Chapter Eight: The Gambling Immortal

"Isn't the rumor that Mu Feng has completely lost his cultivation? He doesn't look like it at all."

"The Mu family must have some secret technique that allowed him to cultivate again."

"It's a pity he's only at the third level of Qi Condensation. Facing so many people, he's still a bit out of his depth."

As Mu Feng appeared, the crowd reacted with various expressions. Most, however, felt a sense of pity. After all, the Xiao Family Pill Hall had strength in numbers; aside from the third-level Qi Condensation practitioners, there were plenty of thugs at the fifth level.

Watching his arm gushing blood, Xiao Li’s expression turned incomparably grim.

"Get him! Everyone, get him!"

"I want them all to die here today!"

As he finished speaking, more than a dozen of his associates rushed forward, intending to take Mu Feng down. Seeing the aggressive onslaught, Mu Feng made no attempt to hold back. He gripped his longsword tightly, three streaks of sword energy pulsing around him.

"Uncle Qian, protect the two of them."

Having said this, Mu Feng vanished in an instant.

In a heartbeat, sword shadows flickered. Before anyone could react, blood sprayed everywhere. Though they were all at the Qi Condensation stage, Mu Feng cut through them as easily as one might slice vegetables. It was not just because the sword technique Mu Feng practiced was powerful; the gap in their combat skills was on an entirely different level. His footwork, agility, and speed were all top-tier.

*Thump!*

As the last man hit the ground, the entire street fell into a deathly silence.

"You... how is this possible!"

Xiao Li trembled uncontrollably, backing away. Mu Feng’s strength far exceeded his imagination. Even at the third level of Qi Condensation, this level of prowess was something even a peak-stage expert might struggle to overcome.

*Whoosh—*

The longsword struck again. This time, it was aimed directly at Xiao Li’s throat.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew. A sudden figure appeared, blocking Mu Feng’s strike. It was a peak-stage Qi Condensation expert!

"Young Master Mu, this incident is a blunder on the part of the Xiao Family Pill Hall. I beg you, for the sake of the many lives already lost, to let the Xiao family off just this once."

The newcomer looked humble, cupping his hands in a gesture of apology. Upon seeing him, Mu Feng narrowed his eyes. If he fought, he had a seventy-percent chance of defeating this man. However, if the opponent fought to the death, the lives of Jia Qian and the others might not be guaranteed. Since the man had offered a formal apology, there was no point in continuing a life-or-death struggle.

"Let's go."

Sheathing his sword, Mu Feng spoke coldly, helped Xiao Yutong up, and turned to leave. Watching their retreating figures, Xiao Li was filled with rage.

"Hall Master, why didn't you kill that brat just now? That would have been a great contribution!"

*Slap—*

A heavy blow landed on Xiao Li’s face.

"You useless fool! I told you to give him a warning, and you caused such a scene, losing a dozen men in the process. Do you realize that if I had attacked, I had less than a thirty-percent chance of winning? At best, I could only have ensured the deaths of those three weaklings!"

Less than a thirty-percent chance! Hearing this, Xiao Li’s pupils dilated, his heart filled with lingering fear.

***

Elsewhere, Mu Feng had brought Xiao Yutong back to their room. Seeing her weeping, Mu Feng felt a pang of heartache and pulled her into his embrace.

"Don’t be afraid, it’s over now."

But Xiao Yutong could not stop her tears. "I’m not afraid. I just hate my own uselessness. If I could cultivate, I wouldn't have been bullied by them today."

Mu Feng felt helpless. Xiao Yutong was different from him. His meridians had been shattered, but he could continue to cultivate by circulating his internal techniques to repair them. Xiao Yutong, however, was born with a "useless physique," and there was no known cure.

Just then, a tear fell onto his longsword.

In an instant, the sword emitted a brilliant, refined glow. While Xiao Yutong could not see it, Mu Feng saw it clearly. He could distinctly feel that the sword had undergone a transformation because of her tear!

After comforting Xiao Yutong, Mu Feng picked up the sword again. He felt that the blade had become incredibly sharp, with sword energy surging toward the heavens. Countless strands of intent gathered, drawing upon the spiritual energy within Mu Feng’s body and forcing him to break through!

*Fifth level of Qi Condensation!*

How could this be possible?

"Fairy, what is happening?" Mu Feng asked, utterly shocked. A single tear from Xiao Yutong had caused him to break through two levels consecutively?

"Because that tear tempered the sword, increasing its grade. You and the sword are one, so naturally, you improved along with it," the Fairy’s voice drifted into his mind.

"But what mystery does this tear hold? It actually caused the sword to undergo a metamorphosis." Mu Feng was full of confusion. Although it had not yet reached the level of a spiritual weapon, the sword now contained a trace of spiritual energy.

"Who knows? Perhaps it was a tear of love that moved the sword. Who can say?"

"What nonsense." Hearing the Fairy’s reply, Mu Feng was speechless. However, if this was the case, could he just make Xiao Yutong cry and use her tears to temper his sword, allowing his strength to skyrocket?

Seeming to read his thoughts, the Fairy snapped, "Kid, don't get any crooked ideas. She’s already pitiful enough; you want to bully her too?"

"What are you talking about? Doesn't eating chili make people cry, too?"

"Drop those twisted thoughts. Tempering is like alchemy—the more you use it, the worse the effect becomes. If you dare to mess around, I’ll beat you black and blue!" The Fairy put her hands on her hips and knocked on Mu Feng’s head, her tone quite stern.

Hearing this, Mu Feng had to abandon the idea. Still, there must be a great secret hidden within Xiao Yutong. Perhaps he would only know the reason once her eyesight was restored.

Seeing that Xiao Yutong had fallen asleep, Mu Feng didn't want to disturb her and tiptoed out of the room. Outside, Jia Qian and the others stood with faces full of guilt, saying nothing.

"Young Master, it was my negligence that allowed the Young Mistress to be wronged. I should be punished."

"Don't worry about it. This was just a warning from the Xiao family; it was unavoidable." Mu Feng smiled to comfort them. He didn't take the incident to heart. What he actually felt sorry for were the medicinal herbs and meat he had bought with his last dozen taels—all ruined by the Xiao family.

Because he was out of money.

It sounded strange for a dignified Young Master of the Mu family to be broke, but it was true. He received fifty taels of silver every month from the Mu family, but he spent it all on various pills for cultivation. Now that he had been cast aside, who knew if next month’s funds would arrive? Even if they did, he couldn't wait that long.

"Uncle Qian, is there any money left in the Pill Hall’s accounts?" Mu Feng asked. Though it was immoral to misappropriate family funds, these were special circumstances.

Jia Qian shook his head awkwardly. "It’s been empty for months. Brother Zhuang and I have been living off our meager stipends."

*Sigh.* A real headache. A hero can be defeated by a single penny.

Just then, Jia Zhuangxian leaned in. "Young Master, I have an idea! Instead of running a pill hall, why don't we open something else?"

Mu Feng became interested. "Go on."

Jia Zhuangxian rubbed his hands together, grinning. "Young Master, I’ve thought it through. We can renovate this pill hall into a tavern that operates exclusively at night. Look at this area—it's filled with gambling dens and inns. It’s always crowded. We provide the drinks: free for women, double for men! We give out tokens of different colors at the door, and if someone happens to be single, they can pair up based on the token colors. We offer private rooms with different themes—prison style, study style—I guarantee we’ll make a fortune!"

Hearing this, Mu Feng’s mouth twitched. "Such an advanced concept. It's a shame that opening a brothel isn't illegal in this era. Why don't we just open a brothel?"

*Uh...* For a moment, Jia Zhuangxian was at a loss.

Mu Feng sighed secretly and walked out the door, looking around the street. Directly across from them was a bustling gambling den.

"Why not go in and try your luck?" the Fairy suggested, eager to see action.

"Are you sure?"

"I’m a Fairy, of course I am. I was known as the Gambling Immortal."

"Shall we try?"

"Let's go!"

Deciding on a plan, Mu Feng walked toward the gambling den. With no other options, he had to give it a shot. He happened to see a man walk out, cursing loudly after losing everything. Mu Feng couldn't help but sigh. "Gambling ruins lives."

With that, he stepped inside. What met his eyes were countless people crowding around tables, shouting loudly.

"What are we playing?" Mu Feng asked.

"Dice," the Fairy replied without hesitation. Dice were convenient for betting on both sums and specific numbers.

Mu Feng walked up, took out his last three taels of silver, and waited for the Fairy’s instructions.

"Place your bets!" As the dealer shouted, the Fairy immediately spoke: "Two, three, three."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely sure!"

Trusting the Fairy’s confidence, Mu Feng threw down two taels.

"Why only two? Don't you trust me?"

"I trust you, but a man must always leave himself a way out."

"Coward!" the Fairy snapped, watching the bowl. But when the bowl was lifted, she went silent.

"Three, four, four! How is that possible!"

Mu Feng was speechless. Luckily, he hadn't gone all in, or he would truly be penniless.

"Aren't you the Gambling Immortal?"

"They’re cheating!"

"Whatever."

"These old scoundrels poured molten iron into the dice. It’s dishonest!"

"Excuses."

"Trust me one more time. The last time."

"Can you do it?"

"If I can't, I’ll give you two top-tier cultivation techniques."

Seeming fired up, the Fairy stared fiercely at the rim of the bowl, determined to prove herself.

"Two, two, one."

Hearing this, Mu Feng looked at the last remaining tael of silver in his hand and threw it down with a pained heart. But this time, the Fairy won. Seeing how they cheated, the Fairy began to dominate the game. Before long, she had helped Mu Feng win a hundred taels. The other gamblers followed Mu Feng’s lead and made a killing as well.

Looking at his bulging coin purse, Mu Feng prepared to slip away. He knew the rules of the house; if he kept winning, he might not be able to walk out the front door.

As soon as he turned around, he saw two large men standing behind him, staring at him with hostile intent.

"Young Master Mu, our boss would like to invite you upstairs for a cup of tea."

"Please, do us the honor!"