Chapter 175: Money Game (12)

"Again!"

The Shu Patriarch's eyes were bloodshot.

He practically wanted to throw himself onto the card table.

His gaze burned with excitement.

Every ounce of his attention was fixed on the game.

At this moment...

The cards and chips on the table were the most important things in the world.

Every member of the Shu family standing behind him wore delighted expressions.

The Shu family's heir happily swept the chips the Patriarch had just won over to his side.

More and more members of the Shu family gathered to watch.

Naturally...

They all knew their place and stood behind the Shu Patriarch.

Behind He Yu stood only Little Stone, dressed in his small suit and carrying the black case.

The Shu family looked exhilarated.

Little Stone remained expressionless.

No one knew...

That inside Little Stone's mind, ten thousand horses were galloping wildly, accompanied by earth-shattering screams.

—Ahhhhh!!

—Three hundred million!

—The three hundred million they had just won had already been lost. If another round started, He Yu wouldn't be able to keep this up!

Three hundred million.

That was three hundred million!

Little Stone was shocked that He Yu had lost three hundred million.

The Shu family was equally shocked that He Yu could lose three hundred million.

This wasn't thirty thousand.

Nor three million.

Not even thirty million.

Three hundred million.

That was nearly one-tenth of the total assets of both the Bray family and the Nan family.

Anyone possessing three hundred million could unquestionably be called one of the wealthy elite.

Yet after losing three hundred million...

He Yu remained perfectly calm.

Just how deep was this man's financial strength?

Moreover...

Earning three hundred million in a single afternoon—

The Shu Patriarch had never experienced anything like it in his entire life.

Not only was it entertaining...

It was incredibly profitable.

And unbelievably thrilling.

—Playing cards while making money.

What happiness.

He hadn't won every single hand.

He had lost in the middle as well.

Occasionally he would win thirty million, then lose twenty million.

But now...

He had won three hundred million.

The pile of chips beside him had grown into a towering mountain.

The rest of the Shu family watched eagerly.

The Shu heir wished he could shove his father aside and take over himself.

Unfortunately...

The Shu Patriarch was completely intoxicated by the excitement.

He refused to move.

Anyone attempting to replace him would become his mortal enemy.

He wanted to continue.

Pressing his lips together, he stared fixedly at the deck in He Yu's hands.

His flushed face looked as though he had been drinking.

Every inch of it radiated anticipation.

—He was waiting for a good hand.

[Bullet Screen: "He Yu's about to start winning. He only has three hundred million. He can't afford to lose any more."]

[Bullet Screen: "Exactly. He'll definitely win it all back, maybe even make the Shu family pay extra."]

[Bullet Screen: "It's not a slow way to make money, but compared to Cheng Zhao, it's nowhere close."]

He Yu shuffled the deck.

Just as he was about to deal...

Someone strode into the room.

His expression was strange.

Part anger.

Part bewilderment.

He headed straight toward the Shu Patriarch.

"Patriarch..."

The man lowered his voice.

The Shu Patriarch frowned.

Instinctively glaring at him, he snapped,

"Why are you panicking?"

"Can't you see I'm playing with He Shao?"

"Get out!"

Right now...

He didn't want to hear anything.

In his eyes, there was only the card game.

The man struggled inwardly.

Eventually, he lowered his head and respectfully prepared to leave.

Slap.

He Yu tossed the deck onto the table.

The cards scattered like heavenly flower petals.

Calmly, he said,

"Patriarch."

"It seems he has something important to report."

"You should hear him out."

He raised his wrist and glanced at the time displayed on his smart terminal.

Massaging his temples, He Yu sighed tiredly.

"So we've already been playing all afternoon."

"I'll settle the chips with Patriarch Shu in a moment."

"We can play together again next time."

Clearly...

He had no intention of winning the money back.

Hearing this, the Shu Patriarch looked deeply regretful.

Instinctively, he wanted to stop him.

But ultimately...

He restrained himself.

—He had already won three hundred million.

Although he wanted to press his advantage...

One had to know when to stop.

He still hoped to continue winning He Yu's money in the future.

He couldn't force someone to keep playing.

Thus, the Shu Patriarch smiled.

"Then we'll continue next time."

Turning toward the messenger, his gaze became razor sharp as he gritted his teeth.

"Speak."

"What exactly is so important?"

Had this man not been one of his most loyal subordinates...

The Shu Patriarch would have killed him on the spot.

Interrupting him while he was making money...

That was practically unforgivable.

Even if he spared the man now...

He fully intended to punish him later that night.

The messenger's face turned pale.

Shrinking his neck, he said in a trembling voice,

"I-it's..."

"Cheng Zhao... from Money City..."

"He's released Combat Power Enhancement Courses."

"They're selling out in the Marketplace."

"What?!"

The Shu Patriarch shot to his feet.

His expression changed dramatically.

Those behind him also darkened.

One of them exclaimed,

"Someone is actually selling Combat Power Enhancement Courses?"

"Can everyone buy them?"

"Y-yes..."

The messenger looked as though he were about to cry.

The Shu Patriarch clenched his fists.

"Who exactly is this?"

"I've never even heard this name before."

"He actually dares to sell Combat Power Enhancement Courses?"

"How is he still alive?"

Everyone knew...

Selling such courses could generate an astronomical fortune.

Yet among all the wealthy families...

Not one dared to do it.

Neither dared...

Nor wanted...

To take that money.

For the benefit of every wealthy family...

Ordinary civilians couldn't be allowed too many opportunities to improve.

Otherwise...

Those ordinary people might one day take a share of their wealth.

The wealthy families of Money Planet currently occupied the highest social status.

The richer one became...

The higher one's status.

Many of Money Planet's strongest experts either came from wealthy families...

Or served wealthy families.

If someone wished to grow stronger...

Or learn more advanced cultivation methods...

They required the support of those great families.

The wealthy families nurtured some people into S-rank experts.

Afterward...

Those experts served them.

If someone could become powerful without relying upon a wealthy family...

That person would no longer be under their control.

They might even compete with the wealthy families for resources.

Which was precisely why...

The wealthy didn't want such a thing to happen.

Even if someone wished to do it...

Anyone who actually dared would be besieged by every wealthy family on Money Planet.

"He's still alive."

"They say several SSS-rank experts failed to kill him."

The messenger lowered his head even further.

Naturally.

If Cheng Zhao had died...

The Marketplace would have stopped selling the courses.

Since sales were continuing...

He could only still be alive.

The Shu Patriarch's expression shifted repeatedly.

Such a person had really appeared.

And after releasing those courses...

He had actually survived.

The Shu heir suddenly thought of something and stepped forward.

"What exactly is included in the courses?"

"Are they only the most basic techniques?"

If they contained only basic material...

There wouldn't be much cause for concern.

"No..."

"They contain everything."

"The one-hundred, one-thousand, and ten-thousand-credit tiers cover the basics."

"But the one-hundred-thousand and one-million-credit versions are confidential."

"The million-credit course even contains many things that even we don't know."

"It covers advancement from the lowest ranks all the way to SS-rank..."

The messenger answered cautiously.

The Shu Patriarch's brows furrowed tightly.

This Cheng Zhao...

Who had appeared out of nowhere...

Was truly far too bold.

Far too reckless.

If even the Shu family could make use of those lessons...

Then the material belonged to secrets possessed only by even greater families.

Someone dared to sell knowledge like that...

And still hadn't been killed.

It was infuriating.

The Shu Patriarch felt no joy whatsoever that the courses contained knowledge held by more powerful families.

He felt only rage.

—What exactly were those great families in Gold City, Silver City, and Money City doing?!

Starting today...

Wouldn't everyone on Money Planet be able to improve simply by purchasing courses?

If even a handful of experts emerged without relying on wealthy families...

The entire balance of Money Planet would change.

The very knowledge they used to lure experts into serving the Shu family...

Was now included inside Cheng Zhao's courses.

From now on...

Recruiting such experts would become far more difficult.

Were they supposed to attract them with money instead?

The mere thought made the Shu Patriarch's heart ache.

Silently, he cursed Cheng Zhao countless times.

He Yu, meanwhile, remained remarkably calm.

Looking at the grim-faced Shu Patriarch opposite him, he said casually,

"That's certainly an excellent way to make money."

"The entire structure of Money Planet will change because of it."

The Shu Patriarch gritted his teeth.

"He'll die."

He Yu shook his head with a smile.

"No."

"He won't."

"If he didn't die when the courses were released..."

"Then he never will."

"The world's structure is about to change."

"The truly great magnates have nothing to fear."

"But middle-tier wealthy families..."

"Will have to become far more ambitious."

The Shu Patriarch froze.

Then he immediately understood.

Cheng Zhao's courses would free some experts from wealthy families.

At the same time...

They would create entirely new experts.

Those experts might rob wealthy people.

They would threaten them.

The wealthy families would need more bodyguards.

They would have to spend even more money attracting experts.

Therefore...

They would need even more wealth.

And how could they obtain even more wealth?

Ambition.

The ambition to become an even richer family.

The Shu Patriarch's eyes lit up as he stared at the chips covering the table.

Then he looked enthusiastically toward He Yu.

"He Shao!"

"Please, this way."

"Stay with the Shu family tonight."

"Or perhaps you'd prefer a hotel?"

"Our family's hotel is the finest in all of City A."

—He Yu represented the Shu family's opportunity to acquire even greater wealth.

He Yu stood up.

His expression remained peaceful.

A faint smile rested upon his lips.

"I'll stay at the hotel."

The messenger lowered his voice.

"Patriarch..."

"Should we purchase the one-million-credit course?"

Before the Shu Patriarch could answer...

The Shu heir snorted coldly.

"Of course not."

"One million?"

"Why doesn't he just rob people?"

"We'll wait until someone pirates it."

"Then we'll buy the cheap copy."

"Understood."

He Yu shook his head almost imperceptibly.

As expected...

Piracy existed everywhere.

Cheng Zhao could never remain securely at the top through this single business alone.

His highest earnings would only come on the first day.

Everyone feared he might be killed.

They feared the courses might disappear forever.

So they rushed to buy them immediately.

If Cheng Zhao survived today...

Everyone on Money Planet would know the situation had become irreversible.

Then...

Countless people eager to make money would begin copying the courses.

Cheng Zhao's sales would plummet.

—Sad.

Yet inevitable.

—

The Shu Patriarch escorted He Yu to the presidential suite occupying the top floor of the Shu family's hotel.

The finest river-view suite in the entire building.

Opening the curtains revealed Rich Street...

And all of City A...

Spread out below.

This room existed solely for the Shu family's most distinguished guests.

"He Shao."

"Please have a good rest."

"We'll dine together at seven."

The Shu Patriarch beamed.

He Yu, who had just delivered them three hundred million...

Deserved the highest level of hospitality.

Sitting on the sofa, He Yu smiled calmly.

"Patriarch Shu."

"I'll settle the three hundred million with you now."

"Little Stone."

"Collect the chips."

The Shu Patriarch hadn't even mentioned it.

Yet He Yu himself remembered.

"Yes."

Little Stone stepped forward to count the chips.

People on Money Planet might not recognize written characters...

But they always recognized money and numbers.

Although this was his first time doing it...

He worked with remarkable efficiency.

Soon he announced,

"Two hundred ninety-nine million nine hundred thousand."

He Yu nodded.

"Mm."

"That's three hundred million."

He raised his hand.

Just as he prepared to transfer the money...

He suddenly paused.

His brows knitted together.

"What's wrong?"

The Shu Patriarch immediately asked.

His tone sounded concerned.

Yet underneath...

There remained caution.

And suspicion.

After all...

He Yu was still a complete stranger.

A stranger who had lost three hundred million in a single afternoon.

Could such a thing really exist?

Could he be a fraud?

But...

He had been introduced by the Bray Patriarch.

—Could the Bray family have sent a swindler?

[Bullet Screen: "Oh no. If He Yu doesn't pay the three hundred million, the Shu family will definitely think he's a scammer."]

He Yu clearly noticed the change in their expressions.

His brows instantly tightened.

His face turned ugly.

"What kind of look is that?"

"Patriarch Shu..."

"I've treated you with courtesy."

"That doesn't mean you have the right to look down on me."

How could the young master of a wealthier family tolerate being underestimated?

Taking a deep breath, he stood up.

"The reason I frowned..."

"Is because I just realized I only have one hundred million in cash."

"The rest of my money was used to purchase Bray family assets."

He sneered.

"It's only three hundred million."

"I'll temporarily mortgage those Bray family assets to you."

"When my family's cash flow arrives tomorrow..."

"I'll redeem them."

Without waiting for the Shu Patriarch to react...

He directly transferred one hundred million through his smart terminal.

Opening his terminal again, his fingers moved rapidly.

His voice turned icy.

"I just bought several Bray family properties."

"I'll transfer assets worth another two hundred million to you."

"You may choose whichever ones you prefer..."

"Or—"

Only then did the Shu Patriarch finally react.

He hurriedly grabbed He Yu's wrist, stopping him.

"No, no, no!"

"He Shao, you've misunderstood!"

"How could I possibly doubt you?"

"You were introduced by the Bray family."

"And besides..."

"You're opening a casino in City A."

"We'll all be partners from now on."

"There's no need for this."

The Bray Patriarch was an absolute miser.

If he had transferred assets to He Yu...

Then He Yu must have offered a price impossible to refuse.

After all...

Properties were worth far more than cash.

If He Yu transferred two hundred million worth of Bray family assets now...

The Shu family would certainly profit.

But they would also completely offend He Yu.

Future gambling sessions would become impossible.

Looking again at the one hundred million that had just arrived...

The Shu Patriarch smiled sincerely.

"No hurry."

"Really."

"I trust you, He Shao."

"And I'd very much like to become your friend."

"As for the remaining two hundred million..."

"Just leave it as chips."

"When your casino opens..."

"I'll definitely bring people to support you."

Since the Shu Patriarch was still holding his wrist...

He Yu naturally stopped operating the terminal.

Tilting his head, he looked at him suspiciously.

"Really?"

The Shu Patriarch answered firmly,

"Really."

He Yu smiled.

"That works."

"The casino opens the day after tomorrow."

"My butler will transfer five billion in cash then."

"Whether Patriarch Shu wishes to gamble..."

"Or redeem his chips..."

"Everything can be handled at the casino."

The Shu Patriarch's eyes instantly narrowed into happy crescents.

His old face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

"Wonderful."

"Wonderful."

"I'll definitely be there in three days."

Five billion!

Heavens!

If he won just a little more...

Wouldn't the Shu family become the number one family in all of City A?

The Shu Patriarch had absolute confidence in his luck at cards.

He immediately made up his mind.

Tonight...

The entire family would accompany him in practice.

They would train their card skills all night.

Then, the day after tomorrow...

He would win big.

As for whether He Yu might be lying?

What a joke.

He had been personally introduced by the Bray Patriarch.

The Bray family had even rented him their very best storefront.

Renovations had already begun that very afternoon.

How could any of it be fake?

Even if all that could somehow be fabricated...

Could the one hundred million now sitting in his account be fake?

That was one hundred million obtained for free!

No...

Actually...

Three hundred million.

After all...

The chips were money too.

There was no need to redeem them immediately at the casino.

He could win even more before cashing out.

The Shu Patriarch happily left with his people.

Before leaving, he thoughtfully closed the suite door.

Outside stood two beautiful servants, one man and one woman.

Should He Yu require anything...

He merely had to call.

Once everyone had gone...

Little Stone collapsed onto the floor.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he realized his legs had gone completely numb.

Meanwhile...

He Yu calmly sat upon the sofa.

His long legs rested casually atop the coffee table.

One arm draped lazily over the armrest.

His entire expression radiated comfort and satisfaction.

Little Stone stared at him.

"...We almost had a disaster."

"You only had one hundred million in cash!"

He Yu glanced at him.

"So what?"

"At worst..."

"I'd have settled it with the Bray family's assets."

Little Stone: "!!!"

His eyes widened.

"If you really transferred the Bray family's assets to the Shu family..."

"They'd immediately send people to take control of them!"

"The secret that you won three hundred million from the Bray family would be exposed!"

He Yu remained completely relaxed.

Picking up a grape, he tossed it into his mouth.

His reply came out somewhat lazily.

"But nothing happened, did it?"

"I only intended to give him one hundred million."

"And another two hundred million in chips."

Little Stone might be young...

But he was clever.

His tiny face scrunched into a bun as he tried desperately to keep up with He Yu's thinking.

"You wanted to lure him into the casino with those two hundred million?"

He Yu snapped his fingers.

"Smart."

"You've got potential."

For now...

Those two hundred million in chips equaled two hundred million in money.

But once inside the casino...

They would become nothing more than chips.

When gamblers became obsessed...

Chips no longer felt important.

Spending them became effortless.

Little Stone's face remained deeply wrinkled.

He still strongly disapproved.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"You already have three hundred million."

"Isn't that enough?"

If it had been him...

He would already have taken the money and fled.

How could anyone dare remain in City A?

Open a casino?

Impossible.

He Yu shook his head.

"Not enough."

He pulled up the Wealth Rankings on his smart terminal.

Pointing toward a name in the middle section, he said,

"I need to become richer than him."

Little Stone looked over.

His pupils immediately shook violently.

Cheng Zhao.

Assets: 10 billion.

In the short time he had been looking...

Cheng Zhao climbed another two places.

His entry became:

Cheng Zhao.

Assets: 11 billion.

The number continued rising.

Little Stone: "..."

He suddenly remembered He Yu's "wild fantasy."

Squinting his eyes, he asked,

"You really intend to earn over a hundred billion?"

He Yu nodded.

"Of course."

Little Stone swallowed.

Then he stretched out a hand.

"Give me the money you owe me."

"I'm not joining you anymore."

—He wanted to leave.

He Yu was charging headlong down a path that would offend every wealthy family.

Little Stone had no desire to accompany him.

It was simply too dangerous.

He only wanted to hide somewhere far away and live peacefully with his money.

Hearing that...

He Yu leaned closer.

His exquisitely beautiful face stopped only a few centimeters from Little Stone's.

Smiling gently, he said,

"I'm afraid that's impossible."

"If I fail..."

"The angry Bray Patriarch will definitely find you."

"...And take out his anger on you."

Such a beautiful face.

Such a smiling mouth.

Yet the words that emerged were so cold.

Little Stone's face immediately turned white.

—Sure enough...

It was easy to get aboard this ship.

Getting off was another matter entirely.

He Yu tilted his head slightly.

His almond-shaped eyes curved into crescents behind the rimless glasses.

His elegant fingers reached out and gently tapped Little Stone on the nose.

His smile became even brighter.

His voice carried irresistible temptation.

"Learn how to shuffle."

"Learn how to deal."

"In the future..."

"I'll share all my wealth with you."

"What's the point of leaving now with just a little money?"

"Don't you want one hundred billion?"

"Five hundred billion?"

"One trillion?"

Little Stone was still young.

But on Money Planet...

Where everyone was wicked...

No one lacked greed.

One hundred billion?

One trillion?

He swallowed hard.

Almost instinctively...

He nodded.

"...Okay."

He Yu's smile became even brighter.

[Bullet Screen: "...What an incredible sales pitch."]

[Bullet Screen: "Even I think that promise sounds irresistible. Who could refuse He Yu?"]

[Bullet Screen: "If he smiled at me like that while feeding me empty promises, I'd happily swallow even poisoned bait!!"]

He Yu smiled.

"Little Stone."

"Come."

"I'll teach you how to become an outstanding dealer."

—

—The Shu family won three hundred million from He Shao!

The news struck like a thunderbolt.

The entire City A exploded.

Everyone was stunned by that number.

Three hundred million?

What kind of joke was this?

Three hundred million...

In one afternoon??

The Nan family received the news first.

One of the family's executives suddenly stood up.

His voice rose sharply.

"Three hundred million?"

"Does that mean the Shu family's assets increased by three hundred million this afternoon?"

The Nan heir wore a grim expression.

"Yes."

"They gained three hundred million."

"Their assets are getting closer and closer to ours."

"We originally thought this Asset Competition would only be between us and the Bray family."

"But now..."

"The Shu family has suddenly become a serious threat."

Only four days remained until the Asset Competition.

If the Shu family could gain three hundred million in a single afternoon...

What about the remaining four days?

Could they overtake them?

The more the Nan heir thought about it...

The more anxious he became.

He suddenly looked toward the Patriarch.

"Father."

"Should we move against the Shu family?"

"We have to stop their rise!"

The Nan Patriarch remained calm.

Hearing that, he slowly shook his head.

"The Shu family certainly must be suppressed."

"But that isn't the most urgent matter."

"What is?"

The heir asked.

The Nan Patriarch looked at his son with disappointment.

He had many women.

Yet only one son.

Unfortunately...

That son was a typical spoiled wastrel.

He possessed very little ability.

The Patriarch sighed before withdrawing his gaze.

"Find out who He Shao is."

"What his background is."

"Whatever information you can."

"We cannot fall behind the Shu family."

"We must meet He Shao as soon as possible."

"Understood."

—

The Bray family.

"What did you just say?"

The Bray Patriarch wore a completely bewildered expression.

After introducing He Yu to the Shu family, he had immediately left.

He had no idea what happened afterward.

He only received the news at roughly the same time as the Nan family.

The butler took a deep breath.

"He Yu lost three hundred million to the Shu family."

The Bray Patriarch blinked.

"Who lost three hundred million to the Shu family?"

The butler replied,

"He Yu lost three hundred million to the Shu family."

The Bray Patriarch frowned.

"He Yu lost three hundred million to whom?"

The butler answered again,

"He Yu lost three hundred million to the Shu family."

The Bray Patriarch stared blankly.

"How much did He Yu lose to the Shu family?"

The butler nearly shouted,

"He Yu lost three hundred million to the Shu family!"

The Bray Patriarch sucked in a sharp breath.

Reaching up, he pinched the point beneath his nose.

The butler hurriedly supported him.

"Patriarch!"

"Patriarch, are you alright?!"

"Doctor!"

"Quick, call the doctor!"

After a frantic rescue...

The Bray Patriarch finally caught his breath.

His complexion improved slightly.

Gripping the butler's hand tightly, he slowly sat upright.

His eyes were wide open.

"He Yu..."

"He actually had three hundred million to lose to the Shu family?"

"He actually gave it to the Shu family?!"

How the hell was this supposed to bankrupt the Nan family?

He was practically creating another rival for the Bray family!

The miserly Bray Patriarch clutched his chest in agony.

"My heavens..."

"If I'd known he possessed three hundred million..."

"I never would have let him walk out that door."

"If the Bray family had obtained those three hundred million..."

"We definitely would have beaten the Nan family this time!"

A He Yu carrying three hundred million had walked right out of the Bray family.

The miser felt as though his heart were being torn apart.

—It was like losing three hundred million.

The butler tried to comfort him.

"Patriarch..."

"You only missed the opportunity to gain three hundred million."

"You didn't actually lose three hundred million."

"Please don't grieve too much."