Chарtеr 223: Тhе Gаmbling Dеn 5
Speаking оf this, Раn Сhi’s face immеdiаtely shоwed a hint оf sоrrоw аs hе bеgan his pitiful аct, speaking with full remorsе,
“Тhe рast is tоо раinful to rесаll. Sinсе that inсident, my familу’s situаtion hаs been on а steadу declinе. Nоt оnlу did wе sеll оff our prорertу, but wе аlso inсurred а hugе pile оf dеbts. If it werеn’t for Secоnd Brother Wаn tаking mе in, I wouldn’t еven have а рlаcе tо еаt.
Lаtеr, Seсоnd Brоther Wаn also сleаrеd mу debts, but I саn’t just nоt rеpay him аfter owing him so much monеy. I thought todаy my luсk would bе gоod, аnd I could win a round to pay him back, but I never expected to run into my own people.”
“So that’s how it is…” Ji Dafu nodded meaningfully, though it was unclear whether he believed it or not. Judging by his expression, it seemed there might be some truth to it. Could it be that Pan Chi really knew the truth about what happened back then?
Meanwhile, Zhu Yan, ignoring everything else, quickly chimed in, “We’re all brothers here, so why say so much? Consider today’s money as a way to make a new friend. Da Niu, give them back the money.”
Suddenly hearing Zhu Yan call him Da Niu, Shen Du didn’t react for a moment. After a brief daze, he hurriedly took the silver notes from his pocket and placed them on the table.
Zhu Yan even defended his delayed reaction, “My Da Niu is like this—he only knows how to fight and nothing else. His reactions are always half a beat slower than others.”
Seeing the silver notes on the table, Ji Dafu also felt quite embarrassed. “Today’s incident was just a misunderstanding. Second Brother Wan is wealthy and doesn’t care about this money, but for our gambling den, this money is essential for keeping things running. Since that’s the case, then… let’s just consider today’s matter settled.”
“Yes, let’s settle it. Consider it a way to make a friend. My father always said, ‘With more friends, the road ahead is easier.’” Zhu Yan replied naively. “In the future, when we come here again, we’ll have to rely on Brother Ji to look after us.”
“Of course, of course…” Ji Dafu quickly agreed. At that moment, Pan Chi, who was standing nearby, let out a long sigh.
“What’s wrong, Brother Liu? Why are you sighing again?”
“Meeting Brother Ji today is truly a joyous occasion, but when I think about how much debt I owe Second Brother Wan, it weighs heavily on my heart.”
Hearing Pan Chi say this, Zhu Yan awkwardly scratched his neck. “Speaking of your debt, I also feel quite guilty. After all, that money isn’t mine—it’s my father’s. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, Ji Dafu immediately had an idea—he wanted to recruit them into his fold.
Clearing his throat with a fist over his mouth, he looked at Pan Chi and said, “Brother Liu, today’s matter isn’t as simple as you might think. You’ve seen my capabilities just now.” As he spoke, he pointed to the bloodstains on the ground outside. The blood had already dried, trailing all the way, and even now, it looked shocking.
“Normally, anyone who witnesses such things cannot leave this place. What if someone goes out and spreads rumors? Wouldn’t that expose us?
The person who lost an arm earlier left only as a corpse, and my identity cannot be known to outsiders. I’m only telling you this because you’re one of us. You can survive, but you must work for me.”"Will there be a lot of money if I follow Brother Ji?" Pan Chi quickly pressed, genuinely sounding like a pitiful man crushed by debt.
"Of course, if you follow Brother Ji, how could he possibly treat you poorly?"
Hearing Ji Dafu say this, Pan Chi hurriedly raised his hand to declare, "As long as there's money to be made, I'll follow Brother Ji."
After speaking, Ji Dafu then turned his gaze to Zhu Yan. "What does Second Brother Wan mean?"
Zhu Yan blinked with a dazed expression, as if she hadn't fully grasped the meaning behind their words. After hesitating for a long while, she finally said foolishly, "As long as I follow you, will you let me survive, with food and shelter?"
Hearing Zhu Yan say this, Ji Dafu frowned, showing disdain: This person doesn't seem to have much brains. Is it really okay to keep her?
He himself began to doubt it.
Zhu Yan, however, looked at Ji Dafu with eager anticipation. Out of respect for Pan Chi's face, Ji Dafu could only nod. "Yes, as long as you follow me, I guarantee your survival."
"Then I'll join." Zhu Yan quickly raised her hand, and then everyone turned their eyes to Shen Du.
Zhu Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. To maintain her persona and avoid exposing any flaws, she had to continue playing the role of the wealthy family's foolish son.
Shen Du remained silent, and Zhu Yan hurriedly smoothed things over for him. "You don't need to worry about him. He was also bought by my father. If I say he joins, he has to join."
Since that was the case, they had reached a consensus.
Ji Dafu was a shrewd man. Although they agreed verbally, they had to take action.
"Good, since the three of you have no objections, we'll complete the initiation ceremony today."
"What ceremony?" Pan Chi looked at Ji Dafu with confusion.
Ji Dafu casually explained, "It's not too complicated a ceremony, just some rules for joining our line of work. We'll form an alliance in our own way, and from then on, you must not go against our will or betray us."
As they spoke, the group had already arrived at a side hall in the back chamber. It was dimly lit, with only faint beams of light filtering into the entire room.
Even so, the room felt incredibly oppressive, even eerie.
"What kind of place is this? Could it be haunted?" Zhu Yan asked foolishly.
Ji Dafu chuckled lightly. "Second Brother Wan, there's no need to be afraid. Even if there are ghosts, once you join our ranks, I'll protect you."
"In that case, I'll rely entirely on Brother Ji." Zhu Yan quickly agreed, but Ji Dafu's expression showed disdain.
The group arrived before an altar, on which sat something resembling a jar. It was hard to see clearly, only a vague outline.
Ji Dafu showed great reverence toward the object in the jar, offering three sticks of incense before stepping aside and gesturing for the others to come forward and do the same.
What did this mean? The group was quite puzzled, but Pan Chi changed the subject.
"Don't alliances usually involve worshiping heaven, earth, and the gods? What's inside this jar?"
Ji Dafu, with a respectful and composed expression, explained, "This is simply our way of forming an alliance. Brother Liu, there's no need to ask too many questions. Just follow along."
"That won't do. If I follow you without understanding, what if you sell me out?""Heh," Ji Dafu gave a helpless smile. "Brother Liu, do you not trust me? You saved my life—I'd sooner sell others than sell you."
"Eh, what does that mean?" Zhu Yan naively chimed in. "Could it be that Brother Ji intends to sell us?"
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