Chapter 175: Combat Squad
Even if Zhang Shan didn’t retain his memories, he had heard that the “Jidao” were a bunch of lunatics.
But these people were far too crazy.
“Why does it have to be settled in a game?” Zhang Shan asked.
“Because there’s a ‘referee,’” Xiaoxiao said with a smile. “If I kill you in a game, the other ‘Heaven’s Mouth’ members won’t have any reason to retaliate, right?”
The more Qi Xia listened, the more he felt something was wrong.
“Wait, hold on…” He looked up in bewilderment. “Are you all using *me* as a bet?”
“That’s right.” Xiaoxiao nodded.
“What do you take me for?” Qi Xia said. “Even if you win, so what? I don’t want to join you. Don’t you understand?”
“If you refuse, we’ll kill you every time we see you, unless you hole up in ‘Heaven’s Mouth’ forever and never come out. Otherwise, you’ll just rot here again and again.” Xiaoxiao said with a smile.
Qi Xia was so furious at this lunatic that his teeth itched, but he had no idea how to stop them.
Yun Yao thought for a moment and asked, “What if *we* win? If we win, will you stop harassing Qi Xia?”
Xiaoxiao pondered briefly before replying, “If you win, I promise I won’t use force to take him away in the future.”
This answer made Zhang Shan’s expression darken.
“Damn, are you playing word games with me?” He frowned. “If you don’t use force, you’ll use other methods, right?”
“This is the biggest concession I, as a member of ‘Jidao,’ have ever made in history,” Xiaoxiao said with a smile. “What will it be? Endless slaughter? Or a one-time slaughter?”
Yun Yao thought it over. She knew how Jidao operated.
If they refused, Qi Xia would probably never have a peaceful day again.
“What kind of game are you proposing?” Yun Yao asked.
“I know there’s a newly built ‘Ground Tiger’ game at the intersection ahead. Three versus three, and no one has set foot in it yet,” Xiaoxiao said. “Tomorrow at dawn, we’ll fight there. What do you think?”
“‘Tiger’…?” Qi Xia paused and quietly asked Yun Yao, “What kind of game is ‘Tiger’ exactly?”
“It’s said to be a ‘physical-type’ game, but less demanding than ‘Ox.’ It’s a ‘combat-type’ game, but gentler than ‘Rooster.’ And it’s a ‘team-type’ game, but doesn’t require the same level of coordination as ‘Dog,’” Yun Yao replied.
Yun Yao gave three examples, all pointing out the shortcomings of “Tiger,” but Qi Xia sensed something unusual from her words.
“So… ‘Tiger’ is a game that simultaneously involves physical strength, combat, and teamwork?”
“Exactly.”
Seeing the two whispering to each other, Xiaoxiao spoke up again, “I’ll say this upfront: Qi Xia himself cannot participate. Otherwise, we won’t be able to go all out. If he joins, this match is void.”
Yun Yao and the others exchanged glances but did not respond.
“Accept or refuse? I just need one word from you,” Xiaoxiao said.
There wasn’t much room for choice in this matter.
Yun Yao naturally knew that Qi Xia’s abilities were extraordinary. To escape “The End,” they had to keep him in “Heaven’s Mouth.”
But was it worth rashly participating in the “Ground Tiger” for that reason?
“Who will you send?” Yun Yao asked. “Just the three of you?”
“You don’t need to ask about that,” Xiaoxiao replied. “You can send your strongest lineup. We won’t interfere.”
Hearing this, Yun Yao turned to Qi Xia and asked quietly, “What do you think?”
“Do I have a choice?”
Qi Xia felt the current situation was nauseating. A bunch of lunatics had gained superpowers, and their goal was to entangle him by any means, hoping he would become just as crazy as them.
But then he thought again, wasn’t this…
…actually a good thing?
“Heaven’s Mouth” and “Jidao” would engage in a fair fight, and he wouldn’t need to participate.
Who was stronger and who was weaker would be immediately apparent.
This was a perfect opportunity to stay out of it while still witnessing the methods of both sides.
“Do you want to agree?” Qi Xia asked.
“Chu Tianqiu isn’t here. I have the final say,” Yun Yao said. “We will definitely keep you here.”
“Then just agree,” Qi Xia said nonchalantly. “If you lose, next time we meet, I’ll greet you with ‘Long live Jidao.’”
“You’re insane.”
Yun Yao pursed her lips helplessly, then turned to Xiaoxiao. “It’s settled then. At sunrise tomorrow, at the ‘Ground Tiger’ at the intersection ahead.”
The group left the scene in a tense atmosphere.
Given the gravity of the matter, Yun Yao led everyone back to “Heaven’s Mouth” immediately to discuss the next steps.
After hearing the full story, Chu Tianqiu’s expression grew extremely serious. He promptly gathered all available members of “Heaven’s Mouth” in a classroom for an emergency meeting.
Since some members were out participating in games, only about a dozen people were present.
“‘Ground Tiger’?” Old Lu asked. “Has anyone here ever taken part in a ‘Tiger’ game before?”
None of those present responded.
“Zhang Shan has,” Chu Tianqiu said. “He’s well-suited for ‘Tiger’-type games.”
“Really?” Zhang Shan didn’t remember this.
“Yes. You’ll need to lead the team this time,” Chu Tianqiu nodded. “For certain reasons, we cannot afford to lose Qi Xia, so I’m counting on you.”
“No problem.” Zhang Shan nodded. “But who should I pick as teammates?”
Chu Tianqiu scanned the room and realized that the second suitable candidate wasn’t there. “Qi Xia has a teammate named Qiao Jiajin. Bring him along.”
Qi Xia was taken aback. “Qiao Jiajin? Why?”
“Why?” Chu Tianqiu glanced at Qi Xia. “Because he’s now a member of Heaven’s Mouth and should follow my orders. Besides, his combat abilities are exceptionally strong—he fits ‘Tiger’ perfectly.”
Qi Xia wanted to refuse, but then he thought about it. Today, Qiao Jiajin had gone with Linju.
Linju would find a way to touch him no matter what.
That meant Qiao Jiajin’s chance of “Echoing” was significantly increased. This “Ground Tiger” game was an excellent opportunity.
The “White Tiger” had once said that escaping this place would depend heavily on Qiao Jiajin’s ability.
But what about safety…?
Qi Xia looked up and caught sight of Zhang Shan, who was built like a giant.
Suddenly, he felt he might be worrying too much.
If a team of Qiao Jiajin and Zhang Shan couldn’t win this “slaughter” game, then Xiaoxiao might as well be invincible.
Teaming up with Zhang Shan might even be safer for Qiao Jiajin than teaming up with himself.
But who should be the third member…?
Qi Xia began calculating. What was this team lacking?
Chu Tianqiu thought for a moment and muttered to himself, “It’s a shame Jin Yuanxun isn’t here…”
But even if Jin Yuanxun were here, the situation wouldn’t be ideal. His personality was too similar to Zhang Shan’s and Qiao Jiajin’s.
Chu Tianqiu paused, then looked at a thin, dark-skinned girl sitting in the corner.
“Li Xiangling,” he called.
“Here.” The girl stood up like the wind, moving in a flash.
“After much thought, you’re the most suitable,” Chu Tianqiu said with a slight smile. “Two rough men teaming up might not be ideal. You’ll make up for their shortcomings.”
The girl smiled sharply and even performed a martial arts salute. “Understood!”
Qi Xia looked closely and noticed that both the girl’s palms and the backs of her hands were covered in calluses.