The entire Tian Du Casino, apart from Jiang Xiaowan and Ying Baolin, knew and had witnessed my strength. Only Xiang Tianhua and Luo Qiyun were among them.
Of course, Yu Shuang was also counted.
However, given her cautious and prudent nature, with odds of one to five... she might not have dared to place a bet!
Although Luo Qiyun was flamboyant, she wasn't foolishly so. She might have actually bet on me.
As for Xiang Tianhua, he was an utterly arrogant and self-important fool!
Moreover, I had broken one of his hands. It would be a miracle if he bet on me to win!
Therefore, considering all of the above, I concluded that in this specific betting pool, at least 80% of the stakes would be placed on Wang Mingxuan!
Ying Baolin's tactic of using people as decoys... was truly—making a fortune!
Let me explain to everyone, odds like one to one, or one to one point five, are not without profit. They are paid out at a one-to-one ratio.
For example, if you bet 100 yuan on me to win, and I actually win, you will receive your initial 100 yuan back, plus an additional 100 yuan profit based on the one-to-one payout.
Meaning, 100 goes out, and 200 comes back.
Wang Mingxuan's odds are one to one point five, which means if you spend 100 yuan to bet on him to win, you will receive 250 yuan in total if he wins.
250, a very interesting number.
It seems Ying Baolin is not only using people as decoys but also subtly enjoying the act of being deceived, truly a case of killing the body and tormenting the soul!
...
Seeing that I remained silent after hearing the odds, Jiang Xiaowan mistook it for my annoyance and frustration at the unfair odds. She began to persuade me, "There's no helping it, Chen Xiang!"
"Those who work in the casino industry, especially in this line of work, value reputation! Although you have skill, your fame is far less than Wang Mingxuan's!"
"Back then, Wang Mingxuan was known as the 'King of Texas Hold'em' and the 'Mind-Reading Oracle.' The boss spent a lot of money to poach him from the Bailemen Casino in Longxi!"
"Even so, he is only one of our Twelve Dark Lights."
"But you are different. As soon as you arrived, the boss intended to promote you to be our leader. Therefore... the one-to-five odds are actually paving the way for you!"
"Gamble well! Don't let down the boss's expectations!"
Expectations? Heh.
This is clearly using me, treating me as a live target and a tool!
Although I don't know how Ying Baolin manages his subordinates, it's obvious that he has thoroughly brainwashed them.
These people have been sold out by Ying Baolin, yet they are still helping him count his money!
If Jiang Xiaowan hadn't contacted me beforehand and personally witnessed me sweep through Ruichi single-handedly, her 200,000 bet might have gone to Wang Mingxuan.
If Wang Mingxuan won, it would be seen as the boss being kind and generous, giving them benefits.
But if I were to win in the end, they might even praise Ying Baolin's decision, saying he had a discerning eye and knew how to use talent.
After figuring out the intricacies of the situation, I couldn't be bothered to talk nonsense with Jiang Xiaowan. I quietly asked, "Where can I place a bet?"
"Huh!? You want to bet too?" Jiang Xiaowan exclaimed in surprise.
Nodding noncommittally, I lowered my voice and replied, "Of course! This is a bet I'm personally participating in!"
"Since the boss has opened the betting pool, I naturally have to earn him some face, and also make a little money for myself!"
Without any doubt about my words, Jiang Xiaowan decisively responded, "If you want to bet and can't do it yourself, I'll place the bet for you."
"By the way, how much are you planning to bet?"
Honestly, if this betting pool wasn't set up by Ying Baolin himself, I would have wanted to go all-in with the seven million he rewarded me last time!
No other reason, just that confident!
With odds of one to five, if I win, it would be forty-two million in total, including the principal!
Although Ying Baolin isn't short of money, if I were to bet all seven million, it would surely make him feel the pinch!
However, after the boss feels the pain, it would be my turn to suffer.
After a moment of thought, I quietly told Jiang Xiaowan, "Place a bet of 500,000 for me! I'll give you the money after the game ends."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaowan nodded without hesitation, "No problem!"
"I'll go place your bet first. Don't worry about the money! Maybe if you win, you won't have to pay out of pocket; you can just deduct 500,000 from your winnings!"
I didn't say anything further, just smiled inexplicably.
Amateurs watch the show, professionals see the skill.
Clearly, Jiang Xiaowan was on my side, believing that Wang Mingxuan's arithmetic and psychological tactics were no match for my genuine sleight of hand.
After the brief interlude with the odds, Wang Mingxuan also had his men clear out the lounge.
At this moment, in the vast Dark Light lounge, apart from a standard gambling table and several chairs that had been moved in, all the cabinets and wardrobes had been removed.
The chairs around the gambling table extended outwards in a circular fashion, filling up three layers, inside and out.
Almost all the onlookers, the moment they sat down, turned their gaze towards me.
Many of them didn't know me. To put it bluntly, some didn't even know my name.
This crowd seemed eager to see what kind of ability I possessed to have gained Ying Baolin's favor as soon as I entered Tian Du.
When they saw that I was very young, so young that I looked like a rookie in the casino industry just starting out, someone couldn't help but let out a hiss.
Few people looked at me properly, their expressions of contempt and disdain making it seem as if they were certain I had gotten in through connections.
When their gaze shifted towards Wang Mingxuan, their expressions immediately changed.
There was approval, recognition, admiration...
All positive expressions, no negative ones.
Wang Mingxuan, dressed in a sharp suit, seemed to relish this feeling of being the center of attention, a slight smile playing on his lips as he exuded confidence.
As his smile gradually faded, Wang Mingxuan cast a quick, contemptuous, and rude glance at me and asked coldly, "What do you want to gamble?"
Hearing this, I didn't even look up, casually waving my hand and replying, "Anything is fine with me!"
After a pause, I suddenly added, "It mainly depends on what you want to gamble against me!"
Upon hearing my words, Wang Mingxuan smiled again.
But this time, it was a cold smile.
"A toad yawning, what a big mouth you have! But..."
"Since I proposed the challenge, the method of gambling should naturally be decided by you! That way, if I win, no one can say I won unfairly."