Chapter 56

At first, these gamblers just wanted to see Zuan lose, but when they realized there might be a bigger spectacle, everyone became excited, their eyes red with anticipation.

Pushed discreetly by his disciple, Plum Seven finally came to his senses. He swallowed hard, filled with regret for his greed, wondering why he had insisted on a full house to win everything. If he had just rolled a random number to compare, he wouldn't have lost so badly.

He could already foresee his dire situation. 7.5 million taels of silver—selling all the Plum Gang's assets, even if all the members sold their bodies, wouldn't raise that much money.

The gang leader would surely chop him up and feed him to the dogs.

Thinking of that tragic fate, he steeled his resolve and quietly extended his hand under the table, where a mechanism could change the dice in the cup.

At this point, he had no choice but to take the risk, hoping Chu Chuyan wouldn't notice.

Unfortunately, he couldn't imagine how powerful a Fifth Rank cultivator was. As soon as he moved his hand, a white frost swept over it, freezing it solid, preventing any movement.

"Planning to cheat, are you?" Chu Chuyan had been closely watching the entire time, especially since her efforts contributed to this bet. She wouldn't let anyone ruin it easily.

Zuan sighed, "I told you not to cheat, but you wouldn't listen. Go ahead, you open it." He casually pointed to a disciple beside Plum Seven.

"Open! Open! Open!"

The surrounding gamblers' eyes were red with excitement. Could they witness a miracle today?

Plum Seven was in a panic, about to speak, but felt a pressure that prevented him from uttering a word.

The chosen disciple swallowed hard and trembled as he lifted the dice cup, revealing three red ones facing up. Everyone erupted in excitement!

Even Chu Chuyan's breathing quickened:

A 150-to-1 payout, totaling 7.5 million taels. What did that mean?

Though the Chu family was said to be as wealthy as a nation, with their salt and weapons businesses bringing in a fortune daily, their annual profit was far from this amount.

Not just one year, but even three years of profit might not reach this much!

Zuan smiled at Plum Seven, "Thank you. If you hadn't insisted on stopping me, I might have only won 50,000 taels today. Now, I've won 7.5 million. Your mouth must be blessed. Here, take 10 taels for tea, thanks for your good words."

Hearing this, Plum Seven recalled how he had desperately tried to keep Zuan there. He had practically pushed him into this.

The 10 taels of silver glinted mockingly, and he couldn't hold back a spurt of blood, collapsing straight away.

Anger from Plum Seven +1024!

Zuan was immediately displeased, "Hey, don't think you can faint to escape. Someone, settle the money for me."

Back in the Plum Gang's headquarters, Mei Chaofeng was laughing, "Miss Qiao, you really don't need to worry. That good-for-nothing, once he enters the Silver Hook Gambling Den, even a tiger would have to lie down, and a dragon would have to coil. He's a notorious weakling. If he loses 100,000 or 200,000 taels, the Chu family won't tolerate him."

Xue'er nodded, "That's true. The Chu family has strict rules, and Lady Chu has always been dissatisfied with this good-for-nothing son-in-law. Even if he loses 10,000 or 20,000 taels, Lady Chu will likely kick him out."

"The only problem is that the Chu family's daughter is with him. She might not let him lose so much. Miss Qiao, why don't you find a way to distract her? My brothers in the gambling den can then take action."

Xue'er shook her head, "No, Miss Chu seems to suspect me. If I distract her now, my identity will be exposed. We can't risk it."

Mei Chaofeng laughed, "True. With you watching over Miss Chu, preventing her from being influenced by other men, the young master can be at ease."

Xue'er's face turned cold, "Don't speak ill of the young master behind his back."

"Just a joke," Mei Chaofeng laughed, but inwardly he was annoyed. You're just a maid, relying on the young master's favor to act high and mighty. One day, I'll make him give you to me, and you'll see what happens when you cross me.

Xue'er stood and looked toward the gambling den, recalling the recent arguments with Zuan. A hint of worry crossed her face, "Why do I have such a bad feeling?"

"You're worrying too much. A good-for-nothing like him can't amount to much," Mei Chaofeng said dismissively. Women are always afraid of this and that. "If I'm not mistaken, good news will come soon."

As he spoke, hurried footsteps approached, and a disciple rushed in, "Leader, Leader, it's bad, it's bad."

Mei Chaofeng's face darkened, "Who's bad? Slap yourself!"

The disciple, stunned, but knowing Mei Chaofeng's authority, knelt and slapped himself hard.

Mei Chaofeng slowly sipped his tea, "Remember, don't be so hasty in the future."

"Yes~" The disciple, feeling wronged, but not daring to argue, knelt silently.

Mei Chaofeng nodded in satisfaction, "Speak, what happened?"

The disciple reported, "We lost 50,000 taels."

"50,000?" Mei Chaofeng laughed. Though not as much as he hoped, Plum Seven had done well, especially under Miss Chu's watchful eye. "50,000 taels is enough to make the Chu family kick him out."

Xue'er also smiled, 50,000 taels was plenty. With her help, Lady Chu would definitely not tolerate him.

Seeing their misunderstanding, the disciple panicked, "Leader, we lost 50,000 taels!"

"What?" Mei Chaofeng's smile vanished, his eyes turning deadly, "What did you say?"

The disciple steeled himself and repeated, "The Silver Hook Gambling Den lost 50,000 taels to the Chu family's son-in-law."

Bang!

Mei Chaofeng crushed his teacup, furious, "What is Plum Seven doing, letting that good-for-nothing win so much? Even a pig at the table wouldn't lose 50,000 taels so quickly!"

"It was just one roll," the disciple explained.

"One roll?" Mei Chaofeng, stunned, demanded an explanation. The disciple recounted everything he knew.

After listening, Mei Chaofeng fell silent, his face softening. He waved the disciple away and resumed his tea.

Seeing his indifference, Xue'er couldn't hold back, "Why aren't you going to check? You've lost 50,000 taels."

"No rush," Mei Chaofeng said calmly, "Miss Qiao, be patient."

Xue'er coldly replied, "How can I not be anxious? If we fail the young master, you can't afford it!"

Mei Chaofeng, though angry, explained patiently, "If the gambling den lost 50,000 taels over many rounds, it would indicate a problem. But as you heard, it was just one roll. It was pure luck for Zuan."

"One roll is a fluke, but more rolls would minimize the chance. Relax, Plum Seven will win the money back and make him owe more."

Xue'er frowned, "What if Zuan stops gambling?"

Mei Chaofeng laughed, "I've seen too many of those types. They never know when to stop. Besides, Plum Seven will find a way to keep him gambling. Otherwise, he wouldn't be Plum Seven."

"Do you trust Plum Seven that much?" Xue'er asked.

"Of course. He's my best gambler and most reliable subordinate," Mei Chaofeng said proudly. "I've cultivated many talents over the years. Good news will come soon."

Just then, hurried footsteps approached. Mei Chaofeng pointed to the door, laughing, "See, it's already here."

Xue'er's face also showed a hint of a smile, impressed by the Plum Gang's efficiency.

A disciple, pale and staggering, rushed in, "Report... report... lost... lost 7.5 million taels!"

Mei Chaofeng's face darkened, "What have I taught you? You never learn, always so hasty..."

He paused, realizing something, and his voice rose, "What did you say?"

"7... 7.5 million taels of silver," the disciple trembled.

Mei Chaofeng was elated, "7.5 million taels! That kid is dead. The Chu family couldn't raise that much even if they sold everything!" He forgave the disciple's rashness, even he was breathless at the amount.

Xue'er was also shocked, "He lost 7.5 million taels?" She couldn't believe anyone could lose so much so quickly.

She was also relieved. If a few thousand taels were a small possibility, 7.5 million was impossible for the Chu family to cover. Even the wealthiest merchants in Mingyue City couldn't raise that much cash.

Mei Chaofeng poured a cup of wine for Xue'er, "Miss Qiao, your mission is complete. Congratulations on returning to the young master soon."