The True Peerless God of Gamblers: Young and Unblemished

On the secluded waters northeast of Emerald Isle, a wisp of black hair and several Flat-Top's Helms briefly surfaced, only to vanish moments later into a hidden underwater cave.

*Thump!* Jamis slammed the helm from his head onto the ground. Gone was his usual effeminate demeanor, replaced by a solemn authority. The glib rogue had vanished, leaving behind the visage of a Peerless Marshal commanding a thousand armies on the battlefield. "It should be safe here now, Old Charlatan. We were only able to evacuate in time thanks to the astrological prophecy you obtained at the cost of grievous injuries. Can you still hold on?"

So, they were fleeing for their lives!

Old Bovin's face was ashen, almost as if he were utterly drained. He hung weakly onto Number Nine Roland, his trembling hands pulling a handful of crystal powder from a sack on his back and scattering it on the ground. He snorted, "Good thing my crystal ball self-detonated as a warning, otherwise... Dammit, why is she suddenly in the Emerald Sea? Did she discover our presence and come for us, or does she have another objective?"

The Requiem Death Knights exchanged bewildered glances, gathering around Old Bovin with questions in their eyes. Xue Ji, closest to Old Bovin, looked hesitant and conflicted, for...

Just moments ago, the Requiem Death Knights had been holding a meeting in a secret cave when Old Bovin's crystal ball, used for astrology, suddenly exploded. This signified an impending catastrophe!

Old Bovin immediately employed his astrology to divine the situation. However, there was a rule to astrology: the stronger the opponent or the more complex the matter, the greater the energy consumed. Old Bovin, enduring severe injuries, managed to discern a single verse: "A terrifying woman, a fatal attraction!"

Who else could be a woman terrifying enough to make the Requiem Death Knights fear?

The meaning of the verse was now glaringly obvious...

The Grand Marshal of the Skylands, the Water's Embrace Divine Maiden, and currently the foremost expert under Bonis – Margaret had arrived, and she was in their vicinity!

Thus, the Requiem Death Knights immediately relocated to this secret underwater cave!

Her master had come, yet she was with the Requiem Death Knights... Xue Ji smiled helplessly and bitterly, helping Old Bovin lie down. "Big Brother-in-Law, you should rest for a while!"

Old Bovin craned his neck, "Ah, it's still our little sister who pities this old man..."

He pursed his lips, then seriously continued the earlier topic: why Margaret had come to the Emerald Sea! "Old Gambler, we abandoned our forces fighting the Water's Embrace Puppet Legion and came to the Emerald Sea because astrology hinted to me — 'North of the Glinting Emerald, a peerless flame is about to ignite; whoever obtains this flame shall possess power comparable to the gods!' We interpreted this guidance to mean that a super-powerful fire-elemental Aberrant Beast was awaiting acknowledgment of mastery north of Emerald City... *Cough! Cough!*"

After a few violent coughs, Old Bovin regulated his breathing and continued, "I have astrology, and Margaret possesses the Ghost Map, one of the Three Great Prophetic Secret Techniques! It's entirely possible that her Ghost Map Secret Technique also led her to the conclusion that a 'fire-elemental Aberrant Beast is awaiting acknowledgment of mastery,' so she might not necessarily know our plans or be coming for us!"

Jamis nodded. "Exactly! After the crystal ball self-detonated, the verse you received included 'fatal attraction.' Margaret possesses the Molten Heart, so a powerful fire-elemental Aberrant Beast would indeed be a 'fatal attraction' for her! Therefore, I also believe Margaret isn't aware of our plans, but is instead coming for that 'little fellow'!"

Number Eight Charlemagne chuckled, "So, the Old Hags doesn't actually know we're here. We... can secretly give her a little surprise!"

Everyone burst into laughter, save for Xue Ji, who shook her head helplessly, remaining silent. It had been agreed upon by both sides that when confronting Margaret, she would remain neutral, observing everything with a cold detachment.

Jamis said, "Since the Water's Embrace Divine Maiden has arrived, we can't hide in the sea for too long, Old Charlatan. Can you still hold on? We need to reach Emerald City as quickly as possible—the most dangerous place is often the safest!"

Old Bovin grinned, "Old Gambler, you heard there's a God of Gamblers Tournament in two days, and you're itching for a game, aren't you? Haha, it's been too long since we saw our little brother gamble! This old man can hold on, let's leave right away!"

Xue Ji was startled and couldn't help but ask, "The Bartuoke family's Emerald City is heavily defended. Won't we run into trouble if we go there?"

Jamis wagged a finger. "Emerald City's strict defenses refer to the core area near the Exquisite Pagoda. But Emerald Isle has hundreds of thousands of people. Tell me, with your master Margaret nearby, are we safer hiding in a barren cave, or disguised and blending in with hundreds of thousands of common folk?"

After speaking, he chuckled. "Besides, our little brother is also in Emerald City. Don't you want to see Francis, whom you've been yearning for?"

Xue Ji's expression turned gloomy, but she said nothing. Lord Jamis still believed her beloved was Francis, but deep down, she absolutely refused to believe Alex was Francis! Sacred artifacts could be similar – there was the precedent of the Aqua Cloud Banner – and Secret Techniques could also be alike. Even the Twilight Girl Portrait pendant on the necklace could have its outline replicated if Alex had seen Jamis's secret diagram. Which of these could fully prove Francis was Alex?

Moreover, while other things could be disguised or imitated, could temperament and personality be changed? Alex's elegant and serious demeanor was a world apart from Francis's roguishness!

Thinking of Du Chen's street ruffian appearance that day, Xue Ji's brows furrowed. But recalling Alex's tender kiss from the past, she blushed and lowered her head...

How could they possibly be the same person?

Following Liana's arrival in Emerald City yesterday, Xue Ji, disguised, also entered Emerald City with the Requiem Death Knights.

...

Time flew by. Du Chen's body had fully recovered, and thus, The Grand Wager was about to begin...

Early in the morning, Du Chen changed into a white, form-fitting suit, perfect for gambling. His face was alight with a confident smile. Holding his daughter with one hand and stroking his nose with the other, he asked, "Beibei, how much do you think Daddy should win today?"

Little Beibei made a huge circle with her hands. "Lots and lots!"

Du Chen laughed heartily, walking out his door surrounded by his family. He glanced at the Sword Slave and Dragonfinch, who were coincidentally stepping out next door. The Sword Slave's gaze also locked onto Du Chen, and their eyes instantly turned exceptionally cold. Fortunately, the butler who had come to greet them was sharp, quickly stepping between them. "Gentlemen, The Grand Wager is set up in the plaza near the North City Gate. Please follow me!"

Du Chen shot the Sword Slave a cold smirk, then, following the servant, asked curiously, "Isn't the casino in the Exquisite Hall?"

The butler smiled, lowering his voice. "Actually... the Old Master detests gambling immensely, and the Exquisite Hall is a symbol of our family. Naturally, The Grand Wager couldn't be held there."

Du Chen nodded, amused as he recalled how, during Annie's forced marriage, Gambler Betty had clearly been stifled at home. Upon seeing a casino, she'd rushed in as if reuniting with a long-lost relative, sleeves rolled up! Heh, no wonder Betty had to beg Old Master Yonker for forgiveness when she proposed "gambling" three days prior. It seemed Yonker's aversion to his descendants engaging in gambling was extreme; it couldn't even be mentioned at home!

A plaza it was then! A true Master paid no heed to the gambling venue!

The vast plaza north of the city had already been cordoned off. At its center stood a mahogany round table adorned with various gambling implements and chips. Five or six meters beyond the table, a circle of luxurious spectator stands hosted Liana and Arthur, among others. The Sword Slave and Dragonfinch, upon their arrival, took seats at the very center of these stands. Further out, a yellow cordon and Bartuoke Family Guards held back the surging crowd, preventing curious onlookers from disturbing The Grand Wager.

"He's here, that's Francis!"

"My heavens, I've seen the God of Gamblers..." This was surely uttered by a seasoned Gambler.

"Shush, keep it down. We common folk love to gamble, but the Old Master absolutely loathes it. Don't provoke his wrath today; just quietly watch the spectacle... If we can pick up a trick or two, we'll be rich!"

Du Chen's appearance caused quite a stir, but Old Master Yonker's long-standing prestige quickly quelled the commotion. A God of Gamblers might provide ordinary folk with amusing anecdotes, but Yonker was the one who held their lives and livelihoods in his hands. It was clear who commanded more respect!

Du Chen walked to the mahogany round table and sat down. He smiled at Arthur and Liana in the spectator stands, then glanced at the empty opponent's seat opposite him. "Old Master Yonker and Madam Betty haven't arrived yet?"

The butler's lips quirked, barely suppressing a smile. "Duke, there's no need to rush. Your opponent will certainly arrive before the appointed time." But in his heart, he thought...

*Poor Madam Betty. Although she has contributed to the family, simply uttering the word 'gamble' in front of the Old Master... she's bound to be reprimanded before she can even start!*

And indeed! In Yonker's study within the Exquisite Pagoda, Old Master Yonker sat expressionless on a beast-hide armchair. Annie poured him clear tea nearby, while Betty stood timidly before Yonker, her legs trembling.

The three remained silent. After a long moment, Annie softly said, "Grandpa, Auntie's suggestion of gambling within Emerald City was indeed wrong, but she already knows her mistake. You also forgave her at the time and agreed to The Grand Wager..."

"Are you pleading for Betty?"

"This granddaughter dares not..."

Yonker snorted, staring intently at Betty. "Hmph! If I didn't know you proposed The Grand Wager out of consideration for the family, I would have long since broken your hands, and certainly wouldn't have agreed to this!" He slammed his palm on the table with a *thwack*, making the clear tea spill, and chastised, "This is my final warning! The Bartuoke family has a thousand-year legacy, and family members are absolutely forbidden from engaging in such disreputable and dirty affairs! After today, if I ever catch you gambling again, you will be punished according to family law!"

Cold sweat beaded on Betty's forehead, but inwardly, she grumbled, *How is gambling dirty? Hmph, Stubborn Old Coot!*

Though aggrieved, she still had to apologize verbally. "Father, I... I started gambling when I was young and foolish, and once I learned gambling prowess, I never managed to quit... I will definitely pay attention and correct myself from now on!"

Yonker grunted, his tone softening slightly. "Gambling in youth could be attributed to youthful impetuousness, but how old are you this year, hmm!? Never mind. Given that you're doing this for the family's interests... don't let there be a next time!" He waved his hand. "Go, then. Deliberately go easy and lose to Francis, but don't make the loss too obvious. It wouldn't do for Dragonfinch and Sword Slave to see through it!"

*Though I despise my descendants gambling,* the Old Master mused, *I know just how formidable Betty's gambling prowess truly is—it's a skill approaching the very limits of human ability! Francis may be strong, but it's not certain he can beat Betty...*

Betty, however, suddenly lifted her head. "Deliberately go easy?" she muttered softly. "Father, even if I go all out, I can't beat Francis!"

Yonker's eyebrow twitched, and a flicker of inexplicable astonishment crossed his eyes. "Even *you* can't beat Francis?"

"Yes. That day, I thought your intention, Father, was to help Francis pass this trial. So, after I made the gambling suggestion, if he were a fake, I would deliberately lose to him. If he were real, I would..." She gave an embarrassed smile. "Your daughter would let loose and gamble her life against him! Even if I lost, it would satisfy my gambling craving..."

Betty dared not deceive the Old Master, so she spoke the truth, then hastily admitted her mistake. "Father, forgive me! Betty will never dare again!"

Surprisingly, the Old Master did not get angry this time. Instead, he craned his neck and asked strangely, "Francis's gambling prowess has left you without even the confidence to challenge him... Has he perhaps mastered peak gambling prowess, reaching the limits of human ability?"

"Father, if we speak of gambling prowess, I dare say Francis is the Divine Emperor Prince of the gambling circles!" Betty declared without hesitation. "He is the true, peerless, undefeated God of Gamblers in the gambling circles!"

Yonker's eyes flashed with a hawk-like glint. His fingertips suddenly trembled, and he quickly clasped his hands behind his back to conceal it. His face stern, he scoffed, "Hmph! The paramount figure in the gambling circles... what good is that!? Since that's the case, go! Just gamble with all your might! Annie, you go too. I... will follow later!"

Annie assented, pulling the still-wobbly Betty towards the door.

Yonker suddenly barked, "Betty, this is the only time. If I ever find out you're gambling again... Hmph!"

"Yes, Father, I would never dare make the same mistakes I did in my youth again..."

Betty meekly assented, but the moment they stepped out, she immediately donned a cheerful smile, telling a worried Annie, "It's fine. I mastered gambling prowess when I was twenty-six, and it's been nearly twenty years since then. Your grandfather says he'll break my hands every day, but tell me, when has he ever been serious?"

Annie smiled. "True. Auntie, you're a core figure in the family's control of the underworld across the Three Continents. Grandpa wouldn't punish you for something as trivial as gambling."

Betty rubbed her hands together. Annie, whom she had raised, was no outsider, so she confidently lowered her voice. "Hehe, I've finally met a Master this time! Pulling you along every night for secret gambling sessions with me simply wasn't satisfying enough!"

The two walked towards the casino.

But after they left, in the study, Old Master Yonker suddenly let out a profound sigh. He stared at his still slightly trembling fingertips, savoring the surging battle intent in his heart. "Young? Hmph, I, too, was once young! Betty's defeat before battle proves she's still incapable! Alas, when will she finally overcome her gambling addiction and grasp the true, paramount God of Gamblers realm of 'Not Gambling is Gambling'?"