"It's very simple!"
Looking at me with cold eyes, Fan Yin Xin blurted out, "Because the Qian Wang Ling is not only the halo of the champion's crown, but also a symbol of immense wealth!"
"In the face of wealth that cannot be measured by concrete numbers, so-called glory... is nothing more than worthless fleeting clouds!"
"The principle of greed blinding reason, I don't think you have any excuse not to understand!"
"Don't say you haven't gotten the Qian Wang Ling yet, even if you truly have it, if you misuse it, it's very likely to end up with nothing!"
"What's more, with me, your former teammate from Ming Tai, around, finding the real culprit shouldn't be so troublesome at all!"
While I might not have paid much attention to Fan Yin Xin's earlier words, the last sentence, in particular, was like a sudden enlightenment, clearing my mind instantly.
That's right!
With Fan Yin Xin here, I no longer need to relentlessly pursue the Qian Wang Ling and get entangled in the interests of Ying Bao Lin, Yu Shuang, and Yun Jin.
As soon as Shen Meng Qing and Xu Pei Yu are rescued, I can withdraw completely unscathed.
At that point, no matter how murky the waters in Wenzhou are, they will have nothing to do with me.
Those three ill-intentioned individuals won't be able to force my hand using the Qian Wang Ling anymore!
Once I figured it all out.
In an instant, the predicament that had been lingering before my eyes, like a thick fog, dissipated completely.
But at the same time, a new question immediately arose in my mind.
There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world!
If you want to eat, you have to pay the price!
Fan Yin Xin helping me so wholeheartedly couldn't possibly be without any requests or expectations.
So, after coming back to my senses, I looked at Fan Yin Xin and asked directly, "Can you tell me what reward you expect in return for helping me?"
It might be awkward to state things plainly upfront, but it's better to be awkward early than late.
Hearing this, Fan Yin Xin pursed her red lips and looked at me with interest, asking, "Why don't you take a bold guess? What kind of reward do you think I need from you?"
Instantly, I froze in place, speechless.
To be honest, when I asked that question, I had already made some assumptions in my mind.
Fan Yin Xin might refuse, or she might accept.
If she refused, it would be with some platitudes.
If she accepted, we would talk about money, and also about favors.
Perhaps even more outrageously, she might even discuss the Qian Wang Ling with me.
After all, everyone looks out for themselves!
Without any blood ties or friendship, helping an outsider wholeheartedly must have some benefit for oneself.
But what I didn't expect was that Fan Yin Xin would directly question me back, asking me to guess and define what reward she desired.
After her words, I was a bit confused and also somewhat at a loss.
Then, I fell into a state of contemplation.
I don't know how long it took...
Seeing that I remained silent, Fan Yin Xin chuckled and took out an envelope from her handbag beside her, handing it to me.
"What is this?" I asked, my eyes filled with confusion after returning to my senses.
Fan Yin Xin did not answer directly, but said solemnly, "You'll know when you open it."
Hearing this, I quickly opened the envelope.
Inside, I saw a piece... no!
Strictly speaking, it should be half a token!
And it was the lower half.
This token, cut in half, had its lower part mostly cast in gold.
Although it exuded a golden luster, under the light, it was still clearly visible that within the golden glow, there was a small cluster of dazzling, vibrant light.
Clearly, when this token was crafted, a small portion of extremely rare and uncommon precious materials was also used.
As I carefully examined this token, I suddenly noticed that the patterns adorning the sides of the character "Ling" seemed... very familiar!
"This, this is..."
After a slight moment of stunned realization, a thought that was about to burst forth quickly took shape in my mind.
Following that, the upper half of the token was completely restored in my mind's eye!
The Qian Wang Ling!
The half-token lying in my palm was precisely the Qian Wang Ling that I had been searching for so desperately, yet had always missed!
But why was it split in two?
"Why has the Qian Wang Ling become like this?"
After taking a moment to examine it, I looked at Fan Yin Xin in surprise and asked, "Can you tell me what exactly is going on?"
As if she had been waiting for me to recall and ask this question, Fan Yin Xin lit a cigarette and began to reveal the unknown secrets behind this Qian Wang Ling...
According to Fan Yin Xin, in the 1999 Qian Wang Competition, after Uncle Tuo's gambling bet of one against five outside the game resulted in a loss, he was rushed to the hospital for treatment due to excessive blood loss and severe injuries.
The person who ultimately won the championship also effortlessly claimed the title of Qian Wang.
According to unofficial sources, the winner was the head of the technical department of Mr. He's most luxurious and opulent casino at the time – the Imperial Palace Casino. His specific name is unknown.
Some participants competed for fame, some for profit, but some, much like martial arts enthusiasts in wuxia novels, purely sought to test their skills against others.
The head of the Imperial Palace Casino's technical department played the role of a "martial arts enthusiast."
His purpose in participating in the competition, besides seeking to meet fellow masters, was more about researching and improving his own skills.
After all, being the head of Macau's most luxurious casino meant a life of comfort and luxury for the rest of his days.
Therefore, the Qian Wang championship held no substantial meaning for him.
Furthermore, before Uncle Tuo fainted, he had indirectly cleared some obstacles for him, making him feel that his victory was not entirely earned.
Immediately after the finals, he publicly announced that he would gift the Qian Wang Ling to Uncle Tuo.
And that very evening, he kept his word.
On the night Uncle Tuo was hospitalized, this Qian Wang Ling appeared on his bedside table in his hospital room.
One must say, that person was indeed remarkable!
Simply because he felt his victory was not entirely fair, he casually gifted the Qian Wang Ling to another.
Putting aside the glory, the Qian Wang Ling represented a solid 5% equity dividend from a casino for ten years – such immense profit was readily handed over to someone else.
The card sharps of the 1990s were known for their pride and dignity, as much as their skills.
Especially top card sharps like Uncle Tuo, who possessed unwavering pride and dignity heavier than mountains.
He did not accept such unconditional gifts.
After being discharged from the hospital, Uncle Tuo had privately sought out that person, wanting to return the Qian Wang Ling to him.
But that person told Uncle Tuo that the item had already been given away, and it was up to him whether to keep it, discard it, use it, or abandon it; it had nothing to do with him anymore.
At that time, upon learning the person's answer, the hot-headed young Uncle Tuo made a shocking decision.
He found someone to split the Qian Wang Ling into two!
This action was the best solution he could think of after considering the options of discarding, using, or leaving it untouched.