Chapter One: The Last Coin

The coin in Zhou Lin's palm suddenly grew hot. Tiny words appeared on its surface, visible only to him. [Available wager: Will Zhao Biao place all his chips beneath his cup?] [Correct: seize one advantage from the target. Incorrect: lose what you treasure most.] [Declare collateral.] Zhou Lin nearly threw it away. What did he treasure most? His mother's album? The hope of finding her? Or the last dignity the Zhou family had not crushed? Biao's threat seemed aimed at the boy, but its real purpose was to convince everyone he would wager everything again. Yet he already led the table. A man who ruled through fear did not need to prove courage with money. He preferred watching others avoid his cup.