Night falls exceptionally early in Beidahuang. Dragging his bad leg, Lame Zhou, accompanied by his crony Zhang Mazi, took advantage of the cover of night and sneaked stealthily into Beidahuang.
Both of these men were notorious troublemakers in the village, birds of a feather flocking together, and anyone who saw them would furrow their brows. Lame Zhou knew full well that his mounting gambling debts were like a massive mountain he could never repay, so he had long since entertained the idea of running away. But the moment he showed his face, he was caught red-handed by a lackey whom Scarface had left behind to keep watch. He received a severe beating and was warned that if he ever dared to run off again, he would be in deep trouble.
Just as he was looking battered and bruised, he ran into Zhang Mazi, who had likewise been cast out for gambling debts. Although Zhang Mazi was cut from the same cloth as Lame Zhou, his ruthlessness far surpassed Lame Zhou's. He had no ties to anyone—not even an old mother—and had even engaged in the wicked business of human trafficking. Now, with not a penny to his name and a mountain of debt owed to an underground casino, he was itching to return to his old ways. After hearing Lame Zhou's plan, Zhang Mazi weighed the options and agreed. Taking advantage of the night, the two men sneaked into Kaoshantun.
Chapter 47