“I see…” Qi Xia nodded, realizing how clever the designer of this game was.
The “rope” seemed like a weapon only for cowards, yet it could inflict unimaginable pain on the opponent.
When two cowards fought with “ropes,” one of them could easily be provoked.
And when humans are provoked, they might just kill each other.
So, among all the cards, the seemingly harmless “rope” could—just like its name suggested—become the spark that ignites everything.
The two endured the excruciating pain, lashing out at each other several times before the ten-second limit finally expired.
They stopped, angrily tossing their weapons aside and returning to their starting positions.
But this time was different—both of them looked utterly battered.
Dr. Zhao kept clutching his abdomen, while Zichen held his arm.
Their expressions had changed, as if they were gradually accepting the brutal rules of this “ten-second brawl.” They were biding their time, waiting for the next round of weapons.
“Round Six—draw.”
Qi Xia glanced at Su Shan, who showed no intention of picking a card, so he unhesitatingly reached for a new one.
His current hand was still stable: “shield,” “knife,” “stick,” “stone,” and “stone.”
No matter what this new card was, he wouldn’t be at a disadvantage. He could adjust his strategy accordingly.
But when Qi Xia actually saw the card, his pupils involuntarily contracted.
On it was drawn a pistol, with the word “JOKER” written in English above it.
“Is this… a trump card?”
Snapping out of his daze, he slowly added the card to his hand, his mind racing for a plan.
Diji had mentioned that among these cards were two “life cards” and one “death card,” but was this “JOKER” a “life card” or a “death card”?
“Wait… hold on…”
Qi Xia rubbed his forehead lightly, then scrutinized the card again.
This was completely unexpected.
A pistol could kill in an instant.
Whether the person holding it was a coward or a true murderer, all it took was a single second of intent.
Even if they regretted it, that would only come *after* pulling the trigger.
With that thought, he turned to look at the glass room again.
It wasn’t large—Dr. Zhao and Zichen were at most a dozen steps apart.
At that distance, the pistol held an overwhelming advantage.
So… should he play this “gun” next round?
And what if the opponent had a “shield”?
Qi Xia had to admit that the “pistol” was beyond his expectations. For a moment, he failed to control his microexpressions.
If Su Shan seized this slip-up and played a “shield,” things could get tricky.
“Wait…”
A realization struck him—the shield in this game was made of wood!
It couldn’t block a *bullet*!
This card was an *instant win*!
Just as Qi Xia was lost in thought, Su Shan placed a card face-down on the table.
“I’ve chosen,” she said.
Qi Xia looked up. He knew he’d shown a weakness this round, so playing the “gun” now wasn’t ideal.
Even though a bullet could pierce wood, its lethality would still be reduced.
If he wanted to *guarantee* the opponent’s “fighter” died, now wasn’t the time.
Reluctantly, Qi Xia placed a “stick” face-down.
“Reveal.”
Su Shan had played yet another “rope.”
Just as Qi Xia had predicted—she was still in her “rope phase.”
He regretted not playing the “gun,” but on second thought, every move here was a matter of life and death. Caution wasn’t a flaw.
Dr. Zhao had learned his lesson. He raised his hand, catching the stick before it even hit the ground, then charged without hesitation.
Before Zichen could pick up the rope, Dr. Zhao knocked him down with a single swing.
Then he rained down five or six more brutal strikes.
It was karma—if Zichen hadn’t pinned Dr. Zhao down and beaten him with a brick earlier, Dr. Zhao wouldn’t have been this enraged.
“Zichen…” Su Shan stood up anxiously, peering into the glass room.
She was starting to panic.
“Stop him… make him stop!” she turned to Qi Xia. “Call him off!”
“He’ll stop when the time’s up,” Qi Xia replied calmly.
Su Shan’s expression darkened as she slowly sat back down. “Qi Xia, just surrender. I drew a ‘life card.'”
“Huh?” Qi Xia froze, then narrowed his eyes. “And why should I believe you?”
“Believe it or not, I drew it in the second round. I just wanted to find a way for *everyone* to survive, so I didn’t play it recklessly.” She sighed. “I really thought we could all make it out alive.”
Qi Xia studied her face, but her poker face was impeccable.
This girl hid her thoughts *too* well.
The ten seconds ended, and Diji ordered the two fighters to stop.
But Qi Xia and Su Shan remained motionless.
“You claim you drew a ‘life card’—then tell me, what’s on it?” Qi Xia challenged.
Su Shan slowly raised her hand, forming a gun shape with her thumb and index finger.
“Something that kills in one hit,” she said. “No weapon can block it.”
Qi Xia stiffened slightly, his mind working furiously.
That could still be a lie.
And if it *was* a lie, things were even worse—because this girl was sharp enough to deduce the “life card’s” nature on her own.
“So if you surrender now, we won’t have to fight. Maybe none of you will die,” Su Shan offered.
Qi Xia knew that no matter how clever she was, she was still inexperienced. She didn’t understand the *rules* of this hellhole.
Anyone who brought their own head to a “Earth”-level game had to be prepared to die.
Losing meant death. Trying to escape mid-game? Also death.
“I won’t surrender,” Qi Xia said flatly. “I came to this chicken’s game to kill my opponent and win.”
“Are you all insane?!” Su Shan’s composure cracked. “If we slaughter each other in these games, how can *anyone* ever leave?! If we participants kill each other off, who’s left to collect 3,600 ‘Tao’?!”
Qi Xia didn’t answer. This was his *third* time in this damned place.
He had no more doubts left.
All he wanted now was to play by its rules, survive, and one day escape—to find Yu Nian’an again.
“Enough talk, Su Shan. Let’s continue.”
Silently, Qi Xia drew another card.
After a long pause, Su Shan did the same.
Both of them frowned at their new cards.
Su Shan had *actually* drawn the “gun.”
And Qi Xia?
He’d drawn the *death card*.
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