The True God of Gamblers: An Inescapable Reckoning

Silence, a profound, lingering silence! It wasn't until Dragonfinch's incredulous gasp that people's scattered thoughts were finally reeled back in.

"What is happening?"

The moment the cards were revealed, everyone had been bracing for the inevitable clash, especially Dragonfinch. Once she confirmed Du Chen's hole card, her entire focus had been on preventing him from making a sudden escape aboard Green Cloud. No one had paid any real attention to the actual goings-on at the gambling table. Yet, when their battle preparations were complete, people were astonished to find that Dragonfinch had been utterly mistaken, and Francis had actually won!

Yonker, who had already settled back into his chair, eyes fixed on Du Chen, ready to quell any potential chaos, bolted upright the moment Annie revealed the hole card. His weathered face couldn't conceal a look of utter shock! "It's the Six of Spades... Has Dragonfinch's perception failed her? Why isn't it the Two of Clubs?"

Du Chen's brow furrowed, staring at his own hole card with profound astonishment. The very instant Annie revealed the card, Green Cloud had already begun to ascend beneath his feet, and both the Fire Lotus Lantern and Sands of the Hourglass were mere moments from unleashing an attack!

The onlookers couldn't fathom why Dragonfinch had erred, yet inexplicably, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief for Du Chen. The legend of the God of Gamblers persisted, and humanity's innate instinct to revere such tales remained as strong as ever...

Meanwhile, Du Chen and Yonker, the two central figures, simultaneously arrived at an alternative possibility... Dragonfinch couldn't be wrong. Therefore, someone must have cheated! Yet, from start to finish, both Yonker and Du Chen had been meticulously observing each other, neither having so much as grazed the playing cards! The only person who had touched the deck throughout the entire process was Annie. Thus, the cheater was... Almost in perfect sync, both men sharply turned their heads, their gazes locking onto Annie!

Du Chen's eyes held three parts surprise, seven parts bewilderment! Old Man Yonker's expression was seven parts furious indignation, the remaining three parts, however, were an... indescribable emotion.

Annie regarded the two men with serene composure, merely offering an elegant smile. "I hereby declare the ultimate victor of this Grand Wager to be... Francis!"

The Old Man suddenly chuckled, transmitting his words to Du Chen via Secret Technique. "Francis, today I have truly witnessed the ultimate God of Gamblers! She managed to swap the cards right under everyone's noses, even mine, Yonker's... Am I truly growing old?!"

Du Chen likewise smiled, replying through the same Secret Technique. "Old Man, I too have witnessed something extraordinary! The Art of Not Gambling... it appears the true God of Gamblers never actually places a wager. Since I, Francis, did indeed gamble... I can hardly be considered the ultimate God of Gamblers!"

Slowly, both men retracted their gazes from Annie. In that moment, neither dared to voice their true thoughts aloud. To do so would plunge Du Chen into a bitter struggle, and Yonker would see the Batuk Family's honor utterly tarnished!

If the truth couldn't be spoken, then a plausible fabrication had to be crafted – at the very least, a lie that would save face!

The scales within the Old Man's heart began to tip once more. "Damn it all, regardless of the process, Francis undeniably won! So, must I still assist Sword Slave in opposing him? While confronting Francis would certainly foster my relationship with Margaret of Water's Embrace Lake, yet... tens of thousands heard the rules I laid down earlier. If I fail to uphold my word..."

The Old Man gritted his teeth, as if hearing a voice echo: "Ah, that's Yonker, the Yonker whose words are as empty as flatulence! From now on, never trust a word from the Batuk Family; it's all just hot air..."

Reno, the Great Triangle Navy, and the Miki Kingdom combined couldn't compare to Margaret alone. But when the honor of the Batuk Family was added to the scales, these four stakes, with a decisive 'snap,' heavily tipped and shattered the balance within Old Man Yonker's heart... The family's credibility outweighed everything!

Once Yonker's position became clear, the lie naturally flowed forth. He let out a hearty laugh and declared, "Dragonfinch, I believe in your perception. However, you must understand, there's a rule at the gambling table – to cheat in a desperate situation and turn defeat into victory, so long as one isn't caught in the act, that is their skill, and they are still the winner!"

Dragonfinch nodded, her face grim. She thought to herself, *I still had lingering suspicions about Annie just now, but I've never once heard of Annie being a gambling prowess master, and she has no reason whatsoever to assist Francis... Listening to Yonker, could Francis's gambling prowess be so profound that he could swap a hole card instantly, without touching it or using battle qi...?*

Heavens, how did he manage it?! Dragonfinch couldn't comprehend, and naturally, her suspicions weren't assuaged. Her gaze kept drifting back to Annie – her culpability was the highest!

However, the Old Man immediately helped to dispel her doubts! He showered Du Chen with countless accolades and grand titles, then bowed respectfully and said, "Your Excellency Francis, first and foremost, I confirm that you have indeed won! But this old man wishes to ask one more thing: the technique you just employed, is it that supreme gambling prowess, lost to our gambling circles for a millennium, only glimpsed by posterity during the Heroic Era – the Divine Hand of Creation?"

'Divine Hand of Creation'? What in the world is that nonsense? Du Chen chuckled inwardly, yet understood that Yonker's stance had completely shifted. He played along, saying, "To think, Old Man, you've already seen through it! It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but while the Divine Hand of Creation can indeed swap cards right under everyone's noses, it's not truly gambling prowess, but rather a Secret Technique of deception! Though I won today, it was not a fair victory, and I am truly ashamed!"

Yonker waved a dismissive hand, declaring magnanimously, "Who cares if it's gambling prowess or deception? We, denizens of the gambling circles, only care about winning and losing. As long as you win, you win! Alas, to be honest, I didn't see through it. It was only when I was racking my brain, unable to comprehend how you beat me, that a flash of inspiration struck, recalling that most mysterious, most ancient, and most formidable legend of the gambling circles... Now, that legend belongs to you, Francis, God of Gamblers!"

Du Chen, feigning deep reverence, exclaimed with an air of genuine admiration, "Old Man, your generosity knows no bounds; this junior is truly impressed! You are a person of high virtue and prestige, and only you are truly worthy of the title, God of Gamblers!"

"No!" The Old Man clapped Du Chen on the shoulder. "Since you are the inheritor of the Divine Hand of Creation, you are a supreme figure within our gambling circles. This old man wouldn't dare to hear you call yourself a junior... Heh heh, let's converse as equals at the gambling table!"

"No, no, no, this junior absolutely wouldn't dare converse as your equal..."

The two men spouted nonsense freely, one lie following another, fabricating things out of thin air. Yet, what were their identities? One was the Old Man of the Batuk Family, a revered elder of the gambling circles! The other was Grand Duke of Durkus, a rising star, a new God of Gamblers! No matter what they said, others had to listen and believe them! For they were the absolute authorities at the gambling table, and their pronouncements would become the truths sung by future generations of the gambling circles!

Moreover, for those who didn't understand, merely listening was enough. The truly discerning, however, could see through to the genuine confrontation beneath the wager and wouldn't care for such superficial pronouncements! Even if you, Sword Slave, and Dragonfinch, clearly knew in your hearts that Annie had swapped the cards, what of it?! Did you catch her in the act? Do you have evidence? If not, then be smart. This is Emerald City. After everyone gleefully accepts this fabricated lie as truth, anyone can gracefully exit the stage. Otherwise... as the saying goes, this is Emerald City!

The truth of today's Grand Wager would remain hidden in the hearts of but a few. Years from now, future generations would gaze with awe upon Francis's Portraits, asking in disbelief, "He... he truly managed to swap the hole card, right under a Level Twelve Dragonfinch's nose, without even touching the cards?! Heavens! The God of Gamblers is indeed meant only for reverence, not for comprehension..."

Having concluded his public declarations, Yonker grasped Du Chen's hand and proclaimed loudly, "I, Yonker, have always valued rules throughout my life, and today is no exception! As per our prior agreement, I acknowledge that this esteemed gentleman is the true Francis! Furthermore, until the conclusion of my family's grand ceremony, as long as he remains in Emerald City and poses no threat to it, I, Yonker, shall absolutely permit no one to harm him!" His hawk-like eyes fixed coldly on Sword Slave. "Whoever wishes to kill Francis, let them first step over my corpse, Yonker's!"

What a truly honorable Old Man, his integrity reaching the heavens, his word worth a thousand gold!

The common folk on the periphery erupted in cheers. "Old Man, we citizens of Emerald City are all your people! Whoever wishes to harm you must first trample over the hundreds of thousands of us commoners of Emerald City!" In an instant, Yonker's prestige was elevated to an unprecedented height, far beyond the reach of ordinary men!

Witnessing this scene, Dragonfinch and Sword Slave, despite their myriad grievances and utter unwillingness, dared not openly defy tens of thousands of people – especially as some among those tens of thousands were known as... the Thunder Legion!

As the two seethed with resentment, a significant member of the Batuk Family approached, his posture deeply respectful, almost obsequious. He spoke in a low voice, "Esteemed sirs, our apologies for today, but our Old Master simply has this temperament... We have prepared a banquet in the Exquisite Hall to atone to you both. Please, follow me!"

Sword Slave and Dragonfinch felt a slight easing of their minds. *Fine, Francis's territory isn't going anywhere; we can always deal with him later!* After shooting a fierce glare at Du Chen, they followed. Du Chen, observing this, frowned – *the Batuk Family truly plays both sides of the fence, publicly assisting me while secretly attempting to smooth things over with Water's Embrace Lake!*

With the Grand Wager officially concluded, guards swiftly organized the crowd, dispersing all the onlookers and guests. Finally, only the Old Man, Du Chen, and a few other key figures remained on the vast plaza!

With no outsiders present, Yonker's expression dropped all pretense. His hawk-like eyes, almost as if they could devour a soul, fixed on Annie.

Annie continued to smile faintly.

Du Chen sighed. Annie had truly crossed Old Man Yonker's biggest taboo this time; there was no telling what severe punishment awaited her! He gave a light cough and stepped forward to plead on Annie's behalf. "Old Man, you and I both know the truth of what happened today. For this favor, my Du Chen's Divine Cult will certainly offer a grand recompense. It's just Annie..."

Before the Old Man could respond, Annie smiled. "Francis, what are you saying? You don't actually think *I* swapped the cards, do you?!"

Du Chen was taken aback, shocked. *Could it not have been Annie who swapped them?* Indeed, everything just now had been his own conjecture; after all, he truly hadn't witnessed with his own eyes who had changed the cards!

As Du Chen pondered this, Yonker's expression suddenly turned frigid. "Francis, come to my study tonight; there are some matters I must make clear to you! Furthermore, what follows is my family's private affair; you have no right to interfere!" With that, he practically dragged Annie away, shaking her off with a flick of his hand!

So... had Annie truly swapped the cards or not?! The Old Man had already issued his ultimatum, and Du Chen, both emotionally and logically, could not interject further. Spotting Betty walking at the very end, trembling like a sieve, he quickly went up to ask, "Madam..."

Betty weakly waved her hand, her face deathly pale. "Don't ask me, I don't know either! I... I used to often drag Annie along to indulge my gambling addiction, but... that girl sometimes doesn't even understand the rules, how could she possibly do something like this... It's over, the Old Man is absolutely furious..."

Muttering incoherently, Betty staggered away as if out of her mind.

Undoubtedly, for Betty to be this terrified, the Old Man was sure to investigate to the very end. Should it be proven that Annie swapped the cards, the punishment would certainly be...

Just then, Liana, leading the two children, came running over with a cheerful smile, giving Du Chen a solid pat on the back. "Hey! You scared me half to death just now! I actually thought you were going to fight to the death!"

"You thought it was a fake fight to the death?" Du Chen retorted irritably, habitually reaching out to pat Liana's shoulder, but his hand trembled, and he quickly pulled it back, letting out a long, ragged breath. "Today was incredibly lucky! Come on, let's head back to the guest room!"

Liana's smile faded. Following behind Du Chen, as they reached a secluded alley, she suddenly whispered, "I've observed Yonker for three days and reviewed most of his recent decision records. I've come to a conclusion... This Old Man is absolutely a staunch prioritizer of family interests!"

Du Chen rubbed his nose. "Go on!"

"In the past few days, Yonker's attitude has shifted three times, indicating he's been constantly weighing whether to help you or Water's Embrace Lake! Before the Grand Wager began, Arthur, Gode, and I displayed our fleets outside his home. That threat pushed him to choose your side, abandoning Sword Slave and Dragonfinch! But after the wager started, Yonker suddenly intervened, even going so far as to reveal his true identity in the gambling circles, which he had concealed for years... This suggests that at the very moment the wager began, around nine this morning, Yonker must have received some piece of news..."

Liana gently bit her lip, speaking with difficulty. "This news informed Yonker that a situation favorable to Sword Slave and Dragonfinch had arisen, a threat so significant that it worried him more than three allied forces arrayed at his doorstep! So... what threat could be more direct and concerning than our three allied forces? The answer is..."

Du Chen stated calmly, "If not Margaret herself, then a key figure from Water's Embrace Lake, someone with ample strength and capital, has arrived! Liana, I need your assessment!"

Liana remained silent for a long moment. After walking through a lengthy alley, she finally said, "I can only give you three points. First, in Yonker's heart, family honor and face hold the utmost importance, followed by Margaret, and then you. Second, Sword Slave and Dragonfinch's performance today proves they are unaware that reinforcements have arrived, and Yonker seems to have no intention of informing them! Third, in a sense, describing Yonker as the Donkey Demon King is not inaccurate!"

Du Chen nodded. "I understand. Given Yonker's character, since he publicly declared today that he would protect me until the end of the grand ceremony, even if the Divine Emperor himself arrived, he would steadfastly shield me! Therefore... today is February 18th. Until March 1st, remaining in Emerald City for these upcoming eleven days is our safest option, and we can utilize this time to arrange our escape route..."

Considering how to prepare their escape route, Du Chen glanced back at his 'family' trailing behind him – or rather, his bargaining chips against Margaret. He suddenly asked, "Where are Arthur and Brook? Haven't they caught up yet?"

Behind him, only the two children were riding on Andy's back. Arthur and Deboning were nowhere to be seen!

Liana playfully stuck out her tongue, giggling. "No need for you to trouble your mind thinking about it! Arthur, Brook, and Gode are already busy setting up your escape route. I'll explain everything to you once they return! Big dummy! All you have to do is sleep soundly for these eleven days until March 1st arrives!"

Du Chen truly wanted to playfully punch Liana. Having such an assistant made things incredibly easy, but alas... she was now the Queen of Miki, no longer the Chief Administrator of Durkus!

A faint sadness stirred within him. For a moment, Du Chen seemed to dread the end of the Batuk Grand Ceremony, not for fear of losing Yonker's protection, but because... with the ceremony's conclusion, he would also have to bid farewell to Liana.

As he was pondering, Alex, from behind, coolly stroked his chin and declared, "Sister Liana is wrong! Master, I must correct you!"

Du Chen was startled, and Liana was even more surprised, urgently asking, "Anya, where did I go wrong?"

Alex squinted, sneering. "Papa just said today is February 18th! So how can it only be eleven days until March 1st? From the 18th to the 30th is already twelve days! Hmph, you miscalculated by a few days, and the probability of an accident will increase by several folds! The Master's opinion is..."

Slam! Beibei, her face flushed, gave Anya a slap, then covered her own face in shame, exclaiming, "I have such a ridiculously silly little brother, Beibei is too embarrassed to show her face!"

Alex was stunned for a moment, then, covering the red mark on his cheek, he coolly stated, "Fine, if you won't listen to the Master's advice, then don't blame anyone when disaster strikes later..."

"Enough, enough! Papa, let's hurry and go!" Little Beibei, feeling guilty, jumped down from the Snow Wolf's back and burrowed into Du Chen's arms. The group fled as if for their lives...

Anya remained stunned on the Snow Wolf's back. "M-Master, did I say something wrong?"

The unavoidable Andy let out a deep sigh. "I, Chris Andy, am a noble Snow Wolf with dreams and an appetite, and my greatest dream in life is to figure out one question – when will my Young Master's math skills finally pass muster?"

"Math?" Anya blankly counted on her fingers, tallying repeatedly, until Andy reached the guest room door. The little one suddenly realized, dashed into the bedroom, and, under the astonished gazes of everyone, plunged headfirst into the wardrobe behind the door, bursting into tears...

"Waaah... so February only has 28 days, so Anya doesn't know how to count..."

...Poor child! Such amusing life incidents had happened countless times to Anya. Each time, after a hearty laugh, Du Chen would helplessly sigh, then silently count in his mind, "One, two, three..."

Clang! Alex kicked open the wardrobe and burst out, flinging himself into his sister's embrace, his face as red as a ripe, plump apple. He desperately burrowed into Little Beibei's body! Then, with a 'poof,' the two children became one, leaving a pile of clothes scattered on the ground!

The little one was too embarrassed to show his face, so he simply hid inside his sister's body...

Yes, this was Du Chen's latest discovery. Previously, the two children had separated using the Composite Aberrant Beasts method due to discordant bodily functions caused by differing evolutionary speeds! But now they could combine again, indicating that... Alex had also begun to evolve!

Liana watched with mischievous glee as the children became one, smirking, "Tell me, how many minutes will Anya hide inside Beibei's body this time before daring to show herself?"

"Who knows? Last time was five minutes, right?" Du Chen wasn't sure either.

Only Little Beibei wore a tear-streaked face. "Papa, I'm afraid this time it'll be six minutes... I feel like my little brother is getting stronger and stronger! The stronger he gets, the longer we can stay combined!"

This was another of Du Chen's discoveries: regarding divine beasts formed through the Composite Aberrant Beasts method, it was still unclear whether Andy could separate and recombine after completely consuming the Golden Behemoth! However, the two little ones could easily combine and separate. But according to Little Beibei herself, their evolutionary speeds remained somewhat unbalanced. They couldn't sustain their combined form for long; if they exceeded the time limit, while they wouldn't repeat the traumatic experience of fainting, they would still repel each other, forcibly separating!

Little Beibei's aggrieved expression was endearing. Liana quickly comforted the child, "Beibei, you should look at it this way: the divine combination technique of two super divine beast descendants can now last for six whole minutes! Haha!" After saying this, she couldn't help but burst into laughter herself.

After a few more jokes, Liana turned serious and asked Du Chen, "Francis, did you truly win today by some miraculous hand, or was it the Goddess of Fate favoring you, causing Dragonfinch to make a mistake?"

Du Chen shook his head. "I suspect it was Annie, but... she hasn't admitted it, and I can't definitively say who helped me!"

Liana pursed her lips, lowering her voice. "Judging by Yonker's attitude... I think it was Annie too! Alas, we are outsiders, unable to interfere in the Batuk family's internal affairs. I wonder what kind of scolding Annie is receiving from her grandfather right now..."

Exquisite Pagoda, Yonker's Study! Within the vast study, only three figures were present: Betty, trembling and kneeling; Yonker, seated expressionless in a beast-hide armchair, staring at the desktop; and on that desktop, strikingly, lay a poker card – Du Chen's true hole card, the Two of Clubs!

It was indeed Annie who had swapped the cards! Yet, even as Annie knelt beside Betty, she gazed at her grandfather, who was sure to mete out a cruel punishment, with an utterly serene expression, seemingly unconcerned with her own fate...