VESSEL - Extinction Countdown 925: Destiny's Gambler

As they returned to the first-floor lounge, something felt off.

Seated at the head of the hall was a young man, no more than eighteen or nineteen, with Uncle Ma, the steward, attending to him personally.

By all rights, Uncle Ma served only Lu Zhengwu, and would never wait on anyone else unless the guest was of exceptional importance. But this youth, plainly dressed and so young—who could he possibly be?

As the group entered, the youth spotted Ye Shisan. He immediately rose to his feet, nodded politely, and said with courtesy:

“Mr. Ye, I’ve long admired your reputation! My surname is Hua, and my given name is simply Jian. I’ve come especially to pay my respects.”

Hua Jian?

Ye Shisan sized him up. Tall—almost nose-level. That height at his age screamed daily training.

Ye Shisan offered a handshake. Surprisingly, the youth’s grip was rough with calluses, calloused beyond his years. “Hello, do we know each other?”

Hua grinned. “We do now, don’t we?”

“So, what’s this about?”

“I came to discuss a business matter with you, Mr. Ye. Please, have a seat—let’s talk in detail.”

Hua Jian took two steps forward and, with natural ease, gestured for Ye Shisan to take the seat of honor. Though young, he clearly valued proper etiquette.

Ye Shisan didn’t care much for formalities. Since the kid was polite, he plopped down casually.

As Ye shifted aside, Hua Jian caught sight of Yi Qing and Fang Ling Ling behind him. A flicker of astonishment flashed in his eyes. He’d seen countless beauties in his time, but these two possessed a rare, unmistakable aura that set them apart.

No wonder there—even the women around him were breathtaking!

“Hua Jian. Just get to the point,” his words were calm but direct.

Ye Shisan’s bluntness made the two black-clad bodyguards twitch, but a glance from Hua Jian silenced them.

Nobody—save perhaps his parents—had ever dared to call Hua Jian by name. Ye Shisan was the first.

Ordinarily, anyone foolish enough to do so would end up sealed in concrete and sunk into a river or lake—never to speak again.

But Ye Shisan was the exception. He was Hua Jian’s lifeline.

“Mr. Ye, I came today to ask a favor of you. It may be a small matter to you, but to me, it’s a matter of life and death.”

“Kid, I’m just a regular nobody. Perhaps you’ve mistaken me for someone else?”

Hua Jian chuckled. “No, I’m quite certain I haven’t. Wasn’t it just over a year ago that you were discharged from the hospital? Then invited to Dragon Gate Inn? And didn’t you go wild at Snowy Flesh Mash Inn?”

This guy even knew about the rampage incident at Snowy Flesh Mash?

Yi Qing rose to her feet. “You’ve been tracking us?!”

Hua Jian merely smiled, unfazed by her anger. “Please don’t misunderstand, Officer Yi. I’d never stoop to something like that. I just pay for answers—and trust me, money talks.”

Uncle Ma suddenly cut in. “Please excuse me, everyone. I think it’s best the Lu family stays out of this. Young Miss, please return to your room.”

Though Hua Jian was an honored guest, and it was improper for a steward to interrupt. But the more Uncle Ma listened, the more it felt wrong. If the conversation continued, the Lu family might be dragged into something they had no business being part of. Better to risk a breach of etiquette than to overhear things best left unheard.

As the Lu family’s steward, Uncle Ma was usually smooth and discreet— but this time, he had no choice but to take a risk.

But to everyone’s surprise, Fang Ling didn’t hold back. “Uncle Ma, Brother Ye just saved Uncle’s life. He risked everything for us. If we ditch him now, it’s betrayal. I’m not be Lu blood, but I know we don’t backstab friends!”

Her words struck everyone like a jolt, especially Uncle Ma, who now looked at Fang Ling with a strange, unreadable expression.

Uncle Ma was well aware of Fang Ling’s “particular condition,” and had always treaded carefully in maintaining their servant-master relationship. To him, Fang Ling was exceptionally intelligent, but shy and timid— never once showing a trace of masculine assertiveness.

Yet now, speaking out in defense of Ye Shisan, she revealed a boldness that lay hidden beneath her delicate appearance. In that moment, her feminine strength shone through— graceful, resolute, and unmistakably radiant.

Hua Jian gave a gentle round of applause. “Brava, Sister Fang! I heard the Lu family had a genius lady. Now I see you possess not only brilliance, but the spirit of a true heroine! Calling you sister’s no exaggeration!” Then he turned to Ye Thirteen. “So, Mr. Ye, ever heard of the Hua clan of Central Plains?”

Ye Shisan shook his head. “I’ve only been back to normal life for about a year. Still catching up with the world.”

Hua nodded. “Thought so. Let me put it this way, Mr. Ye. The city of Yingtian, where you reside, has a population of roughly 8.5 million—roughly the size of a small European nation. Its annual GDP is about 1.2 trillion yuan.”

“The Hua Clan of the Central Plains controls assets equivalent to ten years’ worth of Yingtian’s GDP— that’s 12 trillion yuan. If that number feels abstract, picture a vault with 45,000 tons of gold. And for reference, humanity has only ever mined about 170,000 tons of gold in total.”

“So, as I said— such immense wealth is both a sword and a thorn. It all depends on who holds it. To the one in control, it’s a sharp blade. To the one cast aside, it’s a needle pressing into the spine.”

He paused, then continued: “The problem I face now is that my father, head of the Hua clan, is currently unconscious. By traditional law, I should take over. But I’m just a bastard son, a name without substance. Too many people stand ahead of me.”

Ye Shisan was starting to get it. This was classic aristocratic infighting. But… what did any of this have to do with him?

Hua Jian read his doubt. “Mr. Ye, our clan has a tradition. if the patriarch can’t fulfill his duties and no heir is named, then within ten months, a clan-wide martial contest is held. And the strongest takes the seat.”

Just as Ye Shisan was about to speak, Hua Jian’s calloused hand clamped his arm—slow, but heavy. Ye Shisan didn’t react in time—his arm was already pinned.

“Mr. Ye, don’t rush to say no. Hear my offer firse. If you help me claim the patriarch’s seat—regardless of the outcome, I’ll eliminate the Pang Family in this town, Hong Gang’s national bounty, Dragon Gate’s global kill order, and every single person who knows you, remembers you, or plans to come after you.”

“Mr. Ye, from what I know about you, wealth and status are nothing but burdens. What you truly seek is a quiet, peaceful life. That wish—I, Hua Jian, can grant you.”

As his words landed. For the first time, Ye Shisan fell silent.

Intriguing! Every word Hua Jian said hit Ye Shisan right where it mattered. Hadn’t he longed for a quiet, uneventful life?

No talk of money, no promises of love, none of the worldly desires that others so often chase. Ye Shisan had met a kid betting his future!

This Hua Jian was no ordinary player.