Surrounded by Stars Holding up the Moon

At 9:30 a. m., Ding LiuSan, accompanied by more than 20 followers, passed through layers of walls and arrived at the gambling den in the center of Thousand Liang Workshop.

Dou Jiyan clasped her hands in greeting and said to Ding LiuSan, "Senior brother, you've arrived very early."

The two sides agreed to start at 10 o'clock, Ding LiuSan arrived half an hour early.

Li Banfeng looked at Ding LiuSan's appearance. The man was over fifty years old, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a square face.

He was wearing a black suit, a white shirt, and a black bow tie. His hair was neatly combed back, and he stood ramrod straight. Even the mustache on his upper lip was meticulously trimmed.

Ding LiuSan looked at Dou Jiyan: "Junior sister, on such an important day, you're dressed like this?"

It was a bit chilly, Dou Jiyan wore a blue cotton-padded jacket with a diagonal front and Chinese knot buttons, which looked both rustic and tacky.

She didn't see anything wrong with it. "Senior brother, did we meet today to compete in the police station, or to choose the most beautiful courtesan in a brothel? Putting aside other skills, if we were to open a police station together, could you beat me? What good is it for you to dress so beautifully?"

Ding LiuSan looked at Dou Jiyan, his eyes filled with disappointment. "Junior Sister, I remember Master told us not to treat matters within the Daoist sect as a joke. Every word, every action, is governed by the rules of the Daoist sect."

Over the years, whenever I approach the gambling table, whether I'm facing Grandmaster or a White Lamb, I've never forgotten the rules: I must at least wear decent clothes, because that's the dignity of our Daoist sect!

Dou Jiyan sneered, "Senior brother, it's not your place to talk about rules when you're here. Wait until you win this match before you lecture me."

3

Li Banfeng looked around. There were quite a few people watching the game inside the gambling den, and quite a few people waiting for news outside. Amidst the whispers, many people were also discussing the two men's clothing.

Their voices were very low, but Li Banfeng could still hear some of it through the Thread-Pulling Earring:

"Boss Ding is indeed well-dressed, and he speaks with dignity!"

"He's the senior disciple in our Daoist sect, so we have to be more particular about what we do."

"This is a major event in the Daoist sect. I've heard about it. Our senior brother values matters within the Daoist sect the most."

"Our Miss Dou is dressed well too, she looks quite nice in her clean and neat clothes."

"Yes, that's good too."

Ding LiuSan looked at Li Banfeng: "This must be Seventh Master, right?"

Li Banfeng nodded slightly at Ding LiuSan.

Ding LiuSan stood up and bowed, Li Banfeng returned the bow. "There's no need for formalities between us. I'm here to be a witness for you two."

Ding LiuSan said, "I am older than you and have been in the Daoist sect for longer. The reason I bow to you first is out of respect for the witness, which is also a rule of our Daoist sect."

The murmurs below grew louder.

"Isn't it said that Boss Ding is a sore loser? Why is he so particular about the rules?"

"Whether they can afford to lose or not, that's what Miss Dou said. Anyway, I think they really take our Daoist sect seriously."

"I told you all to stop gossiping. No matter how good Boss Ding is, he's still an outsider. Miss Dou is one of us." "That's true."

At ten o'clock, the first round began, with both sides gambling on dice.

Dou Jiyan was extremely confident in all three betting games. Her skill in gambling was indeed superior to Ding LiuSan's, and since Thousand Liang Workshop was her territory, the gambling cultivators Thousand Liang Workshop would definitely support their Local Earth God.

With just one move that drew Surrounded by Stars Holding up the Moon, Dou Jiyan already had an absolute advantage in terms of luck.

The two shook the dice cup and opened it to compare their scores.

Dou Jiyan has three sixes.

Ding LiuSan also has three sixes.

Li Banfeng didn't think there was anything special about it. There were only three dice in the dice cup, and with their high level of gambling skills, it was normal for them to have three sixes.

But Dou Jiyan felt something was wrong.

When the dice were being rolled, Dou Jiyan not only had to ensure that her own score was the highest, but also had to lower Ding LiuSan's score. She had just used the Gambling Cultivation Technique "Surpassing One's Authority to Avert Disaster," which meant that she had manipulated the dice for Ding LiuSan. Logically speaking, Ding LiuSan's score should have been lowered by at least one die.

However, Dou Jiyan's technique was ineffective.

It's normal if it doesn't work. All of the techniques used in gambling have a probability of success. The probability depends on two factors: one's own cultivation level and the other's ability to defend against them.

Dou Jiyan's cultivation level is undoubtedly excellent. Was the failure of her technique this time due to Ding LiuSan's good luck, or because his cultivation level has improved?

"Junior sister, let's play one more round!"

Ding LiuSan picked up the dice cup, Dou Jiyan naturally had to accept. The two gambled for a second round, during Dou Jiyan used her Gambling Cultivation Technique, Unpredictable Situation.

This technique is very special; it can cause the opponent's methods to develop in an unexpected direction.

When the two sides compare points, Ding LiuSan will definitely aim for six points. However, due to the Unpredictable Situation and Cloud Technique, Ding LiuSan's hand might tremble, and six points will become one point.

Both sides opened the dice cups, and Ding LiuSan still got three sixes!

Dou Jiyan's technique didn't work again!

Is this just a matter of luck?

Dou Jiyan became a little nervous. She picked up the divination cup and said, "Let's play another round."

"Junior sister, what are you saying?" Ding LiuSan reminded her not to move the dice cup. "You have 65, which is 56 points, and I have three 68s. What's the point of a next round?"

Dou Jiyan was taken aback, realizing that her dice cup didn't contain three sixes.

Ding LiuSan also used a technique; he manipulated Dou Jiyan's dice, and Dou Jiyan was unable to defend against it.

We lost our first match!

Dou Jiyan never dreamed that she would lose the first round.

She glanced at the onlookers in the gambling den; some were sighing, some were shaking their heads, and some were standing on end in anger.

Although some people watched the spectacle with indifference, most people felt sorry for Dou Jiyan.

As long as the popularity remains, the luck will remain. If you lose this match, you can only blame yourself for underestimating your opponent.

Dou Jiyan remained relatively calm. Li Banfeng heard the projector whisper in his ear, "Seventh Director, here, I don't see the deep blue of regret, but rather a lot of red of secret joy."

Secretly pleased.

Is this what these gambling cultivators really think?

Li Banfeng was also observing the crowd when Ding LiuSan asked, "Seventh Master, what's the story here?"

Li Banfeng didn't need to think too much; he could only tell the truth, "In the first match, Ding LiuSan times."

The second game is Pai Gow, with each person having ten chips, and the game continues until everyone runs out of chips.

In the first round, Dou Jiyan took the cards and opened them to see a 12-point Heaven Tile and a 10-point Red Head Ten. These two cards were unrelated and had no significance. The total points were 22. According to Pai Gow rules, the last digit was taken, so it was counted as two points. It was a very small hand.

Ding LiuSan placed a bet of five chips. Dou Jiyan definitely couldn't call. With such a bad hand, she shouldn't even look at it. It's like a lucky Flowers Bloom in Season; looking at it will only upset her.

How could I have gotten such a terrible hand!

Dou Jiyan looked at the crowd in the gambling den again; they all seemed to be worried about Dou Jiyan.

Dou Jiyan looked at her second hand; it was another bad hand.

On her third hand, Dou Jiyan thought her luck had turned around, but when she flipped it over, it was still a bad hand!

Until the eighth hand, Dou Jiyan kept turning the tables, but each hand was terrible, so terrible it was unbearable to watch.

She reminded herself not to flip the cards anymore, otherwise her luck would not turn back, but after drawing the cards, she always felt that her luck was improving and couldn't help but take a look.

With two chips remaining, Dou Jiyan placed her initial bet and then added another chip.

Ding LiuSan added another chip, and Dou Jiyan said, "Senior brother, I'll borrow eight chips from you. I'll go all in this round."

An uproar erupted in the gambling den.

It was agreed that if you lose all your chips, you lose the whole game. Now, can you still borrow chips?

Ding LiuSan asked, "Junior sister, I can lend you the chips, but how will you pay them back if you lose?"

Dou Jiyan said, "If I lose, I'll give the Thousand Liang Workshop Brothel to my senior brother, and I'll give up my life too!"

Ding LiuSan frowned and said, "I want Thousand Liang Workshop so that we fellow practitioners can live a decent life! What use is your I Want You? Just to earn the infamy of harming my fellow practitioners?"

Dou Jiyan shook her head and said, "I don't understand what you're saying. With Thousand Liang Workshop in my hands, aren't my fellow practitioners doing well?"

Ding LiuSan laughed and said, "You're living quite well, but whether they're doing well or not, they know it themselves. We, the cultivators, are a legitimate sect. All our skills are earned through cultivation, and all our wealth is earned through hard work. What have we done wrong? What do we owe anyone? Why should we live a life inferior to others?"

Dou Jiyan frowned. "What do you mean by being inferior? I'd like to trouble you, senior brother, to explain."

Ding LiuSan said solemnly, "Thousand Liang Workshop is the hometown of us gambling cultivators. We gambling cultivators have returned to our hometown, and we're not even allowed to gamble. Isn't that just putting us at a disadvantage?"

Dou Jiyan pointed in all directions and said, "Please look carefully, senior brother. This is a gambling den. There are more than thirty gambling dens in Thousand Liang Workshop. I didn't say that gambling is not allowed. These gambling dens are places for cultivation."

Ding LiuSan sighed and said, "This is a deceptive place. You let a gambling enthusiast take a silver dollar and spend the whole day grinding his hands in the gambling den. That's deception."

It's like you draw a circle in a mill and make Travel Cultivator grind the millstone round and round, then tell Lu Travel Cultivator that he has traveled 10,000 miles in a day. Do you think Travel Cultivator would agree to that?

What kind of mentality do we gamblers have? To amass wealth from the entire world in a single day—that's the ambition of us gamblers! To let them live off a single silver dollar—if that's not cheating, what is it?

Every word he spoke was powerful and resounding, and even Li Banfeng felt that Ding LiuSan made a lot of sense.

Is that really so reasonable?

Li Banfeng possessed the cultivation levels of Cloud Realm Three Plus Two, as well as the cultivation level of Foolish Cultivator. He wasn't so easily fooled; there were techniques involved, and Li Banfeng could sense the changes in his own thoughts.

However, the group of gamblers watching might not be able to sense it.

Dou Jiyan tapped the table. "Senior brother, no need for further words. I need to borrow eight chips from you. Will you lend them to me or not?"

"Who told you to be my junior sister, and who told this to be your territory? Even though I know you're being unreasonable, I can only give in to you." Ding LiuSan took out eight chips and gave them to Dou Jiyan.

Dou Jiyan bet all eight chips at once. "Senior brother, let's bet on this one round, do you dare to place your bet?"

If you're not brave enough, then don't argue with this little sister. Just take your people and leave!

As soon as these words were spoken, murmurs broke out in the gambling den. Their voices were so low that most people couldn't hear them, but the Thread-Pulling Earring could hear some of them.

"What exactly does this mean? Can't they just fold? Why do we have to bet?"

"Was this rule mentioned before?"

"Junior sister, you're being unreasonable again," Ding LiuSan picked up all the chips and placed them all. "I know I might not be able to beat you this round, but in gambling, one shouldn't lose face. Win or lose, I have to win back this pride."

Dou Jiyan didn't want to hear Ding LiuSan. She grabbed her cards and quickly revealed them. She could sense that a bit of luck was about to slip away.

She could also sense that something was wrong today; the people of Thousand Liang Workshop didn't seem to be on her side.

Dou Jiyan opened her hand and got a pair of Heaven Tile, which are two 12-point tiles, symbolizing the 24 solar terms. In Pai Gow, they are the second highest-ranking tiles.

In this situation, unless Ding LiuSan draws the highest possible hand, the Supreme Hand,...

The so-called Supreme hand consists of a six-point Big Monkey card and a three-point Little Monkey card, totaling nine points. This hand is called Supreme Treasure, which is how Ding LiuSan got his name. He once used a Supreme hand to make a seventh-level gambling cultivator lose everything, thus becoming famous.

Dou Jiyan was very worried; she was truly afraid that Ding LiuSan was the supreme ruler.

But after Ding LiuSan revealed his cards, he got two two-point cards.

A pair of Earth tiles is also very strong, but weaker than a pair of Heaven Tile. By winning this round, Dou Jiyan has managed to win a game.

"Senior brother, you flatter me." Dou Jiyan breathed a sigh of relief.

The gambling den was in chaos when someone shouted "Shameless!" and then it fell silent again.

Dou Jiyan's cheeks turned pale.

Ding LiuSan scanned the crowd and said, "Gentlemen, you mustn't speak recklessly. I lent my chips to my junior sister, and it was my own bet. I'm a man of my word!"

Discussions broke out again in the gambling den.

"Didn't she say in the first place that we weren't allowed to borrow money or have any dealings with Loan Cultivator? How dare she borrow money herself?"

"Look at the senior brother's magnanimity; he lets her throw a tantrum like this and doesn't even bother with her."

There's one last match left: cockfighting.

This was Dou Jiyan's forte. It was because she was good at breeding fighting cocks that she had the opportunity to enter the gambling and cultivation sect. She brought the carefully selected fighting cock to the gambling house. This was a black rooster. Except for its comb, beak, and feet, the rest of its body was pure black.

Dou Jiyan placed the chicken on her forearm, fed it some, and with a gentle lift of her forearm, the fighting rooster flew to the ground.

He tilted his head and looked at Ding LiuSan.

Judging by its appearance alone, Li Banfeng thought it was an eagle.

According to those around, this fighting rooster had defeated eagles, and more than one at that.

Before the battle even began, Ding LiuSan remarked, "This chicken is sick."

Dou Jiyan glared at Ding LiuSan: "Senior brother, it's not appropriate to attack a fighting cock before the fight has even started." Ding LiuSan shook his head and said, "No need to fight. Can that even be considered a fighting cock? Look at its plumage, look at its claws, look at the spirit it has when it walks. It doesn't look like a fighting cock at all. What's the difference between it and a free-range chicken raised for meat?"

Jin Jinliang, who was originally responsible for checking the talismans at the entrance, was also watching the game inside the gambling den. He whispered to Dou Jiyan, "This is Appraisal Technique."

One of the four great skills of the Grade Cultivator Appraisal Technique.

Dou Jiyan had already figured it out. "Don't worry about how my fighting cocks are, senior brother. Let's get started."

Ding LiuSan frowned slightly. "During the battle just now, Junior Sister asked to borrow some chips, which I did. Now, I want to say a few words, but Junior Sister won't allow me to?"

Dou Jiyan was indeed somewhat in the wrong about what had happened before, but she didn't want Ding LiuSan to use his skills, so she could only change the subject. "Senior brother said I'm not good at cockfighting, so why don't we bring out our cocks and have a contest?"

Ding LiuSan looked disappointed. "No need to watch anymore. My junior sister was once a master cockfighting expert. Her cocks are battle-hardened. A single crow or a single step can scare the opponent half to death."

But how long has it been since this chicken went to battle? It might spar with its junior sister occasionally, probably earning only a few scraps of rice to barely fill its stomach.

Just like the fellow disciples in this Thousand Liang Workshop Brothel, grinding their fingers every day for a single silver dollar, if we really went to the battlefield, we'd probably be no match for this chicken. If someone showed us their skills, we'd probably be scared out of our wits.

Jin Jinliang reminded him again, "This is Inducement Technique."

He brought up the cockfighting incident and brought it up to Du Xiu.

Many gamblers and cultivators did indeed resonate with this.

Ding LiuSan looked at Jin Jinliang and said, "Old Jin, you are a disciple of my Daoist sect. There's no need to hide anything. Raise your head, stand up straight, and speak."

We, the gambling cultivators, should stand up straight and speak with dignity. We, the gambling cultivators, are the orthodox sect among all the sects!

When one of us goes to the battlefield, we dare to compete with the heroes of the world; when a hundred of us goes to the battlefield, we dare to fight against thousands of troops!

We entered the Daoist path to build a fortune, a reputation, and a world of our own, using our skills and courage—not for a single dollar a day.

Just drifting through life in a daze!

First, we'll examine the cockfighting, then extend that to the gambling practitioners present, and after some discussion, we'll quickly arrive at two conclusions.

Firstly, the fighting rooster, having followed Dou Jiyan, has become a local breed.

Secondly, if Du Xiu follows Dou Jiyan, he will eventually become a useless person.

The four skills of appraisal, introduction, discussion, and determination are executed seamlessly.

Dou Jiyan interrupted Ding LiuSan: "They're barely surviving out there, and you're talking about conquering the world? Doesn't it sound easy to say that?"

Ding LiuSan, already prepared, continued, "You're right. Our Daoist sect has suffered a lot of bullying outside, and many people are waiting to devour our flesh and blood. We will avenge these grievances sooner or later."

A single thread cannot make a line, a single tree cannot make a forest. Our Dao Gate Ancestor left us the Thousand Liang Workshop, but why? It was so that we could unite, reclaim our pride, and reclaim our land.

"Junior sister, since you took over Thousand Liang Workshop, what have we become as fellow disciples? What has Thousand Liang Workshop become? When I entered, I saw two martial arts practitioners dragging our people out. Is this martial arts territory or gambling territory?"

Dou Jiyan was somewhat agitated, and spoke a little quickly, "The rule of Thousand Liang Workshop is that private gambling is not allowed. I've made this rule clear long ago. People are free to come and go from Thousand Liang Workshop. If you don't want to abide by the rules, then leave."

I won't stop you.

Ding LiuSan remained remarkably calm, speaking at a measured pace, with neither servility nor arrogance. His voice was strong and clear, each word distinct and distinct. "Why should we leave? This is the legacy left to us by our Grandmaster, the foundation of our gambling cultivation. Why should we allow outsiders to squander it?"

Li Banfeng's testimony demonstrated that this "Conclusion Technique" was used skillfully, even more so than any conclusion Li Banfeng had previously conceived.

Once this conclusion was reached, Dou Jiyan became an outsider.

This Daoist sect is truly worth studying.

Dou Jiyan became more and more carried away with her words, Jin Jinliang hurriedly advised her from behind, "Miss Dou, stop arguing."

It was obvious that Dou Jiyan wouldn't gain the upper hand by arguing with Ding LiuSan, and she herself realized this. "Senior brother, we don't need to say any more. Bring out the fighting rooster, and let's finish the third match quickly and decide the winner."

Ding LiuSan shook his head slightly. "Junior sister, if I were to use a fighting rooster to beat you, this country bumpkin, then I'd be bullying you. I bought a Fat Chicken at the market, originally planning to finish these three fights today, and then have a drink with you."

Seeing Thousand Liang Workshop in this state, I have no appetite for drinking with you. Today, let's use this Fat Chicken instead.

I'm sending your sick chicken on its way.

Dou Jiyan gritted her teeth in anger. In Li Banfeng's memory, this woman was very free-spirited, but now she seemed less rational in front of this Grade Cultivator.

Li Banfeng now wanted to see just how powerful Ding LiuSan's Grade Cultivator techniques were, and whether, according to his conclusion, the free-range chickens bought from the market could actually beat Dou Jiyan's fighting roosters.

Everyone craned their necks to watch, eager to see how the free-range chickens would fight the fighting roosters.

But only Dou Jiyan knew that Ding LiuSan hadn't brought out free-range chickens.

This chicken is very bloated and looks dull, like a country chicken, but it is actually a very strong fighting rooster.

Before the battle began, Ding LiuSan added another bet, "Junior sister, I'm betting my entire life's reputation on this one match."

If I lose, I will never set foot in Thousand Liang Workshop again!

Gambling Cultivation Technique, Capitalizing on Momentum with Blood!

As soon as he finished speaking, Ding LiuSan's chicken stood on end, its fighting power increasing significantly.

If Dou Jiyan didn't follow up with the bet, her luck and momentum would be suppressed by Ding LiuSan, and she might really lose this cockfight. "Senior brother, if I lose this bet with you, I will move out of Thousand Liang Workshop in one day and never set foot in Thousand Liang Workshop again."

After agreeing on the terms, the fight began on the spot. Li Banfeng felt that deciding such a big matter with a cockfight was a bit too frivolous. If it were really a contest of gambling skills, that would be fine, but how much skill does cockfighting actually require?

Dou Jiyan's fighting rooster took a step forward, but suddenly slipped and fell.

Ding LiuSan's "local chicken" rushed over and pecked out the fighting rooster's eye.

Before Dou Jiyan's fighting rooster could even get its footing, the native chicken jumped up and slashed down with its claw, smashing the fighting rooster's head open.

Chicken blood splattered on Dou Jiyan's face.

The speed of this "country bumpkin" surprised Li Banfeng. Even low-level cultivators might not be able to defeat it.

Ding LiuSan made quite thorough preparations for this cockfight, but Dou Jiyan's preparations were also quite thorough.

Her fighting cocks were no worse than Ding LiuSan's.

But the cockfighting rooster slipped and fell right away, something Dou Jiyan never expected.

This bet was lost just like that, something Dou Jiyan could never have imagined.

Li Banfeng looked at Dou Jiyan.

Dou Jiyan stood there, stunned and somewhat at a loss.

Li Banfeng vaguely heard people cheering.

Dou Jiyan's fighting cocks might actually be better than Ding LiuSan's.

But before going into battle, the fighting rooster suddenly slipped and fell. What are the odds of such an accident happening to a well-trained fighting rooster that could even be used as an assassin?

The probability of this happening depends on how many gamblers used the "Surrounded by Stars Holding up the Moon" technique.

Li Banfeng glanced at the gambling cultivators present, watching them suppress their smiles.

Some people couldn't even hold back and burst out laughing.

The moon they're trying to hold onto today is clearly not Dou Jiyan; in their eyes, Dou Jiyan has become an outsider.

Ding LiuSan used a series of Grade Cultivator techniques to win people's hearts.

Dou Jiyan shook her head and looked at Ding LiuSan, saying, "Senior brother, let's continue the bet."

Ding LiuSan sighed, "Junior sister, you've lost everything, what are you going to gamble with now?"

"No, I didn't lose everything. That didn't count. My chicken didn't stand properly just now. I'll try again with another one—"

"This time, your senior brother can't let you off the hook," Ding LiuSan stood up, straightened his suit, and said, "Dou Jiyan, I'm giving you one day to leave Thousand Liang Workshop immediately and never come back."

The rules you established at Thousand Liang Workshop will no longer apply. Those who wish to leave with you will not be forced to stay; we will leave together within one day.

Dou Jiyan shook her head and said, "I'm not leaving, I can't leave."

Ding LiuSan's face darkened. "It is the duty of our Daoist sect to accept defeat when it comes to a bet. If you don't even care about your duty, then we will no longer have any camaraderie. If you insist on not leaving, I will have to find another way to send you on your way."

Dou Jiyan still refused to leave, but Jin Jinliang persuaded her, "Miss Dou, we have indeed lost the bet. Let's go quickly, or it will be too late."

Ding LiuSan looked at Jin Jinliang and said, "You traitor to the Daoist sect! I may spare anyone, but I will never spare you!"

As they were speaking, Ding LiuSan was about to attack Jin Jinliang Dou Jiyan quickly shielded him, saying, "Senior brother!"

This has nothing to do with him.

Ding LiuSan turned to look at Dou Jiyan, about to make a move.

Li Banfeng suddenly stood between the two sides and said, "Gentlemen, the betting game is over."

Ding LiuSan looked at Li Banfeng and said, "Seventh Master, since you've come to be a witness, please give me a fair word."

Li Banfeng's cultivation level is no less than Ding LiuSan's, and in a one-on-one fight, Li Banfeng has a very high chance of winning.

But if we make a move now, we'll fall right into Ding LiuSan's trap.

Ding LiuSan clearly wanted to use Jin Jinliang's matter as an excuse to get rid of Dou Jiyan. There were so many gambling enthusiasts present. Jin Jinliang was a policeman hired by Dou Jiyan. Gambling enthusiasts usually hated policemen to the bone. Li Banfeng was an outsider, and the gambling enthusiasts would not have any feelings for him.

As for Dou Jiyan herself, the attitude of the gamblers towards her is already very clear.

With Surrounded by Stars Holding up the Moon, all the attention is on Ding LiuSan. If he were to make a move at this moment, it's hard to say what kind of predicament Li Banfeng would encounter, perhaps he wouldn't even be able to take a step.

He gained a new understanding of the Daoist practice of gambling; while individual combat might not be particularly effective, it becomes much stronger when fought in groups.

No one dares to be arrogant.

"Mr. Ding, I've come here to say something fair. You've won this contest," Li Banfeng said to Dou Jiyan. "You have one more day. Take those who are willing to go with you and leave quickly."

Back at her lodgings, Dou Jiyan was distraught.

Jin Jinliang, accompanied by several constables, helped Dou Jiyan pack her things.

Several officers were also running around the neighborhood, telling people that those who were willing to leave with Dou Jiyan should prepare to depart immediately.

Jin Jinliang comforted Dou Jiyan: "Miss Dou, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. I estimate that at least half of the people in the neighborhood are willing to follow you. You should think of a place for them to stay first."

?

Dou Jiyan then came to her senses. "I still have a new piece of land. Take them there to settle down first. I've stockpiled a lot of food there, which should last for a while. As for the future, we'll figure something out later."

Dou Jiyan was also somewhat at a loss as to what solutions she could come up with next.

Perhaps we should learn from Qiu Luoye and transform new land into Proper Land.

Starting all over again is too difficult. Dou Jiyan still wants to take back Thousand Liang Workshop, but doing so would violate the bet.

After agonizing over it all day, Dou Jiyan realized the next morning that she had been worrying unnecessarily.

Of the Thousand Liang Workshop, fewer than a hundred were willing to go with her.

Li Banfeng said, "This time it's much easier, I don't have to think about finding another job."

Walking on the hillside, Dou Jiyan would occasionally look back at Thousand Liang Workshop.

She still doesn't understand why. "Seventh Brother, did I do something wrong? I just wanted these gamblers to live in peace."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "If they wanted to live a peaceful life, these people would never have become gambling cultivators."

"What should we do next?"

"Later?" Li Banfeng asked Dou Jiyan, "Where is your contract?"

"Still in Thousand Liang Workshop."

"Aren't you planning to take it with you?"

Dou Jiyan shook her head. "I won't take it with me. Ding LiuSan doesn't know where my contract is."

"He'll find it sooner or later."

"Let him search. If he finds it, let him dig it up. It's my own fault for losing my rank; I lost the Thousand Liang Workshop."

Li Banfeng shook his head repeatedly. "It's no use talking about this. I'll go to Thousand Liang Workshop to see what's going on."

Dou Jiyan gritted her teeth and said, "I want to go back now. I shouldn't have left in the first place!"

"Now is not the time. The people of Thousand Liang Workshop are united. Going back would be suicide."

"Flowers Bloom in Season" is a technique of your Daoist sect. Even if you've lost your mind after the defeat, you must still remember the key points of the technique, right?

It's not too late to go after they've lost heart.

Dou Jiyan was in a state of utter confusion. "I really don't know what Ding LiuSan wants to do with them."

"I don't know either," Li Banfeng, looking down at the entire Thousand Liang Workshop. He also felt a little worried. These gambling cultivators were too dangerous. If they were truly unrestrained in the future, they would become a threat to the entire Pro State.

They are a threat whether they are alive or dead; this is a tricky situation that is really difficult to handle.

Late at night, the entire Thousand Liang Workshop was bustling with noise.

Everyone is gambling; some go to gambling dens, and some gamble at home.

Ding LiuSan established new rules: from now on, there will be no restrictions on setting up private gambling dens or limiting the stakes within Thousand Liang Workshop; winning or losing will depend entirely on skill and luck.

In less than two days, tens of thousands of people had lost everything. These people were doing hard labor in Thousand Liang Workshop to barely make a living.

Ding LiuSan issued a new decree that outsiders would not be restricted from entering the Thousand Liang Workshop, regardless of whether they were rice sellers, vegetable sellers, or others.

Singers, prostitutes, and even pimps could all work at Thousand Liang Workshop as long as they gave half of their earnings to Ding LiuSan.

As for those who want to gamble, Ding LiuSan doesn't restrict them at all. Each gambling den takes a cut, and the more people who come, the better.

In the Pai Gow game, He Jiaqing drew a pair of human tiles and was about to raise the bet when he suddenly turned around and saw a blond, blue-eyed man standing at the entrance of the gambling house, smiling at him.

He Jiaqing folded his cards, lit a cigarette, walked up to Cui Tike, and asked in a low voice, "Why do you have such a good interest in gambling here?"

Cui Tike laughed and said, "It would be a real shame not to come and see the largest casino in Pro State."

He Jiaqing glanced to both sides to make sure no one was paying attention to them, then lowered his voice and said, "You should just leave. You've already gotten what you wanted."

Cui Tike shook his head and said, "I think you should be the one leaving. You've already made a lot of money. The dealer will be counting the Pai Gow soon, and you've switched so many cards, so you're bound to be caught."

He Jiaqing lowered his voice even further. "I'm here to work for a senior colleague, and that senior colleague has a very important background."

"What a coincidence?" Cui Tike raised his eyebrows. "I'm also here to work for a senior colleague, and that senior colleague of mine is no ordinary person either."

P. S.: Dear readers, please vote for Lord of Pro!