Chapter 77: Deception and Gambling

Since the force hadn't been deeply applied to the pressure points, the blood flow would soon return to normal.

"If you make any noise other than shouting or answering my questions, I'll pull out this dagger. When the blood flow returns, if you're faster than me, you can try to pull it out yourself. Consider this a life-or-death situation, and I'll give you a quick death. If you still can't speak, blink your eyes."

The Black Leopard, who had been struck first, spoke, while Bai Xiao blinked her eyes.

"The pressure points have been released."

The Black Leopard's breathing was rough, as if he were drunk.

I asked the Black Leopard,

"Did Ping Junshi send you?"

The Black Leopard looked at me as if regretting the release of the pressure points.

"......"

I tilted my head and said,

"Still can't think straight? I understand. It's possible. You must still be unsure about who to fear. That's understandable."

I lightly placed my index finger on the handle of the Flashing Dagger and asked what seemed to be my final question,

"Did Ping Junshi send you?"

If there was no answer, the only gift I would give was the dagger. The Black Leopard quickly replied,

"Yes."

I removed my finger from the dagger and said,

"You were on the edge there. You're the Black Leopard, right? Don't misunderstand. Even if you die, Bai Xiao is still alive. If you die, Bai Xiao will be so scared that she'll tell me more than you. Try to think clearly."

The Black Leopard immediately replied,

"Understood."

I suddenly looked at Bai Xiao, who also quickly spoke,

"My pressure points have been released."

I snapped my fingers and said,

"Good. Now, let's answer my questions in rhythm. You'll answer my questions simultaneously. The one who hesitates will be the first to be pierced by the dagger. I'm curious who will die first. First question: Who is above Ping Junshi? One, two, three."

Both answered at the same time,

"Gambling King."

I clapped half-heartedly and praised them,

"Correct. Your lives are extended. Second question: If the Gambling King is above Dong Fangyan, say 'up'; if below, say 'down.' Do you understand?"

I moved my fingers around and explained,

"Up, down, up-up-down, the one whose life is always on the line. One, two, three."

Both answered in unison,

"Up!"

"Ah......"

I stroked my chin. I already knew this much, but the third question was the real issue. I didn't know the answer, but I suspected the Black Leopard and Bai Xiao might. However, I was unsure if they would give the right answer.

"The third question, I'll count to three slowly. Answer well. Who is the Gambling King? One, two, three."

"Uncle Ouyang Fu."

I was inwardly surprised but maintained a calm expression and replied,

"Uncle Ouyang? The innkeeper of Nalak Inn?"

The Black Leopard and Bai Xiao answered simultaneously,

"Yes."

I touched my hair for a moment. When I thought of the Ouyang Fu from my past life, the first thing that came to mind was:

'A man who doesn't make enemies.'

He was also kind-hearted, often giving away free drinks and not pressing for debts. He loved gambling and lost money everywhere he went, but he always lived with a smile. He was quite old, and everyone called him Uncle Ouyang out of respect.

'This is surprising.'

Was this a confrontation between Zixia Inn and Nalak Inn? I suddenly thought that Dong Fangyan might be Ouyang Fu's disciple.

I said to the Black Leopard and Bai Xiao,

"Good job."

I pressed their pressure points again, then carried them one by one to the bed, leaving the center empty as if I were lying there. I injected a significant amount of energy into the Jianjing points of the Black Leopard and Bai Xiao on both sides.

I pinched the Black Leopard's cheek and said,

"You'll have naughty dreams after taking the aphrodisiac."

I lowered the curtain at the top of the bed to cover them, took the Flashing Dagger, and headed to Nalak Inn.

***

When I suddenly appeared at Nalak Inn, all the guests looked at me. A brief silence followed before the conversation resumed.

'That was a meaningful moment of silence.'

As I sat down, the waiter Zhaopai approached.

"What would you like?"

Zhaopai was someone I knew, but I couldn't acknowledge him. I said to Zhaopai, whom I hadn't seen in a long time,

"Any white wine."

"There's no 'any.'"

"Bring me whatever you want."

"Sure."

A moment later, I looked at the dried fish (Taoyu) served as a side dish with the white wine. It was a relatively expensive fish for a basic inn dish, which gave me a strange feeling.

I poured a glass of white wine and sat there blankly. Ouyang Fu, the innkeeper of Nalak Inn, walked over with a sleepy look and looked at me.

"I'll buy that drink, so give me a glass. You're a new gambler, aren't you?"

I immediately poured a glass for Ouyang Fu, who sat opposite me.

Ouyang Fu took out a peculiar pipe shaped like a finger and lit it. It was the first time I saw such a pipe, and it was even made of jade. Ouyang Fu took a deep puff from the pipe and a sip of white wine, then looked at my glass.

Since I wasn't drinking, he couldn't help but notice.

Ouyang Fu said to me,

"Give me another glass."

Feeling annoyed, I nodded toward the white wine.

"Pour it yourself."

I deliberately spoke informally and watched the guests. They didn't turn their heads toward me, but I could see a few of them with stiff expressions, which made me laugh.

What a world, like an onion.

I thought about how I had survived my previous life without knowing anything.

Ouyang Fu said while drinking,

"You don't drink."

When I didn't answer, Ouyang Fu said as if it were inevitable,

"I'll apologize for Xiao Ling and Xiao Ai. It seems Ping Junshi's prank was exposed."

He already knew I was aware of everything, so he thought there was no point in hiding it. Still, it was surprising how quickly he revealed his true identity.

Ouyang Fu suddenly looked at the guests and waved his hand.

All the guests in the inn stood up and left simultaneously.

Once the guests were gone, Ouyang Fu smiled, showing his wrinkles.

"Young man, you didn't come here to ruin my business, did you? The challenge fee is ten thousand taels, plus the gamblers' rewards, totaling fifty thousand taels. This is my gesture of goodwill. Take it and leave. There have been high-level black path experts who took the money and left without a fight, but I've never sent anyone away with fifty thousand taels."

"Fifty thousand taels?"

Ouyang Fu smiled and nodded.

"Fifty thousand taels."

I replied to Ouyang Fu,

"Most people who fought Dong Fangyan didn't survive, right? Even those who won died or disappeared within a few days."

Ouyang Fu's sleepy eyes were gradually coming to life.

"You... I don't understand why you came alone. Did I kill someone you knew? Was Dong Fangyan your brother or master? You don't seem like someone who lost a lot of money gambling. Why are you saying this, especially when I'm being hospitable?"

Someone suddenly entered the inn, and Ouyang Fu extended his hand.

"Stay still."

Glancing sideways, I saw a man who looked like a fierce general on a battlefield, glaring at me with a fierce look. He was tall and skilled in both internal and external martial arts, the king of martial arts gambling, Dong Fangyan.

Dong Fangyan brought a chair and sat next to me, crossing his arms as if to watch over me.

Ouyang Fu extended his hand and said,

"I still stand by my offer. Fifty thousand taels. I want to hear your thoughts."

Dong Fangyan spoke,

"Why give him fifty thousand taels?"

Ouyang Fu interrupted Dong Fangyan,

"Be quiet. He's still my guest."

I looked at Ouyang Fu and Dong Fangyan and said,

"What you're doing isn't martial arts gambling but deception gambling."

Ouyang Fu replied,

"Isn't that true for all businesses? The difference is between small and large businesses. Most high-profit businesses are deception gambling."

"Compared to your methods, the bandits in the mountains and rivers are almost pure."

Ouyang Fu asked me,

"Has my business harmed you? If so, I'll increase the compensation."

I tapped the table with my finger and said,

"The biggest problem with gambling is that it's fun. It's hard to quit. People who find something more interesting than gambling can quit, but there aren't many things as fun as gambling. Some might have to give up all their wealth or even cut off their hands and feet to stop."

When I suddenly brought up gambling, Ouyang Fu smiled faintly.

"You know well."

"There's a legitimate side to martial arts gambling, but deception gambling is different. You regularly pay money to nearby black path experts and forces to keep them from coming here. With so much money, you must be generous. One day, if a family man comes here, loses everything, and dies, it's considered normal here. The surrounding black path forces expand their power by taking money from you. They don't openly rob, so the white path can't easily destroy you. You're quite remarkable in many ways."

Ouyang Fu asked me,

"Are you not interested in negotiating?"

"I am."

"Speak your mind."

"Since it started with gambling, it should end with gambling. Let's have a round of deception gambling."

"What kind of deception gambling?"

I proposed to the Gambling King and Dong Fangyan,

"All of you at the arena."

"......"

"Let's fight. If you win, I die. If I win, I get everything here."

I observed Ouyang Fu's expression.

"How about it? Innkeeper of Nalak Inn, Gambling King Ouyang Fu. Is this offer too advantageous for you, or are you afraid of losing everything in one go? It's a dilemma, isn't it? Regardless, this unreasonable proposal is a gamble."

Ouyang Fu, being the Gambling King, carefully considered the conditions.

"What if I refuse?"

"If you refuse, you'll get a worse hand."

"Why?"

I scratched my cheek and replied,

"My subordinates will arrive in a group tomorrow. Tonight is your best hand."

Dong Fangyan said to Ouyang Fu,

"He's crazy, but let's do it."

Ouyang Fu, being the Gambling King, seemed cautious and didn't answer immediately. In a way, this caution was natural, as Ouyang Fu never engaged in losing battles.

However, that was what I disliked the most.

"Gambling King... hiding your true identity, getting challengers drunk, using beauty traps, giving them aphrodisiacs, weakening them, making them fight Dong Fangyan, ambushing them if they lose, burying the dead, buying drinks for gamblers with the money earned, pretending to be a good person, and regularly bribing powerful black path forces. Is the nickname 'Gambling King' what you got from living such a dirty life?"

I called Ouyang Fu as I used to.

"Uncle Ouyang, you're quite an impressive gambler."

"There's something I don't understand. If you're so confident, why don't you kill us right here? That would be more advantageous."

"More advantageous?"

I looked at them sternly.

"You're not thinking clearly. Just because we're from the same inn doesn't mean we're on the same level. I live in the Jianghu, and you live in a gambling den. We're different in every way. Since you've lived off exploiting others' lives, why not have a proper gamble once? Gambling King, stop using your twisted mind."

Suddenly, Dong Fangyan emitted a killing aura, and I stared at him calmly.

Ouyang Fu extended his hand to Dong Fangyan to calm him down and asked me,

"From the same inn? What's your true identity?"

I thought my words were in vain but revealed the truth.

"I'm the innkeeper of Zixia Inn."

I suppressed the urge to say more.

He's crazy, but not yet a demon.

Ouyang Fu replied,

"Let's do it. Gather your subordinates and go to the arena. No matter how I think about it, that's the most advantageous for me. As long as you don't regret it."

I nodded.

"Living without regrets is a virtue in the Jianghu. Let's go. You maggots."

As I stood up, Dong Fangyan also rose. He was a head taller than me.

Dong Fangyan looked down at me and said,

"You're a strange one, trying to die in such a peculiar way."

"Hey, you have some authority in your tone? Is it because you're the king of martial arts gambling? Strict, solemn, serious, something like that. Impressive. Hey."

As Dong Fangyan suppressed his anger and took a deep breath, Ouyang Fu behind him said in a low tone,

"Let it out at the arena."

I watched their expressions and turned around.