Chapter 129: The Downfall of Dragon Phoenix Gambling Hall!

“Young Master Tang!” Yu Tianyi called out nervously. He hadn’t expected Tang Chen to take such a high-risk gamble.

Tang Chen remained expressionless, speaking internally to the System. “System, if I play Russian roulette, what are my odds?”

The System paused briefly. “Respected Host. This system calculates the odds to be one in six normally. However, the first player enjoys slightly better odds of two in six. Therefore, this system advises that if you intend to play, you should start first.”

Tang Chen grunted in acknowledgment, trusting the System completely just as he moved to grab the handgun. Wang Zhi, however, snatched it first with a wide grin. “I’ll go first. I’m confident.”

Confident your ass, Tang Chen cursed inwardly. This bastard clearly plays Russian roulette often. He knows the better odds come from shooting first, and yet he acts all smug? Who do you think you are, Li Yang?

Wang Zhi raised the handgun, slowly pressing it against his temple. “After my turn comes yours,” he snarled. “Our fates rest with the heavens!”

No way. Can’t let him shoot first. If he acts first, I’m finished. A flash of inspiration struck as Tang Chen spotted the chips on the table. Just as Wang Zhi’s finger tightened on the trigger, Tang Chen snatched the chips and flung them violently at him.

Tang Chen’s sudden assault was worthy of an ambush king. Even Wang Zhi’s reflexes weren’t fast enough. Wang Zhi swung the gun away, aiming to shoot Tang Chen instead.

Thud!

The chips struck his hand with brutal force, knocking the handgun loose. Tang Chen leaped forwards like an eagle, delivering a savage punch straight to Wang Zhi’s face. Staggered, Wang Zhi hit the floor. Tang Chen rolled, swiftly grabbing the fallen handgun, then aimed and pulled the trigger.

Wang Zhi proved surprisingly resilient. Scissoring his legs, he swept the nearby dealer off his feet, pulling the man as a shield just as the gun fired. The bullet punched into the dealer’s chest, sending forth a crimson bloom. The dealer let out a pained gasp before collapsing, lifeless.

The gunshot ignited chaos among the gamblers. Creating pandemonium was precisely Tang Chen’s goal. The handgun held only one bullet; after firing, he instantly tossed it at Wang Zhi and flipped over the nearest gambling table. “Tianyi, now!” he yelled towards Yu Tianyi.

Yu Tianyi needed no order. Already coiled, he moved with impressive skill. His dagger flashed, striking vital points in the abdomen and ribs of several charging bodyguards, felling them instantly. Grabbing a heavy chair, he swung it fiercely towards Zhang Kangzhan.

Zhang Kangzhan, an ex-Special Forces soldier, remained unfazed by the chaos. Ignoring his wounded comrades, he twisted to take the chair’s full impact on his back. With a resounding crash, the chair shattered. Zhang Kangzhan seized the chance, grappling Yu Tianyi and slamming him hard onto the floor. Other bodyguards surged forward, encircling the downed fighter.

Seeing Yu Tianyi overwhelmed, Tang Chen vaulted over the gambling table towards their fray. A whistling sound warned him—an enraged Wang Zhi was throwing a punch.

Using his enhanced physique, Tang Chen absorbed Wang Zhi’s heavy blow and retaliated instantly with a powerful counter-punch. Simultaneously, a sharp knee strike aimed viciously for Wang Zhi’s face.

Numerous fights had moved Tang Chen beyond his green days of solely aiming for the head. He anticipated Wang Zhi would instinctively duck his next punch. That split-second lowering of guard was when Tang Chen planned to finish him with the rising knee strike.

Yet Wang Zhi proved smarter than expected. Recognizing Tang Chen’s tactic, he refused to duck. He took the full force of the punch to his face, grimacing only momentarily before delivering a crushing elbow strike deep into Tang Chen’s unprotected ribs. Bending low, Wang Zhi locked his arms around Tang Chen’s waist, attempting an explosive hip toss to slam him onto the ground.

Fury ignited within Tang Chen. He hammered Wang Zhi’s exposed back with repeated heavy blows. Spotting an opportunity, Tang Chen threw his own weight backwards atop the gambling table. Using the leverage and a powerful heave, he flung Wang Zhi clear.

Wang Zhi hadn’t anticipated Tang Chen’s immense strength. He crashed onto the floor with a heavy thud. Swift as a carp leaping from water, Tang Chen sprang back upright. A devastating knee drop came crashing towards Wang Zhi’s chest.

Wang Zhi snatched up a nearby stool, raising it desperately as a shield. He hoped to absorb some of the impact. He failed. Tang Chen’s descending force splintered the hardened steel stool with a deafening crack. The blow nearly caved in Wang Zhi’s sternum.

Tang Chen straddled the gasping Wang Zhi. He locked a hand around Wang Zhi’s throat, pinned his arms painfully behind him, and slammed his face brutally onto the blood-splattered gambling table. “LISTEN UP YOU MORONS! HALT NOW, OR YOUR BOSS GETS IT!” Tang Chen roared.

Stunned in their brawl with Yu Tianyi, Zhang Kangzhan and the bodyguards spun around. Shock registered as they saw Wang Zhi, his face a battered mess, utterly subdued by Tang Chen.

“Screw you!” Seizing their distraction, a furious Yu Tianyi brought a wooden chair leg cracking down onto Zhang Kangzhan’s skull. Even Zhang Kangzhan’s Special Forces toughness couldn’t withstand such a blow. His eyes rolled back with a groan as he slumped into unconsciousness.

The few remaining standing bodyguards exchanged panicked glances, paralyzed by indecision.

Tang Chen called out, “Tianyi, are you alright?”

Yu Tianyi, sporting minor cuts himself, answered firmly, “Young Master Tang, I’m fine. Just minor scrapes.”

Satisfied, Tang Chen turned back to Wang Zhi. He yanked Wang Zhi’s hair upwards, forcing eye contact, dripping condescension into his voice. “Thought you were hot stuff, huh? Thought you could play Russian roulette with Young Master Tang? Look at you now—utterly pathetic! Unworthy!”

Ptui!

Wang Zhi spat defiantly into Tang Chen’s face, descending into wild laughter. “Wang Zhi falling to you today is utterly humiliating! Kill me if you wish! I won’t even bat an eyelid!”

“Heh.” Tang Chen wiped the saliva away with icy fury. He slammed Wang Zhi’s head onto the hard table top—Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Then, leaping up, a snapping Whip Kick cracked against the side of Wang Zhi’s head. Wang Zhi’s body instantly went limp, crumpling to the floor barely alive.

“System, you better not pop up with another Mission this time?” Tang Chen internally demanded. Dealing with Yan Siqin earlier had been dissatisfying solely due to the System’s restrictive Mission. If it dared forbid him from finishing the job now, he’d truly lose it.

The System replied calmly, “Respected Host, no Mission will currently be generated. However, this system strongly advises accepting the victory.”

Tang Chen sighed in relief. He now turned a chilling gaze onto the remaining terrified bodyguards. “You lot. Tell Young Master Tang. Who owns this gambling den?”

The bodyguards exchanged grim looks. “Don’t think you’ll get anything from us!” one declared fiercely. “Brothers! Fight these bastards to the end!”

“End THIS, moron!”

Whoosh!

A gleaming Cleaver sliced through the air, impaling the defiant bodyguard deep into the back. Blood gushed outwards as the man crumbled. Tang Chen looked towards the entrance to see Third Master Chen, flanked by Chen Bolin and Yang Haiyue, standing proudly.

“Apologies, Young Master Tang!” called Third Master Chen urgently. “We came as swiftly as we could. The deafening noise outside muffled the gunshot at first.”

Tang Chen waved dismissively. “It’s nothing, Chen Laosan. Send your men. Kill every last one of these fools still drawing breath. Then tear this whole damn underground den to rubble!”

“Yes! Go!” Third Master Chen brought elite fighters. Chen Bolin, Yang Haiyue, with Yu Tianyi recovered and joining, made short work of the already demoralized guards. In moments, the last surviving thugs lay dead in widening pools of blood.

Obedient to Tang Chen’s command, Third Master Chen’s men turned destructive. They smashed gaming tables, ripped apart slot machines, pulverized crystal chandeliers, reducing the opulent Dragon Phoenix Gambling Hall to utter wreckage. Stacks of cash and gleaming chips remained untouched; without explicit orders, touching them was suicidal.

Third Master Chen approached Tang Chen, who stood surveying the carnage expressionlessly. “Young Master Tang, the job is done. The patrons… they all fled in terror. Impossible to restrain them. If they call the Police, won’t that bring trouble?”

Tang Chen’s eyes glinted shrewdly. “Useless. Young Master Tang will have the Police clear this up before any calls reach them.”

Knowing Tang Chen’s meticulous planning, Third Master Chen held his tongue. Slowly, Tang Chen pivoted, taking in the obliterated gambling hall. The simmering resentment caused by Fang Wenxin’s beating eased slightly. Only one thing soured the triumph – the hidden mastermind remained elusive. But he didn’t fret. So what if some weeds escaped the sickle? The day they dare resurface, Young Master Tang will play with them again.

“You fought well today,” Tang Chen stated firmly. “Injured men, head straight for the hospital. As for the cash here…” He gestured towards the untouched mountains of banknotes and stacks of chips. “Ill-gotten gains from scum. Split it fairly or grab it greedily? I don’t care. Just don’t squabble.” He paused, addressing Third Master Chen. “Chen Laosan, Young Master Tang takes his leave. Unfinished business awaits. Tianyi, with me.”

“As you command, Young Master Tang.” With that, Tang Chen and Yu Tianyi departed. The Third Master Chen’s crew swiftly descended on the riches. One scavenger even retrieved a discarded piece of lingerie belonging to a scared-off bunny girl, mumbling about his specific interests.

Only after all fell silent did Fu Yanjie emerge cautiously from a Private Room. Tang Chen’s oversight had spared him. He walked through the carnage, showing no emotion, and knelt beside Wang Zhi. Despite the brutal beating, a faint thread of life clung on.

Fu Yanjie’s fingers probed methodically across Wang Zhi’s chest, locating a small hidden chip within moments. Cold amusement played on his lips. He leaned close to the unconscious man. “Thank you, Wang Zhi, Big Brother Wang Zhi… for preserving such valuable treasure.” A cruel smile twisted his features. “Rest assured, I will avenge you.” With brutal force, he drove his dagger deep into Wang Zhi’s heart.