Chapter 161: Cheating Means Losing a Hand

Chapter 161: Cheating Costs a Hand

Creak.

"Damn it, this rain comes as it pleases, faster than a business partner turning his back on you."

He Zangjia cursed as he shoved open the gambling den's heavy door, his movements practiced as he slammed it shut behind him, sealing the wind and rain outside.

He wiped the rain from his face, scanning the interior.

Beneath the dim, warm yellow light, the place was deserted, cold and quiet.

A few of his own lackeys—mixed cards, the lot of them—stood or sat scattered around the perimeter, subtly surrounding Zhou You and a round-faced man in the center.

"Brother Jia."

"Brother Jia."

Seeing He Zangjia enter, the lackeys scrambled to their feet, shouting respectfully.

He Zangjia gave them a lazy nod, dragging a chair over to sit beside Zhou You. He pressed a hand on the youth's shoulder as he tried to rise, laughing and cursing, "Stinking brat, dragging me over here in such a panic, just to introduce me to a new friend?"

Pinned back into his seat, Zhou You's expression was grave, his voice low. "Whether he's a friend... depends on what you think, Brother Jia."

"Oh, depends on me?"

He Zangjia raised an eyebrow. "Then he could just as well be an enemy, eh?"

He turned his gaze to the round-faced man, narrowing his eyes with a smile. "So, brother, you're cheating in my den?"

"A misunderstanding, that's all. Certainly not cheating."

The round-faced man shook his head, smiling just the same. "I was merely helping a fellow disciple check the house for vulnerabilities. Brother Tiger Head, you mustn't twist my good intentions."

He Zangjia leaned back, his eyes cold and condescending. "From the sound of it, you're one of the Association's people? Then show me your colors."

"Gladly." The round-faced man smiled faintly, cupping his fists. "I am Xu Kang, ranked second to last in the 'Tube' suit."

"Ah, the Two of Tubes. No wonder I don't know you."

He Zangjia's contemptuous tone made Xu Kang's face instantly harden, his voice turning frigid. "Brother Tiger Head, a great man forgets small slights; naturally you wouldn't remember small fry like us. But now that we're acquainted, I'll be on my way."

With that, Xu Kang actually moved to stand and leave.

"Don't rush off."

Xu Kang's eyes sharpened. "What, does Brother Tiger Head have further instructions?"

"Used to be I heard the Chief's Tubes, riding on their faction's power, loved cheating in other houses, extorting and bleeding them dry."

"If caught, they'd shamelessly claim they were plugging holes for the owner. If not, they'd take the money and run, change their face, and keep fleecing."

"I always took those rumors for jokes," He Zangjia laughed, a hollow sound. "Never thought I'd see it happen in my own den."

"Brother Tiger Head speaks too heavily. I came to your turf today with no intent to cheat, nor to take a single coin won. My actions were only so our own brothers wouldn't be swindled by outsiders."

Xu Kang spoke calmly. "The facts prove your house is clean. Doing business here from now on, you're sure to make a fortune daily."

He Zangjia's expression turned strange, a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he looked at Xu Kang. "By your logic, I should be thanking you?"

"Not me. Thank the Chief. He often teaches us to help one another among the brothers of the Gambling Association."

Xu Kang bit down hard on the words 'Chief', the implication clear as day.

Today, among the three great factions of the Sichuan-Chongqing Gambling Association, the 'Sparrow Faction' occupying Central Chongqing was the undisputed leader.

And within the 'Sparrow Faction', the 'Tube Suit' led by the Chief was the strongest.

That was why the 'Tube Suit' acted so arrogantly, cheating and setting traps with impunity.

Because even if caught, they only needed to invent an excuse, and others would swallow their grievance for the Chief's sake, eating the silent loss.

Xu Kang repeatedly invoking the Chief's name was a reminder to He Zangjia: since your house lost nothing, why make an enemy of the 'Tube Suit'?

The four words 'bullying by borrowed power' were performed to perfection by the 'Tube Suit'.

Watching He Zangjia lower his eyes in thought, a trace of smugness flashed in Xu Kang's eyes. He cupped his hands, smiling. "Since the misunderstanding is cleared, I'll take my leave."

Just as he rose leisurely, Zhou You suddenly spoke: "You cheated. You don't leave."

The words barely fell before the lackeys standing by closed in, blocking Xu Kang's path.

Blocked again, Xu Kang didn't bother hiding his mockery. "Who runs this den, exactly?"

"The owner is me. But the manager is him."

He Zangjia slowly lifted his gaze, spreading his hands toward Zhou You. "Your call. This time, you decide."

"I don't care about Chiefs or Deputy Chiefs," Zhou You's face tightened, his tone deep. "By the rules of the house, cheating means only one thing: the hand comes off!"

Xu Kang's face turned iron-grey, the words forced through gritted teeth: "You won't even give face to the 'Tube Suit' Chief?"

"Rules are rules," Zhou You enunciated each word. "No one's face is big enough."

Beside the youth, He Zangjia's lips slowly curled into a smile, an look of appreciation on his androgynous face.

The kid's temper... it's a bit like mine.

He Zangjia snapped his fingers, grinning at Xu Kang. "The manager has spoken. So it's the hand, then."

Xu Kang blustered, his neck stiff as he roared, "He Zangjia, think of the consequences!"

He Zangjia sneered. "Never mind that you're just a lousy Two of Tubes. Even if you were the Four of Tubes, would Zhu Jiao come down from Hongya Mountain just for you?"

"You—"

Seeing the situation turn, Xu Kang bolted for the door. Pity that as soon as he lifted his foot, a massive figure loomed before him.

Two of Tubes versus Tiger Head. Scholar Nine versus Farmer Eight.

The result needed no elaboration.

Bang!

Xu Kang's two hands were slammed onto the table.

And this table was precisely the Pai Gow table where he had just won streak after streak, slaughtering the room.

"Your decision. You do it."

Zhou You took the knife from He Zangjia in silence, stepping toward Xu Kang one step at a time.

"He Zangjia, make an enemy of the 'Tube Suit', and you'll never open another den in Chongqing Prefecture!"

Xu Kang was still screaming when He Zangjia's slap cut him off.

"Still threatening me? If I can't open it, I won't. Worst case, I go back to being a hired blade, specializing in robbing you 'Tube Suit' bastards!"

"All a bunch of idiots just like Dai Xitu."

He Zangjia spat, glancing at the hesitating Zhou You. "Make it quick. Don't get blood on me."

The words barely left his mouth when a flash of cold light erupted.

The blade fell. Zhou You severed both of Xu Kang's hands in a single stroke.

The blade's momentum did not abate after severing sinew and bone; with a dull *thunk*, it drove into the gambling table, carving a deep notch.

"Ah!"

A piercing, agonized scream tore from Xu Kang's throat; he slumped down like a mound of melting mud, collapsing to the floor in endless wailing.

He Zangjia cast a glance over the blood-soaked floor and the two severed hands, their stumps a raw crimson, and laughed: "Well, well, no wonder the screaming was so loud—turns out they were a pair of factory originals."