My chat group members are all legendary criminals.

Chapter 38 The American Roulette

Mia was driving, and Lu Yiming was sitting in the back seat, tapping his knee with his fingers.

He just texted old Mike, saying he wanted to meet his gang friends.

Only he could handle this personally, since the identity of the client, Rockefeller, needed to be kept secret.

Mike quickly gave him an address and a nickname—The Butcher.

He was also given a word of advice: "That place only values ​​courage and following the rules. Take care."

The car drove into the slum he had visited before. This suddenly reminded him of something.

"By the way, the boss said he'd find a way to locate Talia, what happened then?"

Mia changed out of her gorgeous little dress and wore only a leather jacket, her hair casually tied into a ponytail.

Upon hearing the question, her eyes darted around for a moment. "They've already...been saved."

Lu Yiming leaned back in his chair and sighed, "Does she still have to go back to her beastly father?"

Mia glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Don't worry, maybe she's doing quite well now."

Lu Yiming didn't respond to that question; instead, he frowned and looked at her.

"Hey, Miss, why do you keep following me? Aren't we not even acquainted?"

squeak--

Another sudden stop!

Lu Yiming slammed his head against the back of the front seat, his nose burning with pain.

He rubbed his nose and silently fastened his seatbelt.

Why can't this person learn from their mistakes?

The car eventually stopped at the entrance of a sewage-filled alley, opposite which was a tavern without any sign and whose walls were covered in graffiti.

Two burly men in vests stood at the door. Their arms were decorated with elaborate carvings, clearly indicating they were gang members.

As soon as Lu Yiming and Mia got out of the car, two burly men came to greet them.

He didn't say anything, but simply stretched out his large hand towards them, palm up.

Lu Yiming understood the rules and readily pulled out his Glock and handed it over. Mia did the same.

The big man checked it over and then moved aside.

Pushing open the door, a nauseating smell hit me.

The air was thick with the smells of whiskey, sweat, and plus-size clothing.

The tavern was much larger inside than it appeared from the outside, and it was dimly lit.

People were everywhere. Almost all of them were muscular, strong men, most of them shirtless, revealing intricate gang tattoos.

Some of them were gathered in small groups around the table gambling. Others were holding beers and loudly discussing which prostitute was the best.

Everywhere you look, there are words starting with F and the sound of banging on tables.

Several women in bikinis weaved through the group of men, serving them drinks.

The appearance of Lu Yiming and Mia silenced everyone for a moment, and several malicious glances swept over them.

Mia tensed slightly, and her hand instinctively went to Lu Yiming's arm.

The two burly men didn't give them much time to adjust, pushing them by the back and weaving through the crowded and noisy throng.

They were led to a booth surrounded by a tattered sofa.

In the center of the booth, a large, white man with a thick beard was lounging shirtless in the sofa.

He had a blood-dripping vulture tattooed on his chest and shoulder, thick layers of fat piled up on his lower abdomen, and astonishingly muscular arms.

He had a hot woman on each arm, and was blowing whiskey into his mouth.

The burly man leading the way leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

The butcher then looked up at Lu Yiming and said in a hoarse voice:

"You're... the pig Mike introduced?"

Lu Yiming stepped forward, trying to remain calm: "It's me. I'd like to ask if anyone has recently tried to sell their 10-kilogram investment gold bars from JPMorgan Chase to you?"

According to old Mike, in Fremont, this kind of stuff, if it wants to be sold, will eventually end up with the butcher.

The butcher didn't answer, but picked up a pinch of powder and smacked his lips.

"Asking about this is against the rules, kid. Why should I help you?"

Lu Yiming was prepared: "You can name your price."

He added to himself: Anyway, Mia's dad will pay in the end.

The butcher grinned, revealing a mouthful of rotten teeth: "Money? I don't need any money."

He pushed the woman beside him aside, his massive body leaning forward.

"I only help my friends. Want me to ask? Simple, be my friend."

Lu Yiming frowned as he looked at the white powder beside him: "You mean...?"

He misunderstood, the butcher said with a wicked grin:

Have you ever heard of Russian roulette?

Lu Yiming's heart sank. It was like playing Russian roulette, loading a revolver with a few bullets, and then taking turns pointing it at your own head and pulling the trigger—a gamble with your life.

But he still lacked some imagination.

The butcher slammed a Beretta semi-automatic pistol onto the table with a loud bang.

Then I picked up an empty magazine and loaded it with bullets one by one.

"Those Russians are too cowardly. They can only fire five rounds with a revolver; that's about the survival rate. Not enough!"

The butcher's eyes lit up, and his voice rose, "If we're going to play, let's play with a semi-automatic pistol! We'll bet on whether it'll jam!"

I call it—American Roulette!

Click!

He deftly slapped the magazine into the gun and pulled the slide to chamber a round.

He then slammed the Beretta onto the table and pushed it, the pistol sliding across the surface and stopping in front of Lu Yiming.

"Let's play one game. If you don't die, you're my friend."

A frenzied roar and whistling erupted from the surrounding area!

"OHHHH! Here it comes!"

"Let's see if this little chick will wet its pants!"

"I bet him a hundred dollars he won't pull the trigger!"

"Who's going to bet with you? How can anyone survive like this?"

Mia's face turned pale, and she grabbed Lu Yiming's arm.

"Lu Yiming! We're not investigating anymore! Let's go! Let's go now!"

Several burly men immediately surrounded them, blocking all their way.

Lu Yiming gently patted Mia's hand. "Don't be afraid."

He looked up at the butcher, whose smile was sinister:

"Even if I play the game, regardless of the outcome, will you tell me where the gold is?"

"Of course! I, the butcher, keep my word!"

The butcher patted his chest and assured him, the fat jiggling wildly.

Lu Yiming took a deep breath, and under everyone's gaze,

He reached out and picked up the Beretta gun that was loaded with bullets.

woo-

The commotion around them reached its peak, and everyone stared wide-eyed, waiting to see the spectacle of brains splattering everywhere.

Mia held Lu Yiming's hand, her fingers trembling.

Lu Yiming slowly raised the gun, pressing the muzzle against his temple.

He could smell the gunpowder residue, and his heart was pounding.

He closed his eyes, his finger on the trigger, and applied slight pressure—

Click.

A hollow impact sound.

The cartridge jammed.

In an instant, the entire noisy tavern fell silent.

All the howling, whistling, and cursing stopped abruptly.

The faces that were once filled with excitement were now all blank and lifeless.

The butcher's sneer froze, and he narrowed his eyes, staring at the gun in Lu Yiming's hand.

He slapped the table, laughing so hard he almost fell over:

"Hahahaha! Interesting! That's fucking interesting! You little brat, you've got good luck!"

Lu Yiming put down his gun, wiped away a bead of cold sweat, and remained relatively calm.

Fortunately, I have magician techniques among the abilities I currently use.

He pulled the trigger, and a bullet bounced out of the ejection port and landed on the ground.

It was this lucky bullet that saved his life.

Lu Yiming placed the Beretta back on the table in front of the butcher.

Then, under everyone's gaze, he calmly looked at the butcher and said:

"Friend, it's your turn."

!!!

After a brief silence, the entire venue erupted in chaos.

"FXXK! You're asking for it, kid!"

"Boss! Shoot him!"

"Damn it, they dare let the boss play?!"

The burly men around them all jumped up, some grabbing bottles and chair legs.

Mia's mind went blank: Forcing the boss to risk his life on someone else's turf?! Has this man gone mad?

The butcher's smile vanished.

He stared at the gun on the table, then looked into Lu Yi's eyes, his cheeks twitching a few times.

Under the incredulous gazes of everyone.

The butcher slowly picked up the Beretta.

"Boss! No!"

The butcher ignored his men's exclamations.

He picked up the gun, grinned, and gave Lu Yiming an ugly smile.

Then, he pointed the gun at his temple.

Click.

Click.

Click.

He pulled the trigger three times.

All the firing sounds were hollow.

The butcher put down his gun, looked at Lu Yiming, and suddenly burst into laughter again.

Lu Yiming also smiled, but his smile was equally meaningful.

Then, under the puzzled gazes of the butcher and everyone else, Lu Yiming opened his left hand.

Ring-a-ling...

Six or seven 9mm pistol bullets rolled from his palm and bounced on the table.

The entire tavern fell silent for the third time.

Everyone was stunned. They looked at the bullets on the table, the empty gun in the butcher's hand, and then at Lu Yiming.

When did this guy eject all the bullets?!

"Hahaha! Mike's right! You're a fucking funny guy!"

The butcher slapped Lu Yiming's shoulder hard, almost breaking him apart.

After laughing enough, the butcher waved his hand to the side.

Immediately, a subordinate came over carrying three 10-kilogram investment gold bars bearing the JPMorgan Chase logo.

"Is this what you're looking for?" The butcher pointed with his chin.

Lu Yiming picked up a piece and weighed it in his hand. The feel, color, and markings were exactly the same as Belloc's piece.

"Friend, unfortunately I can't let you take them. I've already paid."

Lu Yiming shook his head. "Friend, I just want to know the shipper's address."

The butcher leaned closer, lowered his voice, and gave an address.

"Be careful, friend, these guys are not to be underestimated..."