Chapter 986: Unexpected Choice
Han Yimo naturally couldn't answer that question. He could only guess that this might be caused by some "Echo," yet he had no idea whose "Echo" it was.
"The commander-in-chief 'Chu Tianqiu' has named 'Zhao Haibo' to enter the 'Cangjie Chess' for assistance. Accept the order and walk through the door; decline and take five steps back."
"A… accept the order…? Me?!" Zhao Haibo was stunned for a long time, then pointed a finger at his own nose.
Inside the door, Qi Xia also looked at Chu Tianqiu at this moment. After all, from his perspective, the person who should be taken now was not "Zhao Haibo" but "Yun Yao."
Regardless of the type of game, as long as a "victory or defeat" was to be determined, "Strong Luck" was an excellent weapon.
"So you have the same concerns as me…" Qi Xia thought to himself.
In Qi Xia's imagination, once a "general selection" was rejected by the other party, it wasn't just about the loss of "life" for the opponent—it was highly likely to cause his own team to be permanently one person short.
Therefore, Chu Tianqiu hadn't chosen the uncertain Yun Yao as his fourth person but instead chose Dr. Zhao.
From Chu Tianqiu's perspective, Dr. Zhao, as the deputy leader of "Heaven's Gate" at this moment, could at least be considered one of his own.
But Qi Xia felt that Chu Tianqiu's thinking was a bit too simplistic, after all, he and Dr. Zhao had experienced the "Weapon Cards" game together.
Although Dr. Zhao wasn't a bad person, he was timid and cowardly, with poor execution ability, and his performance at critical moments was unsatisfactory.
Despite having many shortcomings, his identity as a brain surgeon proved that his knowledge was not shallow. This contradiction would make him release a stable "Dissociation" with an extremely cowardly personality. Though not a formidable opponent, he would still be a troublesome figure.
The upper limit of such a person's ability largely depended on the upper limit of their leader.
When Chu Tianqiu chose Dr. Zhao, he assumed this game wouldn't be a simple "brawl" but would likely involve "props," and Dr. Zhao was the nemesis of all "props."
Outside the door, after hearing the words of the earth dragon, Dr. Zhao slowly took a step back, muttering, "What 'assistance,' 'commander-in-chief'… what does this have to do with me?"
Han Yimo scratched his head beside him. "Didn't the voice from inside the door just say… this was Chu Tianqiu's instruction?"
"That's exactly why I find it absurd," Dr. Zhao said. "Doesn't he know I'm not the type to be aggressive? Is he really planning to drag me into the game? And I've never seen such a strange summoning method. I feel like there's some kind of trap."
"Uh…" Han Yimo thought for a few seconds and said, "What are you going to do then…? Refuse?"
"I'm definitely refusing! What benefit is there for me?" After saying this, Dr. Zhao took another step back. "Let those who like participating in games go ahead, but I'm really not cut out for this!"
With that, he began to step backward again, as if he didn't even need to think twice about retreating five steps.
"Wait… hold on…" Han Yimo hurried forward and grabbed Dr. Zhao. "Refusing… isn't that a bit bad? Didn't you hear what that door just said?"
Dr. Zhao was about to step back again but was startled by Han Yimo's words. He stammered, "Sa… said what?"
"It was like a military order!" Han Yimo said. "Don't you usually read novels?! Don't you know that 'military orders cannot be disobeyed'?"
"No… novels…?" Dr. Zhao gave a bitter smile. "I mainly read serious literature…"
"Who's talking to you about that?! Just because you have a high education, does that make you special?" Han Yimo roared. "Old Zhao, I'm trying to save your life! That's how it's written in many novels!"
"But what's in novels got to do with this door…"
"Of course it does!!" Han Yimo shouted. "Don't you believe the protagonist's words? This must be a 'teleportation gate'! Once you go in, it's a battlefield. In novels, only two kinds of people die on the battlefield… those who fight bravely and those who flee from battle!"
"…?"
Dr. Zhao was stunned after hearing this, feeling a bit confused.
"According to what you're saying…" Dr. Zhao blinked. "As long as this 'military order' appears… I'm doomed?"
"Uh…" Han Yimo seemed to realize that his reasoning was a bit contradictory and could only mutter softly, "Anyway, that's how it's written in novels… those who are too loyal on the battlefield die, and those who don't obey orders also die."
"Then what should I do…?" Dr. Zhao asked again.
"How… how about you go check it out?" Han Yimo said. "I feel like if you refuse now, you'll die immediately. But if you go in and stall for a while, the time of your death might be delayed…"
"So I'm still going to die?"
"No, no, no…" Han Yimo thought for a moment and said, "Actually, many times, supporting characters like you can also have 'fortuitous encounters'… As long as you have a 'fortuitous encounter' on the battlefield, not only can you survive, but you can also become stronger."
"Uh…"
Dr. Zhao always felt that he couldn't understand Han Yimo's words.
He had excelled in his studies since childhood, later entered medical school, and became a brain surgeon with outstanding grades. He had always been the "neighbor's kid," yet Han Yimo could always reduce him to a supporting character in just a few sentences.
But after carefully considering, Dr. Zhao felt that Han Yimo's words were not unreasonable. If the "Zhao Haibo accepts the order" before him was truly a "military order" in some game, the consequences of refusing on the spot wouldn't be good.
Besides, Chu Tianqiu was already in a cooperative relationship with him. From every angle, he should ensure Dr. Zhao's survival.
"Alright… in that case, I'll go."
"Wait…" Han Yimo grabbed him at the last moment.
"What's wrong?"
"Don't forget about the 'Jidao' matter…" Han Yimo said. "That woman hasn't come for us yet!"
"I won't forget." Dr. Zhao said.
Dr. Zhao took a deep breath to bolster his courage, then slowly walked into the door with a fearful expression.
Qi Xia nodded at the sight and said softly, "Not bad… a very beautiful 'general selection.'"
"Oh…?" Chu Tianqiu gave a slight smile. "What does that mean? Praising me?"
"Yes." Qi Xia nodded. "That 'general' was chosen perfectly. I didn't see it coming."
"How could that be…? Did I take one of your people?"
He then feigned surprise and slapped his forehead. "My memory… Dr. Zhao is from your room!"
"Yes." Qi Xia said. "What to do about this…? You took someone from my room… How about I take someone from your room?"
"My room…?" Chu Tianqiu frowned slightly at this, but soon revealed a smile. "Of course. Courtesy calls for reciprocity."
Despite his words, Chu Tianqiu quickly began to strategize in his mind.
The people Qi Xia knew well and who came from his room were essentially two.
"Shapeshifter" Xu Liunian and "Strong Luck" Yun Yao.
Which one would he choose?