Seeing Gu Qingfeng stake a million chips on his very first bet, the thirty-odd gamblers at the table were all taken aback.
While they were either elders from Minor Secret Realms, stewards from Great Secret Realms, or scions of Immortal Clans—people who were certainly not short on money—even so, a million was no small sum to any of them. After all, no one's wealth had been blown in by the wind. Losing a million would still sting.
What made it even more unbelievable was that Gu Qingfeng's million-chip bet was not on big or small, nor on odd or even. He didn't even pick a specific total for the three dice. Instead, he directly bet on Leopard!
That's right!
Leopard, with its one-to-thirty payout!
Witnessing this scene, not only were the thirty-odd gamblers at the table dumbfounded, but even Steward Zhu Guang of this gambling garden and Old Master Li himself were somewhat stupefied.
It wasn't that they had never seen someone bet a million on their first move. On the contrary, as managers and officials of this gambling city, they had seen many reckless gamblers. They had witnessed bets of not just millions, but tens of millions. However, betting a million on the first move and directly on Leopard? This was truly their first time seeing such a thing.
Was he drunk?
Or was he out of his mind?
Who bets on Leopard directly with their very first move?
"This Young Lord is truly extravagant beyond measure, truly admirable, most admirable indeed!"
"Ah, I'm getting old…
Truly getting old, can't keep up with the trends of the younger generation anymore."
"One really sees all kinds of people when they live long enough. What an eye-opener, a true eye-opener…"
The veteran gamblers at the table sighed one after another. Li Fengyan, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips, clapped his hands and said, "Good!
Very good!
Betting a million, challenging Leopard alone, what boldness!
Truly bold, hahahaha!"
Horse King could tell these people were all mocking Gu Qingfeng. He walked over, intending to advise Gu Qingfeng to be rational, but before he could speak, Old Master Li had already activated the Little Thousand Fate Chaos Array Technique.
When the array ceased operation and the multi-colored glow flashing from the dice cup gradually dissipated, Old Master Li opened the cup.
One die showed six.
One showed three.
One showed four.
It was not a Leopard, not even a pair.
Gu Qingfeng had lost. He lost on the very first bet, and he lost a million.
"Young man, having ambition, drive, and wanting to win big with small stakes is not wrong, but at the gambling table, this is a major taboo."
"Know when to stop, do not be greedy for the grand prize. Proceed step by step. Maintaining an ordinary heart regardless of wins or losses is the true kingly way of gambling."
Seeing Gu Qingfeng lose a million on his first bet, everyone felt pity for him. If they had still held some lingering disbelief that Gu Qingfeng was merely an upstart, then when they saw him use a million chips to challenge Leopard alone, that last shred of disbelief vanished without a trace.
"Hehe, this Young Lord originally thought you were nothing but a mere upstart. Now it seems this Young Lord overestimated you. Turns out you're just a rookie who won a few Immortal Stones by luck at the outer tables."
Li Fengyan's laughter rang out, and the others nodded in agreement. They too believed that only a rookie fresh to the gambling scene, someone who had won a few Immortal Stones by luck outside, would so irrationally bet a million Immortal Stones on Leopard alone.
"Merely won a few Immortal Stones by luck outside, and now you want to swagger about here?
Hehe, truly ignorant."
Gu Qingfeng was still lazily and casually seated in his chair, drinking his wine cup by cup. He glanced at Li Fengyan and smiled, "What of it? Can't a rookie swagger about here?"
"Oh?
Are you challenging this Young Lord?"
"And if I am?"
"Heh, what enormous gall!"
"This lord's gall has always been enormous."
Li Fengyan was not someone to be trifled with, everyone in the hall knew that, especially Horse King. Seeing Gu Qingfeng, seemingly oblivious to death, daring to refer to himself as 'lord' in front of Li Fengyan, he hurried over and whispered a reminder.
"Good!
Then let this Young Lord see just how enormous your gall is."
Li Fengyan, a smile still on his lips, said, "Since you call yourself the Tough Guy Nobleman, then bet on Leopard again and let this Young Lord see."
Anyone with eyes could see Li Fengyan was deliberately provoking Gu Qingfeng to bet on Leopard and lose money.
But what no one expected was that Gu Qingfeng truly fell for it. With a casual toss, he threw out another million chips, still betting on Leopard, and said, "Bet I will!
It's just a million."
"Good!
Good!
Good!"
Li Fengyan clapped his hands, the smile at the corner of his mouth growing even richer. "Truly worthy of the title Tough Guy!
Impressive!
Most impressive!"
Beside them, Horse King secretly transmitted his voice in persuasion, "Brother!
This Li Fengyan is deliberately provoking you, don't fall for it! And don't act on impulse!"
Gu Qingfeng patted his shoulder, signaling him not to worry.
The second round began. The Little Thousand Fate Chaos Array Technique activated.
When the multi-colored glow from the dice cup dissipated, Old Master Li opened the cup.
One die showed two.
One showed four.
One showed five.
Clearly, Gu Qingfeng lost the second round as well.
While Li Fengyan had won two rounds in a row. When the third round began, Li Fengyan laughed, "Tough Guy Nobleman, lost two rounds in a row, scared now?
Can't play anymore?
Don't dare to keep betting on Leopard?"
"What is there to fear?"
Gu Qingfeng flicked his hand, another million continuing to bet on Leopard.
"Yo!
Impressive!
Impressive!
The Tough Guy Nobleman truly lives up to his name!
Admirable!
Truly admirable!"
The third round began.
Li Fengyan won again, while Gu Qingfeng lost once more.
When the fourth round began, Li Fengyan stood up again and said, "Tough Guy Nobleman, you only have a million chips left now. This Young Lord advises you to honestly go back outside to play. This is not a place for you. You can't afford to play here, nor do you have the qualifications to play with this Young Lord."
"What a joke."
Gu Qingfeng picked up his wine cup, downed the wine in one go, and said, "Does this Tough Guy Nobleman look like someone who can't afford to play?"
"Good!
If you truly have the guts, bet on Leopard one more time and let this Young Lord see!"
"Bet I will, you think I'm afraid of you!"
Gu Qingfeng directly pushed the last million Immortal Stones in front of him onto Leopard once again.
Mad!
Absolutely mad!
Horse King could no longer stand it. Regardless of whether the gamblers present were important figures or not, he rushed over, his throat choked, eyes wide, and said, "Brother!
Stop playing!
We've already lost three million! If we lose again, we'll have nothing left!"
Compared to Horse King's anxiety, Gu Qingfeng appeared utterly calm, still leisurely drinking his wine, and said indifferently, "A mere million Immortal Stones, lost is lost, no big deal. Besides, these were all won by us anyway, what's there to fear? And furthermore, what if we win? We'll make a huge profit in one go."
Win?
Betting on Leopard alone, how the hell could he win?
Horse King felt like crying but had no tears. He truly didn't know how to persuade Gu Qingfeng to stop.
Perhaps seeing Gu Qingfeng pitiful and not wanting him to continue falling for Li Fengyan's provocation, someone advised, "Young man, know when to stop. Gambling is not like other things; you mustn't act on impulse. Keep this million and go back, lest you lose everything you have."
Even Old Master Li seemed unable to bear watching Gu Qingfeng lose all four million. He asked, "Young Lord, are you certain you still wish to bet on Leopard?"
"Of course."
As soon as Gu Qingfeng nodded, Horse King clasped his fists and pleaded, "Old Master Li, could you please wait a moment? My brother here is drunk, his consciousness is somewhat blurred. May I take this million chips and leave on his behalf?"
"I say, Horse Idiot!
What business is it of yours here!
If you dare speak another word, don't blame this Young Lord for being rude to you!"
After angrily rebuking Horse King, Li Fengyan said to Old Master Li, "Chief Steward Li, once the bet is placed, the hand is withdrawn. That is your longstanding rule."
Old Master Li nodded. Indeed, once the bet was placed, the hand withdrawn—that had always been the gambling city's old rule.
He said nothing more and activated the array once again.