The bandits chuckled, mistaking Jin Yu's calm for weakness

  One of them stepped forward, twirling a curved blade. “Big words, little lord. Let’s see if your blood’s as pretty as your robes.”

  Min Lei rolled his eyes. "you were warned."

  Jin Yu sighed and lowered his hand to his wrist, brushing Rainbow’s petals softly. “Go on then,” he murmured. “Have some fun.”

  A pulse of Qi flowed into Rainbow.

  From her resting place on Jin Yu’s wrist, her petals flared outward in a sudden shimmer of crimson and gold. A low, chime-like hum filled the air—soft, almost beautiful.

  Then—

  Snap!

  A vine shot out from beneath her bloom, wrapping around the bandit’s ankle like a whip.

  He barely had time to scream before he was yanked into the air and slammed face-first into the ground with a crack. His blade flew from his hand and clattered harmlessly across the stones.

  Silence.

  “What… what the hell is that thing?!” a robber shouted, eyes wide in horror.

  “Boss, that flower—”

  “It’s just a trick!” the leader snapped. “She’s only a feral beast!”

  Rainbow’s petals twisted, shifting from gold to a deep, menacing black-red. Another vine slid out and cracked across the air like a lash.

  “She’s hungry,” Jin Yu said mildly. “You should run.”

  They didn’t.

  The leader snarled and raised his sword. “Kill them! Take the flower if it’s valuable!”

  Three men charged at once.

  With a soft buzz, half a dozen vines unraveled like ribbons in a storm. They danced between the bandits, too fast to follow—slashing across legs, wrapping around arms, twisting weapons out of hands. One vine pierced straight through a man’s shoulder and lifted him off the ground like a ragdoll.

  Screams echoed through the alley.

  She's doing better than last time,” Haozi whispered, impressed.

  “She likes showing off,” Min Lei said, smiling. “Must’ve sensed her master’s mood.”

  But then, a sharp crack split the air—one of the bandits stepped forward, his aura flaring to reveal he’d reached the Essence Core Realm.

  Rainbow hesitated. Her vines twitched uncertainly.

  The bandit smirked and raised a gleaming saber. “That toy’s out of tricks.”

  Jin Yu’s gaze sharpened.

  In a blur, he vanished from where he stood—and reappeared right in front of the Essence Core bandit, palm already extended.

  Boom!

  The strike landed squarely in the bandit’s chest, sending him flying back with a choked gasp. He smashed through a boulder, crumpling into the dirt, unmoving.

  Silence.

  Jin Yu exhaled. “That’s enough play.”

  Rainbow’s glow dimmed as she quietly retracted her vines, curling them against herself like a tired pet.

  The remaining bandits, wide-eyed and trembling, bolted in every direction—tripping over roots, screaming as they fled into the trees.

  Ding!

  Ding!

  Ding!

  Ding!

  (Emotion provoked: Terror)

  Jin Yu stepped over the groaning bodies without a glance.

  “Clean this up,” he said softly. “They’ve soiled the road.”

  Min Lei smiled, drawing his fan. “Happily.”

  Within minutes, the alley was cleared—bodies dragged into shadows, weapons tossed into piles, and all valuables stripped. Haozi helped tie up the few survivors, kicking one in the ribs for good measure.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Rainbow returned to Jin Yu’s wrist, now shimmering a smug, golden pink.

  Jin Yu patted her gently. “Good girl.”

  And with that, the group remounted and rode on—toward the gambling den, as if nothing had happened at all.

  Haozi—” Jin Yu called calmly, his gaze drifting toward the wild weeds flanking both sides of the path.

  “What errands were you sent to the gambling den for?”

  Haozi froze. His heart began to pound wildly, and though he tried to calm himself before replying, his mouth stayed shut. He didn’t even know how to respond.

  Ding!

  (Emotion provoked: Fear)

  Seeing the silence, Min Lei’s eyes narrowed. She shot him a sharp glance. “Are you deaf, kid?”

  “Min Lei,” Jin Yu called in mild reprimand.

  “Forgive me, Young Master,” she quickly apologized, backing off.

  Jin Yu didn’t speak again. He simply rode on, his face unreadable. But Haozi grew increasingly fidgety atop his horse, sweat dotting his forehead.

  His emotions were a mess—erratic and panicked—and Jin Yu could feel every ripple of it. Still, he didn’t spare him a glance.

  Only Min Lei continued to cast sidelong glances his way, suspicion growing with every step. Is this kid hiding something?

  If it weren’t for the building rising in the distance, she might have accused him of leading them straight into a trap.

  In silence, they followed Haozi down a winding alley flanked by moss-stained walls and crooked lamp posts. The deeper they went, the louder the hum of distant chatter and clinking jade coins became.

  At first glance, the place looked like nothing more than a crumbling teahouse, its wooden sign faded with time, bearing the simple name: House of Chance.

  But the moment they stepped inside, the air changed.

  Gone were the creaking floorboards and peeling walls. A narrow corridor led to a velvet-curtained arch, where a different world unfolded—gold-lit halls, soft music, and a mingling scent of fine incense and greed.

  Min Lei clicked his tongue. “So this is where bored young masters lose their family fortunes.”

  Jin Yu didn’t respond. He stepped forward slowly, eyes scanning the room. Private booths lined the walls, each shrouded with curtains and guarded by masked attendants. Below, a wide open pit brimmed with shouting nobles, most crowding around two main attractions.

  On the left—a fighting arena, its iron bars stained dark with old blood. A scarred boar beast snarled as handlers dragged in a spiked lizard.

  On the right—a long table stacked with elegant, sealed jade boxes, each radiating a different aura. A noble dressed in flowing crimson robes opened one with shaking fingers, only to reveal a cracked herb.

  A chorus of laughter followed.

  “So they bet on beasts,” Min Lei said, raising an eyebrow, “or gamble on sealed junk.”

  Haozi was silent,still fidgeting

  Jin Yu turned toward the jade box table. “It’s not the items they crave. It’s the thrill.”

  From his shoulder, Rainbow lifted her little leafy head, petals glowing faintly. Her antenna twitched as if she felt something in the air—danger? Curiosity? Or just boredom?

  Without a word, she floated down, hovering toward the sealed boxes.

  “Rainbow,” Jin Yu called softly, “Don’t touch anything.”

  She circled one of the boxes, letting out a curious hum.

  An attendant in red tried to shoo her off. “Hey—spirit beasts aren’t allowed to—”

  Jin Yu gave him a single look.

  The man immediately shut up and stepped back.

  “Ah, Young Master,” a chubby man with too many rings waddled over, grinning. “Our new guest wants to try his luck? These boxes contain rare items—some divine, some... disappointingly dull. All sealed. All equal. Price varies based on the aura.”

  Jin Yu’s gaze was calm. “All equal?”

  “Of course, of course. Luck favors the bold! Everyone plays—elders, sons of sect leaders—even royal heirs.”

  Haozi’s fingers twitched. “I’ve heard the boxes are rigged.”

  The man’s smile didn’t budge. “Unproven rumors, my dear boy.”

  Min Lei rolled his eyes. “And the moon is cheese.”

  Jin Yu knelt beside Rainbow, who was now circling a box faintly glowing gold. He placed his hand on it.

  A pulse of Qi flowed from his palm into the box, then quietly into Rainbow. Her petals flickered blue… then deepened into crimson.

  Jin Yu smiled faintly.

  “I’ll take this one,” he said.

  "Oh?" The man grinned mischievously as gestured for the attendant to pick it up

  Gasps echoed through the crowd as the box was placed on the table. A noble woman scoffed from the side. “That’s one of the weakest! No one’s touched it in weeks.”

  Another laughed. “He’s clearly new. A country bumpkin.”

  The box clicked open.

  Light erupted.

  Gasps echoed the moment the seal broke.

  A vivid red pill sat nestled in divine silk—its scent sharp, cutting through the incense, awakening the senses of everyone nearby.

  “A Soul Tempering Pill?! That’s not—!”

  “Impossible... That box was worth ten spirit coins!”

  “That box was dead! I checked it myself last week!”

  Jin Yu took the pill stood slowly, his expression unreadable. “Then I must be very lucky.”

  Rainbow twirled gracefully in the air, performing a tiny spiral before striking a regal pose—like a queen basking in triumph.

  A few seconds later, she fluttered down and curled around Jin Yu’s wrist with a satisfied hum.

  Jin Yu gave her a glance. 'Guess there’s nothing valuable left.'

  “Congratulations, Young Master!” the chubby attendant beamed, his cheeks flushed with excitement. “Would you like to choose more?” he asked, eyes narrowing into slits as his smile widened.

  “No,” Jin Yu replied simply, already turning away.

  Min Lei stepped forward and placed ten spirit stones into the man’s hands. “For the box,” he said curtly.

  Just then, a man rose from the crowd, his eyes gleaming with greed. “Hey, kid—sell me that soul pill for a hundred spirit stones!”

  Min Lei snapped around, his face twisting in contempt. “Shut your stupid mouth! Does my master look like he needs your filthy stones?!”

  The man’s expression darkened, his aura flaring with restrained fury.

  Before it could escalate further, the chubby attendant raised his hands, laughing awkwardly. “Gentlemen, no need to quarrel! It’s just a game. Perhaps you’ll win on your next turn—”

  “Shut it,” Min Lei barked again. “My master said no. Who do you think you are to question him?”

  The chubby man’s face stiffened, his friendly expression crumbling into a glare.

  Before anyone could respond, Jin Yu’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

  “Let’s go.”

  Without another word, he stepped out of the booth.

  Min Lei and Haozi followed swiftly, leaving behind a room full of bitter glares and silent resentment.

  -----

  Jin Yu stood still, eyes drifting across the gambling den's golden lights and hollow cheers. He’d hoped for thrill or amusement, but now that the novelty faded, all he saw was cheap dazzle masking rot.

  “It’s nothing like the auction house,” he murmured. “Just stale coin and worse taste.”

  Min Lei fell into step beside him.

  “Leaving already?”

  Jin Yu didn’t reply and merely looked around “I’m bored,” he said finally.

  Rainbow, on his wrist, pulsed a dull orange—bored too.

  Jin Yu walked away, twirling the pill in his hand. “I’m going for a walk.”

  Min Lei straightened. “Want me to come?”

  He didn’t answer. Haozi followed out of instinct, nervously fidgeting as always. He still hasn't given Jin Yu an explanation.

  The deeper halls of the gambling den weren’t much better. Smoky air. Dark lacquered walls. Laughter that didn’t sound happy. Jin Yu drifted through it all, eyes half-lidded—until something caught him attention

  A corner of the wall didn’t look right.

  It was subtle—barely noticeable. A torn tapestry hung too low. Its edges trembled slightly, even though the air was still.

  Jin Yu’s gaze sharpened as he stepped closer.

  Behind the tapestry was an entrance. No guards. No lights. Just a shadowed corridor sloping downwards, swallowed in pitch black.

  He wasn’t sure why, but it felt... Shady.

  Not the kind of shady that made you flee.

  The kind that made you curious.

  Just as he reached to push the tapestry aside, a voice interrupted him.

  “Forgive me, Young Master,” said a courteous attendant, stepping into view. “This area is for staff only. Please return to the main floor.”

  Jin Yu tilted his head slightly, saying nothing.

  Min Lei and Haozi caught up seconds later, looking confused.

  The attendant stepped forward, blocking the path again.

  “I’ll have to insist—”

  Flick.

  Jin Yu raised a finger. A gentle flick of Qi burst out like a breeze.

  The man’s eyes rolled back.

  He collapsed with a dull thud.

  “Did you kill him?” Haozi whispered.

  “No. He’s dreaming now,” Jin Yu replied.

  Rainbow pulsed a faint red, almost amused.

  “Let’s see what kind of dream this place is hiding.”

  The trio passed through the tapestry and slipped into the corridor.

  The corridor sloped downward, growing colder with each step. Stone walls pressed in, silent and wet with mildew. No lanterns. No voices. Only their footsteps and a faint draft that whispered of something deeper.

  After a few minutes, Jin Yu paused and gestured for silence

  Whimpers and muffled cries drift through the corridor

  He inched closer and slowed to a stop just before reaching the shed

  “This is the last batch,” a low voice muttered ahead. “Get it done. We need to meet the quota for the month.”

  Jin Yu narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, just enough to peer around the corner.

  Two men, dressed plainly, stood around a large carriage. The space was dimly lit by a few lanterns. Inside the carriage, the faint outlines of small figures could be seen—some trembling, some bound.

  Children!.

  They’re smuggling them!

  Min Lei inhaled sharply behind him "Bast-"

  "Shh!" Jin Yu shut him up.

  “No,” he whispered. “If this is the last batch, that means there’s more. We follow them.”

  He stepped back into the shadows, face filled with excitement and hope for a thrill.

  For the first time that night, the gambling den had offered something interesting.