To be honest, the Tiandu Casino is the toughest establishment I've encountered since I started my career, bar none!
I say this not to inflate my own ego in the aftermath of escaping danger, but because the people inside are genuinely formidable.
Especially in the "Immortal Gathering" game. If I hadn't kept my true capabilities hidden beforehand, preventing Da Fei and his crew from acting rashly, and if they hadn't followed Wang Mingxuan's advice...
It's hard to say whether the outcome of that round would have been in my favor.
After all, I had the upper hand this time. Not only did Leng Meng disguise me, but I also managed to conceal even the slightest hint of my techniques before the Twelve Dark Lanterns even made their appearance.
Even so, with Tiandu's elite forces not yet fully deployed, I ultimately failed to achieve my objective. Instead, Yu Shuang became alerted prematurely.
Backed by the divine presence of Ying Baolin, the Tiandu Casino is incredibly wealthy and has eyes and ears everywhere.
This time, I couldn't successfully take Yu Shuang away. Even if Leng Meng disguises me again, as long as I win money in the establishment, they will undoubtedly take corresponding precautions beforehand.
At that point, the possibility of single-handedly sweeping through the Twelve Dark Lanterns and then directly confronting Yu Shuang... would be slim to none.
And most importantly, Hao Qi, my hidden card, has also been played.
At this stage, although Hao Qi is cooperating with me under the threat of photos and videos, given Yu Shuang's personality, she will definitely investigate the sudden power outage tonight thoroughly.
By then, Hao Qi's identity as an inside mole will undoubtedly be exposed.
And he will most likely choose to betray me without hesitation to save himself.
"If a man doesn't look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him!"
These eight words are an eternal and unchanging truth.
When I took people to catch Hao Qi in the act, even though Leng Meng had disguised me beforehand, the call records are undeniable.
Yu Shuang is very familiar with my phone number.
Once Hao Qi's mole identity is exposed, even if he claims ignorance, a flip through his phone will reveal everything.
Therefore, I must find a way to truly extricate myself from this chaotic situation as quickly as possible...
After careful consideration, I decided to first test Hao Qi's attitude and see if he wanted to leave or stay.
With this thought, I directly called Hao Qi.
Before I could even speak, I heard Hao Qi on the other end say, "Don't think about making me do anything else for you. I've already fled!"
Upon hearing this, an uncontrollable flicker of joy crossed my eyes, but I still asked in a tone of dissatisfaction, "I haven't finished what I wanted to do. Why are you running away?"
Hao Qi replied furiously, "Do you think I'm an idiot? Hiding the fact that you pulled the circuit breaker can only last for a while, not forever!"
"As soon as someone checks the surveillance footage later, I'll be the first to be exposed."
"Damn it! Why are you making me run away with you? Isn't it good enough to let you win money by going easy? Now I have to run away too!"
"If I stupidly stay here, even if you give me the photos and videos, I'll still end up in a terrible situation!"
It seems that without Qin Manli by his side, Hao Qi's intelligence is back online.
Since he took the initiative to suggest leaving, I naturally wouldn't stop him.
It's not easy to catch a seasoned cheat who is trying to flee.
After hanging up the phone and resolving the biggest immediate problem, I began to devise follow-up plans targeting Tiandu and Yu Shuang...
Before long, I came up with an idea.
Regarding Ying Baolin's invitation, I have three days to consider. Tomorrow is the last day.
Given the major upheaval at the Tiandu Casino, it's impossible for Yu Shuang to keep Ying Baolin in the dark. He will definitely inquire personally.
Moreover, and most importantly, one of the Twelve Dark Lanterns is now missing!
At this critical juncture, if I were to accept Ying Baolin's invitation and work under him...
There's a good chance I could directly take Hao Qi's place!
If that happens, I'll have a legitimate reason to approach Yu Shuang...
As for why I have this confidence, the reason is simple.
Quality over quantity.
Ying Baolin likely already has some understanding of my abilities through Luo Qiweng and others.
Especially the scene where I disguised myself and took on the entire Rui Chi alone that night must have left a deep impression on him.
Hao Qi is not weak. As one of Ying Baolin's Twelve Dark Lanterns, his position is indispensable.
Regardless of whether Ying Baolin later finds out the exact reason for Hao Qi's betrayal, since the name of the Twelve Dark Lanterns has been established, the vacant position must be filled.
And I am undoubtedly a candidate worth considering.
If I'm not mistaken, Ying Baolin's earlier request for me to take on Rui Chi might have been partly a test of my abilities.
The more I think about it, the more likely this possibility seems.
Because, initially, Luo Qiweng had also extended an invitation to me.
And at that time, she had already stated that if I came, I would likely directly replace Xiang Tianhua.
Looking back slightly, I clearly understood the purpose of Ying Baolin's earlier request for me to take on Rui Chi.
Defect and then recruit!
It seems this big shot had long decided to make me his subordinate.
If I refused, Ying Baolin's contingency plan would definitely be to have Jiang Xiaowan, the eyewitness, expose what I did at Rui Chi that night.
At that time, as a traitor, my fate would be to be hunted like a rat crossing the street.
As expected of a seasoned veteran in a high position, not only did he take down a casino effortlessly, but he also played a masterful game of using a borrowed knife to kill afterward!
After figuring out the intricacies of the situation, I decided to accept his overtures when Ying Baolin calls tomorrow.
Even with the significant hidden risks, I will confront this master manipulator head-on and, at the same time, subtly approach Yu Shuang...
At one in the morning, before the agreed-upon time with Jiang Xiaowan, I returned to the hotel.
However, I had barely settled in when I received a call from Jiang Xiaowan.
On the phone, Jiang Xiaowan didn't waste any words. She gave me half an hour and insisted that I must rush to Ying Baolin's villa, as the latter had an urgent matter to discuss.
Although Jiang Xiaowan didn't explain the reason, I knew very well that Ying Baolin summoning me so late and so urgently was definitely related to the incident at the Tiandu Casino.
At first, I was a bit worried, thinking that unreliable Hao Qi might have leaked something.
But when I removed my disguise and changed my clothes, and arrived at the villa, I realized that besides Hao Qi, all the members of the Twelve Dark Lanterns seemed to be present.
There were several unfamiliar faces!
Upon seeing me arrive, Ying Baolin, with a dark expression, immediately said, "Chen Xiang, are you interested in joining the Twelve Dark Lanterns under me?"