Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

“Brother Wuming, cheating is not allowed here. If you’re caught, you’ll have your hand chopped off,” Li Jun said to Luo Wuming with a smile.

Luo Wuming laughed and scolded, "I brought you here to broaden your horizons, why all the nonsense? Shut up."

Although Luo Wuming learned his cheating skills from Luo Sihai, he did not learn his actual gambling skills.

He learned from a gambling master in mainland China, so if you only rely on gambling skills, he's really not lacking.

Moreover, any gambler would not refuse the opportunity to challenge the God of Gamblers, Ko Chun.

After disembarking, Luo Wuming saw a luxury car waiting at the entrance.

The driver walked over with a smile: "Mr. Luo, right? My boss sent me to pick you up."

"Uncle Chen?" Luo Wuming said in surprise.

The driver nodded and then gestured for the three of them to proceed.

The car belonged to SJM Holdings Limited, and being personally invited by them immediately attracted a lot of attention.

Some people even whispered among themselves: "This kid is so young, yet he's also a top expert invited by SJM Holdings?"

"It doesn't look like it."

"So what? When the God of Gamblers, Ko Chun, first debuted, he was only 17 years old."

"Yes, anyone who gets invited by SJM Holdings must be extraordinary."

Seeing that everyone's attention was on him, Luo Wuming seemed a little nervous.

He had always been a street urchin before, and this was the first time he had ever been to such a grand occasion.

After taking a deep breath, Luo Wuming led his two bewildered underlings into the car.

Looking at the scenery along the Haojiang River, Luo Wuming clenched his fists tightly, and something called ambition began to grow in his heart.

Meanwhile, the people that Gao Jin had his eye on also arrived in Haojiang.

They also boarded a vehicle sent by SJM Holdings.

However, this guy is different from Luo Wuming, who has no reputation. Many people recognized him directly.

Magician, Shi Yijian.

A person who can make a name for themselves in the martial arts world is definitely not an ordinary person.

This guy was originally from Hong Kong, but later went to Malaysia with his parents.

At a young age, he made a great name for himself in Kuala Lumpur.

Unlike Gao Jin, who earned his reputation through psychological warfare in a fair and square manner, Shi Yijian, although highly skilled in gambling...

However, his greatest strength lies in his cheating techniques.

It's so fast you can't even see it, like a magic trick in front of you.

Moreover, it wasn't done by visual illusion; it was entirely based on hand speed.

Even high-speed cameras couldn't capture his cheating techniques, which amazed the casino alliance as a divine skill.

That's why he got the title of "Magic Hand".

However, Shi Yijian was unlucky and encountered Jin Neng, who brought 17-year-old Gao Jin to challenge masters from all over the country.

Shi Yijian happened to be on the list of challengers.

The result was that he lost all three matches.

His prized magic skills were rendered useless in the face of Gao Jin's psychological warfare.

Because of his unstable temperament, he almost got caught cheating.

The rule in casinos is that if no one notices you cheating, it's considered that you didn't cheat; but if you are caught cheating, you have to leave a hand behind.

After this battle, Shi Yijian practiced psychological tactics diligently, hoping to one day challenge the God of Gamblers, Gao Jin, again.

Five years later, he knew his opportunity had arrived, so he came to Macau without hesitation.

He even abandoned his childhood sweetheart with whom he was about to get married.

Looking at the Portuguese hotel that was not far away, Shi Yijian took a deep breath, got out of the car, and strode towards the hotel with a determined look in his eyes.

Just then, a pretty girl ran over and blocked Shi Yijian's path, saying with tears in her eyes, "Do you really have to go today?"

"This is one of my few chances, Mochou," Shi Yijian said earnestly.

Mo Chou gritted her teeth and said fiercely, "And what about me? Where do you place me?"

Shi Yijian fell silent immediately, and after a moment said to Mo Chou, "I'm sorry."

After saying that, he bypassed Mo Chou and turned to walk towards the hotel.

Mo Chou burst into tears on the spot and shouted at Shi Yijian's back: "Shi Yijian, one day I will make you regret it."

Shi Yijian paused for a moment.

He then took a deep breath and continued forward.

SJM Holdings also invested a significant amount of money in this God of Gamblers Challenge.

Various media outlets rushed to report on it, which really heated up the atmosphere.

Tickets for the preliminary rounds alone have been resold for several thousand yuan each.

With movie ticket prices averaging in this range, several thousand yuan for a single ticket is already considered exorbitant.

There were even tabloid reporters who seized on this point and reported on it extensively.

Because of concerns about interfering with the players, there were very few tickets available for the preliminary rounds; they were all distributed free of charge by SJM Holdings, making them even rarer on the market.
So on the day of the qualifiers, the entrance to the Portuguese hotel was packed with people.

Moreover, betting odds have already been opened on the international markets, and there are even quite a few in Hong Kong.

For example, in Luo Sihai's bar, Luo Sihai boasted that his nephew had been invited by SJM Holdings, which attracted many regular customers to place bets.

In the lobby of the Portuguese hotel, more than a dozen gambling tables were already set up.

Professional dealers patrol the premises, and high-speed cameras are mounted overhead to prevent cheating.

Soon, those who had received invitations or purchased their qualifications entered the arena, and the competition was about to begin.

The emcee first read out a list of thank-you notes, and then announced the official start of the God of Gamblers Challenge.

Those who can come here are either rich or powerful, so the competition started fiercely as soon as it began.

At Luo Wuming's table, there weren't many experts, but quite a few wealthy suckers.

He played cards without any strategy and was quickly kicked off the table by Luo Wuming, becoming the first player to advance.

An unknown young man suddenly emerged, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

Many felt that this young man seemed to have the potential to be a dark horse.

Then there was Shi Yijian, who was caught in a tough battle. Although he was very strong, none of the people at the table were simpletons.

He's either a math genius from Las Vegas or an Indian with a photographic memory.

It was only through his unparalleled cheating skills that Shi Yijian managed to drive the two men off the table.

However, Shi Yijian became the last player to qualify.

"Tsk, this kid's technique is really amazing." Chen Jiajun stood in the office, watching the playback with Gao Jin.

Indeed, even the high-speed camera couldn't detect his cheating method.

Gao Jin smiled and said, "That's why I said he might be able to replace me. I doubt there's anyone in the world who wouldn't use cheating techniques."

Chen Jiajun agreed, nodding and saying, "You two are like two extremes, one using open and aboveboard strategies, the other resorting to underhanded tactics. But what do you think of my friend's nephew?"

Gao Jin knew that Chen Jiajun was referring to Luo Wuming, but he still shook his head and said, "There are no experts at his table. I can't see anything special about them."

"Then you'd better take a good look at it for me when the finals come around," Chen Jiajun said, patting Gao Jin on the shoulder.

The qualifiers ended quickly.

All external betting markets also closed.

Luo Wuming, an unknown nobody, suddenly became a dark horse.

Not many people were optimistic about him before.

Li Jun and the scoundrel ran over and showered Luo Wuming with compliments: "Brother Wuming, you're going to be rich now. The whole of Macau knows your name."

Although he was the first contestant to appear, Luo Wuming remained remarkably calm, chuckling self-deprecatingly, "What's this? Just good luck. There are quite a few experts among the contestants today, not to mention the famous God of Gamblers." "You're too modest," Li Jun said with a smile. "Brother Sihai just called to say he made a fortune running an escort service at a bar."

Luo Wuming shook his head helplessly and said, "Tell Fourth Uncle not to go too far. The waters here run deep."

Upon hearing Luo Wuming's words, the two henchmen seemed somewhat indifferent.

After returning to the hotel, Luo Wuming personally made a phone call to Luo Sihai.

Only after confirming that his fourth uncle wouldn't do anything reckless did he feel relieved.

Although he was the first player to qualify today, he watched all the matches.

The one he cared about most was the famous magician Shi Yijian.

In terms of gambling skills alone, Luo Wuming might be slightly better than Shi Yiqiang, but only by a small margin.

However, when it comes to cheating techniques, Luo Wuming felt he wasn't even worthy of carrying Shi Yijian's shoes.

That incredible hand speed made his scalp tingle.

They didn't even know how to solve the problem, or rather, how to expose Shi Yijian.

If the two of them were to face off head-on, he would definitely be at a disadvantage.

Unable to fall asleep after thinking for a long time, Luo Wuming simply closed the door and took out the booklet his master had given him to read.

With a few days left until the semifinals, he decided to do some closed-door brainstorming.

Whether it's useful or not, at least it helps me calm down.

Meanwhile, Shi Yijian, who was about to leave the casino and return to his hotel, bumped into Gao Jin, who was walking out of his office.

"Gao Jin, it's been a long time."

Shi Yijian looked at Gao Jin with sharp eyes, his tone carrying a strange undertone.

Jealousy, resentment, and anger—perhaps a little bit of all of these.

Gao Jin greeted Shi Yijian with a smile: "It really has been a long time. You did a great job."

Although there were no particularly harsh words, these words were enough to make Shi Yijian very unhappy: "Don't be so smug. I will personally remove your title of God of Gamblers. This time."

Gao Jin smiled and shook his head, saying in a very arrogant tone, "Okay, I'll wait for you."

"Hmph." Shi Yijian was met with another rebuff, and with a cold snort, he turned and left.

Gao Jin shook his head and left in the opposite direction.

He didn't take Shi Yijian seriously; from beginning to end, he had his own enemies.

Therefore, he is the true God of Gamblers.

A few days later, the semi-finals were held as scheduled.

Compared to the qualifiers, the semifinals were far more intense.

After all, there are more and more experts at the same level.

Several foreign experts also overcame numerous obstacles along the way.

However, they suffered a crushing defeat when they met Shi Yijian and Luo Wuming.

It's fortunate that the two weren't in the same group, otherwise they would have had to decide who was better today.

Luo Wuming's brilliant performance finally caught Shi Yijian's attention.

He originally thought that Gao Jin would be his only opponent tonight, but now it seems that he has to add another target.

Luo Wuming, facing Shi Yijian's provocative gaze, was equally unwilling to back down.

Although he was previously an unknown street urchin, now that he's in this arena, he still wants to show his brilliance.

By the time the match ended, it was already past midnight.

After the list of those who advanced was announced, the odds on the outside betting markets changed again.

In the upstairs lounge, He Xin was chatting with Chen Jiajun: "You always manage to make such a big fuss, no wonder people say you're a born businessman."

"As far as I know, your Shenzhou Technology Building in Longkou is almost finished, right? Is there some big project coming up again?"

Chen Jiajun shook his head and said, "Don't even mention it. Business in the mainland is still in its infancy, and people are very unscrupulous in their methods. I'm still having a headache over the issue of counterfeit goods."

He Xin's sudden mention of Shenzhou Technology clearly indicated his desire to get involved.

However, Chen Jiajun did not want to agree to this request.

Other companies are one thing, but Chen Jiajun has great ambitions for Shenzhou Technology and doesn't want anyone involved in his business.

So when He Xin asked, he deliberately played the victim.

He Xin took a puff of his cigar and nodded. What Chen Jiajun said was pretty much what he knew; while Walkmans were profitable, counterfeiting them was a real headache.

Increasing investment now is clearly a thankless and arduous task.

If you have that spare money, it would be more worthwhile to buy some land in the mainland.

So after hearing Chen Jiajun's words, He Xin changed the subject and started talking about the Lu Guo Group.

"We still need to follow the policies on this issue, otherwise we'll easily suffer losses," Chen Jiajun shook his head and said. "If we're not careful, we could be in big trouble."

"Why do you keep asking about investments today? Do you have too much money and can't spend it all? How about I help you spend it? I'm thinking of buying a yacht."

Upon hearing this, He Xin immediately laughed and scolded, "You idiot, you can't afford a yacht? I have some money on hand recently and I want to invest it. I was wondering if you have any good opportunities?"

Last time, because of the Plaza Accord, he made a lot of money with a group of big bosses, and now each of them has a considerable amount of money in their hands.

When these big bosses have money, their first reaction is to make money from money.

After all, making money can be addictive.

After thinking for a while, Chen Jiajun said to He Xin, "If you want to invest, I have an idea. Let's find a few big bosses to discuss it together after a while."

He Xin immediately laughed and said, "Alright. Just based on your reputation, Ah Jun, I definitely won't fall behind."

After discussing the investment, He Xin asked Chen Jiajun, "Who do you think is the most likely candidate this time?"

Chen Jiajun said with a smile, "Need I say more? Of course it's Shi Yijian."

He Xin clearly shared the same view, nodding and saying, "But your friend's nephew seems quite nice too?"

"Him?" Chen Jiajun said with a smile, "I have other plans."

"Other arrangements? Do you intend to send this kid to Brunei?" He Xin said with some oddity, "Didn't you say that the casinos in Brunei have been brought to the brink of collapse?"

Chen Jiajun shook his head: "Those American devils are only half-dead, I haven't even exerted my full strength yet."

"Oh? The investment you mentioned earlier is related to this?" He Xin immediately became interested.

Although He Xin didn't know the relationship between Chen Jiajun and Li Yaohua, he could sense that Chen Jiajun still had a lot of influence in Brunei.

Not only He Xin noticed it, but many left-wing businessmen who had good relations with Chen Jiajun also noticed it.

Chen Jiajun didn't bring it up, so they didn't feel comfortable asking.

Chen Jiajun smiled and said to He Xin, "Indeed, there is a plan. Let me study it and then discuss it with you and Brother Nan."

Upon hearing Chen Jiajun's words, He Xin immediately smiled and nodded.

The semi-finals are over, and the finals will be held in three days.

During this period, all sorts of shady characters and monsters in Macau were on the move.

Many players who are desperate to lose are trying to cause trouble or, in other words, influence the players.

However, it didn't have much effect, after all, this was Haojiang, He Xin's territory.

Anyone who dares to act recklessly will die, no matter who they are.

The following day, several unidentified bodies were found washed ashore on the beach. Apart from a perfunctory investigation by the Macau police, the incident did not cause any stir.

All the contestants stayed in the Portuguese hotel.

External forces do not yet have the capacity to extend their reach into the Portuguese hotel.

To prevent any accidents from happening, He Xin even arranged security personnel throughout the hotel.

The contestants' food was prepared by designated personnel and delivered to their rooms under surveillance. (End of Chapter)