Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

Higashikyo, Shibuya Ward.

In this era at the end of the Showa period, when the frenzied bubble economy was about to ignite, the night sky over eastern longitude resembled a piece of deep blue velvet that had been repeatedly ravaged, presenting a morbidly colorful appearance under the dense neon lights.

And that towering, square building—"Takamagahara"—at the heart of Shibuya, stands like a silent, malevolent god, coldly watching over the descent of humanity.

Just as Lu Chen was plotting a two billion dollar financial raid on the top floor, the giant casino on the second basement floor of the building was experiencing a minor trouble.

……

Let's go back to late October, to the second basement level of Takamagahara.

This is a lawless land completely detached from the order on the ground.

Passing through the heavy, alloy-framed sensor door—enough to withstand the fire of a light tank—one is greeted by a peculiar aroma, a blend of top-grade Cuban cigar smoke, aged single malt whisky, and expensive perfumes. Two rows of Japanese girls in plain, sheer silk kimonos bow slightly beside a meticulously arranged artificial landscape. Their makeup is exquisitely refined, like that of puppets, and the glimpse of white at their necklines gleams alluringly coldly in the dim light of the palace lanterns.

In the center of the hall, a giant, theater-like stage was hosting a song and dance performance. Today's theme was South American flair, with a dozen samba dancers specially flown in from Rio de Janeiro performing wildly. Their heads were adorned with dazzling flamingo-like feathers, and their bronze skin glistened with the oily sheen of sweat under the spotlight. Each heavy drumbeat was accompanied by a powerful thud of their breasts and hips, filling the air with a palpable heat of masculine hormones.

Here, guests, dressed in custom-made tuxedos or expensive Italian suits, have glamorous women in snow-white mink coats and delicate high heels on their arms. The women sway their firm thighs with all their might, trying to walk more gracefully, their hips taut beneath their tight skirts, each step a silent seduction.

In the shadow of each marble pillar stood elite guards, their suits open, revealing gun grips under their arms. Their eyes, like cold knives, scrutinized everyone. However, the presence of these guards did not make the VIPs uneasy; on the contrary, it gave them the confidence to gamble—because everyone knew that in Takamagahara, as long as you didn't break the rules, you were an absolutely safe "god."

However, tonight, the name of this "God" is Chen Jincheng.

Inside the Imperial Dragon Hall.

This is the highest-level VIP hall in Takamagahara, with a starting price of $100,000 per level. At this moment, the entire hall is so quiet that only the ticking of the huge obsidian clock can be heard.

Chen Jincheng sat calmly to one side of the gambling table. This Singaporean gambling king wore a dark gray three-piece suit, his eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses were as calm as still water, and he was playing with two warm jade cicadas in his hands. He didn't look like a gambler who came to cause trouble, but rather more like a Confucian businessman who was about to sign a multinational contract.

Before him lay a mountain of chips, each representing a fortune that an ordinary person could never earn in a lifetime.

On the right side of the table, casino manager Michiko Nishiwaki was staring intently at the cards in her hand. Her usually cold and aloof face was now covered with a fine layer of cold sweat due to extreme tension.

Michiko Nishiwaki, a gambling expert known as the "Rakshasa Woman" in the underworld, felt an unprecedented sense of defeat today.

"Mr. Chen, playing baccarat requires not only skill, but also psychology." Michiko Nishiwaki took a deep breath, her chest heaving violently beneath her tight black cheongsam due to her fluctuating emotions.

She shoved aside a stack of chips in front of her: "Five million US dollars, I beat you. I don't believe you can still have a nine."

Chen Jincheng smiled gently, a smile devoid of any warmth or affliction. He didn't even look down at the cards; he simply and slowly removed his gold-rimmed glasses, wiping them with a silk handkerchief—a gesture so elegant it was almost despairing.

"Miss Western, in Singapore, no one dares to bet with me on 'believe it or not.' A bet is about probability, but even more so, it's about composure."

Chen Jincheng slowly turned over the card, his movements as light as if he were revealing a love letter.

"It's nine o'clock, everyone."

As he said, nine points for the idle player, a decisive blow.

Thirty million US dollars.

This is the total amount of cash Chen Jincheng took from this house in just two hours tonight. And if we include the previous two times, this "Singapore gambling king" has already taken a full US$100 million in cash reserves from Takamagahara.

That was cash, the "bullets" Lu Chen used to maneuver in the Japanese stock market and inject money into the underground black market.

Michiko Nishiwaki's fingers trembled slightly. She knew very well that as Ruan Wen's most trusted subordinate in the casino, if she couldn't stop Chen Jincheng tonight, not only would her abilities be questioned, but it might even affect Mr. Lu's top-level plans in Japan.

"Let's play one more round, this time Five Card Stud." Michiko Nishiwaki's voice was low, revealing a desperate and reckless spirit.

"Alright," Chen Jincheng replied with his usual refined smile. "When in Rome, do as the host says."

The dealer shuffled the cards with lightning speed. The four face-up cards were quickly dealt to the table.

Chen Jincheng's hand consists of the King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of Hearts. This is an extremely dangerous hand; if his hole card is the Ace of Hearts or any card of the same suit, he could potentially form a straight flush or a high-ranking flush.

Michiko Nishiwaki's hand consisted of three 8s and a Jack of Spades. She already had three of a kind, and if her hole card was another 8 or a Jack, she would have a full house, enough to sweep most hands.

More than ten million US dollars worth of chips have already piled up on the table.

Michiko Nishiwaki stared intently into Chen Jincheng's eyes, trying to find a flaw in his demeanor through micro-expression analysis. Chen Jincheng, however, didn't look at his cards; he picked up his red wine and took a small sip.

"Miss West, your breathing is off." Chen Jincheng put down his glass, his tone like an elder instructing a younger person. "In Sokha, what your hole cards are isn't important; what's important is what your opponents think you have. You have three eights, waiting for a full house. But have you considered what if my hole cards are the Ace of Hearts?"

"Mr. Chen, I've seen this whole charade a million times," Michiko Nishiwaki scoffed. "I'll add five million."

"What audacity." Chen Jincheng didn't even glance at the pile of chips, casually pushing them aside. "I'll add five million, and then another ten million. Miss Nishiki, tonight I want to see if this 'Rakshasa' of Takamagahara has the guts to take my ten million."

The sound of those ten million US dollars clashing against each other was particularly jarring in the quiet VIP room.

Michiko Nishiwaki's heart pounded. For a moment, she hesitated.

She looked at Chen Jincheng's calm face, trying to find even the slightest hint of panic. But Chen Jincheng's eyes held only a deep calm, as if he were truly holding the Ace of Hearts.

If she bets and loses, Takamagahara's losses tonight will exceed 50 million; if she doesn't bet, then Rashad's reputation will be completely ruined.

Michiko Nishiwaki finally closed her eyes, her clenched teeth trembling slightly: "I... won't go."

Chen Jincheng smiled slightly and gently lifted the card with his slender fingers.

It wasn't the Ace of Hearts, or even a flush; it was just the 3 of Diamonds.

Stealing chickens!

The most basic, yet most extreme, way to steal chickens!

Michiko Nishiwaki suddenly stood up, her face as pale as paper. The three 8s in her hand could have easily won against the 3 of diamonds, but she had personally squandered her victory under Chen Jincheng's psychological warfare.

"Thank you for your guidance, Miss Nishikyo." Chen Jincheng put away the chips, the white jade cicada twirling nimbly between his fingers. "It seems the Rakshasas of Takamagahara are nothing special after all."

……

"Ishii, this is the third time already."

In his top-floor office, Ruan Wen stood with a glass of champagne in front of a huge one-way floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the restless city below.

Ishii Oren stood with her hands clasped in the shadows, her tone heavy: "Miss, we have investigated thoroughly. Chen Jincheng was invited back by Minegishi Shigeru, the chairman of the Sumiyoshi-kai."

Ruan Wen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the bustling yet deadly night view of Tokyo, his eyes cold and sharp: "Sumiyoshi-kai, that spineless dog? They have some nerve."

"Yes," Ishii Oren nodded, "Recently, Takamagahara's expansion in the East has been too aggressive. From Ginza to Shibuya, we've practically wiped out the traditional underground financial and entertainment industries. That old stubborn guy from the Sumiyoshi-kai felt a survival crisis, so they brought in Chen Jincheng. He got intelligence that Takamagahara is currently raising funds, so he's trying to drain our cash flow and disrupt our plans through this 'legal' gambling method. He can even damage our reputation if we don't pay."

Ruan Wen snorted coldly: "This is the so-called 'tradition' of the Japanese Yakuza? When they can't beat violence, they resort to these underhanded tricks."

Ishii Oren added helplessly, "The problem is that his gambling skills are indeed superb, and we can't find any fault with him. Currently, if we want to maintain Takamagahara's reputation and not lose the reputation the casino has built, we have no choice but to accept the loss. Tonight, we even had to proactively lower Chen Jincheng's betting limit and secretly give him ten million US dollars in 'travel expenses' to send him away..."

"Although the outside world praises Takamagahara for its wealth and willingness to accept losses, and the casino's reputation has not only been unaffected but has actually improved as a result, this $100 million hole is difficult to explain."

Ruan Wen remained silent for a long time before waving his hand to signal Ishii Oren to step down.

She knew that this matter was beyond the capabilities of Ishii Oren and Nishiwaki Michiko.

……

Two o'clock in the morning.

Inside the private suite on the top floor of Takamagahara.

Lu Chen was leaning against the headboard, flipping through a draft document regarding the acquisition of Japan's semiconductor industry. Ruan Wen pushed open the door and entered; she had changed into a form-fitting silk nightgown, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders.

She walked gently to the bedside and obediently lay on Lu Chen's chest. Her slender fingers unconsciously traced the powerful muscle lines of Lu Chen's body, her tone carrying a rare sense of frustration.

"Ah Chen, there's some trouble at the casinos in Dongjing. The Sumiyoshi Association invited Singapore's gambling king, Chen Jincheng, to cause trouble. That old guy has already swindled over 100 million US dollars from us."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen did not show the displeasure Ruan Wen had expected. He didn't even put down the documents in his hand, but simply asked in a calm tone, "Michiko can't handle it?"

"Michiko lost badly. Chen Jincheng is a shrewd man, far superior to Michiko. He practically toyed with her the entire time," Ruan Wen raised her head, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a pleading light. "Chen, I've thought of someone."

Lu Chen finally put down the documents and turned to look at Ruan Wen: "You want to hire Gao Jin?"

“That’s right.” Ruan Wen nodded. “Someone of Gao Jin’s caliber can definitely handle Chen Jincheng. After all, in the food chain of the gambling world, if Chen Jincheng is the fox, then Gao Jin is the tiger.”

Lu Chen stared at the ceiling for a while, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of the bed.

He recalled the man with the gentle smile and a chocolate in his mouth. Their chance encounter in Las Vegas, though brief, had been pleasant, and Lu Chen had later left his VIP contact information for Jiahe Security. Although Gao Jin hadn't used it, he was indebted to him, thus naturally establishing a connection between them.

Although the two didn't meet much after that, they kept in touch by phone and were considered good friends.

"Sure," Lu Chen naturally wouldn't refuse his woman's request for help. "I'll call Gao Jin and invite him to Dongjing for a cup of tea. You go and issue a challenge to Sumiyoshi. Gao Jin will represent us, and all the winnings will go to him, plus an additional $50 million appearance fee."

A look of relief finally appeared on Ruan Wen's face. She whispered in Lu Chen's ear, "I knew you had a way..."

……

Mediterranean Sea.

The azure sea shimmered in the sunlight, like a shattered sapphire. A multi-million dollar private yacht, the "Blues," smoothly cut through the waves.

On this yacht, a special "training" session is underway.

To curry favor with Ko Chun, a top casino in Monaco sent six of its most trusted dealers on a week-long voyage with him in the Mediterranean, all in an attempt to obtain a single word from this gambling legend.

"Remember, the rhythm of dealing cards is the breath you breathe in controlling the game."

Gao Jin stood under a parasol on the deck, wearing a white cotton shirt with the collar casually open. Although he was on vacation, his eyes still held a chilling insight when he looked at the card table.

He casually picked up a playing card, flicked it lightly with his finger, and the card seemed to come alive, tracing a strange arc in the air before precisely inserting itself into a champagne glass ten meters away.

The six top dealers from Europe were dumbfounded.

"At the gambling table, you're not there to win money from the customers, but to maintain the illusion that 'the customers think they can win.'" Gao Jin took a piece of chocolate from Amin and gently put it in his mouth.

This bitter taste keeps his nerve endings at their most sensitive state at all times.

"You're like flying a kite; you have to keep pulling it..."

Just then, Gao Jin's cousin, Gao Yi, walked over quickly, carrying a heavy mobile phone.

"Brother, this is Mr. Lu Chen's private phone number."

Gao Jin answered the phone, his previously somewhat lazy demeanor vanishing in an instant. He sat up straight, his thumb gently twirling the iconic jade ring.

"Mr. Lu, long time no see. Is there something you need my help with... Chen Jincheng? Heh, that old devil has been a bit too arrogant lately... Okay, I know. Don't worry, I'll definitely help my friend... No problem, see you at Dongjing in three days."

After hanging up the phone, Gao Jin handed it back to Gao Yi and briefly explained what had happened to Amin and Gao Yi. He told them to pack their things and head to Japan in a couple of days.

After listening, Gao Yi, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but speak up: "Brother, that old fox Chen Jincheng is treacherous and ruthless, and he has deep influence in Southeast Asia. If we go into this mess for Lu Chen's sake, what if..."

"Ah Yi, I've taught you that a gambler can be without cards, but he can't be without loyalty. Mr. Lu is my friend, and I must help my friend," Gao Jin glanced at Gao Yi indifferently, "Book us plane tickets, the fastest one."

Just as Gao Yi was about to continue trying to persuade him, his cell phone rang urgently.

He smiled awkwardly at Gao Jin: "Brother, it's my partner in that wine business deal I talked to before. He might be urging me to make the payment, so I'll go pick him up over there."

Gao Jin frowned slightly: "Ayi, haven't you been getting a bit too many business calls lately?"

"No, no, I just want to save up some money. After all, you taught me that gambling never pays off, and you need a stable job. I'll go pick up the guy first..." Gao Yi chuckled as he quickly walked into the shadows on the other side of the yacht.

The moment the call connected, Gao Yi lowered his voice, his tone filled with a desperate madness: "Brother Nan! I said I would pay you back, give me another week!"

"A week? Gao Yi, do you think I'm running a charity?" A cold, hoarse male voice came from the other end of the phone. It was Ah Nan, a notorious loan shark boss in Hong Kong. "The three million you borrowed a month ago has now ballooned to six million due to compounded interest. Let me tell you, don't think you're safe just because you're hiding in Europe. If you don't see the money by next week, I'll take my men to the Mediterranean and tear you apart, piece by piece, you hear me?"

"Even if you say that, where would I get the money!" Gao Yi roared in a low voice, cold sweat streaming down his back.

In fact, as the God of Gamblers' follower and cousin, Ko Yee's situation was far worse than it appeared to outsiders.

Although Gao Jin treated him well, the annual dividends and salary he received were enough for him to live a top-middle-class life.

But human greed is a bottomless pit. Following Gao Jin, Gao Yi was surrounded by extravagant spenders every day, frequenting the world's finest palaces. This long-term psychological gap made him unwilling to remain merely a bag-carrying assistant. Moreover, he spent money lavishly, always striving for the best in everything he ate, wore, and used; money flowed like water.

So he fantasized about using the "skimmies" he learned from Ko Chun to gamble heavily in Las Vegas, hoping to get rich overnight. But the result was disastrous—he lost all his savings in just one night.

Undeterred, he borrowed money from Ah Nan at exorbitant interest rates. But unlike Gao Jin, who was a once-in-a-million genius, he was merely a pathetic gambler who had lost himself in gambling. Naturally, he lost everything again and couldn't even pay the interest.

Seeing Anan's aggressive approach, Gao Yi suddenly had an idea.

"Brother Nan, listen to me, how about I trade you some big news for money!" Gao Yi gripped his cell phone tightly, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"Oh, what big news? It's worth six million?"

"Gao Jin... he promised some big shot he'd go to Dongjing to deal with Chen Jincheng!" Gao Yi said through gritted teeth, enunciating each word clearly. "I know you're a disciple of Old Master Chen, and he definitely doesn't want to see Gao Jin appear. I can be your inside man, telling you everything about Gao Jin's every move, even his trump cards and psychological weaknesses!"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.

Ah Nan was Chen Jincheng's most trusted overseas executor. He knew all too well Chen Jincheng's fear of Gao Jin. If they could use this opportunity to eliminate Gao Jin, it would be even more exciting for Chen Jincheng than winning a billion US dollars. Moreover, defeating the God of Gamblers would bring influence and fame far exceeding six million.

"Interesting." Anan's voice turned cold. "But that's not enough to cover your six million. Gao Yi, you're a smart man. You should know that what I want is a 'complete' victory."

"No problem!" Gao Yi's mind was completely warped by extreme jealousy and greed for money. "I can drug Gao Jin's chocolate, or... I can switch the cards! Gao Jin trusts me completely; he's bound to lose!"

"Hahahaha! Good! Ruthless!" Anan laughed wildly on the other end of the phone. "No wonder you're Gao Jin's closest 'good brother.' When you come to Japan, we'll discuss the specific details of this 'cooperation' in person."

beep-

Gao Yi hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and calmed his turbulent emotions.

He glanced back at Gao Jin on the deck, who was laughing with Amin and seemed to be surrounded by an aura of glory. His eyes were filled with unfathomable malice.

"Brother, I'm sorry. It's your fault for always restricting me, it's your fault for never teaching me the real skills of gambling!"

Gao Jin seemed to sense something. He turned around, glanced at Gao Yi who was helping him pack, and a very complicated look flashed in his eyes. Then, he unwrapped a piece of chocolate and gently put it in his mouth.

"Ah Yi, some things can't be won by gambling."

He spoke softly, as if to Gao Yi, yet also as if to himself.

At this moment, Gao Yi's hand trembled slightly, but he dared not turn around.

In 1983, the gears of fate turned with a chilling creak between the East Longitude and the Mediterranean Sea.