Chapter 739: Clouds Surging from Four Directions

Chapter 739: Clouds Gather from All Directions

The waiter wouldn’t waste more time chatting with Zhao Changhe and soon went to attend to other guests.

Zhao Changhe slowly ate his bread soaked in soup, musing that this stuff seemed more suited for military rations than as a snack.

Now, why did even eating make him think of army provisions?

Just as he was pondering how to shadow Young Master Dai and strike up a conversation, he suddenly saw the man leave the temple alone and dart off into a side street.

Zhao Changhe quickly dropped a piece of silver and followed.

Young Master Dai twisted and turned through alleys, soon slipping into a dim, shadowy house. Zhao Changhe trailed him and saw—a gambling den.

Zhao Changhe: “…”

I thought you were here to pay respects to the Buddha, but it turns out you couldn’t resist sneaking off to gamble halfway through. Fair enough, fair enough—same energy as me skipping class to hit the internet café back in the day. Only difference is, I stand against gambling and drugs with all my might.

Though the gambling den was dim, it wasn’t heavily guarded, and Zhao Changhe slipped in easily.

A woman who looked like the madam greeted Young Master Dai with a smile: “Young Master Dai, you’re a bit late today.”

Unlike the usual flirtatious madams of gambling dens, this one was quite proper, with a refined air and a friendly smile that seemed warm and approachable.

Young Master Dai seemed familiar with her and laughed: “My uncle insisted on going to worship the Buddha. Who’s got the patience to listen to those baldies chant sutras? Seeing those shaven heads just feels like bad luck—makes me think I’ll get cleaned out at the tables. What a jinx.”

“Young Master Dai’s luck is blazing bright—how could a little bad luck affect you?” The madam chuckled. “Though I’m a bit curious—after the Buddhist-Daoist debate, the Great Wild Goose Temple lost, and the nobles stopped going. Why the sudden return?”

Young Master Dai waved a hand: “That new Buddha has some tricks. Damn, a few words from him almost made me want to shave my head. Guess that’s what they mean by ‘a tongue that blossoms lotuses.’”

The madam narrowed her eyes slightly, then asked with amusement: “So why did you run off here, Young Master Dai?”

Young Master Dai said matter-of-factly: “When I heard them say I must abstain from lust and gambling, I said screw that. I, Dai Qingge, am in the prime of my youth—if I can’t do this or that, what’s the point of living? Why stick around for the New Year?”

The madam chuckled: “Exactly. What’s so great about a lonely lamp and ancient Buddha? You’re in your prime—time for pleasure. Do you want to enjoy the lively main hall today, or head to a private room for a few hands with someone?”

Dai Qingge said: “What’s fun about private games? I don’t want to play with you—I can’t beat you. I’ll just go bet on some dice.”

Zhao Changhe nearly spat out his drink. That’s not how the script goes! Shouldn’t he be having something more than just gambling with the madam in private? And “I don’t want to play with you”? This guy clearly thinks women are no match for games—he should be reincarnated in the modern world as a gamer. “Male leave ID, female strive on.”

The madam seemed amused too: “It’s not just me you can play with. We have plenty of experts here—aren’t you interested, Young Master Dai? Or you could play with other gamblers. Crowding in the main hall doesn’t suit your status.”

Zhao Changhe glanced at her, thinking something was off.

Why insist on a private room? Probably to fish for information. She’d already been probing earlier, and now she likely wanted to dig deeper into what this new Buddha was like.

He hadn’t thought every gambling den he walked into would be tied to Ying Wu—what were the odds? But now, it seemed highly possible. After all, with a Heavenly Ranking power backing it, it was no surprise they’d excel anywhere. A rich young master like Dai would naturally choose the most famous spot.

Chang’an’s situation was already complicated enough. Throw in Ying Wu… it was a mess.

Dai Qingge was saying: “Your experts—I’ve grown tired of them. Their skills are mediocre at best.”

The madam laughed: “Young Master, you’re on the Hidden Dragon List. Few can match your ability to discern sounds and positions…”

Zhao Changhe suddenly spoke up: “This young master is very skilled at gambling? I find that hard to believe. Care for a match?”

The madam was startled. Young Master Dai’s eyes lit up: “Is this new face one of your gambling den’s newly recruited experts?”

Zhao Changhe said: “I’m new here. Can’t gamblers play against each other without needing the house’s experts?”

Dai Qingge chuckled: “Newcomer, don’t be too confident. Losing everything and having Li Baniang strip you naked and throw you out wouldn’t be pretty.”

Li Ba.

Definitely one of Ying Wu’s people, and so blatant about it.

Thoughts racing, Zhao Changhe replied casually: “Losing is losing. Winning or losing doesn’t matter—it’s the process that counts, right?”

Dai Qingge clapped his hands: “Good, good. You’re on.”

Li Ba shot Zhao Changhe a suspicious look, then smiled: “Follow me, you two.”

They followed Li Ba into a side hall, where the noise of the main room faded away. The environment was quiet and elegant, with a faint floral scent.

Li Ba smiled: “What would you two like to play? Dominoes? Dice?”

Zhao Changhe glanced at her and said: “Can’t I just play privately with Young Master Dai? Why do we need a dealer? No offense, but if it’s a female dealer, your proper demeanor doesn’t quite fit.”

Li Ba gave a knowing smile: “Our gambling den doesn’t rely on such tricks to attract people. But if you insist on playing alone, you’ll need to exchange for chips. No using gold or silver directly—otherwise, how would we take our cut without someone present?”

Zhao Changhe handed over a piece of silver: “Then exchange this for chips.”

Li Ba gave him a long, hard look, took the silver, and left: “Please wait a moment.”

It seemed she sensed something off about this guest. Only Dai Qingge remained oblivious, still chuckling: “What are you good at, brother?”

Zhao Changhe lowered his voice: “I was sent by your father to bring you back.”

Dai Qingge jumped in fright: “You son of a—”

Zhao Changhe waved a hand: “Why panic, young master? Look at me—I clearly don’t care for those monks either. I’m willing to cover for you.”

Dai Qingge breathed a sigh of relief, glanced around, and lowered his voice: “You think those monks are off too, right? I’m among the top of the Hidden Dragon List, a Xuan Pass seventh-level expert. I’ve fought and drunk with Zhao Changhe and Xia Chichi—my instincts are sharper than most! I say that monk is suspicious, and I have my reasons, but my father won’t believe me!”

Zhao Changhe found it amusing. Yes, yes, you’ve fought with Zhao Changhe—I don’t remember that. Drunk with him? At the Hidden Dragon Banquet, everyone drank. If that counts, then sure.

He said: “This kind of thing needs evidence. Gut feelings don’t mean much. Master Yuancheng laid a good foundation, and everyone trusts him…”

“Who can get evidence?” Dai Qingge stamped his foot. “When Master Yuancheng preached, I disagreed with a lot, but at least he made sense. The key was that he taught about seeing one’s true nature and becoming a Buddha—that was about cultivating the mind. It felt grounded, not so ethereal, so people believed. But this one…”

Zhao Changhe said: “Doesn’t he teach the same?”

“He does! He also talks about everyone becoming a Buddha, but subtly steers toward martial cultivation. Damn it—isn’t Buddhist martial arts supposed to be for protecting the Way? Becoming a Buddha through force—that’s Maitreya cult stuff! If they add killing to become a Buddha and blissful ecstasy, that’s the Maitreya cult reviving in Chang’an. I told my father that, but he said they haven’t preached killing or bliss yet, so don’t jump to conclusions. But something feels wrong to me. In such a short time, the doctrine has already been twisted. Won’t it be twisted even more over time?”

Zhao Changhe’s heart stirred.

This guy might seem simple, but his sharp instincts earned his place on the Hidden Dragon List. The blind man wasn’t blind—the rankings weren’t random.

Without a doubt, after Yuancheng withdrew from Chang’an to Xiangyang, the new Buddha welcomed by the remaining monks was most likely… Mara Papiyas, or at least one of its subordinates.

Dai Qingge fumed: “If you’re one of my father’s trusted men, put in a word for me. I’d rather believe in Yu Xu than this weird new Buddha.”

Zhao Changhe tested: “You haven’t had much contact with Daoists, have you?”

Dai Qingge said: “I know Xuan Chong well, so it’s not like I have no contact. Anyway, Yu Xu is now the number one in the Divine Land, with a huge reputation. Even if I openly choose him, my family can’t say much.”

Zhao Changhe said: “Then why not head straight to the Lou Guan Temple? Even if just for show, your father won’t force you to listen to the Buddha anymore. As for your final choice, wait until the Buddhist-Daoist debate settles.”

Dai Qingge hesitated: “I want to finish this round first.”

Zhao Changhe almost wanted to smack him on the head. He couldn’t help but laugh: “Fine, fine. I’ll play with you.”

In the gambling den’s secret room, Li Ba leaned against a listening tube for a while, frowned, and murmured: “Where did this dragon from across the river come from?”