Chapter Sixty-Three: The Vengeance of a Brother's Death (Five updates on Sunday. Thank you to all my friends.)

Shen Jiangchuan had already risen from his chair, looking cheerful and satisfied, as if it were himself, not Yue Leiting, who had just emerged from a life-or-death ordeal.

“I, Shen Jiangchuan, have always kept my word. I said I would not make things difficult for you, so I gave you a chance to end your own life, sparing you a painful fate. It's a pity you failed to seize that opportunity, but I must say, I'm quite pleased with the outcome, haha.”

Yue Leiting stared at Shen Jiangchuan in shock, as if suddenly realizing what he intended to do. He reached for the gun lying on the floor, but two men behind him seized him and forced him back onto the chair, quickly binding him tight with ropes.

“Shen Jiangchuan! You lying bastard, always boasting about your promises. Worthless!”

“You shouldn't blame me. I fulfill every promise I make, but as I recall, I've never promised you anything…” Shen Jiangchuan glanced at the gun in his hand, passed it to the man beside him, and smiled at Yue Leiting, savoring the moment.

Yue Leiting tried to speak, but suddenly a liquid was poured from above, soaking him completely. Its pungent scent stung his nose; his tongue tasted it, and his pupils widened instantly, the blackness in them twisting like Death's cruel grin.

Gasoline!

Shen Jiangchuan had sat back down, and standing before him was Shen Xiang, his face twisted in a bloodthirsty smile. Now, holding a lighter, he seemed to have shed all hesitation, as if admiring a nearly finished work of art, regarding Yue Leiting with meaningful intent.

“Brother, what are we going to do? Hurry and think of something!” Xiao Lianshan watched as the lighter edged ever closer to Yue Leiting, his voice tense with anxiety.

Yet I showed no sign of panic, nor even a hint of tension. My gaze remained fixed on Yue Leiting, and I spoke to Xiao Lianshan beside me.

“Brother Ting's fate isn't so short-lived, and there's no blue hue on his face anymore, meaning he's out of danger.”

“What? Even now, you say he's fine?” Xiao Lianshan exclaimed, eyes wide.

“Yue Leiting will be alright, but…” I glanced back at Xiao Lianshan, my tone concerned. “But you might not be.”

“Mr. Qin truly is a master of fate and physiognomy, able to discern a person's fortune with a mere glance. Remarkable!”

The voice drifted from the shadowy corner of the room, like a wail summoned from the netherworld.

I had never expected there to be anyone else in this casino, and certainly not a woman.

I looked in surprise toward the source of the voice, and finally understood why Shen Jiangchuan had ordered only one lamp to be lit after coming downstairs—because that corner was just beyond the reach of the light. In that darkness, someone had been listening to everything said.

Shen Jiangchuan also rose from his chair, his demeanor suddenly respectful. This puzzled Yue Leiting, for a man like Shen Jiangchuan, who could dominate everything with a single hand, seemed actually afraid.

A woman stepped from the shadows, followed by a tall, thin man.

She sat where Shen Jiangchuan had just been, composed and calm, while Shen Jiangchuan bowed his head low.

Yue Leiting's body trembled inexplicably. He knew this woman too well—even in the dim light, he recognized her instantly. His lips quivered, struggling to utter her name.

“Su... Su Lengyue?!”

“What, surprised to see me?” Su Lengyue regarded Yue Leiting coolly, her face expressionless, her voice icy as a blade, slowly driving into his heart.

“How… how are you here?” Clearly, Yue Leiting was concerned about the connection between Su Lengyue and Shen Jiangchuan, but from Shen Jiangchuan's attitude, it was clear he feared her.

I suddenly smiled, my words layered with meaning.

“It seems Miss Su no longer needs Brother Ting's help, having found another to handle things for her.”

“You're mistaken. I've always worked for Master Huang. He rewards and punishes clearly, and is generous. Thanks to his family, I've done well these years.” Shen Jiangchuan glanced at me, savoring his words. “Master Huang values Yue Leiting, gives him jobs as a favor—a meal, respect, and substance. Yue Leiting failed to appreciate it, offended Master Huang, thinking distance makes him untouchable. Haha, I can't tell if Yue Leiting overestimates himself or underestimates Master Huang.”

I shook my head, smiling dismissively.

“I see you fear Su Lengyue, but a man like you wouldn't fear a woman for no reason. If I'm correct, Su Lengyue is adept in the art of poison. She tried the ‘Phoenix’s Three Bows’ on Brother Ting last time but failed. It seems you too have fallen under her spell, which is why you obey her.”

The expression on Shen Jiangchuan’s face turned unnatural. My words seemed to strike at his sore spot; he shot me a cold glare.

Su Lengyue’s smile remained as enchanting as ever, as though my words hardly mattered.

“Mr. Qin, I am surprised you broke my ‘Phoenix’s Three Bows.’ Master Huang values talent, especially experts in fate and destiny. I had intended to recommend you, for your future would be boundless.”

“Those who walk different paths cannot work together. Besides, I've never cared about the future,” I replied firmly, smiling lightly.

The tall man beside Su Lengyue stepped into the light, his face dark.

“You killed Miao Renyu?”

Under the lamp, I finally saw his face—gaunt and bloodless, as pale as paper, resembling a corpse risen from the grave. He radiated no trace of life, and even at a distance, I felt the chill emanating from him.

“I didn’t kill him. Miao Renyu brought his own demise upon himself, no one else.” I answered calmly.

“My name is Miao Renhuan. Miao Renyu was my younger brother.” His voice was as cold as his visage. “I will settle the score for his death.”

“Now is not the time, but rest assured, you’ll have your chance for revenge.”

Su Lengyue raised her hand, and Miao Renhuan obediently withdrew, his cold face vanishing behind her, as silent as a corpse returned to its tomb.

Miao Renyu's expertise in feng shui and mysticism was extraordinary. My victory over him was largely a matter of luck; even in the final, desperate moments, I felt no fear. Miao Renhuan, however, worried me much more.

I did not yet know what skills allowed Miao Renhuan to stay by Su Lengyue’s side, but the aura of death about him was beyond anything I’d anticipated. No normal person should have such dense, chilling energy—he was as cold as the dead. In my memory, there were people like him, but I dreaded that my suspicions might be right. If they were, compared to Miao Renhuan, his brother Miao Renyu was utterly insignificant.

“Master Huang doesn’t wish to make things difficult for Boss Yue. Much is a misunderstanding,” Su Lengyue said lightly, as if there were nothing she could not resolve. “He values Boss Yue highly, instructing us to use courtesy before force.”

With that, Su Lengyue slowly pushed a case before Yue Leiting. Upon opening it, ten gold bars lay neatly inside.

Yue Leiting, soaked in gasoline, glanced at the gold, speaking coldly.

“Enough with the nonsense. Just say what you want.”

“Master Huang wants the Golden Dragon Tortoise in your possession!” Su Lengyue was unfazed by Yue Leiting’s agitation. “Boss Yue is after wealth, and if money solves the problem, then it’s no problem. If this isn’t enough, say so—Master Huang said you can name any price, and he’ll pay it!”

“Haha, so after all that, you just want the Golden Dragon Tortoise.” Yue Leiting sneered, spitting out gasoline. “I’ll keep it for myself. No matter how much you offer, it’s not for sale.”

Su Lengyue seemed to have anticipated his response, turning to glance at Lan Qing and Yue Qianling.

Shen Jiangchuan nodded knowingly at his men. Two buckets of gasoline were poured over their heads, while Yue Leiting was held fast, his eyes wild with panic.

“Master Huang said to use courtesy before force. Since Boss Yue won’t accept his offer, don’t blame me. I’ll send your wife and daughter ahead to prepare for you, so you won’t be lonely beneath the earth.”

Shen Jiangchuan nodded again, picked up the lighter, his face twisted in a cold smile, and slowly approached Lan Qing.

Yue Leiting’s eyes widened in desperation, his voice raw with fury.

“Shen Jiangchuan, if you dare touch her, I’ll haunt you to the grave!”

Xiao Lianshan looked at me anxiously, knowing that a woman like Su Lengyue would stop at nothing, especially since she now controlled the scene.

I raised my head, just about to speak, when the sound of a brawl erupted outside. Everyone in the casino turned toward the entrance.