Chapter 168: Tactical Discussion
Was this good luck or bad luck?
In two rounds, Qi Xia had drawn both a "Life Card" and a "Death Card."
The "Death Card" depicted an alarm clock.
Above the clock, the words "Death Card" were clearly written.
And at the bottom of the card, there was a line of very small text:
"When this card is played, you must discard two other hand cards. Both sides are forced to rest for five minutes. The 'Planner' may meet with the 'Fighter.'"
"What?" Qi Xia frowned and read the sentence again. Although he understood the meaning, he couldn't figure out the intent behind this "Death Card."
Playing this card would require him to discard two additional cards.
In other words, after playing it, his hand would permanently remain at three cards until the game ended.
Who would willingly lower their hand limit to three in such a dangerous environment?
Moreover, the card clearly stated that discarding two cards would result in a "forced rest" for both sides.
The opponent would get a chance to discuss tactics with the "Fighter" without any loss.
Playing this card would increase his own side's chance of death. Was this what a "Death Card" meant?
Qi Xia looked up at Su Shan.
She was frowning slightly as well.
Qi Xia thought to himself, there’s only one "Death Card," so why would her expression change?
It could only mean one thing: she had really drawn the "Life Card."
She had discovered that the "Life Card" was indeed a pistol, and she was hesitating right now.
Next, it was very likely "Life Card" vs. "Life Card."
If Qi Xia’s guess was correct, the game could end within three rounds.
"Not good…"
Qi Xia looked at his own "Life Card" again.
If he and his opponent both played the "Life Card" at the same time, what was the probability of Dr. Zhao surviving?
"Wait… a pistol?"
A thought suddenly swirled in Qi Xia's mind.
After a moment, he raised his head, feeling as though some idea had clicked open.
To win this game… it wasn’t about the "Life Card"!
At that moment, Su Shan placed a card face down on the table and said, "Let’s begin. I’ve made my choice."
Qi Xia thought for a while, his expression darkening, then he simultaneously laid down three cards.
The "Death Card" and two "Rock" cards.
To win, he had to play the "Death Card"!
The "Death Card" was the key to victory in this game!
The "Planner" had to inform the "Fighter" of the "Life Card’s" content!
"Three cards?" Su Shan was slightly taken aback when she saw Qi Xia’s play. The rules had never mentioned playing three cards at once.
Di Ji nodded from the side and said, "Please reveal the cards."
The two flipped their cards. Su Shan had played a "Stick."
Qi Xia had played a "Death Card."
She picked up Qi Xia’s "Death Card" with some confusion, read the text a few times, and showed a puzzled expression.
"Forced rest?"
"Someone has played the 'Death Card.' The game enters a rest phase." Di Ji waved his hand, and the door to the glass room opened.
Qi Xia immediately stood up, walked into the glass room, and pulled Dr. Zhao to a corner.
"What’s going on… Qi Xia…" Dr. Zhao still seemed unsettled. "How come there’s a rest time?"
"Dr. Zhao, if you have any tricks up your sleeve… now’s the time to use them," Qi Xia said calmly, glancing around. "If you don’t, there won’t be another chance."
"I…" Dr. Zhao gritted his teeth awkwardly. "Qi Xia, I won’t hide it from you. I do have a method, but I can’t use it right now."
"What do you need?"
"I need…" Dr. Zhao slowly lowered his head. "I need a woman."
"Damn it, I shouldn’t have asked…" Qi Xia cursed under his breath. "Forget it. I’ll make a long story short. I have a few things to tell you. This is our only chance to communicate."
"What else is there to discuss?" Dr. Zhao asked. "You’ve drawn the 'Knife,' right? Give it to me, and I’ll kill him."
"You can’t kill him," Qi Xia said. "Unless you slit his throat in one stroke, ordinary knife wounds won’t make him die instantly."
"Slit his… throat?" As a doctor, Dr. Zhao naturally understood what that meant.
If he only cut the opponent with a knife, the man wouldn’t die until the game ended. The winning rule was that one side’s "Fighter" had their pulse stop beating.
This was "death" in the truest sense. When facing a tall, strong man who was fully defending and wanting to survive, killing him wasn’t an easy condition to fulfill.
"So, what’s your idea?" Dr. Zhao asked.
"The next three rounds are crucial," Qi Xia said. "Dr. Zhao, right now I have a 'Pistol,' a 'Knife,' and a 'Shield' in my hand."
…
"Zichen, how are you?" Su Shan looked worriedly at the young man in front of her.
"I’m fine…" Zichen gave a bitter smile. "Su Shan, thanks to you always giving me weapons stronger than the opponent’s, I’m still okay."
Su Shan noticed that his eyes looked terrifying. There were already visible cracks in the whites of his left eye.
"Zichen, you don’t look so good…"
"It’s nothing." Zichen blinked, feeling like there was sand in his eye. "Su Shan, are there any more powerful items left?"
"Mm…" Su Shan nodded. "My luck’s been pretty good. Right now I have a 'Pistol,' a 'Knife,' a 'Rock,' and two 'Ropes.'"
"A pistol…?" Zichen paused and asked, "So… do you have a strategy?"
"I…" Su Shan thought for a moment and said, "The man I’m gambling against is very smart. I’m not sure I can beat him."
"It’s okay, Su Shan. I trust you." Zichen nodded. "Just do what you think is best. Even if we lose, I won’t complain."
"But if we lose, we die." Su Shan said with a disappointed expression.
"If you hadn’t led me out of that room, I would have died long ago," Zichen said. "Whatever his strategy is, give me the 'Knife.' Even if he has a 'Pistol,' I’m confident I can kill him."
Su Shan’s eyes flickered for a moment, and she nodded. "I understand."
Five minutes passed in a flash. By the time the rest period ended, Qi Xia was still explaining something to Dr. Zhao.
And Dr. Zhao already had an expression like a crashed computer.
"What are you even talking about…" Dr. Zhao muttered, interrupting Qi Xia. "Are you really sane?"
"Trust me…" Qi Xia patted Dr. Zhao on the shoulder. "This is the only way we can do it."
The four returned to their seats.
Everyone’s expressions were different.
When Di Ji said "Game continues," a stick fell from above Zichen’s head, while nothing fell above Dr. Zhao’s.
These were the cards the two sides had played before the pause.
Seeing this, Dr. Zhao immediately backed up several steps and started running wildly around the room.
Zichen hadn’t expected that the man who had been so aggressive just minutes ago would now turn and run, so he could only pick up the stick and chase after him.
But ten seconds was too short. Although Zichen caught up to Dr. Zhao, he swung the stick twice and missed both times, failing to cause any damage.
"You’re running away…" Zichen glared at Dr. Zhao resentfully and tossed the stick back through the window behind him.
"So what?" Dr. Zhao panted heavily. "Wouldn’t you run if you were in my shoes?"
"I’ll make sure you die next round," Zichen said coldly.
"It’s still undecided who’ll die," Dr. Zhao shot back without backing down.
Di Ji raised her hand and signaled again: "Seventh round, please draw your cards."