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

My heart trembled with anxiety. We were innocent, yet Lord Seven's commanding aura loomed so powerfully that Laizi, inexperienced in such perilous situations, was on the verge of crumbling. Seven's words carried an insidious undertone; if Laizi misspoke, his fate would be sealed.

"I don't know! A few women came into the shop. I thought Brother Fei had sent them, so I just chatted with them. One of them offered me a cigarette—I thought it was just a regular one..." Laizi stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

Listening to his words, cold sweat seeped down my forehead. This was bad. He'd fallen right into Seven's trap. If he had simply denied everything outright, we would have been clear. But in his panic—trying both to protect me and save himself—he spoke too much. The more you say, the more mistakes you make. I knew this would spell serious trouble.

Seven turned his piercing gaze toward me and asked, "Who were those people? Did you call them here?"

"No. I don't know them," I replied firmly.

"Oh? You say you don't know them, and we're supposed to believe that? Bullshit. You hid them, and now we can't find them. You can say whatever you want, but look here—caught red-handed. This punk still has it in his pocket," the Lean Monkey sneered coldly.

As he spoke, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from Laizi's pocket. My brows furrowed; this pack was clearly left by that woman earlier. Damn it, the Lean Monkey was thorough—he really knew how to play the game.

He opened the cigarette pack, revealing thin strips of powder within. He sneered at me, triumphant, as though he'd proven my guilt. I knew no explanation would suffice now, and denial was my only choice.

Seven sat down. "Ah Fu," he said calmly, "do it."

Hearing those words, my heart sank. I didn't know what they were planning, but it wouldn't be simple.

I watched as Ah Fu retrieved a branding iron from the fire pit. It glowed red, shaped like a horseshoe. Approaching me, he said, "This is the Horse Gang's rule. If you deny the truth, we use punishment. The Horse Gang survives on horses, and every horse must endure the pain of shoeing. If you confess, you can avoid this suffering. If not, you know the consequence."

I stared at the glowing iron, swallowing hard. Glancing at Laizi, I saw his face drained of all color, drenched in sweat that fell like rain. He was speechless, paralyzed with terror.

I looked at Seven. His face was a mask of cold indifference. Then at the Lean Monkey—he smiled smugly, victory written all over him. Everything was falling into place for him.

But I lifted my head defiantly. "I didn't do it. I, Zhao Fei, stand by my integrity. If I've done something, I'll admit it. If I haven't, no one can falsely accuse me."

"Good. I admire your courage," Ah Fu said.

He stepped behind me. I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and then—agony. An excruciating pain like I'd never felt before pierced my back. My entire body contorted, and a guttural scream escaped my throat.

It felt as though my skin was being torn apart, countless daggers stabbing straight into my heart. The foul stench of burning flesh filled the air. I couldn't bear it; my body went limp, collapsing to the ground, shivering uncontrollably.

The pain was unbearable. Tears and sweat mingled, streaming down my face. My fists clenched tightly. Lean Monkey, I swore to myself, another debt added to our account...

After what felt like an eternity, a bucket of cold water was splashed over me. Someone hauled me to my feet—it was Ah Fu. He applied a medicinal ointment to my back. The cool sensation was soothing, a fleeting relief from the inferno.

"Thank you," I muttered hoarsely.

He said nothing, merely stepping back to stand beside Seven, silent as ever.

I swallowed hard and looked at Seven. "Lord Seven, I swear I didn't do it. Don't you believe me? Heaven and earth bear witness."

Seven said nothing, instead casting a sharp glance at the Lean Monkey, a questioning look in his eyes. The Lean Monkey flinched, but quickly retorted, "Lord Seven, he might not have done it, but who can vouch for his little brother? Those women had no reason to frame them—clearly his subordinate acted in secret. I hate cowards who hide behind others the most."

"No! It wasn't me! Brother Fei, help me! I really didn't do it, you know me, I swear I don't even know those women!" Laizi cried out, clutching desperately at my pant leg.

"Damn it! You smoked it yourself! According to Horse Gang rules, your hand must be severed," the Lean Monkey said viciously, drawing a knife. Laizi shrieked, crawling away in terror, but the Lean Monkey dragged him back and kicked him brutally.

I couldn't stand it anymore. Glaring at the Lean Monkey, I pointed at him. "Touch him, and you'll pay. If he loses so much as a finger, I'll take your entire hand. He's my man. No one touches him."

The Lean Monkey sneered. "How touching. Who do you think you are? Lord Seven, rules are rules. Whoever dares smoke has to lose a finger. Isn't it clear this kid did it? Are you going to favor Zhao Fei over your own word?"

Seven glared coldly at the Lean Monkey, but then turned his sharp gaze toward me. "Zhao Fei, I believe you didn't do it. But your subordinate did smoke. By the rules, he must lose a finger."

I looked at Laizi, his face pleading with me, eyes filled with terror. Kneeling down, I grabbed the knife from the Lean Monkey's hand, holding Laizi's trembling hand down.

"Bear it," I whispered through clenched teeth.

"No, Brother Fei, no!" Laizi begged, tears streaming down his face.

"Bear it!" I repeated, voice breaking.

I gripped his hand firmly. My own hands trembled as I brought the knife down. The scream that followed tore at my heart, but I forced myself not to look. This... this was all the Lean Monkey's doing.

Standing up, drenched in sweat, I looked at Seven and asked weakly, "Is this enough, Lord Seven?"

Seven nodded. The Lean Monkey, still dissatisfied, tried to speak, but Seven cut him off sharply. "Shut up. I'll get to the bottom of this. If I find anyone playing games behind my back, they won't escape my wrath. Lean Monkey, don't push your luck. You can fool around outside, but if you harm your own, I won't forgive you. Ah Fu, send them off."

"Please, leave," Ah Fu said coldly.

As we left, my body swayed from weakness. Seven called out behind me. "Zhao Fei, never leave yourself exposed. Today's mistake was your own. You were lucky to hold out. If you hadn't... you'd be dead."

I clenched my teeth, refusing to look back. "Understood, Lord Seven. Thank you for your lesson."

At the door, I saw Ma Qing. She looked at me—bloodied, broken, humiliated—with a gaze void of sympathy. Just cold indifference. Lowering my head, I walked past her, feeling something shatter deep inside me. It wasn't the pain of the punishment that crushed me, but being seen at my weakest by her—a woman I once thought admired me.

Outside, Lean Monkey taunted us again. I ignored him, my resolve hardened. One day, I would settle this score.

Back at the bar, Laizi sobbed uncontrollably. Kneeling before me, he wept, "I'm sorry, Brother Fei. I know you did it for me. You said no one touches me, and I'll remember that. I'll follow you to the end."

I helped him up, voice firm. "This isn't over. Rest for now. We'll have our revenge."

As they led him away, I watched his staggering form, my anger boiling. If it's war you want, Lean Monkey, I'll play.