The moment the fifty-two bee playing cards scattered into the air, I, already poised, executed "Embracing the Moon with the Left Hand, Plucking the Stars with the Right!"
Embracing the nine heavens' new moon! Plucking the myriad stars across the sky!
To win, to protect Ruichi, this was the first time I risked exposing myself.
Years ago, Uncle Tuo said I was naturally suited for the life of a cheat because he discovered I had no dominant hand.
This move, "Plucking Stars and Embracing Moon," executed with both hands, was taught to me by Uncle Tuo later.
This is also why, when I practiced "Plucking Stars" or "Embracing Moon" separately, I felt unaccustomed and uncomfortable.
It's because I learned them as a dual-handed technique; using only one would feel inexplicably awkward.
Of course, I have a few other hidden tricks up my sleeve.
However, compared to the dual-handed approach, my other tricks might not be as suitable for this particular gambling match.
If the situation weren't so uncertain, I wouldn't have revealed this secret for anything.
The premise of hiding one's skills is the ability to guarantee a win.
In a situation like this, I can assure you that as long as Gu Chunlai is still the one shuffling, even Uncle Tuo couldn't guarantee a win.
Therefore, when the time is right, strike!
However, to avoid being too obvious, I deliberately used my left hand for "Embracing the Moon."
To those who don't understand, my left-hand movements would appear to be an attempt to snatch cards.
Perhaps it was my luck, but as I simultaneously used both hands, Xiang Tianhua, as if we had pre-arranged it, also used both hands, repeatedly snatching at the falling cards!
However, that scoundrel's non-dominant hand was extended to cause trouble and disruption!
In the blink of an eye, Xiang Tianhua used his non-dominant left hand to knock several cards flying.
Among them was a conspicuous Ace of Hearts!
What a jerk! Clearly up to no good!
Fortunately, I had decisively abandoned those flashy techniques and, risking exposure of my left hand, executed a continuous "Plucking Stars and Embracing Moon."
Otherwise, I might have been swept into the gutter by his left hand, acting as a troublemaker.
...
In less than five seconds, Xiang Tianhua and I simultaneously withdrew our hands.
Xiang Tianhua's left hand held one card, his right hand held four.
As for me, it was two in the left and three in the right.
With Xiang Tianhua acting in sync with me, the faces of the onlookers showed no unusual expressions.
It seemed no one noticed the abnormality of my left hand.
After stopping, I pressed my cards firmly onto the table.
As for Xiang Tianhua, he grinned and revealed his cards.
Ace of Spades, King of Spades, Jack of Diamonds, Nine of Clubs, Six of Hearts.
Although they were mixed cards, they started with the Ace of Spades.
If I didn't have a pair or better, I would lose this round for sure!
This scene immediately elicited gasps from the surrounding crowd.
It was clear that Xiang Tianhua's previous strategy was to lock onto the Ace and King of Spades, and then disrupt my rhythm when I made my move.
Even Xiang Tianhua, known for his sharp eyes, could only lock onto the sequence of two cards. This showed how difficult it was to recognize and remember cards under Gu Chunlai's professional blending of clean and dirty shuffling techniques!
Forget about a Royal Flush; getting a pair would be considered sharp-eyed!
The onlookers were all professionals in this field, and each of them knew how difficult it was to draw a pair.
I had to admit, Xiang Tianhua's strategy was successful, but it was also shamelessly successful!
After revealing his cards, he looked at me with a triumphant smile.
Compared to Xiang Tianhua's confident victory, the "dark lights" on Ruichi's side looked at me with worried expressions.
Of course, Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun were exceptions.
From beginning to end, these two acted as if it had nothing to do with them, either because they trusted me too much or were simply not interested.
Only the notary, Gu Chunlai, showed a hint of confusion as he scanned the cards in front of me and those scattered on the table.
Seeing that I hadn't revealed my cards, Xiang Tianhua grinned and asked, "Little brother, why aren't you revealing your cards yet?"
To be honest, the purpose of Luo Qiven inviting a renowned master like Gu Chunlai as a notary was to ensure the gambling match was fair, just, and open.
To win honorably.
To lose with integrity.
But Xiang Tianhua was truly overdoing it with his pretense.
Before sitting at the table, he acted reserved, feigning depth and mastery.
During the gamble, he wanted to win and also resort to dirty tricks to disrupt others; he was utterly hypocritical.
There is an unwritten rule in the Thousand Gate Blue Path.
In any gambling match witnessed by a notary, participants are forbidden from cheating or resorting to trickery. Everything is decided by the skill of the thousand arts!
Xiang Tianhua's actions were essentially cheating and could have resulted in a disqualification.
However, this would only be effective if the notary called it out and caught him red-handed.
But clearly, Gu Chunlai had forgotten to mention this, so he remained silent.
Therefore, I decided to personally teach Xiang Tianhua, this hypocrite who wanted it both ways, a profound and unforgettable lesson!
Seeing my silence, Xiang Tianhua smirked and said, "Little brother, if you're too afraid to reveal your cards, I'll assume you're ready to concede!"
Hearing this, I immediately laughed.
"Heh heh! Concede? Why would I concede?"
"Because it's a more dignified way to lose," Xiang Tianhua replied with utmost confidence.
"No! I won't lose!"
Shaking my head, I said in a deep voice, "I never intended to concede! On the contrary, I plan to... raise the stakes!"
"You? Raise the stakes? Hahahahahahaha~"
As if hearing a hilarious joke, Xiang Tianhua burst into laughter.
Seeing this, I feigned anger and asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Without directly answering my question, Xiang Tianhua said generously, "You can raise the stakes! What do you want to add? I accept!"
Before I could speak, Luo Qiven quickly intervened, "No! You absolutely cannot act rashly at this juncture!"
Hearing this, Xiang Tianhua's expression immediately soured.
Looking at Luo Qiven, Xiang Tianhua asked coldly, "What!? Don't you trust me?"
"No!"
Luo Qiven quickly shook her head and replied, "It's not that I don't trust you, but I don't want any unforeseen complications!"
"Unless you raise the stakes in your personal capacity and continue the bet with the opponent, I will not agree!"
"Boss Yu already said before we came that I am in charge of everything today!"
From the moment Luo Qiven stepped forward to stop Xiang Tianhua, I stood aside and watched them.
However, I had to praise Luo Qiven... you really chose the perfect moment to step in!