I run a casino in the immortal realm.

When Zhou Demao handed over the approval document, the ink on the memorial paper was not yet completely dry.

Zheng Yifei took it and scanned it. Jin Zhengyuan's handwriting was very strong, each stroke like a carving, especially the eight characters "abolish his cultivation and expel him from the sect," which were powerful and penetrating.

"The head of the hall approves quickly."

Zheng Yifei carefully put away the approval document.

"The fact that the head of the hall can approve your request on the same day, despite his busy schedule, shows that he values ​​you."

Zhou Demao, holding his teacup, said calmly, "It also shows that he's watching you."

Zheng Yifei understood the weight of those words.

Sometimes, the difference between paying attention and monitoring is just a thin layer of paper.

"The approval has been obtained. The next step is to go to the Business Department of the General Affairs Bureau to apply for the license. The deposit is 20,000 low-grade spirit stones, and the venue rental and staff salaries will be calculated separately."

Zhou Demao put down his teacup: "How many do you have?"

"More than four thousand."

Zhou Demao didn't show any surprise, clearly having already guessed it.

Zheng Yifei smiled and said, "Director, how about we take a stake?"

Zhou Demao glanced at him.

"I have my own businesses, enough to eat and drink, I don't need this."

His tone wasn't harsh, but his attitude was clear: "Moreover, the gambling business in Qingyun City is fraught with difficulties."

How deep?

Zhou Demao reached for the teapot and poured himself a refill of his teacup, his movements unhurried and deliberate.

"Among the three gambling dens in the East District, the owner of Hongyunfang is backed by an elder from Danfeng, Tongbao Casino is related to Qifeng, and the smallest one, Jubaoxuan, is owned by a cousin of a steward from Jianfeng. They all have powerful backers."

Zheng Yifei remained silent.

"You're only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, yet you hold the title of Chief Inspector of Taxation and open a gambling den. What will people think?"

Zhou Demao held up one finger. "First, they think you're using the power of the hall master to steal their business."

Secondly, the sect leader's influence within the sect's upper echelons isn't particularly high; he can't possibly back you up. If you infringe upon the interests of a powerful figure, your life could be in danger.

Zheng Yifei's smile faded.

Everything Zhou Demao said is true.

He had been too naive, thinking that having the endorsement of a Golden Core Hall Master would allow him to act with impunity. He forgot that this sect was a community of interests that had been operating for thousands of years. It was true that Jin Zhengyuan was a Hall Master, but above the Hall Master were the Elder Council and the Sect Master, and there were also six Peak Masters and the Enforcement Hall on the side.

One Golden Core cultivator cannot protect him for a lifetime.

"I can lend you ten thousand spirit stones."

Zhou Demao's voice dropped half an octave, "But my advice is—take it slow. Qingyun City isn't a place you can easily make a name for yourself right now."

Zheng Yifei was silent for a while, then he shook his head.

"Thank you for your kindness, Director. You don't need to borrow the ten thousand spirit stones."

Zhou Demao raised an eyebrow and took out a stack of spirit tickets from his storage bag, stuffing them into Zheng Yifei's hand: "Take these. Your cultivation level is too low, and you're in a high position. Many people are eyeing this position. You can't let people find a handle against you just for making money. Use these spirit stones to make some investments or for cultivation."

"Thank you, Director. But you're right, the waters of Qingyun City are too deep. Even at the eighth level of Qi Refining, I can't reach the bottom while standing on the edge of the pool."

Zheng Yifei accepted the spirit ticket, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "This disciple will go back and think of another way."

Zhou Demao watched his figure disappear through the doorway, then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

This kid is quick-witted, knows when to advance and when to retreat, he's not a reckless fool.

Unfortunately, he has no spiritual root.

On the way back to the inspector's building, Zheng Yifei's mind had already gone through three rounds of thought.

If Qingyun City can't be opened, then let's go somewhere else that can.

He needed a place that met three conditions—first, it had to be far away from the core interest circles of Qingyun City and wouldn't touch the big shots' interests;

Second, they have reliable local forces providing protection;

Third, the consumer base is densely populated.

Sujiafang Market.

These three words almost jumped out of my head instinctively.

Sujiafang Market is one of the forty-three markets under the jurisdiction of Qingyun Sect. It is of medium to large scale and radiates to twelve surrounding vassal markets. The permanent population plus the wandering cultivators number in the hundreds of thousands.

Su Qingwan is a direct descendant of the Su family, and her jurisdiction happens to cover the Su family market area.

With the Su family as their backer, the gambling den could be opened there without worrying about being disrupted by local forces.

Moreover, it's far enough away from Qingyun City that the elders of Danfeng and Qifeng wouldn't travel thousands of miles to cause trouble for a gambling den in a small market.

Zheng Yifei pushed open the office door, sat down, and took out the Flying Message Talisman.

The first message was sent to Su Qingwan.

"Team Leader Su, would it be convenient for you to come to headquarters? I have something to discuss."

The teleportation talisman transformed into a streak of light and disappeared.

This flying communication talisman is a second-tier low-grade talisman specially made by the sect's talisman peak. It is a communication talisman that only the sect's high-ranking members and inner disciples are qualified to use. Even if they are thousands of miles apart, they can send letters instantly. It is very magical, just like the SMS function of mobile phones on Earth.

With these talismans, communication within the sect becomes extremely convenient and efficient. Moreover, they are not disposable; as long as spiritual energy is input, they can be used continuously. All inner disciples and above in the sect have one.

Because talismans are very precious, some outer disciples in special positions also use them, such as tax officials stationed in various markets and towns.

Zheng Yifei naturally received one as well.

Moreover, as an agency that supervises taxation, its members who carry out missions outside are distributed in various towns and cities. In order to facilitate communication and timely information transmission, Zheng Yifei applied for teleportation talismans for all personnel.

Before half a cup of tea could be brewed, Su Qingwan's reply arrived.

"Coming right away."

After sending the message, Zheng Yifei spread out a large sheet of spiritual paper and began to draw.

What was drawn was not a table, but a business plan for a gambling den.

In his previous life, he managed no fewer than twenty casinos on Earth, from Las Vegas to Macau, from offline to online, and he knew the operating model of each casino by heart.

But the cultivation world isn't Earth; simply copying it won't work, it needs to be adapted.

He wrote down three key points.

First, the gambling game is innovative.

The gambling dens in the cultivation world only offer three games: rolling spirit dice, guessing high or low, and betting on spirit beast battles. They are monotonous, boring, and lack any social element.

He wants to introduce at least five new gambling games, including baccarat, Texas Hold'em, roulette, and scratch cards. If conditions permit, he also wants to ask Qi Feng to make some slot machines.

He could calculate the house advantage for every type of gambling game down to two decimal places.

Second, a fair mechanism.

This is the most crucial point. The reason why gambling dens in the cultivation world have a bad reputation is because it's an open secret that the bookmakers cheat.

Gamblers know this, but they have no choice, because all gambling dens are the same. If a gambling den can be "absolutely fair on the surface," not making money by cheating, but profiting purely from the mathematical advantage of the house, word of mouth will spread and gamblers from hundreds of miles around will flock there.

A gambling den that doesn't cheat.

These five words themselves are the biggest GG (Goblin).

Third, the membership system.

Recharge rebates, points redemption, VIP rooms, beautiful female companions, and free spiritual tea and snacks. These marketing tactics, commonplace on Earth, are unheard of in the cultivation world.

When Su Qingwan arrived, Zheng Yifei had already finished writing the framework of the project proposal.

"The Chief Inspector wants to see me?"

Zheng Yifei closed the door.

"Team Leader Su, when you go back to Sujiafang City, please bring one more person with you."

"Who?"

"Zhang Biao, peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, is a brother I brought from Jiafang City."

Su Qingwan didn't ask why immediately, but waited quietly.

"I plan to open a casino in Sujiafang City."

Su Qingwan's eyes flickered.

"Qingyun City can't be opened?"

"It can't be opened."

Zheng Yifei didn't mince words, "The waters are too deep; my current strength isn't enough."

Su Qingwan nodded, not pressing for details. Her response was quick: "The Su Family Marketplace is no problem. I'll talk to the family; the venue, registration, and security can all be taken care of. However—"

She looked at Zheng Yifei: "How much will the Su family get?"

"Twenty percent."

Su Qingwan smiled and said, "Thirty percent."

"25%, that's all."

Zheng Yifei held up one finger, "Moreover, the Su family only receives dividends and does not participate in management. In addition, I don't have enough principal, so your family will have to contribute some funds."

Su Qingwan thought for a moment.

"make a deal."

Zheng Yifei handed her the outline of the proposal: "Go back and have the Su family find a large shop, not necessarily on the street, but at least 500 square meters. The location should be on the main street of the market, the busier the better. Zhang Biao will be in charge of security and early decoration supervision after he arrives."

Su Qingwan took the spirit paper, quickly scanned it, and her gaze lingered for a moment on the words "gambling dens that do not cheat".

"How can a gambling den make money without cheating?"

"Probability".

Su Qingwan looked puzzled.

Zheng Yifei didn't explain, but changed the subject: "I have a friend named Zhao Wenyuan. He runs a restaurant in Sujiafang City, and he manages the gambling den's operations. I will write to him."

Su Qingwan put the proposal into her storage bag and got up to leave.

As she reached the door, she suddenly turned back.

"Chief Inspector, I have a question."

"explain."

"Why don't you go to Su Family Market yourself and keep an eye on things? With your status, applying for a flying magic weapon shouldn't be a problem."

Zheng Yifei leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers twice on the table.

"Because I can't leave. The ten inspection teams were just set up, and as soon as I left, they scattered. And—"

He paused for a moment.

"I'll only design the rules for the gambling den; the actual execution has to be left to trustworthy people. Zhao Wenyuan is a natural businessman, Zhang Biao is a good fighter, and the Su family is a strong family. All three are indispensable."

Su Qingwan glanced at him, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

After the door closed, Zheng Yifei began writing a letter to Zhao Wenyuan, detailing the operation of the gambling den.

"The gambling den is tentatively named 'Good Fortune Arrives'."

He thought about it for a moment, then crossed it out.

Too tacky.

I rewrote three words.

Grand Lisboa.

The pen tip hovered in mid-air, he chuckled to himself, and then crossed it out.

Finally, he wrote down two words—

"Tianyuan Gambling House".

Tengen is the exact center of the Go board.

It was also the starting point of his business empire.