CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7

They went to a table where a seat was left open. Basically, when playing black jack, players must place an initial stake. They are then being given two cards. They can increase the stake after every player has been given a card. There are eight players around the table in total. The goal is to get the closest possible to 21 with the cards dealt to the player. With Mir’s eyes, it went smoothly and they were racking in the big bucks. After some time, a disciple member of the Alliance group came to the table and asked for Elder Lan to go to the third floor. He was reluctant. After all, he was making a lot here on the second floor. In the end, he had to go up. He couldn’t be a sore winner and a bad guest. It would be a deterioration of his image. So, he, Boras and Mir were sent to the top floor after having earned thousands. There were only two types of games on the third floor. The martial dice roll and the martial poker. Martial poker was basically poker where the cards had different weights depending on their value. It made it harder for players to look at them and keep their poker faces while doing so. Obviously, it didn’t mean much for those who reached a certain realm like elder Lan. It was the same as normal poker. Martial dice roll is different. The dices were big and weighed each a ton. The glass was even bigger and harder. The ceremony master needed to be at the second rank fifth realm to be able to roll the dice. The players however could be non-cultivators though. But it was still impressive to see one-meter square dices being thrown in the air and having a young man shaking them inside a giant glass/pot. It was quite the sight. The disciple leading the group asked elder Lan:

“Elder Lan, would you like to try your chance at martial dice roll or martial poker?

-Hum…Mir?

-Dice roll is easy.

-Then dice roll it is to begin. How much can we bet on that?

-There’s no limit on bets here at the third floor, elder. Please enjoy yourself.

-Then, so be it.”

Elder Lan was grinning. He took a sit with Mir and Boras near him. Then, the ceremony master started one more round. The dice were thrown, the glass shaken and placed facing the ground. The dices were inside. They were down on the ground as well, hidden by the glass. Then, the ceremony master said:

“Place your bets!”

Everyone was speaking their minds and placing bets. The goal of this game was clear: what was the number on the dices. There were four dices so one had to get the four numbers right. And if one did, he would get double his stake. Elder Lan looked at Mir and asked him:

“What do you say Mir?

-How much will I earn, elder?

-Hmm…Half of the earnings.

-Then, it’s six, four, three, four.

-Are you certain?

-100%

-Good, good.”

Then, he got up and said:

“100 000 golds on six, four, three, four!”

It stunned everyone, even Mir. One had to know the other players had placed bet around hundred golds. Needless to say, all the attention ended on Elder Lan. If he was right, he would be given 100 000golds. It wasn’t a small sum. The next players also placed their bets. Many betted on the same thing as elder Lan, thinking he wouldn’t bet so much without being sure. And, when the dices were revealed, it was six, four, three, four. Elder Lan won 100 000 golds on his first try. It stunned everyone and all the disciples in charge of the third floor were speechless. Once the golds arrived, elder Lan was overjoyed, he laughed like a mad man. He didn’t forget to give half to Mir and that shocked Boras. Everything that happened this days was too much for his brain to process. He could only remain here with his mouth open. 50 000golds. It wasn’t a small amount. It was a giant fortune. The ceremony master went on for a second round. Once more, the show was perfect. And once again, elder Lan turned to Mir. Mir understood and smiled before saying:

“Four, one, one, two.”

Elder Lan got up again and said:

“150 000 golds on four, one, one, two!”

The players behind him all betted on the same as him with high stakes and…It was four, one, one, two. Mir was given 75 000golds this time. That’s when a disciple from the Imposing Thunder Mountain School appeared in front of everyone and talked:

“Everyone, I am Shen Tu, the head of the Allegiance Group and director of this casino. I thank you for your participation today in our martial dice roll and congratulates all our winners. Unfortunately, we will be closing this game temporarily. In the meantime, I invite you to play some rounds of martial poker, thank you very much for your patronage.”

Elder Lan grumbled:

“Tch! He saw us winning big and closed it right away. It’s the second time we’re driven out of a game.

-125000golds is a nice sum elder though.

-Hum…You’re right, little Mir, you’re right. How about some martial poker then?

-Sure.”

However, before they reached a table, someone called out to elder Lan.

“Oh my! If it isn’t my dear friend Quin Lan!”

As they turned around, they faced a group of four elders. They all had white hair, white beard and the same types of green robes. They were from the Wide Green Valley School and obviously, elder Lan knew them as he answered back:

“Din Joris from the Wide Green Valley, I didn’t know you were into this type of entertainment.

-Let us not waste our time, Quin Lan! It is time to settle my debt with you! Tonight, I shall get back my weapon!

-Unfortunately, I don’t have it on me.

-Tch! Then, come, do you dare to bet with me once again?! It is your weapon that I will be taking this night!

-Hum…”

After glancing at Mir and seeing the kid’s smile, elder Lan smiled to Din Joris and answered him:

“I might have some time to accompany you for a few rounds of martial poker if you wish.

-Good to hear! Let us get a separate room for our showdown tonight! Ahahah!

-There is no need. Let us play here. I would not be satisfied with only you. If there are other people wishing to play with us, let them come. If not, let there be witnesses!

-Witnesses?! Sure! Then let us go here!”

And so, they both sat at an empty table and awaited more players. After a few seconds, some elders joined in. They knew each other very well too. There were three men and a woman. They introduced themselves as:

“Tin Jar from the Bright Crypt School shall join you two gentlemen.

-Arbi Brid, UnderSky Temple School shall join as well

-Delfi Alisia from the Black Willow School.

-Will Helm from the Big Tiger School.”

And from there, a poker game with five school elders began in the allegiance casino. A game with unprecedented stakes in a gambling poker round with five prominent figures from the kingdom’s best schools. The five elders sat down and they discussed the minimum betting amount.

“Since we’re between us, how about starting with 100 golds?

-Are you that poor?! Let us start with 500 golds, like real men!

-Humpf! I won’t settle for less than 1000 golds!

-Damn woman, you shouldn’t be speaking rubbish!

-My friends, what are we debating for? As true elders of our respective schools, how could we be playing with such small stakes?

-Then what’s your proposition, Joris?

-10 000 golds minimum! A true amount worth our standing!”

After this old man said the minimum stakes, there was a long silence, Mir signaled at elder Lan that it was fine and, with the support of Elder Lan, the minimum stake ended up at 10 000 golds. As they were going to play, the disciple who previously forced Quin Lan out of the dice game arrived with an elder. The elder smiled and said:

“Dear friends, how could you play such an entertaining game without having your host, me, Tuan Len, participating? Please let me entertain my guests correctly. This here is a disciple of mine, Shen Tu, and is responsible for the casino, would you give the honor to have him deal us the cards?

-Oh, Tuan Len! Come, come! It is always a pleasure to rip an elder from the Imposing Thunder Mountain of his belongings! Ahahah!

-You’re the same as ever Din Joris. If I were you, I would rather not speak too early.”

And so, a sixth elder came and sat at the table while the card dealer changed. It was in fact just a matter of honor. For a game with so many elders, the role of host was given to the favorite disciple and that’s all there is to it. However, before they could start, a group of armored men approached. Out of them, a young handsome man walked out and the elders bowed to him. He dismissed that action with a move of his arm and smiled, then he said:

“It might be presumptuous of me as I am not a school elder but would you mind me joining you for a game?

-Oh, prince, please, it would be an honor. However, don’t expect us to go easy on you, ohohoh.

-That’s exactly what I want. I will be going with ten million golds for this game then.”

After he said ten million, not just the table but everyone in the room got quiet. While a few thousands were nothing to all those elders as they lived long lives and had lots, when it becomes millions and finally ten million, it is different. It is a huge amount. Not something you casually bet with. Elder Lan was frowning. However, they couldn’t get out of it now that they were sitting with a kingdom prince and they agreed to play beforehand. Some of the elders who sat down were regretting their choice. They only wanted an entertaining game with their old rivals, a group of tigers… And they had been forced to play with a dragon. Mare Reg Nio, the ninth prince of the Sea Walker kingdom. They fished a shark while looking for a dolphin. And as they were already feeling their scalp tingling, one more man surrounded by guards appeared.

“My name is Bolores Dreco, owner of the company Bolores. I can see an empty seat at your table, would you mind me joining in on the fun?

-Of course not, come, come!”

And so, the CEO of one of the three biggest companies in the kingdom was sitting at the table as well. There were now eight players, the maximum amount possible. It was a full table. Elder lan wasn’t that confident anymore. The stakes had been elevated. Everyone was playing with 10 million golds on the line. A table with 80 million golds in-game. This wasn’t going to end well for most of the players. And between all of this, Mir was there smiling. A five-year-old was betting against five old monsters, a prince and a businessman.

And so, the game went on. Of course, it didn’t matter who he was against, Mir could see their cards and the cards in the pack. The cards that would be revealed. He could grasp the five cards that would be placed on the table and all the cards in the player’s hands. There was obviously no way for him to lose. However, it didn’t mean he could easily win. The minimum stake was 10 000 golds but they all had 10 million golds. It would take too long to go at it once at a time. So, Mir, decided on a strategy he knew from his experience. He was going to bait them all at the same time. And for that, he was waiting for the right cards to go out. The perfect arrangement. Eight hours later, everything was nearly the same with all players having nearly 10 million golds. However, not once did Mir go further than the original two cards he received in hand. It was enough to have many people distrust elder Lan and curse at him. However, it was time. The perfect card setting was going to be given out. in elder Lan’s hands, a six and seven of hearts. In the three first cards returned, a nine of hearts, a nine of clubs and a eight of clubs.