The House Always Wins
Li Hua has been promoted to "Tier 3" for a long time.
As a seasoned "Tier 3" expert, Li Hua has, over time, more or less grasped the basics of the "Heart Domain".
He wasn't the kind of "Player" who reached "Tier 3" in a daze, nor was he the type who was completely unaware of his own abilities.
Although opening the "Heart Domain" is a very mysterious thing, no one can say for sure which "step" is needed to open the "Heart Domain".
After all, looking at the "Player" who have already opened the "Heart Domain," it's actually quite difficult to find commonalities among them.
But...
At least within the "Order," the three who had advanced to the "Tier 4" were relatively unanimous in their opinion regarding whether Li Hua could advance to the "Tier 4."
"Given time, Comrade 'Gambler' will definitely reach the 'Tier 4'."
"The Sea City Administrator should be close to unlocking the 'Heart Domain' by now."
"Li Hua? Even if he suddenly opens his 'Heart Domain,' I wouldn't be surprised."
These are not lies.
Even Li Hua himself was well aware that he had actually touched the threshold of opening his "Heart Domain".
Although he doesn't have the same clear understanding as "Fishing Man" Chen Le about what conditions are needed to open his "Heart Domain," after all, Chen Le is one of the few.
But Li Hua did have a general understanding of what type of "Heart Domain" he possessed.
His "Heart Domain" is related to the environment he grew up in and the "industry" in his family that he is unwilling to mention.
"Casino."
This is now the most important source of income for Li Hua's family.
Although their roots are in Sea City, they have a considerable amount of industrial investment and presence in a special economic zone next to Shenzhen.
For a long time, Li Hua's attitude towards his own businesses has been quite subtle.
After all...
Li Hua knew that this was essentially a business that "eats people up without spitting out the bones".
No matter how you try to justify it with reasons like "someone will always do it" or "without a gray area, a purer form of black will inevitably emerge," you can't cover up the harm that the "Casino" business inflicts on the individuals involved.
Li Hua had seen too many people whose families were ruined and whose lives took a sharp turn for the worse because of gambling. Although those who weren't involved could condescendingly criticize, "They ended up like this because of their own greed," Li Hua knew very well...
Who exactly is it that arouses their greed?
It was those magnificent halls, and those clattering chips.
Humans are inherently easily influenced and misled... Even if someone is truly "greedy," does he really need to pay the price of ruining his life for his greed?
Li Hua is very smart and rational, which is the same as most people in his family.
But the difference is...
Li Hua had gained a sense of conscience that he himself didn't know where it came from—perhaps it was because he had read too many serious books in school.
"If only my father and older brother had found me more 'The Thick Black Theory' to read during my adolescence," Li Hua often thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile.
But he knew he couldn't change anything.
He did not rebel, run away from home, or angrily sever ties with his family. His inherent rationality and restraint made him understand that doing so would be meaningless.
He pondered the legitimacy of "gambling" and the family business, but he didn't need to gain "moral" solace through his actions afterward; he didn't need to make himself feel noble and innocent.
Li Hua understood that even if he severed ties with the Sea City Li Family, it wouldn't cause any Casino in the world to disappear.
He does respect those who adhere to their principles, like his cousin who actually ran away from home. Li Hua doesn't think that was wrong or "pretending to be superior."
It's just that he wouldn't choose that path himself.
Rather than that, it's better to... do something practical.
That's why...
Li Hua was not surprised at all that his "Profession" would be "Gambler".
Because he has never distanced himself from "gambling".
He was always standing in the Casino, standing in front of the card table.
Only...
Besides being a "Gambler," Li Hua has another layer of identity.
He is not only a player in the Game, but also a Game Rules- maker—he is the Casino operator, the Casino owner, and a shareholder.
These people also have a specific name – "the bookmaker".
In Li Hua's view, the bookmaker is also Gambler.
The dealer was also at the poker table; he was simply the Gambler with the largest stake and the most unique character.
Gambler is someone who can manipulate probabilities, predict wins and losses, and calculate profits...
Just like now.
Even in the "Game of Death game," he can still manipulate the odds, thus achieving what is almost like "cheating" to other "Player."
Although Li Hua had vaguely grasped the boundaries of the "Heart Domain," he also understood that he was still far from truly opening Heart Domain.
Only...
Now, he can forcibly possess his own "Heart Domain" ahead of time.
With the help of [Exclusive item] and "Profession abilities", with the help of [Twenty-sided Die], with the help of [Blood Chips]...
"All probabilities, all chips... all in."
Li Hua spoke in a low voice, took off his Tortoiseshell-Frame Glasses, and gently tossed them on the ground.
One by one, the Item around him disappeared, as if they were being calculated and managed as some kind of "assets" of his, and then... mortgaged to the card table and gambling games.
In return for all of this, Li Hua's "Heart Domain" appeared and was activated.
Within the "Emperor's" "Heart Domain," the magnificent palace walls, towering statues, and rustic floor tiles surrounding Li Hua faded considerably, replaced by...
It was a card table covered with green velvet, piled with chips, and marked with betting areas.
Li Hua stood in front of the card table, tapped on it, and looked at the "Emperor".
"Now... it's 'Heart Domain' versus 'Heart Domain', Your Majesty."
As Li Hua spoke, the stack of Playing Cards on the table flew up, along with the blood-red chips, all heading towards the "Emperor's" side.
The emperor raised his hand.
"Is this your 'Heart Domain'? Forcibly dragging people into a 'gambling game'?"
The emperor spoke in a low voice, gently raising his hand.
"But... I don't play."
As he spoke, the power of Authority shook the chips and cards back onto the table.
Li Hua shook his head as he watched the "emperor's" actions.
"This isn't something my 'Heart Domain' can do... Forcibly creating a 'betting game' is something [Blood Chips] can do."
"My 'Heart Domain' simply encompasses the power of [Blood Chips]."
As Li Hua spoke, he tapped the table again.
"And the true power of my 'Heart Domain,' which is also its name, is 'the House Always Wins.'"
As he spoke, Li Hua flipped over the cards in front of him.
Those are... four Aces of different suits with one Jack of Hearts – a triple Ace.
The emperor frowned. "I've said it before, I'm not playing—your hastily constructed 'Heart Domain' doesn't seem to have the ability to forcibly pull me into the game."
Li Hua whispered, "Your Majesty, you're not the only one here."
On the poker table, several other decks of cards were flipped up at the edge, and chips spun around on the table.
"Director, miscellaneous cards, high-ranking King."
"Prisoner," one pair of 10.
"Qianhuan, Hearts Flush."
I won.
As Li Hua announced this, he began to activate his "Heart Domain" ability.
The emperor suddenly felt...
Within one's own "Heart Domain," some changes suddenly occurred.
Apart from Li Hua, the souls and bodies of the other three seemed no longer completely within their own "Heart Domain" and Divine Kingdom Projection.
"Is this the true power of your 'Heart Domain'?"
The emperor exclaimed in shock.
"Of course, you think my [Item] disappeared to forcibly 'open' the 'Heart Domain'? You're wrong," Li Hua said coldly. "My [Item] were merely used by me to utilize the power of my 'Heart Domain' to become my 'bet'—all my [Item], everything I have, I've staked it all on."
"If they don't fold but call to the end, then they will... pay an 'equal' price, which is their 'everything'!"
"This is the meaning of 'the House Always Wins'... Now, their very existence belongs to me temporarily—even if you are the 'emperor' or the 'God of Conquest and Domination,' once you step onto the card table, you must abide by the Rule of the game."
"And within these 'Rule,' within the game... the 'banker' always comes out on top."
As Li Hua spoke, he pointed to the two cards the emperor had tossed back onto the table.
"So, so... you don't have the right to 'not play,' what you're doing is called folding."
"You'll just lose less."
As soon as he finished speaking, the "emperor" narrowed his eyes.
He could feel it...
The instant Li Hua finished speaking, a loophole briefly appeared in his control of his "Heart Domain" and the Projection of his Divine Kingdom, showing signs of losing control—as if Li Hua had truly taken away a portion of his Divine Kingdom's ownership.
"Interesting..."
Li Hua's "Heart Domain" mechanism is indeed quite intriguing.
But...
"Without Authority, no matter how hard you try, it will all be in vain."
The emperor sighed, and an Imperial Seal appeared in his hand.
He gently tapped the Imperial Seal down, and then...
The illusions and Rule that Li Hua constructed using the "Heart Domain" collapsed instantly!
Only...
The emperor was surprised.
Beside Li Hua, the figure of "Magician" Qianhuan appeared.
But...
"Prisoner" Old Zhou and "Director" Lin Yu are not among them.
The emperor stared at Qianhuan, then looked at Li Hua, and then his "Authority" swept across the entire "Heart Domain" three or four times in an instant.
But...
He still couldn't find the other two.
Where did the Director go?
The emperor looked at the "Magician" and the "Gambler" and asked in a cold voice.
Li Hua reached out to the middle of his face, his fingers stopped in front of his face, then he touched the bridge of his nose and laughed.
"As the 'market maker,' I certainly won't disclose where my funds go."
On the other side, Qianhuan also straightened his top hat.
"As a 'Magician'... of course I won't reveal the secrets of my magic."