Chapter 106 – Station 23: Three Rounds

Chapter 106 - Station 23: Three Rounds

A change in players meant a fundamental shift in the rules.

Initially, Ming Yiyang was supposed to face Bai Changfeng. No matter how much Ming Yiyang won, it wouldn't have mattered to spectators, as he would be taking those stakes from the Bai family.

But now that Lin Yongjian had replaced him, it meant that whatever Ming Yiyang gained, Lin Yongjian would lose an equal amount.

This was a life-and-death match where one teammate was sacrificed for the other's gain. Madam Old Bai intended to witness such a scenario unfold.

Her objective was to indulge in pleasure and pain, witnessing the distortion and cheapness of human nature. Such a life-or-death setup clearly thrilled her.

Moreover, she needed to retaliate against being ensnared by Yan Qiling's quick-witted trap during the second round.

Once an agreement was sealed between two Unbounded, it could not be altered.

From the moment Yan Qiling proposed the dice game and she counter-proposed becoming his guest behind the scenes, their pact had begun to take shape. The subsequent details were merely additional conditions both parties would attach to the agreement.

Yan Qiling deliberately bargained, giving the impression that he was in a difficult position and uncertain about the outcome of the wager.

In reality, she had secretly maneuvered, using the concealed seventh dice to create a triple six, thus winning the game!

Indeed, there had been no prior stipulation that victory had to be achieved with only six dice, allowing Yan Qiling to exploit this loophole... Clever tactics.

She wouldn't allow others to exploit the same trick she had used. It was impossible for Yan Qiling to form a new contract with her.

So, she decided to summon one of the flesh beings to battle against them.

Though it was puzzling why Yan Qiling, as the Master of the Unseen Realm, would associate with these inexpensive flesh beings and constantly aid them, it mattered little now.

Let them fight amongst themselves.

The woman's beautiful and venomous smile bloomed behind her exquisite fan.

Despite his hesitation, Lin Yongjian had no choice but to steel himself and proceed.

The two sat facing each other.

This time, the atmosphere between them was notably quiet, carrying an awkward silence as they stared at each other.

However, this might be a one-sided feeling on Lin Yongjian's part.

Ming Yiyang showed no intention of holding back. Without even glancing at them, he pushed all his chips forward.

"All in."

Lin Yongjian hadn't expected such a high stakes game from the start, but now, he found himself in a dilemma.

He gazed at the scattered multitude of oddly-shaped teeth before him, which seemed to come from people of various ages. The grooves still evident on these teeth hinted at the lifestyles of their former owners.

Would he end up becoming one of these people?

Taking a deep breath, Lin Yongjian looked across the table and spoke,

"Ming Yiyang, I don't advise betting so much. If you're willing, let's go with ten teeth per round."

"Are you calculating how many times you can afford to lose? Planning to use your remaining thirty teeth as incremental stakes, right?"

A leisurely smile tugged at the corner of Ming Yiyang's mouth. With his right elbow resting on the armrest of his chair, he propped up his cheek.

"Too inefficient, and pointless."

Lin Yongjian had no idea what this person was thinking:

"But... this would give us both an escape route... Professor Yan, don't you want to persuade him?"

"There's no turning back for those who sit at the gambling table."

Ming Yiyang, reexamining the dice, picked up six of them to toy with, not allowing the embraced Yan Qiling to speak.

His amethyst eyes held an unreadable emotion:

"Don't you understand yet? You don't have three chances at all. These teeth you borrowed, whether ten or thirty, they're all leverage. Lose just once, and it's game over; there's no chance of redemption. Since it's all or nothing, you must bet big and pray for a single, victorious roll."

One by one, he tossed the dice into his own cup, each one landing with a resounding clatter:

"I don't need to win, but that doesn't stop me from going all in. Though you borrowed the teeth, whether you or I triumph, with 150 teeth, a single roll of triplets will generate enough profit to save anyone besides you and me."

Everyone held their breath.

Ming Yiyang was right.

Lin Yongjian's bet was borrowed, but interest-free. The leopard could multiply the stakes by three, resulting in four hundred and fifty teeth. After repaying the initial hundred and fifty, there would still be three hundred left. That amount was more than sufficient to save ten people.

The only unfortunate one would be the loser of this round, who would end up with nothing and potentially in debt.

As the last dice landed in the gambling cup, the silver-haired young man flipped it onto the table with a snap:

"However, you don't have to think too highly of me. This is the outcome Teacher Yan wants to see, and compared to you, he'd probably prefer if I lost."

Lin Yongjian immediately turned his gaze to the silent man sitting at the table.

The man's neatly combed black hair partially obscured his downcast expression as Yan Qiling turned his head to look at Ming Yiyang beside him.

The handsome young man turned back to meet his gaze, then leaned in close to whisper softly into his ear.

"Rest assured, I won't let anyone bear a grudge against you."

Yan Qiling was momentarily stunned.

Ming Yiyang gently pushed the betting bowl forward and said,

"Place your equivalent stake, Lin Yongjian."

Lin Yongjian knew there was no escaping this round, and indeed, the strategy was as Ming Yiyang had stated - it was the best possible solution.

His thick brows furrowed slightly, and he lowered his gaze before saying,

"Just like him."

The white teeth piled up in the center of the gambling table, forming two small, snow-white peaks with a compelling, cruel beauty.

Ming Yiyang made a polite gesture, identical to before:

"Please, go first."

Lin Yongjian, however, didn't take the cup but instead gazed intently at the other person and said earnestly,

"Let's do it together, Mr. Ming."

Ming Yiyang was indifferent.

Just like the first round, he made no flashy moves. Hooking the base of the cup with his finger, he lifted it gently, causing it to spin mid-air before landing with a "pat" on the table, concealing its contents completely.

Beside him, Bai Changfeng watched with restless agitation. He found that as soon as Ming Yiyang's fingers touched the cup, he could see nothing!

Up above, seated, the elderly Mrs. Bai shook her fan gently. Her calculating gaze revealed a cold, icy smile.

Lin Yongjian hadn't expected this person's "shake" to be so swift.

He had learned some dice-shaking techniques when he made films in the past. At this life-or-death juncture, he had no choice but to give it a try.

He began shaking the dice with a "rattle," and Bai Changfeng, observing him, rubbed his chin, looking somewhat anxious, wishing he could just shake it for him. Only when his mother shot him a warning glance did he restrain himself, watching the situation unfold with a blank expression.

Pat.

Lin Yongjian slammed the betting cup onto the table.

Assuming he wasn't mistaken, there should be six twos in his cup, but he wasn't entirely sure, leaving him somewhat anxious.

However, Ming Yiyang, sitting across from him, suddenly declared an impossible number while gazing at Lin Yongjian's cup:

"I'll guess a 'leopard', two points."

Lin Yongjian was taken aback and asked,

"Are you saying... six twos?"

"No, just two points."

Ming Yiyang barely paused before lifting his own betting cup.

His dice were revealed, aligned in a row, with the topmost one showing – unbelievably – two points!

Lin Yongjian suppressed the quivering in his heart.

Of course, he didn't believe that his dice could only roll a two. However, Ming Yiyang's previous miraculous gambling skills were so exceptional that, despite constantly reminding himself that it was impossible, he now found himself mostly convinced.

He hesitantly and cautiously opened his own cup.

Amidst the white powder, only one of the six dice remained.

And the single surviving die revealed a two on its face!

Lin Yongjian's face turned ashen.

Ming Yiyang, on the other hand, collected his chips with leisurely composure. The number of teeth in his possession had already doubled to three hundred!

He casually grabbed a handful of the pristine white teeth while propping his chin up and said,

"Let him down. I'll have another round with Young Master Bai."

Bai Changfeng was quite eager for another round, but the beautiful maid who had been assisting Madam Bai in moving the screen silently held his shoulder back.

Madam Bai's aged voice echoed softly:

"That won't do. The rules were established beforehand — each person only gets three chances. You've gained enough this time to redeem the teeth of everyone except Lin Yongjian. Greed is unbecoming. You should all return home."

"Many thanks for your kindness, Madam."

The young man's tone was languid, drawn out:

"But, Madam White, didn't you also say that as long as one still wishes to gamble, they need only give up a tooth to continue, isn't that right?"

A disheartened Lin Yongjian stared at him in disbelief, unable to fathom such a request.

The woman's face twisted into a bloodthirsty smile:

"Certainly, if Mr. Ming wishes to proceed, I'd be more than happy to accommodate that small request, provided you're willing to pull out your own tooth."

Ming Yiyang picked up the heavy golden forceps and tossed them to Yan Qiling.

"You do it."

Yan Qiling held the golden instrument without hesitation, approaching his opponent and gripping Ming Yiyang's chin with his icy fingers. His voice, like the clashing of gold and jade, carried no extraneous emotions:

"Open your mouth."

Ming Yiyang smiled, his eyes narrowing as he opened his own mouth, revealing a set of sharp and pointed teeth.

The young man's front teeth were solid and attractive, but the ones inside seemed somewhat crooked, possibly the result of not having them extracted in time.

Yan Qiling didn't blink as he inserted the dental pliers, gently gripping the tooth that displeased him on the inner side. Then, with a flex of his fingers, he tightened his grip, gradually securing the unfortunate tooth.

The smile on Ming Yiyang's face faded, and he looked up at Yan Qiling expressionlessly. After a moment, the man suddenly exerted force!

A muffled groan almost escaped the youth's lips as the bloodied tooth was pulled out by its roots and carelessly tossed onto the table.

Madam Bai nearly sat up entirely, clearly delighted by the entire scene. She watched with avid interest.

The handsome young man turned his head to spit out some blood, his gaze now predatory and intense as he gazed at her. With crimson-stained lips, he spoke softly:

"Well, can I continue with Mister Bai Changfeng now?"

The woman lightly shook her small fan and wickedly chuckled.

"Certainly, but there's a condition."

"The one who can sit at this gambling table shouldn't be you."

Ming Yiyang's eyes sparkled with fierce diamond-like glints.

The woman partially shielded her gaze with her fan and spoke calmly,

"Mr. Yan, since Mr. Ming has gone through great lengths to secure this opportunity for you, please proceed."