Uncle Hang and I sat opposite each other, our eyes locked in silent competition as we prepared to play Fan-Tan.
The table before us was covered in a grid of small, numbered cups, each holding a handful of beans. With a flick of his wrist, he scattered the beans across the table, setting the stage for our game. They settled into neat groups, each one revealing a number: four, seven, three, and one.
"You can use these copper cups for now," Uncle Hang said as he tossed me a couple of copper coins.
The currency in the immortal world was simply divided into Copper->Silver->Gold->Platinum->Crystal. Each one is worth a thousand of the previous.
I studied the arrangement of beans intently, searching for any patterns or clues that might guide my next move. Across from me, Uncle Hang wore a confident smirk, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he awaited my decision.
'Eve, what should I choose?' I asked in my mind.
That was the entirety of my plan, I knew Uncle Hang was obsessed with gambling and I also knew Eve could help me win.
[Analyzing…..I advise the master to choose number three.] Eve replied.
After a moment of deliberation, I reached for a handful of coins, carefully placing them beside the cup marked with the number three. Uncle Hang raised an eyebrow at my choice but said nothing as he countered with his own bet.
With a flick of his wrist, he sent the beans flying once again, the tension mounting with each flip of the cup. As the last bean came to rest, revealing the number three, a collective gasp went up from the other thugs gathered around the table.
My grin widened as I waited for my winnings.
"For the first round, I'll give you back your clothes." Uncle Hang said.
"Sure, but I'm taking everything!"
He waved his hand and the thugs brought over a bag, inside it were several sets of expensive clothes I had brought with me from the main family estate.
"Once again," he said as he scattered the beans across the table with a flick of his wrist, setting the stage for the next round. They settled into groups once again, each one revealing a number: six, eight, four, and two.
"Make your choice," he said.
'Eve. Also, find a chance to quietly place the clothing bag in the inventory.' I said in my mind.
[Analyzing…! Please choose number four.] She replied.
At the same time, the bag of my clothing disappeared quietly.
"I'll go with four," I said with a purposefully unsure tone.
"I'll go with eight," Uncle Hang said and then he sent the beans flying. The tension once again mounted with each flip of the cup.
And as the last bean came to rest, revealing the number four, the other thugs jumped up in shock. The reason is Uncle Hang was undefeated in Fan-Tan due to his great luck.
He also used a special set of rules, where the winner is either the closest to the right number or the number who got it exactly. These rules went perfectly with his luck and he soon became an undefeated gambler.
But with Eve, I knew the exact number and could call it out each time. Eve did the calculations using the wind, physics, and probability and I enjoyed the results.
"Bring the other bag, the one with his jewelry and ornaments. No one can afford them in this rural region anyway." Uncle Hang said. His expression was strangely stoic but I thought nothing of it.
The thugs brought the small bag and tossed it to me. I acted like I placed it on my side and sent it to the inventory.
"Again." Uncle Hang said.
Once again he scattered the beans across the table and set the stage for the next round. They settled into groups once again, each one revealing a number: nine, one, seven, and five.
"I'll choose seven," Uncle Hang chose first.
[Choose one, master.] Eve said.
"I choose one," I said.
the beans once again went flying and after they all came to rest, the number One was revealed.
"It's my win again," I said.
Uncle Hang reached to his waist and put a bag of coins on the table.
"Inside there are 2 gold coins 800 silver coins and 700 coppers. About the sum of what I've taken from you," he said.
I immediately took the bag and with a swift motion placed it in my inventory.
"I'll be off then." I stood up and said.
*Thud!* *Thud!*
Uncle Hang placed a sword on the table along with a necklace.
"Sit down or I'll kill you," he said coldly with his eyes looking into mine, his expression never changing.
I immediately sat down.
"o-one last r-round?" I asked.
"One of you cover his eyes and another grab his arms." Uncle Hang said.
In an instant, my eyes were covered and my arms were held to the side.
"What is this? Aren't we going to play?!" I asked.
"Of course, we are. if you win you can take the sword and necklace, if you lose I'll take your head." Uncle Hang said.
"You're too much! I'm still the 7th son of the [Zhao Family]! My family has destroyed entire empires for less! If you kill me there will be no place for you in the world!" I said.
"As if. Your 6th brother is my boss. I was already given the order to kill you this morning." He replied.
"….." I stopped attempting to talk my way out and began creating an escape plan.
I heard him scatter the beans across the table with a flick of his wrist.
"Choose between five, six, nine, and seven." He said.
'Prepare to store the sword and necklace in the inventory once I touch them.' I told Eve.
[Yes, master! Please choose six.]
"I choose six," I answered quickly.
The beans went up and once they settled it was, of course, six.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAH!! You really are blessed by the heavens! Too bad you're still going to die today," Uncle Hang laughed loudly.
"[Electric Charge]!" I said and instantly the thugs restraining me were electrocuted until their hands released and they fell unconscious.
In the chaos, I touched the sword and necklace causing them to enter my inventory as I ran away as fast as I could.
"YOU IDIOTS! CATCH HIM!!" I could hear Uncle Hang shouting behind me.
I ran as fast as I could towards the market, my plan was to completely skip town but I couldn't leave Yao-Yao behind.
I ran and ran hoping to see her in the market.
"There!" With no time to waste, I scooped up Yao-Yao and continued to run without looking back. Thankfully she was as light as a feather.
"Let me go! Who are you- Young master?! Why are you running?"
"Be quiet, we're leaving the city, Uncle Hang is looking to kill me!"
"What?! But isn't he 6th young master's lackey? Does that mean…?!"
I no longer paid her any attention and just ran until I saw a stable.
"Horse! Quickly!" I shouted at the owner.
"What kind of hor-" He was about to ask when I tossed 10 silver coins at him and leaped onto the first saddled horse I saw.
"This is too much money!"
It was a magnificent black horse, its muscular form exuding strength and vitality.
The soft glow of the lanterns overhead cast a warm light upon the horse's glossy coat, illuminating the subtle sheen that seemed to dance across its midnight-black fur. Each strand of its mane and tail caught the light, creating an aura of ethereal beauty that enveloped the creature.
"GO!" I commanded the horse and it was released like an arrow from a bow.
The black horse let out a deep, resonant neigh that echoed through the village.
It ran and ran through the narrow streets, I could just barely steer it with Yao-Yao holding onto my waist. Every few meters I saw either one of my brother's lackeys or a guard on his payroll searching for me.
Soon, we reached the village gate and the guards were standing there waiting.
"I told you we could catch him here!" One of them said.
"JUMP!" I told the horse.
It neighed strongly again and leaped over the guards pushing away some of them with his muscular build.
The path ahead was clear and I was out of the village's confines, now all that was left was to stay strong until we reached the next city.
"We did it, young master! We got away!"
"We did it, Yao-Yao, we got awa-AGHHHH-" Pain suddenly struck me and I lost consciousness.
…