Thank you @Renea for the Kofi. (1/4)
Anchor Hall
Chapter 540: Oh dear, you flatter me
On the second floor of the casino, inaccessible to ordinary people, a strange blood-red gambling table sat in the center, with hundreds of red chips neatly stacked on it.
This was a high-stakes gamble worth 1.5 billion.
Its content was…
Playing Gomoku (Five-in-a-row).
Wen Jianyan sat upright at the gambling table, looking down at the chessboard in front of him, unconsciously turning the Ouroboros ring at the base of his finger.
A few seconds later, he cautiously placed a white stone.
No.8 placed a black stone.
The entire second floor of the casino heard only the faint sound of stones landing on the chessboard.
According to standard Gomoku rules, with the existence of the first-move restriction rule, there would naturally be winners and losers.
So far, this tense and exciting Gomoku battle had gone on for nine games. Wen Jianyan won three, No.8 won six.
In the “Integrity First” Live Room:
[…]
[What to do, want to leave.]
[Mm. Me too.]
[So broken down. I skipped other anchors’ exciting midnight shows not to watch you live stream playing Gomoku here in the middle of the night!!!!!]
Another game ended.
This game No.8 won.
Staring at the five black stones connected in a line on the chessboard, the opposing sides reached out and began collecting the stones on the board one by one.
Ten games ended. Wen Jianyan won three, No.8 won seven.
Although Wen Jianyan was not advantageous, the stakes for each game were not much, so he had only lost three chips so far.
“Continue?”
After collecting all black stones, a smile appeared on No.8’s face as he asked.
According to the rules, a game type must continue for ten games before changing. However, after ten games, the gambler can choose to change the game content or choose to continue like this.
“…” Wen Jianyan didn’t answer immediately.
He propped his chin, fingers playing with the stones casually. The stones collided with each other, making slight crisp sounds.
Not far away, Mesvis sitting aside watching yawned heavily—it must be said, after watching ten full games of exciting Gomoku, his patience had been worn to the extreme.
“Alright, small skirmishes end here.”
Mesvis propped his chin, speaking lazily.
“You should have discovered by now. This field isn’t their shortcoming.”
“Not to mention Gomoku, even Go, Chinese Chess, International Go, Shogi… my dealers know these games like the back of their hands. At least international competition level. Even if you are very good, you can’t open a gap.”
Mesvis waved his hand, and a waiter nearby understandingly brought a glass of wine.
He sipped the amber liquid in the glass, tone slighting.
“Moreover, your time is much tighter than ours, isn’t it?”
While they were betting on the second floor, the gambling downstairs continued day and night. Crazy gamblers threw their points into it like possessed. The more they lost, the further the ship sailed.
The progress of alienation would only accelerate, not slow down.
Both sides were not bad at chess, but couldn’t guarantee winning every game, naturally couldn’t bet high on any single game. So, the result could only be infinite time consumption.
Mesvis and his people weren’t anxious. As members of the casino, they naturally could patiently wait it out with Wen Jianyan…
But Wen Jianyan couldn’t.
The reason he proposed this 1.5 billion gamble was to delay the ship’s alienation—at least for 24 hours.
Once in the downstairs casino, the gambling capital invested by gamblers reached the limit, and the Lucky Cruise Ship thoroughly alienated into a instance, then even if Wen Jianyan really won after that, it would be meaningless.
Wen Jianyan knew this, and Mesvis knew this too.
Wen Jianyan let go, putting the stone back. The stone fell back into the box, making a light “click” sound.
He raised his head, smiling slightly at Mesvis:
“…You are right.”
Seeming to feel the change in atmosphere, waiters standing on both sides stepped forward, bent down to take away the chessboard and boxes on the table, then left silently.
No.8 sat upright opposite Wen Jianyan, a smile rising on that somewhat childish baby face:
“Then, what do you want to play next?”
Wen Jianyan’s gaze fell on No.8. After a few brief seconds, he said slowly:
“Texas Hold’em.”
As soon as this was said, Mesvis, who was leaning on the chair just now, finally straightened up slowly at this moment. The smile on his lips deepened:
“—That’s more like it.”
In the “Integrity First” Live Room:
[!]
[?!]
[Oh yo yo!!! Texas Hold’em!! Finally getting serious!!]
[Done, I’m starting to get nervous instead.]
[Huh? How so?]
[Although winning and losing were fifty-fifty when playing chess before, at least the anchor had a slight advantage in mental activities. But real gambling projects like Texas Hold’em are not necessarily so… Don’t forget his bad luck!!]
[Damn. Remembered.]
One-way glass separated the first and second floors of the casino. Outside the glass, the casino was immersed in pre-apocalyptic revelry, but all sounds and madness were blocked outside, like an absurd silent film.
Although separated by only a wall from the first floor, the second floor of the casino seemed like another world.
The huge second floor was shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere. The only thing audible was the sound of the waiter walking slowly forward.
The waiter stopped at the table, placing a brand new deck of poker on the table.
At this time, Mesvis spoke: “The rules are two-way. If you catch the opponent cheating, pay ten times the bet as well.”
“You can check at will.”
No.4 reached out, inviting.
Wen Jianyan glanced at them, didn’t refuse. He took the cards in hand to sort them, scanned simply, then put the cards back: “No problem.”
“Adding people?” Mesvis asked.
Texas Hold’em can have multiple participants. Minimum two players on the table, maximum twenty-two.
“If you want, people can be added to the game,” Mesvis propped his chin, saying, “Of course, there are certain rules here. First, however many people you add, we will add the same amount. Second, players added on your side can only use existing chips on the table—that is, your chips, and cannot bet with their own points.”
Wen Jianyan: “No need.”
Mesvis nodded, continuing: “Finally, due to Texas Hold’em rules, a dealer is needed for the game. However, the choice of dealer can be decided by you.”
Wen Jianyan: “Anyone present is okay?”
Mesvis: “Of course.”
Wen Jianyan turned around from the chair, gaze falling on the empty salon behind, suddenly raising his voice:
“Hey.”
His voice echoed in the huge second floor, lingering for a long time.
In the “Integrity First” Live Room:
[?]
[Who is the anchor calling?]
[Don’t know, is there anyone else on the second floor besides them?]
The entire second floor was silent.
But Wen Jianyan still maintained the turning posture, waiting very patiently.
Finally, a sigh came from the darkness not far away.
A man with fox eyes walked slowly out of the darkness, holding an unfinished glass of brandy in his hand.
In the “Integrity First” Live Room:
[Ah? Who is this?]
[Don’t know him. Since when was he there?]
[Don’t know!]
[Wait, damn, isn’t this the mastermind who assassinated the anchor in the [Yuying Comprehensive University] instance?]
[??? Why is he here? And looks quite familiar with the anchor?]
[Ahhhh, how much plot did I miss!!!]
“How did you know I was still here?”
Figaro looked helpless.
Wen Jianyan: “Guessed.”
His back relaxed slightly, leaning on the chair back, a trace of casual smile on his lips: “After all, wouldn’t it be a pity to miss such an interesting thing?”
Figaro raised both hands, face full of smiles: “You got me.”
Wen Jianyan: “Do you know Texas Hold’em?”
Figaro thought: “…Know the rules.”
Wen Jianyan: “Doesn’t matter, enough.”
After speaking, he turned to Mesvis: “I choose him as dealer, no objection right?”
In Texas Hold’em, the easiest position to cheat and hardest to guard against is the dealer.
Although Mesvis said he could also get ten times compensation if he caught the opponent cheating, the risk here was too big. Facing a core dealer was already exhausting enough; facing two at the same time, even Wen Jianyan felt somewhat inadequate.
Since so, better to choose a third party with unrelated interests, better for both sides.
Mesvis: “Of course.”
Figaro looked interested: “What, you trust me that much? Not worried I’m on their side?”
“You?” Wen Jianyan spoke frankly, “Of course don’t trust.”
Figaro: “…”
Speaking so directly, brother?
Looking at that mercenary not far away, Wen Jianyan smiled suddenly: “But, if we are in an employment relationship, it’s a different matter.”
In the mercenary line of work, trust isn’t worth money, but reputation is crucial.
Moreover, they were both contracted anchors in Nightmare now.
As guarantor, Nightmare would ensure the stable fulfillment of the contract.
Figaro’s eyes flashed, smiling slightly: “So that’s it.”
Wen Jianyan extended his hand: “Deal?”
Figaro held his hand. Invisible blood-red threads formed, binding their right hands together, then melted and disappeared immediately.
“Deal.”
Dealer in position.
Wen Jianyan turned to look at No.8, took a deep breath, said:
“Let’s start.”
Thus, the gamble worth 1.5 billion points officially opened.
Rules of Texas Hold’em are simple. First, blinds.
Before dealing, players need to bet into the pot.
Then, the dealer will deal two hole cards to each player first, then deal five community cards successively. During this process, players can choose to bet, raise, or fold.
When five community cards are dealt, remaining players show cards. Player with best hand wins all chips in the pot.
Wen Jianyan reached out, pinching five red chips throwing onto the table.
Seemingly light five chips, actual value was five million points—and after leverage, value was as high as fifty million.
Equivalent to all points obtained from platinum clearance of an S-rank instance.
In the “Integrity First” Live Room:
[Hiss!”
[Good guy, playing so big from the start??]
[Hairs on my back standing up… This stuff isn’t suitable for me. If I sat at the gambling table, probably restless by now.]
No.8 smiled, revealing two sharp tiger teeth.
He reached out, also pinching five chips throwing over.
Figaro started dealing.
His technique was similar to his description of his skills—not unfamiliar, but definitely not very skilled.
Soon, two cards per person, total four hole cards dealt.
Dark red patterns on card backs twisted weirdly, presenting human face shapes under light.
After hole cards dealt, first round of betting started.
No.8 threw one chip down, Wen Jianyan same.
After first round of betting ended, Figaro dealt three community cards on the table.
One King of Hearts, one Seven of Diamonds, one Five of Clubs.
Wen Jianyan lifted card corner, glancing at his hole cards.
No.8 stared at him tightly, but the young man’s face seemed carved from marble. The arc of mouth corner didn’t change a bit; even eye corners showed no clue.
Wen Jianyan turned head, pinching one from his chips, throwing onto table.
No.8 smiled: “Call.”
Blood-red chip thrown onto table, rolled once, lying silently on same-colored gambling table.
In the “Integrity First” Live Room:
[A bit nervous…]
[How many points in pot now?]
[They each threw seven chips, meaning total in pot is… one hundred forty million.]
[…………Damn, that casino manager was right. T-This is indeed exciting.]
Fourth card dealt.
Jack of Hearts.
As soon as this card appeared, everyone present’s heart tensed.
Knowing there was already a King of Hearts on table, meant in hands of both gamblers, possibility of Straight, Flush, or even Royal Flush rising rapidly.
Third round of betting.
This time, No.8 threw three chips.
Wen Jianyan: “Call.”
At this moment, atmosphere on field tense to extreme, as if could be cut with knife. Everyone’s gaze firmly attracted by few cards on table.
Boredom on Mesvis’s face disappeared completely. He watched this scene, face wearing smile full of interest.
Last round.
Figaro dealt community card.
Nine of Spades.
Wen Jianyan raised eyes, looking slowly at No.8 sitting opposite table. His eyeballs presented some lighter color under strong light, suddenly hooking lips, smiling slightly.
No.4’s heart thumped without warning.
But, before he had time to see clearly the look in opponent’s eyes, saw Wen Jianyan withdrew gaze, reached out, taking chips from chip box beside him lightly.
One, two, three…
Every one he counted, air seemed heavier.
Finally, Wen Jianyan counted full five chips.
He raised hand, throwing five chips onto table.
Clinking sound of chips echoed in huge casino second floor. Clearly very slight, but sounded clear in ears like heavy object landing.
In the “Integrity First” Live Room:
[P-Pot how much?]
[Two hundred fifty million.]
[…]
[Whose palms sweating?]
[Me me me!!!!!]
After doing all this, Wen Jianyan leaned back lightly. He raised eyes, turning snake ring carelessly, smiled:
“Your turn.”
No.4’s eyes didn’t blink, staring tightly at him, not letting go any detail on opponent’s face.
Call?
Two hundred fifty million.
This number already very high. Not only one-sixth of opponent’s total prize money, also far exceeded all points he had on hand now. Meaning if he lost, he would thoroughly lose qualification to leave gamble, only could continue losing until lost all. And if he won, only winning one hundred million, not much impact on overall situation.
Is he bluffing?
Possible.
But if this really is bluffing, then price opponent pays too high; input and return completely disproportionate.
Moreover…
No.8’s gaze fell on several community cards on table.
This very likely formed good hand.
Then, risk it?
“…”
No.8 glanced at numbers on his hole cards, slowly showing smile on face:
“Fold.”
Since this Texas Hold’em only had two people, after one side folded, game officially ended.
Wen Jianyan won first round victory.
“Yay!” Young man curved eyes, smilingly turning over his two hole cards.
One Ace of Spades, one Four of Hearts.
No.8 slightly stunned.
“…Damn.”
Seeing Wen Jianyan’s hole cards, even Figaro dealing cards couldn’t help cursing softly.
“Ha, High Card.”
Not far away, Mesvis raised eyebrow, laughing happily.
So-called High Card, means hole cards plus community cards, not only no pair, also can’t form straight… is worst hand in Texas Hold’em.
Person daring to raise with this hand, either fool or madman.
“…”
No.8 paused, turning over his hole cards.
His hole cards were Nine of Hearts, Three of Spades.
Combined with community cards only a pair, but much better than Wen Jianyan’s rotten hand.
Wen Jianyan stared at red chips on table, eyes bright: “…Wow.”
Young man leaned forward smilingly, whistling while happily scooping all chips on table to his front.
In just short ten-plus minutes, he already increased fifteen billion chips in hand to sixteen billion twenty million.
That is 162 red chips.
Wen Jianyan arranged chips back into his chip box, while showing somewhat shy smile to No.8 sitting opposite, as if feeling very guilty about his victory this time:
“Oh my, you let me win, you let me win.”
In the “Integrity First” Live Room:
[…]
[…]
[Not to say, can you kid be more punchable? Ah???]
[Won is won, why you still taunting???]
[How you think you won this time? Isn’t it because people only had pair in hand, but didn’t expect you dared to raise so big with rotten hand!!!]
[Beat him for me!!!]
