Chapter 12: Tragedy
This narrow alley was a peculiar spot on Nanping Street. Although the main street bustled with passersby, this place was almost deserted. It specialized in selling funeral supplies—coffins, paper money, paper effigies—and the entire alley was steeped in an inexplicable chill.
When there was nothing going on, people wouldn’t even consider coming to such a place deemed “unlucky.” Even a fleeting glance while passing through would hasten their steps or cause them to quickly avert their eyes.
“It looks like the two following me were probably sent by Steward Ling,” Jiang Fan thought as he glanced at the Da Dao Heavenly Book. Apart from Liu Renyi and Steward Ling, no other names appeared.
From this, he deduced that the two tailing him hadn’t killed him yet. But he couldn’t let them track him so easily either.
Swiftly, Jiang Fan slipped into a small, deserted alley next to a coffin shop.
“Quick, follow him!” one of the two men shouted.
“Don’t lose him!” the other urged.
They hurried into the alley but found no trace of Jiang Fan. Anxiety mounting, they began searching frantically.
Jiang Fan soon heard their footsteps approaching. When they drew near, he grabbed two bricks from the roadside and swung them at the men.
Before they could react, Jiang Fan struck their heads with a twist of his body, knocking them both to the ground.
Their eyes rolled back as blood began to flow from their heads.
“Trying to follow me? You’re asking for a beating!” Jiang Fan smiled faintly as he looked down at the fallen men, then strode out of the alley with confidence, heading toward the Fortune Casino. He cared little for the fate of those two.
The Fortune Casino sat on the southern edge of Nanping Street, beside a river called Wuyou River. Legend had it that many gamblers who lost everything at the casino chose to drown themselves in its swift, unfathomable waters, forever freeing themselves from sorrow.
As Jiang Fan reached the riverbank, he saw a striking woman standing there, clutching a child. Determination shone in her eyes.
“Li Chengliang, it’s you… you’ve wronged us, mother and daughter!” the woman’s tear-streaked face revealed a heart shattered by pain. The child in her arms sobbed uncontrollably, her voice trembling with fear.
Yet, the woman held her child tightly and resolutely leapt into the Wuyou River. The scene was heartrending beyond words.
The river’s currents were fierce and bottomless, swallowing the woman and the frail little girl—no more than seven or eight years old—quickly erasing their presence.
“What's going on? Why did that woman jump into the river with her child?” a passerby asked, unable to contain their curiosity.
“It’s because of her gambling-addicted husband, Li Chengliang. He lost everything gambling—their entire family fortune. Those two were unfortunate souls, starving and destitute. That scoundrel even sold them to the Fortune Casino. That little girl is so young—how could her mother bear to watch her be abused?” another voice replied.
“Ah, the Fortune Casino has ruined countless lives, but the Wild Wolf Gang supposedly backs them. No one dares to cross them, not even the authorities.”
“Don’t blame the casino—blame Li Chengliang! That beast is worse than an animal!”
“True enough, no one forced him to gamble. Now look—he’s lost everything, including his wife and child.”
“Never get involved in gambling—it harms both oneself and others…”
Jiang Fan walked toward the Fortune Casino, hearing the crowd’s murmurs, feeling a deep sense of sorrow.
“Just arrived, and already witnessing such tragedy…” he murmured. Though he wished to save them, he ultimately gave up.
He knew that even if he rescued the mother and daughter, what then? He had no time or means to care for or protect them. It was better to let them end their suffering than to face continued torment or the horrors that might await at the hands of cruel men.
If anyone was to blame, it was fate itself.
Still, Jiang Fan harbored no goodwill toward the Fortune Casino. They were surely as wicked as the Grand Xuan Inn—engaged in every manner of evil, their crimes beyond measure.
Indeed, the Wild Wolf Gang never did anything honorable.
His hatred for the Wild Wolf Gang intensified, wishing he could eradicate this malignant tumor immediately. Alas, his strength was far from sufficient to challenge them.
“Fortune Casino, if I don’t make you pay properly this time, I’d be failing to do justice to all you’ve done!” Jiang Fan took a deep breath and marched directly toward the casino.
Outside the casino, no one greeted him. The gamblers were frantically placing bets; the entire hall was in a frenzy.
Countless gamblers had bloodshot eyes, unaware that their every move was being closely observed by the casino’s agents.
If they won and tried to leave with their winnings, it wouldn’t be so simple.
Of course, if they lost, passage was unhindered.
As Jiang Fan stepped inside, someone immediately noticed him. This person had a keen eye and instantly recognized the disciple robe of Master Xu Laomo that Jiang Fan wore, confirming his identity. Quietly, he whispered to a burly man nearby.
The large man quickly left and began trailing Jiang Fan at a distance.
When Jiang Fan approached a gambling table, the burly man hurried over.
Jiang Fan noticed their subtle maneuvers but feigned ignorance, muttering to himself, “Since they know who I am, they probably won’t let me lose easily. Interesting!”
He casually picked a table and wagered all his belongings: “I bet three taels of silver on small!”
“A generous young man! Haha, everyone hurry and place your bets! The cards will be dealt soon!” a beautiful female dealer smiled at Jiang Fan coquettishly, then urged the crowd.
“Big! I bet big!”
“I bet big too! The odds are high for big this round—can’t go wrong!”
“Then I’ll bet small! Maybe it’ll come up small this time!”
The dozen or so gamblers quickly placed their bets; most chose big, with only Jiang Fan and a lean middle-aged man betting small.
With bets closed, all eyes eagerly turned to the charming dealer, awaiting the reveal.
Before everyone, the dealer theatrically shook three dice and slammed them down on the table.
“Once the cards are dealt, no changes—if you want to switch your bet, do it now. Otherwise, I’ll deal!” she smiled flirtatiously.
“Hurry up and deal! Stop dawdling!”
“Yeah, deal already! I’m sure I’ll win!”
“We’re definitely winning! This round will be big!”
“Small!” the lean man shouted with shining eyes.
“Alright, then let’s deal!” the dealer smiled and revealed the dice.
Jiang Fan’s heart stirred with anticipation. He was eager to see if the Fortune Casino would show any respect to a disciple of Xu Xian.
Surely, they wouldn’t let him lose on the very first hand?