Zhou Qiubai understands that it is his own greed for money and money obsession that is at work.
"Second Master invited me to drink tea just to talk about this?" he asked.
"Not entirely." Second Master refilled a cup of tea for himself, "I still want to make you a friend."
"Friends?"
"Yes." Second Master nodded, "I like to make friends the most. Especially friends like Young Master Zhou who are capable, courageous, and... a little greedy for money."
Zhou Qiubai couldn't help but laugh, "Second Master is really good at reading people."
"That's natural." Second Master said with a proud smile, "I have been running Wanjin Pavilion for twenty years, and I have met more people than you have eaten. I can tell at a glance what kind of people I can be friends with and what kind of people I can't be friends with."
He paused and then added, "Young Master Zhou, are you short of money?"
Zhou Qiubai nodded honestly. "No."
I just lost all my money, is there any shortage?
"I can lend it to you." Second Master suggested, "No interest required. You can pay it back anytime."
"What about the conditions?"
"No conditions." Second Master waved his hand, "It's just friends helping each other. If you are short of money today, I will lend it to you. If I am short of money someday, you will lend me money again. It's that simple."
Zhou Qiubai looked at him, thinking in his mind.
There is no good intention without reason in this world, especially the good intention of the gambling shop owner.
"Second Master, let's not talk secretly." Zhou Qiubai said bluntly, "You lend me money because you want me to owe you a favor. And this favor may be used in bigger ways in the future, such as asking me to do something for you, or asking me to be on your side."
Second Master smiled, "Young Master Zhou is really smart."
"So, I can't borrow this money." Zhou Qiubai said firmly, "I don't like to owe favors."
"Then what if I say you don't need to pay back the money?" Second Master asked.
"Then it's even more unacceptable." Zhou Qiubai shook his head, "The free ones are often the most expensive ones."
Second Master laughed.
"Interesting! So interesting!" He laughed so hard that tears almost came out, "Young Master Zhou, your temper is really to my liking!"
After laughing enough, he said seriously, "But to be honest, you don't need the money, but you have to finish the tea. This pot of Cloud Mist is worth fifty Gold Soul Coin, don't waste it."
Zhou Qiubai couldn't help laughing.
He picked up the tea cup and drank it in one gulp.
"Good tea."
The two chatted for a while.
Second Master is indeed knowledgeable. From Heaven Dou City's customs, to anecdotes about major forces, to anecdotes about the world, he can talk clearly and clearly.
Zhou Qiubai listened with great interest, and occasionally interjected a few words to get to the point.
After chatting, Second Master suddenly asked, "Young Master Zhou, do you know why I can open such a big gambling house in Heaven Dou City?"
"Because Second Master has the ability." Zhou Qiubai replied casually.
"There are so many capable people." Second Master shook his head, "I can stand firm because I understand a truth."
"What's the point?"
"In this world, problems that money can solve are not problems." Second Master said slowly, "And problems that money cannot solve often require favors. So I make friends from all walks of life, black and white, and I have friends. Today I will help you, and tomorrow you will help me. This is how I save favors."
He looked at Zhou Qiubai and said meaningfully, "Young Master Zhou, you are famous now, but you are also dangerous. If a tree is as beautiful as a tree, the wind will destroy it. What you lack is not money, but friends."
Zhou Qiubai was silent for a moment and nodded. "Second Master is right."
"So." Second Master poured him another cup of tea, "You don't need the money, but you have to accept the pot of tea I bought you."
Zhou Qiubai picked up the teacup and said solemnly, "Thank you Second Master."
He could see that Second Master was actually just a joke.
Although it is true that I want to get to know him.
"You're welcome." Second Master raised his glass and said with a smile, "Tea instead of wine, done."
"Done."
The tea is gone.
Zhou Qiubai poured another glass.
"Slow down!" Second Master said distressedly, "This cup is worth fifty Gold Soul Coin!"
"I don't need to pay anyway." Zhou Qiubai said confidently.
Second Master: "..."
He suddenly felt that this Zhou Qiubai was not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also extremely thick-skinned.
Second Master has been around for decades after all, and has seen people who are greedy for money and people who are shameless, but this is the first time I have seen someone like Zhou Qiubai who is both greedy for money and shameless and can speak so confidently.
The two chatted while drinking tea, ranging from gambling to Soul Master, from the world of martial arts to the court.
Second Master is knowledgeable, Zhou Qiubai has unique insights, and the conversation was quite speculative.
Finally, Zhou Qiubai stood up and said goodbye.
"I wish Young Master Zhou Martial Way prosperity and a bright future." Second Master raised his tea cup and blessed with a smile.
Zhou Qiubai also raised his glass in response. "I wish Second Master a prosperous business and abundant financial resources."
The two looked at each other, smiled, and drank the wine in one gulp.
Then, Zhou Qiubai turned around and went downstairs.
Second Master stood at the door, watching him disappear around the corner of the stairs, the smile on his face gradually faded away.
"Second Master." The waiter's voice came from behind, "Is this Zhou Qiubai... worth your win?"
Second Master turned around and smiled slightly, "What do you think?"
The waiter hesitated. "He does have some abilities, but after all, he is just a Soul Elder, and he doesn't have much power behind him..."
"Superficial." Second Master interrupted him, "You only look at people based on their superficial appearance."
He walked to the window and looked down at the street.
Zhou Qiubai is walking out of the Wanjin Pavilion and blending into the bustling crowd.
Wearing White Clothes, she stood out in the crowd, but was quickly overwhelmed by the crowd.
"A Soul Elder doesn't need Soul Skill to defeat Soul Emperor." Second Master whispered, "What does this mean?"
The waiter thought for a moment and shook his head.
"It means that the path he took is not Soul Master's path at all." Second Master continued, "It means that there may be secrets behind him that we don't know about. It means that he... is likely to become a person who stirs up troubles in the future."
He paused and then added, "What's more, do you think he is really just a money-grubbing gambler?"
The waiter was stunned.
"He lost all 3,500 gold without even frowning." Second Master said, "This is not a gambler, this is a free and easy man who regards money as dirt. He is greedy for money because he thinks money is useful. But if the money is gone, he will not live and die."
"This kind of person is either a fool or... a real expert."
The waiter suddenly realized. "That's why Second Master..."
"It's easy to add icing on the cake, but it's difficult to provide charcoal when needed." Second Master said, "He is not yet at the point where he needs to provide charcoal when needed, but my pot of tea can be regarded as charcoal that has been burned in advance. When he really needs it someday, my charcoal will come in handy."
He turned around and walked back into the house.
"Remember, here Heaven Dou City, if you want to live a long time, you have to take a long-term view. If you don't make friends with some people now, you won't be able to reach them when they want to make friends with you."
The waiter bowed. "Yes, Second Master."
Second Master waved his hand, motioning for him to step back.
Silence returned to the elegant room.
Second Master sat down at the tea table, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and tasted it slowly.