Chapter 33: The Way of Survival (Part Two)

“Are you going to discard the tile I want, causing you to lose, right?” Morley found it even stranger. “Then why would I discard it?”

“How do you know discarding it will cause a loss?!” Watanabe Tsuna stubbed out his cigarette, stopped discarding tiles, and stared at Morley.

“…Isn’t it obvious from how your hand is arranged?” Morley replied.

Watanabe Tsuna choked. “No… then how do you know my hand arrangement?”

Morley suddenly understood the question.

He patiently explained, “Look, can’t we infer a player’s hand from their discarded tiles? Early on, everyone wants to complete their hand quickly, so they generally avoid breaking up sets. For example, if you discard a 5-pin early, you probably don’t have another 5-pin, nor do you have combinations like 4-5, 5-6, 3-5, or 5-7. The probability that you hold a 5-pin is smallest, followed by 4 or 6, then 3 or 7.”

Watanabe Tsuna swallowed hard.

“By analyzing the quantity and relationship of discarded tiles, we can determine the influence of a particular tile on the expected hand…”

Ubetsu Toshitake shuddered.

“In mid to late stages, you need to calculate the non-needed tiles… then analyze the hand shape, with probability formulas roughly like…”

Sakata Kintoki, still in university, trembled uncontrollably.

“Next, simulate the shanten number to determine hand distribution… here we use the Monte Carlo simulation method…”

Sakata Kintoki suddenly fell backward with a startled cry, his fingers twitching slightly. The group exchanged glances, filled with apprehension.

…A demon! Watanabe Tsuna gave a horrified look.

It was a pity that General Raikou was absent! With her overwhelming prowess in tile play… Ubetsu Toshitake shook his head sadly and glanced at Kogoro Mouri.

“Usui…” Kogoro Mouri responded with a dissatisfied look. Ran never acknowledged being a general, and don’t even think about bringing my daughter to play!

But he also felt awkward. After all, these people were his recruits, and they had been utterly defeated. It was embarrassing.

Yet, on second thought, these were his men! His chest swelled with pride again.

“Ahem, Brother Morley,” Watanabe Tsuna smiled kindly, “your mahjong skills are astonishing, truly divine.”

“Meeting such a prodigy today is a great blessing. How about a little drink together?”

It was well known that after a mahjong game, the group usually went to an izakaya—a reserved tradition among the Four Heavenly Kings.

Morley naturally agreed. The three exchanged subtle glances, waking Sakata Kintoki from his wallrest.

Sakata Kintoki suddenly sprang to attention, shouting, “Teacher! I…” But after looking around and recalling what had just transpired, he quickly stopped, coughing a few times as if nothing had happened.

Seeing the Four Heavenly Kings reunited, the four exchanged looks again, silent conspiracies flowing beneath the surface.

“You brought him, but don’t you dare shield him from drinks!” Ubetsu Toshitake’s gaze warned Kogoro Mouri.

“I’m no such petty man!” Kogoro Mouri replied with a dissatisfied look.

Then all four broke into sly laughter.

Heh, no matter how godlike your mahjong skill is, at the drinking table it’s always four against one. The advantage is mine!

***

“What are you laughing at?” Morley asked curiously.

“Nothing!” The four quickly resumed normality.

The mahjong parlor was opposite the izakaya. The four chatted cheerfully as they entered the establishment.

Several hours later.

Within the first hour of battle, Sakata Kintoki sensed something was wrong. Claiming he had classes the next day, he packed up and fled, leaving the Three Heavenly Kings to hold on desperately.

Several hours later, Morley was still on the offensive.

He was bleary-eyed, flushed, slurring his words—half-drunk but holding steady.

“Back… back then there was such a story. Brother Watanabe… *hic*… fighting demons for the country, severing Ichibiko’s arm, so loyal and brave! A toast to you!”

“Wait, I…” Watanabe Tsuna propped himself up on the table, mouth opening without knowing what to say.

I’m not the real Watanabe Tsuna!

But seeing Morley “a bit confused from drinking,” he doubted Morley could understand and resignedly took a sip.

Still drinking? Ubetsu Toshitake, still sober, cast an inquiring look. He really was close to his limit.

He’s about to collapse! Watanabe Tsuna glared, then slumped back onto the table.

Not him? Who? He’s been like that for an hour! Mouri Kogoro, who deliberately drank less to escort Morley home, was the clearest-headed of the group.

The Three Heavenly Kings were shocked in their hearts.

Is this French Morley truly so formidable?!

Could the Four Heavenly Kings of Raikou really not defeat him?

Although Sakata Kintoki fled, the others knew well that even with him, it likely wouldn’t help.

Finally, Ubetsu Toshitake also succumbed to alcohol and collapsed on the table.

Morley immediately regained sobriety.

Watanabe Tsuna and Ubetsu Toshitake lived nearby, so Mouri Kogoro took Morley to escort them home.

Along the way, Mouri Kogoro’s heart burned with admiration.

What a fierce warrior!

If he could be won over, no one would surpass him in future social gatherings!

Thinking this, he cautiously asked, “Brother Morley, how do you feel today?”

Morley stretched lazily. “Mahjong was okay. The izakaya… just average.”

“Not satisfied with your drinking?” Mouri Kogoro was shocked.

“No. I usually don’t drink much. But…” Morley shamelessly materialized spirit energy to convert the alcohol on the spot, “since I’m here, I want to do my best.”

***

“But compared to mahjong, it’s a bit less interesting.”

Mouri Kogoro was speechless. You find it interesting; the other three have nothing.

Sigh, this guy’s competitive spirit is too strong. I fear with my abilities, I cannot win him over. Yet, after searching all the detectives in Tokyo, I cannot find anyone who can match him!

Forget it, time to go sleep.

After bidding Morley farewell, Mouri Kogoro turned off at an intersection.

Morley headed toward his apartment. But after a few steps, his phone rang.

Gin’s cold voice came through: “Come to the bar for a detailed talk.”

“…Alright. Can you send a car? It’s inconvenient to take a taxi there.”

Gin was silent for a moment, then hung up.

Morley bought a sandwich at a nearby convenience store and sat on the curb to eat.

Hmm, eating brunch on the streets of Tokyo feels like being in Paris. Morley nodded in approval, glancing at Tokyo Tower in the distance.

Paris is developing well. In the future, it will not be inferior to Tokyo!

Thinking this, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. But the laugh suddenly choked him, and he hurriedly drank some water.

Looking up, Gin was leaning against Morley’s Porsche 356A across the street, his expression so dark it seemed to drip water. Vodka behind him was struggling to suppress a smile.

Seeing this, Morley finished his sandwich in two bites, drank some water, disposed of the trash properly, and hurried over to Gin.

“…Hi?” He waved tentatively.

Vodka finally lost it but thankfully didn’t laugh out loud, quickly turning his head to hide it.

“…Get in the car.”

Gin’s face remained gloomy as he squeezed out the words.

The vintage car slowly started.

“The organization has a mission.”

“I’m listening.”

A faint light flickered in the back seat.

A black long coat draped over Morley’s shoulders. His originally casual attire had changed to a pure black suit vest and white shirt. He struck a match, lit a cigarette, then flicked the match out the window.

Morley exhaled a thin stream of smoke.

“Where, and how many to kill?”

“…The organization doesn’t just kill,” Gin’s lips curved into a faint satisfied smile. “But this time, it’s still a kill mission. You’ll know when you get there.”