Immortal Cage - Chapter 43: Walking into a Dead End
(Listen to feedback, the previous chapter has been revised and polished quite a bit, with over four thousand words, so it's split into two chapters for easier reading. Readers who have read it can proceed directly to the next chapter or take another glance.)
Yu Lie did not leave immediately.
Beside him, the gambling house attendants were somewhat caught off guard, signaling to nearby colleagues and supervisors.
Footsteps approached, and people immediately gathered around Yu Lie.
But Yu Lie remained calm. He was not a naive newcomer to the Dao, nor was he a clerk at the gambling house. He had not committed any taboos, nor had he signed any agreements for gambling. There was no need for him to fear.
In the town of Blackwater, forcing someone into a life-and-death battle was forbidden.
"However, since Gao Jie has used my Daoist contract as a bet and wants to gamble with me, then I can play with him as well."
Yu Lie suddenly turned to the gambling house attendants and asked, "Are there middle-ranking Daoists in your establishment participating in gambling?"
The attendants were puzzled and could only nod.
Yu Lie revealed a chilling smile, saying, "Since Daoist Gao Jie wants to play, please ask for a middle-ranking Daoist to come over. I am willing to use this ten thousand coins to have him gamble with Daoist Gao Jie and retrieve the contract."
Having a middle-ranking Daoist stand in for himself to battle Gao Jie, a lower-ranking Daoist. Unless the gambling house wanted to tarnish its reputation for a mere ten thousand coins, Yu Lie would win steadily, and Gao Jie would be left either dead or crippled!
After a pause, Yu Lie continued, "If Daoist Gao Jie or the gambling house is unwilling, the bet can be called off. I will peacefully return the money."
By borrowing someone from the gambling house, Yu Lie was also informing them that if their subordinates wanted to act out of line, would the gambling house intervene? If not, then they would have to proceed with the gambling according to Yu Lie's proposal!
Furthermore, by having the gambling house find someone to gamble on his behalf, even if he won back the IOU, he was merely using a different method to repay the debt, giving face to the gambling house and letting them handle their own affairs.
At this moment, a gambling house supervisor happened to walk up to Yu Lie. After hearing Yu Lie's conversation with the attendants, the supervisor's face showed a strange expression, and the other attendants who followed suit also exchanged glances.
Yu Lie's words indeed followed the rules, but it seemed rare for people to be so clear-headed when in debt and daring to handle things this way.
The supervisor sized up Yu Lie, who showed no signs of anger, and quietly instructed someone to quickly report to the upper floor private room, while he waited by Yu Lie's side.
Clatter! The sound of the attendants hurrying upstairs resonated, blending into the noisy atmosphere of the gambling house and soon disappearing.
After speaking, Yu Lie continued to sit in his chair, watching the scene with ease. He did not pay too much attention to the gambling house's reaction.
There were rules in the town, and the gambling house was just a part of it, unable to escape.
Gao Jie's actions were merely a bluff, trying to push Yu Lie into a life-or-death situation. Whether it was real or fake, he was overly optimistic.
If Yu Lie couldn't repay the money, then Gao Jie might have his way, but it was only a possibility.
...Shortly after.
In the private room upstairs, the Daoist who resembled an old woman received the report and was immediately taken aback.
The old servant in the room noticed and asked alertly, "What's the matter?"
The Daoist hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly explained the situation between Yu Lie and Gao Jie, apologizing, "My subordinates wanted to play tricks and made a joke at the expense of our guests."
The stern old servant sneered, "Presumptuous."
The old servant furrowed his brow and asked, "Does your gambling house have rules?"
The Daoist's expression stiffened slightly, a hint of severity in his eyes, as he coldly whispered a few words to the incoming person.
The Daoist then quickly changed the subject with a smile, "But this can also be quite entertaining! Even in a fierce gambling battle, there must be a clown to amuse, right? Guests, please continue watching..."
The attention of the group turned back to the gambling pit.
Before long, the stench of blood filled the air once again.
A mournful beast's roar echoed.
Gao Jie, with a tongue like a whip, had already disemboweled the fierce tiger that had devoured several people behind him, its organs spilling out.
This person indeed had some skills to single-handedly take on a fierce tiger. His cultivation technique was likely not simple, showcasing formidable strength. Perhaps he could truly excel in the lower-ranking Daoists' gambling battles, winning consecutively and standing out!
Hiss!
Gao Jie smirked, his tongue lashing out to decapitate the tiger. Holding the head in his hand, his face flushed with excitement as he shouted to the crowd, "Bring it on!"
He was exhilarated, shouting, "Come on!"
The crowd in the gambling house either cursed or cheered, feeling the excitement of the moment.
The clinking of coins in the gambling house rang out, creating a tense atmosphere.
People roared, "Next round, next round!"
A new deadly gambling match began immediately!
However, in the next moment, Gao Jie's expression suddenly changed.
A massive figure suddenly leaped into the gambling pit from outside, resembling a giant bell, emitting a golden light as if cast in bronze.
The person was not Yu Lie.
The giant stood behind Gao Jie, gently gripping his head and grinning, "Someone, invite me to gamble with you!"
What made Gao Jie even more anxious was that the attendants collecting money outside the gambling pit suddenly shouted, "Lower rank against middle rank, bet on maiming or death, make your choice! Time's up!"
Gao Jie's pupils constricted. How could he possibly win against a middle-ranking Daoist?!
Gao Jie turned his head to the viewing platform and saw Yu Lie sitting in his place, sipping tea and munching on peanuts. Their eyes met, and Yu Lie even gave him a slight smile.
Gao Jie's mind went blank.
Immediately, a frantic voice erupted in the gambling pit, "No! I...!"
Gao Jie wanted to shout something, but the giant behind him had already clasped his hands over his mouth.
Wide-eyed, Gao Jie's soul nearly left his body. He dared not struggle further and immediately bit the giant's palm, trying to break free.
His crimson tongue, like a soft knife, slipped through the giant's fingers, attempting to pierce his seven apertures.
But when it landed on the giant's body, Gao Jie's tongue felt like scraping against a bronze statue, making a harsh, grating sound.
The giant, with a body of bronze, chuckled, "Little frog, you're quite noisy."
Squeak!
Gao Jie's tongue was caught, and the bronze giant lifted him up, spinning and tossing him around as if playing with a rag doll, freely slamming him in the gambling pit!
Boom!
Not long after.
Plop!
The sound of a fruit bursting echoed...
The gambling pit fell silent.
Yu Lie, sitting at the table, put down the peanuts in his hand, sighed, "Serves him right."
He brushed off the peanut shells from his robe, stood up, smiled at the gambling house supervisor, then picked up his IOU and calmly walked out.
Gao Jie's debt to the gambling house had finally been settled.
At the table, only one Daoist remained seated, watching Yu Lie's departing figure and the vague flesh and blood in the gambling pit.
A thought crossed the Daoist's mind: "It's over, the boss I just got close to is gone!"
The other gamblers, witnessing the bloodshed once again, became even more excited, roaring with exhilaration, finding the scene very stimulating.