Black Pantherâs cold-blooded stance was unmistakable. Even though Qingjiu was in so much pain that he might have been better off dead, the man did not take it seriously. Instead, he felt irritated.
Sickly irritated, like a demon.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gu Jinglian caught a glimpse of Chu He on the screen. Her head was bowed, as if she was trying to pick the lock on her wrist. But Black Panther was staring intently at the screen, not focusing on Chu He.
Or maybe heâd underestimated the woman.
All he knew was that Chu He was Gu Jinglianâs woman and wife. He did not know that Chu He had another identity. As Interpolâs top anti-vice inspector, Chu He had once been best at torture and counter-torture.
Given enough time, the chain would not be able to hold her down at all!
Gu Jinglian immediately shifted his gaze to Black Panther. Across the camera, the two men glared at each other. Gu Jinglianâs lips suddenly curved into a cold smile.
âBlack Panther, if you have what it takes, then letâs take each other on!â
A muscle twitched on Black Pantherâs face when he heard this, but he asked sinisterly, âWhat are the stakes?â
âYour life, and mine.â
Gu Jinglian laughed heartily. âDo you think this game is interesting?! Qingjiu is my subject. No matter what, he will give in to me. You just want my life. What do you get out of pitting Qingjiu and I against each other?!â
Panther narrowed his eyes.
Qingjiu was surprised. He could see that Gu Jinglian was deliberately stalling for time, but he did not know why.
In the midst of his confusion, Gu Jinglian raised his voice and asked again, âDo you dare to take me on?â
âHa! How do we play?! What are the rules of the game?!â
âA total of five chances. Winning three rounds would equate to winning. If you win three games against me, then, you can have my arm, my hand, my leg, or⦠my life, you name it.â After a pause, Gu Jinglian removed the amputation device and said meaningfully, âIf you lose, youâll have to let us go!â
âHa!â Black Panther laughed. âInteresting! But I donât think your stakes are high enough! Your life alone isnât enough! Your womanâs life, your childrenâs life, plus that of your subordinate. How about that!?â
Gu Jinglian hesitated for a moment, then nodded.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Black Panther spoke again. âThen let your man play the cards for me. But Iâm warning you, the room is fully covered by surveillance cameras. Youâve got them under your table, too. If you try to cheat, you wonât escape my eyes!â
Gu Jinglian raised an eyebrow. This was exactly what he wanted! It meant Black Panther would be focusing most of his attention on him.
âAlright!â Gu Jinglian seemed confident. âIâm confident I can beat you.â
âHeh, donât speak so lightly. Otherwise, youâll look really bad when you lose!â
âDeal the cards!â
The cards entered the dealer and were shuffled again. Everyone was dealt a hidden card and then an open card. Now, Qingjiu took Black Pantherâs place and flipped the cards for him.
Qingjiuâs heart was in turmoil. He did not know what Gu Jinglian was stalling for, that he was even putting his own life on the table!
He was a little confused, but he didnât dare ask anything. Gu Jinglian was always calm and composed in any situation. Perhaps he had thought of a strategy.
Gu Jinglian flipped open his trump card and glanced at it. A 9 of Clubs. Not completely bad luck, but it was not fantastic.