Chapter 114: The Earth Horse's Race
Xu Liunian, like many who had come to this place, lost her life in the earthquake and became one of the residents of the "Land of Finality."
She also became a teammate of Chu Tianqiu and Yun Yao.
Because of her easygoing personality, she got along well with everyone, and her moderate skills in Sanda made her a mainstay of the team, leading the group through countless dangers.
The lower back pain she had suffered from was somehow alleviated here.
So, during the time when Zhang Shan was absent, Xu Liunian could easily participate in physical or competitive games like "Ox," "Tiger," or "Rooster."
But what suited Xu Liunian best was undoubtedly the "Horse" category—the racing games.
Actors in the martial arts industry were truly a remarkable profession.
Whether the race involved rollerblading, skateboarding, mountain biking, or motorcycles, Xu Liunian had some skill in each. Her exceptional balance and reaction time made her invincible.
And that ultimately led to her downfall.
The Earth Horse.
The Earth Horse's game was extremely extreme.
The rule was to give each team an old car with automatic transmission for a two-car race.
The Earth Horse had eight cards in hand, labeled "Brakes," "Accelerator," "Accelerator," "Steering Wheel," "Steering Wheel," "Car Door," "Windshield," and "Seat."
The two teams took turns picking the cards they needed, and the referee would remove whatever parts were not chosen from the cars.
The two contestants played rock-paper-scissors; the winner could choose the "right to pick first," while the loser could choose whether their car would be placed on the inner or outer track.
When Xu Liunian won rock-paper-scissors, she decisively proposed a "life gamble" with the Earth Horse.
At that moment, the rules of the game changed. A person called "Xuanwu" descended from the sky and became the new referee.
The contestants were no longer the two teams, but Xu Liunian and the Earth Horse alone.
Chu Tianqiu racked his brain, doing his best to provide Xu Liunian with a strategy.
He knew that if the two sides took turns picking, their side had to secure the "Brakes" and "Accelerator."
Since the track was a circuit similar to a running track, they also needed the "Steering Wheel."
There were two "Accelerator" and two "Steering Wheel" cards, so the chances of getting them were high. The top priority was who would get the "Brakes."
Fortunately, Xu Liunian won rock-paper-scissors and could pick first. She could take the "Brakes" immediately, and then split the "Accelerator" and "Steering Wheel" with the opponent.
As for the "Seat," "Car Door," and "Windshield," they were all optional accessories that could be abandoned at a critical moment.
When Chu Tianqiu reached this point in the story, Qi Xia furrowed his brows slightly.
He felt that Chu Tianqiu's strategy had a problem.
But at that time, Xu Liunian trusted Chu Tianqiu completely.
She stepped up first and decisively took the "Brakes."
As expected, the Earth Horse took the "Accelerator."
In the second round, Xu Liunian picked the "Accelerator."
Expecting the Earth Horse to take the "Steering Wheel," the opponent instead took the "Car Door."
This move left everyone present puzzled.
Xu Liunian had obtained the "Brakes" and "Accelerator," but the Earth Horse had taken the "Accelerator" and "Car Door."
Was the "Car Door" an important part for racing?
In the third round, Xu Liunian followed the planned strategy and took the "Steering Wheel." Now, for her, the three essentials for racing were complete.
But no one expected that in this round, the Earth Horse still did not take the "Steering Wheel." He took the "Seat."
Everyone present looked confused, completely unable to figure out what the Earth Horse's strategy was.
If he never took the "Steering Wheel," how would he get through the turns?
Chu Tianqiu made a snap decision and told Xu Liunian to grab the second "Steering Wheel."
This strategy seemed like a checkmate at the time.
Although Xu Liunian wasted one selection opportunity, it ensured the opponent would never get a "Steering Wheel."
By now, the opponent had no "Brakes," no "Steering Wheel." His car only had the "Accelerator," "Seat," "Car Door," and the last card left for him, the "Windshield."
This car was completely uncontrollable. How could it race?
In contrast, Xu Liunian's car had the "Brakes," "Accelerator," and both "Steering Wheels." Although there was no seat, even if she had to squat while driving, it wouldn't be a problem under these circumstances.
Under the referee's supervision, the two completed the modifications to their cars.
Xu Liunian picked up a wooden box from the ground and placed it in the car as a makeshift seat. The race officially began.
On a circular track, the Earth Horse chose to place his car on the inner lane, while Xu Liunian's car was on the outer lane.
Under normal circumstances, the inner track is always slightly shorter than the outer track, so this choice was reasonable.
Xu Liunian stared intently ahead. She knew the opponent couldn't navigate turns. If she could just get through the first turn, victory would be in hand.
As Xuanwu gave the order, the two pressed down on the accelerator.
By the time Chu Tianqiu reached this point in his story, cold sweat was streaming down his face.
"Qi Xia, I was wrong," he murmured. "If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen a different strategy..."
To win a race, there were actually two methods.
First, be the first to reach the finish line.
Second, eliminate one driver.
Clearly, the Earth Horse had chosen the second method from the start.
He didn't need a steering wheel or brakes at all.
In the beginning, the two cars were neck and neck on the straightaway, with the Earth Horse's car hugging closely behind Xu Liunian's. But Xu Liunian's car had "Brakes."
A normal person, when driving a car with brakes, would instinctively slow down before a turn.
But the Earth Horse's degree of abnormality exceeded everyone's imagination.
Because he had chosen to place his car on the inner lane, at some point during the turn, Xu Liunian's car would inevitably pass right in front of him.
And the Earth Horse was betting his entire chance of winning on that single moment.
Although Chu Tianqiu had already realized this, he was too far away from Xu Liunian, and his shouts couldn't reach her ears.
Just as Xu Liunian passed in front of the Earth Horse's car, the Earth Horse floored the accelerator.
The two cars collided with a thunderous crash.
Because the Earth Horse's car had a windshield and a seat, he wasn't thrown out of the car immediately upon impact. Instead, he slammed headfirst into the windshield, shattering it into pieces. His horse's head instantly split open, gushing a torrent of blood.
Xu Liunian hadn't expected the opponent to deliberately crash head-on. The impact sent her tumbling violently inside her own car, also leaving her bloodied and battered.
But as a martial arts performer, she quickly recovered from the chaos and jerked the steering wheel hard.
This was Xu Liunian's final chance. If she could just get through this turn, the Earth Horse would have no choice but to forfeit.