274: Chapter 142: Making a Fortune in Silence_1 274: Chapter 142: Making a Fortune in Silence_1 The grand competition of the Hundred Peaks Sect had finally ended, and the disciples of each peak left with their respective Peak Masters.
Although the Sword Sect’s Genius Disciple, Wu Jianzi, was set to arrive at the Hundred Peaks Sect tomorrow, Wu Jianzi’s visit was meant for a sword contest, a matter for the Sword Peaks to worry about; the rest of the peaks should carry on with their usual affairs.
Now, the most important matter was the wagered Spirit Stones.
In the grand competition of the Hundred Peaks Sect, almost everyone made bets, not just the disciples of each peak, but also the Peak Masters, and even more so, for they had more money.
Unfortunately, this time, nearly all the Peak Masters and disciples had lost money.
Following the competition, at the base of Splendid Flower Peak, which had ranked eighty-first, several disciples looked around, confirming they were only among their own sect members, with no outsiders present.
After exchanging glances, an older disciple stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Master, this time, your disciples have suffered a terrible loss.
We bet almost all of our possessions, but in the end, we couldn’t get back a single Spirit Stone.
Also, some gambling houses have suffered great losses.
On the contrary, the Five Evils of Hundred Peaks made a fortune because they bet against Four Treasures Peak in a fit of pique and actually ended up earning a lot.”
The Master of Splendid Flower Peak furrowed his brows, asking, “What are you trying to say?”
“Master, we have discussed this with disciples from various other peaks, and we plan to approach the major gambling houses together to have them refund our money.
This time, there’s no shortage of people who lost money, including the gambling houses themselves.
We figured, rather than letting the Five Evils of Hundred Peaks profit, why not take the money back ourselves?
As long as we have enough people, if all the disciples of Hundred Peaks pressurize the gambling houses, they won’t be able to withstand it!
Besides, they don’t want to lose money either.
If everyone does this, the Five Evils won’t be able to receive the Spirit Stones either.”
“Nonsense!” The Master of Splendid Flower Peak’s face showed anger, and he stared fiercely at his disciples, scolding, “Approaching the gambling houses for money?
Do you think those gambling houses would agree to your request, ruining not only their reputation but also the reputation of the peaks behind them?
Even if they did agree, I wouldn’t allow you to do so!
I ask you, did anyone force you to bet with a knife to your neck?
You bet willingly, and if you did so willingly, you must accept the consequences of gambling!
One must have the spirit to stand by their own bets, regardless of wins or losses!
I can tell you now, not only do I disapprove, but other Peak Masters would not agree to their disciples threatening the gambling houses to retrieve all their Spirit Stones.
Because we, at the Hundred Peaks Sect, are united as one.
We might have our disputes with certain peaks or individuals on ordinary days.
I know many do not look fondly upon the Five Evils of Hundred Peaks, but we all have our lines we do not cross; we would never resort to infighting or scheming against our own people!
Should I encounter danger outside, the Five Evils of Hundred Peaks would rescue me just the same, and likewise, if I found them in danger, I would also come to their aid, for we are all disciples of the Hundred Peaks Sect!”
The Master of Splendid Flower Peak looked coldly at his disciples as he reprimanded them, “If you lost your bets, blame only your poor judgment, not others.
The Five Evils earned those Spirit Stones with their skill!
If I ever hear you say such things or harbor such thoughts again, no matter who it is, they will have their cultivation base stripped and be expelled from the sect!”
The disciples fell silent, not daring to utter another word.
That day, nearly the same scene occurred on countless peaks.
Some disciples who had recently joined their sects wanted to band together to exert pressure on the gambling houses to repudiate their debts to the Five Evils of Hundred Peaks.
However, some were harshly reprimanded by their Peak Masters, while others were directly disciplined by their senior brothers.
In the Hundred Peaks Sect, competition between the Hundred Peaks was permissible, but calculation and harm against fellow sect members were not.
Of course, not everyone failed to make money.
For example, those who hadn’t bet on Four Treasures Peak managed to earn some.
The only ones who bet on Four Treasures Peak and made a huge profit were the Five Evils of Hundred Peaks.
The Five Evils of Hundred Peaks had arrived at Four Treasures Peak stealthily, as by now, nearly everyone knew they had bet heavily on Four Treasures Peak.
If they had come openly, everyone would immediately suspect they had colluded with Four Treasures Peak.
Even though there might be suspicions now that Four Treasures Peak and the Five Evils had conspired, those were only suspicions held by some, without any evidence.
Apart from the Five Evils, newly crowned champion of the grand competition Li Ke, Elder Copper Plate, Deng Qixing of Seven Star Peak, and Chao Zi Zai also gathered at Four Treasures Peak.
Li Ke had come to share the spoils, while Elder Copper Plate, along with Deng Qixing and Chao Zi Zai, had come today, as it was the auspicious day Deng Qixing had chosen for his sworn brotherhood ceremony.
Outside the simple abode of the Peak Master of Four Treasures Peak, Elder Copper Plate looked at the descending Five Evils of Hundred Peaks with an ugly expression and shouted, “Five Evils of Hundred Peaks, what are you doing here!”
Previously, Cao Zhen had invited him, making it clear that today was the day he and Chao Zi Zai of Seven Star Peak were to become sworn brothers.
Since Cao Zhen’s master was no longer present, he would attend as Cao Zhen’s elder.