Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 31 Gambler Liu San
Liu San hurried to the village with light steps. He had won a lot of money today and felt very happy.

Suddenly, he saw adults and children gathered in a field. He couldn't help but feel curious and wanted to go closer to join in the fun.

A child with sharp eyes quickly spotted Liu San and shouted, "The third scoundrel is back!"

Because Liu San was addicted to gambling, he even sold all his family's land for gambling, and thus became a negative example for the entire Baisha Village.

Usually when adults educate their children, they always call them "three rascals".

These kids learn quickly. Even though they are the younger generation, they still call Liu San "San Rascal" and "San Rascal" when they see him.

Liu San was very displeased when he heard this. He glared at the child and said, "You little brat, is your butt itchy? Call me Uncle San! Uncle San bought some candy today. Call me Uncle San and I'll give you some candy!"

The child took a tiny bite of the sweet dried apricots in his hand, smacked his lips, and tasted the sweetness. A satisfied and innocent smile appeared on his skinny face.

The child grinned and said, "Third ruffian, go away! My dad won't let me play with you. If I eat your candy, I will become a bad ruffian too. I don't want it!"

The other adults all laughed when they heard this.

Liu San's face flushed red, and he said angrily, "You really deserve a beating, Uncle San, I'm going to give you a good beating today!"

An adult said, "San'er, why are you taking your anger out on the kid? Did you lose money today?"

As soon as the topic of gambling came up, Liu San calmed down a lot.

He raised his head like a proud rooster, lifted his bag, and said triumphantly, "How could I lose money? Today I've defeated them again. I bought some wine and meat. Let's have a drink together tonight!"

A villager kindly advised, "Liu San, how can a gambler build a family and establish a career? Only those who do will lose it! Now that you've won some money, you should calm down and do something serious. Even if you don't want to farm, you can do some small business or work as a laborer!"

Although Liu San is a bit of a ruffian and a gambler, he has a good relationship with others in the village.

Everyone was related, and the villagers had been trying to persuade him with good intentions, not wanting Liu San to end up with his family ruined and his life destroyed.

Liu San said unhappily, "It's impossible for me to work. I'm not destined to be a peasant. I'm so lucky now, how can I not gamble? When I make a fortune, I'll take you all out to eat and drink!"

When the villagers heard this, they all shook their heads and sighed.

A villager said, "Come here, Sanzi! A scholar has come to the county. Let him show you how to change your temper!"

"Yes, yes, let Lu Shusheng take a look at you. Maybe you are possessed by an evil spirit, which is why you keep gambling..." someone echoed.

Someone made way and greeted Liu San.

Liu San's expression changed, and he realized that Lu Zheng was sitting among the crowd.

He saw that Lu Zheng was fair and handsome, but his clothes were ordinary, not as good as his own. He was sitting on the edge of the field in a very ungraceful manner, and his demeanor was nothing like those of the scholars in the county town.

Liu San couldn't help but sneer, "It's not like I haven't been to the county to gamble before, and it's not like I haven't seen scholars before. Where are you from? Are you a charlatan who came to the village to cheat people?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng just looked at Liu San with a smile, without explaining or producing any evidence to prove it.

As he was speaking, Liu Sanda strode over. He wanted to look through Lu Zheng's bookcase to see if there were any things used by some charlatans in it.

Liu San had seen some of the world and knew a few tricks used by some swindlers.

However, before he got close to the bookcase, a white light bloomed on the bookcase and hit Liu San's body.

Although Liu San was not injured, a wisp of green smoke came out of his body.

Everyone was startled, not knowing what was going on. Liu San was even more frightened, and quickly took several steps back, his expression filled with shock and anger. "You liar, what are you doing?"

Lu Zheng reached out and opened the lid of the bookcase, letting everyone take a look. Inside were some clothes, study supplies, and other miscellaneous items.

Then, Lu Zheng slowly stood up and said, "Scholars have literary aura, and my bookcase also has literary aura. You have demonic aura, so I reacted."

Lu Zheng paused, then said softly, "I've been here with you all for so long, but no one is in trouble. The problem isn't me, it's you."

When everyone heard this, they suddenly realized.

Someone couldn't help but say, "I've heard that scholars have literary aura and can suppress demons and monsters. Now I actually see it!"

"Yeah, we're fine even though we're so close. Sanzi, you haven't been this close yet, and..."

"Third son, you really are possessed by an evil spirit. Come here and let Lu Shusheng take a look!"

"Sanzi, you didn't sell your life to a monster just for gambling money, did you? You're really not caring about your life!"

"I was wondering how your luck changed..."

The villagers were talking about it and couldn't help but move away from Liu San and move closer to Lu Zheng.

The children even hid behind the adults and secretly looked at Liu San.

"Third scoundrel, you won't turn into a monster and eat children, will you?" a child said timidly, "I won't scold you anymore, can you please not eat me?"

Liu San was so angry that he trembled all over and said angrily: "How could I encounter a monster? I am not a monster. What nonsense are you talking about, you liar!"

Lu Zheng took a step and appeared in front of Liu San in a flash.

When Liu San saw Lu Zheng suddenly rushing towards him, he was frightened and wanted to hide.

But Lu Zheng grabbed Liu San's left shoulder with one hand, making Liu San unable to move.

"Let me go!" Liu San's shoulder was so painful from being grabbed by Lu Zheng that he didn't dare to move.

Faced with Lu Zheng's terrifying power and the means he displayed, Liu San did not dare to fight back, for fear of angering Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng said calmly, "You still have the smell of a demon. Tell me, what have you encountered recently?"

Even though the righteous spirit had just eliminated the evil spirit from Liu San, Lu Zheng could still smell a faint scent, the scent of some kind of animal.

Liu San forced himself to remain calm and said, "Bullshit! I, Liu San, walk through the graveyard at night, and no ghost dares to approach me. What monster would dare to do anything to me? You just want to cheat me out of my money. Don't think that just because you have some skills, I won't dare to report you to the authorities. I'm telling you, I have acquaintances in Kaiyang County!"

Lu Zheng turned a deaf ear and said slowly: "The monster is bewitching. It must have given you some benefit by letting you go, but you also paid a price, right? What did you pay? Your soul, your lifespan, or..."

When Liu San heard this, his eyes changed involuntarily.

Lu Zheng's eyes were sharp, and he smiled faintly, "So it's about lifespan. No wonder I thought you wouldn't live long."

One knows one's own business. Upon hearing this, Liu San's face changed drastically.

"How is that possible? I just..." Liu San said a few words, then reacted quickly and swallowed the rest of his words back.

(End of this chapter)