Under normal circumstances, the members of the Blackwater Gang wouldn't have cared at all.
What does it matter if they're looked down upon? What does face even mean?
Facing an almost certain loss, who would be willing to throw their money into it?
Gang honor? How could it be more important than silver?
But today, in front of the two leaders of the gang.
Paying up might not lead to anything.
Not paying up would definitely be remembered.
So, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and throw their hard-earned silver into the water.
However, this immediately caused their impression of Tang Wen to drop significantly.
Blaming him!
Tang Wen also knew that as a newcomer, being heavily relied upon right after joining would naturally invite jealousy.
Now, he was also causing everyone to lose money.
It would be strange if they didn't hold a grudge against him.
In this line of work, everyone's in it for the money.
He approached Wu Hao and asked in a voice neither too loud nor too soft, "Can I place a bet?"
"Confident?"
Tang Wen smiled, "Just playing around! We're all brothers in the gang, united as one. I can't be the one dragging everyone down, right? Here!"
As he spoke, he pulled out a stack of silver notes from the Four Seas Commerce Guild and stuffed them into Wu Hao's hand.
The latter counted them and his voice rose an octave, "Two thousand taels?!"
This number suddenly made the members of the Blackwater Gang feel a bit better.
No matter what, they weren't the most unfortunate ones.
The most unfortunate one was this Tang Wen.
If he loses, he'll also lose his money. How tragic!
Tang Wen waved his hand and turned to face Master Zhang, the Beast Tamer.
Master Zhang gave a forced smile and said, "I was going to go easy on you, but since you dared to bet two thousand taels, you must be very confident in your skills! I won't hold back then. In fact, I'll bet four thousand taels."
After saying this, he pulled out a thick stack of silver notes from his pocket.
The more you bet, the more you win.
"Old rules! Guess odd or even?"
The elder from the Boat Gang spoke up.
Vice Leader Zhao nodded.
Master Zhang immediately said, "I guess odd."
Under Tang Wen's slightly puzzled gaze, Elder Li and the elder from the Boat Gang each walked to the muddy ground behind them.
They pulled out a foxtail grass plant by the roots.
With a casual shake, the soil at the roots fell away, but the roots themselves remained completely unharmed.
The two elders had used a clever technique.
They openly displayed the roots of the foxtail grass in front of everyone.
Only then did Tang Wen understand.
So, guessing odd or even meant guessing whether the number of tiny rootlets on the two foxtail grass plants was odd or even.
It was a fair enough method.
"Odd. Master Zhang goes first."
Both elders judged simultaneously.
Elder Li shook his head. Tang Wen was now completely on edge. How could he not only lack strength but also have bad luck?
The Boat Gang members became even more smug.
Throughout the Blackwater Gang, there were sounds of people slapping their thighs in frustration.
"Hehe, I'm really sorry about this. Taking both the Mutated Beast and the money!"
Master Zhang slowly stretched and looked at Tang Wen with a mocking gaze, seven parts ridicule.
A kid who hasn't even grown all his hair yet, competing with me?
And that old man Li who only knows how to have kids, saying Tang Wen is young and has potential?
If potential mattered, go tell that to the Transcendent Beast!
See if it cares?
Master Zhang was good at everything, except he was petty and vindictive.
This guy, he's really arrogant.
Tang Wen looked at him calmly:
You should be thankful that the order of Mountain Chasing City saved you.
Otherwise, with you not even being a Martial Master, I'd slap you so hard you'd stick to the wall and couldn't be pulled off!
"I'll choose this little one."
Just a few dozen steps away from the iron cage holding the Water Sprite, Master Zhang leisurely rolled up his sleeves and called out.
His choice was within everyone's expectations.
The young male Water Sprite, after being caged for several days, had completely lost its edge.
Even its wildness had diminished somewhat.
Now was the perfect time to act.
Even an average Beast Tamer could tame it within a few hours by simply separating it from its parents.
Moreover, this Master Zhang was someone who claimed to be able to communicate with Transcendent Beasts and was on the verge of becoming a Beast Taming Master.
Tang Wen had an Elixir synthesized from Transcendent Beast Blood Marrow.
Could it be that Master Zhang didn't have one as well?
At the same time, it should be noted.
Although there were three Water Sprites, it wasn't a matter of choosing one out of three.
A pregnant female beast could not be tamed.
During pregnancy, they become highly sensitive and irritable to protect their offspring.
They rarely compromise with humans.
Thus, Tang Wen's only remaining choice was the most ferocious adult male Water Sprite!
Once both sides made their choices, the Boat Gang members were even more delighted:
"This morning, I heard magpies chirping, and sure enough, I'm about to make a small fortune!"
"Damn! You were the one who bet the most earlier. I calculated it—you're going to win hundreds of taels, and you call that a small fortune?"
"Hehe, I'll treat everyone to the Mandarin Duck Pavilion later!"
"Now that's more like it…"
In contrast, the Blackwater Gang members all looked as dark as their name.
They heard every word the Boat Gang members said.
Instantly, they cursed inwardly:
Those damn boatmen are going to spend our hard-earned money on brothels.
The more they thought about it, the more bitter they felt.
They looked at Tang Wen with complex expressions.
Hatred wasn't quite the right word.
After all, there was an eighty percent chance they'd still be working under Commander Wu alongside him in the future.
But secretly causing him trouble and watching him make a fool of himself? That was probably unavoidable.
Suddenly, Tang Wen moved.
With speed far beyond that of an ordinary Martial Practitioner, he took a few quick steps and arrived in front of the iron cage holding the male Water Sprite.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
The male Water Sprite was startled and suddenly stood up, gripping the iron cage and roaring.
Its mouth full of fangs, a foul stench filled the air, and its saliva splattered onto Tang Wen's shoes.
Those watching Tang Wen's actions were utterly baffled.
Master Zhang even laughed outright: "The first rule of Beast Taming is to lower the beast's guard. With what you're doing now, not only will you fail to tame it, but even if I were to step in, this male beast would likely remain untamed!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the scene fell silent.
An elder from the Boat Gang remarked, "Young people! Always too impulsive."
Tang Wen didn't respond, instead glancing at his information panel.
[Beast Taming Art, Expert (299/12000); Trait: Mental Soothing]
He immediately cast a [Mental Soothing] toward the Water Sprite.
The angry expression on the male Water Sprite's face suddenly froze.
Tang Wen took out an Elixir synthesized from Extraordinary Blood Essence while casting another Mental Soothing.
The anger in the Water Sprite's eyes completely dissipated, and it began to curiously examine Tang Wen.
Hmm, this two-legged creature's aura feels familiar.
The cork of the jade bottle was removed, and the Elixir released an even more enticing aroma.
Tang Wen continued to use Mental Soothing while softly coaxing the Water Sprite.
With his Expert-level Beast Taming Art, the Water Sprite didn't need to guess—it almost instantly understood Tang Wen's intentions.
At the same time, under the influence of Mental Soothing, it grew increasingly close to Tang Wen.
After about a quarter of an hour.
Under the astonished gazes of the onlookers, Tang Wen reached his hand into the cage.
The male Water Sprite raised its furry black hand and tentatively reached out to touch.
On the other side, Master Zhang, who had been closely watching Tang Wen, nearly had his eyes pop out of his head at the sight.
"Impossible, impossible! This can't be!"
Meanwhile, Tang Wen was also in a bit of an awkward position.
Because he had already established a connection with the male Water Sprite.
In other words, the effect of [Mental Soothing] was too good—the taming was already complete.
But this… was way too fast…