American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.
Chapter 286 A More Powerful Force
Lin En walked into the casino and was greeted by the usual laughter and bustling atmosphere. The lights were bright, neon lights flickered, and the air was thick with the scent of cigarettes and alcohol. Crowds gathered around nearly every gaming table. Several dealers expertly dealt the cards, and the atmosphere was heated and tense, with everyone's face filled with anticipation and anxiety.
Lin En was familiar with the area. He greeted the receptionist with a smile, exchanged some chips, and headed for a high-stakes roulette table. His steps were relaxed, his face beaming, his gaze scanning the surroundings. Some of the casino's regulars nodded in greeting upon seeing him arrive. Clearly, his appearance and demeanor made him look not just a stranger, but rather a long-time "big boss."
Soon, Lin En noticed a man sitting at a corner table. He was dressed in a dark suit, with sharp eyes and a sneer on his lips. He was flanked by several unfriendly-looking individuals. This man was a peripheral member of the Blood Eagle Gang, Jason Hopkins. He was the leader of an underground gambling ring surrounding the casino. Although to outsiders he was just an ordinary high-stakes gambler, he actually held a very important position within the casino's mafia network.
Lin En smiled as she walked over to Jason's table, sat down next to him, and took the initiative to greet him: "Hey, Jason, what's up? Are you trying your luck here today too?"
Jason raised his head and glanced at Lin with a hint of surprise, then a smile appeared on his face: "Oh, it's you, Lin. You look in good spirits today. Want to play a game with us?"
Lin En smiled, signaled the dealer to give him a round of chips, and placed a few bets casually: "Opportunities at the gambling table don't come around often. I have to take good care of my luck today and not get ripped off by you old hands."
Jason laughed heartily, a shrewd gleam in his eyes. "Don't worry, brother, no one in this casino can cheat you. You don't look like an ordinary gambler. Do you want to invest more today?"
Lin En smiled easily and released the chips in his hand: "Who said it wasn't? I plan to win more today, otherwise the casino's money will soon flow into your pockets."
Jason's eyes lit up with interest when he heard this. "You're so bold! Someone like you doesn't look like an ordinary gambler at all. Are you here to make friends with us old buddies?"
Lin En patted Jason on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Brother, we should have talked a long time ago. I heard that you have made some big deals recently. I wonder if I, a gambler, can also get some of the benefits?"
A hint of hesitation flashed across Jason's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "You're such a joke, Linn. We're not playing around like children. This isn't a simple gambling game."
Lin En smiled and relaxed. "We're not kids, but we still want to find some excitement in this city. You big shots, there's definitely more to you than just gambling, right?"
A sly glint flashed across Jason's eyes, as if Lin's words had piqued his interest. "You're right, there's more to casinos than meets the eye. But you also know that the dark side of this city extends beyond just the gambling tables. It's quite interesting that a newcomer like you is so courageous, daring to approach us directly."
Lynn's heartbeat quickened, realizing his words had caught Jason's attention. He continued to maintain a relaxed tone, "I'm not trying to do anything big. I just hope to make some friends, get to know some people, and learn about your 'business.' After all, my business isn't that simple either."
Jason raised his eyebrows slightly, seeming to be interested in Lin's attitude. "Oh? Then you are quite courageous, daring to say so directly. I like people who are straightforward like this." He paused, glanced at the people around him, and finally said in a low voice, "However, you should also know that what we do is not something aboveboard. If you want to understand our 'business', you will have to pay a price. If you really want to cooperate with us, you must prove yourself first."
Lin En smiled slightly and without hesitation took out a wad of cash from his pocket and placed it on the table, appearing very generous. "You're right, Jason, I didn't come here empty-handed. Since we're all in the same circle, why not use this method to improve our relationship?"
Jason's eyes flickered, clearly touched by Lin's actions. He glanced at the cash on the table and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. "I accept your kindness. In that case, let's talk." He gestured for the people next to him to sit further away, appearing somewhat defensive but not overly hostile.
Lin En noticed this and knew that someone as cautious as Jason must have considerable power behind him. He continued chatting with Jason, trying to draw him into a deeper conversation through various topics. The conversation ranged from luck at the gambling table to the interests of Las Vegas casinos to the local underground mafia network. Throughout this process, Lin En deliberately lowered his posture and spoke to Jason in a relaxed tone, instilling a sense of trust in him.
A few minutes later, Jason suddenly stopped talking, his eyes becoming somewhat penetrating. "Since you're so anxious, I can tell you what you want to know. But you have to promise not to offend anyone from the Blood Eagle Gang."
Lynn nodded. "Don't worry, Jason. I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to know some information about the recent murders. I heard that you have some people who have connections with the casino area, and I want to start with this information."
A hint of hesitation flashed across Jason's eyes, and then he revealed a meaningful smile. "You're right. The dark side of Las Vegas isn't just about murder and arson. It's more about the struggle for profit. You want to know about those gamblers, right?"
Lin En didn't rush to respond, but quietly waited for Jason to continue. Sure enough, after a moment's silence, Jason whispered, "Some of these gamblers are truly addicted, while others have bigger schemes behind them. The person you're looking for is connected to these murders. I can't tell you who it is, but I can give you a hint: go find Noah Blake. He's our 'accountant,' and he knows a lot more than anyone else."
Lin En's heart skipped a beat; the name felt familiar. Clearly, Black had close ties to the Las Vegas mafia. He quickly memorized the name, his heart filled with anticipation. "Thank you, Jason. I'll take note of what you said."
"Remember, if you mess with the Blood Eagle Gang, the consequences will be dire." Jason stood up and patted Lin En on the shoulder. "However, since you seem to be a courageous person, I'll let you know some information first. We can discuss the follow-up matters later."
Linn smiled, stood up, said goodbye to Jason, and left the table. Despite the cautious nature of their previous conversation, he knew he had obtained a crucial clue. Following Jason's lead, Linn located Noah Black. Black was a prominent figure in the Las Vegas underworld, a renowned figure who controlled the illegal activities surrounding numerous casinos. Unlike other gang members, he didn't directly participate in violent crimes. Instead, he focused on behind-the-scenes operations and the flow of funds, controlling the financial flows of many casinos and the lifeblood of some underground transactions.
Lynn's car stopped near Blake's private office, surrounded by seemingly unassuming shops and restaurants. But Lynn knew this place was far from ordinary. Tucked away in the corner of a high-rise building, Blake's office didn't look like a power center of the underworld; instead, it seemed modern and clean. Downstairs, there was a quiet bar where patrons whispered to each other. While seemingly peaceful, it also had a subtly oppressive atmosphere.
He walked into the bar, looked around, and quickly locked onto Blake. Blake was sitting at a corner table, with no bodyguards around him, only a few unassuming assistants. Dressed in a dark suit and with a stern expression, Blake seemed to maintain a tacit distance from his presence.
Lynn walked up to Blake. Blake looked up at him, his eyes not full of surprise, but rather a hint of interest. "You finally found me, Agent Lynn. You don't seem like an ordinary law enforcement officer, but you're quite courageous."
Lynn smiled and sat down opposite Blake without any hesitation: "I came to you to ask you something, Blake. I hope we can work together happily."
Blake didn't seem to be in a hurry to respond. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Happy cooperation? Do you think I would easily reveal any information to you? You know, I only care about money, nothing else."
Lynn nodded slightly, his smile not showing any impatience, but full of patience: "I understand. What you value is money. In that case, I bring more than just empty words." He reached into his bag and took out a wad of cash and placed it directly in front of Blake.
Blake's eyes immediately sharpened, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he was somewhat satisfied with Lin's straightforwardness and generosity. Lin's actions were without reservation. He knew that Blake was just that kind of person, and that he had to use money and benefits to exchange for the other party's trust. This was also the only way for him to obtain information about Blake.
"You're a smart guy, Lynn," Blake whispered. He gently pushed aside the cash in front of him, but his eyes were fixed on the wad of money. It was obvious that he was familiar with this. "What do you want to know?"
Lin En didn't hesitate and got straight to the point: "I came to you to find out about some recent murders in Las Vegas. I know there are some complicated things behind these gamblers, and they have some connection with you. Please provide me with some information, and I will take care of the rest."
Blake smiled faintly and gently moved the water glass on the table, his eyes slightly scrutinizing. "You've seen the dark side of Las Vegas clearly. You're quite courageous to ask these questions. Do you want to know the cause of these gamblers' deaths, or who is behind them?"
"I'd like to know who was involved in the transactions behind these victims." Lin En maintained a calm tone. "I know you know the truth about these things, and you are willing to cooperate with me."
Blake gave Lin a deep look, as if weighing his words. After a moment, he whispered, "These men's deaths are indeed not simple. You're right. There's a lot going on behind the scenes of this murder. You said you knew about these people's dealings. Then you should understand that this isn't just a simple fight between gamblers. There's a much bigger deal going on, involving underground trading activities and even some of our partners in the Blood Eagle Gang."
Lin's heartbeat quickened slightly. Clearly, Blake's words had given him a glimmer of hope. He continued, "Can you tell me more specifically who these people are? What kind of transactions are they involved in? I know you have contact with them. Can you provide me with any assistance?"
Blake was silent for a moment, seemingly considering whether to reveal more information. Lin En didn't rush him, but waited patiently. He knew that when dealing with people like him, he had to give them enough time and space to gain valuable clues.
Finally, Blake spoke up. "Well, since you're willing to pay such a high price for this information, I'll tell you. Those victims all have one thing in common—they were once partners of the Blood Eagle Gang, involved in underground gambling and money laundering activities."
Lin En frowned slightly, obviously a little surprised: "Blood Eagle Gang? These people are actually related to you?"
Blake nodded, a hint of a sneer in his eyes. "Of course, these people may not be my direct subordinates, but they have many dealings with us. We need to control these underground gambling businesses, and they are part of it. As for those gamblers who died, I'm afraid some things behind the scenes caused unnecessary conflicts. The person who killed them must be someone who knows the inside story of these transactions and wants to eliminate all evidence and anyone who may threaten him."
After hearing these words, Lin En had a clearer idea in his mind. "Do you know who is behind these killings?"
Blake's eyes grew cold, and he was clearly hesitant, but he continued, "I don't know the specific culprits, but I do know some people who shouldn't be underestimated. They have more powerful forces behind them. I'd venture to say that the Blood Eagles' interests aren't the sole motive behind these killings. Perhaps you should look for other leads, especially those who have had contact with the deceased."
Lynn nodded slightly, "I see. Thank you for your cooperation, Blake."
Blake shrugged, a faint smile on his face. "You've paid enough, and I've given you the information you want. The rest depends on whether you can figure it out."
Lin En didn't leave immediately. Instead, he pushed another wad of cash in front of Blake. "Blake, I don't want to alert the enemy. If you could give me some more clues about these people's specific transactions, or tell me more about their background, I would be even more grateful to you." (End of this chapter)
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