Chapter 176: The Side Bet

Lin Qi, Long Cheng, and the man in black all sat down around the card table. The three hundred and sixty cards required for the Labyrinth of the God Pan lay on the table. Made from the thin bones of magical beasts, the cards gave off a chilly glow like scythes of death under the lamplight.

Three hundred and sixty cards. They would decide the ownership of twenty million gold coins, the capital’s third largest commercial house, and numerous shops and properties within the next two hours. Lin Qi couldn’t help but glance back at Tixiang, who wore a broad smile. Damn it! Initially, he had thought this was just an ordinary game. He couldn’t have dreamed in his wildest dreams that it would turn into a high-stakes gamble of such magnitude.

Could Tixiang really entrust a crucial gamble like this to him, someone he had just met?

Just as Lin Qi was puzzling over this internally, Beya slowly stood up. He glanced at Lin Qi, then threw Tixiang an insolent, scornful smirk. Then, he pulled out a thin scroll of parchment from his sleeve. Deliberately, he handed it to a youth beside him before casually spreading his hands.

“I own an estate outside the city, at the foot of Mount Holy Spring,” Beya declared. “About two thousand-plus acres. It has three natural springs, one of which is a hot spring. Tixiang, the men you brought seem rather unreliable. I wager this entire estate! Who dares to match my bet?”

Beya laughed triumphantly. “I bet that Tixiang will lose this round.”

Lin Qi and Yulian understood. This was Beya retaliating after the confrontation outside. Seeing he carried the estate’s deed right in his sleeve showed this was premeditated. Even without the clash, Beya would have found a reason to bet that deed.

Tixiang smiled faintly but remained silent. Lartus frowned slightly and gestured with his hand. A noble youth behind him, wearing a gold-embroidered, figure-hugging doublet, chuckled and pulled out a parchment scroll from his own pocket. He strolled to the table, placed the scroll down, and slowly unfurled it.

“What a coincidence, Beya,” he said. “I happen to own a garden right beside your estate there. Actually, mine is a bit larger, by about a hundred acres. And there’s a lake nearby famous for its rainbow eels – which is also mine. If you’re willing to make up the difference in value, I’ll gladly bet my place against yours!”

A surge of muffled gasps rippled through the gathered noble youths. They knew of Beya’s estate. It was formerly Royal Family property. Beya received it from the Emperor himself two years ago, a reward for impressing His Majesty with his martial skills. The estate’s value wasn’t just monetary; the prestige attached to it was immense.

Beya wagering this estate? Winning would be one thing, but losing… facing the Emperor’s disappointment would be terrible!

They also recognized the challenger: Ling Jia, son of the Empire’s current Minister of Internal Affairs. A natural commerce genius, Tixiang’s close associate and constant companion, and Lartus’s primary money manager. Those shops Tixiang had put up tonight? They were actually managed by Ling Jia. Left to Tixiang’s lazy nature, they would have gone bankrupt long ago instead of making money.

Beya was something of a leader among the younger generation of Military Nobility. Ling Jia, matched him in background and prowess. Here they were, locking horns directly! Two enormous estates, vital assets for young nobles still reliant on family allowances. Losing either would hurt badly. Beya owned nothing nearly as valuable elsewhere. Nor did Ling Jia possess another estate. While their families gave them monthly allowances for daily needs, the income from these estates funded their extravagant parties and other pursuits.

Losing this bet meant either one would have to cling to an empty purse for years ahead.

Following the initial shock, excitement ignited among the nobles. If Beya and Ling Jia were putting down stakes this massive, how could they not join in? Especially with Marrs and Lartus both watching silently! They had to pick a side. Not adding more to the pot would earn them unfavorable attention from one of these princes. Being remembered by a direct inheritor? That spelled trouble.

So, over two hundred young nobles rose, eyes fierce like fighting cocks, staking their limited personal assets – properties, mansions, even cash. This became an all-or-nothing push. Victory meant reaping immense rewards; defeat condemned them to a future of black bread.

If Marrs lost tonight, for example, how could he afford the upkeep for his expensive, powerful retinue? His power base would crumble under Lartus’s pressure. Moreover, he’d face the resentment of nobles who had backed him financially, destroying his standing among their peers.

Their attitude might even sway their influential elders. If the powerful nobles holding real sway turned against Marrs… well, his position in the Imperial Capital would become precarious. The Eldest Prince had sons besides him! Even his father’s supporters could abandon Marrs for causing their own sons to lose money and back another contender instead.

Several Clerk Officials scribbled furiously, recording every pledge meticulously.

After all the young nobles had bet, the Clerk Officials tallied the staggering pile of wagers. Sweat beaded on their brows.

Hundreds of mansions within the Imperial Capital’s luxurious districts. Hundreds of business properties. Over a hundred country estates of varying sizes outside the city. Plus, near one hundred million gold coins in cold cash!

Over two hundred young nobles, scions of the Empire’s most powerful families, had thrown down almost their entire net worth.

Total Victory or Utter Destruction. With two Heirs present, the nobility had emptied their coffers.

Marrs and Lartus exchanged looks, preparing to formally announce the game’s commencement. Suddenly, Lin Qi sprang to his feet.

With a casual air, he pulled a thick stack of Gold Notes from his sleeve. Smiling directly at Marrs, Lin Qi asked, “So then, Your Highness Marrs? Anyone else care to wager against me? Just three million Gold Coins. I’m betting on myself to win. Any takers?”

Marrs fixed Lin Qi with a frigid stare. Slowly, deliberately, he pulled several Gold Notes from his own pocket.

Marrs had to step in personally. Everyone around him, including Beya, had already produced their last remaining gold coin.

Lin Qi beamed with satisfaction.

The game officially began.