Chapter 4, The Casino as a Battlefield
If the opponent is the young master of the Tang family, any price is worth paying. The waters of Jiangnan are too shallow to accommodate a dragon like the young master. The businessman retracted his hand into his sleeve and forced a smile.
Ouyang Qingyun, with his pair of old eyes resembling those of a viper, fixedly stared at the young gentleman in splendid attire who had half-fallen into a state of bliss, as if he wished to swallow him whole, skin and bones: "The legendary young master of the Tang family... is it you?"
"Tang Dou! Do not go too far in your bullying!" Ouyang Qingyun glanced at Tang Dou, then at Ji Ruyu who was massaging his back, and finally could not help but shout.
The businessman picked up the property deeds from the table one by one and calculated the amount of silver represented by the deeds from both parties. He nodded and said, "Young Master, the capital that the Tang family can currently provide is just enough to settle the amount on the table. However, many friends around have not yet placed their bets, and I fear that you may not have enough money to cover their stakes."
After emptying four sheepskin bags, two jade plates are already piled high with two small mountains of pearls.
A young gentleman in splendid attire slowly descended the steps from the second floor. He wore a long robe made of light blue brocade, adorned with a flowing azure scholar's hat. A jade-inlaid folding fan was loosely tucked into his collar, while his lower half was clad in snow-white warrior pants, tightly bound at the legs, and he stepped into gray hemp shoes. His attire was a blend of formality and playfulness, half scholarly and half martial, creating an appearance that seemed somewhat out of place, yet exuded an air of carefree elegance. His face was long and slender, with sharp contours resembling a chiseled sculpture, and his lips were extremely thin, giving him a rather handsome demeanor. However, his cheekbones were exceptionally high, overshadowing his eyes, which appeared very small, almost squinting into mere slits, making it difficult to discern his gaze and adding a touch of absurdity to his overall appearance
Just as the Phoenix Gambling House was about to get through this difficult moment, a hurried voice suddenly rang out from outside: "Wait a moment, wait a moment, I haven't placed my bet yet"
The sound of "ding ding dong dong" from the pearls falling onto the jade plate was incessant, as countless pearls, as large as longan, round and pure white, radiated a spectrum of colors and flowed into the jade plate like a small stream. In that moment, the pearls and jade were in the same plate, shining in harmony, with flowing light and colors blending with the golden glow filling the room, making one feel as if they had entered the treasure vault of the Dragon Palace in the East China Sea
Today, Song is at his wit's end. Next, it depends on whether the friends from the martial world wish for the Nian Gang to win or for the Da Shao to triumph. As Song Wuhen said this, he pulled over a sandalwood chair from the betting table and comfortably sat down. Tang Dou nodded and also sat back in his reclining chair with a thud. At this moment, the members of the Nian Gang, Tang Men, Si Kou Tang, Ouyang, and Murong were all staring wide-eyed at the pile of silver coins stacked on several betting tables. For some reason, each person felt deep down that this night of high-stakes gambling would not end so peacefully.
When everyone heard this person's voice, at first they paid no attention, focusing instead on counting the silver coins on the betting table. Only Tang Dou immediately recognized the voice and suddenly slammed the table, shouting, "Did you not hear that someone wants to place a bet? Clear the way for me!"
"Ten thousand gold, to buy the wind and lose in Luoyang!" Murong Liu said in a deep voice
"Yes, Third Master has arrived!" A round-faced, middle-aged man dressed as a steward hurriedly ran out from the back hall and approached Tang Bing.
Tang Bing took a set of keys from his pocket and handed them to Tang Fu, saying, "Open locker number 1 and retrieve the items for me." Tang Fu nodded, took the keys, and turned to head back to the back room. After a while, Tang Fu returned to Tang Bing's side, tightly clutching a yellowed piece of paper, and carefully handed it to him.
Upon hearing the words "Young Master Tang," the cunning Tang Bing suddenly felt a surge of energy, his eyes gleaming with intensity. He chuckled softly and said in a deep voice, "The Young Master is busy with numerous affairs; such trivial matters are sufficient for me, a junior, to handle!" At this point, he suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "Tang Fu!"
Wutongling in Runzhou has been a sacred place for heroes of the rivers and lakes to compete fiercely and settle life and death since the Tang Dynasty. In the early Tang period, the Twelve Demons of Kunlun caused chaos in the Central Plains, only to be annihilated by the righteous heroes of the region at Wutongling. The duel between the King of Knives from Qingzhou and the Divine Knife of Taihang, the clash of the Famous Sword of Tianshan and the Divine Sword of the Yue Woman, the confrontation between the Divine Gun of the Frontier and the Gun King of the Central Plains, and the fierce battle between the Elders of Kunlun and the Staff Monks of Shaolin have all taken place in these untamed mountains. In the past thirty years, with the resurgence of the 'Record of the World's Best,' the duels at Wutongling have become even more frequent, akin to a continuous performance where one hero takes the stage after another, with countless brave souls inscribing their own chapters in the history of the rivers and lakes with blood and tears.
Upon hearing Tang Bing mention this person, Tan Heng's face, marked by a heavy build, slightly trembled. His fierce, large eyes revealed a hint of bewilderment, as if this name possessed a soul-corroding magic.
Under the provocation of Song Wuhen, the gamblers in the gambling house almost predictably placed their bets on Meng Duanhun. Watching the mountain of silver piled up on the betting table, Tang Dou's eyelids twitched three times, his eyes filled with murderous intent, and his hands, which were resting on the table, suddenly retracted into his sleeves.
"Old Ouyang, what do you want?" Tang Bing said sharply
Although the seven major sword sects in today's martial world are gradually declining, the eight prominent martial families have a long-standing heritage, with their origins traceable back to the Wei and Jin dynasties. Their deep-rooted foundations surpass many major sects in the martial world. The Murong family of South Lake is renowned for their Flying Phoenix Divine Spear and the Rain of Flowers Falling Golden Needles, being an old generation of concealed weapon experts. With a plethora of skilled masters and profound strength, they stand out uniquely in the martial world, being one of the eight prominent families.
Upon seeing his companion take the knife, the burly man displayed a look of pride on his face. He stepped back, raised both arms, and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Brothers, in this round of betting, the Tang family is collecting weapons, so come in and place your bets!"
The fellow practitioners present, upon witnessing this situation, saw the timid ones quickly scurry under the gambling table, while those who prided themselves on their status had no choice but to retreat to the corners, keeping a safe distance from the range of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons
I have long heard of the infamous name of Tang Bing. "The portly elder who entered the hall from the left door smiled and said, "I am Ouyang Qingyun from Taihu, a pleasure to meet you.
Do you know why I am called Tang Dou?" Tang Dou smiled broadly, his snow-white teeth gleaming under the bright lights, resembling a wolf that has caught sight of blood. He slowly took out a thick stack of property deeds from his bosom, mimicking the manner of a businessman, spreading them from the left side of the betting table all the way to the right, "The Tang Clan has one hundred pawn shops in the thirty-five states of Jian Nan, fifty gambling houses, fifty restaurants, and fifty brothels, all right here. That should be enough to exchange for your family assets in the two capitals, wouldn't it?"
Tang Dou tilted his head slightly, and his left hand seemed to perform a gesture in the air, making a circular motion as he gestured towards Song Wuhen, saying: "Mr. Song... please make your choice."
The reputation of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons is quite formidable. A lean old man entered through the right-hand door, his smile not reaching his eyes as he let out a grunt, "Nanhu Murong Liu, a pleasure to meet you"
As his roar subsided, countless robust men dressed in felt garments, similar to the large man, surged in through the open doors and windows of the gambling house, driving away the guests gathered around the various betting tables. In an instant, over a hundred gleaming ghost-headed sabers covered the entire gambling house. The leading burly man laughed heartily and proclaimed loudly: "One hundred and fifty four-barreled hall knives, worth fifteen thousand taels, bet on Feng Luoyang to lose"
The sky remains shrouded in the darkness of night, and in the Tang Dynasty's Runzhou, thousands of households are enveloped in silence, with everyone immersed in sweet dreams. However, at the foothills of Wutong Ridge in the southern mountains of Runzhou, there is a dazzling display of lights, a cacophony that shakes the heavens, and an extraordinary liveliness that contrasts sharply with the quietude of Runzhou City
Twenty taels, to purchase Meng Duanhun's loss
Tang Dou let out a cold smile, took a dried red date from the bag in his hand, flicked his wrist, and tossed it towards Song Wuhen. Song Wuhen raised his hand and cleanly caught the dried red date.
The plump steward Tang lowered his head and hurried into the back hall. After a short while, he trembled as he held a land deed on a tray, stumbling as he walked to Tang Bing's side
Old Murong! Even if Tang Bing is a Buddha, she has her temper. Finally unable to hold back, she slammed the table fiercely, "Do you want to suppress me with your authority?"
Hahaha... Just moments ago, Tang Dou, who had a fierce look in his eyes, now leisurely took out a pack of dried red dates from his sleeve, grabbed one, and casually tossed it into his mouth, chewing vigorously: "Mr. Song... Gulp... So it turns out that both the Nian Gang and the Chun Jiu formation have been mobilized, they really think highly of me, the young master of the Tang family."
Apologies, "Murong Liuwei squinted his eyes, seemingly quite pleased with the display of prowess from his clansmen. He slowly tilted his head back, rolled his eyes, and said lightly, "The item is a bit heavy." He gestured to the four skilled individuals who had come to his side, "Place it up."
He raised his body, brushed off his robe, placed his left leg on the recliner behind him, and scanned the room with his eyes. Suddenly, he exclaimed loudly: "Feng Luoyang is my sworn brother Tang Dou, and I know his abilities best. I, Tang Dou, am willing to bet on him, even if it costs me my life!"
The businessman glanced at the gold and pearls on either side, smiled slightly, and said, "It is indeed not easy to carry, and it is not the style of our guild. We are accustomed to betting on family fortunes." With that, the businessman slowly took out a thick stack of land deeds from his bosom, spreading them from the left side of the betting table to the right.
Hmph! Seeing the four coffin bearers from the Murong family so ostentatious, Tang Bing's facial muscles involuntarily twitched twice. The experts from the Murong lineage are so ruthless; it seems that today's enmity is firmly established.
Ouyang Qingyun has roamed the rivers and lakes for forty years, witnessing countless storms and rains, encountering innumerable heroes and legends. However, never has there been anyone who dared to look down upon him in such a manner
His left hand stretched out, embracing the waist of a tall beauty with brown hair and blue eyes, whose appearance was as radiant as peach blossoms. This beauty seemed utterly enchanted by the embrace of the elegantly dressed young man, her entire body nestled against him like a cat, as if she wished to burrow into his arms.
The land deed of the Phoenix Gambling House is worth at least 200 East Pearls!" Tang Bing snatched the deed and slammed it onto the gambling table, "What else do you have to say?"
These two characters are representatives of two prominent families, masters of the martial arts world. At this moment, they have both arrived at the Tangmen Phoenix Gambling House, and their intentions are indeed intriguing
The young man in splendid attire lazily glanced at him, shrugged his shoulders, and gestured to Tang Bing, who was standing respectfully beside him. Tang Bing immediately took the initiative, along with his subordinates, to bring over a reclining chair woven from purple bamboo branches. The young man in splendid attire dusted off his clothes, his legs softened, and he comfortably lay back in the chair, pointing to his shoulders. The beauty beside him giggled and moved behind him to gently massage his shoulders.
"Have one, Mr. Song, it is good for enhancing vitality," Tang Dou said with a lazy smile.
At that moment, a member of the Ouyang clan, with a face full of panic, rushed in from outside the door and quickly walked to Ouyang Qingyun's side, whispering a few words in his ear
As soon as the members of the Ouyang family caught sight of the beauty's face, they erupted in an uproar, exclaiming in unison: "Second Lady?"
The wind blows from all directions, yet I refuse to believe that everyone bets on the wind and loses in Luoyang. Tang Dou propped himself up on the table with both arms, leaned forward, and brought his head close to this mysterious figure from the gang.
He raised his hand, cradling Jiru Yu's face: "Look at this girl, just blossoming at the age of eighteen. When she turns thirty, that will be the time when a woman needs you the most. May I ask where you will be? A handful of loess, a pile of dung." As he spoke, he seemed to become agitated by his own words, suddenly sitting up straight, pulling out the jade folding fan from behind his neck, and pointing it at Ouyang Qingyun, "They say a fresh flower is placed in cow dung, and the cow dung refers to you, do you understand?"
"What are you doing?" Tang Bing saw the situation and immediately shouted angrily. With a wave of his hands, the disciples of the Tang Sect, who had already been arranged within the gambling house, rushed in like a swarm, forming a neat circle to protect Tang Dou.
Four burly men were slowly carrying a fine willow wood coffin towards the open door of the gambling house. With each step they took, their feet sank deeply into the yellow earth road, kicking up dust that rose over a foot high. As they entered the gambling house, the two men at the front simultaneously stomped their right feet heavily on the ground, producing a resounding "boom". The outermost blue stone slab in the hall shattered into pieces, sending fragments flying several feet away, causing the onlookers from the martial world to retreat in haste.
There is no need to point it out. Eight thousand taels is neither more nor less. The members of the Gui family are united in purpose, and there are not many sects in the martial world that are so united. " As Song Wuhen spoke, a hint of emotion appeared in his eyes. "Young Master, you also know that our gang has just received bad news; the Autumn Altar Master Bu Xi has passed away, leaving the position of altar master vacant. If the Young Master is interested, I am willing to speak on your behalf to the gang leader...
Although Tang Bing was aware that the old fox Ouyang Qingyun was not here for good intentions, he knew that with his own strength and the current forces of the Tang Sect stationed in the gambling house, he could not possibly withstand the combined attack of the two masters, Murong and Ouyang. At this moment, he found himself in a difficult position, and could only grit his teeth in silence, forcing a smile as he said: "It is rare for both seniors to be willing to join this excitement; I, as a junior, wholeheartedly welcome you. Please place your bets..." He raised his hand and gestured invitingly.
A broken ghost head knife, worth one hundred taels. The gambling house attendant grabbed the ghost head knife and turned to place it in the cabinet
That year, a member of the Nian Gang stood up slowly with a confident smile, clasping his fists towards the surrounding heroes of the Jianghu: "Esteemed gentlemen, I am Song Wuhen of the Nian Gang. In the past, I bore the unworthy title of 'The Swordsman of Last Night,' having delved somewhat into swordsmanship. I understand that a peerless swordsman must not solely focus on sword techniques. Feng Luoyang has been famous for ten years, never parting with his sword, and has already committed the grave error of a top swordsman; his defeat is merely a matter of time. He has clung to the title of the world's number one swordsman for over ten years, tirelessly striving day after day, utterly exhausted, like a candle in the wind, about to extinguish. Betting on his loss today is undoubtedly a sure profit."
Ouyang Qingyun, on the other hand, is even more eye-catching. Since the Ouyang family fell from grace due to the actions of the Mutianghou, they have been in decline, suffering the loss of many skilled masters. However, Ouyang Qingyun, relying solely on his own strength, has reformed the family, trained heroes, and restored the Ouyang clan to its former glory. It is said that his Jade Flute Sword Technique is unique, surpassing the swordsmanship of his ancestors, and he has reinterpreted the ancient techniques to master the Taohu's ultimate skill—Xianyin Shehun. Moreover, the Ouyang family's comprehensive martial arts have become even more profound and unstoppable in his hands, making him a nemesis to all masters of hidden weapons in the martial world. He is referred to as the Canghai Guest by the people of the martial world, a title that reflects their admiration for his skills.
The gamblers gathered around the betting table and the disciples of the Tang Clan were momentarily taken aback by the sound, unsure why the young master of the Tang family was so fixated on the bets of this ordinary gambler. At that moment, Tang Dou, who had been lazily slouched in his chair, surprisingly stood up, leaned forward over the betting table, and pushed aside the gambler blocking his way, allowing the person who had just spoken to approach the betting table directly in front of him
As the words of the silent recluse echoed, a heavy sound of footsteps resonated throughout the Phoenix Gambling House, akin to a sudden roll of thunder, profoundly shaking the chests of the hundreds of martial artists within. Many of the guests who had just been frightened enough to hide under the gambling tables now began to rise, peering curiously towards the entrance.
"Manager Tang, please do not misunderstand; I have never doubted the reputation of your gambling house." Ouyang Qingyun seemed to have anticipated Tang Bing's move, smiling calmly, "In fact, I feel that your gambling house is very sincere, which is why I am willing to increase my bet a little to enhance the excitement."
So it is you, esteemed one. Since you have stated that Feng Luoyang will lose, how can we possibly bet on his victory
"What is all this noise about?" Suddenly, a slightly hoarse yet refreshing male voice drifted down from the second floor of the gambling house. Upon hearing this voice, the clamor of shouting and discussion in the hall came to an abrupt halt. Everyone involuntarily looked up towards the staircase leading to the second floor. The entire gambling house fell silent.
"Delightful, delightful, such a bold gamble is truly interesting." Ouyang Qingyun, with a face full of admiration, clapped his hands twice and said loudly, "With both of you displaying such magnificent spirit, you have stirred up my own enthusiasm. Come, come!"
Ah, Murong brother, your actions this time are truly excessive; is this not putting Tang manager in a difficult position?" Ouyang Qingyun chuckled, then turned to Tang Bing and said, "If the esteemed manager is unable to make a decision, perhaps it would be better to let the young master of the Tang family come out to meet us.
The businessman smiled amiably, spread his hands, and helplessly said: "Just as the two old men Ouyang Murong said, a business that guarantees profit and no loss, how could we let it slip by"
At this moment, a smile as cold as ice appeared on Tang Bing's face as she slightly nodded to her companion, signaling him to proceed without hesitation
"Manager Tang, do you have sufficient capital?" Murong Liu asked leisurely, "If not, this Phoenix Gambling House will have to close its doors."
The gambling house attendant lowered his head to glance at the handle of the Nine-Loop Ghost Head Knife, and saw that the end of the handle was inlaid with four small rings made of red gold, surrounding the handle in a manner reminiscent of stars encircling the moon
"One or two?" Tan Heng's eyes flashed with fierce light, "A single knife can be worth ten thousand taels, yet one hundred and fifty knives are only worth one tael. How can there be such reasoning in the world?"
Decades ago, there was already an inn on Wutong Ridge specifically for wandering heroes to rest, known as the Phoenix Inn. The innkeepers have been shrewd and capable for generations, full of wisdom and resourcefulness. The current Phoenix Innkeeper is even more remarkable; not only has he expanded the original premises, but he has also opened a Phoenix gambling house on one side of the inn, allowing wandering heroes to evaluate the skills of the world's top masters and bet on the life-and-death outcomes of their duels. As a result, the business at the Phoenix Nest has flourished, with a steady stream of guests and daily profits pouring in, thriving exceptionally well.
At this point, he turned his head and said in a low voice to a clan member who had just been in charge of the East Pearl, "Go and call Second Mother here."
This day marks the grand occasion when the world's foremost swordsman, Feng Luoyang, and the recently risen demonic sword, Meng Duanhun, vie for the title of the greatest sword in the world. Masters from various factions and families gather at the Phoenix Gambling House, eagerly wishing to partake in this earth-shattering gamble. All the usual gambling equipment has been completely cleared away, leaving only bets on Feng Luoyang and Meng Duanhun. In front of each betting table, a throng of fierce-looking heroes from the martial world jostle for position, hastily placing large sums of silver on the table.
"Two hundred pieces of Dongzhu, I also bet that Feng Luoyang will lose!" Ouyang Qingyun said with a smile
Humph! Murong Liu let out a cold snort and raised a hand, saying: "Carry him in for me"
"Good! Senior Ouyang is indeed generous!" The fierce lion Tan Heng finally found an opportunity to strike while the iron is hot, and would not let it pass. "Tang Bing, do you still have any capital? If you don't have any principal, immediately shut down this gambling house and roll back to Jian Nan."
A sickly crimson hue gradually surfaced on Tang Dou's pale yellow face, as if a game had reached its most thrilling moment: "The Tang family has just arrived in Jiangnan, their foundation is not yet solid; is it really necessary for the noble faction to make such a significant move?"
What? Ouyang Qingyun completely changed his usual image of being shrewd and deep-thinking, his eyes wide open as he blurted out.
Last night, the swordsman Song Wuhen! Is it him! Upon hearing Song Wuhen announce his name, the figures from the martial world in the gambling house were immediately in an uproar. The world's number one swift sword, Song Wuhen, had already shaken the martial world twenty years ago. It is said that the previous number one swordsman fought against him at Mount Hua, and after three hundred exchanges, he lost by half a move. After that, he attained great enlightenment, sheathed his sword, mingled in the market, and delved into the study of business. Twenty years later, he earned the title of God of Wealth, accumulated merit, rose to the position of the Year Gang's headquarters, and became the right-hand man of the gang leader. Unexpectedly, this time at the Phoenix gambling match, the Year Gang actually mobilized the power of the gang leader.
"Why should the shopkeeper be angry?" Ouyang Qingyun laughed heartily, "I encountered a Western beauty in Yangzhou, whose singing is like a yellow oriole and whose dancing is like a flying swallow. Not only is she proficient in various dances from the Central Plains, but she has also mastered the dances of Persia, the Turks, Kucha, and the various nations of the Great Food. I am extremely fond of her and had intended to wait a few days to choose an auspicious time to marry her. Who would have thought that today I would come across a rare grand gambling event in the martial world? Reluctantly, I can only part with her, willing to wager her for one thousand taels of gold! I am extremely fond of her and had intended to wait a few days to choose an auspicious time to marry her. Who would have thought that today I would come across a rare grand gambling event in the martial world? Reluctantly, I can only part with her, willing to wager her for one thousand taels of gold! I wonder if the three characters 'Ji Ru Yu' are worth this price?"
Tang Bing was the last to step forward, slamming a thousand taels of flying money onto the table, and said sternly: "One thousand taels, to buy Meng Duanhun's defeat!"
"Speak freely, how much gold, silver, and jewels has your gang brought? Just take them out," Tang Dou said impatiently. As soon as he spoke, everyone was taken aback. It turned out that this seemingly inconspicuous businessman actually represented the world's largest gang—the Nian Gang—coming alone. This person's identity was enough to provoke endless speculation.
Immediately following this, over a hundred strongmen wielding long shields surged into the hall from various wall openings, forming a scale-like formation around Song Wuhen, with dozens of steel shields completely obscuring his figure. Following them were more than a hundred archers, each holding a powerful bow of eighty stones, standing in neat rows behind the shield formation, their dark iron-tipped arrows aimed directly at the vital points of Tang Dou.
A drop of cold sweat slowly slid down Tang Bing's forehead, causing him to feel a wave of numbness and discomfort. However, he could only stand expressionless with his hands behind his back, afraid to wipe it away, fearing that such a movement would reveal his true feelings. Yet, his increasingly intense heartbeat was impossible to conceal.
The three-part sword technique of Feng Luoyang is nothing more than a child's play; I have long since lost faith in him
Four mouths... Four mouth hall! The gambling house attendant, upon seeing this, quickly turned his head and cast a questioning glance at the gambling house's master, the ruthless Tang Bing, who was busy attending to the guests.
Song Wuhen glanced at the subordinates surrounding him, his expression darkening, seemingly blaming them for making a fuss and prematurely exposing the plans of the Nian Gang: "The young master's skills in hidden weapons are unparalleled in the world. This time, bringing along a few more people is the leader's consideration for us old subordinates"
Tang Bing seized the paper and forcefully slapped it onto the betting table in front of him, stating in a deep voice: "The deed to the Phoenix Inn, you all are discerning individuals and should know how much this is worth."
The fox's tail has finally been revealed!" Tang Bing glared venomously at the elder of the Ouyang family and raised her voice again, "Tang Fu, open cabinet number two!"
At this moment, the gamblers in the casino all recognized the enmity between the Four Mouths Hall and the Tang family, and all eyes were focused on Tang Bing's face. Tang Bing showed no signs of surprise; instead, he smiled and slowly walked up to the burly man, cupping his hands in greeting: "The Tang family is new to the Jiangnan East Road and is quite unfamiliar with the faces of our friends in the martial world. I did not realize that this esteemed brother is actually the incense master, the Fierce Lion Tan Heng, of the Four Mouths Hall's Runzhou branch. I apologize for my ignorance"
At that moment, two thunderous booms pierced the eardrums of everyone in the hall. The large doors of the gambling house, sealed by the disciples of the Tang Sect, suddenly burst open simultaneously. Two elderly men, both dressed in elegant robes and with white hair and beards, entered with hearty laughter, accompanied by dozens of young men in green attire, each carrying a standard four-blade hall knife.
As soon as these words were spoken, a group of young wanderers in the gambling house could not contain their excitement and simultaneously burst into laughter.
In this world, what I hate the most is an old man marrying a young wife
You have finally taken action said Tang Dou, narrowing his eyes into a thin slit
Thirty-nine taels, buy Fengluo in Luoyang to win
Damn it! Feng Luoyang should have rolled off the throne of the world's number one sword ten years ago! What is he worth? His hand is like a cramp, unable to let go of the sword, making it dizzying to watch. I knew ten years ago that he would definitely decline, and today I finally waited for this day. I bet one hundred and ten taels on his loss!" A burly man, draped in a woolen cloak, pushed aside several wandering guests blocking his way, unfastened the silver pouch hanging from his waist, and tossed it onto the betting table in front of him.
His furious shout was like the sound of thunder, rumbling and echoing for several miles. With his shout, a tremendous noise simultaneously erupted from the three walls of the Phoenix Gambling House. The walls to the east, west, and north suddenly broke open with several large holes, and more than a dozen muscular men in swift attire, wielding formidable weapons—steel wolf-toothed clubs—charged into the gambling house amidst the crumbling walls.
One hundred taels, buy Fengluo and win in Luoyang
Tang Bing tightly pressed her lips together, cold sweat trickling down from her forehead. At this moment, the Four Families Hall, the South Lake Murong, and the Taihu Ouyang clans had joined forces to confront the Tang Sect. If they were to clash head-on, it would result in total annihilation; yet, the enemy's forces were advancing, leaving no room for retreat. In this instant, Tang Bing's mind went blank, unsure of what to do.
With a loud clap, Tang Dou forcefully struck the betting table, his face flushed with excitement, as if he had just downed several glasses of fine wine. "Listening to Mr. Song speak is truly invigorating. Feel free to use any means you have at your disposal."
Even Mr. Lian Song does not have a favorable view of him; do we really have better insight than he does? I bet on his loss
Brother Tan, have you not heard: rarity adds value. Take the Si Koutang knife for instance; having one holds some commemorative significance and often reminds me that there once was a Si Koutang in the martial world. If there were one hundred and fifty of them, I would have to ponder whether the Jiangnan martial arts community needs a thorough cleaning up. At this point, Tang Bing's face was already shrouded in a severe frost.
"The coffin is delivered to you," Murong Liumu said coldly, without any expression.
Poisonous Hand Tang Bing is one of the renowned Three Generals of the Tang Clan from Sichuan, with an extraordinary background. After monopolizing business in Shu, the Tang Clan, with its keen insight, set its sights on the treasure land of Wutong Ridge, the Phoenix Nest. They not only skillfully seized the Phoenix Inn from the martial arts family, the Hua Clan, but also established the coveted Phoenix Gambling House, creating a solid outpost for the Tang Clan's advance into the Central Plains' martial arts world. Poisonous Hand Tang Bing became the top choice to oversee the Phoenix Gambling House, showcasing his formidable strength.
"Ah, Mr. Song, I appreciate your good intentions." Tang Dou patted his chest forcefully and said proudly, "But the only thing that can ride on top of my head is my own hair!"
The magic sword of Meng Duanhun can defeat the Young Master of Super Sea; could it possibly be defeated by a mere Feng Luoyang?
Manager Tang need not be suspicious; today we happen to meet, having come together with friends from the Si Kou Tang. We share similar aspirations and all believe that Feng Luoyang will certainly not be able to defeat the newly risen Demon Sword Master, Meng Duanhun. This is a sure-win business opportunity that has piqued the interest of our two families. The Tang Clan would not be so stingy as to prevent us two old-timers from earning a little profit, would they?" Ouyang Qingyun, noticing Tang Bing's expression, smiled lightly and said in a deep voice. "The Tang Clan would not be so stingy as to prevent us two old-timers from earning a little profit, would they?" Ouyang Qingyun, noticing Tang Bing's expression, smiled lightly and said in a deep voice.
Back then, Liu Qing, the original young master, was supposed to challenge Feng Luoyang. Who would have thought that he had to stay home to observe mourning for his father and missed the opportunity? Otherwise, Feng Luoyang would not have been the number one sword in the world three years ago. I bet on his loss
In Chang'an and Luoyang, there are fifty pawnshops, twenty-five brothels, twenty-five gambling houses, one hundred taverns, and twenty courtyards. Please take a look, young master. The businessman said with a squint and a smile.
"If you open a casino, you must be able to afford the losses; if you cannot afford it, then roll back to Jianan from Jiangnan." The four masters of the Qinglong Pavilion, standing behind Murong Liu and Ouyang Qingyun, spoke in unison.
Under the watchful eyes of the people in the bustling Jianghu, four skilled members of the Murong family stacked gleaming gold bricks high on the betting table as if building a wall. When they placed the final gold brick atop this towering pile, a series of sharp cracks echoed, and the four slanted wooden legs of the betting table could no longer bear the heavy weight, simultaneously breaking apart. The entire tabletop crashed down with a loud thud, sinking deeply into the bluestone floor.
With his call, two members of the Ouyang family rushed in from outside the gambling house, each carrying a large jade plate. They swiftly approached the empty betting table in front of Tang Bing, and with a "clang, clang," placed the jade plates side by side. Then, each of them unfastened two leather pouches from their waists and tilted the pouches over the jade plates.
"Quite fair indeed," Murong Liu said with a cold smile. "I didn't expect Manager Tang to possess such courage."
Song Wuhen, who had been secretly observing his every move, suddenly raised his hand and said sternly: "Young Master, do not act rashly!"
Tang Bing! You are wreaking havoc in the Tang family's gambling den, disregarding the rules of the martial world!" Tan Heng's ghostly blade has been put away in the cabinet, and at this moment, he is unarmed. Faced with the Tang family's treacherous hidden weapons, his expression changes instantly as he speaks sternly.
The burly man let out a cold laugh, then with his right hand, he swung behind him. Following that, he slammed down on the betting table, and a nine-ringed ghost head knife, measuring four feet in length and with a blade width of half a foot, instantly spread across the entire table. The man grinned maliciously and said, "Take a good look at the markings on this knife. Is it worth one hundred taels?"
Hahaha! Tang Bing laughed dryly twice, using it to mask the fear in his heart. "I had previously heard Senior Ouyang mention wanting to take out the coffin funds for some fun, but I never expected that Senior Murong would actually bring out the coffin. Please take it easy, if you really lose everything, you might have to carry the coffin back."
As soon as he finished speaking, a series of loud explosions echoed, and the doors and windows of the Phoenix Gambling House were suddenly sealed by the disciples of the Tang Sect who had appeared. Ten skilled Tang Sect members, wearing deer leather gloves, emerged simultaneously from various vantage points on the second floor of the gambling house, each holding a handful of the Tang family's unique Night Flower Nails, standing ready in formation
Yes, indeed! The disciples of the Tang Sect in the gambling house shouted in unison, each reaching into their bosoms to place the scattered silver coins, jewels, and flying money they carried onto the betting table.
Tang Douchao gestured to Tang Fu, who immediately brought over a comfortable sandalwood chair and placed it behind the stranger. The man nodded in greeting, bent down to pull the chair a little closer, and sat down tightly against the betting table
Tang Bing squinted his eyes and cupped his hands towards the two elders, saying, "Senior Ouyang, Senior Murong, it is an honor to have you visit my humble place. May I ask what brings you here?" He glanced at the men in green who were carrying the four-blade hall knives. These men were all skilled members of the Qinglong Pavilion, the main branch of the Four-Blade Hall, and rarely made appearances. How could they be here alongside the two great masters, Ouyang and Murong? Tang Bing's mind raced, but he could not discern the relationship between the Ouyang and Murong families and the Four-Blade Hall.
Murong Liu is the foremost expert of the Danqing Courtyard at Nanhushan Villa, known in the martial world by the title "Silent Recluse," which describes his skills with hidden weapons as akin to the gentle rain of spring nights, nourishing all without a sound. This, of course, is a literary embellishment by the historians of the martial world; in reality, it would be remarkable if one could make a sound after being struck by his golden needles.
In today's martial world, there is only one rule: the strong are king! My family's young master has issued a decree that anyone who disrupts the gambling house will be killed without mercy. The face of the poison hand, Tang Bing, revealed a trace of a cruel smile, as if the act of killing was an irresistible pleasure for him
Mr. Song, you underestimate the Tang Sect too much. " Tang Dou spread his hands and said loudly, " Brothers, let the martial arts community of Jiangnan witness the benefits of us people from Yizhou.
"Very well, I, Song Wuhen, admire young heroes like the Young Master the most." At this moment, Song Wuhen seemed to have shed the shell of the anxious businessman he had just been, regaining the charisma of his former self who once dominated the martial world. "If the Young Master can overcome today's challenge, I, Song, will surely share a drink with you to reminisce about this night on another day."
The middle-aged man sighed as he gazed at Tang Dou, as if lamenting that such a talented young man from the martial world was about to lose everything in this bet. After Tang Dou finished speaking, he also sensed a peculiar emotion permeating the gambling house among the martial artists, as if they did not agree with what he had just said, yet no one voiced their dissent.
Four bearers of the coffin moved swiftly, arriving instantly at the betting platform to the left front of Tang Bing. With a loud "bang," they placed the wooden coffin on the ground and opened the lid. In that moment, a dreamlike golden stream of light burst forth like a fountain, spreading throughout the entire gambling house, coating every person's face with a layer of exquisite golden brilliance. The coffin was filled with rows of long, solid gold ingots. Each ingot was large enough to provide for a family of four in the Tang dynasty for a full thirty years.
A croupier standing in front of the betting table picked up a silver pouch, weighed it in his hand, and with a forced smile said, "Sir, there are only ten taels here."
Tang Bing nodded excitedly, straightened his chest, and said loudly: "Since your Ouyang family does not have Miss Ji placing a bet, then my Tang Sect has no lack of capital to speak of. With the hour of the rabbit approaching, those who have not yet placed their bets should do so quickly."
"Ji Ruyu!" Upon hearing these three words, the gambling house erupted in exclamations. The renowned courtesan Ji Ruyu, known as the Flower Dance Goddess, is famous in both capitals and well-known in the martial world. Many in the martial community would rather sell all their possessions just to witness Ji Ruyu's graceful dance. Now, Ouyang Qingyun has actually placed a bet on her, which is truly a rare and bold move in the martial world
Excuse me, everyone. The newcomer was a short-statured businessman with a kind face, appearing to lack any semblance of a rogue. He approached the betting table, bent down, and cupped his hands towards Tang Dou, saying: "Young Master, I have traveled a long way and am tired; may I borrow a chair"
Tang Bing smiled slightly: "A four-blade hall knife is indeed worth one hundred taels of silver. To be honest, even if you were to pledge one thousand taels or ten thousand taels, the Tang family would still accept it without hesitation. However, for one hundred and fifty pieces... heh heh, I fear you can only pledge one tael."
Seeing Ouyang Qingyun at a loss, it was not a cause for concern. Tang Dou turned his head and gave Tang Bing a knowing glance
Hmph. Song Wuhen slightly shook his head, ignoring the mockery directed at him. "Young Master, there are approximately over 8,000 taels of broken silver on the gambling table now. If your Phoenix Gambling House cannot produce the principal, it will collapse just the same"
His voice was exceptionally loud when he spoke, and all the gamblers present heard it clearly.
Without further ado! Having had his identity revealed, Tan Heng did not bother to be polite with Tang Bing, but coldly stated, "Brother, the fifteen thousand taels I have wagered, will you accept it or not?"
"You, you, you..." Even though Ouyang Qingyun had been enduring, now that his wife and concubines had been taken away and he was met with the harsh words of the young master of the Tang family, his mind was overwhelmed with anger, leaving him in a daze. He could not even articulate the most basic rebuttal, reduced to incoherent mumbling.