131: Chapter 131 Provocation

A flash of light from a coin shot out from his fingertips with a whistling sound. Before anyone could react, it had already struck the side of Zhou Quan's arm, tearing a long gash directly through his sleeve.

A dozen or so playing cards slid out along with it, scattering onto the floor.

The entire room fell silent.

Not to mention the average gamblers, even seasoned veterans like Shang Yuqing and Bao Xiong were wide-eyed with shock.

Since Zhou Quan was famous for his gambling skills, many people naturally knew he was a cheater.

Knowing it was one thing, but very few people could actually see how he cheated, let alone catch him in the act.

However, he was not without weaknesses.

At the very least, the moment Tang Long laid eyes on him, he realized this old man's cultivation level wasn't high; he was only a Fourth Stage.

So, no matter how proficient or ingenious his techniques were, his speed was ultimately limited.

The way his spare cards constantly shifted positions on his body was already quite clever, but under Fire Eye, it was still a joke.

Tang Long's sudden, unexpected attack immediately left him unable to cover it up.

Now then...

Tang Long exhaled a large smoke ring and asked Bao Xiong in a snide, ambiguous tone.

"Brother Xiong, you're the manager here, so I'd like to understand what the rules are regarding cheating?"

Bao Xiong's face turned blue and red, but he didn't answer, instead casting his gaze toward Shang Yuqing.

Shang Yuqing hurriedly tugged at Tang Long's sleeve. "A-Long, let it go. It's just a game."

"Let it go? Why should I?"

Tang Long brushed off Shang Yuqing's hand. "When certain people issued that bounty, it wasn't just for fun, was it?"

"Good, very good!" Bao Xiong took a deep breath and nodded sinisterly.

"Miss Shang, you've seen what happened. It's not that we aren't giving you face, but there are many things that sometimes aren't up to us to decide."

Shang Yuqing was speechless for a moment, and at this moment, she was indeed a bit dissatisfied with Tang Long.

But since they were in front of outsiders and Fei Shan's actions were indeed too underhanded, she naturally wouldn't criticize Tang Long, and in a blink, she felt that his retaliation was perfectly fine.

Furthermore, she had realized by now that Tang Long being able to sit here and keep winning wasn't because Fei Shan wanted to give her face, but because of Tang Long's own ability.

The biggest problem was that Tang Long was currently in a fit of rage, and she was afraid she wouldn't be able to talk him down.

Also, she hadn't expected this little guy to look quite handsome when he got angry.

Shang Yuqing had a whole monologue in her head but remained silent. Bao Xiong had no choice but to bite the bullet and draw a short blade from his waist.

"According to the gambling den's rules, those caught cheating get their hands cut off! Old Zhou, it looks like we have to give them an explanation."

Zhou Quan's face was bitter as he tremblingly raised his hands.

Many gamblers knew blood was about to be shed; many didn't dare look and turned their faces away, while quite a few others, fearing trouble, left one after another.

But just then, Tang Long suddenly said, "Wait a moment!"

Shang Yuqing didn't know what kind of trick he was pulling and couldn't help but look puzzled.

Bao Xiong was also very surprised, though he cursed inwardly, "You brat, it's too late to regret it now. Someone wants you dead; even if you're willing to back down now, you won't escape ending up as a corpse on the street tonight."

Tang Long smiled and said, "Actually, these hands don't have to be cut off, as long as Brother Shan is willing to agree to Mad Dog's conditions and accept Golden Scorpion's challenge tomorrow night!"

Hearing this, Bao Xiong's expression became even more ferocious.

Although Mad Dog was fighting fiercely below, in reality, very few people knew about Golden Scorpion wanting to challenge Fei Shan.

But now that Tang Long had publicly proclaimed it, if Fei Shan still refused to accept, the gossip that spread wouldn't be pleasant to hear.

Moreover, this brat actually dared to get involved in Jin Yue's affairs; he really didn't know how to write the word 'death'!

Bao Xiong could no longer hold back. Suddenly, his hand rose and the blade fell; Zhou Quan's hands were immediately severed from his arms, and a bloody, miserable scream rang out.

The crowd immediately let out a series of screams, and even Shang Yuqing couldn't help but look away.

Old Zhou was hurriedly taken away, and Bao Xiong, conversely, smiled as he sheathed his knife.

"Rules are rules and cannot be used for bargaining, otherwise how could our Hot-Blooded Company maintain credibility?"

"Mr. Tang, the same principle applies to matters between our company and Jinyue Martial Arts Hall."

"If Golden Scorpion wants to challenge Brother Shan, he must first defeat all the resident martial artists; otherwise, he doesn't have the qualifications. Otherwise, if every Tom, Dick, and Harry wanted to challenge us, when would we have time to provide entertainment for everyone? Wouldn't you agree?"

"Everyone, I believe you have all seen the impartial attitude of our Hot-Blooded Arena. I hope you all continue to enjoy yourselves and don't let one or two people ruin your mood!"

Bao Xiong's words were polite, but anyone could see the murderous look in his eyes that seemed ready to devour someone.

Many people felt that Tang Long was about to be in big trouble soon.

But they never expected that just as Bao Xiong was about to leave, Tang Long added another sentence.

"Is that it?"

"Mr. Tang!"

Bao Xiong turned his head abruptly and walked straight up to Tang Long. His massive frame radiated an intense sense of oppression, as if he were about to crash right into him.

"Do you have any other dissatisfactions?"

Tang Long also stood up, forcing Bao Xiong from looking down to looking up, and grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth.

"Brother Xiong, you're truly forgetful. The cheating matter is over, but this hand of cards hasn't been revealed yet. A bet of 3.2 million, and you're just going to gloss over it like that?"

"Old Zhou cheated, so of course you win this round! Someone, pay Mr. Tang 3.2 million in chips!"

"That's not right, is it? I bet on a draw this round. Either you reveal the cards, or you pay me eight times the amount, which is... 25.6 million!"

The muscles on Bao Xiong's face twitched uncontrollably, as if he were forcefully suppressing an impulse. It took him a long time to squeeze two words through his teeth.

"Pay him!"

"Mr. Tang, I congratulate you. I hope you can safely enjoy this fortune."

Clap, clap, clap~~

Tang Long applauded repeatedly. "Brother Xiong really is a man of stature. Who are you sending next to play with me? Are there any higher-level employees who can accept larger bets? Or are you going to step in yourself, Brother Xiong?"

Watching Tang Long ignore such an obvious death threat and repeatedly provoke Bao Xiong, everyone was stunned.

But Bao Xiong still didn't make a move; instead, he calmly instructed his subordinates.

"Due to technical difficulties, all gambling dens are temporarily closed from now on."

After saying this, he turned and left.

Tang Long still wouldn't let it go and shouted after his back, "Brother Xiong, the gambling dens are temporarily closed, but surely the arena isn't closed too, right? Since you won't play with me, I'm going down to play with Brother Dog!"

Although Bao Xiong didn't turn back upon hearing this, his body visibly trembled, and then he quickened his pace.

Shang Yuqing also lowered her voice and asked again, "When did you get together with Mad Dog?"

Tang Long grinned. "Sister Qing, what are you saying? I'm your person."

Shang Yuqing rolled her eyes at him. "You're making such a big scene now, it's not convenient for me to intervene anymore."

"But I must warn you, the Hot-Blooded Gang is able to hold a place in Song City, they are not so easy to mess with. You have no idea how deep Fei Shan's strength and background go."

"Although Mad Dog has a significant background, he is already a discarded pawn; if something really happens, he won't be able to protect you. If Fei Shan is truly determined to kill you, even I might not be able to stop it."

"So, stop making trouble and come with me right now."

"Sister Qing, you're so good to me."

Tang Long's large hand gripped her shoulder, his face full of affection, making Shang Yuqing blush slightly.

But as he took the exchanged large-denomination chips, his next words made Shang Yuqing grit her teeth in annoyance.

"Just two more games, I'll leave once I hit 100 million."