The Grand Wager

Emerald City's festivities were still in full swing, the entire city long transformed into a sleepless hub of revelry. With the arrival of a Queen, Emerald City's lights blazed even brighter, their crimson glow extending from the Exquisite Pagoda all the way to the docks' gangplank!

Walking along the crimson carpet, the closer Du Chen got to the docks, the deeper his gut feeling of suspicion became. Where had this Queen Liana sprung from? He'd never heard of her. Could it be… that immediately after the Miki Duchy's restoration, a court power struggle erupted again, and a woman named Liana seized power from his brother!?

It was highly plausible; such occurrences were commonplace among royalty!

A flicker of anger ignited in Du Chen's heart. He glanced at Dragonfinch walking ahead and, through their Battle Soul link, instructed his daughter, "Beibei, when we meet that blasted Queen later, you keep a close eye on her for Daddy. Let's see what her real background is!"

Both little ones were riding on Andy's back. Little Beibei looked anxious and uneasy, fidgeting for a long moment before tearfully apologizing through their Battle Soul, "Daddy, Beibei was wrong, Beibei won't ever eat snacks again…" Oh heavens, why had Mommy Liana suddenly shown up? Hadn't they agreed to save the 'surprise' for Daddy until the official restoration ceremony? Sigh, now she absolutely had to warn Daddy, or he might accidentally give them away!

Du Chen was utterly bewildered by his daughter's expression and her nonsensical words. "What does using Spiritual Power to spy on Liana have to do with whether you eat snacks? What are you talking about, sweetie?"

Little Beibei blushed, lowered her head, and covered her face with both hands, her large eyes still peeking naughtily at Du Chen through her fingers. "Beibei's scared Daddy will get angry, so Beibei doesn't dare to say…"

Alex rolled his eyes at his sister, also speaking through their Battle Soul. "Hmph! Daddy, have you forgotten? Sis swore an oath! If she ever dared to lie to you, she wouldn't be allowed to eat snacks anymore!"

Oh!

Du Chen suddenly understood. This whole thing dated back to when Lancy was being treated in Julie's Ancient Castle. Back then, he'd asked if Porter could possibly be a woman, and Little Beibei had emphatically denied it. Hmm, so his daughter had lied then… which meant Porter was actually a woman…

As this clear train of thought reached its logical conclusion, Du Chen suddenly felt his lips go dry, his scalp tingle, and his entire mind freeze!

Heavens, Porter is…!

By this point, they had arrived at the docks. The Miki Duchy's delegation was marching in formation towards the welcoming Yonker. Leading them was a woman in a snow-white queen's robe, her sky-blue hair coiled at the back of her head, secured within a crown. Her face was exquisitely beautiful and refined, her eyes sparkling with spirit, radiating grace and elegance, an alluring and stunning Queen indeed!

Du Chen's roguish eyes were glued to Liana, his heart refusing to believe it. Was this truly Porter? There was a certain resemblance in her features, but… Porter had been thin, without much flesh on his bones! Yet, the Queen before him possessed a svelte, shapely figure, captivating and alluring! Du Chen, a thief who hadn't spent many days in school, racked his brain but could only conjure the most cliché of descriptions: 'This woman's figure is such that an ounce more would be plump, an ounce less, too slender. It’s a naturally devilish physique!'

Especially that proud pair of peaks…

Yes, the very chest Du Chen had often thumped. But Du Chen distinctly remembered there wasn't much flesh there… *Gulp*, he swallowed, not out of lust, but sheer guilt!

Alright! Porter really was a woman!

So, all his past hugging, embracing, fondling, and playful hitting—what did that even count as now?!

Xue Ji, your husband didn't mean any offense!

Upon realizing Porter was a woman, Du Chen's first thought was… Xue Ji!

The shock lasted but a fleeting moment; Dragonfinch and Sword Slave of Water's Embrace Lake were right ahead! Du Chen shivered for a while, then regained his Grand Duke's composure, shooting a fierce glare at his daughter. 'I'll settle this with you after all this is over!' he muttered, then strode forward.

The Miki delegation quickened their pace. Liana stepped forward, bowed slightly, and smiled. 'Elder Yonker, this junior offers her respects!' After speaking, she cast a subtle, fleeting glance at Du Chen, who was walking at the very back of the procession…

Du Chen's heart jolted. There was no doubt; it was him, it truly was Porter. That incomparably tacit glance, honed by years of cooperation, could not be mistaken!

At that moment, Du Chen was looking at Liana. Liana swiftly avoided his gaze, turning instead to Annie, who stood beside Yonker. Curiously, Annie was looking at Du Chen! What thoughts were running through the minds of these three at that precise moment? Perhaps only that old hag, the Goddess of Fate, would know… or perhaps the Goddess of Love?

Just that single exchange of glances, the tacit understanding forged over years of collaboration, had conveyed a thousand unspoken words. Du Chen and Liana spoke no further, feigning the demeanor of mere acquaintances. Liana proceeded with the diplomatic niceties with Yonker, while Du Chen kept a watchful eye on Sword Slave and Dragonfinch. The elaborate welcoming ceremony finally concluded in the wee hours of the morning.

Yonker led everyone back to the Exquisite Hall, where Liana and her entourage were treated to a state banquet. Betty and other Batuk core members not assigned specific duties were all in attendance. During the feast, Liana announced the military exercise, expressed her respect for Yonker, and discussed various diplomatic ties between the Miki Duchy and the Batuk Family for the future. Then, with a subtle shift in tone, she coldly regarded Sword Slave. 'Elder Yonker, I also came today with a Private Affair to inquire of the two Divine Envoys of Water's Embrace Lake!'

Sword Slave's voice turned even colder. 'We also have matters to discuss with you!'

Liana smiled, elegantly picked up her wine glass, and raised it in a gesture. 'Esteemed Divine Envoy, what I wish to inquire about is this: On the 14th of this month, my Miki Duchy successfully achieved restoration. During this period, to aid in our restoration, I secretly dispatched a master of disguise from my country, who impersonated Sea Emperor Thanes to mislead the Garrison Fleet's military strategy! However, after the war, according to the Great Triangle Navy, my master of disguise was intercepted by your forces while leaving Bog Island, and his whereabouts are now unknown…'

Du Chen inwardly smiled. This 'brother' was truly clever. With just one sentence, he had deftly covered the loophole Sword Slave had been clinging to, and even turned the tables!

Sword Slave snorted. 'What Miki expert? The one who impersonated the Sea King was clearly Francis!'

Liana stared at Sword Slave in surprise. 'Is Your Excellency jesting?' She stood up, asking with feigned anger and bewilderment, 'That was clearly an expert from our Miki Duchy, now covertly harmed by you. What does this have to do with Francis?'

Yonker gave Annie a subtle look. Annie, with a slight smile, briefly explained the previous situation.

Upon hearing this, Liana spoke with 'sudden realization.' 'Elder Yonker, I implore you to preside over this matter! I, as Queen of Miki, solemnly vow that while Francis and I are indeed friends, I never saw him during the Batuk Grand Ceremony. That master of disguise intercepted by the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoy was clearly an undercover agent from our Miki Kingdom!'

Dragonfinch scoffed. 'Are you suggesting your Miki Kingdom has the ability to deploy a Titled Battle God as an undercover agent?'

'A Titled Battle God? Divine Envoy, you must be joking again! My undercover agent merely possessed powerful Spiritual Power, enough to simulate Thanes's aura, but was certainly not a true Titled Battle God…'

Both sides argued vehemently, each presenting their own valid points, quickly reaching an impasse!

Du Chen, trusting Liana's sharp mind, wore a look of theatrical indignation as he watched the unfolding drama, while Yonker, beside him, subtly furrowed his brow!

It was obvious that no matter how eloquently Queen Liana spoke, or how logically she presented her case, her true intentions could not escape Yonker's discerning eyes — Liana was supporting Francis!

Therefore, Francis equated to the Great Triangle Navy, the Reno Fleet, and the Miki Duchy — three forces right on Emerald City's doorstep! While their combined might might not pose a fatal threat to the Batuk Family, it was certainly a greater menace than the elusive Water's Embrace Lake…

The scales had tipped; so be it! Today, he would give Francis some face and lend him a hand!

Having made up his mind, Yonker lightly cleared his throat, and silence immediately fell upon the hall. 'Gentlemen, the crux of this dispute, if I may understand it correctly, is whether the Francis who remained in Emerald City between the 7th and the 14th was truly Francis, or not?'

Sword Slave pondered for a moment, then nodded. 'You could say that. As long as it can be proven that the Francis who stayed in Emerald City during that period was fake, then regardless of whether the true Francis went to Bog Island or not, he cannot escape the charge of deceiving the Batuk Family and must be punished!'

Yonker smiled. 'Then I, an old man, have a suggestion — firstly, I guarantee on the honor of the Batuk Family that from the moment Arthur defeated Seins on the 7th, this 'Francis' in Emerald City, regardless of whether he was real or fake, never left the sight of our family members!' In truth, Yonker wasn't entirely certain about this, but since he had decided to help Francis, he declared it, invoking the Batuk Family's millennia-old reputation. Who would dare to disbelieve!?

At least Sword Slave couldn't see through to Yonker's 'true rules.' She still regarded him as the legendary stubborn old man, handling this matter with complete impartiality, intent on uncovering the truth, and so she nodded.

Yonker pointed at Du Chen. 'In other words, the Francis who suffered misfortune in the underwater cave on the 7th is the same Francis before us now!'

This was the simplest of logical deductions. Sword Slave paused briefly, then nodded again.

'Heh heh, the matter is simple then! We just need to prove that the Francis before us is real, isn't that right?'

This logical progression, once Sword Slave had given her first nod, ensured she could not refuse the suggestion…

How could Yonker be a stubborn old mule? He was clearly an old fox! Du Chen, his face turning pale green, stood up. 'Elder, I am willing to cooperate with any and all of your inspection methods!'

Sword Slave and Dragonfinch conferred in hushed tones. Based on their belief in Yonker's impartiality, they readily agreed!

Hmph, Yonker had guaranteed that the Francis who remained in Emerald City from the 7th until today was the same person. And the Francis they had seen above Bog Island must have been the real one. Therefore, it was certain that the Francis before them now must be fake!

Sword Slave glanced at Du Chen, her expression disdainful and disappointed. 'I hadn't realized until now, so you're just a fake! Hmph, even if we can't catch the true Francis, you, this impostor, won't escape!'

Du Chen touched his own face, forcing a wry smile. 'I'm a fake Francis? Elder Yonker, please propose your inspection methods! I can no longer tolerate such slander!' He sharply patted his own cheek. 'First, please take a look, Elder, to see if there's a skin mask or anything of the sort on my face!'

Yonker chuckled. 'I already examined you yesterday when I checked your body; outwardly, you have no issues now! In such a situation, to prove a person's identity, one must find their unique mark! And since everyone here is a Battle God, there are typically only two reliable methods to verify a Battle God's true identity: Sacred Artifacts and Secret Techniques…'

Sword Slave retorted, 'That won't do. Francis's Sacred Artifacts and Secret Techniques were bestowed by Du Chen, the Divine. Such bestowed sacred artifacts could easily be replicated – our Divine Margaret herself possesses several Aqua Cloud Banners that can be granted to different Divine Envoys for use!'

One of the Batuk Family's core members asked, 'If even Sacred Artifacts and Secret Techniques aren't sufficient proof, what else could be? Hmm… does anyone here know Francis well enough to recall if the true Francis has any birthmarks or dark hair marks, or other such distinctive bodily features?'

'Besides Francis's closest kin, who would know such a thing?'

'Francis is the son of Marshal Lanning Arges; we could get Marshal Arges to perform a blood test!'

'Lower your voice! Have you forgotten the secret rumor from the Einz branch? Madam Philia carried Francis for fourteen months before giving birth to him, so perhaps… let's skip this topic!'

'Then what other unique marks does Francis have?'

…

Everyone proposed their methods, but to Du Chen's amusement and curiosity, he found that not a single effective way existed to genuinely prove that he was himself!

Because no one could identify a unique mark belonging solely to Francis!

Heavens above! Du Chen was musing when he suddenly noticed Liana covertly giving him a mischievous look. He paused, then averted his eyes, thinking, *Brother, oh wait! Sister, you've really kept this from your brother all these years. I'll settle accounts with you later, right alongside Little Beibei!*

While still pondering how to deal with Liana, a sudden 'thump-thump' of knocking on the table echoed. Betty burst out laughing and stood up. 'Don't fret! I actually have a way to prove whether Francis is real or fake! However… Father, you'll have to pardon me of any wrongdoing first, before I dare speak!'

Yonker's furrowed brow relaxed slightly. 'Speak!'

Betty stepped forward and suddenly clapped Du Chen on the shoulder. 'What's Francis's nickname?'

'Grand Duke of Durkus!'

'Nonsense! I'm talking about his nickname in the underworld!'

'Oh…'

All the Batuk members present were elites, and they instantly grasped Betty's meaning, exclaiming in unison, 'Battle… God!'

Betty smiled. 'Senior Sword Slave, Francis's gambling prowess is unparalleled across the Three Continents! And if you know anything about gambling prowess, you'd understand that it's far harder to fake than even Sacred Artifacts! Even if someone were to impersonate Francis, using identical Sacred Artifacts and Secret Techniques… could an impostor truly possess Francis's gambling prowess, which is acknowledged by all gambling circles of the Three Continents as utterly unrivaled!?'

Triumphantly, Betty surveyed the gathered crowd before concluding, 'Gambling prowess is precisely the unique mark everyone is asking for, Francis's exclusive signature!' She paused, then added with a laugh, 'The gambling prowess I'm referring to means a pure contest of skill, with battle qi discarded. If battle qi were used, it wouldn't be called gambling prowess but… cheating!'

Sword Slave and Dragonfinch exchanged glances. Sword Slave said, 'If Madam Betty puts forth this suggestion, then we have no objections! However, to verify the true identity of a Battle God of Gambling, a matching master of gambling prowess is needed to force out his full skill! While Dragonfinch and I both understand a bit about gambling techniques, we are not proficient!'

'Then whom do the two of you wish to invite to wager against Francis?'

Sword Slave replied, 'We share a common goal with Your Excellency the Prince, and we trust you. So please, Your Excellency the Prince, designate the candidate!'

Dragonfinch forthrightly stated, 'I, too, have heard of Madam Betty's reputation in gambling circles. So, we'll trouble Madam Betty!'

They thought to themselves, *Yonker's rules don't permit anyone to exploit the Batuk Grand Ceremony. Therefore, he must be eager to ascertain Francis's true identity and will surely go all out in the wager to verify Francis's gambling prowess. If Francis turns out to be real, then at worst, we won't make a move in Emerald City; Dragonfinch can just keep an eye on him! But if Francis is proven fake, hmph, there'll be no need for us to act, Elder Yonker himself will take action…*

Up until this moment, they still firmly believed the Batuk Family's elder was impartial!

Yonker suddenly stood up. 'Good! Francis is currently injured and cannot exert his full strength, but he claims Du Chen, the Divine's Secret Technique can heal him in three days! So, three days from now, a Grand Wager will be set in the Exquisite Hall!' His hawk-like eyes fixed on Du Chen. 'A true Battle God of Gambling never loses. If you lose, don't blame me, Yonker, for being merciless!'

A wager to verify one's true identity?

Du Chen rubbed his nose, looking at Betty. Back when Annie had tried to force him into marriage, Du Chen and Betty had informally wagered once. Du Chen had won, albeit somewhat by luck, but he was confident he could beat Betty again!

Betty surely knew she was no match for him, so it now seemed the Batuk Family was intentionally giving him a free pass…

Understanding Yonker's intention, Du Chen offered the elder a slight smile and cupped his hands in a respectful salute. 'Elder, I've noted this favor!'

Yonker returned a smile. *Lad, you're quite astute. We might just become friends in the future!*

…

The outcome of the matter was already without suspense, at least in the eyes of Du Chen and the Batuk Family; only Sword Slave and Dragonfinch remained in the dark! Du Chen merely needed to recuperate for three days, then go through the motions and win against Betty…

However, Du Chen found it impossible to rest. Xue Ji was missing! Although the Sands of the Hourglass hadn't given a warning, that lingering worry kept a faint sorrow perpetually in Du Chen's heart.

After returning to his guest room from the Exquisite Hall, Du Chen first penned several secret letters, notifying Gode's navy to keep an eye on the sea area where Xue Ji had disappeared that day. However, he didn't mention Xue Ji by name, only describing a white-clad, black-haired woman. Only then did he return to his room to find Liana.

*CRASH!* Du Chen kicked open the door. Liana was happily playing with the two children, entirely devoid of her recent queenly poise, resembling a mischievous, adorable girl. 'Oh? You big oaf, what have you done? To actually get caught out by Water's Embrace Lake and force this Queen to drop a mountain of affairs just to clean up your mess! Tell me, how are you going to thank me?'

Du Chen closed the door, slouching casually before Liana, crossing his legs and staring at her, looking up, down, left, and right, but saying nothing!

Liana grew somewhat uneasy under his gaze. 'Hey, what exactly do you want?'

'I want to punch you dead, but it doesn't seem quite appropriate anymore…' Du Chen's gaze flickered to Liana's chest before he withdrew his fist. 'In short, all my past thumping and hitting you? Blame yourself for not telling me you were a girl beforehand. Don't even think about settling scores later, or crying and demanding I take responsibility!'

Liana eyed Du Chen from beneath, pouted, and spoke, completely ignoring his question. 'Just compensate me with a hundred bags of sour plums!'

They looked at each other, then suddenly burst into laughter together!

Truth be told, Du Chen had been pondering how to face Liana just moments before, his mind still muddled until the very instant he entered the room. Yet, upon seeing Liana through the doorway, his heart suddenly cleared. No matter how much she'd changed, wasn't she still his friend? Just a 'brother' who'd transformed into a 'sister'!

He avoided girlfriends but never shied away from female friends. Setting aside his past life, even in this one, the 'Boss' of York Town, Kristina of Battle God Isle, and even Professor Mina at home—weren't they all female friends? Liana was simply closer to him than them.

That's why Du Chen lifted his foot and kicked open the door, and his words were in the same bantering tone they used for their daily chats. Everything felt so natural, exactly as it used to be – except for no longer being able to thump Liana…

Perhaps this was the tacit understanding cultivated over years of companionship? Who knew? Regardless, it felt perfectly natural. Du Chen simply felt like he'd returned home to find his brother had become a sister, just as he'd once found Little Beibei to be sometimes male, sometimes female. It was both interesting and amusing.

'Hey, why didn't you tell me you were a girl before?'

'Given how coldly you usually look at women, if I had told you, wouldn't you have thrown this Queen out? Then where would I find such a well-paying boss like you?'

The two of them resumed their casual banter, just like old times. Only Little Beibei watched them curiously, muttering to herself, 'It's so strange, why hasn't Mommy Liana proposed to Daddy yet? Why did she just tell Beibei to only call her 'sister'?'

Beibei didn't understand… Beibei wished to grow up quickly. Once she grew up, she would surely comprehend adult matters!

Du Chen no longer worried about the Grand Wager three days away; Betty was destined to lose, a testament to a master gambler's absolute confidence! He was at ease. But then, on the evening of the very next day…