Ao Xie Yun and the other three simultaneously revealed a look of dread in their eyes, and said with a smile, "Having Young Master Yu as the guarantor is a million times more reassuring." However, their hearts were beating incessantly like a drum. [How did this terrifying guy appear here at this very moment? Didn’t he leave after he had withdrawn from the gambling house?]
Young Master Yu burst into loud laughter and said, "I didn’t know that my moral standing is so strong! Everyone has so much faith in me. This is a very big thing for me!"
Then, he tilted his head, and looked at Chu Yang. He put on a humble smile and said, "King of Hell Chu! Long time no see. I hope you have been well since our last meeting?"
He ignored the young masters, and greeted Chu Yang first instead. It seemed as if this King of Hell Chu – who had recently arrived from the Lower Three Heavens – held far more importance in his heart than these four young masters.
"This little brother naturally won’t fall sick as long as Brother Yu is still in good health!" Chu Yang smiled back in a humble manner.
Young Master Yu burst into laughter.
A shocked expression appeared in the eyes of the four young masters at the same time. It was extremely astonishing to see that Chu Yang had addressed Young Master Yu in that way. Moreover, Young Master Yu didn’t even lose his temper over it!
Everyone in the Middle Three Heavens knew that Young Master Yu was a typical weirdo! The members of the Dark Bamboo Organization called him ‘Minister Yu’, but the outsiders had no choice but to call him ‘Young Master Yu’. They couldn’t call him anything else since he was bound to get furious if someone dared to call him something else. In fact, calling him ‘Grandmaster Yu’ wouldn’t work either. He would even chase the offender for thousands of miles to punish them for the crime of disrespecting him.
However, Chu Yang had courageously called him ‘Brother Yu’. And, this freak unexpectedly seemed to be in such a cheerful mood for some reason? How did that come about?
Young Master Yu continued to laugh for a while. Then, he said, "Ao Xie Yun, you know well that we Bamboo people never renege on a debt. Actually, Minister Jun has ordered me to bet some money two days later. However, I am taking up the role of a notary here. So, I am afraid you people will say that I’m trying to extract money from their bet on the side. So, I am giving you the gambling stakes in advance."
He took out a small package from his bosom after he said this, and tossed it over to Ao Xie Yun. Then, he said in a thick voice, "Dark Bamboo bets an amount of 500 million silvers on Ji Mo’s victory!"
He tilted his head, and added with a strange smile, "I heard a while ago. It seems the compensation rate on Ji Mo’s victory is 1-6, right? Wa ha ha ha... this is going to be so much fun… irrespective of victory or loss. Of course, we would make a huge profit if we won."
The complexions of Ao Xie Yun and the other three suddenly turned ugly. They looked like they had stepped on cow dung first. And then, they had fallen head-first into it with their mouth open, and had thus ended up eating the same cow dung they had stepped on...
This gambling house had been opened a month ahead of schedule. And, the total sum that had been betted on Gao Sheng’s victory was 500 million. In fact, this sum had reached 200-300 million in just two days after the gambling had started. And, this feat was quite incredible.
However, the collection made on Ji Mo’s victory was pathetic. And, these four people had been worried that their income might not cover the expenditure. Therefore, they had raised Ji Mo's compensation rate. However, they would never have expected that increasing the compensation rate at the gambling house would bring in no income. And, they obviously wouldn’t have imagined that they would suddenly end up receiving a huge sum of 800 million outside the gambling house!
Chu Yang’s 300 million had already put enough strain on the gambling house. Now, Dark Bamboo had suddenly pawned 500 million out of the blue!
This meant that these four big clans would have to compensate 4.8 billion in case Ji Mo won! They could perhaps earn around 1 billion here at the end of the day, but they would still have to arrange 3.8 billion more!
This was equivalent to 1 billion per clan!
This was an astronomical figure!
The Mo Clan would without a doubt get ruined if Gao Sheng lost. Moreover, Ao Clan, Xie Clan and Ou Clan might also get semi-destroyed!
The Ao Clan was quite strong and robust. So, it would only suffer an injury; nothing more. However, the other two clans would get semi-destroyed for sure!
This was indeed... a huge price.
Therefore, the repudiation of debt would be even more impossible if Ji Mo won! Who in the entire Middle Three Heavens would dare to renege on debt against people like Jun Xi Zhu and Young Master Yu? And, there was a chance that they might not go into a debt. But, there would still be a fear that Dark Bamboo might come to collect protection fees...
"What’s wrong? Don’t you want to accept my gambling stake?" Young Master Yu complexion turned unsightly, "Isn’t my money — money…?! Is it made of stone?"
"Young Master Yu… surely likes to joke. We would obvious accept any gambling stake regardless of their size since we have opened a gambling house," the four men laughed together and replied.
"Then, open the gambling list at once." Young Master Yu rubbed his hands and said, "Make the entry for King of Hell Chu along with mine. The two of us have to go quickly so that we can have a drink or two."
... …
Ao Xie Yun and the other three couldn’t help but frown as they saw Chu Yang and Young Master Yu swagger away with the gambling bill in their hands.
"This doesn’t seem right. Why do I feel like we have fallen into a trap?" Ao Xie Yun frowned.
A serious look appeared on Ou Du Xiao’s face as he said, "They placed their bets with so much confidence… what if it’s Ji Mo who is going to win? 800 million all of a sudden, ah! And, that becomes a total of 1.8 billion if you add King of Hell Chu’s 1 billion to that!"
Mo Tian Yun solemnly said, "Our current calculation looks fine. Gao Sheng and Gao Liang are going to enter the arena from Gao Sheng’s side. The brothers Li Xiong Tu and Li Hong Tu are participating from the Li Clan. Tu Qian Hao and Tu Wan Cheng are participating from Tu Clan. The participation of Tu Wan Cheng is somewhat against the rules, but it’s excusable since the Tu Clan doesn’t have a second young master. Also, add one more individual to the previously mentioned Gao Clan’s side, namely Gao Meng. These people are going to be participating from Gao Sheng’s side in the seven matches."
Ao Xie Yun said, "On the other side, there’s Ji Mo, Ji Zhu; Dong Wu Shang, Dong Wu Lei; Luo Ke Di, Luo Ke Wu, and Gu Du Xing."
"Gu Du Xing is severely injured. So, he is bound to lose in his match. Ji Mo’s he has no chance of victory in his match against Gao Sheng. He’s going to lose without a doubt! And, it doesn’t matter who Luo Ke Wu fights since he’s definitely going to lose! So, it’s as good as saying that Ji Mo is already doomed to lose these three matches. Also, Tu Wan Cheng is a top King Level expert from the previous generation. He is going to win no matter whom he fights. This is equivalent to saying that Gao Sheng will win four matches with ease. Li Xiong Tu can also win a match... However, there are only two people who have sure chances of winning on Ji Mo’s side. It’s Dong Wu Shang and Luo Ke Di. But, Luo Ke Di’s victory will depend on who his opponent will be."
Ao Xie Yun was crouching, and drawing a match-chart on the ground. He shook his head again and again, and said in a puzzled manner, "No matter how we look at it… Ji Mo is going to lose."
The look on Xie Dan Qiong’s face got serious as he said, "There has to be something that we aren’t taking into our calculation! King of Hell Chu and Dark Bamboo wouldn’t waste their money together. King of Hell Chu had reluctantly said that it’s for the purpose of Ji Mo’s publicity, but Dark Bamboo has no reason to stick its leg into this."
Ao Xie Yun stood-up quietly, and started to contemplate. Then, he abruptly said in a slow tone, "I don’t want to be a part of such a thing again once this is over — irrespective of profit or loss. In addition, I won’t be there at any place that Mo Tian Yun manages to reach first. And, you’d better leave if I am at someplace!"
Mo Tian Yun was startled. He sneered and asked, "Why? Do you feel implicated by me now? But, why didn’t you say that earlier when you were thinking of making money? Moreover, why are you so certain that we are going to lose this time?"
Ao Xie Yun didn’t speak. He just looked at Mo Tian Yun coldly. Then, he turned around, and went seven or eight steps away. He stopped and spoke without turning his head, "This isn’t about victory or loss. It’s just that being with you in the same place makes me feel very uncomfortable."
Then, he walked away. He was unexpectedly walking in a very relaxed manner.
Xie Dan Qiong sighed, and looked towards Ou Du Xiao. The two of them exchanged glances, and Xie Dan Qiong said, "Brother Mo, there’s nothing we can do now. The gambling stakes have already been received. We can only wait for the final outcome now."
Mo Tian Yun’s face darkened. He slowly stood up and said, "I will go and inform Gao Sheng that he may have 10% of the gambling profits as long as he wins this time! We three will contribute to arrange this 10%. What do you guys say?"
Xie Dan Qiong and Ou Du Xiao got stunned by this. They looked at Mo Tian Yun in astonishment. Xie Dan Qiong pondered for a long time, and said, "I don’t approve of this as an individual. But, I have to think of my clan’s sake. So, I have no choice but to approve. However, you must do it very carefully. Keep it an absolute secret."
Mo Tian Yun nodded his head. Then, he turned around and left.
The remaining two men smiled bitterly. Xie Dan Qiong asked, "Du Xiao, what do you think?"
Ou Du Xiao pondered, and then replied, "We won’t have bright future prospects even if we win like this. This is making me very uncomfortable."
Xie Dan Qiong sighed gently and said, "How about this… if we win..."
Ou Du Xiao had seemingly read the look in his eyes and said, "...we share the profits equally with Ji Mo and the others?"
"No! It will hurt his pride even more if you give him money. And, he will definitely end up becoming a life-long enemy if you do that," Xie Dan Qiong solemnly explained, "How about this… we owe him a favor if we win. And then, we find a chance to help him out. What do you think?"
Ou Du Xiao’s eyes lit up as he replied, "Great idea!"
The people of Jianghu have gratitude and grudges; they have graciousness and complaints. That’s how Jianghu people are. The decision of Xie Dan Qiong and Ou Du Xiao was the appropriate diplomatic policy that all large and influential clans appointed. [I can’t offend you for the fear that you and I will end up in a life and death struggle… nor will I deliberately get close to you for the fear that it might make other people suspicious or jealous.]
[I have every reason to lean on you to rise up if you are strong. But, it’s natural that I’ll follow everyone else to trample you if you are in dire straits...]
This was the unspoken rule of the Middle Three Heavens!
Xie Dan Qiong nodded and said, "We have to go and eliminate the Ninth Level Spirit Beasts after this gamble. But, the Middle Three Heavens is getting more and more chaotic. It has almost reached its most chaotic phase. People will inevitably have to unite. Perhaps, the big clans will once again return to living together in harmony after this chaos gets washed off…"
Ou Du Xiao sighed as well, "Wasn’t this our real purpose behind this time’s gambling? But, who would have thought that it would become so big? We only wanted to gather a portion of everyone’s wealth so that we could use the gathered resources to expand our power and influence. But, this gambling thing has grown so big that even our clans might get implicated by it…"
Xie Dan Qiong feebly spoke, "The two of us will become very weak if Gao Sheng lost. Then, we will be forced to avoid the world. We will have to return to our clans immediately after we have dealt with the Ninth Level Spirit Beasts, and we would have to do our best to preserve the accomplishments of our ancestors… until our influence reappears."
Ou Du Xiao knitted his brows, "I'm afraid we won’t be able to avoid the world even if we want to. Don’t forget that the Nine Tribulations Sword’s Master has constantly been lurking in the shadows.
Xie Dan Qiong suddenly got startled for a moment. He then sighed.
Both of them sighed, and then walked away.
... …
"This bet of 500 million is a gift for you! It’s a big gift. Minister Jun has said that it belongs to Minister Chu’s brothers as long as they can seize it!" Young Master Yu said slowly as they walked.
"It is a huge favor!" Chu Yang was silent for a long time. Then, a smile appeared on his face, "This Minister Jun of yours is truly courageous!"
... …