The Wager (Part 2)

Du Chen inwardly exulted at his good fortune. Didn't they see? Pied had come, bearing Dean Zigurd's token, seeking a favor. Yet, Roland still sought excuses, erecting obstacles, clearly disinclined to offer aid. But he, Du Chen, had inexplicably secured Roland's assistance! What incredible luck!

But why would Roland help him? Could it truly be that the Elder was simply in a good mood today?

A colossal question mark settled heavily in Du Chen's mind.

Upon hearing Roland's terms, Kristina burst into laughter. "Your Eminence Roland, before my father even set foot on Battle God Isle, he was renowned as the 'Saint of Wagers of Yakun'! You are doomed to lose!"

"Francis," Roland warned Du Chen, "should you lose, great trouble shall befall you!" With that, Roland reclined onto his bed of weeds, closing his eyes to rest, and spoke no further.

Pied approached the bluestone where Aliza practiced, beckoning to Du Chen with a smile. "Young man, come forth! Last time, my daughter lost to you playing dice. How about we play dice again this time? Kristina, bring out the instruments!"

Unexpectedly, young Kristina carried gambling tools upon her person. She swiftly transformed the bluestone into a makeshift gambling table, then glared fiercely at Du Chen, declaring, "Boy, don't you dare start bawling after you lose!"

Du Chen cast a glance at the unresponsive Roland before approaching the gambling table, a smile playing on his lips. "Mr. Pied, what are the stakes?"

"Three dice, higher roll wins, a single throw decides all. The only restriction: no use of battle qi!" With that, Pied picked up the dice cup and began to shake it.

"This man is a master!" Du Chen instantly perceived, relying on his keen sight and hearing. Pied, with but a flick of his wrist, had shattered all the dice within the cup. And without even needing to see, Du Chen knew that when they settled, each shattered fragment would surely reveal an upward-facing pip, totaling sixty-three points.

Du Chen also began to shake his dice cup, thinking to himself, *With my Lotus Internal Force, I could easily win. All I would need is to infuse a Lotus fragment to polish the dice cores, then subtly chisel out a few extra pips.*

Yet, Pied was the chieftain of the underworld forces on Battle God Isle. Although he had Roland's backing, it was prudent not to antagonize him if possible.

Moreover, Pied had surely encountered some grave trouble to seek out Roland's aid. Would assisting him not also be considered a good deed?

However, he must ensure this favor was clearly 'sold' to Pied, leaving no doubt in the man's mind!

With this thought, Du Chen smiled faintly. After some subtle manipulations, he set down his dice cup. "Mr. Pied, let us reveal our throws simultaneously!"

"Haha! No need!" Pied inwardly praised Du Chen's social acumen. He turned to Roland and declared, "Your Eminence, we have a draw! What is to be done?"

Roland clicked his tongue, still lying amidst the weeds, and shot Du Chen a fierce glare. "You brat, not bad at all. A draw, offending neither party! Speak then, what is your business!?"

Pied offered Du Chen a look of gratitude, then smiled. "On the third day of the third month, I humbly request Your Eminence to accompany me to Mount Tianshan!"

"For what purpose?" Roland frowned. "Do you also covet that which lies beneath Mount Tianshan?"

"I dare not, for such a treasure I am not blessed to possess! To obtain it would only invite the destruction of my clan! However, on the third day of the third month, a friend has arranged to meet me on Mount Tianshan. I merely request Your Eminence's presence to oversee the proceedings! Furthermore, before the third day of the third month, I wish to entrust my daughter to Your Eminence's care!"

Roland pondered for a moment, then declared, "I shall be at Mount Tianshan punctually on the third day of the third month. However, I will not concern myself with your daughter; I find her an eyesore!"

Kristina, hearing this, retorted indignantly, "Hmph! Who would even bother staying in this wretched, cold, and damp place of yours anyway!"

"Kristina, silence!" Pied admonished his daughter, then bowed deeply. "That Your Eminence would deign to visit Mount Tianshan already fills me with immense gratitude. Kristina shall not trouble Your Eminence further; I shall escort her to Dean Zigurd's care!"

Du Chen suddenly had a peculiar thought: Pied seemed to be settling his affairs, as if preparing for the inevitable.

"Hmph, begone all of you, you're a nuisance!" Roland waved his hand to dismiss them. Suddenly, he clutched his head, and a flicker of agony crossed his face, partially obscured by his wild hair.

Pied hastily inquired, "Your Eminence, your old ailment..."

"Begone!" Roland roared, slamming his fist into the ground with a resounding "BOOM!" Instantly, everyone present—Pied, his daughter, and Du Chen—were sent flying, all except Aliza.

"Very well, then I shall not disturb Your Eminence further!" Pied seized both Du Chen and his daughter, and they soared towards the direction of the waterfall.

Soon after, an inhuman howl echoed from the Icy Jade Pool. Du Chen grew frantic, hastily asking, "Mr. Pied, what is happening to him? My friend is still in the Icy Jade Pool!"

A flicker of worry crossed Pied's eyes. He mused inwardly, *On the third day of the third month, Roland absolutely must not suffer an attack, or the trouble will be immense.* "Do not fret," he said aloud. "This is but Your Eminence Roland's old ailment! He will not harm anyone!" As he spoke, he replaced his worried expression with a smile. "Young brother, I thank you for your help just now."

"Thank him for what?" Kristina questioned, bewildered. "Still, for you to draw with my father means you're stronger than me! My loss last time was not unwarranted! Let's spar again when we have the chance!"

Pied and Du Chen exchanged a knowing smile, neither revealing to Kristina that Du Chen had intentionally thrown the match.

Pied flew with Du Chen to the outskirts of the Water Pavilion dormitories, then departed with his daughter to find Dean Zigurd, who was still recuperating.

Du Chen once again experienced the sensation of flight, and an unbearable itch stirred in his heart. *Damn it, I need to accumulate good deeds quickly! Otherwise, when will I finally be able to fly on my own?* However, a truly great act of benevolence, one that blossoms like a lotus, was not so easily encountered.

As Du Chen followed the Water River back to his dormitory, he found a crowd gathered before his Room No. 18, composed of both teachers and students. Shieb Harry crouched pitifully at the edge of the crowd, a look of utter helplessness on his face.

Two small tents had been erected on either side of the main door. Before the curtain of the left tent stood a sign: "Astrology and Fortune Telling." The right tent displayed a white banner attracting customers, bearing the inscription: "Portraits, one silver coin; Beauties for free!"

These two tents stood like guardian deities, flanking the entrance. Combined with the throng of curious students and teachers, Du Chen's doorway was utterly blocked.

"Master, you're finally back!" Harry stumbled and scrambled over, complaining, "This morning, you asked me to arrange lodging for Professor Jemison, but he... he used the money you gave him to buy two tents and now he's living right outside the dormitory entrance! And what's more, he invited a charlatan named Bovin to live with him!"

"What in the blazes are these two scoundrels up to!?" Du Chen wanted to be angry, but upon careful deliberation, he found he couldn't quite muster it. These two truly possessed the potential for utter lunacy!

"Pardon me, everyone, this is my dormitory!" Du Chen squeezed through the crowd and arrived before Jemison's tent. The old Gambler was currently sketching a portrait of an Elf Race beauty, and, coincidentally, that Elf beauty was none other than Professor Mina!