Chapter 106: Ruthless Betrayal, Xia Country Official
The Super High School Level Gambler died in the casino?
It felt incredibly ironic.
However, was Celestia Ludenberg really dead?
Lin Ye was skeptical. The possibility of Celestia failing in a casino, even a backroom casino, was extremely low.
"Brother Fa" saw Lin Ye and Sophia walking towards him and greeted them with a friendly smile, "Congratulations, you won the 'Soul Eater Shark' gamble beautifully."
Ten minutes ago, he, Jack, and the green-haired punk were observing other gambling tables and choosing suitable gambling projects when they heard about the 'Soul Eater Shark' gamble from the specters. The amount of Ghost Coins involved was an astonishing five hundred.
At first, thinking it was a duel between specters, Brother Fa didn't pay much attention.
But then he learned that it was a human, and the participant was a blonde female human, which made him realize that Sophia had entered the game.
Five hundred Ghost Coins meant each side needed to provide at least two hundred and fifty Ghost Coins.
How could this be achieved?
It's important to know that the Royal Casino has limits on the amount of money human players can use. It's almost impossible to win a large number of Ghost Coins in a short time.
But they did it, and they won the bet.
Regardless, this achievement was absolutely unprecedented.
At least among human players in the 'Backroom Royal Casino', it was definitely the best result.
"Just luck,"
"I also want that kind of luck, I wonder if Brother Zero is willing to lend it to me?"
"Of course, as fellow human players, within my ability, I'm naturally willing to help. You can have all my luck, Brother Fa."
"Hahaha..."
Brother Fa laughed heartily.
Jack looked at the two but didn't ask much. Following Brother Fa, he also won 23 Ghost Coins. It wasn't much, but he currently had 30 Ghost Coins. As long as he played well, winning 50 Ghost Coins and leaving the Royal Casino wouldn't be a big problem.
The green-haired punk was different from Jack. He asked directly, "Brother Zero, I've already won 25 Ghost Coins by following Brother Fa. I wonder how many Ghost Coins do you have now, Brother Zero?"
He asked the question that everyone present was curious about.
Lin Ye smiled slightly, looked at Sophia, and nudged her with his chin.
Sophia held up three fingers.
"Thirty? That's not much!"
But the green-haired punk was also confused. Didn't they say they won a lot of Ghost Coins? Could it be that Lin Ye took the lion's share and Sophia only got thirty Ghost Coins?
"Three hundred."
Green-haired punk: ???
The scene fell into a stagnant state for a moment.
"Three, three hundred..."
The green-haired punk swallowed,
"Three hundred for two people, then, one person can get one hundred and fifty..."
Holy crap!
How did they do it?!
"It's three hundred and five Ghost Coins per person, a total of six hundred and ten for the two of us."
Silence,
Only silence remained.
Six hundred Ghost Coins! Wasn't this a fortune?
Even the amiable Brother Fa couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.
This number far exceeded his psychological estimate, because he knew that Lin Ye and Sophia had participated in the gamble by obtaining loans from gamblers, thereby participating in the 'Soul Eater Shark' gamble.
Even if they won the gamble, they had to repay the principal and give a certain percentage of remuneration, and the casino would take a cut. The remaining Ghost Coins shouldn't exceed three hundred. Yet, six hundred, a completely unimaginable number.
"Brother Zero, Big Brother, you are my real brother, take me with you, let me earn this much Ghost Coins too!"
The green-haired punk almost pounced on him, but Lin Ye dodged with a sidestep.
"It can't be replicated, and Miss Sophia went deep into the mouth of the Soul Eater Shark. This is a gamble with her life at stake, do you dare?"
"If I can get three hundred Ghost Coins, I dare..."
The green-haired punk gritted his teeth and said fiercely,
"It's not possible, the casino wouldn't just watch me continue to earn a lot of Ghost Coins."
Although Lin Ye hadn't played another game since the end of the Soul Eater Shark gamble, every time he and Sophia passed by the gambling tables, the dealers and staff were very vigilant and on high alert.
This vigilance also meant that he didn't have much chance to win big with small stakes.
Lin Ye estimated that if he operated properly, he could probably double the Ghost Coins in his hand.
"Argh! How can this be! The casino is too cowardly, why even open a casino then."
The green-haired punk regretted it so much that he gritted his teeth and stomped his feet vigorously, venting his emotions.
He regretted why he didn't follow Lin Ye to bet at the beginning!
This blonde woman was really smart and witty! Choosing to rely on Lin Ye, now her seven Ghost Coins had become three hundred and five Ghost Coins, which was ten times the amount of Ghost Coins in his hand.
"I should have followed Brother Zero,"
"It seems you doubted me at the end of the ghost card game, right?"
Lin Ye looked at the green-haired punk with a smile,
The green-haired punk Li Minghao was stunned, he immediately raised his right hand and slapped himself hard on the face,
'Slap' 'Slap...' The sound of slaps continued.
"I'm not human, I actually doubted Brother Zero, I'm sorry, I'm very sorry, please accept my apology."
The green-haired punk bowed deeply,
Although he was arrogant and looked down on others, at critical moments, he would also bend down and bow, just to gain greater benefits.
Lin Ye looked at the green-haired punk with an unchanging smile.
This kind of street punk couldn't be trusted. It was different from Sophia. Sophia was a 'Ghost Player' who had gone through several ghost games and formed her own style and character. As long as her life was not in danger, this behavior pattern would not change.
Before offending her life, she could be given considerable trust.
But this kind of green-haired punk definitely couldn't be trusted, a hundred Ghost Coins? No, even ten, one Ghost Coin, he might turn his face.
Not trusting him didn't mean he couldn't be used.
"How many more gambling chances do you have?"
"Four, four times."
The green-haired punk swallowed, he suddenly realized Lin Ye's thoughts, he was going to take him to earn Ghost Coins!
"I can guide you to win Ghost Coins, but I need to charge 50% of the Ghost Coins you win as a reward."
Fifty percent!
So high.
"Okay, with Brother Zero's guidance, let alone 50%, even 60%, I'm willing."
The red-haired strong man Jack still didn't say anything, but the flickering look in his eyes showed his restless heart.
While following "Brother Fa" had steadily earned him a considerable amount of Ghost Coins, upon hearing that the other person alone possessed three hundred, his own twenty-eight suddenly seemed insignificant.
Brother Fa remained calm, wearing a gentle smile and maintaining his amiable demeanor. He knew Lin Ye's initial plan, and now it was successful.
Only by letting other players witness his ability to win a large number of Ghost Coins would they willingly give up their 'gambling' opportunities.
If Lin Ye had proposed this idea from the beginning, it would have caused a backlash from the other players, making it counterproductive. This was also why Lin Ye initially only took Sophia to gamble.
Sophia decided to trust Lin Ye, so Lin Ye led her to win Ghost Coins.
But now it was different. Even if Lin Ye didn't say anything, the other players would actively offer their 'limited gambling chances' and a percentage of their earnings, just to obtain more Ghost Coins.
Even he was a little tempted.
However, he also had his own principles.
If he could win with his own strength, why rely on a junior?
"Little Brother Zero, I remember you mentioned lending and investing, providing support. If you think she's capable, help her out!"
Brother Fa suddenly spoke, his gaze falling on the silent high school girl behind him.
Lin Ye then looked at the girl. This was a good opportunity to inquire about Celestia Ludenberg.
"Student Xia Yun, what happened to you? Where is Celestia Ludenberg? Didn't you two act together?"
But upon hearing that name, Xia Yun clenched her fists, her teeth gritted in anger.
"She has already left the casino."
Not dead, but left the Royal Casino and returned to reality.
Lin Ye wasn't surprised by this. Celestia Ludenberg had the ability, but why did Xia Yun hate her so much?
In an instant, a guess emerged in Lin Ye's mind.
"That woman cheated me out of all my Ghost Coins and left the casino."
The innocent high school girl was drained dry.
Xia Yun clenched her fists, her teeth gritted.
"From the very beginning, that woman had her eyes on my Ghost Coins and gambling chances. When we won a total of ninety Ghost Coins, she took all the Ghost Coins, mocked me, ridiculed me, and then...left."
And she couldn't do anything about it.
The inability to steal Ghost Coins was the rule here. Once Ghost Coins were given out, they were given out. Whether the other party returned them depended entirely on their mood and character.
And it was because of her interactions with Celestia Ludenberg, handing over the Ghost Coins she won time and time again, and receiving Ghost Coins in return, that she completely trusted her in the end.
Ultimately, she suffered ruthless betrayal.
Xia Yun closed her eyes.
The elegant noble lady temperament completely changed, and the beautiful face only held terror and a sneer.
"Xia Yun, you're so naive."
"Would anyone really be wholeheartedly good to you?"
"Did you really not think about why I wanted to help you?"
"You have a pretty face, an alluring body, but I'm not a man, I don't care about that at all."
"You're foolishly naive, I helped you to help myself get more Ghost Coins!"
"Hahaha..."
...
...
Those mocking words still echoed in Xia Yun's ears even now. She knew that she would never forget this betrayal in her lifetime.
But did she still have a future?
Having lost her Ghost Coins, she had already been notified by the staff - if she couldn't get one Ghost Coin within ten minutes, the casino's protection would disappear, and all the specters in the casino could do anything to her, ravage her, kill her, anything and everything.
She could mortgage her own body to obtain new Ghost Coins, but she knew clearly that mortgaging was the least cost-effective. Rather than mortgaging to the casino, it was better to find Zero.
Even though she had been betrayed by a trusted companion once, she had no choice now but to hope that this man, Zero, could offer some help.
After meeting Brother Fa and the others, she briefly informed them of her situation and expressed her hope to find 'Zero.' Brother Fa also offered her a Ghost Coin for temporary use.
But before the time was up, she didn't accept it.
Rather than owing a favor to Brother Fa, who was purely out of sympathy, she felt it was better to make a deal with Zero, using her remaining gambling chances as her meager capital, obtaining principal through loans, winning the gambling game by listening to his suggestions and arrangements, and paying a certain percentage of her earnings as a reward.
This was Xia Yun's idea.
But would he be willing? Even though he had initially offered loans, she was truly penniless now, would he still be willing?
Or would he put forward more conditions?
"I need to lend you Ghost Coins?"
"Yes."
"How many gambling chances do you have left?"
Xia Yun pursed her lips and slowly raised a finger.
"I only have one left."
Sophia was stunned.
Only one left, meaning she didn't have much value.
She also knew clearly that the situation with the 'Soul Eater Shark' gamble couldn't be replicated.
The casino wouldn't just watch them make a fortune again.
Hearing this, the green-haired punk sneered,
"Only one left, what value does that have? You don't actually fantasize about Brother Zero giving you fifty Ghost Coins to participate in those high-end gambling games with thresholds, do you?"
This was clearly a scam, there was no need to believe it.
"Brother Zero, don't believe her, this stupid woman who was just cheated is now trying to exploit your kindness. I guarantee that if you dare to lend her a large amount of Ghost Coins, she will dare to run away directly."
"I won't,"
Xia Yun said, biting her red lips.
"I won't commit fraud like that woman, I'm not that kind of person."
"Heh, who would believe that? Just words, who would believe them?"
The green-haired punk continued to mock,
On the one hand, he wanted to mock her, on the other hand, he also had the intention of assisting Zero.
This girl was quite attractive! Maybe Brother Zero was interested. He could totally help this girl agree to use herself as a reward, of course, with upfront payment.
That way, even if this girl really ran away with the money, Brother Zero would have at least had some fun. Although the price was really high, starting from fifty Ghost Coins, who could afford it? Was she inlaid with Ghost Coins?!
"I'm definitely not that kind of woman."
Xia Yun almost roared out, her eyes bloodshot. The pure high school girl showed her anger, almost cursing.
But the green-haired punk still maintained his frivolous attitude.
And at this moment,
The casino staff walked over again and came to Xia Yun.
"Miss Xia Yun, there is less than one minute left before your protection time expires. Would you like to accept the casino's mortgage and exchange for the corresponding Ghost Coins?"
The staff smiled, but the greed in their eyes grew stronger, as if they wanted to swallow the high school girl whole.
"Take mine first!"
Brother Fa took out a Ghost Coin and was about to hand it to Xia Yun, but Xia Yun looked up at Lin Ye. Lin Ye's hand moved, and a Ghost Coin landed in Xia Yun's hand.
"Thank you,"
Xia Yun said.
Seeing this, the staff member prepared to leave, but was stopped by Xia Yun,
"Please wait here for a moment."
The staff member was puzzled, but nodded.
Xia Yun looked at Lin Ye, "Please lend me 49 Ghost Coins, I will use my body to mortgage to the casino to exchange for one Ghost Coin."
"This way, you don't have to worry about me running away with the money. I have to participate in the gamble and win to leave."
"Heh..."
The green-haired punk spoke again,
"Under Brother Zero's guidance, if you win the gamble, you can still run away with the money, isn't it the same? Is there a difference?"
A rhetorical question that immediately made Xia Yun realize the flaw in her thinking.
"Then why don't you give me a solution! You've been mocking me for so long, you must have a solution!"
She shouted fiercely, gritting her teeth.
"Hmph, just having a pretty face and no brains, Brother Zero is of course..."
'Slap...'
"Ugh..."
The green-haired punk clutched his stomach, his face turning pale in an instant,
"Brother Zero, why did you suddenly hit me?!"
"Don't ruin my reputation, although I like women, I wouldn't use this method."
"Eh! This tune..."
Seeing the coldness in Lin Ye's eyes, the green-haired punk immediately changed his words,
"I understand, I won't dare to do it again, please rest assured, I will never talk nonsense again."
At this point,
Xia Yun also understood the unspoken words of the green-haired punk.
"Miss Xia Yun, tell me your real home address, contact information, parents' work units and other relevant information."
With one sentence, everyone instantly understood Lin Ye's plan.
You can run away from the temple, but you can't run away from the monk.
As long as Xia Yun dared to take the Ghost Coins and run without fulfilling the agreement, Zero could find her in reality, after all, new players used their real appearances.
However... there was a loophole.
Sophia pulled Lin Ye's sleeve and said calmly, "Zero, she can immediately call the police and contact the officials for protection after leaving. Nowadays, all major countries value players and wouldn't just watch you kill a Ghost Player."
Facing the power of Xia Country's officials, it wasn't worth it for Zero to push himself to the opposite side of Xia Country's officials just to take revenge on a new player.
Unless Zero himself was a member of Xia Country's officials, but based on Sophia's contact with Zero so far, she was 90% sure that Zero was a lone Ghost Player.
"I know,"
Lin Ye patted Sophia, very satisfied with her performance. At least now this woman treated him as one of her own.
"Brother Fa, you're a member of Xia Country's officials, right?"
"..."
Brother Fa was a little curious,
"Why do you think so?"
"Just trying to ask."
"I don't believe it."
Brother Fa didn't believe Lin Ye would simply suspect him of being a member of Xia Country's officials because of this.
"There are two reasons. First is your level. Among the four of us, you have the highest level. I think it's very likely that you're an official, relying on the official's powerful intelligence agency to farm monsters, solve specters, gain a lot of experience, and level up."
"And the other point?"
Brother Fa continued to ask.
"You have the face of a good person, trying to leave a good impression on other Ghost Players. I think when it's almost over, you will definitely invite players who clear the instance to join Xia Country's official organization, right?"
"Hahahaha..."
Brother Fa couldn't help but laugh and applaud,
"Zero, join our Xia Country's official organization! You have the potential and strength. I believe you can definitely become one of the world's top Ghost Players. Our Xia Country needs outstanding talents like you."
"I can assure you that after you join, you will definitely have the best logistical support in our Xia Country, guaranteeing your needs in all aspects. Your family will also be protected. Even if you have an accident in the instance world, you don't have to worry about your family's future life at all. In the future world changes, your family will also be protected and go to the safe zone."
He directly started the invitation.
It didn't make sense to miss out on a powerful player like Zero. Although Zero's level was only lv2 now, maybe the next time they met, his level would be higher than his.
Brother Fa was full of confidence in this.
"Come to my side,"
Sophia spoke,
"The treatment that Xia Country can offer, our Atlantic Federation can also offer you. I can promise you that the treatment will only be higher, not lower. I'm looking forward to meeting you offline. There are many beautiful women in our organization who like powerful Ghost Players the most."
Since others had invited him, Sophia naturally couldn't miss out. She had also planned to invite him before the end of the mission.
Compared to Brother Fa, in addition to being able to offer better conditions, her bigger advantage was that she and Zero already had a foundation of trust.
Jack remained silent. It wasn't that he didn't want to invite him, but he knew his own situation. Speaking wouldn't be useful and might even make him a clown. It was better to remain silent.
Everyone's eyes were on Lin Ye, waiting for him to answer.
"Sorry, I'm used to being free alone, but I'll consider both of your invitations."
Lin Ye didn't completely refuse, leaving some room.
His gaze returned to the slightly immature face of the high school girl, "Brother Fa, I need you to make a promise. If Xia Yun violates our agreement this time, I need your officials to not interfere in her affairs."
Without the protection of the officials, Xia Yun was nothing.
Brother Fa didn't agree immediately, "Student Xia Yun, are you sure you want to make this loan agreement with Mr. Zero? Once you tear up the agreement, Xia Country officials will not take any protective measures against you. In our official view, Ghost Players who break their agreements are also untrustworthy players, so don't have any delusions of luck."
Xia Yun nodded heavily and said, "I never thought about breaking the agreement, but I also have no way to prove that I am trustworthy. But since Mr. Zero feels that doing so can provide some guarantee, I am willing to tell you, there is absolutely no lie."
She stared at Lin Ye, her eyes flashing with sincerity.
"Let's go! Over there."
Lin Ye took the high school girl to a remote corner.
The high school girl told him the relevant information about herself and her family. After Lin Ye repeatedly asked and confirmed that there were no problems, he returned with her.
"Brother Zero, can we follow along?"
"It's not suitable for her, but after the gamble starts, you can come and see. As human players, we are targeted by the casino, please pay attention to this, and I am already the casino's key concern."
"Haha, that's because Brother Zero is so strong."
At Lin Ye's request, Brother Fa and the other three left first to look around.
Lin Ye and Sophia strolled around, while the high school girl went to check the maximum limit of each high-stakes gambling project according to Lin Ye's request.
"I remember there was no limit before."
There was only a threshold of Ghost Coins to enter.
She realized that the casino was targeting human players, or more precisely, Zero, and had made adjustments.
Ten minutes later,
The high school girl met up with Lin Ye and informed him of the information she had gathered about the projects.
"Okay, then the gamble you're going to participate in is this one!"
"Eh!"
"I understand."
This gamble was very simple. In her opinion, it was pure luck, but if she failed, what she lost was not just Ghost Coins, but also her soul.
"You're scared."
"Yes."
Xia Yun nodded directly.
"But I have no way out. If I lose, you will be in trouble too! One hundred Ghost Coins, you trust me that much?"
She didn't expect that the Ghost Coins Lin Ye gave her were actually the maximum limit of one hundred Ghost Coins, not fifty.
"After deducting the casino's commission and the fifty Ghost Coins you need to leave the Royal Casino, if I only provide fifty Ghost Coins as principal, I still have to put in ten Ghost Coins myself. I don't like losing money."
"I won't let you down."
"Remember what I said, the casino will definitely target you."
"Yes."
She nodded heavily and went over with one hundred Ghost Coins.
After she signed up, a specter participated.
And it was at this time that Lin Ye came to the scene from afar.
Although he didn't know if this operation would be useful, he still tried his best to reduce the possibility of being targeted by the casino.
Old Maid.
The rules of the game were very simple.
When all the cards in a player's hand became pairs and they lost all their cards, that player wins, and the player holding the Old Maid loses.
But unlike in reality, the moment a player draws the Old Maid, they will be subjected to the spiritual erosion of the Old Maid. During the initial stage when the cards are dealt, the player holding the Old Maid will not be eroded by the Old Maid.
In other words, if you draw the Old Maid too many times, even if the game is not over, the player may die because of it.
Projects with a threshold of 50 Ghost Coins all involve life and death.
Xia Yun walked to one side of the gambling table, and on the opposite side, a pig-headed specter sat down. Its ugly appearance was still dripping with liquid.
She saw Lin Ye, and her heart felt a little more at ease.
With Lin Ye's support, she would definitely win this gamble, absolutely.
"Shuffling phase."
The dealer shuffled the cards swiftly,
"Two cards each from 1 to 10, plus one Old Maid, a total of 21 cards."
The cards were divided into two piles.
The playing cards were stacked together and covered with a special lid, making it impossible to see the number of cards inside.
"Roll the dice to determine the order of choosing the card pile. 135, the human female chooses first, 246, the specter chooses."
' clatter... '
"Three points."
"Miss Xia Yun, please choose, the left pile or the right pile."
"I like the right side."
The dealer pushed the pile on the right to Xia Yun.
The other pile was pushed in front of the pig-headed specter.
Sophia noticed the change in Lin Ye's expression from the corner of her eye, "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"She's quite lucky."
"Are you sincerely sighing, or mocking?"
Lin Ye didn't say.
Sophia still didn't get a definite answer from Lin Ye.
"Just know that victory belongs to us."
"Yes, anyway, it's not my Ghost Coins that are lost. If I really lose, it's you who will feel the most heartache. You'll lose both the Ghost Coins and a cute high school girl. Won't the compassionate Mr. Zero feel bad for several days?"
'Slap...'
Lin Ye unceremoniously slapped Sophia's body, feeling the elastic and soft touch, and said with a smile,
"If I feel bad for several days, you'll have to feel bad too!"
凸(艹皿艹),
She felt that if she continued to interact with Lin Ye, her butt would probably become well acquainted with his hand!
...
Xia Yun's heart sank when she saw the Old Maid in her hand, but she didn't fall into panic and self-pity. She put three pairs on the table.
The pig-headed specter across from her did the same.
Each side had 4 and 5 cards left in their hands.
The drawing phase began.
Xia Yun drew a card, revealing a pair of 7s.
Then she shuffled the four cards and placed them face down.
The pig-headed specter looked at the four cards, thought for a while, and chose the leftmost one, flipping it over, revealing the Old Maid.
"Ahhhh..."
A sudden, tragic scream rang out.
The pig-headed specter lay on the table, screaming.
Xia Yun, who was sitting opposite, felt a chill in her heart.
If she had drawn the Old Maid, she definitely wouldn't be able to stand it!
After a while,
The pig-headed specter raised its牌(cards).
Xia Yun looked at Lin Ye and noticed his subtle hand gesture. So she slowly reached out and held a playing card. Seeing that Lin Ye didn't react, she pulled it out and revealed it.
A pair of 8s.
It was the pig-headed specter's turn.
Soon,
Both sides only had the Old Maid and the Aces scattered in their hands.
It was Xia Yun's turn to draw.
At this time, the pig-headed specter didn't choose to look at the cards, but placed them face down on the table.
"Argh..."
It urged the human woman to draw quickly.
Xia Yun looked at Lin Ye again. Following his prompt, she put her hand on the card on the right, but found Lin Ye shaking his head in denial. Then she saw Lin Ye shaking his head again.
Which one is it?!
Neither?
Xia Yun cried out in her heart, completely at a loss.
Wait,
Something's not right.
She recalled Lin Ye's words.
"Targeted by the casino."
She was being targeted by the casino. No matter which card she flipped over with her hand, it would definitely be the Old Maid.
What to do?
How to solve this?
She knew this was her only chance.
Unconsciously, she looked towards Lin Ye, her eyes pleading for help.
Gradually, she opened her eyes and smiled.
So there was such a solution.
Xia Yun put her hand on the card on the right.
"Dealer."
"Miss, what can I do for you?"
"I'd like to ask you a favor."
"Go ahead."
"Please help me open the card on the left. I choose the card on the left."
Dealer: ???
Audience: ???
"Please open it."
At her request, the dealer slowly reached out, and she kept observing Lin Ye. Seeing that Lin Ye didn't stop him, she held her breath and waited.
'Swoosh!'
The dealer flipped over the card on the left.
It was an Ace.
The gamble was over,
She won.
"Ahhhh!"
At this moment, the high school girl cried tears of joy.
She won,
She actually won!
Sophia looked at the man beside her, amazed by his solution.
"So you can flip the cards like that!"
At least she hadn't thought of it.