Chapter 26: The Duel with the Serpent

The snake gambling match began on the third day. The procedure was straightforward: first, the owner of a snake would set a base stake—for instance, if he declared a base of one hundred thousand yuan, the challenger would have to put up an equal amount on the table. These two hundred thousand yuan formed the private wager between the two snake owners; the outcome was strictly their concern. Afterward, the betting house would announce the odds, and everyone present could place their bets.

The man in sunglasses, known as Boss Three, whom Boss Hong had brought along, was the one opening the odds. They were a specialized organization, highly professional, and infamous in Guangdong’s underground gambling circles. Le’er could see that Boss Hong had clearly partnered with Boss Three’s syndicate to host this gambling event.

Boss Hong was glowing with pride, for Le’er’s little snake, Jin’er, had brought him considerable honor. The previous day, in a showcase of snakes, there had been a “New Snake King” competition, judged by snake experts based on novelty, rarity, and venom, with both domestic and foreign official institutions participating. Every expert, whether Chinese or foreign, had awarded Le’er’s little snake full marks.

Photographs of little Jin’er spread swiftly to foreign media outlets; many major newspapers published its image, introducing it as a newly discovered species and naming it the Golden Crown King Snake, hailing it as a spirit of nature.

Jiahao Company’s reputation soared overnight. Foreign enterprises related to snakes approached Boss Hong, expressing their desire to collaborate. The resulting sensation brought far greater benefits than a million-yuan advertising campaign ever could. Boss Hong also secured from Le’er the naming rights to use “Golden Crown King Snake” and “Golden Crown Snake” as product trademarks.

Boss Hong was the very image of a successful entrepreneur. He had risen from humble rural beginnings to become the celebrated head of a business integrating snake breeding and advanced snake product processing, thanks to his sharp mind and unique vision. Though it seemed he had invested heavily in Le’er, he was, in truth, the biggest winner.

When the snake gambling commenced, the experts and officials had already departed, but those eager to participate in the betting flooded in, their numbers growing by the minute until nearly five hundred spectators filled the stands.

Most of those betting were not snake breeders themselves; some were genuine gamblers, while others were wealthy invitees who cared little for money and sought only the thrill.

The first match featured rather unremarkable snakes, with the minimum base stake set at fifty thousand yuan, starting with a snake at this level. A cobra was first introduced into the large fighting cage, which spanned fifteen square meters and stood two and a half meters tall. The cobra, representing the base stake, was placed inside a small iron cage within the larger one, waiting for its challenger.

Both snake owners had to agree for the match to proceed. Soon enough, another cobra of similar caliber entered the cage. The host introduced the characteristics and fighting history of the two snakes—both newcomers, with no prior gambling matches, and of similar size. Without the numbered tags—One and Two—on their bodies, it would have been impossible to tell which snake belonged to whom. The organizers set the odds at one to one, and the crowd placed their bets in small groups. Since the snakes’ abilities were undistinguished, the stakes remained modest, with no bet exceeding ten thousand yuan. The total betting pool barely reached two hundred thousand, and the spread amounted to just over fifty thousand. The signal was given, and the two snakes began their duel.

Though the betting pool was small, the enthusiasm was high. Those who had wagered shouted wildly, and even some who hadn’t joined in the uproar. The two snakes battled fiercely amid the din. With their strengths evenly matched, the fight was all the more riveting. There was no finesse or training to their combat; they simply coiled and bit with savage intensity.

Before long, both snakes bore bloody marks. Their entwined bodies finally separated, revealing Number Two exhausted and retreating to a corner, unable to rise, while Number One, though equally spent, still held its head high, flicking its red tongue.

Number One was declared the winner. Victors cheered loudly, while the losers hung their heads in dejection.

The next contender was an African Egyptian cobra, with a base stake of two hundred thousand yuan. The Egyptian cobra was also a ferocious species; it entered the fighting cage, hissing and baring its fangs, clearly a trained fighter. The host described its attributes and combat experience. It, too, was a newcomer, with no prior gambling record.

Those unfamiliar with snake breeding regarded foreign snakes with awe, believing African snakes to be especially formidable. Their gazes burned with excitement, but when no challenger appeared for some time and the organizers were about to withdraw the snake, a lazy voice rang out.

“Let my snake try.”

The speaker was a small-time breeder from Guizhou. His snake was swiftly brought out—a native cobra, commonly called a “rice paddle head” for its shovel-shaped head. This local cobra was slightly smaller than the Egyptian one, but no less spirited; as soon as it entered the cage, it raised its head, flicked its tongue, and hissed at its foreign counterpart.

The host briefly outlined the features of the native cobra, noting it, too, had never participated in gambling matches before and had no record.

With both owners agreeing, the odds were set again at one to one. Most of the betting favored the Egyptian cobra, while the Guizhou breeder sat serenely, eyes closed, seemingly unconcerned. Whether he was confident or not was anyone’s guess. However, a diminutive man at his side placed an additional one hundred thousand yuan bet.

This time, the betting spread neared three hundred thousand. If the Egyptian cobra won, the house would lose about three hundred thousand; if not, they stood to gain over five hundred thousand. Boss Hong had yet to make an appearance, obviously orchestrating events from behind the scenes. At his side, a five-member team of snake fighting authorities observed and analyzed every move.

Odds were never set arbitrarily; careful study always preceded the decision.

Sha Le’er did not watch the matches in person; instead, he sat with his little snake Jin’er in a room equipped with closed-circuit television, observing the contest in solitude. Jin’er would occasionally glance at the television, showing little interest, usually curled around his shoulder, head tucked against his body, but from time to time lifting his head to flick his tongue affectionately at Le’er’s cheek. Le’er, however, was exhilarated, convinced the fierce Egyptian cobra had a much greater chance of victory over the local snake.

At first glance, the native cobra seemed unimpressive, but several snake-fighting experts did not underestimate it. Sure enough, when the black Egyptian cobra launched a ferocious attack, the native cobra moved swiftly, cleverly avoiding entanglement, and took advantage of every opportunity to strike back with precision. Its attacks against the Egyptian cobra were highly effective.

The Egyptian cobra was savage, irritable, and possessed tremendous offensive power, but its accuracy was lacking. The native cobra was bitten a few times, but the Egyptian cobra’s wounds were far more numerous. Gradually, the Egyptian cobra’s movements slowed, its attacks weakening, until the native cobra seized the moment and bit down hard on its vital spot.

Those who had bet on the Egyptian cobra were dumbfounded. Before long, their champion lay lifeless on the ground, while the native cobra held its head high in victory.

Le’er was astonished, pride swelling as he looked at his own little snake.

“Hmph, if it were up against my Jin’er, both would perish.”

The Guizhou breeder walked away with three hundred thousand yuan, and the gambling house profited by over three hundred thousand as well. Even fiercer matches were yet to come—the next contestant was a vicious Black Tiger Snake.

Ranked fifth among the world’s deadliest snakes, the Black Tiger Snake had a base stake of only three hundred thousand yuan.