Chapter 119: The Casino Broker

"What is this haunting you're talking about?" Yang Meng asked curiously.

Long Mingyang explained, "It's like this: for the past two days, teachers at the private school within the community have reported that many children are listless and struggling to study. When asked, they all claim to have had the same dream—a girl beckons them to a playground filled with other children, leaving them exhausted."

"At first, the teachers thought it was just an excuse for laziness, but later they realized more and more children were saying the same thing. The common thread is that they are all residents of 'Handong World.' The school board brought this to our attention, so I brought in Master Yunhe. Actually, I wanted to ask you, but I knew you were busy with your own troubles and didn't want to disturb you. Besides, this matter is sensitive and the public impact would be terrible, so we decided to handle it quietly."

Yang Meng glanced at Yunhe and said helplessly, "Since Daoist Master Yunhe is here, I certainly shouldn't show off. Master Yunhe, have you found anything?"

Yunhe, pleased by Yang Meng's remark, stroked his beard and said, "The Feng Shui formation here was personally set up by my second senior brother; it is a place meant to attract wealth and fortune. Yet, upon arriving today, I immediately felt a shroud of ghostly energy. Sure enough, I have discovered a true malevolent entity! I didn't expect it to be brought here by you, young friend Yang. I don't know what kind of arts you practice, but I warn you: keeping company with ghosts will easily cloud your mind. If that day ever comes, don't blame this old Daoist for purging evil and upholding the path!"

Yang Meng spread his hands. "Suit yourself. But since you've already detected the ghost, why are you just hopping around here instead of catching it?"

Yunhe’s eyes widened. "What do you mean, 'hopping around'? What are ghosts best at? Creating illusions to confuse the mind! The ghostly energy here is dense; who knows where it’s hiding? I am setting up a spirit-summoning array to lure it out!"

Yang Meng sighed. "With this pathetic array of yours? You might attract a stray ghost, but it’s useless against anything with real cultivation. Forget it, I'll tell you: your target is a practitioner of black magic—an Achan in black robes. He and his employer are staying in Building C, on the 26th floor—the one with the lights on right now. He is raising a 'Kuman Thong' (child ghost) for his employer. Based on what Elder Long just said, the entity is nearly fully formed. If you want to catch it, now is the time."

Everyone was stunned. Duan Sheng asked directly, "How do you know this? Are you sure? This is not something we can afford to get wrong; if this blows up, it will have a huge impact on our Long Group."

Yang Meng replied helplessly, "I came here specifically for this! Believe it or not. Since you've already taken action, I'll just stand on the sidelines and watch."

"Mr. Yang!" Lü Liling said, looking nervous. Yang Meng waved his hand to signal her to stay quiet. He had been worried about how to get in; now, he could just follow Elder Long and his group. Let them take the heat—what a perfect arrangement!

Duan Sheng, holding an iPad, said to Long Mingyang, "The owner of the unit on the 26th floor of Building C is He Yongye, 47. On the surface, he is the CEO of a travel agency, but in reality, he is a VIP broker for the Caesars Palace casino in Las Vegas."

Yang Meng whistled. "No wonder he has enough money to buy property here! Elder Long, you really do have all sorts of people here. You knew what he did and still sold him the place? Money really does talk! But then again, not every tycoon can say their hands were clean while accumulating capital. Elder Long, tell me, how many people went bankrupt to pay for this apartment of He Yongye's?"

Listening to Yang Meng's snide remarks, Long Mingyang could only offer a bitter, silent smile. Yang Meng was right. Even if the Long Group didn't bother with petty tricks anymore, it didn't mean they never had, and they had certainly done their share of dirty work while building their fortune.

In Han, foreign gambling companies are forbidden from soliciting customers domestically. Yet, countless people work as casino brokers, which, plainly put, means luring people to gamble in overseas casinos.

He Yongye was a so-called VIP broker; the gamblers he brought were treated to free food, accommodation, and top-tier service. These brokers earned commissions by funneling domestic gamblers to high-stakes tables abroad. The casinos provided luxurious VIP suites to entertain these clients. They were met at the airport by private helicopters and accompanied by beauties—Western, local, black, white—whatever the client desired. They were chauffeured in luxury cars. With that kind of treatment, what else was there to say? Let the gambling begin!

In fact, even if the gambler won, brokers like He Yongye still made money. Casinos don't just profit from gambling; the surrounding businesses—cosmetics, clothing, luxury goods, jewelry shops—were also revenue streams for these brokers.

A casino is a place that never loses money as long as there are gamblers. Many fantasize about winning hundreds of millions and bankrupting a casino, but if someone actually did, the casino would only use it as a massive marketing campaign to attract even more fools.

Many imagine casinos profit through head-to-head gambling with the customer, but that is not the case. The business model is actually similar to an insurance company: insurance companies pay claims using the premiums of other policyholders who didn't file claims, and casinos pay winnings using the money lost by other gamblers.

The real profit point for a casino is the "house edge." No game in the world is a true fifty-fifty split. For instance, in Baccarat, besides betting on the Banker or Player, there are ties and pairs. In dice games, there are additional bets like "triples." In Blackjack, the house edge is around 3%, while other games are over 5%. Don't underestimate this; every single hand adds money to the casino's pocket.

Moreover, no one wins forever. The end result is almost always a loss. Winners want to win more; losers want to win back their losses. Even if they break even, they’ll want to press their luck. The outcome is almost always a tragedy.

But to make money, a casino needs gamblers. Since gambling is banned domestically, countless gamblers choose to go abroad, and the profession of a casino broker was born. Casinos worldwide go to great lengths to attract Han gamblers: hiring Mandarin-speaking staff, offering Baccarat tables, and providing VIP service to satisfy the Han obsession with "face."

In the eyes of the casino, these gamblers are lambs waiting to be slaughtered, and the brokers are the drivers leading them into the slaughterhouse. Don't underestimate these brokers; many VIP-level brokers have net worths starting in the eight figures.

Where does their money come from? It is built on the ruins of countless bankrupt gamblers. It’s a case of a willing victim and a willing predator.

However, the government had sensed the situation worsening and had been cracking down in recent years, leading many brokers to adopt disguises. Like He Yongye, whose official identity was a travel agency boss. Of course, everyone in the circle knew the truth.

Duan Sheng felt uncomfortable with Yang Meng’s sarcasm toward Long Mingyang. "Young friend, since you are so knowledgeable, why are you just watching? Is it a lack of ability or...? It’s hard for us to believe you when you offer nothing but words."

Yang Meng looked at Duan Sheng. "You think I don't want to go in? There are more cameras in this 'Handong World' than in the Lisboa Casino. I don't want any trouble inside to be pinned on me! As for whether my ability is enough, that’s not for you to worry about, is it? You have Daoist Master Yunhe by your side! Master, you have no problem dealing with a black magic practitioner, right?"

Yunhe’s expression turned serious. After a moment of thought, he said, "Although this old Daoist deals with all kinds of ghosts, I have never actually faced a practitioner of black magic."

Yang Meng teased, "Master Yunhe, you already lost face once over the Zhao Yun affair. Don't capsize in the gutter this time. You'd better be fully prepared."

Yunhe’s eyes bulged. "That was just negligence! Don't you see I never leave my sect's artifacts behind now? Besides, even if I haven't dealt with a black magic practitioner, my senior brother often does! He taught us many techniques!"

"Senior brother?" Yang Meng was taken aback. "You have a senior brother?"

Yunhe looked proud. "Of course. My senior brother is a big deal. He is... hmph! Why am I telling you this?"

Yang Meng glanced at him. "Oh? I didn't realize you were a 'tsundere.' But in the end, aren't you just an armchair strategist?"

"You!" Yunhe was so angry he could have breathed fire.

Seeing the tension, Duan Sheng quickly intervened: "Since we've found the target, let's go in and handle this before complications arise."

Long Mingyang agreed, "Young Yang is right. Whatever happens, we cannot leave any evidence behind."

Duan Sheng picked up the iPad, tapped a few keys, and said, "All surveillance is now paused. But what about the patrol team?"

The security in Handong World patrolled 24/7. It would be difficult for them to enter unnoticed.

Yang Meng said to Lü Liling, "You can cast a 'ghost wall' (illusion), right? Don't let anyone notice us going in! Gentlemen, shall we go?"