As he spoke of these things, Pan Chi’s face immediately showed signs of distress. He began his strategy of playing the victim, saying with guilt:
“It’s painful to recall the past. Since that incident, our family’s situation has been on a downward spiral. We’ve sold off our property and still owe a mountain of debt. If it weren’t for Master Wan Er taking me in, I wouldn’t even have a place to eat. Later, Master Wan Er cleared my debts, but I couldn’t just not repay him for owing so much. I thought I might have good luck today and win enough to repay the debt, but I didn’t expect to run into our people.”
“I see…” Ji Dafu nodded meaningfully, though it was unclear if he believed the story. His expression suggested there might be some truth to it. Could it be that Pan Chi knew the truth about what happened back then?
Zhuyan, disregarding everything else, quickly said, “We’re all brothers here, why to say so much? Let’s consider today’s money as the cost of making a new friend. Daniu, give them back the money.”
Suddenly hearing Zhuyan call him Daniu, Shen Du didn’t react immediately. After a moment of blank staring, he hurriedly took out the bank notes from his pocket and placed them on the table.
Zhuyan even made an excuse for his slow reaction, “My Daniu is just like this. He’s good for nothing except fighting, and his reactions are always half a beat slower than others.”
Seeing the bank notes on the table, Ji Dafu also appeared somewhat embarrassed, “Today’s incident was just a misunderstanding. Master Wan Er is wealthy and doesn’t care about this silver, but this money is essential for our gambling den’s operations. Since that’s the case, then… let’s just consider the matter settled.”
“Mm, let’s settle it like this. Let’s consider it as making a new friend. My father says, the more friends you have, the easier your path becomes,” Zhuyan replied simplemindedly. “In the future, when we come here again, we’ll need to rely on Brother Ji’s care for us even more.”
“Of course, of course…” Ji Dafu quickly agreed. At this moment, Pan Chi let out a long sigh beside them.
“What’s wrong with Brother Liu? Why are you sighing again when everything’s fine?”
“Meeting Brother Ji today is truly a joyous occasion, but when I think about how much I owe Master Wan Er, I feel depressed again.”
Hearing Pan Chi say this, Zhuyan awkwardly scratched her neck, “Speaking of your debt, I feel quite guilty too. After all, that money isn’t mine, it’s my father’s. I don’t have any way to deal with it.”
Hearing Zhuyan say this, Ji Dafu immediately had an idea to draw them into his fold.
Coughing lightly into his fist, he looked at Pan Chi and said, “Brother Liu today’s matter isn’t as simple as you think. You’ve seen my power earlier.” As he spoke, he pointed to the blood stains on the ground outside. The blood had dried, trailing all the way, and was still a shocking sight.
“Originally, people who see these things can’t leave this place. If someone were to speak carelessly outside, wouldn’t we be exposed? That person whose arm was cut off earlier will only be a corpse once he leaves. Moreover, my identity can’t be known to outsiders. I’m telling you all this because I see you as one of us. If you want to live, you can, but you must work for me.”
“Does working for Brother Ji mean we can make a lot of money?” Pan Chi quickly asked, truly seeming like a pitiful person crushed by debt.
“Of course. If you work for me, how could I mistreat you?”
Hearing Ji Dafu say this, Pan Chi immediately raised his hand, “As long as there’s money to be made, I’ll follow Brother Ji.”
After saying this, Ji Dafu turned his gaze to Zhuyan, “What does Master Wan Er think?”
Zhuyan blinked with a blank expression as if she hadn’t understood the meaning of their words. After a long hesitation, she said simplemindedly, “Does this mean that if I work for you, you’ll let me live, and I’ll have food and shelter?”
Hearing Zhuyan say this, Ji Dafu frowned, showing disdain: This person doesn’t have much of a brain, is it okay to keep them? He doubted it himself.
Zhuyan looked at Ji Dafu with anticipation. For the sake of Pan Chi’s face, Ji Dafu could only nod, “Yes, as long as you follow me, I guarantee your life.”
“Then I’ll join,” Zhuyan quickly raised her hand, then everyone looked at Shen Du.
Zhuyan finally breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. To maintain her persona and not give herself away, she had to continue playing the role of a rich family’s foolish son.
Shen Du didn’t speak, and Zhuyan quickly smoothed things over for him, “Don’t mind him. He was also bought by my father. If I tell him to join, he must join.”
Since it was like this, a consensus was reached.
Ji Dafu was shrewd. Although they had agreed verbally, action was necessary.
“Good. Since the three of you have no objections, let’s complete the joining ceremony today.”
“What ceremony?” Pan Chi looked at Ji Dafu with confusion.
Ji Dafu explained casually, “It’s not a very complicated ceremony, just some rules for joining our line of work. We use our methods to ally, and after that, you can’t go against our will or betray us.”
As he spoke, everyone had arrived at a side hall in the back. It was dark here, with only faint beams of light shining in. Even so, the entire room gave an oppressive feeling, even bordering on eerie.
“What is this place? Are there ghosts?” Zhuyan asked foolishly.
Ji Dafu chuckled, “Master Wan Er needn’t be afraid. Even if there were ghosts, once you join us, I’ll protect you.”
“In that case, we’ll rely entirely on Brother Ji,” Zhuyan quickly agreed, though Ji Dafu’s expression showed disdain.
Everyone came before an altar. On the altar was something like a jar, though it wasn’t very clear, just a vague outline.
Ji Dafu showed great respect for whatever was in the jar, even lighting three incense sticks. Then he gestured for the others to come up and light incense too.
What did this mean? They were all confused, and Pan Chi changed the subject.
“When forming alliances, don’t people usually worship heaven and earth or the gods? What’s in this jar?”
Ji Dafu’s expression was respectful as he explained methodically, “This is just our method of allying. Brother Liu doesn’t need to ask so much, just follow along.”
“That won’t do. If I follow you blindly like this, what if you sell me out?” Pan Chi protested.
“Haha,” Ji Dafu laughed helplessly, “Brother Liu, do you not trust me? You saved my life, even if I sold others, I couldn’t sell you.”
“Eh, what does that mean?” Zhuyan chimed in foolishly, “Could it be that Brother Ji is planning to sell us?”