The plain-clothed youth stared at Xu Mu, his smile nearly splitting his head.
"As expected of the big catch I've been eyeing. Just in the first round of preliminary tests, you put down a hundred thousand taels. Once you fully trust us, your wagers will start from a million!"
The thought of that scenario made the youth drool. If this deal went through, Xu Mu alone might be enough for him to feast on for three lifetimes!
Xu Mu gazed at the youth with a half-smile, guessing most of what was going through the latter's mind.
After placing his bet at the money house nearby, the plain-clothed youth returned to his usual cheerful demeanor, smiling at the combat arena.
"Esteemed guest, please observe closely. Our analyses are very accurate. This match will surely be won by Kong Ming."
'Both of them are plants. Whoever you say wins, wins,' Xu Mu mused internally, his gaze now fixed on the combat arena with keen interest.
He wanted to see what these two plants would look like when they fought, and how clumsy their acting would be.
*Boom!*
On the stage, Xin waved his sleeves, scattering violent snowflakes and chilling winds to freeze Kong Ming solid. The latter sat cross-legged, his hands spread to create a dazzling golden light, chanting Buddhist scriptures. Layer upon layer of golden seal inscriptions spread out like a tide, dissolving all the snowflakes into a shower of brilliant golden rain.
The two exchanged blows, engaging in fierce combat. Their abilities were rapidly depleted, and neither could gain an advantage.
Finally, Kong Ming stood up. He took a step forward, and it was as if a Buddha had stomped down with his foot, heavily landing on Xin's chest. The protective ice mirror shattered instantly, and blood trickled from Xin's lips.
"You win," Xin said, kneeling on the ground with a pained expression. Several attendants then helped him off the stage and he disappeared into the crowd.
"Kong Ming, well done!"
Shouts of approval erupted from the crowd from those who had bet on Kong Ming to win. Of course, there were also sighs of lament from those who had bet on Xin and lost all their money.
"Ah, fellow Daoist, I wish I had listened to you! If I had known Kong Ming was this strong, I wouldn't have bet on Xin. I lost hundreds of thousands of taels of gold for nothing. I deeply regret it!" someone lamented, looking in Xu Mu's direction.
The young man selling prediction services waved his hand dismissively and said with disdain, "Naturally. I've predicted four rounds in a row without a single error. Those who believed me have already made a fortune!"
The person nodded regretfully. "Yes, I should have believed you. Otherwise, I would have already recouped my losses and even made some extra."
"I'm willing to pay ten thousand taels of gold for a prediction. Please tell me, who will be the winner of the next match?"
The person's voice was quite loud, immediately drawing the attention of many.
Seeing this, the plain-clothed youth waved his hand disdainfully and said, "Impossible. You've already refused me twice. I, Xiao Yao Feng, will never give the same person a third chance to refuse me!"
"Besides, why are you speaking so loudly? Everyone knows who I am now. What will the bookmakers do then?"
"Is it really impossible? I want to gamble again. I'm willing to pay!" The person stepped closer, pulling out a gold note worth one hundred thousand taels and pleaded with the plain-clothed youth, who directly waved his hand in refusal.
"Impossible. If you don't leave, I'll call for help!"
"I'll leave... I'll leave." The person shook his head, filled with regret, and then departed.
The observant individuals around immediately became very interested in the plain-clothed youth. Before this, he had indeed approached them for predictions, but upon hearing the fee was ten thousand taels, they had all refused.
They initially thought he was a骗子 (liar), but judging by the accurate results of his predictions, winning four rounds in a row, it seemed he really had something.
Thus, many, out of curiosity, surrounded the plain-clothed youth.
The latter glanced at Xu Mu, told him he would be back shortly, and then swaggered towards the crowd, announcing loudly, "Everyone else, go home. I can only help predict for ten people!"
"After all, I have to consider the bookmakers. If you all win money by buying my predictions, the bookmakers will go bankrupt. Then I'll be hunted down, and that's not worth it. Go home, go home!"
As he said this, his accomplices immediately pushed back the rest of the crowd, leaving only ten people in front of him. Among those ten, five or six were actively inquiring, and some even knelt on the ground, begging him to help them turn their fortunes around, which made Xu Mu, watching from afar, shake his head repeatedly.
"I dare say, at least half of those ten people are plants."
"The people he truly wants to trick are less than ten. And we are among them."
Qiong Qi looked at Xu Mu in surprise. "You know he's a骗子 (liar), yet you dare to bet with him?"
Xu Mu smiled slightly. "I'm short on money, aren't I?"
"Besides, I didn't say we'd keep betting with him. We just need to wait until he's about to close up and run, then bet on the opposite result he gives. We can make a large sum of money then."
"Humans are truly cunning," Qiong Qi said fiercely, baring its sharp claws.
It didn't ask Xu Mu how he could guess when the other would run. Qiong Qi didn't understand such things, but it knew Xu Mu had a talent for tricking people. Anyone targeted by him, or who targeted him, was incredibly unlucky.
Xu Mu took out the gold notes worth two hundred and fifty thousand taels he had won in the previous round and turned his gaze back to the combat arena.
Two unfamiliar faces had now appeared on the stage. One was a cultivator dressed in a dark purple long robe and vest, looking like a young master. The other was a bare-chested, burly man wielding a meteor hammer.
The plain-clothed youth had finally finished deceiving his audience and hurried back to Xu Mu, panting and smiling.
"My apologies for making you wait. Do you still want a prediction? If so, please pay ten thousand taels of gold as a fee."
"Mm," Xu Mu nodded and directly handed him a gold note worth one hundred thousand taels.
The youth accepted it with a smile, and while making change, he began to introduce them.
"The one on the left in the purple robe is named Jing Ji. He's the seventeenth son of the Jing family among the Hundred Clans. His ability is called 'Purple Sea,' which can devour others' souls to grow. His power is terrifying, and he's a strong contender for the top five thousand seats in this Ten Thousand Races Grand Assembly."
"The man on the right is named Shi Sheng. Although the Shi family is not among the Hundred Clans, they have always coveted the seats of the Hundred Clans. Shi Sheng is a genius from the direct lineage of his family. His ability is related to rocks and the earth. He cultivates his physical body and has strong combat power. He once killed a Great Demon of the third stage head-on."
"The strength difference between these two is not significant, but because of their different combat methods – one cultivates the physical body, the other the soul – many believe Jing Ji will easily absorb Shi Sheng dry. Because of this, the bookmakers have changed the rules, directly offering odds of 1:7, a seven-fold payout."
Xu Mu raised an eyebrow upon hearing the high odds. 'Are they planning to run away with the money?'
The plain-clothed youth looked at Xu Mu, his smile deepening, and continued, "In reality, what everyone doesn't know is that Shi Sheng, as a genius of the Shi family, has secretly passed the 'Ancestral Dragon Trial' in their ancestral land."
"Those who pass the trial are bestowed souls by the Ancestral Dragon, gaining the ability to connect their physical body and soul. In other words, Shi Sheng, though appearing to be a physical body cultivator, is simultaneously extremely powerful in the realm of souls. Jing Ji will lose against him."
"So, for this match, just bet on Jing Ji to win. I guarantee you'll make so much money your hands will go numb!"
Xu Mu looked at the youth in front of him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Your information is quite accurate."
"Then, as you say, I'll place a larger bet. I'll wager my entire fortune."
"Your entire fortune!?" The plain-clothed youth's eyes widened, his breathing quickening.
Just moments ago, his accomplice had informed him that Xu Mu had spent nearly four million taels of gold within this street.
He believed Xu Mu was the fattest fish he had ever seen. If this single deal went through, he might earn enough wealth to squander for ten lifetimes and retire to the mountains. That was why he was personally serving Xu Mu, ensuring a flawless outcome!
"Come on, young master from a wealthy family, let me see how much your fortune is. Is it tens of millions?!" the plain-clothed youth rubbed his hands, his eyes filled with greed as he stared at Xu Mu.
"These two hundred and forty thousand taels are all I have now. If I win, it will become one million six hundred and eighty thousand. A considerable sum indeed."
Xu Mu spoke, taking out all his gold notes and heading towards the gambling house to place his bet.
But the next second, he was stopped by the young plain-clothed youth. Forcing a smile, he stiffly asked, "Two... twenty-four thousand taels, you mean you're only betting twenty-four thousand taels?"
Xu Mu nodded. "Yes."
The plain-clothed youth looked incredulous. "This is all you have? Just this little bit?"
Xu Mu smiled faintly. "What? Is it too little?"
The other snapped back to reality and quickly waved his hands. "What are you talking about? It has nothing to do with me."
"It's just that, esteemed customer, you have to think carefully. Such a disproportionate ratio is rare. If you don't win a lot of money, you won't have such a good opportunity next time!"
Xu Mu cupped his hands and sighed. "Alas, fellow Daoist, I wish I could bet more, but these two hundred and forty thousand taels are indeed all I have."
"Or rather, one hundred thousand taels of gold was all I had. But because of you, it became two hundred and forty thousand," Xu Mu said with a smile.
"But... but I clearly saw you buying many things inside just now, more than a million taels of gold, spending like there was no tomorrow!" the plain-clothed youth thought, but did not say it. Instead, he changed his question.
"But... but you seem like a noble person. How can you only have so little? Don't you trust me?"
Xu Mu shook his head and said seriously, "No, I trust you very much."
"It's just that I bought too many things for others earlier, and my fortune is depleted, leaving only this."
The plain-clothed youth's face turned ashen, but he still spoke stubbornly.
"In that case, you can use your items as collateral. You can mortgage the things you bought earlier, and then you can earn seven times your assets back!"
Xu Mu looked at him and couldn't help but laugh. "What's gotten into you? Why are you suddenly so curious about my bet?"
"No... nothing." The plain-clothed youth turned his head away awkwardly, his heart filled with despair.
He had cooperated with the bookmakers, set such high odds, and put on a good show, letting many people leave, all for Xu Mu, this big fish. But now, he realized this was just the most insignificant small fish.
These one hundred thousand taels of gold weren't even enough to pay for an actor's fee!
"There's no choice. Even without a big fish, with these odds, I have to go through with it!" the plain-clothed youth gritted his teeth, transmitted a message to an insider in the crowd, and said, "Proceed according to the plan. Make Shi Sheng lose naturally!"
Seeing that the other party was no longer pestering him, Xu Mu took his gold notes and slowly walked towards the gambling house.
The plain-clothed youth didn't follow him. He just glared at Xu Mu's retreating back with clenched teeth, then turned his gaze back to the combat arena.
Xu Mu reached the gambling house and said to the clerk with a smile, "Hello, I want to place a bet."
The young clerk nodded and asked, "Mm, you're introduced by Xiao Yao Feng, right? How much are you betting?"
"Two hundred and forty thousand in gold notes," Xu Mu said, handing the money to the clerk.
The clerk took the money and was about to throw it to Shi Sheng's side, but at that moment, his wrist was suddenly grabbed by Xu Mu.
The man froze and looked up at Xu Mu.
Xu Mu met his gaze, slowly moved his wrist towards Jing Ji's side, and said with a smile, "You've made a mistake."
"I bet, two hundred and forty thousand, Jing Ji to win."
...
A thick stack of gold notes was placed on the empty table on the other side.
The young gambling clerk stared at Xu Mu and asked in a low voice, "Are you sure you didn't bet wrong?"
Xu Mu nodded and smiled. "Certain."
The young clerk looked deeply at Xu Mu, then was about to transmit a message to Xiao Yao Feng. But instantly, he felt intense pain in his wrist, as if being clamped by iron pliers, threatening to crush his bones.
"If you dare to speak, I'll cripple you first, then publicize how you people use plants to swindle money," Xu Mu said to him with a smile.
The young gambling clerk stared at Xu Mu, his eyes red, and spat out through clenched teeth, "You've come to cause trouble!"
"No, I've come to make money," Xu Mu smiled and released his hand. "Enough people have bet on the other side, and I've only bet two hundred and forty thousand. Averaged out, you won't lose money in the end, you'll even make some."
"But if you insist on a fight to the death, then I'll have no choice but to reveal your schemes. Then you won't get any money, and you might lose your lives."
The young gambling clerk gritted his teeth. "If we lose this more than a million to you, the rest won't be enough for the brothers to share!"
Xu Mu chuckled, his eyes suddenly turning cold, the aura of the Dao of Death surging out. "That's your problem."
"If you hadn't tried to trick me, I wouldn't have come looking for trouble. But since it has come to this, I'm taking this money today. You choose whether you want to avert disaster by paying or die!"
After Xu Mu spoke, the young gambling clerk's expression flickered between green and white for a long time, before he finally deflated like a leaky balloon.
Clearly, he had no intention of transmitting a message to change the outcome of the match. Besides, even if they changed the outcome now, their situation would be even worse, as many people had also bet on Shi Sheng. Changing the winner would mean greater losses, it was better to maintain the current situation, at least they could still make some money, it was just a matter of how much.
"I've changed my mind. Add another one hundred thousand taels of silver." At this moment, Xu Mu seemed to remember something, took out ten thousand taels of silver notes, and handed them to the man.
"Fine!" The man glared at Xu Mu resentfully. Xu Mu's actions were no different from robbing him!
Xu Mu smiled, holding Qiong Qi in his arms, and remained silent.
Meanwhile, on the combat stage, Jing Ji of the Jing family and Shi Sheng had already begun to fight. Their strength was indeed formidable. Behind Jing Ji, a vast Purple Sea surged, transforming into monstrous spiritual energy that gnawed at Shi Sheng.
*Voom!*
Shi Sheng, unfazed, slapped the ground, summoning a hundred-zhang tall stone statue covered in incantations. It plunged directly into the Purple Sea, splashing waves for miles. It swam like a colossal whale.
Jing Ji's expression changed. He increased the devouring power of the Purple Sea but could not overcome the stone statue. Since it was not related to the soul and not under Shi Sheng's control, its combat ability was purely based on the inscriptions carved on its body and its primitive instincts.
Shi Sheng himself leaped onto the head of the stone statue, ripped two stone dragons from the ground, and hurled them at Jing Ji like massive whips.
Jing Ji had no room to dodge and could only bite his finger, sacrificing his essence blood. His body then turned purple, and he instantly merged into the Purple Sea. Shi Sheng's attack missed, and just as he was preparing a second strike, Jing Ji had already followed the waves to his back and unleashed his devouring technique on the back of Shi Sheng's head.
"Heh heh heh, die!" Jing Ji roared, opening his fanged maw, intending to devour Shi Sheng's soul.
At this moment, Shi Sheng could only turn his head, unable to evade. He seemed on the verge of defeat, but unexpectedly, as Jing Ji's Purple Sea surged forward to devour him, Shi Sheng's body erupted with a roar like a divine dragon, repelling all the soul energy Jing Ji had sent.
Jing Ji himself turned deathly pale, flying backward and spitting blood, landing at the edge of the stage, his face filled with disbelief.
Those who had bet on Shi Sheng's victory through Xiao Yao Feng stomped their feet excitedly, bursting into laughter.
The battle was proceeding exactly as predicted, and they could already envision themselves receiving seven times their stake.
Xu Mu also squinted at the combat arena, his expression calm, because he believed there would be a turning point.
As expected, just as Shi Sheng grinned and walked towards Jing Ji, preparing to end the match, the Purple Sea, which had seemingly dissipated, suddenly became violent again.
The soul-infused Purple Sea surged, forming a giant shape. The surface was covered in intensely hot, molten liquid, and merely touching it dissolved the inscriptions on the giant stone sculpture.
Without the control of the inscriptions, the stone sculpture collapsed onto the stage, and Shi Sheng fell from the sky, completely submerged in the Purple Sea.
His face was filled with terror. The divine dragon's breath on his body roared continuously, but the Purple Sea was too violent and intense. He could hold on for a moment, but not indefinitely.
After a short while, Shi Sheng finally couldn't bear it any longer. He seemed to be in immense pain, with more than half of his soul energy being devoured. He quickly cried out for mercy.
"I surrender!"
*Boom!*
Jing Ji withdrew his Purple Sea ability and left the stage with a cold laugh.
"Don't say a word. Give me the money," Xu Mu turned around with a smile and extended his hand.
"You win this round!" the young gambling clerk gritted his teeth and handed over more than a million taels of gold and silver to Xu Mu. Xu Mu stored it in his spatial ring and then turned to leave.
"I didn't expect this outcome. I didn't anticipate Jing Ji having such a move. But fortunes change, and in gambling, you can't always win!" Xiao Yao Feng nervously explained to everyone, while simultaneously glancing at Xu Mu.
Xu Mu smiled and greeted him, appearing very happy.
Xiao Yao Feng looked stunned. He looked at the smiling Xu Mu, then at the gamblers in front of him who seemed ready to devour him, and felt utterly bewildered.
He couldn't help but wonder.
"This person... why does he look as happy as if he'd won money, even after losing?"
...