In a mere eight hours, having thoroughly fleeced Gu Juechen and cornered him, the already pale Gu Yechen, who had been frequently spitting blood in his office, had long since departed the North American continent.

Bill Rokes and the others had already been sent off to Copenhagen. There is no need to elaborate on the sheer ecstasy the bearded leader experienced upon meeting them. With this group, coupled with the research institute and arms production lines Gu Yechen had extorted from the Yiyi Dao Alliance, and a colossal sum of funds, the basic structure for the Harde Defense Company could finally be erected.

Currently, Gu Yechen was in Sydney—the Sydney of Australia, now known as the most famous casino city, the City of Pleasure, on Earth Federation.

The "Amastar Hotel" was Sydney’s largest and most luxurious hotel, housing the grandest and most extravagant casino, as well as the most enchanting and alluring establishment for pleasure. It was the ultimate dream for every profligate heir worldwide to arrive with thick checks, indulging in endless indulgence and enjoyment; this place could satisfy nearly every human desire.

The tenth basement level was the VIP area of the hotel, extending nearly a hundred meters underground, ensuring absolute privacy and absolute secrecy, allowing guests laden with cash to pursue their desires unrestrainedly. Within the VIP area, besides private gaming rooms, there were various other entertainment facilities, the opulence and extravagance of which need no further description.

In the spacious private room, an ivory gaming table was set. Three dealers, with practiced smiles masking their sharp gazes, cautiously watched the five high-stakes gamblers seated around the table.

Gu Yechen, Peng Hua, and Siren Areidiya sat upright by the table, intently studying the playing cards before them. The other gambler was a young man with a face slicked with pomade, wearing sapphire-framed, pure white crystal-lensed glasses. He kept glancing at his cards, then sneaking furtive looks at Areidiya.

Gu Yechen had altered his appearance using the Azure Jade Dao Crown, and Siren’s hair had been dyed a light brown. His face had also been subtly adjusted with an extremely refined art of disguise, making him look like an entirely different person.

“I feel like my luck is pretty good today. Maybe I can take a small... tiny risk, add another five hundred thousand... I think I have a good chance.”

Gu Yechen flipped over his markers, pursing his lips into a smile. With a casual sweep of his hand, he tossed five crystal chips into the pile at the center of the table.

Siren, wearing a grim expression, grudgingly threw in five chips as well. He shot Gu Yechen a glare. “Fifty thousand is nothing! I’ll raise you a million!” With a wave of his hand, a sapphire chip flashed brightly as it landed in the stack.

“Quite courageous!” Areidiya narrowed her eyes, gazing steadily at her hole cards for a moment before calmly covering them up. “I won't go mad with you two gentlemen. Pointless risks aren't worth it.”

Peng Hua, meanwhile, laughed loudly and carelessly tossed a large handful of chips forward. He declared in a boisterous manner,

“What’s a bit of money? I might not have many things, but I certainly have plenty of cash.”

After a few cold sneers, Peng Hua muttered something under his breath.

Gu Yechen’s sharp ears caught a few words. He distinctly heard Peng Hua saying, “If I run out of money, can’t I just rob a bank and get some more? Heh!”

A cold sweat broke out on the back of Gu Yechen’s neck. He shook his head and turned to the hesitant, slick-faced young man. “Mr. Gu Yuru, it’s your turn to speak. Uh, do you wish to continue?”

He Guang Tong Chen, Yuan Run Ru Yi—this was the generational ranking within the Gu family. Gu Yechen and Gu Juechen belonged to the 'Chen' generation. The young man opposite Gu Yechen, with his slick face, was a direct descendant of the 'Ru' generation of the Gu clan. In terms of seniority, Gu Yuru was Gu Yechen’s great-grandson. However, since Gu Yechen had concealed his true appearance with the Azure Jade Dao Crown, Gu Yuru could not recognize him.

Gu Yuru looked at the chips before him, his brow furrowed deeply. He was hesitant. The four gamblers accompanying him were betting aggressively, and the pocket money he had allocated for this casual trip to Sydney was not substantial. He had already lost quite a bit of money these past few days, and he had spent lavishly celebrating with a few starlets for several nights. The ready cash he currently controlled was less than ten million.

Areidiya picked up a glass of pure water served by a casino attendant and coldly sneered at Gu Yuru. “If you don't dare to bet, then fold quickly and stop wasting our time.”

Gu Yechen chuckled derisively. He thumped the table several times and laughed loudly, “Miss Ross, you have to understand that some people’s confidence isn't as solid as they pretend it is.”

Siren maintained a poker face and sneered, “…Pretty boy, unreliable! Miss Ross, where has the courage you used to flirt with people gone just now? Can I buy you a drink later?”

Peng Hua glared at Gu Yuru and cursed him viciously, “Get lost, you gutless bastard! Why are you gambling if you can’t handle it?”

Gu Yuru’s fair face flushed deep purple. He glared grimly at Peng Hua, grabbed a handful of chips, and tossed them into the pile. “Miss Ross, do I have the honor of inviting you to spend the evening with me later?”

Areidiya’s crimson eyes glanced at Gu Yuru, and she stated coldly, “That depends on the outcome of this hand.”

Her slender, fair fingers flipped through her dwindling stack of chips. Areidiya pulled out a pale gold checkbook from the small clutch beside her and casually signed an amount. She beckoned to the casino attendant standing five meters behind her. “Help me exchange these for new chips. I don’t believe my luck will be this poor all night; I must get a good hand eventually, right?”

The new chips arrived quickly: exactly fifty crystal chips and five sapphire chips. Gu Yuru’s pupils contracted; this was almost all of his private assets at the moment. Nervously touching the large, mottled green ring on his finger, Gu Yuru looked up at Gu Yechen, seated opposite him.

Gu Yechen casually scooped up a handful of chips and tossed them out. He lightly tapped the four cards on the table—Three, Four, Six, Seven of Spades—and sneered, “With a straight flush in hand, what do I have to fear?”

Siren’s fair fingers brushed over the three-of-a-kind and one card showing on his hand. He sneered, “A straight flush? You expect me to believe that? Of course, some cowards without courage will believe your nonsense, and they’ll be crying and running away in haste.” He intentionally glanced towards Gu Yuru. Siren immediately matched Gu Yechen’s bet with a chip and cursed under his breath, “Nonsense? That word is the real nonsense! Who decided that spirits can’t speak? Damn it!” He raised the bet without hesitation.

Gu Yuru rapidly spun the jade ring on his finger, watching the massive pile of chips with tension.

Areidiya sipped her clear water and said listlessly, “Where is your courage? End this hand quickly; I’m waiting for the deal.”

Gu Yuru darted a quick look at Areidiya’s enchanting face, gritted his teeth, and matched the bet.

The final result of this round was Siren’s three-of-a-kind defeating Gu Yechen’s mixed hand, Peng Hua’s three-of-a-kind, and Gu Yuru’s three-of-a-kind. All chips were swept into Siren’s possession.

A new round began. Under Areidiya’s languid voice, Gu Yuru lost another hand, and his private fortune rapidly dwindled to less than three million. A new round started again. This time, Gu Yechen coldly swept up all the chips on the table, leaving Gu Yuru with only three pitiful crystal chips—all the money he had left. Gu Yuru’s body tensed tightly as he glared angrily at Siren, who had been sneering at him, and Peng Hua, who had been spewing vulgarities.

Areidiya picked up a glass of red wine, her ruby-red lips lightly touching the wine. The red wine, the red lips—it was mesmerizing. Areidiya’s long red hair shone brilliantly like glazed glass under the bright lights of the private room. Dressed in a tight-waisted, low-cut, blood-red gown, Areidiya was like a burst of flame under the illumination, filled with a strange allure that drew moths to the flame.

Another pale gold check was presented, and the casino attendant brought Areidiya a new stack of twenty million in chips. Areidiya said indifferently, “My luck isn’t very good today, but please start dealing. It’s just everyone having some fun together!”

Gu Yechen skillfully spun a sapphire chip between his fingers. Looking at Areidiya, he smiled slightly, “Miss Ross certainly has the bearing of a general. Hmm, Mr. Gu Yuru, how about you?”

Gu Yechen, Siren, and Peng Hua all looked at the sparse three chips remaining in front of Gu Yuru. Siren pursed his lips in mockery, while Peng Hua shook his head and sneered coldly, “Don’t bother with his opinion. Hey dealers, please keep dealing; let’s keep playing. Damn it, whoever runs out of money and flees today is the son of a turtle!”

Areidiya smiled faintly, her flame-like gaze intentionally flicking towards Gu Yuru.

Gu Yuru took a deep breath and coldly instructed the attendant behind him, “Bring the transfer terminal. I want to exchange chips—ten billion!”

This was the sales revenue for the quarter from the Gu Group’s Anti-Air Missile Department, which Gu Yuru managed. Due to the outbreak of total war with the Roman people over the Paradise Star, the sales figures for the Gu Group’s Anti-Air Missile Department over the last two months had reached astonishing numbers. Even the specialized ultra-heavy, ultra-high-speed anti-air missiles, costing nearly one hundred million per round and designed specifically to counter Roman-class warships, had sold three hundred units. This massive sum was currently resting securely in the bank account controlled by Gu Yuru.

“Ten billion? That’s pocket change!” A faint bloodshot sheen veiled Gu Yuru’s dark, bright eyes. The betting stakes in this room were high; betting tens or even hundreds of millions at a time was not unusual. In a game of Stud, the worst tactic was ‘injuring the opponent with capital’—using superior funds to forcefully drive opponents out. Gu Yuru felt he needed to teach these impudent bastards a lesson. Backed by that massive sum, who did he have to fear?

Areidiya raised her eyebrows in surprise, an expression of shock that Gu Yuru caught. Gu Yuru inwardly laughed with arrogance.

“This woman, I’m going to play her ten times tonight!” Gu Yuru secretly decided. “Looking at her looks and figure... perhaps I should take her back and play with her for a few more months?”

A huge stack of chips was placed before Gu Yuru. He haughtily straightened his back and raised his head. “Gentlemen, what is the highest stake you can afford?”

Gu Yechen looked at Siren, and Siren looked at Areidiya. Gu Yechen remained silent, sighing internally, Profligate wastrel... If he were my actual grandson, I’d choke him right now... The Gu family fortune must never fall into the hands of such a wretched bastard!

Siren pouted and blew a kiss towards Areidiya, proudly pulling a ring of crimson gold from his pocket and placing it on his left middle finger. The ring had a simple, roughly polished design; the bezel was carved with a double-headed eagle clutching a sharp arrow, set against a backdrop of stylized lilies. Siren lightly kissed the ring and stated calmly, “Ten billion is just a small sum, pocket change. Based on this ring alone, exchange ten billion in chips for me first!”

The casino staff stared at the crimson gold ring for three seconds. In less than a minute, ten billion in chips was stacked before Siren.

Gu Yuru’s face flushed purple. He had to transfer funds from the bank terminal to exchange for ten billion in chips, yet this effeminate, eerily beautiful individual had procured ten billion just by taking out a single ring! He felt his pride being ruthlessly trampled into the dust, and his heart trembled violently.

Peng Hua sneered, dialed a communicator, and casually gave a few instructions to someone. Again, in less than a minute, a massive stack of chips was placed before him. Peng Hua propped one foot up on his chair and yelled arrogantly, “So what if it’s ten billion? What’s the big deal?!”

Areidiya looked at Siren and Peng Hua with admiration. This look made Gu Yuru so jealous he was nearly driven mad.

Gu Yechen sighed softly, shaking his head. “I don't have that much cash on hand, but I hear you have the Federation’s finest gem appraiser here?” He reached into his pocket, rummaged around, and pulled out twelve egg-sized diamonds, the color of deep crimson blood. Each one was polished to shine like a star in the sky, each radiating a gorgeous allure so compelling that it was impossible to look away.

Gu Yechen looked at the dumbfounded Gu Yuru and said calmly, “I think these twelve Blood Diamonds could be set into a truly magnificent necklace; many girls would love it!” Areidiya suddenly stood up, her eyes blazing as she stared at the twelve extremely rare gems.

Gu Yuru saw the hope and yearning in Areidiya’s eyes, and his heart stirred slightly again.

The casino’s gem appraiser quickly arrived. After ten minutes of tense appraisal, each of Gu Yechen’s twelve rare Blood Diamonds was pawned on the spot for one hundred million. Compared to the actual value of this string of Blood Diamonds, this price was significantly discounted. Everyone present knew that if these diamonds were strung into a necklace, perhaps not all, but eighty percent of the women in the world would go mad for it! Just look at Areidiya right there!

Areidiya stared intently as the casino security staff carried the twelve Blood Diamonds away. She suddenly sighed mournfully, “Alright, it seems Mr. Gu Yuru wants to play a serious round. But I only have less than seven hundred million in cash; I’ll play with this much to accompany you all.”

Gu Yuru nodded vigorously. His entire focus now was to crush Gu Yechen and the others, earn Areidiya’s approval, and then pin her down and indulge in unrestrained passion. He failed to realize that a woman as beautiful as her could casually pull out hundreds of millions in cash for gambling; how could her origins be simple?

Gu Yechen looked coldly at the lust-crazed Gu Yuru and indifferently instructed the dealer to deal.

A disappointing prodigal son... However, since you are a direct descendant of Gu Juechen, I appreciate this bankrupting behavior of yours.

Hand after hand, round after round...

The chips in front of Gu Yechen, Peng Hua, and Areidiya rapidly decreased, while the stack before Siren grew larger and larger, gradually forming a small mountain. The way Siren looked at Areidiya grew more fervent, and the way Areidiya looked back at Siren grew gentler, so much so that a faint mist began to gather in her eyes.

Gu Yuru was so furious his hair felt like it was standing on end. Coupled with Gu Yechen’s cold, disdainful urging and Peng Hua’s malicious insults, he angrily raised the stakes again and again.

Evil influence shackled Gu Yuru’s body and mind. In just three short hours, the funds in the bank account he managed were completely lost.

Three hundred sets of ultra-heavy anti-air missile systems and four thousand sets of various anti-air missiles, totaling over three hundred billion, were gambled away until not a single penny remained.

The casino staff stared slightly shocked at Gu Yuru, who was drenched in sweat and had instantly lost several pounds. They had seen prodigal, unworthy sons, but never one who lost so much. The three dealers in this room had worked for nearly twenty years and had never witnessed a gambler lose three hundred billion in one sitting.

Gu Yechen, who had also lost everything, stood up, dusted off his hands, cast a cold glance at Gu Yuru, and strode out of the room.

Having won a small hand, Areidiya, with nearly a hundred billion in chips before her, languidly beckoned. “Have these exchanged for cash checks for me; I need to go rest now.” She also walked out of the room gracefully, turning back to blow a kiss to Siren just before exiting.

Siren collapsed contentedly onto the pile of sapphire chips, taking a deep, intoxicated breath. “Today is my lucky day! Oh, I love it here! Are you guys going to continue playing?” Siren looked earnestly at the haggard, corpse-like Gu Yuru. “I don’t mind winning a few more hundred billion!”

A flash of silver light emanated from Siren’s side, and a young girl dressed in a maid’s uniform giggled as she sat in Siren’s lap. Siren vigorously squeezed the girl’s chest and cackled gruesomely, “See, I have tens of thousands—maybe tens of thousands, millions, of little darlings to support in the future. If I don’t earn more money, how will I live?”

Peng Hua jumped up angrily, pointing at Siren and cursing, “Damn it! A Jieshi! Are you really lacking this little bit of money? Hmph!” Holding his head high with arrogance, Peng Hua patted his backside and walked out of the room, coldly stating, “Call your manager over and arrange some big-breasted, big-bottomed girls for me! Uh, I don’t care if they have AIDS, I really don’t care if they’re sick... as long as they have a great figure and are pretty enough!”

Siren smiled wickedly, ordered the casino attendant to exchange his winnings for cash checks, kissed the checks deeply, and left the private room surrounded by more than a dozen maids.

Gu Yuru was completely despairing. He had briefly entertained some illegal thoughts of reclaiming his lost gambling money, but facing a Jieshi, that little scheme vanished without a trace. The Gu Group would absolutely not antagonize a Jieshi over three hundred billion; the value of a Jieshi was ten, a hundred, even a thousand times that of three hundred billion!

But for Gu Yuru, three hundred billion might have been everything—his future, his life, his entire existence would be ruined because of these three hundred billion!

The door to the private room opened, and Linghu Kuaihuo, plump and amusing to look at, walked in.

He plopped down next to Gu Yuru and smiled at him. “It seems you’ve run into a small, not-so-small problem? Hmm, let me introduce myself, I am Linghu. I specialize in solving all sorts of problems for people who deserve my help.”

Gu Yechen walked past the doorway with a stern face, his icy gaze sweeping over Gu Yuru, who was excitedly gripping Linghu’s hands.

This brat is not my real grandson, otherwise I would have choked him.

In the blink of an eye, Gu Yechen dismissed Gu Yuru’s affairs. All his attention was focused on the Defense Company Exchange Conference scheduled to be held on Easter Island in three days.

This was a naked Hongmen Banquet, and Gu Yechen was quite interested in it................... Foresight is the right path...

Everyone tell me, what use might this cheap grandson of Little Gu have in the future?

For reference, here is the generational ranking for the past few generations of the Gu family: He Guang Tong Chen, Yuan Run Ru Yi!