Wuxia: Starting Off With 60 Years of Inner Strength

But if he wanted to guarantee a win, the degenerate gambler had to make sure his roll was the lowest possible. He also had to ensure that no matter how low Jiang Ran rolled, the best he could manage was a tie.

And in the case of a tie, the degenerate gambler would win.

’So, he plans to cheat by stealing the die.’

Ruan Yuqing reasoned that this was the only way to guarantee the degenerate gambler would get the lowest possible roll.

If Jiang Ran wanted to win, he would have to stop him.

This was different from before. All of Jiang Ran’s previous sleight of hand had been his own tricks.

Jiang Ran had always been the one to decide the timing.

But now, the timing was in the degenerate gambler’s hands. The more obvious Jiang Ran’s actions were, the more likely the gambler would notice and catch him cheating.

At this thought, Ruan Yuqing couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Ran.

But he was perfectly composed, as if this round meant nothing to him.

Ruan Yuqing wanted to warn him but worried she might be a distraction. This was no ordinary gambling table, after all. While Ruan Yuqing was knowledgeable about many things, this was her first true encounter with the world of high-stakes gambling.

Everything she knew about it was what Jiang Ran had told her earlier today.

At this point, she could only comfort herself. ’Jiang Ran must have a plan. I don’t need to worry.’

The degenerate gambler took a long time shaking the dice cup this round.

After a good while, he finally slammed the dice cup down onto the table.

What’s more, the instant the cup hit the table, a surge of Gang Qi spread out in all directions.

This prompted Jiang Ran to wave a hand dismissively.

"Any more force and you might’ve smashed the table."

"So what?"

The degenerate gambler sneered.

"I’m opening it now."

"Go ahead."

Jiang Ran gestured with his hand. "I’m in need of someone to shovel horse manure. I’ve been waiting for you."

"..."

The degenerate gambler wanted to retort with a few harsh words, but after losing so consistently, he didn’t have the face to talk tough.

However, feeling the die he had pilfered with his sleight of hand resting in his palm, he relaxed slightly.

’I’ll definitely win this round!’

There was only one die on the table for this round, and it was now in his palm, not inside the cup.

’How could Jiang Ran possibly win?’

But even so, he was extremely cautious as he lifted the cup.

His eyes were fixed not only on the cup but also on Jiang Ran.

Finally, he slowly lifted the dice cup.

The next moment, a die with the six-side face up appeared before everyone.

"..."

The degenerate gambler stared at the die, forgetting to breathe for a long moment.

He looked at the die in his hand, then at the die on the table that had been under the cup, and took a deep breath.

"This is impossible..."

"There’s nothing impossible about it."

Jiang Ran smiled.

"Did you think competing for the lowest number would give you the upper hand?

"That I would have to wait for your move?"

"...Isn’t that so?"

Ruan Yuqing couldn’t help but ask. Jiang Ran’s questions were exactly what she had just been thinking.

"Of course not."

Jiang Ran shook his head.

"All of that is based on the assumption that there’s only one die on this table.

"But don’t forget, this is a gambling house...

"We’re surrounded by gambling tables. Which one of them *doesn’t* have dice?

"I could just grab one from anywhere and toss it over. Your plan to get the lowest roll was just a fantasy."

On a six-sided die, there is no number higher than six.

The degenerate gambler looked at the die, then silently placed the one from his palm beside it. He sighed softly.

"I lost. A bet is a bet, and I accept my defeat. From this day forward, you are my master."

As he spoke, he came around from behind the gambling table and knelt before Jiang Ran.

"The Degenerate Gambler greets you, Master!"

He then looked up at Jiang Ran.

"Master, your subordinate wishes to gamble with you one more time. How about we wager my future?"

Hearing this, Ruan Yuqing almost laughed in exasperation.

"Have you no shame?"

Luo Qingyi also snorted coldly.

"You’re joking, Female Knight Ruan. How could a man like him have any shame?"

Jiang Ran waved a hand, silencing them, and then turned to the degenerate gambler.

"You want to wager for your freedom?"

"Yes!"

The degenerate gambler nodded.

"Since I lost to you, Master, I am naturally your servant. But I cannot resign myself to this fate.

"So, I wish to gamble with you again, Master. If I win, I can reclaim the life I’ve gambled away."

"That’s somewhat interesting. However, your skills are lacking. Even if we were to gamble another ten or even a hundred times, it would just be a waste of time.

"So, how about this? We’ll tentatively set it for one month from now."

Jiang Ran said with a smile.

"One month from now, if you’re confident you can beat me, you can come find me at any time to make your wager.

"The only problem is, what happens if you lose?"

"Well..."

The degenerate gambler hesitated, unable to think of anything he could wager for a moment.

He already had nothing left.

Aside from the Soul Hook Gambling House... but Jiang Ran clearly didn’t care about it.

Things like gold, silver, and jewels would likely hold even less appeal for Jiang Ran.

Thinking of this, the degenerate gambler felt troubled.

"So, you’d better think carefully about what you’re going to wager."

Jiang Ran chuckled, then suddenly looked toward Liu Xiao’e.

"Miss Liu, are you alright?"

"I... I’m all right."

Liu Xiao’e nodded lightly. "Can... can we leave now?"

"Of course."

Jiang Ran smiled. "It’s been a long time since I’ve been at a gambling table. I suppose this was a nice trip down memory lane. A small wager can be amusing, but it’s best not to get too greedy... Let’s go."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Ruan Yuqing and Luo Qingyi immediately followed.

The degenerate gambler, the six strange dice-men, and Liu Xiao’e all hurried to follow.