As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 241 Conservation of Luck
"Oh?"

Well, the casino has become this girl's lucky charm.

Mingchen had considered many reasons why the other party had invited him to the casino.

Perhaps it's to witness the myriad aspects of life, perhaps it's to lament human greed and explore the deep-seated flaws in human nature, or perhaps it's to showcase one's own philosophy of governance...

He never expected that the other party went to the casino for this reason.

Mingchen shook his head, somewhat amused and exasperated: "So, Miss, are you going to Da Gui Men to gamble to see if meeting Chen is a lucky or unlucky thing?"

Does a casino also function as a compass for luck?
The two explanations of luck are actually quite simple. The theory of eternal luck is the theory of omens. When you encounter something good, that is an omen, and the omen indicates that you will be lucky in the future.

For example, this time, Yu Yue kept winning, which is a good omen, indicating that meeting Ming Chen was a lucky thing.

The conservation of luck, on the other hand, is the opposite; it is a theory of depletion. If a lucky event occurs, all the luck will be used up, and then bad luck will follow.

Yu Yue always wins at gambling, and all her luck has been used up here. After meeting Ming Chen, she's going to be unlucky.

Yu Yue nodded matter-of-factly: "That's right!"

This person is truly interesting.

Mingchen then asked, "May I ask, young lady, do you believe in the eternal nature of luck, or the conservation of luck?"

Yu Yue lowered her eyes and said, "Before entering the continent, I gambled with my subordinates on the ship and lost for three days and three nights without winning a single bet."

"So I decided to go to the mainland. Mingchen, do you think I believe in the theory of luck?"

This statement is partly Xiang Mingchen's own interpretation of luck.

The other half, however, made no attempt to conceal anything, revealing to Mingchen her final identity.

She was the immortal Kui who sang on the Ascension Platform, her song stunning the entire city and drawing people into a dreamlike state.

She is Yu Yue, an ordinary female gambler who acts recklessly, vulgarly, and impulsively in casinos.

At the same time, she is also the supreme ruler of the Jinglan Alliance, a beauty blessed by the sea, and the pinnacle of seizing opportunities.

Hong Ling Shuang, leader of the Jing Lan Alliance.

Although she wasn't wearing her own face, she didn't try to hide anything.

The more intelligent a person is, the less likely they are to look down on others, and the more likely they are to give others the most honest evaluation.

She knew that if she recognized Mingchen, Mingchen would also recognize her.

Mingchen recognized her again in the casino after she changed her appearance and became a Kui Xian.

Given the other party's talent, Hong Ling Shuang didn't believe that the other party hadn't guessed her identity.

If we keep covering it up, it will just look like something a clown would do.

"Hey."

Ming Chen was not surprised at all by Hong Ling Shuang's identity. He simply chuckled and said to Hong Ling Shuang, "So, according to the Alliance Leader's theory of luck, meeting Chen must be an unlucky thing?"

In that case, Hong Ling Shuang clearly believes in the theory of conservation of luck.

Hong Ling Shuang shrugged and said, "That's how it seems now."

Meeting someone like Mingchen is really hard to say whether it's a good thing or a bad thing.

She felt that Mingchen was very similar to her.

She didn't think it would be a good thing for others to encounter her.

"Not always!"

However, Mingchen shook his head.

He didn't like hearing those words.

This damn desire to win.

Mingchen grabbed Hong Ling Shuang's wrist and tried to pull her back: "Let's go, let's go back!"

The gambler in the casino just now tried to grab Hong Ling Shuang, but she kicked him to the ground, leaving him in a sorry state.

But at this moment, Mingchen remained unconcerned.

Hong Ling Shuang paused, glanced down at Ming Chen's hand gripping his wrist, and subconsciously wanted to retaliate as well.

But after struggling slightly, it finally stopped.

She let the other person pull her back.

The area in front of the Grand Gui Gate was bustling with activity, as the frenzied and eager voices of gamblers surged in like waves.

The two returned and once again stood before the gambling table they had just become familiar with.

"..."

For a moment, the gambling table became quiet.

The gamblers forgot to look at the dice and turned to look at the two men, seemingly puzzled.

Bao Guan paused, his hand gripping the dice cup, and looked at the newcomer with a hint of helplessness.

Why are those two scoundrels back again?

"Come again!"

"I'll bet big, ten taels of silver."

Hong Ling Shuang didn't explain anything. Even though she was pulled back by Ming Chen, she didn't hesitate and simply placed ten taels of silver on the table.

"I also bet big, and it's still just a copper coin."

Mingchen, standing beside her, smiled and dropped a copper coin.

The two of them seemed unchanged, but the people in the casino were a different story.

"Hahaha! Yu Yue, you're back?"

"What's going on?"

"I'm betting big too! I'm betting big too!"

"I'm betting fifty taels this time! Yu Yue, you absolutely mustn't let me down!"

How did these two end up together?

No one cared what relationship this strange, handsome young man had with Hong Ling Shuang.

In a casino, gambling is the most important thing.

Hong Ling Shuang's return set off chaos in the casino.

Lady Luck has returned from the brink of loss; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so seize it!

The gamblers, their eyes gleaming with excitement, kept talking and betting all their chips on her.

In an instant, countless coins were placed on the side where Hong Ling Shuang had placed her bet.

No one knows if Hong Ling Shuang will gamble again next time. If she misses another chance, she might never have another one.

Mingchen and his companion manipulated the gamblers' psychology.

Mingchen's unconventional behavior attracted attention, while Hong Lingshuang's decision to retire after winning three games and refuse to gamble again piqued people's interest.

Now that they have returned, they have completely won over their hearts.

The crazed gamblers took turns placing bets, momentarily forgetting that Hong Ling Shuang had only won three games. Winning three games in a row was not a rare thing.

Luck doesn't seem to stay with one person forever.

Bao Guan watched the gamblers' actions and the one-sided trend at the gambling table. His eyes flickered slightly as he shook the dice cup in his hand.

As the gong sounded, the bet was placed.

"Snapped!"

Suddenly, he slammed the dice cup on the table, drawing everyone's attention.

"122 points, small!"

In an instant, it went from heaven to hell.

Everyone shuddered, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"This...this, how is this possible?"

"How could this be?"

"Yu Yue, you... you lost?! I bet fifty taels!"

"How could it be small?"

"No, no, no... there must be some mistake."

……

Lost!

Hong Ling Shuang lost her first match after returning.

She only wins ten taels when she wins and only loses ten taels when she loses.

But the other gamblers present were a different story.

The crazy gambler was planning to follow Hong Ling Shuang to win money and get rich; he had invested a lot of money.

But they lost?

Whether it's despair, fear, or sorrow...

For a time, people were distraught, as if they had lost their parents.

Hong Ling Shuang didn't care about the stares around her, and just glanced at Ming Chen beside her: "I'm betting big!"

"This……"

"Still gambling? Was that a test just now?"

Should I follow suit or not?

"Whatever! I'll take the gamble!"

Because Hong Ling Shuang has become the center of attention at the gambling table.

Although her actions were no different from those of an ordinary gambler, her every move could still captivate people's attention.

Should we continue to follow this lucky goddess?

Or should we give up?
Could this be a test from Lady Luck for them?
Ultimately, there are still some people who don't believe in superstition.

Some timid gamblers give up, but there are always bold ones who want to continue.

Unsuccessful, they become benevolent.

The gamblers gritted their teeth and bet their fortunes on the gambling table: "I'll bet another fifty taels, I'll bet big too."

Although some people left, there were still more people on the side with the larger bet.

Seeing this, Mingchen simply smiled and shook his head: "I also bet on big, and it's still just one copper coin."

The money that Mingdaozai made is going to be given back again.

"when!"

The gong sounds, and the bet is placed.

Bao Guan continued shaking the dice cup, attracting people's attention.

The crazed gamblers paid no attention as an invisible force rippled outwards.

The little bird perched on Mingchen's shoulder had eyes that gleamed.

It's rare to see someone willingly accept defeat!
When the dice cup was lifted again, the gamblers' eyes widened in disbelief.

"222, a complete set of dice, the dealer wins all."

"what?"

"This……"

"I lost again! My money! My silver!"

"How did you lose again?"

No one won this time. Today, the dealer will choose two dice. If all three dice are 2, the dealer will win.

The gamblers stared blankly at the dice, standing there motionless, their eyes empty and filled with despair.

Lost again!
The official who was shaking the dice was stunned for a moment.

Today's sales figures are pretty amazing, aren't they?

"I'm betting on small this time."

Hong Ling Shuang seemed unsurprised by this, her gaze remaining unchanged.

Without showing the slightest displeasure at losing money, he changed his position again: "Still ten taels of silver."

"I also bet small, and it's still just one copper coin."

The odd combination was that Mingchen was still following Hong Lingshuang and was still only betting one copper coin.

"I'll bet on the small one too!"

"No, no, no, I'm not coming!"

"I refuse to believe it! I'm betting on small too!"

……

He won three games in a row, then lost two.

Most gamblers have now given up; some have stopped, but others refuse to believe in the danger and continue to gamble with Hong Ling Shuang.

"666. Big."

Lost again.

A heaven, a hell.

In just a few short moments.

Hong Ling Shuang has now lost all the money she earned.

The gamblers around him had various expressions, but Hong Ling Shuang calmly entered the room: "Continue, I bet on small."

Mingchen also took out a coin: "I'll bet on small too."

……

"This this……"

"How did we lose again!"

"Haha, I bet against the trend and I made it all back!"

"Counter-bet, counter-bet, Yu Yue, what do you want to bet on this time? I want a counter-bet, fifty taels of silver!"

"How can this be?!"

...In the casino, there is no distinction between day and night. Drums and gongs beat in round after round, and dice cups are slammed on the gambling table round after round. Each time the dice are uncovered, people experience joy and despair.

It's unclear how much time passed, but the gamblers' emotions underwent a rollercoaster ride within this not-so-small casino.

When Hong Ling Shuang first arrived, a group of people surrounded her and placed bets with her.

However, now that the road is reversed, most people are avoiding her as if she were a plague.

Only that handsome young man remained, smiling, standing beside her.

Lost! Lost! Lost!
Since Hong Ling Shuang's return, she hasn't won a single game; she's been losing constantly.

Not only did he lose the thirty taels of silver he had just earned, but he also lost more than a dozen more rounds, losing more than a hundred taels in total.

It's incredibly unlucky; Lady Luck turns into a jinx in one fell swoop.

The smarter gamblers have started betting against her.

They won back all the bets they had previously lost, making a fortune.

Bao Guan, sitting in the dealer's seat, was sweating profusely, shaking the dice cup in his hand.

Strange, strange, strange!
What's going on here?

These two are too weird.

He felt that the situation was completely out of his control.

Now most people are following Hong Ling Shuang's lead and betting against her, but Hong Ling Shuang always loses, so the bookmaker is losing money.

But unfortunately, he couldn't do anything about it.

There must be something strange about this.

But the strange thing is that even if they have to use tricks, they are all tricks to make themselves win!

How can you let yourself lose?
The casino couldn't find a reason to cause trouble for them.

That woman has already lost over a hundred taels of silver, which is no small sum.

at last,

"I'm out of money, I'm not gambling anymore!"

Under everyone's gaze, Hong Ling Shuang waved her hand.

Despite losing more than ten rounds in a row, she didn't seem angry or desperate, which was a stark contrast to other gamblers, showing good emotional control.

She lost all the money she brought, so she stopped gambling.

"Huh? That's only a few rounds?!"

"Let's gamble!"

"How about I lend it to you! Yu Yue, I'll lend you ten taels of silver!"

"I'll lend it to you too! I'll lend it to you too!"

"I'll give it to you right away! I'll give you ten taels, okay?"

"Let's take one last gamble!"

……

Hearing that Hong Ling Shuang was leaving, the gamblers were actually unhappy.

In the casino, everyone was vying to borrow money from Hong Ling Shuang.

Some even offered to give Hong Ling Shuang money.

Gamblers always borrow money from others.

It's quite a strange sight to see people now vying to lend money to others.

Whether it's Lady Luck or a jinx... it doesn't matter, they're all gods.

They can all help them win.

If Hong Ling Shuang loses, and those who bet against her can make money, that would be perfect!

From then on, Yu Yue will likely become a legend in this noble family.

"I'm not gambling anymore!"

Hong Ling Shuang was always decisive. Even when these gamblers tried to persuade her to stay and offered to lend her money, she did not hesitate at all. She waved her hand and simply turned and left.

There have been previous examples of this; the gambler who got kicked is still not recovered.

People just watched her from afar, feeling a little sad, but ultimately said nothing.

But Bao Guan wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh.

He never wanted to see those two people again.

"The sunlight is so bright!"

Actually, it was already late; it was dusk, and the sun had already set behind the western edge.

The afterglow was soft and not dazzling.

But Mingchen still covered his eyes with his hands and said with a sigh.

A massive loss!

Mingdaozi lost over a dozen copper coins.

Before Mingchen could say anything to Hong Lingshuang...

at this time,

"Fish Joy!!!"

"You slut!!"

"Give me my money back!!"

Suddenly, a roar came from the side, and a crazed middle-aged man charged towards them.

His face was contorted with rage, his eyes bloodshot, and he swung his fist, ready to strike Hong Ling Shuang.

It's all her!
It's all her!
It's all her!
If it weren't for her, how could he have ended up in this state?!
After Hong Ling Shuang returned, the gambler left the casino after only three rounds.

In the first round, he bet all the money he had brought, hoping to get rich quick.

In the second round, he refused to believe in bad luck and bet on the house again.

He still didn't believe it in the third round, so he stingily took out all his possessions and borrowed from everyone around him.

Lost! Lost! Lost!
Having lost everything, his mind went blank, as if he had been hit by a hammer, and he walked out of the casino in a daze.

After leaving the casino, the extreme despair and fear gradually turned into a frenzied rage.

It's all Yu Yue's fault, it's all that hateful woman's fault.

If it weren't for her bad luck infecting him, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation.

Upon seeing Mingchen and the other person emerge, he disregarded everything and charged madly towards them.

And the next moment,
"boom!"

Without any mercy, he kicked him in the chest, sending him flying.

"What kind of trash flew away?"

Mingchen stopped walking, as if he had done something insignificant, and turned to Hong Ling Shuang, saying, "Let's go."

"Cough cough~"

"Waaaaah... Why? Why are you doing this to me?"

"My home...my wife and children..."

In a single day, he became destitute.

Mingchen's kick was quite forceful; the gambler fell to the ground, clutching his chest and coughing painfully as he watched the two leave.

His eyes grew increasingly blurry, tears welling up, and he sat on the ground, rolling around and crying like a child.

He no longer knows how to face the future.

How happy he is!
He had a house, a wife and children, and some spare money, but he was a bit of a gambler... How did things turn out like this?

A person's choices are entirely up to them.

But from beginning to end, no one ever forced him to make a choice, nor did anyone force him to gamble everything.

Driven by passion, why so easily gamble away those important things?
Some people are simply not worthy of pity.

……

The gambler's world collapsed; his madness was nothing more than the madness of one person.

Life doesn't change according to anyone's will.

Bailing City remained unchanged.

To the north, beyond the casino, lies another world.

The mighty Liehe River flows from the northwest and rushes southeast to the sea.

Fish leap out of the water, the splashes shimmering white in the dim sunlight, as hardworking fishermen row their boats toward the shore.

From a distance, the dim yellow hue creates a peaceful and serene scene.

Lazy yet free.

The setting sun cast its last rays on the woman's profile. Her face was ordinary, with some freckles, but it was gentle and serene, a stark contrast to her previous boisterous and coarse appearance.

Even now, Mingchen still doesn't know what the alliance leader truly looks like: "So, Alliance Leader, do you think meeting me was lucky or unlucky?"

According to Hong Ling Shuang, winning three rounds should have brought bad luck, but now she has lost a lot of money and all her money back. So, all that lost luck was just a stepping stone.

Luck is conserved; good things will happen afterward.

Meeting Mingchen would be a lucky thing.

Hong Ling Shuang rolled her eyes at him: "You cheated!"

Looking at the rushing river, he kept saying, "Cheating doesn't count!"

She actually had the ability to cheat herself.

But luck is something that comes naturally. If you get it by cheating, then it proves nothing and becomes meaningless.

After losing more than ten games in a row, she didn't believe that Mingchen hadn't rigged the game.

She didn't care about that little bit of money at all.

Yu Yue's identity might not be useful in the future.

An ordinary gambler is just an ordinary gambler; once he becomes famous, he will be targeted.

If it's not pure, then it's meaningless.

"Hey~ No, no~"

Upon hearing this, Mingchen was not embarrassed by having his trick exposed. He simply smiled at her and said, "I'll accept whatever you say about the later parts being manipulated."

"But I didn't do anything on my first game back!"

Hong Ling Shuang was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Oh?"

Recalling the details of the casino today, he seemed to understand something, and his eyes brightened.

So that's how it is, so that's how it is...

This person... is indeed an interesting one.

"That Bao Guan is just an employee; it seems he's still on a fixed salary."

This woman truly lives up to her reputation; she's incredibly clever.

In short, it's enough to make a decision.

Seeing that Hong Ling Shuang seemed to understand the reason, Ming Chen chuckled and said, "If it were me, I would definitely make you win a few more rounds before you lose."

How can you catch a wolf if you can't bear to lose your cub?

Mingchen doesn't understand gambling, but he does understand people quite well.

Aside from their own shills, casinos will not tolerate the existence of a gambling god.

It's one thing for the God of Gamblers to win money himself, but he will also encourage other gamblers to follow suit.

The balance of the entire betting game was disrupted.

The situation was completely one-sided when Hong Ling Shuang returned. If it wasn't controlled, the result would be the same as when she left, with everyone betting on the same side and winning all the time, leaving only the casino to lose.

Unlike other gamblers who only stared at the dice cup and the dice, Mingchen also paid attention to the people around him, observing their eyes and expressions.

That official must be a cowardly person who lacks ambition and is content with mediocrity.

He won't let Hong Ling Shuang win again.

Mingchen gave him a chance to prove himself, and that proved to be true.

"Hey! How can you guarantee he'll make me lose? Aren't you worried I'll keep winning?"

So funny!

So funny!

So funny!

Seeing is believing; the rumors are all about the Marquis of Jing'an and other people.

This small gambling table holds the story of her and Mingchen.

Hong Ling Shuang had never seen such a person before!

Interesting!

This is much more interesting than that stubborn old man, Chen Jun!
She had been losing all afternoon, and her face was tense. To the gamblers, it seemed as if she was furious because she had lost money.

However, she was actually unmoved.

But at this moment, she couldn't stop staring at him with bright, sparkling eyes.

On a broader scale, could it be that from the very beginning, Mingchen's use of a copper coin to help her attract attention was already part of his simple plan?

Regardless of whether it's useful or not, and whatever the result.

The ability to change the situation, to easily manipulate people's emotions, and to control the overall situation is a skill.

Mingchen has now touched a nerve with her through a small incident.

Mingchen shrugged: "Nothing is certain to happen. I can't guarantee anything, it's just speculation."

"Letting you win once is nothing, I can make you lose all the time after that."

Mingchen steered the conversation back on track, smiling broadly as he said, "How is it, Alliance Leader? After losing so many rounds, your luck must be almost gone. Something good should happen, right? Meeting Chen is quite lucky, isn't it?"

(End of this chapter)