Dusk washed over the sky, and before they knew it, night had fallen. Jing and Da followed Uncle Zhang closely …
Dusk washed over the sky, and before they knew it, night had fallen. Jing and Da followed Uncle Zhang closely through the streets and alleys, finally turning into the Mahjong God Challenge arena. The arena glittered with gold and jade, so dazzling it was hard to keep one's eyes open. Da's sleeve accidentally brushed against a stone pixiu, which promptly clamped onto a half-exposed copper coin.
Suddenly, the clatter of rolling coins came from the eaves. They saw Uncle Zhang, Heng Blade in hand, slam it down on the blue bricks with a clang.
Uncle Zhang slurred, "The coin... spit it out! Spit all the money out!"
The two trembled with fear. Jing clenched his sleeve, muttering to himself, "What is Uncle Zhang up to now?"
Several bejeweled accountants gathered around, but Uncle Zhang paid them no heed, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "You two! Stop dawdling and get a move on!"
Their eyes met, a silent resolution forming between them: this time, no matter what, they would not be ordered around by this strange old man for nothing. They mustered their courage.
Jing gripped his sweat-dampened sleeve and stepped forward. "The weaklings we once were are dead! The ones standing here now—"
Before he could finish, the Prefect strolled toward them. Noticing the three acting strangely, he approached to ask what was happening. In an instant, the "voluntary labor" the youths had intended to refuse became a "military order."
"Alright... the ones standing here now... are even weaker than before..." Da said with a pained expression, the eggs stuffed at his waist digging into him.
Helpless, the two threw themselves into the challenge. After a battle of wits and courage, they won a hefty pile of chips. Just as they excitedly handed the chips to Uncle Zhang, he waved his hand magnanimously. "...The money... distribute it... distribute it... call the slaves over... and distribute it..."
Slaves? What slaves? The two looked at each other, utterly confused.
Uncle Zhang simply nodded with satisfaction, turned, and left, leaving them bewildered in the wind.