Volume One: The Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 45: The Casino in the Sewer

Mo Xing climbed down for a while before reaching the ground, his flashlight sweeping across the darkness. Not far away, several oil lamps flickered, their flames uncertain—he couldn't tell who had lit them.

"Mo Xing! If you see the lamps, just keep walking in that direction," came Captain Huo’s voice from above.

"Alright!" Mo Xing called back.

"Good luck!"

The words echoed through the sewer, lingering in the damp air. Clutching the flashlight, Mo Xing pressed onward, following a rusted path and ascending moss-covered steps. Water dripped intermittently from corroded iron pipes along the wall.

Drip, drip—

The corridor was eerily silent, broken only by footsteps and the rhythm of falling water. The stink of the sewer wafted for miles, forcing Mo Xing to press a hand to his nose. Only as he neared the oil lamps did he catch a hint of fresh air.

"Beep, please verify your identity—"

A sudden voice burst from the wall, startling Mo Xing. The flame in the oil lamp shifted to an eerie green, and a pair of yellow eyes glowed out from the shadows.

The Mouse-Eye Mechanism.

He’d heard about this from members of the campus security team—not long ago, they’d said it was the gateway to the second layer of the sewer, only accessible after identity verification.

Mo Xing pinched the mouse-shaped badge at his collar, letting the mechanism's faint light shine upon it.

The badge reflected a dazzling beam, and the wall rumbled loudly, sending a cloud of dust swirling through the air. Mo Xing quickly covered his mouth with one hand, waving away the dust with the other.

"Verification failed. Second layer space unlocked," the Mouse-Eye Mechanism announced.

He recalled what the intelligence members had told him: this mechanism was designed differently than ordinary ones—it always reported the opposite of the truth. If your identity was verified, it would declare "verification failed" and open the second layer; if not, it would claim "verification succeeded" and unlock the third layer.

The third layer was a trap; only the second layer held the true hidden space. Such deceptive tactics had spelled doom for many who wandered in by mistake.

Mo Xing breathed out in relief, brushed the dust from his clothes, and stepped inside.

The second layer was noticeably brighter, with numerous exhaust fans humming nearby. Faint sounds echoed from the corridor’s end.

Mo Xing headed toward them, recalling the security team’s analysis: if, in the second layer, you encountered people wielding spears and shields, there was no need to panic—they were simply gatekeepers of the sewer. So long as you could prove your identity, they would let you into the true "underground world."

Sure enough, at the corridor’s end, Mo Xing found a gatekeeper snoring loudly, his body perfumed with a strange scent.

"Ahem," Mo Xing feigned a cough.

The gatekeeper jerked awake, eyeing Mo Xing’s formal attire warily. Spotting the mouse badge on his chest, he relaxed and said,

"So you’re a distinguished guest—I failed to recognize greatness."

"Hmph, what are you so frightened for?" Mo Xing replied with a cold laugh, mentally rehearsing the lines he’d memorized. Captain Huo had told him to play the role of a young tycoon—cool, yet with a hint of arrogance. He wasn't confident in his delivery, but it seemed good enough.

"If I may trouble you with a few words," the gatekeeper smiled sincerely. "Guarding the doors here isn’t just about attendance—it’s about performance."

"Oh?" Mo Xing frowned.

"My post at the West Gate is different from the others. Hardly anyone passes through each month—it's dull work, and the pay barely keeps me alive." The gatekeeper shook his head and sighed.

"But seeing a distinguished guest like yourself, naturally I’m delighted." The gatekeeper smiled again.

"I understand. Take me inside," Mo Xing said, pulling a few gold coins from his wallet and handing them over. He knew exactly what the gatekeeper wanted—a tip for his troubles.

"Thank you for your generosity!" The gatekeeper pocketed the coins and gestured politely.

The door slid open silently, a brilliant beam of light shining through. Mo Xing blinked and stepped into the space beyond.

The sight astounded him: a magnificent chandelier hung overhead, a red carpet with intricate borders stretched down the center, and blackwood tables filled the floor. At each table, people in formal attire played cards, waiters carried beers between them, and several bald, rotund men puffed on cigars, chatting away. Their exquisite watches gleamed, symbols of their wealth.

It was an underground casino!

"Sir, is this your first visit?" the gatekeeper asked, smiling. "Shall I show you around? There are many fine services here!"

"Mm, it’s my first..." Mo Xing paused—something felt off—then quickly corrected himself, "First time alone. Usually friends bring me. I know the business well, so I’ll wander by myself; you don’t need to follow."

"Very well, I’ll take my leave," the gatekeeper bowed deeply and departed.

Mo Xing relaxed a little. Captain Huo had reminded him repeatedly to conceal his identity, to embody the manner of a young master. His earlier surprise nearly betrayed him, but he had managed to recover.

The casino was about twenty meters tall, with three levels. The ground floor was the main hall—the scene he’d just seen. He was currently on the second floor, a ring encircling the walls with four doors, likely representing the cardinal directions. As for the third floor...

Mo Xing looked up. That level resembled a birdcage clinging to the ceiling, enclosed by translucent glass. From his vantage, nothing inside was visible. A group of fierce-looking guards controlled the stairs leading up. Mo Xing guessed it was either a VIP suite or the casino owner’s office.

"Let’s go down for a look."

Mo Xing stretched his neck and arms, then descended the stairs.

"Hey, buddy! You lost again!"

"I must be one lucky fellow."

Two men conversed—one a bald, heavy-set man, the other a wiry fellow with a thick beard.

The bald man clutched a glass, downing it in a single gulp.

"Hey, pal! You’ve spilled your drink again," the bearded man laughed.

"Ay, what a shame," the fat man burped, "but no matter—I’ve got money to spare!"

"Mate," the bearded man leaned in, pointing, "someone over there is watching us."

"Oh?" The bald man frowned, observing the young man nearby. The stranger wore an expensive tailored suit, a snow-white scarf, gleaming black shoes, and his face bore delicate makeup, with a hint of dark eyeliner. His indifferent gaze seemed to look down upon everyone else.

"Interesting!"

The bald man pressed a button on the table. Immediately, a neatly dressed waiter hurried over.

"Sir, may I help you?"

"You, bring that handsome fellow over here," the bald man ordered, "and another round of drinks."

"Certainly!" the waiter replied.

At that moment, Mo Xing was scanning the room. Captain Huo had shown him several wanted posters, instructing him to locate these people in the sewers and find a way to pass them cigarettes.

Fortunately, their appearances were distinctive. Mo Xing had memorized them after a few glances: the scarred man, Ma Dongmei, and the bald fat...

"Sir, sir!"

Mo Xing was startled from his thoughts by a waiter calling to him.

"What is it?" Mo Xing asked.

"Someone over there requests your presence," the waiter said, friendly and eager.

"Huh?"

Mo Xing tensed. Had he been exposed for looking around? No, he must not panic—otherwise he’d lose his composure. Captain Huo had assured him there was no danger to his life.

"Alright, lead the way," Mo Xing said, feigning calm.

"Please follow me," the waiter replied.

Mo Xing straightened his posture and followed.

"Hey, friend! Care for a drink?" the bearded man beckoned him over. Mo Xing thought the man looked familiar, and the nearby bald fat man was still scrutinizing him.

"No need," Mo Xing replied coldly. "May I ask what business you have with me?"

"Sit down and play some cards with us?" the bearded man continued.

"Oh? What kind of cards?" Mo Xing responded, his tone casual—but in truth, he had no idea.

"Red and Black," the bearded man explained. "Standard rules—each player draws ten cards at the start. For every red card played, you draw another card. Collect ten black cards—"

"This game, I—" Mo Xing paused, "don’t want to play. It’s boring."

His heart raced; he’d nearly said "I don’t know how to play," narrowly averting another slip.

"Interesting," the fat man suddenly laughed.

Mo Xing frowned, realizing at last that the fat man before him was none other than the air pirate wanted on the poster—Gulaga Scented—and the bearded man was the air pirate—Marcus Nightshade.

Had his identity been revealed?

The best strategy—leave at once—

"So you’re the legendary figure everyone talks about?" Gulaga Scented clapped his hands, suddenly blurting out the question.

"Hmm?" Mo Xing was confused.

Legendary figure?

What legendary figure?

Since when had he achieved such renown? Had news from the campus spread beyond its walls? The famous Mo Xing visiting the underground casino?

"I’ve always heard of a man," the fat man said, "whose appearance is ordinary, yet he’s always impeccably dressed, seen in casinos everywhere. No matter the game, he plays with ease and never loses. He regards all hands with perfect calm. People call him—the God of Gambling."

The fat man conjured a flame, lighting a cigarette.

"So, what does that have to do with me?" Mo Xing asked, uncertain, striving to remain composed.

"Isn’t that you?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Mo Xing smiled helplessly.

The fat man grinned, pushing the deck toward Mo Xing.

"Come, let’s play a round!"

——————— Idle Chatter by the Pit ———————
Everyone, leave comments below—let me see your dazzling presence (*^▽^)/★*☆