Luo Meng bet 100,000 Crystal Coins on a man named Luo Yue to win,

But now,

Luo Meng felt increasingly that something was off.

During this period, Luo Meng had been playing chess against Yang Xiao and had achieved rapid progress; with his current skill level, he could tell that Luo Yue was about to lose,

Luo Yue's chess piece was about to be placed,

This pivotal piece was his only chance to turn the tide of the game at the moment,

If placed incorrectly, he would essentially have lost.

Because Luo Meng had already deduced the key point of victory and defeat, he stood up unconsciously and shouted,

"Stop, Luo Yue, you're going to lose if you play like that, this piece can't go there."

Luo Yue was already feeling frustrated with this game of chess, having made a small mistake early on and being suppressed by his opponent ever since,

He had also bet 100,000 Crystal Coins himself, and now that Luo Meng called out to him, he immediately felt annoyed.

In terms of chess skills, Luo Yue was two Levels higher than Luo Meng; since when did his own play require Luo Meng's guidance?

Luo Yue turned his head to glance at Luo Meng and said:

"Luo Meng, your chess skills have improved, huh? To think you're qualified to advise me. If there's a mistake in my move, wouldn't I be aware of it? Do I need your pointers?"

Luo Meng was no pushover either, and he sneered back:

"Luo Yue, don't be stubborn. I've bet 100,000 Crystal Coins on you; I'm counting on you to win."

Around them were twenty to thirty onlookers, each having bet their own 50,000 or 100,000 Crystal Coins on either player, and as for whether Luo Yue's move would lead to a loss, no one really had any inkling.

Someone said:

"Luo Meng, accept your bet like a man. Since you bet on Luo Yue winning, you should have confidence in him, right? How he wants to play is his business, don't interfere."

"That's right, Luo Meng, you know your own chess skills, don't you? Among us all, your skills are probably the worst, aren't they?"

"Ha-ha, indeed, Luo Meng, sit down quietly and wait for the two of them to finish this game."

...

A wave of teasing made Luo Meng's face turn red with embarrassment, and after glancing at Luo Yue, he could only sigh helplessly and sit down.

The person playing against Luo Yue was named Duan Mang.

Duan Mang's chess skills were not much different from Luo Yue's,

But since Duan Mang and Luo Meng had a poor relationship, Luo Meng bet on him to lose and Luo Yue to win.

Duan Mang glanced at Luo Meng and chuckled:

"Luo Meng, you said Luo Yue made a wrong move. How about this, I'll give you a chance to make a move. If you can beat me, I'll pay you double. What do you say?"

Luo Meng was stunned, looked at Duan Mang, and kept silent.

Previously, Luo Meng's chess skills indeed ranked the poorest among everyone, often being defeated, so he had no confidence in beating Duan Mang.

Seeing Luo Meng chickening out, Duan Mang sneered:

"If you don't have the ability, then don't babble nonsense here. Just quietly watch us play."

Luo Meng heard this, his chubby head turning beet red.

"Ha-ha....."

The onlookers also burst into laughter.

Someone said:

"Luo Meng, don't be a coward, go on!"

"Luo Meng, if you beat Duan Mang, I'll pay you double."

"Count me in too."

...

Everyone knew Luo Meng was not good at chess, so they joined in on the teasing.

Luo Yue, who generally had a good relationship with Luo Meng, heard people mocking Luo Meng and then said:

"Enough, let's not rile things up. Let's finish this game first."

As Luo Yue spoke, he channeled his Divine Sense, and a white piece was about to fall from mid-air.

Suddenly, Luo Meng stood up and caught the piece that was about to land.

Everyone was startled, looking at Luo Meng.

"Luo Meng, what are you doing?"

Luo Yue was a bit angry.

"I'll play a game against Duan Mang, we'll start with your current position of the game."

Luo Meng said calmly.

"You?" Luo Yue stared at Luo Meng, hardly believing it.

"Holy shit, Luo Meng, are you for real?"

Someone started to cause a stir.

"Luo Meng, is there something wrong with your head today?"

"Could it be he can't afford to lose? Just freaking out over a hundred thousand Crystal Coins, that's not like the usual Luo Meng!"

...

Duan Mang slightly smiled, putting on an air of magnanimity, and said:

"Luo Meng, if you want to play against me, you can wait until I finish this game, because I'm bound to win this round. Taking over now, there's no chance for you to turn the tables, don't be impulsive."

"Heh, today I just feel like being impulsive, Luo Yue, if I lose, I'll pay for the hundred thousand Crystal Coins you bet. If you continue with your move, you'll lose; let me help you turn the tide, how about that?"

"Luo Meng, I can let you play, but think it through. If you take over the game midway, everyone's bets will have to be placed again. I don't care about my hundred thousand Crystal Coins, but for you, it might not be as simple as just losing a hundred thousand."

"No problem, I'll take over this game. Everyone is free to change their bets. If you all bet on me losing, I'll compensate you 1:1, however much you bet."

Luo Meng was brimming with confidence, his spirit soaring high.

Luo Yue looked at Luo Meng, clenched his teeth, and said:

"Are you sure you've thought this through?"

"Yes."

"Alright, don't blame me if you're seeking your own doom. However, as a friend, I'll still bet on you winning. If I lose these hundred thousand Crystal Coins, then so be it."

Across him, Duan Mang chuckled and said:

"Luo Meng, why are you being so hard on yourself? Is it because you've got some money now, acting all proud? Are you really going to lose all those tens of millions of Crystal Coins?"

By now, Luo Meng had already taken a seat opposite Duan Mang and laughed:

"Money is an external possession. Today, I just want to indulge myself and have a blast!"

"Fine, I'll indulge you. I won't bet too much - just one million Crystal Coins, betting that you'll lose," said Duan Mang with a smile.

The change in players caused those who had placed bets to reconsider their decisions. Everyone bet on Luo Meng losing, with only Luo Yue betting symbolically on Luo Meng's win out of loyalty.

Everyone saw it as a chance to make money. Since Duan Mang had bet one million Crystal Coins, they all raised their bets to one hundred An Crystal Coins each.

Thirty-two people, three hundred and twenty million Crystal Coins.

If Luo Meng lost, he would have to compensate the opposition with three hundred and twenty million Crystal Coins.

Luo Meng grinned and said:

"Has everyone placed their bets?"

"Bets are placed."

Everyone looked at Luo Meng as if he were an idiot.

"So, you're saying, if I win, you'll all double up the amount you owe me, does that still stand?"

The crowd was taken aback.

Duan Mang laughed:

"It stands. I'll pay double."

"And the rest of you? If you don't mean it, then I won't play."

People muttered: "@#￥%"

Damn it, has Luo Meng gone crazy today?

But these people were all greedy. How could they let a sure win slip through their fingers?

Besides, Luo Meng wasn't a match for Duan Mang anyway; what harm would it do to promise him double?

"If that's the case, I'll have the ability to do it!"

"Alright, I promise you, double the compensation."

"Me too,"

"Me too,"

...

One by one, everyone stated their agreement.

On the side, Luo Yue could barely watch any longer and said:

"Luo Meng, I'm going to the restroom. Keep showing off."

With that, he left.

The crowd broke into laughter. After all, Luo Yue's hundred thousand Crystal Coins were as good as gone, there or not, the result would be the same.

"Okay, since you all agree, I'll start playing chess."

"You're so tedious, just play already. We still need to sleep and rest. We have to be on duty and patrol tonight."

Everyone urged him on.

Luo Meng smirked slyly, tossed the chess piece in his hand into the air, channeled his Divine Sense, and controlled the white chess piece to land on the board.

As soon as the piece was placed, Duan Mang felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

(Four chapters completed)