The boy’s accent and grammar were strange, leaving everyone slightly puzzled.
Qi Xia carefully considered the situation before him. This young man was clearly from “Paradise Port,” so why was he here?
“Who are you…?” Officer Li asked.
“Bro, my name is Kim Won-hoon,” the boy said with a bright smile, bowing once more to Officer Li before raising his head and asking, “Which of you is Qi Xia?”
Everyone turned to look in Qi Xia’s direction.
With no other choice, Qi Xia stepped forward and said, “That’s me.”
“Perfect, bro. I’ve been waiting here for you for a long time.”
“Waiting for me?”
“Yes.” Kim Won-hoon nodded. “I want to ask you a question.”
Aside from Qi Xia, no one present had ever seen Kim Won-hoon before, and their faces were filled with confusion.
Xiao Ran slowly took a step back, her expression cautious. “Brother Qi, why do you have an acquaintance here?”
Ignoring her, Qi Xia focused on Kim Won-hoon’s motives instead.
“You waited here just to ask me a question?”
He seemed to already know what the boy wanted to ask.
“Exactly,” Kim Won-hoon nodded. “Bro, can we talk in private?”
Qi Xia agreed and followed him a few steps away.
“Bro, someone told me to ask you: ‘Which day did you arrive here?'”
Hearing this, Qi Xia fell into brief thought, as if calculating something.
Could “Paradise Port” be trusted?
If they were still wandering aimlessly in the “Land of Finality” like last time, the outcome wouldn’t be good either. In that case, he might as well trust Chu Tianqiu once.
Qi Xia lowered his voice. “My body has been here for eleven days. My mind, only four.”
“Yah, damn it…” Kim Won-hoon muttered under his breath. “Bro Chu really is a man like a god…”
“What did you say?” Qi Xia frowned, looking at the boy.
“Bro, to be honest, we all just arrived here today. But following Bro Chu’s orders, I asked this question to several people, and not a single one answered ‘first day’… Don’t you think Bro Chu must know something?”
Of course Chu Tianqiu knew something.
If Qi Xia guessed right, he also retained memories from last time.
But there was a second thing bothering Qi Xia—why had Chu Tianqiu asked this question even during the last cycle? Had he already retained memories back then?
Could it be…
Had they arrived here earlier than him?
Qi Xia had gone through two cycles, but had Chu Tianqiu experienced more?
Did he retain his memory every time, using it to select allies?
If so, “Paradise Port’s” strength must far exceed Qi Xia’s expectations.
Seeing the two whispering, Xiao Ran walked over at an inappropriate moment, feigning nonchalance. “What are you two talking about?”
Kim Won-hoon smiled. “Bro, let’s head back. The next part concerns all of you.”
…
Standing before the group again, Kim Won-hoon spoke up. “Everyone, we’re currently gathering skilled individuals to form an organization to conquer the games together. Qi Xia has already passed our leader’s question and is approved to join. Would any of you be interested?”
“What exactly does this organization do?” Officer Li asked cautiously.
“Ah, it’s like a strategy team for tackling the games, bro,” Kim Won-hoon explained. “There are many types of games, so we can assign certain people to certain games accordingly.”
Officer Li studied Kim Won-hoon closely before asking, “Are you Korean?”
“Yes, bro. I’m from Yanbian, where most people don’t speak Mandarin often, so I’m not very fluent. Sorry if I’m unclear.”
Officer Li nodded. His own city had many Mongolians too.
“Who sent you to find us?” Qiao Jiajin asked.
“A guy named Chu Tianqiu, who left the room with me,” Kim Won-hoon answered earnestly. “He’s incredibly smart. I’m just carrying out his orders.”
Qi Xia stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Truthfully, he didn’t know much about Chu Tianqiu.
His only knowledge was that “he possesses a notebook with a way to escape this place.”
“Kim Won-hoon, did Chu Tianqiu only invite me?” Qi Xia asked.
“Yes, but not entirely,” Kim Won-hoon explained patiently. “Bro Chu invited you, but you can bring your own people. A guy named Zhang Shan just joined and brought his own team too.”
“Zhang Shan…” The name brought to mind Old Lü and Glasses in Qi Xia’s mind.
Now he understood why Zhang Shan had brought those two along—they were indeed worthy allies.
Qi Xia glanced back at the eight people beside him and suddenly had an idea.
Taking all of them into the games directly would be risky. Since their group was already large, why not have everyone join “Paradise Port” together?
That way, he could shake off dead weight while also finding a way to obtain the notebook.
The best way to make a drop of ink disappear was to throw it into the ocean.
“Can all nine of us join?” Qi Xia asked.
“Of course. Bro Chu said that once you agree to join, we’ll do our best to accommodate any requests.”
This made everyone hesitate.
They had joined Qi Xia’s team because they’d witnessed his capabilities firsthand.
But could this “Chu Tianqiu,” whom they’d never even met, be trusted?
“Everyone, I’m joining Chu Tianqiu’s organization,” Qi Xia declared before they could think too deeply. “You’re welcome to come along or go your own way.”
The group exchanged uncertain looks.
“Oh, one more thing,” Kim Won-hoon added. “According to Bro Chu, food and water will be hard to come by in the days ahead. But our organization will ensure everyone gets their share.”
“That generous?” Qiao Jiajin remained skeptical. “You’re offering free food and water—what’s the catch?”
Kim Won-hoon scanned the group before answering. “Our goal is to conquer all the games. The organization doesn’t carry dead weight, so everyone must follow Bro Chu’s lead. He’ll guide us out.”
“All the games…?” The group was stunned. Weren’t they supposed to collect 3,600 “tokens” to escape?
Why conquer every game?
“How will the tokens be distributed?” Xiao Ran asked.
“More work, more reward,” Kim Won-hoon replied. “Bro Chu doesn’t care much about tokens, so don’t worry.”
Qi Xia realized Chu Tianqiu was walking a very unusual path.
This must all be tied to that “notebook” of his.
Did the notebook’s escape method involve clearing all games instead of collecting tokens?
“Bro Qi Xia, what’s your final decision?” Kim Won-hoon asked one last time.
“No need to say more. I’m in,” Qi Xia answered.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage