Chapter 168: Tactical Discussion

Is this supposed to be good luck or bad luck?

In just two rounds, Qixia drew the “Life Card” and the “Death Card” in succession.

The “Death Card” depicted an alarm clock.

Above the clock, the words “Death Card” were clearly written.

Below the card, there was a line of very small text:

*”When this card is played, discard two additional hand cards. Both sides are forced to rest for five minutes, during which the ‘Planner’ may meet with the ‘Fighter.'”*

“What?” Qixia frowned and read the text again. Though he understood the words, he couldn’t grasp the meaning behind this “Death Card.”

Playing this card required him to discard two extra cards.

In other words, after playing this card, his hand would forever be reduced to three cards until the end of the game.

Who in their right mind would lower their hand limit to three in such a dangerous environment?

Moreover, the card made it clear: he would sacrifice two cards in exchange for “forced rest for both sides.”

The other side would gain an opportunity to strategize with their “Fighter” without suffering any losses.

Playing this card would increase his own chances of death—was this why it was called the “Death Card”?

Qixia looked up at Su Shan.

She, too, was frowning slightly.

Qixia thought to himself: *There’s only one “Death Card.” Why would her expression change?*

There was only one explanation—she had actually drawn the “Life Card.”

She had discovered that the “Life Card” was indeed a pistol and was now hesitating.

The next round would most likely be a “Life Card” versus “Life Card.”

If Qixia’s guess was correct, the game could end within three rounds.

“This isn’t good…”

Qixia glanced at his own “Life Card” again.

If both he and his opponent played the “Life Card,” what were the odds that Dr. Zhao would survive?

“Wait… a pistol?”

A sudden realization began circling in Qixia’s mind.

After a moment, he lifted his head, feeling as if something had clicked.

To win this game… it wasn’t about the “Life Card” at all!

Meanwhile, Su Shan placed a card face-down on the table and said, “Let’s begin. I’ve made my choice.”

Qixia pondered for a moment, his expression darkening, before pulling out three cards at once:

The “Death Card” and two “Stone Cards.”

To win, he *had* to play the “Death Card”!

The “Death Card” was the key to victory in this game!

The “Planner” *had* to inform the “Fighter” about the contents of the “Life Card”!

“Three cards?” Su Shan was momentarily stunned by Qixia’s move. The rules had never mentioned playing three cards at once.

The Earth Rooster nodded and said, “Reveal your cards.”

They flipped their cards. Su Shan had played a “Stick Card.”

Qixia had played the “Death Card.”

Confused, she picked up Qixia’s “Death Card,” read the text several times, and frowned in bewilderment.

“Forced rest?”

“Someone has played the ‘Death Card.’ The game will now enter a rest phase,” the Earth Rooster announced, waving his hand. The door to the glass room opened.

Qixia immediately stood up, entered the glass room, and pulled Dr. Zhao aside into a corner.

“What the hell… Qixia…” Dr. Zhao still seemed agitated. “Why is there a rest period now?”

“Dr. Zhao, if you have any tricks up your sleeve… now’s the time to use them,” Qixia said calmly, scanning the room. “If you don’t act now, it’ll be too late.”

“I…” Dr. Zhao gritted his teeth awkwardly. “Qixia, I won’t lie to you. I *do* have a trick, but I can’t use it right now.”

“What do you need?”

“I need…” Dr. Zhao lowered his head. “…a woman.”

“Damn it, I shouldn’t have asked…” Qixia muttered under his breath. “Fine, let’s keep this brief. I have a few things to tell you. This is our only chance to communicate.”

“Why do we even *need* to communicate?” Dr. Zhao asked. “You’ve already drawn the ‘Knife Card,’ right? Give it to me, and I’ll kill him.”

“You *can’t* kill him like that,” Qixia said. “Unless you slit his throat, an ordinary stab wound won’t kill him instantly.”

“Slit his… throat?” As a doctor, Zhao understood exactly what that meant.

If he merely wounded the other man with a knife, the opponent wouldn’t die before the game ended. The victory condition was for one “Fighter’s” pulse to stop—*literal* death.

Against a tall, strong man fighting desperately to survive, killing him wouldn’t be easy.

“So what’s *your* plan?” Dr. Zhao asked.

“The next three rounds will be crucial,” Qixia said. “Dr. Zhao, right now, I have a ‘Pistol Card,’ a ‘Knife Card,’ and a ‘Shield Card’ in my hand.”

…

“Zichen, how are you holding up?” Su Shan asked, concern etched on her face as she looked at the young man before her.

“I’m fine…” Zichen forced a weak smile. “Su Shan, thanks to you always giving me stronger weapons than the other side, I’m still alive.”

Su Shan noticed that his eyes looked terrifying—the white of his left eye was visibly cracked.

“Zichen, you don’t look well…”

“I’m fine,” Zichen blinked, as if something gritty were irritating his eye. “Su Shan, do you have any more powerful items for the next round?”

“Yeah…” Su Shan nodded. “I’ve been fairly lucky. Right now, I have a ‘Pistol Card,’ a ‘Knife Card,’ a ‘Stone Card,’ and two ‘Rope Cards.'”

“A pistol…?” Zichen paused. “So… do you have a strategy?”

“I…” Su Shan hesitated briefly. “The man I’m up against is *very* smart. I’m not sure if I can beat him.”

“It’s okay, Su Shan. I believe in you,” Zichen said firmly. “Just do what you think is right. Even if we lose, I won’t blame you.”

“But losing means we *die*,” Su Shan said, her voice heavy with despair.

“If you hadn’t led me out of that room, I’d already be dead,” Zichen replied. “No matter what the opponent’s strategy is, just give me the ‘Knife Card.’ Even if he has a pistol, I can still kill him.”

Su Shan’s eyes flickered with uncertainty before she finally nodded. “Understood.”

The five minutes passed in a flash. Even as time ran out, Qixia was still urgently explaining something to Dr. Zhao.

Meanwhile, Zhao’s face had gone completely blank.

“What the hell are you even saying…” Dr. Zhao muttered, cutting Qixia off mid-sentence. “Are you *actually* insane?”

“Trust me…” Qixia patted Dr. Zhao’s shoulder. “This is our only option.”

The four of them returned to their positions.

Each wore a different expression.

When the Earth Rooster announced, “Game continues,” a stick materialized above Zichen’s head, while Dr. Zhao’s remained empty—this was the result of the cards played before the pause.

Dr. Zhao immediately bolted, sprinting in circles around the room.

Zichen hadn’t expected the man who had been so aggressive minutes ago to suddenly turn tail and run. He could only chase after him, stick in hand.

But ten seconds was too short. Though Zichen caught up, both swings of his stick missed as Dr. Zhao dodged effortlessly, leaving him unharmed.

“You actually *ran*…” Zichen glared at Dr. Zhao in frustration before tossing the stick into the window behind him.

“What?” Dr. Zhao panted. “Wouldn’t *you* run in my place?”

“Next round, I’ll make sure you die,” Zichen said coldly.

“We’ll see about that,” Dr. Zhao shot back defiantly.

The Earth Rooster raised a hand.

“Seventh round. Draw your cards.”