Chapter 104 Gambling and Bathing

This gambling table of Qian Tiao's was a gathering of high-stakes gamblers.

The stakes, rules, and dealer were all decided by the gamblers themselves. The gambling den didn't interfere with anything, only taking a commission.

Suren looked at the stacks of cash piled on the table, resembling bricks, probably worth more than ten million.

There were six gamblers in total. Besides Suren and Qian Tiao, the other four were in cahoots.

Judging from their skillful movements—someone cheating, someone covering, someone cheering—it was clear that this wasn't their first time.

They probably saw Qian Tiao as a fat sheep with a big addiction and lousy gambling skills.

His own big sister was rich enough to lose, but he couldn't let her be taken for a fool.

Suren pressed his flintlock pistol against the dealer's forehead, looking at her with amusement, and said, "I'll count to three. Show me your sleeves, or I'll blow your brains out."

Suren wasn't just threatening for show.

He was truly capable of shooting and killing someone.

"One!"

"Two!"

"..."

The dealer was pale with fright, intimidated by his aggressive murderous aura, and cold sweat was already beading on her forehead. Clearly, she was flustered and involuntarily looked towards the mastermind for help.

The one-eyed man saw that things were about to fall apart and suddenly flipped the table over, shouting, "You motherfucker, you lost money and are deliberately causing trouble, right?"

Clearly, he was trying to play the tough guy.

With the table flipped, the air was filled with flying cards and scattered banknotes.

Now, no one could catch the cheater.

Taking advantage of the commotion, the dealer also threw away the cards. Relieved of the "evidence," she suddenly became tough and looked at Suren with a mocking smile, as if saying: What can you do to me?

Among pirates, there was no reasoning. The biggest fist was the only truth.

This one-eyed dragon wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Seeing their boss flip the table, a group of pirates around the one-eyed man also drew their weapons, looking ready to start a fight.

"Boss, this bitch is clearly trying to cause trouble, fuck her!"

"That's right, if you can't afford to lose, don't come to the gambling table and embarrass yourself! Stinky bitch!"

"Hahaha..."

The group not only flipped the table but also cursed and swore.

Pirates didn't mince words; they said the nastiest things they could think of.

...

Suren frowned slightly. Although he wasn't intimidated by these guys, he hesitated whether it was worth making a move.

Killing these people wasn't difficult.

After all, this was a pirate den. If he really caused a stir, it might be difficult to clean up later.

He didn't care about being alone.

But Qian Tiao was now a pirate captain. If things really got out of hand, it might be difficult for her to survive in the future.

But before the thought of hesitation had even flashed through Suren's mind, a gunshot suddenly rang out in his ear.

With a "bang," the head of the dealer, who had been so arrogant just now, exploded into a rotten watermelon before everyone's eyes, and scarlet flesh splattered everywhere.

Everyone in the room was stunned.

Suren glanced over and found that the one who fired the shot was Qian Tiao, her face full of indifference.

He wasn't surprised that the gambling-addicted woman had such a violent temper.

What Suren was curious about was that Qian Tiao, who had never used a gun before, seemed to have pretty good marksmanship.

However, watching her fire the gun, Suren narrowed his eyes and revealed a dangerous glint, and he began to look forward to it: Tsk tsk... Things are going to get interesting.

And at the instant the gun fired, the little girl beside Qian Tiao suddenly drew her sword.

With a "clang," the sharp longsword was unsheathed, and a cold light flashed across the entire gambling den.

With the longsword in hand, the little girl who had been so soft and糯糯 just now suddenly looked fierce and fearless.

"Oh... is she a disciple?"

Suren looked at the little girl whose aura had changed drastically, and he finally understood why Qian Tiao would carry such a girl with her to hold her sword.

Just looking at this posture, he knew that she was a good seed for swordsmanship.

Standing there, she was like a sword unsheathed, sharp and exposed.

...

Qian Tiao's gunshot seemed to be a signal.

Suddenly, dense footsteps came from the stairwell.

One by one, big-armed sumo women rushed down aggressively.

Suren recognized them very well. Weren't these the capable subordinates Qian Tiao had brought out from the Cross Society?

And after that, twenty or thirty more people with murderous auras drilled down. Each of them looked fierce and imposing. Among them were three seemingly simple-minded but exceptionally burly Icefield Giants.

"Captain!"

"Captain!"

"..."

A group of people came to the gambling hall and stood behind Qian Tiao.

In an instant, her lonely situation was propped up.

The original one-versus-many situation suddenly turned into a gang fight.

Although the ranks of these people who poured down weren't too high, mostly around the second or third tier, their aura was very intimidating. The ferocity between their eyebrows made them look like gladiators who had seen life and death in the arena?

Suren had seen too many of them in the Cross Society's gambling dens and was very familiar with this temperament.

Seeing these people, a touch of novelty flashed in Suren's eyes. So Qian Tiao's pirate crew had already reached this scale.

Seeing these people, Suren felt that it seemed like there was nothing for him to do, so he put away his gun and stepped aside to watch the show.

Although, from the beginning, these people couldn't have done anything to Qian Tiao anyway.

...

Suddenly someone died. Had it been any other gambling den, the gamblers would probably have been scared and scattered in all directions.

But this was a pirate den.

Those rough old men with yellow teeth and anchors tattooed on their arms were not only not frightened by the gunshot but also gathered around to watch the excitement, not minding the commotion.

Seeing the one-eyed dragon and his gang being overwhelmed by Qian Tiao and her crew, some people cheered.

"Hahaha... 'One-Eye' Sock, you're actually scared by a woman? Don't be a coward, fuck her!"

"Shh, don't cheer blindly. Haven't you heard of her reputation?"

"'One-Eye' Sock? I know him..."

"I'm talking about the other one!"

"Does that woman have some big background?"

"Haven't you heard of the name 'Thousand Blade Rakshasa'? I didn't recognize her just now, but now seeing the Giant Three Brothers..."

"Hiss... the female swordsman from the new 'Dawn Pirates'? The ruthless person who is said to have single-handedly overturned an entire ship of the great slave trader Eugene and leaves no one alive?"

"Yes!"

"..."

Everyone whispered, and someone revealed the origins of both sides.

Now, even those who didn't know Qian Tiao immediately recognized her.

Then they heard a collective gasp.

Suren stood in the crowd and listened to the quiet exchanges of the people around him, and he realized that Qian Tiao had already become "infamous" on the sea during this period.

Female swordsman?

Tsk tsk...

Hearing the科普 from the onlookers, Suren also immediately knew that the other side was from the "Iron Crocodile Pirates."

The captain, "One-Eye" Sock, was a fourth-tier, with a bounty of more than ten million.

But he didn't seem to be very famous, and Suren had only vaguely heard of the name.

...

One-Eye looked at the group of people behind Qian Tiao, and he knew that it didn't seem so easy to bully them. Hearing the reminder from the people around him, he realized that he had provoked a tiger woman.

But now he was in a difficult position, and he could only stubbornly say, "Hey, what do you mean?"

Qian Tiao said coldly, "Do you really think I'm stupid? Can't you see that you're cheating?"

One-Eye looked at the dealer whose head had exploded on the ground, snorted, and said, "You're just spouting nonsense? Why do you say I'm cheating? Now that the dealer has been killed by you, I'm saying you're deliberately causing trouble!"

Qian Tiao didn't give him any room to argue, and she never had any intention of reasoning.

She said without hesitation, "I'll give you two choices: either follow the rules of the martial world and pay up, or ask the sword in my hand!"

"You're threatening me?"

One-Eye's eyelids twitched violently, and his gaze became even more sinister.

Although he hadn't met her before, he had heard of several famous newcomers who had recently appeared in the North Sea.

One who played with crows, one who played with machines, and this "Thousand Blade Rakshasa" were all not easy to deal with.

The sword in this one's hand wasn't just for scaring people; she would really kill people if she didn't agree with you. Cheating was cheating, but he hadn't been caught with any evidence. This one-eyed dragon was, after all, a somewhat famous pirate captain. If he was scared off like this, he wouldn't be able to survive on the sea in the future. This guy's barbaric temper also came up, and he suddenly shouted, "Fuck her!"

With this order, the huge gambling den instantly became lively.

Guns sprayed wildly, and swords danced wildly.

This was the daily life of pirates: if you didn't agree, you fought.

It was normal for pirate gangs to compete and fight fiercely.

Mutual brawls and robberies were normal. They were all people who licked blood from the edge of a knife, and there were no laws or rules to talk about. Everything depended on strength.

The biggest fist was the truth.

This was also the only survival rule for pirates.

Just like Oleg, the King of the North Sea, he was invincible and claimed the title of king; those who couldn't beat him obediently went around him.

Bang, bang, bang...

Dong, dong, dong...

Pirates didn't have any rules when they fought; it was just a chaotic battle.

Suren was also in the corner, occasionally firing a cold shot.

However, after seeing the one-eyed dragon's methods, he finally understood why Qian Tiao had made an appointment at this tavern.

It turned out that it wasn't just because her gambling addiction had flared up, but also for this guy.

"A Rune Artificer? I actually ran into one here..."

Suren watched the one-eyed dragon bite his finger, then draw a mysterious pattern on his face, and suddenly a series of golden, mysterious runes lit up on his exposed skin.

Plus the defensive colonization of that crocodile skin, this guy became invulnerable to blades and spears.

Bullets sparked on his body, but they didn't leave a trace.

Even, he could catch Qian Tiao's longsword strike with his bare hands!

It wasn't just the "Earth Rune's" defense. The color of the runes on his skin changed, and there were also variations of "Fire" and "Wind" Runes...

The greatest feature of the Rune Artificer lineage was to refine the body into a cursed object, engraving runes into the skin, bones, and flesh to achieve the combat power of a "humanoid cursed object."

...

The two pirate captains fought back and forth.

A group of crew members also fought each other to the death.

It was extremely fierce.

But Suren, this "third party," seemed to be messing around a bit. He just hid in the crowd and fired cold shots, and he didn't go into the crowd to join in. This also attracted a burst of white eyes and contempt from the onlookers.

In fact, others didn't know, but Suren knew very well.

Qian Tiao didn't need him to worry about her strength at all.

She hadn't even used the second-stage [Rakshasa] ability, so she naturally wasn't serious.

Seeing that the fight was so lively, Suren also knew that she probably wanted him to see the other party's rune abilities clearly.

After watching for a while, Suren also confirmed that this was what he was looking for.

"It is the inheritance of the Rune Artificer lineage. However, this level seems to be a bit lacking..."

Suren muttered in his heart.

He was looking for a high-level skill inheritance that could refine [Imitation Primal Runes]. But the degree of understanding of runes that this guy had shown was still far from enough.

However, it was good that he had a clue.

Since this guy was from the Rune Artificer lineage, then he should be able to ask about where this inheritance came from.

Suren pondered in his heart while occasionally firing a few shots.

...

Just as the two pirate gangs were fighting fiercely, in another tavern not far from the Mariner's Tavern, several strong men who were still baring their chests even in such cold weather were drinking.

They were Vikings.

The leader was called "Whaler" Chris, the captain of the Third Squad of the Seventh Fleet under the King of the North Sea, a big pirate with a bounty of over 100 million.

Stormwind City had now been captured by the pirates, and the interests had been divided, so naturally the King of the North Sea's people occupied the majority. He also sent such a squad captain here to guard the place.

"Boss Chris, there's a ruckus at the Mariner's Tavern. The 'Iron Crocodile Gang' and the 'Dawn Gang' are fighting."

"I haven't heard of them... a new gang that went to sea recently?"

"The captain of the 'Iron Crocodile Gang' is Sock, the son of the old Rune."

"Oh, that guy, I have a bit of an impression... what's it about?"

"It's said that Sock was caught cheating. The other side is that very famous newcomer 'Thousand Blade Rakshasa.'"

"Hehe, there's no need to worry about things on the gambling table. Let them fight. Remember to tell those who lose the fight to pay for the things they broke."

"..."

...

Facts proved that the fighting power of Qian Tiao's people was indeed much fiercer.

Suren had guessed correctly. Her crew members, including those three giants, were indeed gladiatorial slaves who had been rescued from a slave ship in a previous robbery.

Gladiatorial slaves were slaves in the Luying Empire. Even if they escaped, without a household registration, they couldn't gain a foothold in any territory of Luying. Even if they hid, it would be difficult for them to return to a normal life in the future, and there was always the risk of being caught and taken back.

Therefore, most of them followed Qian Tiao and became pirates.

Their fighting power was naturally not weak.

And what surprised Suren even more was that little girl.

She had looked so gentle and refined before, but when she started hacking people, she was simply a "mini Qian Tiao."

The ten-year-old girl actually killed her way in and out of a group of big men, her clothes covered in blood.

The ending was also ideal.

Qian Tiao had been hiding her strength and controlling the situation, plus Suren was firing cold shots from the side, so the "Iron Crocodile Pirates" were beaten back steadily.

In the end, the one-eyed dragon was almost hacked to death, and he finally relented and agreed to pay.

...

Before long, Qian Tiao and her crew walked out of the battered Mariner's Tavern with their heads held high.

That's how it was in the pirate circle: whoever won was right.

Qian Tiao saw Suren waiting outside the alley not far away, and they exchanged a glance and smiled.

She said heroically to the crew behind her, "Loluota, divide the money we just got to the brothers. Everyone have a good time, drink well. Listen to the communicator, we'll set sail in five days!"

The crowd cheered, "Okay! Captain is mighty!"

The little girl with the ponytail, who was holding a few knives, returned to her gentle and refined appearance, looking like the captain's personal housekeeper. She took out the money they had received as compensation and distributed it to everyone.

The crew dispersed in a burst of cheers, happily going to drink and spend money.

Qian Tiao led this little follower and walked on the snow-covered road.

Along the way, the ponytail girl was calculating how much money was left, and after careful calculation, she found that there was still a big gap. She looked at her captain with a faint gaze and said, "Teacher, shouldn't we keep some reserve funds? Our ship should also be maintained, and the sails should also be replaced. There are many places where we need money..."

Qian Tiao didn't think so. "We're pirates~ There will be money in the future!"

"But..."

The ponytail girl wanted to say something, but the sword she was holding in her arms slipped, and she quickly picked it up again, looking a little embarrassed.

At this time, they happened to pass the entrance of the alley.

Suren leaned against the wall and greeted with a smile, "Sister Qian Tiao, long time no see."

Seeing an acquaintance, both of them showed joy on their faces.

Qian Tiao waved her hand carelessly and put her arm around Suren's shoulder familiarly. "Let's go, let's find another place to catch up."

Suren looked at his arm sinking into a softness, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

The ponytail girl behind them looked at their intimate actions and was stunned.

Only then did she realize that the gunman who had helped them was actually a friend of her teacher's?

...

There weren't many places in Blizzard City that were suitable for chatting that were still open.

They were nothing more than hotels, taverns, and brothels.

There was no interest in drinking, and they had already gambled, so Qian Tiao directly led Suren to a building with a steaming chimney roaring.

A sign with the words "Great Sun Bathhouse" was hanging at the entrance.

Qian Tiao had three hobbies: practicing swordsmanship, soaking in hot springs, and gambling.

Because they had taken hot springs together many times in Old Lingdun, and they were too familiar with each other. Suren didn't show any surprise at the place she had chosen, and he naturally followed Qian Tiao into the bathhouse side by side.

But the expression on Loluota's face behind them was extremely strange, as if she had seen something incredible.

She stepped across the threshold of the bathhouse, then stepped back half a step, and looked at the sign again, before she confirmed something: Her captain would actually go into a bathhouse with a man?

Blizzard City didn't have bathhouses as delicate as those in Old Lingdun, especially in the pirate circle, where it was more direct. Bathhouses were pleasure houses.

Just the atmosphere of this pink light didn't look very serious at all.

Loluota had never been to this kind of place before, and she was extremely nervous.

Suren and Qian Tiao both came from the underworld, so they were used to it.

Qian Tiao waved her hand familiarly and shouted, "Open the best private room. The best hot water, the best medicinal bath, everything has to be the best."

"Okay, boss."

Looking at the group of three, a man, a woman, and a little girl, the fat lady who was both the madam and the owner was slightly stunned at first.

But listening to Qian Tiao's arrogant tone, she immediately smiled.

A female attendant led Suren and the others upstairs.