Jiang Xiaowan's words surprised me greatly, while also revealing two crucial pieces of information.
First, Hao Qi.
As one of Ying Baolin's twelve dark lanterns responsible for conquering strongholds, his absence from such a critical and important sweep mission suggested that the trap I had previously set for him... had he fallen into it?
Second, I had a rough idea of how Ying Baolin had unified and reclaimed those underground casinos.
Domination!
Using the twelve dark lanterns under his command for pure power-based suppression!
For ordinary small casinos, even if they fielded all their visible and hidden lanterns, or even their lantern holders, they might not be able to withstand any single one of the twelve dark lanterns!
Take Luo Qiweng, Hao Qi, and Xiang Tianhua, the three I had clashed with. Were they not all figures capable of handling things independently?
Although Xiang Tianhua's strength was slightly inferior among them, he was still a level above the cheaters outside.
If any one of them were unleashed to play their most proficient game, and if they bet with increasing multipliers after a streak of wins, the casino would be ruined within ten rounds!
When a casino lost all its money, it wouldn't be far from closing its doors...
Next, Ying Baolin would only need to appear at the right time, and reclaiming the casinos would be a piece of cake, something he could accomplish in minutes!
Brilliant! Truly brilliant!
I had been guessing if Ying Baolin hadn't called me because he wanted me to do something related to Yun Jin.
Unexpectedly, my guess was indeed correct!
However, there was one thing I hadn't anticipated: that Ying Baolin would have me sweep Yun Jin's casino in such a manner.
...
As my thoughts raced, Jiang Xiaowan had already finished her makeup and was dressed as my companion, gesturing for me to follow her.
It seemed that Ying Baolin's earlier statement about my every move being monitored referred to Jiang Xiaowan.
To be honest, even if he hadn't sent someone to monitor me, I wouldn't have tipped off Yun Jin.
Because this woman was too calculating, so much so that I had almost risked my life to protect her establishment, yet I still couldn't earn her trust.
About half an hour later,
Jiang Xiaowan, with her graceful figure transformed into that of a mature woman, linked her arm with mine as we entered Ruichi.
Although to outsiders we appeared very intimate, there was no communication or exchange between us on the way from the dance hall to Ruichi.
This was because we were both on a mission.
However, I was the executor, and she was the supervisor of this executor.
Upon entering, our attire as high-society individuals immediately drew the attention of most people in the casino.
Logically speaking, cheaters should be low-key.
But tonight, I was here with the mission to sweep the place, and no matter how low-key I tried to be, it would ultimately draw everyone's gaze.
Therefore, instead of sneaking around, it was better to be open and aboveboard.
Taking out my bank card from my bag, I exchanged it for a full ten thousand yuan in chips at the counter, and then Jiang Xiaowan and I slowly made our way towards a twenty-one blackjack table that had the most gamblers gathered around it.
The moment our combination of a golden couple appeared, it instantly attracted the intense attention of all the gamblers at the table, and even the dealer.
Perhaps it was a wake-up call for Ruichi due to the previous incident with Luo Qiweng, or perhaps Jiang Xiaowan and I were simply too conspicuous.
Not long after we sat down, before we even had a chance to place a bet, Li Sheng appeared at the dealer's position.
Clearly, he must have been called by the dealer responsible for this table.
Such a high-profile entrance either meant a pure sucker was here to lose money, or it was a deliberate attempt to attract attention with the intention of causing trouble.
Anyone with eyes could see that Jiang Xiaowan and I were not suckers.
I have to admit, Li Sheng, without drinking, is quite intimidating.
The moment he stood still, he stared intently at Jiang Xiaowan and me, his expression and demeanor extremely serious.
I knew this was a tactic Li Sheng favored – intimidating people with his presence!
It was similar to how security guards were always chosen to be fierce-looking.
While it might not work on cheaters, it was quite effective in scaring ordinary gamblers.
However, Li Sheng's tactic was useless against me.
I immediately placed the maximum bet of ten thousand yuan.
Seeing this, Li Sheng was first slightly taken aback, and then a barely perceptible hint of mockery appeared in his eyes.
Witnessing this, I couldn't help but sigh inwardly, Li Sheng! Has your old habit resurfaced?
Before we even started, seeing me place the maximum bet, did you instinctively assume I was a sucker you could easily fleece?
Of course, it's not entirely Li Sheng's fault for misjudging.
In the eyes of ordinary dark lanterns, regardless of what they were gambling on, someone who brought a female companion and immediately placed the maximum bet was likely not a cheater, but a sucker trying to impress a girl.
Li Sheng, I hope you can hold your ground later and still be able to mock me...
...
After shuffling the cards, Li Sheng looked around and asked if anyone else wanted to bet.
When playing cards in a casino, as long as the dealer hasn't said "Place your bets," gamblers are free to bet, even if the cards have already been shuffled.
Seeing that no one else was betting, Li Sheng began dealing cards to the gamblers, including myself, one by one.
When the card was dealt to me, my face-up card was a face card, a Queen.
As for Li Sheng's, it was a 7.
Immediately after, Li Sheng began dealing the second card.
The moment I received and revealed my card, I used my skill to switch the original 3 for an 8.
I used the sleeve sword technique.
The entire process, from the moment the card was flipped to being revealed, took no more than a second.
It was smooth, seamless, and natural.
Since Li Sheng considered me a fool trying to show off and pick up girls, I might as well play along with him for now.
Let's reveal an 18 and see how he responds.
Without paying attention to the other gamblers, Li Sheng focused all his attention on me.
When he saw that I had 18 points, he revealed his second card.
A single 9, combined with the single 7, made a total of 16 points.
According to the rules of blackjack, the dealer must draw another card if their total is less than 17.
Before these cards were dealt, Li Sheng had already tampered with the shuffling machine in secret.
Because of my maximum bet in this round, the 16 points he dealt was intended to take me down.
After all the cards were revealed, Li Sheng placed his hand behind the card rack, preparing to draw a card from the hidden compartment.
Casino card racks have two outlets for dealing cards, an upper one for dealing and for players to draw additional cards, and a lower, invisible outlet where small cards like A, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are kept.
There would be no cards above 5 points stored there, as dealers mostly stopped at a hard 17 and rarely drew on a soft 17.
[PS: The terms "hard" and "soft" 17 points are not elaborated here; those who don't understand can search on their own.]
Just as Li Sheng reached for the lower hidden outlet to draw a card...