Chapter 176: Money Game (13)

Bray Patriarch: “...”

His grip tightened even more, his eyes widening. “Lose three hundred million? No, that would cost me my life!!”

The butler continued comforting him. “Please don't worry, Patriarch. He Shao is still in City A. As long as he's here, we can also get three hundred million from him. If the Shu family could win three hundred million, then so can we.”

The Bray Patriarch nodded, then frantically shook his head.

His face was full of heartache as he sighed, “The Shu family won three hundred million from He Yu at the gambling table. Gambling means wins and losses. No, I won't gamble with him. I can't accept losing, even if I win more than I lose.”

Once money entered his hands, he absolutely refused to let it leave.

So even if he won ten million, lost five million, and ended up making a net profit of five million, he still couldn't accept it!

—He simply refused to lose anything.

That was the truest thought and the truest personality of the miserly Bray Patriarch.

The butler continued persuading him. “Then we'll use another method. Once we've figured out his background, we'll kill him without anyone noticing and take all his money.”

The Bray Patriarch wholeheartedly approved of the idea and nodded vigorously.

He only hoped He Yu still had enough money left for them to steal. The Bray family's spies were still gathering information. Once they had a clear picture of He Yu's background, they could make their move immediately.

Supported by the butler, he lay back down and let out another mournful cry—

“I missed out on three hundred million!!”

Completely immersed in the grief of having "missed three hundred million," the Bray Patriarch failed to notice that his three sons, who normally tried to curry favor with him every day, had all shrunk into silence. Not a single one dared show themselves before him.

Nor did he know that his three sons, who usually fought each other viciously, were now huddled together with their heads pressed close, whispering among themselves.

The Eldest Young Master said, “He Yu lost three hundred million to the Shu family!”

The Second Young Master said, “Just how rich is he?”

The Third Young Master said, “...He doesn't have any money. Those three hundred million are ours.”

The eldest and second brothers looked at the third simultaneously.

After a brief pause, the Third Young Master decided to tell the truth and explained He Yu's origins in full.

Then he was promptly beaten up by his two brothers. They wanted to beat him to death, yet at the same time they still needed him.

After the beating, the Third Young Master's face was bruised and swollen. While applying medicine to the bruises, he lowered his voice.

“It looks like he isn't working for the old man. Otherwise those three hundred million would never have ended up in the Shu family's hands.”

With the old man's personality, how could he possibly allow his family's money to end up in someone else's pocket?

—No purpose whatsoever would justify it.

Three hundred million...

The old man couldn't bear to part with it.

That could only mean He Yu had nothing to do with him.

The Second Young Master said, “Then this is our chance. We have to get the money back before Father learns where those three hundred million came from. Otherwise—”

Just thinking about the old man's personality made all three of them shudder simultaneously.

No.

Absolutely not.

The eldest young master sucked in a cold breath and made up his mind.

“He Yu wants to open a casino. We'll scrape together some money and go find him again. We have to win those three hundred million back.”

The Third Young Master shouted, “Someone, bring the playing cards!”

He looked at his elder brothers and lowered his voice.

“Let's practice first. We'll polish our skills until they're absolutely perfect before we challenge He Yu.”

“Agreed!”

[Bullet Screen: “Hahahahahaha!!”]

[Bullet Screen: “Another day of eagerly waiting for the Bray Patriarch to learn the truth.”]

[Bullet Screen: “He Yu doesn't win through gambling skill. The Shu family and Bray family are practicing card techniques, while He Yu is teaching Little Stone how to cheat... What a contrast.”]

[Bullet Screen: “He Yu's pace is so slow. Cheng Zhao already has over ten billion. He Yu finally got three hundred million, and now it's basically gone again.”]

—Everyone else practiced gambling techniques.

—He Yu taught Little Stone how to cheat.

—Mm. Entirely reasonable.

—

Main Planet of the Federation.

Qiao stared at the screen in utter confusion.

Just what exactly was He Yu trying to do?

Could gambling really allow him to catch up with Cheng Zhao's rate of accumulating wealth?

At first, Qiao had assumed He Yu didn't know Cheng Zhao's progress.

But after <Basic Principles of Combat Power Development> was released, He Yu clearly knew exactly how far Cheng Zhao had progressed. He had even pointed it out to Little Stone...

Since he knew all that, why wasn't he anxious?

Qiao couldn't understand.

Inside the Chat Plaza, Larry kept tagging Qiao, trying to bet with him again.

Naturally, Larry was betting on He Yu to win.

Ever since winning one million from Qiao, Larry frequently tagged him asking for another wager.

Of course, every single bet was related to He Yu.

But no matter how dangerous He Yu's situation became, Qiao had never accepted.

This time...

Perhaps he could give it a try.

Since He Yu was opening a casino inside the instance, perhaps he could also gamble against Larry.

Although there was something almost mystical about He Yu...

Cheng Zhao undeniably held a clear advantage, and his direction was obviously the correct one.

Qiao simply couldn't imagine how He Yu could possibly earn as much money through a single casino as Cheng Zhao could through his methods.

So Qiao finally replied to Larry in the Chat Plaza—

【Let's bet. One million. I'm betting Cheng Zhao wins.】

—

Seven o'clock that evening.

He Yu was checking the casino's renovation progress on his smart brain.

He had to admit that the Federation's technology truly was astonishing.

Whatever appearance he wanted, they could reproduce it perfectly.

With advanced technology, coupled with Money Planet's philosophy that everything revolved around money, as long as one was willing to pay, there was simply nothing that couldn't be accomplished.

After reaching an agreement with the Bray Patriarch, he had sent over the blueprints.

Now the overall structure had already taken shape.

With overtime work tonight, the renovation would be completed tomorrow.

Tomorrow they only needed to interview a batch of employees and provide some training.

The casino could open the day after tomorrow without the slightest problem.

Little Stone looked extremely worried.

“We don't have any cash right now. How is the casino supposed to open? How are we going to pay the construction crew?”

He really couldn't stand He Yu's perpetually calm expression, as though nothing in the world were worth worrying about.

—It forced a child like him to worry far too much.

He Yu reached out and flicked Little Stone lightly on the forehead.

Still completely composed, he said, “Little kids who think too much won't grow tall. Those aren't things you need to worry about.”

After a brief pause, he smiled faintly.

“We're not short of money. The people bringing us money will be here very soon.”

Little Stone: “??”

Knock. Knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

He Yu nodded.

“Open it. Those are the people bringing us money.”

Completely bewildered, Little Stone opened the door.

Standing outside were members of the Shu family...

...and the Nan family.

The Shu family's expressions were rather unnatural, with obvious displeasure hidden deep in their eyes.

They had finally found an opportunity to climb higher, yet the Nan family insisted on inserting themselves.

At present, the Shu family couldn't compare to the Nan family in status, so they could only endure it.

The Shu Patriarch's eyes flickered, a trace of ruthlessness flashing deep within them.

The current Shu family might not match the Nan family.

But that didn't mean they never would.

One day, he would definitely surpass them.

The Nan family couldn't care less what the Shu family thought.

The Nan Patriarch had a body shape remarkably similar to the Bray family's Third Young Master.

Both were exceedingly... well-fed.

The miserly Bray Patriarch smiled like a laughing Buddha.

The Shu Patriarch looked shrewd and calculating.

Compared to them, the Nan Patriarch looked much worse.

Half bald, fat-headed, and large-eared—

One glance was enough to know...

This was not a good man.

And indeed, he wasn't.

To be more accurate, there were no good people on Money Planet.

The Nan Patriarch was particularly vile.

Rumor had it he was obsessed with women.

Whenever he took a fancy to a young girl, he never courted her.

He slaughtered her entire family, abducted her, and after growing tired of her, killed her as well.

His methods were brutal and tyrannical.

That was also why He Yu had approached the Shu family first.

Someone as brutal and overbearing as the Nan Patriarch would never show the Shu family any consideration.

He would simply come knocking himself.

“I heard that He Shao has come to City A from another region to do business. I'd also like the opportunity to make your acquaintance. Surely you don't mind having dinner together tonight?” the Nan Patriarch said with a gentle smile.

Yet there wasn't the slightest emotion in his eyes.

It was as though everyone he looked at was merely livestock waiting to be priced.

He Yu slightly raised his chin.

Every movement radiated the nobility and pride of someone born into an influential family.

His voice remained calm.

“Of course. Since I'm opening a casino in City A, naturally I should get to know all of City A's wealthy people.”

The Shu Patriarch raised a hand, inviting everyone forward as they headed downstairs for dinner.

Walking on either side of He Yu, the Nan Patriarch casually asked,

“He Shao, since your family is so wealthy, why did you choose to open a casino here in City A? Why not choose a better city?”

The news of the five billion had already spread.

A casino with five billion in operating capital completely overshadowed every wealthy family in City A.

With resources like that, why not open it in Gold City, Silver City, or Money City?

The Nan Patriarch remained deeply suspicious.

—It was a test.

He Yu answered as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Because my casino is meant to serve all of Money Planet. City A sits between places like Gold City and Money City. Although it's poor, it's close to several major cities. My casino isn't limited to serving a single city.”

Poor...

If City A was poor...

Then weren't all of these wealthy elites from City A poor people?

On Money Planet, the word "poor" was the ultimate insult.

No one wanted anything to do with it.

The Nan Patriarch's and Shu Patriarch's faces darkened simultaneously.

Apparently sensing something was off, He Yu added,

“Oh, don't worry. Now that I've arrived, City A will become Money Planet's casino capital. It'll be even more prosperous than Gold City, Silver City, or Money City.”

The two of them: “...”

—Perhaps it would have been better if you hadn't explained.

The more you spoke, the deeper the wound.

Still...

That attitude was exactly what one would expect from someone unimaginably wealthy.

And the reasoning made perfect sense.

City A's geographical location really was excellent.

Unfortunately, the Federation's transportation system was simply too advanced.

Even being a transportation hub brought almost no real advantage.

The three of them walked downstairs.

Just as they stepped out of the hotel—

A black shadow suddenly lunged at He Yu, attacking with lightning speed.

Everything happened far too quickly.

No one had time to react.

The blade slashed straight toward He Yu, overflowing with murderous intent.

Unfortunately, when it reached the space above He Yu's head, it could advance no farther.

The attacker immediately redirected the blade toward He Yu's neck.

It still couldn't cut through.

“Bang!”

Only then did the bodyguards react and launch their counterattack.

The black-clad figure retreated.

He glanced at He Yu, apparently equally shocked that none of his attacks had worked.

Grinding his teeth in frustration, he turned and fled.

The Shu Patriarch's expression darkened.

“Go after him.”

The Nan Patriarch looked equally displeased.

“Don't let him escape.”

Someone attacking He Yu right in front of them...

It was an outright slap in the face.

Fortunately...

He Yu's defensive capabilities were unbelievably powerful.

The attack had been incredibly sudden.

Even if it had targeted the Nan Patriarch or the Shu Patriarch instead, neither would have reacted in time.

Their defensive equipment certainly could have blocked it.

But absolutely not with the astonishing effect He Yu had displayed.

Even such a sudden assault couldn't touch him.

Two strikes had landed...

Yet not even a single strand of his hair had been cut.

Neither of them had ever witnessed such defensive capability.

As for this attack...

It was obviously another test.

The Shu Patriarch discreetly glanced at the Nan Patriarch.

That scheming old fox.

While verbally probing He Yu, he'd secretly arranged an assassination attempt to test his true strength.

That fit the Nan Patriarch's style perfectly.

If He Yu died, he wouldn't lose anything.

The Shu family would simply lose a potential ally.

If He Yu survived, they would learn his true background and decide how to deal with him afterward.

—Defense of this level could only belong to an absolutely top-tier family.

The Nan Patriarch looked at He Yu with concern.

“He Shao, are you alright? Old Shu and I failed to protect you.”

He Yu lazily lifted his eyelids and glanced at the two of them.

“I'm fine. I'm used to it anyway. No one can kill me, so what's there to be afraid of?”

After a pause, he added quietly,

“However, certain people should stop testing me already. It's becoming rather annoying.”

With that, he strode forward.

His back radiated irritation.

He was obviously angry.

The Shu Patriarch and the Nan Patriarch both felt their hearts tighten, their expressions turning ugly.

—Could He Yu suspect that one of us arranged the attack?

The Shu Patriarch took a deep breath before quickly catching up, smiling brightly.

“He Shao, the Shu family sincerely wishes to build a good relationship with you. We'll fully support your casino.”

“The Nan family will as well!” the Nan Patriarch hurried after them, immediately expressing his goodwill.

—They absolutely couldn't allow He Yu to think they were behind the attack.

—Otherwise, how could they ever get money from him in the future?

Perhaps after dinner they could play a few rounds of cards, deliberately let He Yu win some money, and cheer him up?

Behind them, Little Stone [N O V E L I G H T] lagged several steps behind.

He lowered his head and looked at the smart brain he had only recently acquired.

A message appeared on the screen—

【Mission completed perfectly. I'll transfer your payment later.】

Then he let out a long sigh.

—Following a swindler like this...

—In the end, this child was the one forced to shoulder far too much.