Chapter 3: "Ticket to the Gods' Paradise"

The next moment—

With smiles on their faces, everything around them suddenly began to freeze. The busy steamed bun shop owner abruptly stiffened in place.

Then, everything around started to shatter rapidly.

Countless fragments gathered before Chen Jiang, forming a panel.

—

“Paradise Name”: First Enforcement Bureau of Heize City.

“Paradise Difficulty”: Grade F.

“Main Mission”: Obtain the S-level classified document from inside the First Enforcement Bureau of Heize City (completed).

“Hidden Mission”: Ensure no casualties during the operation (completed).

“Mission Evaluation”: Within the three-month time limit, you accomplished an astonishing performance, securing the S-level classified document inside the First Enforcement Bureau of Heize City without a single casualty—a true miracle.

Wisdom and strategy define you.

Toying with the audience at your fingertips is your passion.

You are the first player in the Gods’ Paradise to complete the hidden mission of this paradise.

Therefore, you receive an additional reward of 200 Paradise Coins.

“Reward Settlement”: 20 Paradise Coins for completing the main mission, 100 Paradise Coins for completing the hidden mission, plus an extra 200 Paradise Coins, totaling 320 Paradise Coins.

—

As the panel slowly materialized, it dissolved into white mist.

Chen Jiang’s surroundings had changed from the steamed bun shop to a corner café. He sat leisurely on an outdoor chair, and the pedestrians nearby seemed oblivious to their sudden appearance.

“Phew…”

Chen Jiang exhaled lightly, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, shook one out, lit it, and brought it to his lips. He stretched lazily, the smoke curling around him, placing a top hat from the table onto his head. Leaning on his cane, he rose and walked away with a soft chuckle.

“Let’s go home.”

The thin man sitting beside him stood and followed silently.

“Remember to buy some Liu’s walnut pastries at the street corner on the way home. Master likes them.”

“All right, Brother Jiang.”

Under the sunlight,

Chen Jiang looked up toward the horizon. Beyond the city skyline stood thirteen colossal statues towering into the sky. He pressed the brim of his hat, leaned on his cane, and continued walking down the street.

...

Fifteen minutes later,

Chen Jiang and the thin man arrived at an urban village. After winding through several alleys, they reached an independent courtyard.

Pushing open the door,

The courtyard was spotless, adorned with numerous green plants—clear evidence of a meticulous owner.

—

Chen Jiang said nothing as he strode across the courtyard to the inner room. He placed the freshly bought Liu’s walnut pastries on the altar, lit three incense sticks, and looked at the black-and-white portrait of an elderly man. After a long silence, he spoke softly.

“Master.”

“You told me many times that a magician must always have a joker card that can end any uncontrollable situation at a moment’s notice. You said that was the first rule of being a magician.”

“That joker card must never be revealed to anyone—not even family or your partner.”

“But now, Master, where is your joker card?”

...

His name was Chen Jiang.

Orphaned from early childhood, he grew up in an orphanage. At nine, he and another orphan were adopted by a pastor—the same child who now followed him as his partner.

The pastor was only his master’s public identity.

His true identity was... a magician.

Or rather, something far more complex.

Unlike magicians who perform tricks on stage, his master taught them not only the basics but also social engineering, criminal psychology, counter-surveillance, close combat, and more.

At first, Chen Jiang didn’t understand why a magician needed to learn close combat—indeed, lethal techniques.

Now he did.

His master trained him until he could stand on his own and become a true magician within the “Gods’ Paradise.”

Three days ago,

His master suffered sudden cardiac arrest and died. While sorting through the belongings, Chen Jiang found two pitch-black cards and a letter.

The letter contained only one brief line:

“You have graduated and are stronger than I am. What comes next is up to you. Remember what I taught you.”

On the cards were seven crimson characters:

“Entrance Ticket to Gods’ Paradise.”

The moment he touched the cards, he was transported into a completely unfamiliar world. A panel appeared before him, stating that the “First Enforcement Bureau of Heize City” was his beginner’s dungeon. Upon clearing it, he could officially enter Gods’ Paradise.

If he died within the dungeon, he would also die in reality.

He also realized why his master died suddenly—likely perishing inside a dungeon.

...

Chen Jiang stood silently, calmly watching the three incense sticks burn. With his master’s skills, it was impossible he simply died in a dungeon. That brief message hinted at something deeper.

He did not know the answer.

But he knew the answer lay within Gods’ Paradise, and he would find it together with his partner, Silent Snake.

A magician must have a partner.

—

This partner could be said to be the magician’s second life. Responsible for crafting magical props, disguises, theft, and many other supporting tasks, they understood many of the magician’s secrets.

In fact,

If the partner betrayed the magician, it would be fatal. Even minor tampering with the props could lead to the magician’s death on the spot.

A magician and their partner must trust each other unconditionally—trust beyond that of family or lovers. This is essential for any outstanding magician.

His partner was the thin man behind him.

Named “Silent Snake.”

Partners rarely appear publicly. All the glory on stage belonged to the magician, while the dirty work was done by the partner—a demanding role requiring training from childhood.

Rare and precious.

Fortunately, Silent Snake was a perfect partner.

After a long silence, Chen Jiang picked up a walnut pastry and slowly chewed, finding it not very tasty.

As he matured, he developed his own understanding of magic, often clashing with his master’s views and sparking many arguments. Yet deep down, he held great respect for the humble old man.

The master had pulled him from the orphanage and selflessly taught him real skills.

In his heart,

The master was his closest family.

Now, with the riddles left behind by his master, he would uncover the truth himself.

...

Standing in the center of the inner room, Chen Jiang looked at the translucent panel before him. It indicated that in twenty-four hours, he would be forcibly re-entered into Gods’ Paradise, this time for real.

Thereafter, when no dungeon missions were pending, he could remain in the real world.

From today onward,

Both he and Silent Snake held a new identity:

“Players of Gods’ Paradise.”

Only players of Gods’ Paradise could see the thirteen towering statues in the sky. Beneath this seemingly ordinary world hid a realm that had operated for an unknown time, filled with countless strange and unknown worlds.

A world he had never encountered before.

However,

Re-entry into Gods’ Paradise would be tomorrow.

For now...

He and Silent Snake had another identity in the real world—as university students who had been missing for three days. They needed to report back to the university.

In Gods’ Paradise, every month passed corresponded to one day passing in the real world.