Bing Yang

Reclaiming corpses, strengthening An Qiu, and contributing to the cause of the God of Duel they believed in—this was the consensus among duelists.

There was another benefit that He Gaitou valued greatly.

That was using this matter to show goodwill toward Mei Lin.

He Gaitou wanted to grow closer to Mei Lin.

It was not because he harbored romantic feelings for her, but because he was naturally shrewd and skilled at maneuvering for advantage.

He Gaitou knew that among duelists, those with military backgrounds formed the largest faction, and he wanted to integrate into it.

But he did not come from the military. On the contrary, he was a prisoner.

At least, he had been one.

Thus, Mei Lin and the others naturally did not trust him.

He Gaitou's bloodline potential had already been fully tapped. He could only remain Gold-level and could not advance any further.

Since improving himself was no longer an option, he turned his energy toward building connections.

Although gambling was not prohibited in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, the industry he worked in was still a gray-market business. Once it grew too large, it would be suppressed. It might even attract the attention of powerful nobles and be swallowed whole.

What He Gaitou truly valued was Mei Lin's military background.

He hoped to latch onto higher-ranking figures and find himself a protector.

That was why He Gaitou sent gold coins to the Ice Prison Warden before him every year.

The Ice Prison Warden leaned back in his leather chair, reclined slightly, opened a drawer, and took out a metal box.

He placed the metal box on the desk.

The lid sprang open on its own, revealing neatly arranged cigars inside.

Each cigar was only as thick as an adult finger, slightly slimmer than the cigars normally