“This is our Master Wan Er. All the winnings today are his,” Shen Du quickly explained in a gruff voice.
Zhuyan was secretly delighted. It was rare for Shen Du to elevate her status like this, and it was quite unexpected.
“So it’s Master Wan Er,” Ji Dafu suddenly adopted a familiar attitude, bowing and nodding. “Gambling isn’t the important part. What matters is making friends. We’ve prepared fine tea for the three of you in the back hall. Please, gentlemen, follow me. We can chat over tea.”
This was precisely their purpose for coming, but to avoid suspicion, Zhuyan had to show reluctance. With an impatient expression, she said, “Fine, fine. Let’s make it quick. My mother is waiting for me to return home for dinner.”
“Certainly, certainly,” Ji Dafu said hurriedly, his face beaming like a flower. “This way, please.”
Zhuyan and the others followed Ji Dafu to the back hall. Before leaving, she exchanged a glance with Sun Tan.
But Sun Tan couldn’t help worrying for them. He had never entered the restricted back hall himself, and even when looking for Ji Dafu, he could only wait at the door.
Would they encounter danger?
After quick consideration, Sun Tan was still uneasy. He signaled to one of his men in the distance and quietly followed along himself.
If the gambling den’s layout was labyrinthine, the path to the back hall was even more complex, with winding corridors and intricate architecture.
As they followed Ji Dafu, Shen Du’s mind was in turmoil.
This Ji Dafu was completely different from the one he had met before as if they were two different people.
The previous Ji Dafu had been timid and cautious. After being caught in the act during the Local Constable’s incident, he had been easily frightened and confessed everything after just a couple of threats.
At that time, he had told Shen Du that when he went to report the crime, Pan Chi informed him that his brother-in-law might have died at the hands of the Half-Faced Ghost. He had acted very scared, saying that since the case was related to the Half-Faced Ghost, he dared not ask more questions and didn’t want to get involved. He just wanted to arrange for his brother-in-law’s two family members and then leave the area. Due to the case’s connection with the Half-Faced Ghost, he was very afraid and thus appeared panicked.
But looking at the Ji Dafu before him now, his gaze was fierce, his methods cruel, and he was self-centered yet skilled at deception.
He was completely different from the previous person, like a perfect mirror image. He had truly hidden his true nature deeply.
Shen Du remained silent, walking quietly beside Zhuyan.
The Great Zhou Dynasty did not allow high-interest lending, and Ji Dafu brought them to the back hall to show them his methods.
This place encompassed all the unseemly businesses of the lower classes. Ji Dafu letting them see all this must have some ulterior motive.
Moreover, according to the information provided by the Local Constables, Ji Dafu’s money-lending operation involved many Yingzhou officials. More terrifyingly, even officials from the entire Gannan Circuit might be involved. If so, the integrity displayed by the Yingzhou officials at the banquet might not be as genuine as it appeared.
On the other hand, if Ji Dafu was truly connected to the Fire Moth Party, could this place be where they collected money and recruited people?
Lost in thought, Zhuyan suddenly elbowed him lightly.
Looking up, he saw that Pan Chi was also giving him a complex look. He had been so deep in thought that he had missed the silent exchange between the other two.
Zhuyan raised an eyebrow, made a money-counting gesture with her hand, and then glanced at Ji Dafu walking ahead.
Shen Du immediately understood her meaning. His expression grave, he nodded slightly, then shook his head.
This meant he had thought of this point too, but couldn’t be certain.
Beside them, Pan Chi also furrowed his brow. After pondering for a moment, he looked at Shen Du and widened his eyes, then turned his gaze to Zhuyan.
Shen Du nodded once. He understood Pan Chi’s meaning – that the upcoming situation might be dangerous, and no matter what happened, they must protect Zhuyan at all costs.
Shen Du had thought of this even earlier than Pan Chi. Under normal circumstances, the two would likely have come to blows over this. But given the unusual situation, Shen Du said nothing more.
He then used his eyes to signal to the other two that he already had informants in the gambling den, so they needn’t worry about the situation outside.
If they truly encountered danger, he could immediately send a signal, and the people outside would come to rescue them.
Zhuyan wondered when he had placed people in the gambling den, but then she realized that Jing Lin, who usually followed him, wasn’t by his side. Her confusion cleared up instantly – Shen Du had planned this all along. She felt foolish for thinking the matter was so simple.
The group seemed to walk for a long time. Zhuyan’s legs were starting to tire when they finally arrived before a tightly closed door.
Ji Dafu stood at the door, smiling at the three as he made a welcoming gesture. “Please.”
They didn’t stand on ceremony. As soon as the door opened, they stepped inside. But just as they entered, they suddenly encountered a blood-covered person sprawled on the floor before them.
The sight startled Zhuyan, but being somewhat worldly, she clenched her fist to steady herself.
Before they could understand the situation, two men who looked like thugs directly lifted the person.
Only then did they notice that the blood-covered person was missing an arm and seemed to be barely alive. Without medical treatment, his life was likely in danger.
“How clumsy. You’ve frightened my guests,” Ji Dafu said coldly.
The two thugs immediately bowed and scraped, “Manager, this person is useless now. How should we dispose of him?”
“What use is there in keeping useless people? Just throw him out.”
“Yes, sir.”
The thugs acknowledged and dragged the person away. Ji Dafu’s eyes were full of disdain. He clapped his hands with a disgusted expression and said, “They think the money in my gambling den is so easy to earn. Don’t they know their limits?”
This blatant display of “killing the chicken to scare the monkeys” was deliberately staged for Zhuyan and the others to see. That person must have won money and tried to leave, resulting in this fate.
Presumably, that person had also been politely invited here by Ji Dafu, just as they were now in the same situation.
Zhuyan’s mouth was agape, wide enough to fit an egg. This was serious – could this person’s fate be a warning of what awaited them?
Soon, the two thugs returned. When they left again, one of them was carrying a still-dripping severed arm.
A trail of blood extended along their path, inspiring fear. As they were about to leave, Ji Dafu called them back. He slapped one thug on the forehead and snarled, “Useless fools, good for nothing. Have you forgotten what I said before? If you dare make another mistake, watch out for your heads.”
After speaking, he gave the thug a meaningful look, his eyes glancing at the arm. The thug seemed to suddenly understand, nodding repeatedly and meekly leaving with the arm.