The small manor Tao Chinh allocated to Ve Nhan was situated in a quiet alley in the eastern district—a discreet location, perfect for a Strategist of the Six Gates. But to Tran Kien, this was not a home; it was a transit station, a new shell for the chessboard of the Imperial Capital.
After receiving the mission, he did not act hastily. He knew the Gathering Treasures Pavilion was not the Black Eagle Fort or the Myriad Snake Cave. It was Marquis Vinh An's lair right beneath the feet of the Emperor, a heavily guarded place filled with a chaotic mix of dragons and snakes. The slightest misstep would lead to failure, or even the exposure of his identity.
He spent his first three days doing only one thing: gathering intelligence.
He did not approach the Gathering Treasures Pavilion. He merely loitered around the teahouses and taverns in its vicinity. He assumed various identities: a gambling-addicted scholar, a wandering martial artist newly arrived in the capital, an apprentice of a small merchant guild. He listened.
He learned that the Gathering Treasures Pavilion was not merely a gambling den. The first floor catered to ordinary gamblers. The second floor catered to cultivators and wealthy merchants, where bets were placed using Spirit Stones. And the third floor was an incredibly secretive place, accessible only to Marquis Vinh An's most esteemed guests. That was the true intelligence hub.
He also learned that the manager of the pavilion was a woman monikered the "Iron-Handed Guanyin," her real name Trieu Phuong. Her cultivation was at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. Not only was she beautiful, but she was incredibly intelligent and ruthless, being one of Marquis Vinh An's most trusted and capable subordinates.
Knowing this, Tran Kien knew he could not use brute force to infiltrate. To face an old fox like Trieu Phuong, he had to employ a stratagem even more cunning. He needed an excuse—a flawless reason to openly walk into the Gathering Treasures Pavilion, or even better, be "invited" in.
A combination of the "Bitter Flesh Stratagem" and "Creating something out of nothing" formed in his mind. He needed to create a prey, and turn himself into the only hunter capable of catching that prey.
Five days later.
An extraordinary event occurred at the Gathering Treasures Pavilion, causing an uproar among the capital's gamblers.
A new "God of Gamblers" had emerged.
This person was a gaunt, sickly-looking scholar named Ly Sinh. He did not play games of pure chance like Sic Bo; he only played games of intellect like cards. And he had won for five consecutive days. He didn't win massive sums; every day he won just enough before leaving. But it was that very consistency that was terrifying. He seemed capable of seeing through his opponents' thoughts, his every move calculated to absolute perfection.
The news quickly reached Trieu Phuong's ears.
Within a luxurious room on the third floor, Trieu Phuong—a woman wearing purple palace robes, possessing a beautiful face but eyes as sharp as knives—was quietly listening to her subordinate's report.
"A scholar?" she slightly furrowed her brows. "Have you investigated his background?"
"Reporting to the Manager, we have. His name is Ly Sinh, a scholar who recently failed the imperial examinations. Out of boredom, he came to the casino to relieve his sorrow. There is nothing special about him."
"Nothing special?" Trieu Phuong sneered. "A nobody with nothing special can win for five consecutive days at my Gathering Treasures Pavilion? Do you consider the expert dealers we hired to be made of mud?"
She fell silent for a moment before issuing a command. "Send our best man to deal with him. I want to see exactly how capable this rat is. Remember, you must only win; you cannot lose. And do not leave a trace."
"Understood!"
The night of the sixth day.
Ly Sinh, as usual, walked into the Gathering Treasures Pavilion. But today, his opponent was an expressionless old man with incredibly nimble hands. He was "Thousand Hands" Vuong Lao, one of the pavilion's finest dealers.
The game began. Ly Sinh, for the first time, met a true opponent. The two went back and forth for over a sichen (two hours), neither willing to yield.
But ultimately, in the deciding hand, Ly Sinh lost. He not only lost everything he had won over the past few days, but also accrued a massive debt.
"No... impossible..." Ly Sinh sat stunned, his face ashen, as if unable to believe it.
"Young Master Ly, at our Gathering Treasures Pavilion, winning and losing are commonplace," Vuong Lao said, his tone devoid of emotion. "Please settle your debt."
"I... I have no money..."
"No money?" Vuong Lao sneered. "Then we shall have to use one of the Young Master's arms as collateral."
Two burly guards immediately stepped forward, restraining Ly Sinh.
But right at that moment, a calm voice—not loud, yet incredibly clear—rang out from the crowd.
"Hold on."
Everyone turned their heads. A scholar donning the black official robes bordered with silver of the Six Gates, possessing refined features and profound eyes, slowly stepped out. It was none other than Ve Nhan.
"Who might Your Excellency be? Daring to interfere in the business of the Gathering Treasures Pavilion?" Vuong Lao furrowed his brows.
"I am Ve Nhan, the new Strategist of the Six Gates," Tran Kien replied, presenting the medallion carved with the character "Mưu". "This Young Master Ly is a crucial witness in an ongoing investigation of ours. I ask that you raise your hand high and let it fall lightly, and allow us to take him away."
The Six Gates!
These three words were like a massive boulder thrown into a lake. The crowd instantly began to whisper.
Vuong Lao's expression also changed. He didn't fear a mere Strategist. He feared the faction standing behind him.
"Lord Ve," he clasped his hands, his tone losing its previous arrogance. "This is the rule of our Gathering Treasures Pavilion. He owes a debt, he must pay. Even someone from the Six Gates cannot break the rules."
"I am not asking to break the rules," Tran Kien replied. "How much is his debt?"
"One thousand taels of silver."
Tran Kien smiled faintly. He produced a pouch of silver and tossed it onto the table. "Here is one thousand taels. I shall pay on his behalf. Now, may I take the man away?"
Vuong Lao was dumbfounded. He hadn't expected the other party to be so straightforward. He no longer had any reason to detain the man.
Tran Kien said nothing more. He simply gestured for the two constables following him to support the still-dazed Ly Sinh, then turned and departed.
Up on the third floor, Trieu Phuong had witnessed the entire spectacle. Her beautiful eyes narrowed.
"Ve Nhan? The new Strategist of the Six Gates? The one who cracked the Black Dragon Stronghold's blood sacrifice case?" she murmured. "Interesting. Truly interesting."
She did not believe in coincidences. Ve Nhan's appearance was far too timely.
"Have someone tail him," she ordered. "I want to know exactly what tricks this fox of the Six Gates is trying to play."
The play had concluded. The prey had been "saved." And the hunter had successfully planted a seed of suspicion, creating a flawless excuse to openly and legally "investigate" the Gathering Treasures Pavilion. The chessboard had only truly just begun.