Chapter 994: Had Enough Fun

Editor: Henyee Translations

“Left Emissary,” paused then asked, “Where do they buy the opium?”

Tao Qiuyan replied, “In a gambling den. I’ve heard that General Tang plans to shut down the opium dens. They’ve already vanished; many have transformed into other types of shops, leaving no trace.”

The “Left Emissary” gently twirled his finger, musing over the cleverness of these tactics. “Do you remember the location? Can you show me?”

Seeing a sign of leniency from the “Left Emissary,” Tao Qiuyan readily responded, “It’s at the Lucky Gambling Den. Dad, can you help me annul my engagement?”

The “Left Emissary” nodded, “Alright, I’ll annul your engagement.”

Tao Qiuyan was overjoyed, “Thank you, dad.”

The “Left Emissary” said, “Go back first. I’ll check the situation there later.”

“Yes, dad,” Tao Qiuyan left happily.

The “Left Emissary” looked at Ceng Huo with a chilling expression, “Go and see if what Tao Qiuyan said is true. If it is, that gambling den needs to be shut down.”

As Tang Jinghong fought fiercely outside, these people were gambling while dealing in opium—utterly unforgivable!

“Yes,” Ceng Huo flew out the window immediately.

At the Ceng Mansion.

Ceng Huai greeted him at the entrance with a smile, “Lord Tao, what brings you here today?”

Tao An, the “Left Emissary,” smiled slightly, “I just received an invitation from the Wei family to attend a birthday celebration, so I came to pick a suitable gift.”

Ceng Huai glanced at Tao An. The birthday celebration was starting tomorrow, yet the invitation had just arrived, indicating a lack of respect. “Come, come, pick anything you like from the storeroom.”

“Thank you,” Tao An said, feigning gratitude.

Ceng Huai and Tao An had grown up together, later joining the Yun Organization together, which significantly expanded their business ventures.

Ceng Huai dealt in porcelain. The high-quality pieces were stored in his home’s storeroom, reserved for special customers.

Ceng Huai led Tao An to the storeroom, “Choose whatever you like.”

The storeroom housed several rows of shelves filled with porcelain of various sizes and patterns, all very appealing.

Tao An looked around and then, with a slight smile, picked up a wine cup, “Pack this one for me.”

Seeing his choice, Ceng Huai couldn’t help but laugh, “If you gift that cup, you might just thoroughly offend the Wei family.”

“It doesn’t matter. I won’t be dealing with the Wei family anymore.” Tao An examined the cup in his hand, finding it very fitting.

“You mean…” Ceng Huai’s expression changed slightly.

“Don’t worry; we’re still brothers,” Tao An reassured him with a smile.

Yet, Ceng Huai felt uneasy, “Tao An, if you’re planning something, tell me. I’ll help you.”

“It’s nothing,” Tao An waved his hand dismissively, “Quick, pack the cup for me.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll wrap it.” Ceng Huai actually wrapped the cup and handed it to Tao An, “I’m really afraid you’ll get killed by the Wei family.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already thought of a way to handle it.” Tao An left Ceng Mansion directly.

Ceng Huai watched him go, furrowing his brows. Why did he feel like Tao An had changed? Was it because they hadn’t seen each other for a long time?

After leaving the Ceng Mansion, Tao An snuck back at night to look for Chu Qingning.

Previously, Tao An had said that Chu Qingning was sent to the Ceng Mansion, but she was nowhere to be found there. Where on earth could his sister be? It was maddening.

Inside a mansion.

“Chu Qingning, as long as you agree to our terms, we will let you go,” said a lavishly dressed woman in the room.

“Why are you holding me captive?” Chu Qingning maintained her composure and countered.

“Originally, we captured you to exchange for the losses we’ve incurred over time with Tang Jinghong. However, we later discovered you have greater value, so the plans changed,” the noblewoman explained with a smile, appearing harmless but exuding an unsettling aura.

“I have no value. You’ve captured the wrong person,” Chu Qingning said, her hands clenched nervously.

“Don’t underestimate yourself. You are Chu Qingzhi’s sister, and that alone makes Tang Jinghong wary,” the noblewoman continued smiling, making it seem like a casual conversation.

“A sister is a sister, and I am myself,” Chu Qingning stood firm.

“Chu Qingning , don’t stubbornly refuse the easy path and end up forced to take the hard one,” the noblewoman glanced outside the door. “Do you know how many single men are in the stronghold?”

Chu Qingning’s face paled dramatically as she abruptly looked up, “What are you implying?”

“The way you react makes it clear you understand what I’m suggesting. Chu Qingning, if you behave and comply, we guarantee you a life of luxury and safety. But if you refuse, you’ll deeply regret ever being born,” the noblewoman spoke softly yet with an underlying threat.

Fear gripped Chu Qingning; she lowered her head and remained silent.

The noblewoman stood up. “Think it over. If you agree to our terms, your future will be smooth. If you resist, you’ll regret it.”

After saying this, the noblewoman left the room.

Chu Qingning sat motionless for a long time, her thoughts a turbulent storm. “Little sister, where are you? I miss you so much,” she whispered to herself.

She felt the hidden silver needle sewn into her clothing—a last resort if forced to betray her own people. She would rather end her life with that needle than betray anyone.

Chu Qingning continued to search every inch of the Ceng Mansion but found nothing.

Out of desperation, she snuck into Ceng Huai’s room and used a spell to control him, “Where is Chu Qingning?”

“Who is Chu Qingning?” Ceng Huai looked bewildered.

Chu Qingning felt a cold fear grip her heart. Under the influence of the spell, people couldn’t lie, which meant something had gone awry.

What had happened?

Where was her sister now?

She went back to confront Tao An, “Where exactly did you send my sister?”

“To Ceng Mansion!” Tao An insisted.

Chu Qingning’s frustration reached its peak, and she crushed the armrest of the chair Tao An was sitting on. “Besides you, who else knows about this?”

“The people who escorted Chu Qingning know,” Tao An replied.

Chu Qingning glared at him, her anger palpable. “If anything happens to my sister, I will make you wish you were dead.”

Chu Qingning left the secret chamber and began a thorough search throughout the city.

At the gambling den.

“Final bets, final bets…”

Ceng Huo entered the gambling den, and the clerk promptly came up to greet him, “This gentleman looks unfamiliar. Is this your first visit?”

Ceng Huo glanced at the clerk. “Yes, it’s my first time here. Could you recommend a table where people win more?”

As he spoke, he casually tossed a silver ingot to the clerk.

Seeing the silver, the clerk’s face lit up with a grin. “Is this your first time gambling, or do you frequent other dens?”

“It’s my first time; I heard it’s thrilling, so I came to give it a try,” Ceng Huo said quietly to himself. He had been familiar with gambling dens since he was seven, tired of their tricks and games.