Qi Xia carefully recalled the known information about this game. Comparing the dates of the 24 solar terms and traditional festivals to determine “greater or lesser” seemed far too forced.
If he remembered correctly, not only were the dates of traditional festivals uncertain, but even the specific dates of the 24 solar terms weren’t fixed.
Take the most well-known “Winter Solstice” as an example—its date fluctuates between December 21st and 23rd each year. With such uncertainty, how could they possibly determine which date was “greater”?
“If no one has any questions, our bet is about to begin,” Earth Monkey said, picking at his teeth with his pinky finger, which had a long nail. “Of course, even if you do have questions, it’s none of my concern. We’ll each rely on our own skills.”
“I need to discuss tactics with them,” Qi Xia said. “Give me a few minutes.”
Earth Monkey nodded lazily and leaned back in his chair.
Qi Xia exchanged glances with the group, and everyone stood up to follow him to a spot not far behind them.
Even Xiao Cheng, who was meeting Qi Xia for the first time, was respectful and didn’t dare to slack off.
“Distribute the chips,” Qi Xia said. “Everyone should take some ‘Dao’.”
Xiao Cheng thought for a moment and said, “Brother, are you sure you want all of us to participate?”
“Why?”
“I know your skill level. Logically speaking, you alone would have the best chance of winning against Earth Monkey, right?” Xiao Cheng asked. “Do you really need us, who might just be stumbling blocks, to join in?”
Qi Xia nodded. “I don’t know the rules for winning yet. If it’s just me against him, it might take eight rounds before I figure it out. But if there are enough of us, I might understand in just one round.”
“Ah…”
“I should also make this clear—my goal this time is to take down Earth Monkey, so I might end up beating you at the table.” Qi Xia glanced around, looking at Zheng Yingxiong, then at Tian Tian and Xiao Cheng. “If you have any concerns, speak now. Otherwise, I’ll start laying out the tactics.”
Xiao Cheng slowly lowered his head. He understood the implication of Qi Xia’s words. In the “Land of the End,” encountering someone who didn’t harm you was already lucky—there was no need to hope for someone to save your life in such a murky game. So, it was entirely possible this man would abandon him at a critical moment.
“I’ll prove through my own efforts that I don’t deserve to be abandoned,” Xiao Cheng said.
The others glanced at him, unsure of what he meant, and quickly averted their eyes.
Qi Xia took out two ‘Dao’ and handed them to Tian Tian, then gave another two to Zheng Yingxiong. “You two get two ‘Dao’ each. Play at most two rounds. Since the game gets more dangerous as it progresses, there’s no need to gamble until the end.”
Tian Tian and Zheng Yingxiong nodded and pocketed the ‘Dao’.
“Play it by ear,” Qi Xia said, “but try not to bet all your ‘Dao’ in the first round. Ideally, you’ll leave by the third round. I’ll figure out how to cover your buyout ‘Dao’.”
“Got it,” Tian Tian and Zheng Yingxiong agreed without hesitation.
But Xiao Cheng was completely lost.
“Wait… you’ll figure it out?” He didn’t understand this man’s motives.
“Right. I have some history with them—we’re together. So, I’ll handle their ‘Dao’,” Qi Xia replied. “But I can’t fully trust you yet. Like you said, how I treat you depends on your performance.”
“I see…” Xiao Cheng felt this man wasn’t quite what he’d imagined.
Qi Xia then tallied the remaining chips. The 15 ‘Dao’ Xiao Cheng had brought were reduced to three after paying everyone’s entry fees. He’d lost one himself, and combined with the 16 ‘Dao’ Qi Xia had brought, the group now had 18 ‘Dao’ in total.
After deducting the four given to Tian Tian and Zheng Yingxiong, there were 14 left.
After some thought, Qi Xia handed three ‘Dao’ to Xiao Cheng and another three to Chen Junan.
Xiao Cheng took them without hesitation, but Chen Junan looked confused.
“Old Qi, I get three too?” He scratched his head.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you,” Qi Xia said. “But your main task isn’t ‘gambling’—it’s ‘psychological warfare’.”
“Psychological warfare?” Chen Junan grinned. “Old Qi, you really know what kind of guy I am.”
“So you don’t need to bet every round with us. Even after ‘losing,’ just stay at the table and chat with the opponent. That’s enough.”
“Got it,” Chen Junan said cheerfully. “Leave it to me.”
Meanwhile, Qiao Jiajin looked at Qi Xia’s remaining eight ‘Dao’ and asked, “Liar… do I get three too?”
“No, we each get four,” Qi Xia said seriously. “Fists, I don’t know much about traditional gambling, so this time, I need you fighting alongside me.”
“Huh? Me?”
“You always say, ‘Don’t cheat’…” Qi Xia said. “Even though you don’t like gambling, you know it well, right?”
Qiao Jiajin lowered his head. “Liar, gambling never ends well. I’ve seen too many families ruined by it.”
“Of course. Smart people don’t rely on gambling to make money,” Qi Xia said. “But Fists, remember—this time, we’re not ordinary ‘gamblers.’ If they gamble, their families are ruined. If we don’t gamble, our souls are scattered.”
“I understand,” Qiao Jiajin said grimly. “Liar, this might be the only time I can use my brain to help you.”
“Don’t say that. There’ll be plenty of chances later.” Qi Xia waved it off and handed him four ‘Dao.’
The six of them now had their chips distributed: Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin with four each, Xiao Cheng and Chen Junan with three each, and Tian Tian and Zheng Yingxiong with two each.
Qi Xia looked at the group, now ready, and said, “Since we’re a team, any ‘Dao’ we win can be redistributed at the table. Just adapt as needed.”
Everyone nodded, but just as they were about to speak, Qi Xia suddenly swayed, looking like he was about to collapse.
Qiao Jiajin reacted quickly, grabbing his arm to steady him. Only then did they notice Qi Xia’s whole body was trembling slightly.
“Liar… you okay?”
“Sorry…” Qi Xia frowned tightly and waved them off. “I might not have rested well… It’s nothing. Let’s just get started.”
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