The burly man stared blankly. "Huh? What Vidyaraja? Dark King? Just make your move already!"

Jiang Xuehan kept her eyes fixed on the wobbling block tower. Her voice drifted as if from far away. "The Vidyaraja was originally the Buddha’s wrath incarnate. When the Buddha attained enlightenment, he shed human desires. His fury became the Vidyaraja. At first, this Vidyaraja was fierce and quick to anger. He’d slaughter entire villages over trifles, throwing the world into chaos. The Buddha imprisoned him in Brahma Heaven for five hundred years. There, he finally attained wisdom. His heart became still water. He never raged again."

"What the hell are you blabbering about, you little bitch?"

"Seems you don’t understand."

Jiang Xuehan sighed. Casually, she placed her block atop the tower. The structure shuddered violently—but held. It remained precariously balanced.

"H-how… how is this possible?" The burly man’s face twisted in shock. Sweat poured down his oily forehead. "Why… why aren’t you panicking? How can you stay so calm?"

Because Jiang Xuehan had begun sensing the legendary "Vidyaraja Heart."

She’d learned it during her time in India. Back then, she’d been scorned by thousands. Her reputation shattered. Fanatics hunted her. She’d lost her penis and testicles. Her mind nearly broke.

An old sage’s wisdom pulled her from that nightmare. By fortune, her spirit ascended under his guidance.

She remembered playing the ancient Indian game "Chaupar" by the Ganges. She’d lost again, slamming the shell dice down in frustration. "Master, I’m naturally gifted at games. Why can’t I ever beat you?"

The old man smiled, tapping his chest. "Because yours still lacks something here."

"Lacks?"

"Yes. You lack the Vidyaraja Heart—a spirit forever pure and tranquil. Today, I’ll tell you the Vidyaraja’s story…"

*Vidya* means radiance. With a heart bright and open, fear vanishes. The Vidyaraja is the King of Radiance—not pure light, but light that has witnessed the world’s darkness and ugliness, endured despair and fury.

In Indian statues, the Vidyaraja’s face is always expressionless. He sees past, present, and future. He sees all light and shadow, all beauty and filth. Nothing moves him.

Countless ascetics seek the Vidyaraja Heart. Few attain it. Even the sage had only grasped a trace of its truth—and passed that seed to Jiang Xuehan.

That seed now lay buried in the girl’s heart. Waiting to sprout.

Many misunderstand "Block Tower." They think it’s about skill. But it isn’t. The game tests the player’s spirit. Only those with steady hands and unshaken calm can win.

The burly man’s hand shook like a leaf. He fumbled the new block three times before gripping it. Yet he couldn’t place it.

The tower loomed tall. One touch would topple it. He lacked the courage.

"Block Tower" was truly a contest of bravery. Technique mattered little. Success depended entirely on steadiness.

Sweat slicked the burly man’s face like grease. Jiang Xuehan added fuel to the fire, chatting loudly to her friend: "Yingying, ever tried roasted pig trotters?"

"No."

"They smell incredible. One whiff, and you’ll never forget it."

"Really?"

"Really. You’ll smell it soon."

The burly man froze. Sweat dripped from his trembling arm onto the table.

"Quit stalling! Move it!" Qiang Ge snapped from the sidelines. "Dogzi, you’re a grown man—less guts than this girl? I’m ashamed of you. Tch!"

"I… Boss Qiang… I…" The man stammered, choking on panic. "Maybe… maybe we call off this game?"

"What did you say?!" Qiang Ge roared. He whipped out a gleaming machete. "A man begging off against a woman? I’m ashamed for you! Place the block now—or I’ll chop your hand off and toss it in!"

Trapped, the burly man stared at the tower. His trembling hand inched forward.

Suddenly, the tiny blocks swelled before his eyes. The tower twisted, morphing into a monstrous shark. Razor teeth replaced the rooftop. It seemed ready to snap shut on any hand that dared approach.

"B-boss Qiang…" The man turned, his face twisted in agony.

Qiang Ge’s eyes turned glacial. "Ten seconds. Or you won’t just get burned—you’ll lose the hand. Ten. Nine…"

The burly man faced the tower again. Now it transformed into a bat with blood-red eyes, screeching as it lunged at him.

"Aaaagh!" He flailed his thick arms wildly—and struck the tower.

*CRASH!*

Blocks scattered across the floor.

"Fatty," Jiang Xuehan looked down coldly at him sprawled on the ground. "You lost. Retrieve the coin. With all that fat, the fire won’t reach the bone."

Trembling, the man shuffled to the grill. He gritted his teeth and thrust his right hand inside.

"AaaOOOOGH!"

After ear-splitting screams, a glowing red coin clattered to the floor. The man collapsed, clutching his ruined arm, rolling on the ground.

Other diners froze in shock. Few had noticed Jiang Xuehan’s table earlier. They’d assumed a harmless game between friends. No one expected this.

Park security rushed over. "What happened? Sir, why would you roast your own hand?"

The man forced a pained grin. "D-dropped something inside. Had to grab it."

"Use tongs! Why bare hands?"

"I… guess I was just being an idiot."

Qiang Ge ignored the guard. He strode up to Jiang Xuehan. "Little girl. Your name?"

"Jiang Xuehan." She lifted her delicate face, voice steady.

"Good. I’ll remember it."

He turned away without a glance at the burly man, leading his crew out.