Upon hearing these words, everyone turned to Zheng Yingxiong. This child seemed far more profound than they had imagined.
Now, there truly wasn’t anyone in this team who would hold them back.
Dihou also pondered for a moment before lowering his head to begin the second round of dealing.
This time, the cards dealt were **”dark cards.”** He first dealt one to himself, face down.
Then, in order, he dealt to Zheng Yingxiong, Tiantian, Chen Junnan, Qiao Jiajin, and Qi Xia.
Qi Xia picked up his card and glanced at it—the face read **”End of Heat.”**
By now, everyone had received their **”dark cards,”** and Dihou spoke up: **”Does anyone want to start ‘raising the stakes’?”**
Tiantian looked at the card in her hand and chose not to raise.
Qi Xia had a strong feeling that he should raise now, but this time, the wager wasn’t **”Dao”** or **”items,”** but something else entirely. Yet, his mind…
**”Uncle, I’ll raise.”** Zheng Yingxiong suddenly declared.
His young voice, coming from the corner of the round table, pierced clearly into everyone’s ears.
Under the dim light, they saw that Zheng Yingxiong’s expression was deadly serious—not at all like a joke. His nose twitched slightly before he turned his head to exchange a glance with Qi Xia.
Qi Xia narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, then nodded at him.
**”Oh?”** Dihou grew interested. **”What are you raising? ‘Dao’ or ‘items’?”**
Zheng Yingxiong pondered for three seconds before declaring firmly: **”I’m wagering a ‘secret that must be answered truthfully.'”**
The moment these words left his mouth, Qi Xia’s eyes widened in shock.
**This was it!**
The idea aligned perfectly with the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind, instantly dispersing some of the fog obscuring his thoughts.
He had briefly considered this approach before, but the layers of haze had quickly obscured it, making it impossible to articulate. Thankfully, Zheng Yingxiong had spoken up now.
Yet, Qi Xia still found it strange—was this child truly so sharp? Or had he somehow discerned Qi Xia’s thoughts and proposed the perfect wager at just the right moment?
Dihou froze slightly at the words: **”A secret that must be answered truthfully?”**
**”Uncle, I’m wagering a ‘secret,'”** Zheng Yingxiong repeated. **”You can ask me any question, and I’ll answer truthfully. The same goes for you.”**
The others glanced at Qi Xia, who ran a hand through his hair and gave a slight nod.
**”I’ll call.”** Tiantian immediately said. **”I’ll match with a ‘secret.’ I’ll answer anything.”**
**”This Young Master calls too!”** Chen Junnan chimed in. **”I’ve got plenty of secrets, Brother Monkey. Best pick carefully.”**
**”I’ll call as well,”** Qiao Jiajin said. **”Just a question, right?”**
Qi Xia also nodded. **”Same here.”**
Now, it was Dihou’s turn to be speechless. He couldn’t fathom their reasoning.
At this stage, were they really going to waste a precious **”raise”** turn following a child’s whims?
Or… did they have something far more sinister in mind?
**”This ‘wager’ is unacceptable,”** Dihou said. **”We ‘Zodiacs’ have our own rules. Some ‘secrets’ would cost us our lives if spoken.”**
**”Then we’ll go easy on you—avoid your ‘core secrets,'”** Qi Xia said, frowning. **”I’ll ask the questions and guarantee they won’t touch the ‘Zodiac’s’ core. Otherwise, you can just declare our loss.”**
Dihou paused before replying: **”Fine. Don’t forget your words.”**
**”I won’t.”**
**”And the questions I ask might make you regret this.”**
**”I won’t regret it.”**
Hearing Qi Xia’s answer, Dihou’s expression darkened. He then turned to Zheng Yingxiong. Since none of Qi Xia’s teammates had anything to ask the boy, the opportunity fell to Dihou.
The question Dihou was most likely to ask was **”What’s your hole card?”** Since lying wasn’t allowed, everyone would have to reveal their cards truthfully, making victory in this round nearly impossible.
But that didn’t matter. With eight rounds in total, it was already highly probable they’d lose the first round while still figuring out the rules.
After some thought, Dihou finally spoke—and to Qi Xia’s utter shock, he didn’t ask about Zheng Yingxiong’s **”hole card.”** Instead, he calmly inquired:
**”How many participants remain in ‘Jade City’?”**
Zheng Yingxiong’s face paled at the question. He swallowed hard before answering: **”Twenty-two.”**
Dihou nodded. **”Twenty-two people… So you gave up in the end?”**
**”I—”**
Zheng Yingxiong lowered his head, his expression heavy, as if grappling with something unspeakable.
**”Sorry, but that’s a second question, Monkey Bro,”** Chen Junnan cut in sharply. **”You haven’t ‘raised’ yet, have ya?”**
**”Hah.”** Dihou sneered. **”You’re quite the arrogant one. Never suffered in ‘Terminal Land’ before?”**
**”I have. Answer given. Next.”**
**”You—!”** Dihou gritted his teeth, feeling as though this man’s erratic thinking kept pulling him into traps.
**”Me what? Looks like you’re gearing up for another question, but let me make this clear…”** Chen Junnan grinned. **”Ask all you want—but that’ll cost extra.”**
Dihou could only shake his head helplessly before shifting his gaze to Tiantian.
Tiantian, nervous under Dihou’s eerie, aged stare, tightened her grip on her card.
After a long silence, Dihou’s expression shifted slightly. **”Never mind. I have no questions for her.”**
**”No… questions?”** Tiantian was slightly baffled. Even asking about her card would’ve made sense—yet he chose to pass.
Dihou then turned to Qiao Jiajin, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, Zheng Yingxiong tugged lightly at Tiantian’s sleeve, as if wanting to say something. But after glancing at Dihou, he fell silent again.
**”Fat Monkey, ask away,”** Qiao Jiajin said. **”Rare chance to ask honest questions at the table. What’s on your mind?”**
**”I…”** Dihou’s lips curled slightly. **”Hot-blooded youth—have you ever been deceived?”**
**”Wha…?”**
Once again, Dihou’s question took everyone by surprise.
Instead of asking about cards or identities, he threw out a seemingly random query, leaving everyone staring at Qiao Jiajin in confusion.
**”That’s none of your business…”** Qiao Jiajin crossed his arms, frowning darkly at Dihou.
**”Just a word of advice—those who’ve been fooled once will be fooled again,”** Dihou said. **”Not everyone is as upright as you think.”**
**”What the hell are you getting at?”**
**”For example—”**
**”Dihou.”** Qi Xia cut him off firmly. **”Isn’t it my turn now?”**
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