Yan Shi disdainfully said, "How can such a nation ever beco strong when all the civilians are gamblers, their bodies consud by alcohol, lust, and gambling? I think if a war were to break out, this great city wouldn’t last a few days." Yan Li agreed, "Exactly, no wonder it’s called Dark City. I think besides those fat officials and casino owners, ordinary people like Uncle Vatana will eventually be drained dry. Hey, look, isn’t that a casino?" he said, pointing to a shop that was small but had the heaviest custor traffic. The shop didn’t have a prominent sign, just a big character on the door, seemingly written in the Empire of Sunset City script, which none of them recognized.
Vatana sighed and nodded, "That character on the door is ’gamble.’ It’s just a small casino, nothing significant. You’re right. I wouldn’t know about other places, but most people in Dark City are in a state of decline, working mostly to earn more money to splurge in the casinos. We’re not afraid of any war, as everyone knows the church will protect us. We are the most loyal followers of the Sky God, and God will protect us."
Yan Li disdainfully said, "If God would protect people like you, he must not be very discerning."
A flash of anger crossed Vatana’s eyes; he was a loyal follower of the Sky God, but he was now in need of help and didn’t dare to contradict Yan Li’s words, only muttering, "Lord Sky God, please forgive these ignorant fools," with a devout look on his face, as if the Sky God really would protect him.
Ah Dai said, "Uncle Vatana, please take us to the Mage Guild first, so I can withdraw so money to pay off your debt."
Just as Vatana was about to agree, Yan Shi stopped him, gave Yan Li a significant look, then pulled Ah Dai aside. Ah Dai, puzzled, said, "Big Brother Yan Shi, what are you doing? I’ve already promised Uncle Vatana, and I must keep my word. Don’t try to persuade ; I believe Uncle Vatana isn’t a swindler."
Yan Shi smiled slightly and said, "Why the rush? I’m not saying you shouldn’t help Vatana pay off his debt. However, the money shouldn’t co from the Mage Guild. After all, it’s to pay off gambling debts. Even though you’re helping soone, it could still potentially damage your reputation in the Mage Guild and be detrintal to your future. It’s better we handle this ourselves."
Ah Dai paused, then asked, "What, do you have money then, Big Brother?"
Yan Shi smiled mysteriously and pointed to the small casino, saying, "I don’t have it, but they do! Since the casino is what drained Vatana’s family fortune, let the casino help him pay it back."
Ah Dai scratched his head, sowhat confused by Yan Shi’s aning, and asked, "Big Brother, are you asking to gamble? Last night, didn’t you say that gambling harms people? How could we possibly go there?"
Yan Shi explained, "Gambling indeed harms people, but if we can win consistently, it won’t harm us, and we might even avenge those gamblers. Ah Dai, with your ability to change things at will, you should be able to control a lot. Just follow my lead in the casino, and I guarantee you can win back all the money Vatana owes."
Ah Dai, having great confidence in Yan Shi, nodded and said, "Alright then, Big Brother, I’ll listen to you."
The two n returned to where Vatana was standing—with his face pale, he looked down, not speaking. Yan Shi said, "Uncle Vatana, don’t worry, we will definitely help you repay the money. However, you need to first take us to check out the casino. We want to see how this casino harms people."
Vatana shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, I won’t go back there. That place harms people! I don’t want to gamble for the rest of my life."
Yan Shi consoled him, "Uncle, rest assured, we’re not asking you to gamble. We just want to see how this casino harms people. Later, you just have to show us how to play those gas," he said, pulling Vatana along as he gave Yan Li and Ah Dai a knowing look. The four of them headed toward the casino.
Yan Shi thought to himself, since Vatana was once a rich rchant who frequented the high-class casinos, he would never patronize a small casino on the edge of the city, so naturally, no one here would recognize him. They entered, imdiately attracting two attendants who, upon seeing Ah Dai’s magician attire, bowed and ushered the four of them in, ensuring Vatana didn’t attract attention.
"Gentlen, what would you like to play? I can introduce you," one said.
Vatana, who had just said he would never gamble again, entered the casino and heard the familiar calls and the collision of gambling instrunts; his heart almost seed to boil over, excitent gleaming in his eyes. Ah Dai and the others, visiting such a place for the first ti, felt rather perplexed. Yan Shi told the attendants, "You don’t need to worry about us. We’ll just look around first, then decide what to play." Although he had assured Ah Dai of their sure-win strategy, it was rely because he was confident in Ah Dai’s abilities—he believed that any form of gambling could have its outco altered. Yan Shi deeply loathed gambling, much like the cases similar
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