According to Sune, a mysterious person with exceptional gambling skills had arrived in the city and won a large sum of money at the gambling house. Afterward, this person spent the money throughout the city, benefiting everyone from city officials to the laborers. This individual frequented taverns, calling for all the female companions to attend them, leaving none for other patrons. Anyone who dared to compete was immediately outbid with money. Even the authorities were powerless, as they had all received favors from this benefactor and were unwilling to offend them. Those who reported the matter were severely reprimanded, and some were even dragged out of the city and beaten.
Chen Yu was astonished. He understood why Sune had found it so strange. Sune couldn't stay away for too long without arousing suspicion from others in the city, so Chen Yu let her leave. Before departing, Sune returned the magic cloak to Chen Yu, stating that keeping it would attract scrutiny from the authorities. If Chen Yu hadn't been busy, he would have wanted to witness this eccentric individual's peculiar behavior firsthand. It was quite peculiar how smoothly they navigated Black City. Winning money, spending it in the city, then winning more, and spending it again? Chen Yu mused that perhaps this was a form of indirect job seeking, signaling to the city lord that they possessed unparalleled gambling skills and were seeking a discerning patron.
Stretching lazily, Chen Yu realized he had investigated the general situation of Black City thoroughly. He was only awaiting the training of his troops before preparing to attack the city. However, before leaving the city, he had one more important matter to attend to: the wager. He still had a bet with the little devil and would have to search high and low to find the recording device.
"Heidou."
He glanced at the black cat on his shoulder. Without needing further words, Heidou raised a paw in a gesture of understanding and nudged his head towards the distance from his perch on Chen Yu's shoulder. Resource spirit pets were no match for its keen senses.
Seeing this, Chen Yu grinned. Just as he was about to set off, the sound of faint footsteps approached from afar. Despite his camouflage, Chen Yu instinctively ducked behind a building, squinting at the group of people hurrying past him. They were clearly led by the individual at the front, who wore a bamboo hat. The sleeves revealed hands that were pale, slender, and very thin. Especially when compared to the burly men following behind, the leader looked as frail as a chick. Yet, those burly men followed cautiously, not daring to breathe heavily.
After they had walked about ten meters, Chen Yu exclaimed, "Hiss! They look somewhat familiar?" He glanced at Heidou, who was nudging his head towards the people. "Heidou, do they look familiar?"
"They do seem a bit familiar," Heidou tilted its head. Just as Chen Yu was gazing at their retreating backs, the little devil's whisper reached his ears, "Don't try to go back on your word. Our bet is only for tonight. If the time runs out, you lose."
"Huh?!" Chen Yu's expression sharpened at her words. "When was a time limit set?"
"Do you expect me to wait for you forever?" the little devil retorted, her eyes wide. "If that were the case, you'd definitely win."
"Tch~" Chen Yu waved his hand. "Fine, let's just say I'm in a good mood and let you have this one. One night it is. When I find the recording device, you'll be the one crying."
"A few city defense devices? I don't care about them," the little devil pouted.
Tsk! Look at the way she spoke, as if she had plenty of resources to spare.
"Rich lady, I don't want to work hard anymore," Chen Yu plopped down on the ground, pouting. "When I was young, the doctor said I had a weak stomach and advised me to live off of others. You see, I'm in my prime, full of energy. How about..."
"Scram!"
"Right away!" Chen Yu sprang up with a flip of his body and lightly tapped the little devil on the head. "Don't cry later, okay~"
With a slight smile, Chen Yu strode confidently through the streets of Black City, as if no one else was there. The City Lord's treasury, here I come!
Not long after Chen Yu and his companions had left, the individual wearing the bamboo hat, who had brushed past them, suddenly stopped. They gently lifted the hat and glanced back at the spot where Chen Yu had been standing.
"City Lord!" A beastman hurried over from a distance.
The person in the bamboo hat frowned, withdrew their gaze, and glanced at the official beside them. "This is the manager of our gambling house," the official explained softly. Noticing the City Lord's frown, they quickly added, "The previous manager stole gambling funds and was executed. You weren't in the city at the time, so I promoted someone."
"He's your relative, isn't he?" The City Lord scoffed. The official didn't dare to speak and merely lowered their head further. The one kneeling on the ground trembled.
"I'm not interested in your relationships. All I care about is that you serve the city well," the City Lord said in a low voice. "Is the gambling house manager here?"
"Lead the way." The beastman, the gambling house manager, walked cautiously ahead. The City Lord, still wearing the bamboo hat, walked slowly, giving a lingering glance at the place Chen Yu had just occupied before departing. Unbeknownst to them, Chen Yu had already arrived in front of a storeroom.
"This is it?" Upon seeing the storeroom before him, Chen Yu couldn't help but feel a bit surprised. This storeroom? It was truly rudimentary. It resembled the city gate of the city-state, looking as if it were about to collapse. A wooden door, three meters high, seemed as though it would fall apart with a gust of wind.
"Are you sure this is the City Lord's treasury?" Chen Yu pressed. The scene before him was quite different from what he imagined a City Lord's treasury to be.
"It definitely is," Heidou on his shoulder declared confidently. "My senses are incredibly strong. This warehouse definitely contains good items, and quite a lot of them."
"Heh, such a simple storeroom. It looks like there's no recording device," the little devil said, crossing her arms with a smile. "You'll be the one crying."
Chen Yu poked her little head, though he felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach. It was too dilapidated. Not only that, but there were no guards. It hardly resembled a key treasury. If it were Chen Yu's treasury, he wouldn't consider it sufficient unless tens of thousands of people were protecting it with 24-hour patrols. A treasury, the embodiment of a city-state's wealth, shouldn't be so carelessly managed.
The little devil proudly lifted her head. She was now full of confidence, and even Chen Yu's slightly disrespectful actions didn't anger her much. Why? It was the magnanimity of a victor. Once everything settled, she would face Chen Yu with perfect composure and savor the glorious moment of victory. She had even planned what she would say.
Chen Yu, however, glanced at Heidou again. Seeing Heidou nod confidently, he finally let out a sigh. Charge! Since he was here, he couldn't leave empty-handed. Glancing to his sides, and confirming there were no guards, Chen Yu pushed the door open with a creak. He took out a torch he had prepared, and with a whoosh, illuminated the dark storeroom.
Instantly— "Woah!" Chen Yu's eyes widened as he stared intently at the dilapidated warehouse. He was stunned!