Tu Xianhong's reputation was once as resounding as ever. In recent years, he had rarely been defeated while presiding over the Mingyue Tower. As soon as he appeared, a wave of cheers and flattery erupted from below, and those who came to challenge him today were met with disdain.
Amidst these sounds, Gu Yanchen leaped agilely onto the two-meter-high arena.
The moment his figure appeared, the voices below suddenly quieted. Someone rubbed their eyes and said, "Am I seeing things? Doesn't this person look a bit like the newly appointed Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?"
However, most of the guests in Mingyue Tower were young, and how many young people had the qualifications to attend court?
Therefore, not many recognized him.
Gu Yanchen paid no mind to the situation below. He cupped his hands and exchanged names with Tu Xianhong, and the two immediately began to fight. This, however, made those who recognized him utterly bewildered.
People came to Mingyue Tower to gain fame. Women sought a good reputation to find suitable husbands, while men aimed to make a name for themselves and be noticed by the imperial court. Gu Yanchen was already a third-rank official; did he not find it beneath his dignity to come and join such a commotion?
Tu Xianhong had gained fame in his early years. Over the past decade and more, his martial arts had become even more refined. He wielded his long spear with vigorous might. Gu Yanchen's martial arts, on the other hand, seemed to originate from an unorthodox background. His moves lacked a clear system, yet each strike directly targeted Tu Xianhong's vital points.
His attacks were ruthlessly effective.
In just fifty exchanges, Tu Xianhong's long spear fell to the ground.
Gu Yanchen twirled his sabre, creating a graceful flourish. "Want to continue?"
Tu Xianhong, recovering from his shock, smiled with elegant resignation. "Indeed, a hero emerges from youth. Tu is no match for Master Gu. You have succeeded in your challenge."
It took a while for the crowd below to recover.
In recent years, Tu Xianhong had rarely tasted defeat. Even when he was defeated, it was after hundreds of exchanges before a victor was decided. Yet today, Tu Xianhong's weapon was disarmed within fifty moves.
The beautiful woman on stage was the first to snap back to reality. She raised Gu Yanchen's hand and announced his victory, inviting him to say a few words.
Gu Yanchen replied, "I wish to attempt another challenge."
The beauty's surprise deepened, but she then beamed with delight. "May I ask which challenge Master Gu wishes to undertake?"
"Dice. Is that acceptable?"
"Of course, it is."
The beauty smiled charmingly, and soon, a table was brought over.
Gu Yanchen, aiming for a swift conclusion, chose the guessing game.
The challenger from Mingyue Tower, known as the King of Gamblers, manipulated the dice cup with unparalleled skill. In contrast, Gu Yanchen's movements were unadorned. He shook the cup and set it down, then they each revealed their numbers.
Gu Yanchen declared first, "Eight fives."
The game was about calling higher numbers. After Gu Yanchen called, the opponent could only call higher. Either eight sixes, or nine of any other number.
Of course, if the opponent chose to open the dice and the total number of pips in the two cups did not match the called number, they would lose.
The King of Gamblers looked at his dice cup, his face instantly turning ashen.
He only had two fives.
And the opponent had directly called for eight fives. Did he have nothing but fives?
How could he possibly top that?
Cornered, the King of Gamblers had no choice but to open the dice.
Gu Yanchen grinned. "You lose."
The dice cups were revealed. Inside were six fives, which, combined with the King of Gamblers' two, made exactly eight fives.
Second round.
Gu Yanchen called six fives.
The King of Gamblers held four fives, but his heart was still uneasy. Two rounds, and he hadn't been able to discern the number of pips in Gu Yanchen's dice cup at all. This had never happened before.
"Seven fives."
"Open."
Gu Yanchen's dice cup contained only two fives.
With a best-of-three format, the King of Gamblers had lost all hope of a comeback. He conceded gracefully. However, as soon as he stepped off the stage, he meticulously examined the dice cup and dice Gu Yanchen had used. To his disappointment, he found nothing amiss.
This set was identical to all the other dice cups and dice in Mingyue Tower.
He couldn't help but be astonished. When had such a figure appeared in the capital, and he knew nothing about it? Fortunately, he didn't gamble at his own establishments, or he feared he would lose his underpants.
The cheers from below were like a tidal wave.
The beauty's smile on stage was intoxicatingly sweet.
With his martial arts and gambling skills, Gu Yanchen's name would surely spread throughout the capital. However, come to think of it, this name sounded strangely familiar. The beauty dismissed this fleeting suspicion and asked, "Does Master Gu wish to attempt another challenge?"
"No, your waiter said that taking three people to the rooftop comes with complimentary food and drink, and two challenges are sufficient for that."
The beauty: ...
The spectators below: ...
So, you challenged for free food and drink? You're already this capable, can't your ambitions be a little grander?
As it turned out, they could be.
When the charming and alluring beauty on stage handed him two hundred taels of silver, he said, "I suggest you double the prize money, otherwise I won't be interested in coming next year."
Everyone: ...
Lu Nianfu had already covered her eyes.
Meanwhile, Ouyang Wen and Ji Jin, who had been notified and arrived, bumped shoulders with laughter. "Who would have thought that Little Yanchen, after becoming an official, could be so shamelessly brazen."
Ji Jin added, "Isn't being shameless a good thing?"
"Of course it is. Without a thick skin, one cannot survive in the bureaucracy."