Does Chen Chang'an Also Have Moments of Fleeing

"Young master, this... this doesn't seem appropriate?"

"What's there to fear? It's fine."

"But... I'm still a bit nervous."

"That's how it always is the first time."

"I'm scared, though."

"Don’t be. I’m here with you. Once you try it, you’ll love the feeling."

"That thrill and excitement will become addictive. Don’t worry."

"But..."

"Enough with the 'buts'! Are you two betting or not? It’s just a game of high or low—why so hesitant?"

"Damn, listen to that nonsense. I was starting to hallucinate, thinking I’d walked into the wrong place."

"Tell me about it. I almost mistook this gambling den for a brothel."

"Hurry up! Are you betting or not? If not, don’t waste our time."

Inside the Peace Gambling House, the chatter of the others made Gu Xian'er even more nervous. She couldn’t decide whether to bet on high or low.

She glanced at Chen Chang'an for help, only to receive an encouraging look in return.

"Then... high it is!"

Gritting her teeth, Gu Xian'er pushed all the gold in her hand onto "high."

Seeing her bet, the others immediately piled their money on "low," which infuriated Gu Xian'er. What did they mean by that? Was her luck really that terrible?

"Bets are closed!"

"Open!"

"Four, five, six—fifteen points, high!"

The dice dealer’s face paled as he saw the result.

How could this be?

He had controlled the dice—it should’ve been low. Why was it high?

"Young master, I won! I won!"

Gu Xian'er’s heart finally settled. Who knew such a simple gamble could be so thrilling?

"See? I told you—nothing to worry about with me here," Chen Chang'an said with a smile.

"Mhm, you’re amazing, young master."

Gu Xian'er nodded excitedly, then held out her hand, signaling the dealer to pay up.

The dealer broke into a cold sweat at the sight of the gold on the table. How had the bet gotten so big?

If he paid out, he’d probably lose his job. But if he didn’t... with so many witnesses, the gambling house’s reputation would be ruined.

"This... this amount is quite substantial. I’ll need to inform the manager."

"Please wait a moment, you two."

Upon hearing the news, the manager rushed over. A loss like this could wipe out half a year’s profits for the gambling house.

After all, Gu Xian'er had bet a hundred thousand taels of gold—not silver!

"Manager, these two are cheating. I controlled the dice, but when they opened..." The dealer whispered the details.

Hmm?

Daring to cheat here? Were they trying to cause trouble?

Though furious, the manager kept his composure. Business had to go on.

But they had no intention of letting Chen Chang'an walk away with the money.

"Might I ask which esteemed families you two hail from? You seem unfamiliar," the manager asked with a smile.

"Just passing through. Thought we’d try our luck for fun," Chen Chang'an replied casually.

Passing through?

So they were outsiders?

Good. That made things easier.

"Hahaha! A hundred thousand taels of gold—just for fun?"

"You must come from illustrious families to gamble so recklessly."

"Peace Gambling House prides itself on fairness. Since you’ve won, we’ll honor it."

"Someone, fetch a hundred thousand taels in gold notes from the treasury."

"Yes, sir."

The manager’s swift compliance earned admiration from the other gamblers.

"Now that’s the Peace Gambling House for you—generous to the core. A hundred thousand gold, not even a blink!"

"Of course. That’s why you should always gamble here. Reliable and trustworthy."

"Any other place, and these two would’ve been in trouble."

Soon, the treasury delivered the gold notes. Handing them to Chen Chang'an, the manager smiled. "Care to continue?"

"No, we’ve had our fill. We’ll stop here."

"Very well. Safe travels, then."

Truthfully, the manager was relieved Chen Chang'an didn’t keep playing. Even if they could reclaim the money later, the losses from other gamblers following his bets would be catastrophic.

So when Chen Chang'an left, the manager didn’t stop him—just signaled his enforcers with a glance.

Outside, Da Huang’s eyes lit up at the sight of them. "Did you win?"

"Obviously. When have I ever lost?"

"A hundred thousand gold—enough for you to splurge."

"Hehehe, perfect! Brothel time, brothel time!"

Chen Chang'an rubbed his temples. All of this was Xuan Wudao’s fault!

"Let’s find a place to eat first."

"We’ve been traveling nonstop—haven’t had a proper meal in ages."

"Tch. You can eat at a brothel too."

"Shut up."

Ignoring Da Huang, Chen Chang'an strode ahead.

After a few steps, Gu Xian'er frowned. "Young master, the gambling house’s men are following us."

"I know."

"Should I deal with them?"

"No need. Let them follow."

Two streets later, the pursuers quickened their pace.

Soon, they surrounded Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er.

"Kid, you dare cheat at Peace Gambling House? You’ve got a death wish."

"Hand over the gold notes, and we’ll let you live."

Chen Chang'an regarded them calmly. "Do you know what happens to those who cross me?"

"Hahaha! I don’t know what happens to you, but I know what’ll happen to us if we don’t get that money back."

"Enough talk. Don’t make us use force."

Force?

"Ah, what a pity."

"You’re really making this difficult for me."

"Fine. Can’t be bothered with you."

"Da Huang..."

Woof woof woof!

Da Huang’s sudden barking startled the thugs.

Seizing the moment, the dog bolted past them.

"Damn it, Da Huang, you bastard!"

"Xian'er, run!"

Cursing, Chen Chang'an grabbed Gu Xian'er’s hand and sprinted away, leaving her utterly bewildered.

"Damn! Thought he was tough. After them!"

The men gave chase but soon realized they couldn’t keep up.

"How... how are they so fast?"

"Ugh... screw this. I can’t run anymore."

"I can't go on, I'm completely out of strength. You guys chase ahead, I'll catch up later."

"Chase my ass! They're already long gone!"

Seeing no one pursuing them, Chen Chang'an finally stopped running and turned to glare at Da Huang.

"Da Huang, you actually ran first?"

"Duh. If I didn’t run first, you would’ve bolted."

"That’s so disloyal of you!"

"Pfft, pot calling the kettle black. Don’t think I don’t know what you were planning—using me as a decoy to draw their attention."

"That’s an insult to my character!"

"You have character?"

"Master, why… why did we even run?" Gu Xian'er was utterly baffled. Those people? Even she could’ve wiped them out with a wave of her hand.

But Chen Chang'an and Da Huang were clearly powerful. Why flee?

"This is called fun."

"Life shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Never had an experience like this before, have you?"

"Definitely not."

"Exactly. You’ve got to try everything once to truly savor the flavor of it all."