Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 1216 592: Thousand Tael House (Part 5)

~3 minute read · 753 words

Previously on Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'...

Dou Jiyan leads Li Banfeng into the "Thousand Tael House," a gambling establishment where patrons gamble with a strict limit to avoid ruin. Dou Jiyan explains that the gambling sect's techniques involve consuming the flesh of gambling cultivators, which is extremely valuable. Inside, the gambling house quiets upon Dou Jiyan's arrival. Li Banfeng observes a gambling cultivator using a technique called "Shifting Flower and Wood" to manipulate cards, which is not considered cheating within the sect's rules. Dou Jiyan notes that such skilled cultivators are often targeted for their flesh once they gain wealth and reputation.

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "That's fair enough. Back then, they entered the Taoist Sect by feeding on others' flesh and blood, and now they've ended up on the chopping block themselves."

Dou Jiyan agreed wholeheartedly, "Brother Seven is right. Those who are insatiably greedy find themselves on the chopping block sooner or later. But those who know when to advance and retreat still have a way to survive. The people who come to Thousand Tael House are all looking for a way out. They've earned enough money, suffered enough hardships, and their cultivation level won't advance any further in this life,

Relying on their earlier savings, they could have lived out their lives, but gambling cultivators find it hard to change their nature. In Thousand Tael House, privately setting up gambling games, risking everything, gambling away their savings, and even their wives and children, until they wager their own flesh and blood for money,

In past years, there were many credit cultivators in Thousand Tael House, all carrying boning knives. Gambling cultivators who couldn't pay their debts would use their flesh to repay. They would slaughter and cut on the spot, turning Thousand Tael House into a marketplace,

Since I became the Local Deity, I set the rules: from now on, no private gambling games are allowed in Thousand Tael House. You can cultivate in the gambling house, but daily winnings or losses must not exceed one Ocean Dollar. Anyone who violates this rule must leave Thousand Tael House, and there's absolutely no room for negotiation."

The two walked out of the gambling house, and not long after, they saw another wall.

Li Banfeng asked, "Is Thousand Tael House only this big?"

Dou Jiyan shook his head, "Thousand Tael House is divided into twenty-eight sections, each with a gambling house and a market, all separated by walls. During the day, people can move freely between sections, but at night, the gates close, and residents can only stay within their section,

In the center of Thousand Tael House, there are eight big gambling houses, with teahouses, theaters, taverns, and restaurants. I've procured all that is necessary. As long as they're willing to live properly, there's nothing lacking in Thousand Tael House..."

Before Dou Jiyan could finish speaking, her voice was drowned out by a burst of commotion.

The noise came from the gambling house. As soon as Dou Jiyan left, the gambling house started bustling again.

Dou Jiyan felt a bit embarrassed as she looked at the iron fence outside the gambling house, "These fences have been here for years; they need a fresh coat of paint."

Li Banfeng asked, "What color?"

Dou Jiyan replied, "Red paint, of course. In Thousand Tael House, the fences of the gambling houses are all painted red."

Li Banfeng nodded slightly, but he was not talking to Dou Jiyan.

He was reminding the projector to observe the colors in the gambling house.

The projector had been observing.

After walking a bit further, Li Banfeng went to the restroom, and the projector whispered in his ear, "Seventh Guide, the colors in the gambling house are quite complex, but very striking,

Before you went in, there were melancholy and depressing grays around the gambling house, as well as joyful and excited reds, with more grays overall."

Ten gambles, nine losses. It's human nature for people to feel more dejected after leaving.

The projector continued, "After you entered the gambling house, the colors changed. There were oppressive blacks, fearful greens, and even more vivid reds."

"More vivid? Do you mean they were happier?"

The projector cautiously responded, "Such a dazzling red might not signify joy; it could also mean anger."

...

Walking to the side of the section wall, Dou Jiyan explained, "Just pass through two more sections, and you'll reach the big gambling house in the center of Thousand Tael House. Tomorrow's game will be in the big gambling house. Brother Seven, let me show you."

Li Banfeng was not in a hurry to see the big gambling house; he first asked a key question, "You invited me here to be a witness. If you lose tomorrow, should I do what is just and fair?"

Dou Jiyan nodded slightly, "A gambler's duty is to accept loss as well as victory, but I won't lose. I won't let Ding Liusan take over Thousand Tael House."

Li Banfeng remained silent.

PS: Who wins is truly uncertain.