King of Gamblers: Growing from a Student to a Jade King

The gunshot cracked through the oppressive darkness, its spark a fleeting light, yet for me, it was a beacon of boundless hope.

That singular shot shattered the vile smiles plastered across their faces. Panic flared as everyone turned their attention to the doorway, their expressions twisted with confusion and fear.

I followed their gaze. A group of armed figures burst into the room. Their ragged clothes made them indistinguishable from the local Burmese, even from the very men holding us captive. But these strangers were different—they had come to rescue us.

In an instant, chaos erupted. Sparks flew as gunfire echoed violently. Men fell like toppled trees, their bodies crumpling to the ground.

The intruders caught our captors off guard, their unpreparedness costing them dearly. But within moments, the thugs retaliated, hastily returning fire as they retreated toward the warehouse's rear. The once-still space turned into a whirlwind of deafening noise and chaotic movement.

I dropped flat to the ground, clutching at the dirt for cover. Glancing sideways, I saw Xiao Mi curled up in terror. Crawling toward her, I pulled her down and shielded her with my body before dragging her toward a makeshift barricade. Survival was paramount—bullets held no prejudice.

Amid the din, a furious roar cut through: "Damn it, I'm here! I'll burn your den to the ground—kill them all!"

It was Qian Lao Wu. Joy surged within me as I peeked out cautiously, catching sight of him leading over thirty men. Armed with submachine guns, they stood in formation, unleashing a relentless barrage of bullets.

Like an unstoppable wild boar, Qian Lao Wu charged forward with ferocity, determined to obliterate everything in his path. The wooden crates splintered under the hail of bullets, fragments of wood and stone erupting like a deadly storm. Amid the violence, there was an undeniable, grim beauty—a dance of chaos and destruction.

One by one, our enemies fell. Qian Lao Wu's force advanced like a bulldozer, mowing down all resistance. Amid the chaos, I saw Zhao Kui running toward me, his movements cautious but resolute. Reaching me, he pulled me behind the safety of our lines.

Though my heart raced, my expression remained eerily calm. This moment had haunted my thoughts for days, yet when it arrived, my emotions froze as if encased in ice.

"Shoot! Leave no one alive!" Qian Lao Wu bellowed, leading the charge with unflinching resolve. Twin submachine guns in hand, he fired without mercy, his men delivering a deadly symphony of firepower.

For five minutes, the assault raged—a relentless, deafening storm. Empty shells littered the floor, their metallic clatter a grim melody that filled me with an almost surreal exhilaration. I longed to grab a weapon and join in.

As the gunfire subsided, the frenzy gave way to a tense silence. Our attackers had no strategy, only blind retaliation. Unlike Zhao Kui, whose precision and restraint dictated that he never fired without a clear target, their shots were aimless.

"Bring them out!" Qian Lao Wu commanded, drawing a handgun as his men cautiously advanced.

From behind scattered barricades, they dragged out the survivors—wounded, terrified, and utterly defeated. Among the captured were only lackeys; the leaders had fled through the back door.

Forced to their knees, the captives trembled with fear, their hands raised in futile surrender. Qian Lao Wu kicked them savagely, sending them sprawling on the ground.

"What should we do, Fei Ge?" Zhao Kui asked.

Before I could answer, Xiao Mi snatched a gun from Qian Lao Wu and began firing at the captives. Her screams mingled with the crack of bullets as she unleashed her fury, riddling their bodies with holes. Blood splattered, pooling beneath them as their cries were silenced.

Even after they fell lifeless, Xiao Mi kept pulling the trigger, the empty clicks echoing her unrelenting despair. I approached her slowly, draping a coat over her trembling frame. Suddenly, she spun around, pointing the gun at me, her face a mask of fear and madness.

For a moment, terror gripped me. But the gun was empty.

Xiao Mi collapsed into sobs, clutching me as though trying to anchor herself. I held her tightly, her frail body shaking violently. Fear still clung to her like a shadow—I felt it too, a haunting presence that refused to dissipate.

Then, a chilling thought struck me. "Wang Gui!" I exclaimed. "He's been buried—we need to find him!"

"Don't worry, Fei Ge," Zhao Kui reassured me. "We've already rescued him. We've been lying in wait all day, unable to move until we saw those bastards come out to bury him. That gave us the opening we needed. But this place isn't safe. Their reinforcements could return any moment—we need to leave now."

Relief washed over me, though it was tinged with urgency. Clutching Xiao Mi, I stumbled out of the warehouse into the cold night air. The fresh breeze was a welcome balm, clearing my mind and filling my lungs with freedom I thought I'd never taste again.

We hurried through the darkness, navigating the treacherous terrain. Finally, we reached the vehicles waiting at the mountainside. Cramming into seven or eight cars, we drove off without headlights, careful not to draw attention.

The road was rough, the ride jarring, but the promise of escape outweighed all discomfort. My thoughts burned with vengeance: Skinny Monkey, Chen Xi, Ban Lun—every humiliation I endured would be repaid tenfold.

An hour later, the rugged path gave way to smooth pavement. Exhaustion overtook me as the adrenaline ebbed. Leaning against the seat, I felt the weight of the ordeal settling in. Xiao Mi, still sobbing softly, rested against me. Though the nightmare was over, its specter lingered, etching itself into our memories.

We reached the Chinese community late at night, slipping in unnoticed. Wang Gui, barely conscious, was rushed into an apartment. Zhao Kui examined him, his face grim. "Damn it. Broken ribs, internal inflammation—he needs surgery."

"Then what are you waiting for? Go!" I barked, barely containing my panic.

Qian Lao Wu led a group to carry Wang Gui out. As they departed, I collapsed onto the sofa, fatigue and fear engulfing me. I rubbed my forehead, fighting the urge to cry, though my tears had long since dried.

"Wang Gui will be fine," I whispered to myself, clinging to hope.