A Heaven Beyond Heaven

Du Chen casually picked up a chip from the table and tossed it to the server who brought their drinks, then cast a glance at the ashen-faced casino dealer opposite him.

"I heard everything in York Town operates by its own rules. And it seems I've won this round again, sir. Please, pay up!" Du Chen playfully pinched his daughter's nose. "I only won twenty thousand gold coins this hand. Surely a prestigious establishment like yours isn't so broke it can't afford to pay?"

*Only* twenty thousand gold coins?

The surrounding gamblers watched the spectacle, gaping in awe. Though this was the largest casino in York Town, such a high-stakes Grand Wager was an exceedingly rare sight!

The casino dealer gritted his teeth. "The gentleman is correct. Our casino adheres strictly to the rules! Someone, pay him!"

*Clatter!* A heap of chips tumbled onto the table before Du Chen.

Du Chen chuckled, stroking his nose. He had two reasons for coming to the casino. Firstly, it was to put on a show for Brockman, to let him know he was flush with cash once more. Secondly, Du Chen wanted to probe the depths of York Town, to test the limits of its "rules." Thus, he played mercilessly, winning so much that the casino dealer's hands trembled.

Moreover, Du Chen harbored no fear of retaliation from York Town's underworld. Not to mention Deboning and the Grand Matriarch by his side, even if the situation turned dire, he could simply manifest his Precious Lotus Scripture and fly away. He also had another ace up his sleeve: Pied of Battle God Isle, with whom he shared a life-or-death bond. Uttering Pied's name would command respect from any gang member across the Three Continents! Alas, Du Chen was unaware that even Boss Pied might not dare to defy York Town's "rules."

The casino boss and a host of underworld magnates had all ascended to the second floor, observing Du Chen from a distance.

After watching Du Chen win a few more hands, Famal, the inn owner, chuckled. "It seems this Francis is truly formidable! I couldn't even discern how he might be cheating. So, can he be beaten?"

The casino boss, his expression solemn, stared at Du Chen, who was holding his daughter. He then shook his head and smiled. "He's absolutely not cheating. A heaven beyond heaven indeed!"

Famal paused, surprised.

The casino boss continued, "I originally intended to show Francis what 'a heaven beyond heaven' truly means, but who would've thought... Heh, my dealers lost fair and square! Even if I were to step in, the outcome would be the same!"

The crowd gasped in astonishment. The red-haired middle-aged woman asked, "Even you can't beat him?"

"Forget me," the elder said, his brow furrowed, "even the Gambling God Pied, or Rogliff, who almost bankrupted me a year ago, might not be his match! I received news not long ago that Rogliff was defeated by someone named Francis. I initially thought it was just a coincidence of names – after all, as Miss Annie's classmate, he seemed too young. But now, it appears the one who defeated Rogliff is this young man right before us!"

"Oh?" The red-haired woman smiled. "An interesting young fellow. So, Boss, are you still planning to challenge him?"

The boss strode towards Du Chen. "While I genuinely can't beat him with pure skill, I refuse to believe he can decipher my ultimate trump card, that ingenious trap I devised!"

The more Du Chen gambled, the more bored he became. The casino dealer opposite him was like an automated teller machine; who could be interested in a mere machine? Just as Du Chen was focusing more than half his attention on keeping his daughter entertained, the casino boss appeared at their table.

Watching the casino dealer respectfully withdraw, Du Chen smiled.

"I am Adelman, the owner of this establishment! Greetings, esteemed guest!" The old man sat opposite Du Chen. Without preamble, he fanned out a deck of cards. "We'll play Thirteen Cards! I'll be the dealer, and you the player! You may freely choose any thirteen cards first! Therefore, you *must* beat me, or you lose. The only restriction is that you cannot arrange standard example hands! Do you accept the challenge?"

Du Chen stroked his nose, musing inwardly that the game of Thirteen Cards was also very popular in his previous life. Each player receives thirteen cards from a standard deck, arranging them into three hands: three cards, five cards, and five cards. The hands are then compared in sequence, and the total wins and losses across all three hands are calculated. The rest of the rules were similar to Stud Poker.

From a distance, Famal, the inn owner, frowned deeply. "What is Boss Adelman thinking? What kind of trump card is this? Letting the opponent freely choose their cards first? If you take three Aces for the first hand, a Royal Flush from nine to King of hearts for the second, and a straight flush from ten to Ace for the third, wouldn't that guarantee 18 wins? What's going through his mind?"

"If he takes the cards like that, Francis is guaranteed to lose!" The red-haired woman rolled her eyes at Famal. "If he picked cards as you suggested, three Aces for the first hand would win three stakes, and the straight flush ending with an Ace for the third hand would win five stakes. That's only eight stakes won! However, if Boss Adelman simply picks a straight flush from nine to King of clubs for his second hand, he would beat Francis's second hand for double ten stakes—because in Thirteen Cards, high-ranking suits aren't counted, and as the dealer, clubs can trump the player's hearts. The dealer would ultimately win two stakes from the player!"

Famal blinked, then suddenly chuckled slyly. "Boss is quite cunning, isn't he? Letting Francis choose cards freely is a trap for him then?"

"What do you think?" The red-haired woman pouted. "If Boss hadn't mentioned this hand to me years ago, I'd have thought the same as you and fallen into his trap! However, if this hand isn't played the way you described... at least Boss and his peers in the gambling world haven't figured out how to pick cards to guarantee a win against the dealer! A year ago, Boss used this very move to fend off the 'Gambling God' Rogliff; otherwise, he might have been bankrupt long ago! That's why this particular card combination is called the 'Player's Death Trap,' where the dealer is certain to win! And that's why Boss considers it his ultimate trump card!"

Du Chen watched Adelman with cold eyes, but the little Beibei in his arms frowned. Even with her budding wisdom, the little one sensed it was a trap, yet she didn't know how to pick cards to defeat the dealer!

"What's the wager?" Du Chen suddenly asked.

Adelman raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "If you beat me, this entire casino is yours!"

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

Du Chen nearly doubled over with laughter. The trap of Thirteen Cards had long been deciphered in his previous life. However, even there, this particular card layout had circulated for many years, only being broken after generations of accumulated experience. It seemed the Battle God World was still at an earlier, less advanced stage when it came to solving this particular card puzzle!

*Sigh*, Mr. Adelman, if you insist on giving me the casino, how could I possibly refuse?

Du Chen spoke as he picked his cards: "Three Sixes for the first hand, four Jacks and a Queen for the second, and four Aces and a Six for the third!"

"Those are too small, aren't they?" a gambler couldn't help but comment.

But Adelman's expression changed dramatically!

Du Chen offered a faint smile and slowly explained, "Since Thirteen Cards shares rules with Stud Poker, and with this hand, I've secured all the Aces, Jacks, and Sixes, you can never form a straight flush. Without a straight flush, the next highest hand is four of a kind. However, all four Aces and four Jacks are in my hands, and I also hold a Queen. While you still possess four Kings, regrettably, by the 'rules,' the highest card must be placed in the final hand. Thus, the strongest hand you could form for your second hand would be four Tens. Aside from my three Sixes losing in the first hand, my remaining two hands will win twelve stakes, for a grand total of nine stakes won..."

"Daddy, smart!" Little Beibei kissed Du Chen's chin, smiling sweetly.

Adelman gazed at the cards Du Chen had laid out, then suddenly stood up. "Young man, the one who defeated Rogliff and saved Pied... it must have been you!"

Du Chen merely smiled, offering no reply.

Adelman gestured towards a side door on the left side of the casino. "This casino is yours, but a few of our friends in York Town are quite interested in you. How about a chat? Ha! We are all old friends of Pied! We are not enemies!" He added silently in his heart: *And with Miss Annie's influence behind you, who would dare to make an enemy of you?*

"Very well, please lead the way, gentlemen!" Du Chen followed Adelman to a side hall and took a seat, glancing at the dozen or so underworld titans of York Town.

Adelman chuckled. "Our 'rules' in York Town dictate that our word is our bond, and action brings consequence! Someone, bring Francis the casino's deed!"

Du Chen looked at the deed placed before him but made no move to take it. Instead, he smiled. "Gentlemen, you are all prominent figures in York Town. I imagine you're well aware of my predicament last night. Unfortunately, all my possessions were stolen. And given York Town's strict adherence to its 'rules,' I had no choice but to audaciously seek some travel expenses here at the casino!"

The red-haired woman tapped on the table, signaling Du Chen to pay attention to her, then smiled. "I am Susan. All the thieves in York Town call me Big Sister. Regarding your unfortunate theft last night, I will certainly provide you with an explanation and recompense! Please grant me some time, before you leave York Town, alright?"

*Oh my*, a fellow professional! Her status as a leader of thieves, combined with Susan being middle-aged and thus beyond suspicion of ill intent, instantly boosted Du Chen's favorable impression of her.

"Of course, if it were just me, it would be one thing. But my friend, Divine Grant Earl Brockman, was also implicated because of me. Whichever subordinate dared to carry out that act went a little too far—stripping Earl Brockman of all his clothes, not even leaving him his underwear! This is an immense humiliation, and I *must* demand an explanation for him! Please understand my feelings!"

Famal also tapped the table, introduced himself, and added, "Your theft last night occurred on my turf, so I also bear responsibility. I will certainly provide you with a satisfactory explanation!"

"I, too, bear responsibility!"

"And I..."

Du Chen was baffled. What was going on? Although his gambling prowess was outstanding, he was hardly a major figure. Yet these underworld bosses were all influential individuals; a stomp of their foot could send shivers through the continental underworld! Why did they now seem to be queuing up to apologize to him?!

Strange!

"Alright! No more arguing!" Adelman waved his hand. "Thanks to your generous support, I, Adelman, have taken the position of Underworld Alliance Leader of York Town. As the Alliance Leader, one cannot simply enjoy privileges without shouldering responsibility. For young Francis's theft last night, my responsibility is the greatest!"

Du Chen and Beibei exchanged bewildered glances. What in the world was happening? *Gentlemen, I'm just a student! Though I possess some hidden strength, I'm no match for your underworld forces. Why are you all scrambling to apologize to me?!*

Adelman continued, "The thieves must certainly be apprehended, but young Francis has already suffered losses, and that is my oversight. Young man, please provide a list of the items stolen last night, and I will personally ensure full compensation!"

Du Chen was dumbfounded. This... this matter seemed to have transcended the bounds of normal logic. It was as if Adelman was deliberately using this excuse to shower him with money!

"Esteemed Adelman, I have already received sufficient travel expenses from you!" Du Chen glanced at the deed on the table, thinking to himself that these people were baffling, and it would be prudent to remain cautious.

Adelman, however, waved his hand. "No, the wager is the wager, and responsibility is responsibility. We cannot conflate gambling winnings with compensation!"

All the underworld bosses cursed silently to themselves. *Damn it, Adelman, that old fox! Everyone wants to curry favor with Miss Annie and her family through Francis now. How dare you try to monopolize such a golden opportunity?*

*No way! We must also offer Francis compensation!*