However, he also knew that none of this would come easily. He needed to serve Li Xi and help him find that mysterious person. But, as long as the reward was sufficient, he was willing to take the risk.
So, he took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement and unease, looked up at Li Xi, and nodded. "Okay, I'll help you."
Li Xi watched the greed and determination gleaming in Liu Ye's eyes, and a subtle smile curved her lips.
Money can be tempting, but I also understand that people's hearts are unpredictable, so I must test this partner to see if he is reliable.
“Master Liu,” Li Xi began slowly, her tone carrying a hint of meaning, “there’s something I feel I need to clarify beforehand. Since we’ve decided to cooperate, we need to show sincerity. Don’t try to fool me, because I know your background inside and out. I know who’s in your family, where your son is studying, and all your concubines…”
Li Xi paused deliberately, letting Master Liu feel the weight of her words.
He continued, "Of course, I'm not threatening you, I just want you to know that we're in the same boat. If you're disloyal to me, the consequences will be more than you can afford."
Upon hearing Li Xi's words, Master Liu's heart tightened. He had indeed been blinded by the huge sum of money, but now he realized that this young man was not so easy to deal with.
He suppressed his panic and tried to remain calm, while also thinking about how to respond to Li Xi's threat.
"Don't worry, young master," Master Liu took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound more steady, "I understand what you mean. Now that we've decided to cooperate, I will naturally help you wholeheartedly. I won't do anything to betray you."
Master Liu personally escorted Li Xi and the other two to the casino entrance, maintaining a polite smile throughout.
The burly man behind him asked, puzzled, "Master Liu, are we just going to let them go like that? That kid won tens of thousands of taels from us. How are we going to explain this to our boss if we don't bring it back?"
Master Liu stopped and glared at the burly man, signaling him to keep quiet.
Then, he turned around and, still smiling, said to Li Xi, "Young Master Li, I apologize for the poor hospitality today. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely visit you in person to apologize."
Li Xi smiled slightly, cupped her hands, and said, "Master Liu, you're too kind. Today's matter was purely a misunderstanding, and I was also at fault. Let's meet again another day." After saying that, she turned and left, taking Uncle Zhao and Chen Quan with her as they walked away into the distance.
Master Liu watched them leave until their figures disappeared from sight before turning his gaze away.
He turned to look at the burly man behind him, his face darkening, and he hissed, "What do you know! That kid isn't an ordinary person; he's one of the master of Yinxian Manor! In this world, who dares to offend Yinxian Manor? If the boss finds out we've offended someone like that, not only will we not get our ten thousand taels back, but our entire casino will be in trouble!"
The burly man's expression changed, and he dared not say another word.
The casino owner was the second brother of the concubine of the county magistrate of Huangshi Town. He was known as Master Huang the Second. He was a notorious ruthless figure in both the underworld and legitimate circles of Huangshi Town.
Master Liu, also known as Liu Sanhe, went to tell Master Huang about what happened the night before after dawn.
Master Huang was just coming out of his concubine's room when he heard about this and flew into a rage. Just as he was about to explode, he suddenly came to his senses; he couldn't afford to offend the people of Yinxian Manor.
Suppressing his anger, he asked Liu San, "Are you sure you're from Yinxian Manor?"
"Sir, I dare not conceal the truth. That man was indeed carrying the token of Lord Feng." Everyone in the world knows that Lord Feng carries a unique thumb ring that is engraved with the character "Feng".
This was also given to Li Xi by Feng Monian before she set off, saying that with this, no one in the underworld would dare to offend her easily.
"Never mind, just consider it an act of charity, a donation of money." Although Master Huang felt a little reluctant, he quickly let it go.
He knew there were many ways to make money, and although he had lost ten thousand taels this time, it wasn't a major blow to him. He waved his hand, signaling his men not to mention the matter again.
"As expected of you, sir, so magnanimous!" Liu Sanhe complimented from the side, his face beaming with smiles.
Thinking of the five thousand taels of silver notes in his pocket, he could hardly contain his excitement and joy.
This money was undoubtedly a huge fortune for him...
Li Xi didn't have to wait long. At noon, Liu Sanhe secretly arrived at the inn where they were.
Although the inn was bustling with people, Li Xi and his group deliberately chose a secluded courtyard to avoid being seen by others and to ensure their safety and secrecy.
The small courtyard was carefully arranged, surrounded by high walls with only a small gate for entry and exit. This layout not only ensured their privacy but also provided them with a convenient evacuation route in case of emergency.
"Young Master, Master Huang didn't doubt my story, so it seems he believed me." Liu Sanhe was glad that he had always been smooth and clever in the casino, which allowed him to fabricate such a flawless lie at this crucial moment. He knew that Master Huang was a cunning and suspicious man, and it wouldn't be easy to deceive him.
Li Xi smiled slightly after hearing this, "Very good, then let's talk about the person I'm looking for. What happened when he went to your place that night?"
Intelligence revealed that this Master Huang was not the incompetent playboy he appeared to be; he was backed by the Red Lotus Cult. In order to avoid attracting his attention, it was necessary to weave a perfect lie.
Liu Sanhe recalled what happened a few days ago, "That night he also won five thousand taels from the casino, just like you. I asked him to continue gambling, hoping to make him give back all the money he won. Later he also won against me, but he said he wanted to exchange a condition with me, so he deliberately lost the money he won to me."
He paused and looked at Li Xi, afraid that he would be angry.
"What did he exchange with you? Where did he go afterward?" Li Xi didn't understand her master's intentions.
"He asked me where Third Master Huang went every day, and what places he rarely went to, but went to at least once a month," Liu Sanhe recalled their conversation.
Li Xi knew what her master was planning, but she didn't know why he had suddenly disappeared without a trace or any news.
"Then write down all these places, and also where Master Huang usually goes for leisure." Li Xi wanted to find some clues.
Besides managing the casino, Liu Sanhe sometimes accompanies Master Huang on errands.
“Young master, these are all the places I know, but Master Huang sometimes goes to a temple in the suburbs by himself.” Liu Sanhe wrote down everything he knew.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com