“Just like the situation earlier,”
Azure Dragon continued, “If I had chosen fourteen people first and then thought of the titles, I might have leaned toward ‘Chess’ as well. Wouldn’t that have been perfect?”
“You call this ‘perfect’…?”
“But then again…” Azure Dragon sighed. “Since Aries came up with his ideas, the games have become increasingly thrilling. The ones we used to select the ‘Celestials’ are completely outdated now. The people chosen back then truly couldn’t live up to their roles. How can I justifiably eliminate them without affecting the ‘Terrestrials’ who aspire to rise?”
“You…” Earth Dragon trailed off, looking at him as if he were a mindless beast.
“Oh, I forgot. You’re also a ‘Zodiac,’ so I shouldn’t discuss this with you,” Azure Dragon chuckled. “Though you’ll never ascend, you’re still a ‘Terrestrial.’ What a shame. Most people in this ‘Cangjie Chess’ are so strong. If they could become ‘Gods,’ how spectacular would this land be…?”
Earth Dragon fell silent for a long moment before finally saying, “You’ll face divine retribution.”
“I’ll face divine retribution?” Azure Dragon grinned. “Too bad—here, I’m greater than ‘Heaven’ itself.”
Earth Dragon didn’t respond, only staring grimly at the people moving below.
She knew all too well why this game had assigned each person an “identity,” from chariots and horses to soldiers and generals.
Azure Dragon had clearly prepared a contingency plan…
But he must also understand that neither Qi Xia nor Chu Tianqiu would ever agree to the proposal of “becoming Gods together” in this game.
“They’ll soon put an end to this absurd game,” Earth Dragon said. “Your so-called ‘Cangjie Chess’ will vanish from this world, and you’ll never again witness such formidable players performing for you.”
“I won’t give up,” Azure Dragon replied with a smile. “This is my game. Only when I say ‘win’ will they truly ‘win.'”
“You plan to cheat…?” Earth Dragon pressed.
“Of course not,” Azure Dragon shook his head. “I’m going to show them a power that transcends the rules.”
——
Qi Xia arrived first at the “riverbank,” waiting for Chu Tianqiu, carrying all the “characters” he had won so far.
The pale-gray metal clinked like wind chimes, resembling a string of skeletal fragments in his hand.
Minutes later, a “door” on the opposite side opened, revealing Chu Tianqiu.
Qi Xia frowned when he didn’t immediately spot any “characters” on him.
“Qi Xia,” Chu Tianqiu called out. “I don’t understand why you’d challenge me to a final gamble at this stage. Do you think you’re about to lose?”
“Hard to say,” Qi Xia shook his head. “I can’t predict the outcome of this game, so I have no choice but to face you one last time.”
“Haven’t we been competing all along?” Chu Tianqiu said. “Every decision we’ve made in this battle has been a contest, though it seems you’ve won every step.”
“Wins and losses go both ways,” Qi Xia replied. “To claim you’ve lost at every turn is too modest.”
“Then tell me… where have I won?” Chu Tianqiu asked.
“Every member of your team is stronger than mine,” Qi Xia said. “You don’t even need to give them precise tactics—they’ve been steadily taking ‘characters’ from my side. If I didn’t strategize in detail, this game would be unwinnable.”
“What…?” Chu Tianqiu let out a bitter laugh. “This is what you call ‘winning’?”
“Isn’t it?” Qi Xia countered. “The ‘MiG-25 Effect.’ Individually, my team might not be as brilliant as yours, but their coordinated performance makes the group formidable.”
Chu Tianqiu nodded. “A fine example of ‘perfect coordination.'”
“The same logic applies to ‘Paradise,'” Qi Xia continued. “You’ve gathered too many powerful allies. That alone is a form of victory.”
“But what does that have to do with… me?”
“How could it not?” Qi Xia shot back. “They joined your faction, not mine. That means you once had something that drew them in. Whether they’re still here or not, they fought for ‘Paradise’ at some point.”
Chu Tianqiu sighed. “Let’s get to the point. How do you propose we decide the winner?”
“Naturally, through one of the game rooms here,” Qi Xia gestured behind him. “I’ve picked one that’s perfect for settling things between us.”
“Which ‘character’ room is it?” Chu Tianqiu asked.
“‘Mǎo,'” Qi Xia answered truthfully. “Interested?”
“If I recall correctly, every confrontation between us has been initiated by me,” Chu Tianqiu remarked. “For you to take the lead is rare. I won’t decline.”
“Good,” Qi Xia nodded. “Before that, I need proof that you have ‘characters.’ Did you bring all of your team’s?”
“No,” Chu Tianqiu admitted. “Kim Won-hoon still hasn’t returned. You know this, so I don’t have his ‘character.'”
Qi Xia knew exactly where Kim Won-hoon was—and where his “character” had gone.
Chu Tianqiu then pulled out all the “characters” except Kim’s “soldier” from his coat pocket, displaying them to Qi Xia.
“Missing one is fine. The ‘soldier’ isn’t crucial,” Qi Xia said. “Ready to follow me?”
“If you don’t mind, then let’s go.”
The two proceeded toward Qi Xia’s team’s “preparation zone.” Since the “Mǎo” room was deep inside, Qi Xia had to enter the “Xū” room first, exiting before Chu Tianqiu could proceed.
Just as Chu Tianqiu was about to leave the “Xū” room and enter “Mǎo,” Qi Xia suddenly stopped him.
They stood between two rooms—one symbolizing cooperation (“Xū Dog”), the other escape (“Mǎo Rabbit”).
“What is it?” Chu Tianqiu asked.
“I’ve been thinking…” Qi Xia murmured.
Chu Tianqiu frowned, cautiously scanning their surroundings. “At this stage… what could possibly distract you?”
“I just want to be careful,” Qi Xia replied. “No matter how much groundwork I lay, carelessness at the end would ruin everything.”
When Chu Tianqiu remained silent, Qi Xia added:
“Like right now… if I let my guard down at the last moment, that would be true defeat.”
Chu Tianqiu’s frown deepened. “What do you mean…?”
“I mean you can drop the act. Relay my words to the real Chu Tianqiu and have him come out to face me.”
Chu Tianqiu froze, then gave another bitter laugh, his expression utterly desolate.
“Qi Xia… how…?” His voice shifted into a woman’s. “Did I… still slip up this time?”
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