Flender had never expected that the ten thousand gold soul coins he had "borrowed" from the leader of the Axe Gang last night would be more than halfway gone in just a single day.
Fortunately, tonight he had only brought eight thousand gold soul coins with him. Otherwise, the dining standards at Shrek Academy's cafeteria would have reverted to their previous levels by tomorrow.
"Perhaps I should go borrow some from the Golden Blade Gang later?"
Flender couldn't help but secretly contemplate.
Suotuo City wasn't a small town—there were naturally more gangs than just the Axe Gang.
Moreover, the Axe Gang was a relatively new player among criminal organizations, lacking the financial depth of older gangs like the Golden Blade Gang. Perhaps they could lend him twenty thousand gold soul coins?
With this thought in mind, Flender felt a surge of motivation.
If he was motivated, action had to follow—after all, shiny little treasures wouldn't magically appear in his pocket.
"Alright, you four head back first. I've got something else to take care of."
Waving his hand dismissively, Flender turned and left the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena, preparing to embark on his next borrowing mission.
"What about you guys? Go back without me—I forgot to tell Principal something."
Glancing at Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun's eyes gleamed with excitement. After making up an excuse, he ran off in the direction Flender had gone.
Whether he actually intended to catch up with Flender was uncertain.
Coincidentally, the direction of the Black Horse Club in Suotuo City happened to align with where Flender had gone.
After Ma Hongjun left, Dai Mubai glanced at Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu, didn't say a word, and also departed from the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena.
"Brother, why do they all seem so busy?"
Xiao Wu asked Chu Chengzhou, puzzled.
"Who knows. Let's not worry about them—we can head back ourselves."
Perhaps Flender really did have something important to attend to. After all, as far as Chu Chengzhou knew, Flender, despite being a minotaur, was quite loyal in his affections. He had set his sights on Liu Erlong, whom he tirelessly pursued but could never win over. The likelihood of him having legitimate business was higher than him going out to fool around.
As for Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, there was no need to guess—they were probably off to "rescue" young ladies in Suotuo City.
Thirty minutes later, at the entrance of the Black Horse Club.
"Huh? Fatty, what are you doing here?"
Dai Mubai spotted Ma Hongjun lingering at the entrance, hesitating whether or not to go inside.
Though initially surprised, Dai Mubai's astonishment quickly turned to disdain. He knew exactly what kind of taste this deadbeat fatty had.
Patronizing brothels and "phoenixes" was one thing—but how could he afford to visit the highest-end establishment in Suotuo City, the Black Horse Club?
After all, the Black Horse Club had a minimum spend—even the lowest-tier young ladies charged ten gold soul coins!
And those ten gold soul coins were merely their "service fee," excluding drinks, room fees, and other miscellaneous expenses.
"If you can come, why can't I?"
Ma Hongjun, of course, noticed the disdain in Dai Mubai's eyes and immediately shot back.
"Do you even have that kind of money?"
Seeing Ma Hongjun dare to retort, Dai Mubai mocked him mercilessly.
Ma Hongjun wasn't like him. Besides the monthly subsidy of ten gold soul coins he received from the Spirit Hall as a low-level soul master, his only other source of income was likely the prize money he earned from winning battles in the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena.
With little income and frequent visits to brothels to find older sisters and younger aunties, Dai Mubai doubted Ma Hongjun had much savings.
"Don't look down on me. Who said I don't have money? Besides, isn't it you who's broke right now?"
Ma Hongjun hadn't forgotten that Dai Mubai's entire fortune had been robbed by Chu Chengzhou.
If they were comparing bank accounts, Ma Hongjun admitted he couldn't compete before, but now he believed he had more financial power than Dai Mubai.
"Hmph~ You still have a lot to learn!"
Dai Mubai sneered.
It was true that he had been cleaned out by Chu Chengzhou yesterday, but could that stop Lord Dai?
He was a three-ring Soul Elder—a trip to the Spirit Hall would net him a hundred gold soul coins!
In the past, he had been too lazy to collect the subsidies for low-level soul masters, but laziness didn't mean he wasn't entitled to them.
Moreover, he had once been a regular patron of the city's high-end establishments, with prepaid balances that could be refunded. Even after his losses, Dai Mubai was still the "Lord Dai" who made young ladies swoon!
Just then, a seductive young woman, exuding an irresistible charm but dressed in slightly tattered clothing, walked down the street.
"Huh? Young Master Dai?"
Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she recognized Dai Mubai.
"Is that… Xiao Yun?"
After a moment of thought, Dai Mubai recognized this former top-ranking courtesan who had once served him.
"Mm-hmm, thank you for remembering me, Young Master Dai! The night is long—how about I keep you company tonight?"
The courtesan stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Dai Mubai's arm and speaking in a sultry tone.
As for Ma Hongjun standing nearby?
One glance at his attire told her he wasn't a wealthy customer.
Even if both offered the same "service fee," she would choose her former patron without hesitation.
After all, Young Master Dai was not only handsome but also provided an exceptional experience during transactions!
"This…"
Dai Mubai hesitated. Xiao Yun was the top courtesan at the Black Horse Club, and even without additional tips, her service fee alone was a thousand gold soul coins.
In the past, he wouldn't have batted an eye at such a sum, but times had changed. After being robbed by Chu Chengzhou, his savings had drastically dwindled, and he needed to be more frugal.
However, when Dai Mubai glanced at Ma Hongjun, who was leering lustfully at Xiao Yun, his hesitation vanished instantly.
A thousand gold soul coins? So be it! Just to spite this deadbeat fatty, I'll take her!
"Alright, it's settled!"
Dai Mubai wrapped his arm around the courtesan's waist and headed toward the Black Horse Club.
But just as they were about to enter, Dai Mubai turned back to Ma Hongjun and said, "Fatty, learn from this!"
As he spoke, he didn't forget to give the courtesan's shapely behind a playful pat.
"Oh~ Young Master Dai, you're so naughty!"
Though she protested verbally, the courtesan pressed herself closer to Dai Mubai's embrace.
"Naughty? There's more where that came from!"
The two laughed and entered the Black Horse Club together.
At the entrance, Ma Hongjun was absolutely livid. Especially that parting remark—"Learn from this!" It felt like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into his heart.
"Hmph~ Thirty years east, thirty years west, don't underestimate a poor youth! One day, you'll regret underestimating me, Dai Sick Tiger!"
Cursing under his breath, Ma Hongjun entered the Black Horse Club.
Since he had already come this far, how could he not experience what the so-called highest-end establishment in Suotuo City had to offer?
Even if he couldn't afford the top courtesans, surely he could settle for an ordinary young lady, right?
Surely even an ordinary young lady here would be far superior to the older sisters and younger aunties from the lower-end brothels.
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