Following the exit of the Hua cultivators, people rushed to buy him drinks, eager to win his favor. The maids shot daggers at the most shameless, causing them to retreat quickly. Lu and her siblings mingled openly, soaking in the vibrant sights and sounds of the South in their most authentic essence. After Henry, the siblings became the next big attraction, with everyone eager to learn more about the North, as few from the South seemed to venture there.

An Inn attendant informed Henry that his suite was ready should he wish to retreat there. He graciously replied that he would go later, but for the time being, he enjoyed mingling with the rabble. He wasn’t lying when he said this; he did enjoy hanging out here with the supposed lower-tier cultivators. For one, they felt more free and less constrained by rules and etiquette.

Henry sipped his frothy beer while the maids playfully took turns arm-wrestling a muscular cultivator. They were allowing him to win, but it was entertaining to watch the man turn beet red as they flirted with him. Henry counted his coins and smiled at the potential energy radiating from them. Finally, he had a way to refill his ki reserves. It was not much, just fifty gold coins, but it filled him with a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Reveling in his newly earned wealth, Henry did not see when the cultivator wearing blue robes sat down before him. The man had a cherubic and friendly face and wore spectacles, which Henry found extremely strange. Cultivators had refined bodies and did not suffer from mortal ailments like astigmatism.

“Sir Hen Ri, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Baccarat, and I represent the interests of the Gamblers Association.”

He offered a hand, and Henry shook it. The fella had a firm grip.

“I have a business proposal for you. We watched your fight, Sir Hen Ri, and found it incredibly exciting. Many people rushed to place bets against you.”

Henry felt somewhat hurt that others lacked faith in him. While he recognized he appeared uncouth, their judgments stung.

“We can always see when someone will be a big crowd favorite with you if you don’t mind me saying people just love to root against you.”

“So you are saying I draw a lot of heat,” Henry said, realization dawning.

“Yes, that is very astutely said. You draw the heat, and people love to bet against you, so when you win, it's all the better.”

Baccarat smiled so wide now that his whole face was a smile.

Henry smiled back just as wide.

“I see, so you need a villain? What do I get out of all of this?”

Henry leaned closer to Baccarat.

“I can hype it up for the crowd, but you have to make it worth my time,” Henry said, rubbing two fingers together in front of the cultivator's face.

“I see we are kindred spirits,” Baccarat said as he pulled out a paper contract.

“Nope, I don’t do contracts. I want information and to let my people be able to bet on my behalf.”

Baccarat rubbed his hairless chin as if contemplating some deep thought.

“The passing of information could be arranged, certainly; as for your associate betting, that will be at the discretion of the bookies they frequent.”

“So what else do I get for making an ass of myself?” Henry asked as he drained his tankard.

“You would be able to access all of your trade markets, of course; we know how cultivators of strength such as yourself could always find use of a greyer source of goods.”

Henry liked what he heard. He did indeed need a venue to obtain some less-than-repeatable goods. Knowing an association that could help him gather information could also benefit his end goal.

“You got yourself a villain, Baccarat,” Henry said, extending his hand for the cultivator to shake.

Baccarat shook it and placed a silver signet ring on the table afterward.

“Consider this your signing bonus with us; that ring will get you accommodations at any house of vice or gambling den in the South.”

Baccarat seemed very pleased with himself as he said this as if this was meant to impress Henry.

“What about the Dragon’s Horde? Will it get me accommodations there if I am not wanted?”

The jovial cultivator across from him blanched at the mention of the Dragon’s Horde.

"Have you upset the owner of the Dragon’s Horde? He is among the longest-standing members of the Gamblers Association, and we cannot shield you from his fury."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Baccarat glanced around nervously as if anticipating an imminent attack. Henry found it amusing how easily people could be frightened in this world. Were assassins indeed that frequent?

"My great uncle owns it, and I often think I annoy him. However, I wasn't aware that he was involved in an association. I'll ask him about it when I see him next."

Baccarat looked like a specter, his face strikingly pale. Henry noticed his hand trembling uncontrollably as he raised his drink, causing the liquid to spill everywhere.

"I apologize, Sir Hen Ri. I didn't realize your connection with Sir Shenlong. Please accept this item from my personal collection as a gesture of my apology."

Baccarat handed Henry a crystal rose of remarkable clarity.

“This artifact significantly aids the advancement of Ice cultivation techniques and can also be utilized as a life-saving shield once daily."

Baccarat pressed the rose into his hand and swiftly left the table without letting him respond.

What an odd fellow, Henry mused as he returned to counting his gold.

****

Guan Li sat in a corner with her drink, watching Hen Ri. She had hoped to approach him after the fight, but admirers surrounded him. She longed to go over and kiss him in celebration of his victory. Instead, she remained in the corner, feeling down and anxious.

Her sisters drifted off in search of Hen Ri’s siblings. Deep in her drink, she did not notice when the woman who had introduced herself as one of Hen Ri’s maids slipped into the seat in front of her.

“Young Master has feelings for you,” she said bluntly.

Guan Li almost sputtered her drink, completely shocked by that comment.

“It's clear you have feelings for him too," the maid remarked, studying Guan Li intently as if trying to analyze her.

“I kissed him, and that's all. Having feelings for him seems like a bit of a stretch,” Guan Li said, unsure herself.

"By the way, I support this match. The Li Clan has good ties with Master Fei, and I genuinely believe you have no hidden intentions towards Master Hen Ri.”

Guan Li longed for a rebuttal against these claims, yet she recognized that the maid had spoken the truth.

"Stop sulking, get up, and go talk to him. You might lose your chance; the tournament is tomorrow, and anything could happen then.”

Guan Li realized she was correct; their fate was uncertain once the tournament began.

Determined to make this night count, she strode to his table with renewed purpose.

He must have felt her presence because he looked up from his task and gave her a bright smile.

“I was curious when you’d come over to chat; you’ve been moping in the corner all night,” he said with a grin as he gestured to the chair beside him.

She sat on the chair, and he pulled it closer until they were shoulder to shoulder.

He smelled of wild places and ocean water, making her squirm in her chair.

“Congratulations on the fight. I had my doubts, but you truly excelled," she said, struggling to express her feelings.

“That was so formal. I don’t know if I should get up and take a bow or something.”

“Please don’t joke with me; I’m not accustomed to this," she said, her cheeks flushing.

“Where is the joke? The part where you congratulate someone or the part where you fall madly in love with some random stranger.”

Guan Li wished there was a hole so she could crawl into it and disappear.

Henry noticed her discomfort and stopped teasing her.

“Thank you for coming over. You are the one person I actually wanted to talk to all night.”

He brought a crystal clear rose out of his spatial ring.

It was beautiful and obviously expensive. Guan Li thought, what was he doing flashing it around in a place like this?

Henry swept Guan Li’s hair back and pinned it onto her head.

“A beautiful flower for a beautiful woman; sorry, that was pretty corny,” Henry said.

“No, I like it. Are you sure, though, this looks pretty expensive.”

Henry ran his finger down the curve of her face and lifted her chin so they could look at each other directly in the eyes.

“I would literally give everything I own to see you smile.”

She swooned; she didn’t even know she could do that.

She didn’t know why she did it again, but she kissed him.

He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close.

She ran her hand on his chest, relishing the hard muscles that felt like granite under her fingers.

She inched closer to him, the chaos around them fading as they cherished their special moment together.

She gently pulled away and gazed at him with bright, eager eyes.

“We should stop before we do something we will both regret.”

Henry chuckled softly.

“I truly don't regret anything anymore, especially when it comes to someone as amazing as you,” he said, his confidence sparking Guan Li's excitement even more.

"I feel like this isn’t fair! I’m just the youngest daughter of the Li clan, and here you are, the true Scion of the North. If you were to notice them, I bet the women here would be thrilled to compete for your attention!"

“You’re correct, but the women here aren't like you. Their smiles don’t offer me the same feeling of safety. Their lips don’t possess the softness and sweetness that yours do. Their bodies lack the same grace and flexibility as yours. In short, these women can't hold a candle to you.”

"But…" she began, but he cut her off with another kiss.

The maid was right; the Rookie Tournament was notoriously dangerous. This could be her last chance to see Hen Ri. Forget propriety; if she had just one night, she would make the most of it.

Henry rose to his feet and grasped her hand as if he could sense her thoughts. Together, they proceeded to his private suite.