529: Chapter 529 Can't Afford to Lose

"This challenger goes by the name 'Yaksha'."

The manager of the combat arena said, "Everyone, those who wish to place bets, you may do so now! You have the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. Place your bets and no backing out!"

As the betting began, the spectators on site immediately swarmed to the various bookies' stalls to place their bets.

Although Yaksha had a three-to-one payout, almost everyone bet on Rakshasa.

The reason was simple: anyone with real strength reached the Ghost Gate to challenge the Ghost King by winning match after match.

Those who threw down three thousand taels in one go were all opportunistic, self-righteous types.

They thought they were hiding a trump card, capable of becoming famous in one battle and making a fortune.

There were too many similar cases in the history of the Ghost Market's combat arena, and they almost all met miserable ends.

"Young Master, you haven't placed a bet yet. Would you like to play?"

A sultry maid walked up to Lin Xiao, "You are an honored guest; there is no need to go down there and crowd with the others. You can place your bets right here with me."

Lin Xiao had no interest initially, but he was now a bit curious about what exactly Liao Meier was trying to do.

This was a life-or-death duel; Liao Meier certainly wasn't here to throw her life away.

"I bet one hundred thousand taels on Yaksha."

Lin Xiao wanted to say three hundred thousand taels, but he estimated the venue wouldn't have that much silver to pay out.

Even so, pulling out one hundred thousand taels in general-use banknotes still gave the maid a huge shock!

"One... one hundred thousand taels?!"

The maid held the banknotes, her hands trembling; she had never seen such a large amount!

Could this man be trying to fool them with fake banknotes?

The maid smiled, "Young Master, the amount is quite large. Allow me to go down and consult the owner."

Lin Xiao waved his hand, looking indifferent.

Taking advantage of this time, he took out a silver mask he had just picked up at the Ghost Market and put it on.

After all, Liao Meier knew him, so it was better to wear a mask.

Of course, disguise was possible, but changing his face temporarily would arouse the maids' suspicions.

Fortunately, this was the Ghost Market, and wearing a mask was standard practice.

The combat arena owner, having received Lin Xiao's one hundred thousand taels of banknotes from the maid, looked over with a shocked expression.

He frowned, thought for a moment, and hurried over to Lin Xiao's side.

"Young Master, do you really intend to bet one hundred thousand taels on Yaksha?"

Lin Xiao snorted coldly, "What, are you worried this young master can't afford to lose?"

"Oh, no, no, how would I dare? It's just that the amount is quite large, so I needed to confirm with you."

The owner patted his chest, "Rest assured, our 'Yama Hall' has been open for over a hundred years. We accept our losses, never cheat, and pride ourselves on our reputation!"

Lin Xiao grinned; there was a hidden meaning there, implying that he shouldn't try to renege on the bet.

"One hundred thousand taels may be a large number to you, but for this young master, it's just a night's amusement."

Lin Xiao waved his hand, "Go on down. Let them fight hard, make it a good show."

The owner's mouth twisted into a wide grin; he had encountered a God of Wealth!

"Understood! Young Master, please rest. You lowly maid! Why aren't you pouring tea for the Young Master? No, bring the top-grade Maojian from the Northern Cottage!!"

The commotion on the stage was heard by many.

"What? Someone bet one hundred thousand taels on this female Yaksha?"

"Are they crazy? Could it be this Yaksha's lover?"

"Could there be something fishy going on? If this is a fixed match, we aren't standing for it!"

"Impossible. Don't you know whose territory this is? Unless they're tired of living..."

Liao Meier, cloaked in her cape, looked up at this moment, gazing toward Lin Xiao's location.

Discovering it was a masked man, Liao Meier felt a bit puzzled.

She was nervous herself and didn't dare say victory was certain, so why did this person have such confidence in her?

Could it be that even wearing a black cape, her charm was unstoppable, making some rich young master fall for her and want to spend money to win her favor?

Hmph, vulgar man.

In this world, aside from the Prince of Zhenbei, she didn't look up to anyone!

Just before the battle was about to begin, the owner invited an old woman to the scene.

Lin Xiao noticed that it was the very old woman guarding the entrance to the Ghost Market.

"Granny Meng, this match isn't simple. Please keep an eye on it for me; I'll give you ten percent of the turnover later."

The owner briefly explained the situation.

"Hehe... easy enough, easy enough."

Granny Meng grinned, revealing her large yellow teeth, "With me here, there will certainly be no mistakes."

Many people at the scene seemed to know this Granny Meng and expressed that with her there, the duel would be fair and no tricks would occur.

The owner finally felt at ease and officially announced, "The Ghost King Challenge Match, begin!!"

As soon as the words fell, Liao Meier and Rakshasa suddenly exerted force from their positions at the same time.

Liao Meier held several poison needles in her hand; the moment she got close, she shot them toward the hidden pressure points on Rakshasa's body.

Like almost imperceptible silver lights, they were impossible to defend against.

Rakshasa forcibly used his cultivation and speed to deflect the poison needles, while his sharp claws slashed toward Liao Meier's throat with lightning speed.

Liao Meier dodged lightly, her footwork like a dancing butterfly, repeatedly avoiding Rakshasa's fierce attacks.

The scene was filled with complaints; they wanted to see intense confrontation, not cat and mouse.

But just then, Rakshasa's legs went soft, and he suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground?

"What's going on!?"

"Could he be poisoned?!"

The audience immediately noticed something was wrong. With Rakshasa's level of strength, falling suddenly could only mean he had been poisoned just now.

Liao Meier stood her ground and pulled out a poison dart, intending to end Rakshasa's life.

Suddenly!

Rakshasa on the ground exerted a sudden burst of strength, dodging the poison dart the moment Liao Meier shot it, and simultaneously slashed a claw in front of Liao Meier!

Liao Meier realized that the opponent hadn't been poisoned by the powder she released at all; he had been deliberately waiting for her to let her guard down!

"Ah!"

Although Liao Meier tried her best to dodge, her left arm was still slashed with three bloody gashes!

"Hehe..."

Rakshasa laughed in a sinister, raspy voice, "Ten Thousand Poison Cave techniques—though I don't know who you are to that old thief Great Elder, trying to poison me is far too naive!"

Liao Meier's heart sank, "You took an antidote?"

"That's right. You can use poison, and I can take an antidote beforehand."

Rakshasa sneered, "Top-quality antidotes aren't cheap; I spent quite a bit of silver. Once I sever your meridians and cripple your cultivation, you can go and earn money for me to pay off this debt!"

The moment his words fell, Rakshasa launched a fierce attack even faster than before!

The gamblers realized they had also been fooled; they were pleasantly surprised and cheered for Rakshasa, as it concerned the entire life savings of many of them.

Liao Meier realized that the opponent had been holding back the whole time, waiting for her to get injured before using his full strength?!

Damn it! Not only was she at a disadvantage in cultivation, but her experience in the martial world was also insufficient. Was she really going to die here!?

She had intended to perform a great feat and return to the Prince of Zhenbei... but instead...

She exerted all her strength to dodge and maneuver.

But Rakshasa was too fast. With a feint, he backhanded a claw toward her heart!

"Ugh!"

In the blink of an eye, Rakshasa's eyes widened, his body shuddered as if struck by lightning, and his hand trembled!