“It’s absolutely true, Third Young Master!” Tang Yuan seized his hand, and Jun Xie immediately felt his own engulfed in a layer of fat. “That is precisely what they said! They claimed that as soon as you show up, Third Young Master, they will hand over the IOU immediately—the whole matter will be settled!|//|”

“Oh? They truly said that?” Jun Xie frowned, a shadow instantly flickering across his eyes. He had already sensed something amiss! Why did the story sound like it was twisting into something else? Originally, it was this fatty who lost his wife; how had it gradually shifted to focus entirely on him? There seemed to be some sinister plot at work, and he was the target?

This was undoubtedly a trap!

Putting everything else aside, considering the original Jun Mo Xie’s temperament as a complete wastrel, the moment he heard his sworn brother had been bullied like this, he would have instantly flown into a rage. Hearing that the other party was showing him so much respect would have made him instantly swell with misplaced pride, and he surely would have marched over arrogantly without a second thought. And that march would have landed him squarely in the snare the enemy had already prepared! Since they possessed the skill to manipulate the fatty like this, dealing with the former Jun Wu Xie wouldn't seem difficult either!

If this was a scheme targeting Jun Mo Xie, then the person setting it up understood Jun Mo Xie’s character as well as the back of their own hand!

No, believing this was only a surface maneuver targeting Jun Mo Xie was insufficient. No one would bother devising such intricate calculations against a completely harmless fop. Their true target must be Old Master Jun! And behind them, there might be another puppet master, as the Jun family, and specifically Old Master Jun, were not figures anyone could afford to provoke carelessly!

Jun Xie scrutinized the fatty before him, secretly calculating the role this plump man played in the game. Was he friend or foe?! Looking at Tang Yuan’s current appearance—nearly wetting himself in terror—Jun Xie secretly drew a conclusion: if this fatty wasn't faking it, he was a supreme idiot! If the fatty was faking it now, then he was likely a top-tier actor, an absolute master of disguise, and a deeply hidden, dangerous individual!

Go? Or stay?

Jun Xie made his decision in an instant. How could he possibly miss out on something so entertaining? With his peerless gambling skill, could he really lose? Besides, if he didn't go, how would he know precisely who wanted to move against him? Jun Xie had never tolerated enemies lurking in the shadows! Drag them out and eliminate them! That had always been his style.

He covertly circulated the Creation Divine Art within his body, a faint smile touching his lips. Even if it was gambling, he wouldn't lose; this surge of internal energy made cheating far too simple…

“How much in bank notes do we still have?” Having settled his mind, Jun Xie turned to ask **.

Hearing Jun Xie use the word ‘we’ in his inquiry, ** felt a sudden surge of joy mingled with shyness, a strange sweetness blooming in her heart. Blushing, she replied, “Ever since the Old Master docked the Young Master’s allowance last time, the Young Master’s silver chest currently holds one hundred and twenty thousand taels in bank notes, thirty thousand taels in gold notes, three hundred gold leaves, one hundred silver ingots, and loose silver pieces…”

“Enough, enough. We won't need that much.” Seeing ** continuing to count meticulously, Jun Xie quickly cut her off; otherwise, this single-minded girl might even list how many copper coins they possessed…

“Take out fifty thousand taels in bank notes, and just prepare another ten or so taels of loose silver,” Jun Xie directed.

“How can that little be enough?” Tang Yuan nearly leaped up, his face etched with pleading agony. “Brother, Third Young Master, that’s barely the change! Aren’t you forcing your big brother to his death? I beg you, Brother!”

“Fatty, didn't you just say that as long as I show up, your debt note is void? We are going to gamble, not to hand over money! Young Master Tang, why bring so much? It’s just cumbersome! Surely you don’t doubt my world-renowned gambling skill?” Jun Xie said with grave sincerity.

“Your world-renowned gambling skill?” A pair of slender eyes widened remarkably—a feat almost impossible given the sheer mass of fat on Tang Yuan’s face. Tang Yuan’s mouth twitched; if not for the sheer panic and distress churning inside, he might have burst out laughing. He muttered inwardly: I don't recall ever seeing your ‘world-renowned’ gambling skill win anything… If measured by the ability to lose money, claiming 'world-renowned' is quite accurate.

Never mind that. As long as he goes, that’s what matters. Once I get that IOU back, I won’t fear anything! Damn it, why did I get so hot-headed back then and use my wife as collateral? This whole thing is bizarre. Bringing less money is probably better; at least I won't lose too much!

Jun Xie tucked the bank notes away, ordered two horses prepared, and Tang Yuan, already impatient, ‘rolled’ swiftly to the gate, his small eyes darting around nervously. “Hurry up, Third Young Master! If your Old Master happens to return while we’re gone, we’ll truly be finished. You have no idea the immense pressure I endure every time I visit your manor to find you, sigh…”

Jun Xie chuckled, mounting his horse. He cast a sidelong glance. “But I don't see you looking very scared coming over today.”

Tang Yuan sprang onto his horse with a jolt, the sturdy steed letting out a sharp whinny, its front legs buckling as if to collapse. It struggled upright with effort. Perhaps the horse was wondering: I have carried many men before, even generals in full armor holding weapons, and I ran freely. Why is this human so heavy today? A miscalculation almost caused this humble horse to stumble!…

Jun Xie laughed, unable to suppress his mirth. He spurred his mount forward. Behind him, the eight guards, all broad-shouldered and burly, followed closely, their swords and sabers gleaming.

The horse Tang Yuan had ** mounted began to move laboriously, snorting the entire way as it followed along.

The street outside was East Wind Avenue, arguably the most luxurious thoroughfare in Tianxiang City, teeming with endless streams of people. Tang Yuan couldn't spare a thought for the horse's condition; he shot forward in the lead, constantly looking back, his face anxious—clearly impatient with Jun Xie's slower pace.

In the blink of an eye, they exited the thoroughfare and rode south a short distance until they reached a tavern, the Thousand Mile Fragrance Tower—an establishment owned by the Li family. Behind the tavern was a vacant courtyard, the 'Thousand Gold Hall' Tang Yuan had mentioned. Its hidden location made it a den of extravagance where noble young masters squandered fortunes! Every conceivable vice and game of chance imaginable could be found within its walls!

Just as Jun Xie was about to urge his horse onward, several figures suddenly turned the corner by the roadside. The first two were young women. One stormed ahead, visibly furious, shouting, “Stop following me! You’re driving me mad!” The other trotted behind, constantly trying to placate her. Following them both were eight expressionless guards, appearing to belong to some other powerful noble family’s daughter.

Jun Xie glanced over. He saw the girl pouting, displaying a spoiled petulance, yet possessing remarkable beauty. The girl, already short-tempered, noticed Jun Xie staring intently at her and couldn't help but spit contemptuously, putting her hands on her hips to curse, “What are you looking at, rake?” This young lady, already in a foul mood, spotted Jun Xie—that notorious rake—staring right at her, and immediately conceived the thought: Perfect, I can take out my frustrations on him.

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