love it here. As the saying goes, 'nothing that cannot be said openly,' so feel free to speak your mind here, Gang Leader, and let everyone be a witness."

What a joke! Based on his previous experience, he knew that the more people present, the better for collecting rage points. Why would he want to chat with Mei Chaofeng in a private room?

"This scoundrel!" Mei Chaofeng cursed inwardly, furious that Zu An showed him no respect.

Rage value from Mei Chaofeng +631!

"Very well, if Young Master Zu prefers to chat here, then we shall," Mei Chaofeng said, regaining his composure quickly, as he was a formidable figure after all. "Since Young Master has such good luck today, how about we have another round?"

He wasn't sure what had happened before, whether it was Plum Blossom Seven and others betraying him, or Zu An's luck being truly heaven-defying. But now that he was personally in charge, no trick the opponent tried 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, he could easily outclass Plum Blossom Seven in a real gamble.

It was simply that, as the gang leader for so many years, he had not needed to reveal his true capabilities.

As for losing?

He couldn't possibly lose. And even if he did, what then? Was there a difference between 7.5 million taels and 10 million taels? He couldn't pay either way. "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 Zu An, but Mei Chaofeng was different. He was also a Fifth Grade master and had been renowned for many years, possessing countless unknown methods.

If he were to cheat, she might not be able to detect it. So she felt she had to warn Zu An. After all, he had a knack for courting disaster; just a moment ago, Plum Blossom Seven's casual provocation had easily trapped him. If he impulsively accepted this challenge too, it would be over.

To her surprise, before she could even speak, Zu An had already waved his hand in refusal. "Who's going to gamble 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. Where would you get more money to lose to me? Do you take me for an idiot? Stop with the nonsense, just hand over the money! I'm in a hurry to go home and cuddle my wife to sleep!"

Moreover, even if they had the money, he wouldn't gamble again. So much time had passed; the effects of the Lucky Fruit were probably wearing off soon.

Chu Chuyan, who had been standing beside him, had a slight smile on her lips, thinking that this fellow, though appearing reckless, wasn't actually foolish. However, when she heard his last sentence, her smile instantly froze.

Rage value from Chu Chuyan +199!

The surrounding gamblers suddenly felt a pang of jealousy. Half a month ago, this guy was a good-for-nothing loser, despised by everyone. Yet, this very person had now won 7.5 million taels today—a fortune they couldn't earn in ten lifetimes—and had also won a beautiful, rich woman. He had truly reached the pinnacle of life.

But couldn't he just enjoy his triumph in private? Why 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 just spectators who loved a good show, they now began to root for the Plum Blossom Gang, wishing Mei Chaofeng would kill this guy.

Rage value from Gambler A +77!

Rage value from Gambler B +77!

Rage value from Gambler C +77!

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