The moment Yun Jin personally accepted the gamble that concerned the fate of Ruichi and the future of the Dark Lanterns, Luo Qiwén left with the notary.
And I, too, began preparations for the gamble three days later, on October 7th...
As the saying goes: Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles.
To understand where Luo Qiwén's confidence came from, I started having Xianyu conduct a series of investigations into her in secret.
Fortunately, I made this incredibly wise decision, and the results of the investigation shocked me and shook my very core!
Based on the intelligence brought back by Xianyu, I deduced that Yun Jin's urgent visit to Uncle Tuo at this critical juncture, besides reminiscing, was most likely to invite Uncle Tuo out of retirement.
But unfortunately, she didn't know that Uncle Tuo already...
This trip, Yun Jin was destined to return empty-handed.
And after she returned, it was uncertain whether Ruichi would still be around!
Because this time, Luo Qiwén was not fighting alone; the boss of Red Sun Casino behind her, Yu Youwéi, had already pledged allegiance to the Ying family!
Nowadays, all the underground casinos in Wenzhou had undergone a complete upheaval!
Small establishments were shut down, and medium-sized ones were either swallowed up or merged. As for the largest casinos, they all belonged to the Ying family themselves!
If I'm not mistaken, the move against Ruichi was Ying Baolín's idea.
This Ying Baolín likely wanted to emulate Xiao Tianci of Longxi and unify all the underground casinos in Wenzhou!
Previously, Luo Qiwén's visit on behalf of Red Sun Casino was probably to test the depths of Ruichi's Dark Lanterns!
Now, after thoroughly understanding Ruichi's strength, Luo Qiwén likely wanted to play a trick of "borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha" before Ying Baolín made his public stance.
I have to admit, this woman's plan was... brilliant!
But what Luo Qiwén didn't know was that no matter what, I wouldn't let her succeed!
Until the news of the Thousand King Token was fully secured, I wouldn't let anyone touch Ruichi!
...
Three days later, on October 7th.
At 9:48 PM, Ruichi, first-floor gambling hall.
Fighting on home turf, I didn't choose to have anyone else help, but as always, I had them act as spectators.
I only called over Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun.
As for Xianyu and Xu Peiyu, I arranged for them to guard the car to deal with any unforeseen events.
About three minutes later.
Luo Qiwén, clad in a long red dress, led a middle-aged man wearing glasses and the notary I had seen before, the three of them walked in first.
Closely following them was a large group, the Dark Lanterns from Red Sun Casino.
The identity of the middle-aged man was unclear, but as for the notary, Xianyu had already helped me obtain his detailed information.
Gu Chunlai, the "Flowery Hand," a prominent figure in Wenzhou's Thousand Gate's blue path.
His presence as a notary was sufficient in terms of identity, status, and reputation.
I wasn't worried about Gu Chunlai favoring Luo Qiwén, but I was wondering who the middle-aged man who entered with them was...
Was he a helper sent by the Ying family to wait and support Luo Qiwén in secret?
If so, then tonight's game... would be difficult!
Because Luo Qiwén's own strength was already considerable, and anyone who could assist her would be at least at the same level.
Perhaps even a bit higher!
Since entering the hall, the middle-aged man with glasses hadn't spoken to anyone.
Even when Luo Qiwén and Gu Chunlai spoke to him, he seemed indifferent.
Of course, it wasn't his unfathomable demeanor that I feared.
It was that since entering, this guy had been constantly sizing me up and observing me with his eyes.
It was clear that the middle-aged man was someone who liked to study his potential opponents.
And if nothing unexpected happened, he should be a master of the Thousand Arts.
However, let him be strong!
Since my debut, apart from Yu Shuang, a top-tier gambler who had made a name for herself in the Macau Thousand King Competition, I hadn't truly competed against any other highly skilled gamblers.
I hadn't had the chance to use the signature moves taught to me by Uncle Tuo.
To be honest, I was quite looking forward to this glasses-wearing man.
Because only practical combat is the sole criterion for judging a gambler's skill!
...
Upon arrival, Luo Qiwén and the other two walked to a corner far from me and began to converse.
Due to the distance, I couldn't clearly hear what they were saying.
However, I could still discern some clues from their facial expressions and demeanor.
Throughout the conversation, the man with glasses remained silent.
And Gu Chunlai would nod occasionally, looking at the other two with a calm expression.
As for Luo Qiwén, her expression was consistently excited and animated, and she would frequently point towards me, chattering away.
After about five minutes of discussion, Luo Qiwén, along with Gu Chunlai and the man with glasses, walked up to me.
"Allow me to introduce Elder Gu Chunlai, the 'Flowery Hand,' the notary for tonight's gamble!"
"And my partner who will be competing in my stead tonight, Xiang Tianhua, the 'Golden Eyes Fiery Gaze.'"
Upon hearing this, my eyes slightly widened.
Luo Qiwén was also having someone compete for her?
And it was this Xiang Tianhua!?
After a moment of thought, I immediately understood her intentions.
If nothing unexpected happened, Luo Qiwén's side must have also had people secretly investigate me.
Although I hadn't participated in many gambles for Ruichi, the previous gamble with Duan Kun involving ten million chips must have already spread.
Luo Qiwén probably felt that she didn't have enough confidence to handle me, so she decisively put Xiang Tianhua forward.
It seemed that this "Golden Eyes Fiery Gaze" Xiang Tianhua was even stronger than Luo Qiwén!
Just as I reached this conclusion, I heard Gu Chunlai say calmly, "Gentlemen, if there are no further issues, then let us begin."
Hearing this, I nodded subtly.
As for Xiang Tianhua, he stood still, staring directly at me.
Suddenly, Xiang Tianhua looked at me and asked, "Young brother, may I know your name?"
"Chen Xiang," I replied calmly.
After a slight nod and a smile, Xiang Tianhua continued to ask, "May I know what you are most skilled at, young brother?"
The moment I heard this, I smiled: "If a gambler isn't skilled at poker, then he's a damn fool!"
I was certain this guy had ulterior motives.
He was probably waiting for me to say this.
Indeed, in the next second, Xiang Tianhua said, "What a coincidence! Poker is what I'm most skilled at too! How about this?"
"Since we both excel at poker, let's not do a best-of-three!"
"Let's decide the winner in one go! How about it?"