As the “rules” state, the Human Monkey is the winner of the rock-paper-scissors game and can designate who goes first.
“I’ll go first myself,” said the Human Monkey. “You pick the box.”
Qi Xia lowered his head in thought before saying, “The box with ten ‘Tao’.”
The Human Monkey’s expression darkened upon hearing this, his pupils even trembling slightly. He felt as if an extraordinary figure had entered his domain.
Had this man already figured out the solution… or was it just a coincidence?
After a moment of contemplation, the Human Monkey stepped up to the box with ten “Tao” and took one out.
Now, the two boxes held twelve and nine “Tao” respectively.
Seeing the Human Monkey take only one, Qi Xia’s expression shifted slightly.
“Just one…? You’re not an idiot either.”
Though their mental battle was fierce, their expressions remained calm.
Qiao Jiajin, who had been watching intently, whispered to Yun Yao, “Is this game really that hard?”
“Do you think it’s simple?” Yun Yao crossed her arms and replied softly. “Qi Xia is playing every move brilliantly, including deliberately losing the rock-paper-scissors—just to ‘designate the box.'”
“Huh?” Qiao Jiajin was stunned. “The trickster did it on purpose? But even if he lost the rock-paper-scissors, does that mean he can win the game?”
“Let’s simulate it,” Yun Yao said. “Right now, one box has nine ‘Tao,’ and the other has twelve. Which box would you pick, and how many would you take?”
“Hmm…” Qiao Jiajin thought for a moment. “I’d probably take all twelve.”
“Then I’d take the nine from the other box, and I’d win,” Yun Yao said with a smile.
“What if I left one in the box and only took eleven?” Qiao Jiajin asked again.
“Then I’d also leave one and take eight. On the next turn, I’d still win.”
“Tsk—” Qiao Jiajin sucked in a breath, realizing he couldn’t win no matter what. “So, the next person to take ‘Tao’ is doomed to lose?”
“No, Qi Xia won’t make decisions like you,” Yun Yao said. “The man I like isn’t a fool.”
“Fair enough…” Qiao Jiajin was about to agree when he suddenly realized something. “Damn, are you calling me an idiot?”
Qi Xia walked up to the box with twelve “Tao,” thought for a few seconds, then reached in and took out three.
Now, both boxes held nine “Tao.”
The Human Monkey’s eyes were like stagnant water, as if calculating something.
“Monkey, is this acceptable?” Qi Xia asked. “If you surrender now, I’ll leave you a few ‘Tao.'”
After the previous gamble with the Human Pig, Qi Xia was especially cautious, fearing that his opponent might choose to gamble with his life if he ran out of “Tao.”
The Human Monkey said nothing, silently taking one “Tao” from the box in front of him.
Qi Xia shook his head and also took one “Tao.”
It seemed the rules didn’t allow surrender—otherwise, the Human Monkey wouldn’t have persisted.
The Human Monkey then took two more “Tao,” and Qi Xia mirrored him.
The rest of the game became trivial.
No matter how many “Tao” the Human Monkey took, Qi Xia would match him.
This ensured Qi Xia would always be the last to take “Tao.”
Even if the boxes held ten thousand “Tao,” Qi Xia couldn’t lose.
A few simple strategic moves at the start had secured his victory.
“Dang it… I think I get it now,” Qiao Jiajin said, eyes widening. “Doesn’t that mean he wins outright?”
“Mm,” Yun Yao nodded. “When both boxes have the same number of ‘Tao,’ the second player is guaranteed to win.”
“You’re impressive…” the Human Monkey muttered. “But you overlooked something…”
“Overlooked?” Qi Xia frowned, puzzled.
In this nearly guaranteed victory, did the Human Monkey still have a trick up his sleeve?
Qi Xia glanced at the “Tao” in front of them. The Human Monkey had five, while he had six. The numbers were clear—could there still be…
Wait. Qi Xia froze.
Why did the Human Monkey have five?
He had taken “Tao” three times—one, one, and two.
Qi Xia had seen it clearly. How had it become five?
When did that happen?
On the surface, the Human Monkey’s box now held five “Tao,” while Qi Xia’s held six.
And now it was the Human Monkey’s turn.
He walked up to Qi Xia’s box and took one from the six “Tao.”
Qi Xia’s brow furrowed. In an instant, their positions had reversed.
Now both boxes held five “Tao.” No matter how many Qi Xia took, the Human Monkey would mirror him, making the Human Monkey the last to take “Tao.”
As Yun Yao had said—when the boxes hold equal “Tao,” the second player wins.
Had Qi Xia lost?
“Hey, cheating means losing a finger,” Qiao Jiajin growled, stepping forward. “You stinking monkey, did you steal balls?”
“Yes,” the Human Monkey admitted bluntly. “I cheated. What are you going to do about it?”
“I…” Qiao Jiajin hadn’t expected such honesty and was momentarily speechless.
Seeing their unsettled expressions, the Human Monkey slowly reached for the “Tao” on the table.
With two fingers, he pinched one “Tao”—yet two disappeared from the table.
He turned his hand to reveal another “Tao” hidden in his palm.
“This is the ‘Palm Concealment,’ the most basic sleight of hand,” the Human Monkey said with a smile. “You should be glad we didn’t gamble with our lives.”
Qi Xia smiled bitterly.
Indeed, who said cheating wasn’t allowed?
At some point, the Human Monkey had seemingly taken one “Tao” while actually taking two.
“You missed such a critical move,” the Human Monkey said, toying with the two balls. “You underestimated me.”
“Yes, I did,” Qi Xia admitted helplessly. “Let’s end the game.”
With that, Qi Xia grabbed five “Tao” and tossed them onto the table. Yun Yao wore a complicated expression.
Had Qi Xia given up so easily? Was this his nature?
The Human Monkey smirked and also took five “Tao” from his box.
The game was over.
Tian Tian and Qiao Jiajin exchanged a helpless glance, their expressions unreadable.
To them, what did ten “Tao” even mean?
After four rounds of deadly games, they’d only earned four “Tao”—now they’d lost ten in one go.
The Human Monkey gathered all the “Tao” on the table before him.
“I didn’t expect someone to deliver so many ‘Tao’ first thing in the morning. Truly, I’m grateful,” he said with a grin.
“And I didn’t expect someone to gather them for me in advance. Likewise, I’m grateful,” Qi Xia replied.
“Right, you—” The Human Monkey paused. “What?”
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