Chapter 548: Whose Rules

I frowned, realizing only now that I had been deceived.

Did Chu Tianqiu really have that kind of “notebook”?

He was just trying to bluff me, but he hadn’t expected my microexpressions to betray me instantly.

That’s right—I wasn’t one of the people in the room. He hadn’t been sure before, but now he was certain.

I hadn’t lost just now—I had lost from the very beginning.

This man was becoming terrifying. His demeanor was now eerily similar to Qi Xia—or perhaps he had always been like this?

“You’re neither one of the ‘Zodiacs’ nor one of the ‘Participants’…” Chu Tianqiu let out a bitter laugh. “Let me take a wild guess… Could you be a ‘third force’ distinct from both?”

I raised a hand to cut him off.

“We can’t talk about this,” I said, swallowing hard. “If you keep going, both of us will be in serious danger.”

Chu Tianqiu’s expression shifted, as if confirming something in his mind.

“So it’s true… You really are a dark horse,” he murmured before breaking into a smile a few seconds later. “In that case… tell me about this new plan of yours.”

Seeing his agreement, I leaned in close and whispered my idea into his ear.

Though I was no match for him in psychological warfare, I still had my strengths—for instance, I knew more of the “upper echelons” here than he did.

The intelligence I possessed was on a different level. Before he could piece everything together, I’d have enough time to execute my plan.

“Chu Tianqiu, I want you to recruit Qi Xia into ‘Paradise’.”

The moment those words left my mouth, Chu Tianqiu showed no reaction.

I didn’t know if he had already guessed what I was going to say or if he had long intended to recruit Qi Xia.

“You’re saying recruiting ‘Qi Xia’ is your plan?” he asked softly. “Then tell me… what’s in it for me?”

“Aren’t you trying to defeat all the ‘Zodiacs’?” I countered. “I can get you the heads of the ‘Earthly’ ranks.”

“The heads of ‘Earthly’ ranks…?”

Those five words seemed to excite Chu Tianqiu even more than the idea of recruiting Qi Xia. His anticipation was written all over his face.

“Exactly,” I said, locking eyes with his slightly deranged gaze. “You should know… while these heads serve no real purpose, they can become your trump cards.”

“That’s right…” Chu Tianqiu looked down, nodding slowly. “They really could be my ‘trump cards’…”

I knew he understood my meaning. As long as “Paradise” had three “Earthly” heads as a deterrent, it would continue to attract the strong.

“Deal,” Chu Tianqiu said with a smile. “You give me the ‘Earthly’ heads, and I’ll recruit Qi Xia as soon as possible.”

“Good. They’re in the trunk of my car. Go get them. Also…” I handed him the car keys. “If you’re going to recruit Qi Xia, the earliest will be the next cycle.”

“Oh?” He took the keys expressionlessly. “Did he die?”

“Yes… Wait, you already knew?”

“He was here,” Chu Tianqiu said, pocketing the keys before turning his gaze back to me. I could never read his thoughts. “Xiao Nian… Why don’t you want anyone to know you’ve returned?”

“I want to be part of it,” I answered decisively. “This time, I want to play your role and work with you on this plan.”

“Play my role…?” He chuckled. “Interesting. So your plan isn’t just about recruiting Qi Xia. What else are you after?”

“Chu Tianqiu, I may not be as smart as you, but I have my strengths,” I laid it out plainly. “Let’s pit ourselves against each other. Even if we both die by the other’s schemes, I won’t regret it.”

We stood in silence in the dimming alley. I had no idea what he was thinking—could he guess my intentions?

“But… can you really play me?”

A strange glint flickered in Chu Tianqiu’s eyes.

Even he had changed. Once a leader everyone could rely on without hesitation, he had now turned unhinged.

But perhaps that was for the best. I had felt some reluctance before, but not anymore.

Even if I followed Qinglong’s directive and let Chu Tianqiu and Qi Xia fight it out, no matter which of them ultimately disappeared, I wouldn’t feel any guilt.

“I’ll try to play the ‘you’ from before,” I replied. “The current you… I don’t understand anymore, but I remember everything you once did.”

“‘The Benevolent King’?” Chu Tianqiu let out a soft laugh. “I was planning to discard that title soon, but now that you’re back… let it linger for one more cycle.”

I thought I had misheard—was Chu Tianqiu really abandoning even the title of “The Benevolent King”?

“So you’ll pretend to be me… and recruit Qi Xia?” Chu Tianqiu confirmed.

“Exactly,” I nodded. “I’ll need your support for this, or I won’t get far.”

“You haven’t interacted much with Qi Xia, have you? He can see through you with just a glance.” Chu Tianqiu stepped closer, intrigued. “Even if you can mimic my appearance, how will you earn his trust?”

“That…”

His question gave me pause.

Though I had disguised myself as others before, my targets had been mere nobodies—none could compare to Qi Xia.

“So you’re saying… I can’t play you?” I asked.

“No, no…” Chu Tianqiu adjusted his glasses with a smile. “I was thinking… since you’ll slip up one way or another, why not deliberately give him a flaw?”

“What?”

“Next time you meet, act high and mighty—give him just the right amount of intimidation.”

“For example…?”

“For example, you could seize control of his teammates and then tell him, ‘My rules are the rules.'”

Hearing this, I slowly furrowed my brow. “But if I do that, what’s the point of impersonating you?”

“There’s every point…” Chu Tianqiu shook his head, his smile growing eerier. “Qi Xia has never met ‘me’ before. No matter what he’s heard about me, a man like him would trust his own eyes. If you discovered that a supposedly legendary leader was all bark and no bite, what would you do?”

I thought for a moment before answering. “I’d look down on him.”

“You might underestimate him, but Qi Xia won’t.” Chu Tianqiu said. “He might try to seize control, hoping to use me for his own plans.”