Chapter 162: Weapon Cards

“No need for greetings.” The girl walked over and sat down at the table. “I assume they’re our opponents.”

“Oh… really?” The boy let out an awkward laugh. “Is this some kind of battle card game?”

“Perfect!!” The Earth Rooster bellowed. “All four are here!! Now, let me announce the rules!!”

Qi Xia, Dr. Zhao, the boy, and the girl gathered around the square table.

The Earth Rooster reached for the cards on the table and drew five, placing them face up.

Everyone leaned in to look. Each card bore a different symbol:

A knife, a club, a rope, a stone, and a shield.

“My game is called **’Weapon Cards’**!!” the Earth Rooster roared with a grin. “You will engage in the most thrilling battle right before my eyes!!”

Qi Xia studied the five cards, sinking into deep thought.

Using cards… to fight?

“From now on, only one member from each team will remain at the table!” the Earth Rooster declared. “The other will enter the glass room!”

Everyone turned to glance at the glass chamber nearby.

“The one who enters the room is called the **’Fighter’**! The one who stays at the table is the **’Strategist’**!” The Earth Rooster waved his arms animatedly as he explained. “Each turn, the **’Strategist’** will play a card, and the **’Fighter’** will use the weapon depicted on it!!”

“So that’s how it works…” Qi Xia narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

“At the start, each **’Strategist’** draws five cards. Every turn, you play one and draw another until one or both **’Fighters’** die! Oh, and by the way—there are two **’Life Cards’** and one **’Death Card’** in the deck. You’ll know when you draw them!”

Dr. Zhao and the couple’s expressions darkened.

“Die?” the girl asked. “You mean the **’Fighters’** will really be fighting to the death inside?!”

“Exactly!!” the Earth Rooster thundered. “If you lose the game, it won’t just be the **’Fighter’** who dies!!”

As soon as he finished speaking, something snapped out from the backs of their chairs, clamping around their necks.

Metal collars.

Qi Xia and Dr. Zhao’s collars lit up red, while the couple’s glowed blue.

“Listen up! You’re divided into teams by color. If a collar detects that someone’s pulse has stopped, their teammate’s collar will explode.”

They tugged at the collars, but the metal was unyielding.

“Dr. Zhao, looks like we’re **’bound by life and death’** now,” Qi Xia murmured.

Dr. Zhao said nothing, his face pale.

The tall boy beside them couldn’t stay seated. He looked panicked, eyes darting around. “What the hell? Why is this game so dangerous?! The others weren’t like this—”

“Zichen, it’s okay. I’m here…” The girl patted his shoulder. “No matter how hard the game is, we’ll survive.”

Zichen met her gaze and nodded slowly.

Hearing this, Qi Xia couldn’t help but study the girl with interest.

Though she seemed tense, her expression remained calm. She was already scanning the surroundings and the cards on the table—someone who could strategize in such a situation was undoubtedly sharp.

“Now, assign your **’Fighter’** and **’Strategist’**,” the Earth Rooster commanded.

Qi Xia raised his hand. “How many of each type of card are there?”

“Sorry, can’t say!” The Earth Rooster shook his head vigorously. “You’ll have to figure it out yourselves!”

“Then how many cards are there in total?” the girl asked, raising her hand.

“That’s also a secret!” The Earth Rooster gathered all the cards, reshuffled them, and placed the deck in the center of the table. “Assign your roles now!”

Qi Xia stood slowly and exchanged a glance with Dr. Zhao. They stepped aside.

“Dr. Zhao, do you work out?”

“Wait—you want *me* to go in there?!” Dr. Zhao stiffened. He stole a glance at the towering boy and hissed, “You think I can take him?!”

“Alternatively…” Qi Xia scratched his head. “You stay here and strategize, and I’ll go in?”

“…”

Dr. Zhao knew Qi Xia was far more cunning. Having him as the **’Strategist’** was the smarter choice.

But the thought of fighting that 1.9-meter-tall guy made his legs shake.

“He’ll kill me…” Dr. Zhao whispered. “What if he kills me?!”

“If you die, I die too,” Qi Xia said. “I’ll do everything to prevent that.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“No.” Qi Xia shook his head. “I just wanted to experience the Earth Rooster’s game. Rumor has it I have some history with him, so I have no guarantees. Either of us could die.”

“You’re insane!” Dr. Zhao snapped. “This little **’experience’** of yours is going to get us killed!”

“Not necessarily?” Qi Xia shrugged. “There’s no way out now. Might as well try.”

After a long pause, Dr. Zhao reluctantly agreed, trembling.

At this point, Qi Xia had to be the **’Strategist’**.

Unsurprisingly, the couple had also decided—the tall boy would be their **’Fighter’**, pitted against Dr. Zhao.

He looked even more terrified than Dr. Zhao. Both men were shaking as they stepped into the glass room.

“Listen up, **’Fighters’**! Here’s how it works!” the Earth Rooster announced. “Once the **’Strategists’** play their cards, your weapons will drop from the ceiling. You’ll have **ten seconds** to act!”

“Ten seconds…?” The two exchanged glances, then looked back at the Earth Rooster.

“After ten seconds, stop immediately! Whether your opponent is dead or not, throw your weapon into the hatch behind you!” The Earth Rooster wagged his head. “Any fighting outside the action time is **’against the rules’**. Got it?”

They turned and saw a small window embedded in the wall behind them.

“N-No problem…” Dr. Zhao stammered.

“Good!” The Earth Rooster nodded, then turned to Qi Xia and the girl at the table.

“As for the **’Strategists’**, let me repeat: You start with five cards. Play one per turn, then draw another!” His voice was so loud it made concentration difficult. “To **’play’** a card, place it face up on the table. Any questions?”

“None,” they answered in unison.