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Chapter 389: Bluebeard Appears
Chapter 389: Bluebeard Appears
"Going once, going twice, sold!"
"Small!"
"Big!"
"Sixes!"
"Open!"
"One, two, four, a point of seven!"
The sounds of gambling filled the air from all directions. Most people were immersed in the excitement of the games, their faces lit up with anticipation. Many glanced at Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou, but no one approached them.
The two men didn't seem to mind. Hua Manlou casually asked the burly man leading them, "Is your boss here?"
"Of course," the burly man replied.
"May we pay him a visit?" Hua Manlou inquired.
The burly man scoffed, "This is a gambling house. You're only allowed to gamble here!"
Hua Manlou smiled indifferently, his expression unbothered, "Since we can't meet your boss, I guess I'll have to make him come see me then."
The burly man looked at Hua Manlou as if he were an idiot.
He was just a guide and bouncer at the gambling house, and though he had some martial arts skills, he couldn't discern the true strengths of Su Shaoying and Hua Manlou.
Su Shaoying was content to watch the commotion, and Hua Manlou didn't seem like the forceful type.
The two strolled towards a nearby gaming table. The croupier had just placed the dice cup down and released it for the players to place their bets.
"Did you bring money?" Su Shaoying asked.
Hua Manlou nodded with a slight smile, "A little."
As he spoke, he withdrew a silver ticket from his sleeve and placed it on the 'Small' bet.
"One thousand taels, small," Hua Manlou said calmly.
Even in the Silver Hook Gambling House, a thousand taels of silver was no small sum. The surrounding gamblers turned to look at Hua Manlou, wondering which wealthy young master had just joined them.
The croupier's expression changed, but he remained silent.
A restaurant owner wouldn't refuse a big-bellied customer, and a gambling house certainly wouldn't turn away large bets.
After a moment, the players finished placing their bets. The croupier lifted the dice cup, revealing a roll of 'one, one, three'—a small point of five.
Hua Manlou had just won a thousand taels.
The following scenes repeated the same pattern. Hua Manlou won five games in a row, turning his initial stake into thirty thousand taels.
Everyone's faces changed. It was clear to all that the man before them was a skilled gambler.
However, in the sixth game, Hua Manlou didn't place a bet.
"Why aren't you betting?" the croupier asked.
"Why must I bet?" Hua Manlou countered.
The croupier narrowed his eyes, "Once you're at the table, you have to place a bet!"
"Alright!" Hua Manlou nodded and pulled out a silver ticket, pushing it forward.
The croupier took a clear look—on the ticket was written 'Ten Taels of Silver'.
"Are you joking with me?" The croupier's expression turned ugly.
Hua Manlou looked at the croupier and smiled gently, "What's the matter? Is ten taels of silver not considered money? Is the Silver Hook Gambling House a place where you can only lose money and not win?"
"Of course not!"
The croupier's forehead was starting to bead with sweat. He noticed the unfriendly glances the gamblers were shooting his way, "Haven't you heard? Not many guests leave here with winnings!"
"Exactly!"
"That's right!"
"Then shall we continue?" Hua Manlou smiled.
The croupier gritted his teeth, lifted the dice cup, and revealed three dice, each showing a six—an 'eighteen' point, a sure win for the house!
Hua Manlou had the ability to change the numbers on the dice without a sound, but he wasn't the type to cheat.
"Actually, if you agree to a condition of mine, I'll bet all thirty thousand taels on 'Small' for the next roll.
"Take me to see Bluebeard," Hua Manlou said.
The croupier's face changed, and he turned his head slightly, only to see a young man in a green robe and a small hat approach them. The youth bowed and invited them, "Greetings, esteemed gentlemen. My master requests your presence in a private room."
...
In the private room, there were two people.
One was a cultured and amiable-looking middle-aged man, and the other was a breathtaking beauty with eyes like blooming plums.
"Are you Bluebeard?" Hua Manlou asked.
"Indeed, I am Bluebeard," the cultured man replied with a smile. "In front of you, Flower Full House and Su Shao Ying, I see no need to hide."
Hua Manlou smiled faintly and sat down across from Bluebeard. "Did you say the same to Lu Xiaofeng?"
Bluebeard laughed, "I'm just a gambling house owner; how dare I put on airs in front of Lu Xiaofeng?"
Suddenly, Su Shao Ying asked, "Are you from Shu?"
Bluebeard was slightly taken aback. "Why does Su Xiaoyadi ask this?"
"Because the skill you use to turn your beard blue, is it not the face-changing technique of Shu?" Su Shao Ying inquired.
Bluebeard smiled, "I didn't expect Su Xiaoyadi to know about face-changing. It's just a small trick from a small place."
As he spoke, Bluebeard lifted his long sleeve to cover his face lightly, paused for a moment, and then lowered his sleeve to reveal a completely different face—a fierce visage with thick eyebrows, sharp teeth, and a bushy beard. The beard was so dark, it appeared blue, hence the name Bluebeard.
"Impressive!" Su Shao Ying applauded and smiled.
Bluebeard once again swept his sleeve across his face, and the mask and beard vanished, returning his appearance to that of the cultured middle-aged man. However, neither Su Shao Ying nor Hua Manlou could be sure if this was his true face.
"Flower Full House and Su Xiaoyadi, have you come to find Lu Xiaofeng?" Bluebeard asked.
"We know Lu Xiaofeng has already left," Hua Manlou replied nonchalantly.
Bluebeard's eyes flickered, and he sighed, "Indeed, I was wrong in that matter. When Lu Xiaofeng returns, I will definitely offer a compensatory feast."
"Where has Lu Xiaofeng gone?" Hua Manlou asked.
Bluebeard assured them, "Rest assured, Lu Xiaofeng is in no danger. On the contrary, if you two go, Lu Xiaofeng might encounter unforeseen troubles."
Intrigued, Su Shao Ying asked, "How so?"
"You must be aware that Lu Xiaofeng is accompanied by the Three Friends of Cold Seasons from the Kunlun Mountain's Xiaotianlong Cave," Bluebeard explained. "Their goal is the Rakshasa Plaque."
"Indeed," Su Shao Ying confirmed.
"If Lu Xiaofeng finds the Rakshasa Plaque, will he hand it over to them?" Bluebeard asked.
"Lu Xiaofeng won't want that jade plaque," Hua Manlou stated.
"And since Lu Xiaofeng can't defeat the Three Friends of Cold Seasons, he will have no choice but to give them the plaque," Bluebeard continued.
"But if we were there, it would be different," Su Shao Ying added.
Bluebeard smiled, "Regardless, no one stands a chance against the combined might of Lu Xiaofeng, Flower Full House, and Su Shao Ying."
Bluebeard's intention was clear. He implied that if Hua Manlou and Su Shao Ying showed up, it might trigger an adverse reaction from the Three Friends of Cold Seasons.
"What about the Flying Jade Tiger?" Hua Manlou asked.
Bluebeard was taken aback for a moment before a smile appeared on his face. "Rest assured, the Flying Jade Tiger will not harm Lu Xiaofeng."
(End of Chapter)
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