Chapter 1084: Everyone Wins
"It's just like what happened just now."
Qinglong continued, "If I had chosen the fourteen people first and thought of the title afterward, I would likely have leaned toward 'chess' as well. Doesn't that fit perfectly?"
"You call that 'perfectly'...?"
"But speaking of which..." Qinglong sighed. "Since Baiyang came up with that idea, there have been more and more brilliant games. The games we used to select the 'Heaven Rank' are completely inadequate now. The people we chose back then were indeed unfit for the task. How am I supposed to kill them legitimately without affecting the 'Earth Rank' candidates who want to advance?"
"You..." Dilong started to speak but stopped, looking at him like a mindless beast.
"Oh, I forgot. You're also a 'Zodiac,' so I can't discuss this with you." Qinglong smiled. "It's a pity that you can never advance, yet you're still an 'Earth Rank.' What a shame. Most of the people in this 'Cangjie Chess' are so strong. If they could become 'gods,' how spectacular would this land be...?"
Dilong paused for a long time before finally speaking, "You'll face divine retribution."
"Divine retribution?" Qinglong grinned. "Too bad. Here, I'm greater than 'Heaven.'"
Dilong didn't reply, only staring solemnly at the people moving below.
She understood it in her heart. No wonder this game had assigned every participant a "role"—from chariots, horses, and cannons down to soldiers and generals. Everything was covered.
So Qinglong had already prepared a contingency plan...
But he should also understand that in this game, neither Qi Xia nor Chutianqiu would agree to the proposal of "becoming gods together."
"They're about to end this absurd game," Dilong said. "Your so-called 'Cangjie Chess' will disappear from this world completely. There won't be any more impressive figures performing for you in games."
"I won't give up," Qinglong said with a smile. "This is my game. Only when I say 'win' are they truly 'winning.'"
"You're planning to cheat...?" Dilong asked again.
"Of course not." Qinglong shook his head. "I'm going to let them witness the power that transcends the rules."
...
Qi Xia was the first to arrive at the "river" waiting for Chutianqiu. He carried all the "characters" he had won so far in his hand.
Those gray-white metal pieces clinked together like a string of bones in his hand, making crisp sounds like wind chimes.
A few minutes later, a "door" on the opposite side opened, and Chutianqiu's figure appeared.
Qi Xia didn't see any "characters" on him at first and couldn't help frowning.
"Qi Xia," Chutianqiu called out. "I don't understand why you wanted to gamble with me at the very end. Do you think you're about to lose?"
"Hard to say," Qi Xia shook his head. "I can't determine the outcome of this game, so I had to have one last contest with you."
"Haven't we been contesting all along?" Chutianqiu said. "Every decision you and I made in this game was a contest. It just seems like you've won every step."
"We each have our wins and losses," Qi Xia said. "Claiming you've lost every step is too modest."
"Then tell me... where have I won?" Chutianqiu asked.
"Everyone in your team is stronger than mine," Qi Xia said. "You didn't even need to give them specific tactics, and they were already winning 'characters' from my side. If I hadn't had a more detailed strategy, I would have lost this game for sure."
"What...?" Chutianqiu gave a bitter smile. "Is that what you call 'winning'?"
"Isn't that a win?" Qi Xia said. "The MiG-25 effect. No one on my side is as smart as your team members, but by bringing out just the right performance, the team appears strong."
Chutianqiu nodded after hearing this. "Well said—'just the right performance.'"
"The same goes for 'Heaven's Gate,'" Qi Xia continued. "You have too many powerful teammates in your hands. That itself is a kind of 'winning.'"
"But what does that have to do with me...?"
"How could it not?" Qi Xia retorted. "They joined your camp, not mine. That means there was something about you that attracted them. Whether they're still there or not, they once fought for 'Heaven's Gate.'"
Chutianqiu sighed. "Let's get to the point. So how do you want to decide the winner?"
"Naturally, through the game rooms here." Qi Xia pointed behind himself. "I've chosen a room that I think is perfect for the two of us to settle this."
"What 'character' room?" Chutianqiu asked.
"'Mao,'" Qi Xia replied truthfully. "Interested?"
"If I remember correctly, every confrontation between us has been initiated by me," Chutianqiu said. "It's rare for you to invite me. I won't refuse."
"Good." Qi Xia nodded. "But first, I need to confirm you have 'characters' on you. Did you bring all the 'characters' from your team?"
"No," Chutianqiu said. "Kim Won-ho hasn't returned yet. You know that, so I don't have the 'characters' on him."
Qi Xia naturally knew where Kim Won-ho had gone, and where his "characters" were.
Chutianqiu took all the "characters" except for Kim Won-ho's "pawn" out of his coat pocket and showed them to Qi Xia.
"Missing one is fine. A 'pawn' doesn't matter," Qi Xia said. "Ready to follow me?"
"Since you don't mind, let's go."
The two walked one after the other toward the "preparation zone" of Qi Xia's camp. Since the "Mao" room was deep inside, Qi Xia had to first enter the room marked "Xu," then let Chutianqiu enter after he left.
Just as Chutianqiu was about to leave the "Xu" room and enter the "Mao" room, Qi Xia reached out and stopped him.
The two stood in different rooms—one representing cooperation, "Xu (Dog)," and the other representing escape, "Mao (Rabbit)."
"What is it?" Chutianqiu asked.
"I've been thinking about something..." Qi Xia said.
Chutianqiu frowned, cautiously looking around, and asked, "At a time like this... what could possibly interrupt your train of thought?"
"I just want to be careful," Qi Xia replied. "If I'm not careful... no matter how much I've planned, it's useless."
Seeing that Chutianqiu remained silent for a long time, Qi Xia added:
"Just like now... if I let my guard down at the last moment, I'll lose everything."
Chutianqiu frowned and asked, "What do you mean...?"
"I mean, you don't need to play these little tricks. Pass what you just said to Chutianqiu and have him come out to see me himself."
Chutianqiu paused, then gave another bitter smile, his expression utterly despairing.
"Qi Xia... why...?" His voice had turned into a woman's. "Was there still a flaw in my act this time...?"