Chapter 422: Problem Team
"Old Qi... even you..." Chen Junnan stared at him wide-eyed.
"I can't think of a better plan either," Qi Xia said. "What matters most right now is leading the 'Cat' members separately to participate in 'Earth-level' games. If the timing is right, I'll directly propose a life-or-death gamble with the opponent."
"You..." Qian Wu blinked. "At such a critical juncture, you're still thinking about your plan?"
"Yes. 'Tianma' is just the immediate problem, but we have far more to deal with than just her alone. We still have the 'final challenge,'" Qi Xia said. "The timing is perfect this time. Qian Wu and I will split up, each leading a small team to participate in games, pushing the 'Cat' members to their full potential in desperate situations."
Qian Wu nodded. "I was planning to handle this task myself, but it's even better if Qi Xia is willing to help..."
He turned around, fixing a serious gaze on Qi Xia. "But 'Echo' has a chance of failure. Having only the two of us lead the teams still isn't safe. I suggest Big Baby and Second Baby each lead a team as well. I'll tell each of you the trigger conditions for their 'Echo'... You'll adapt to circumstances and decide your own course of action."
"Baa?!"
"What the heck?!"
Qiao Jiajin and Chen Junnan both froze, their expressions turning awkward.
Chen Junnan cleared his throat and said, "Hey, little Qian... have you got my role wrong? With Old Qi here, what right do I have to be a leader? Do you even know what my background is?"
Qiao Jiajin gave a dry laugh. "I say... shapeshifter, you're overestimating me. All I know is how to fight. That's why I ended up partnering with the conman in the first place."
"I know you both well," Qian Wu said. "If everything is led by Qi Xia, I feel it'll be hard to push the team members into a corner."
Chen Junnan nodded after hearing that, but quickly realized something was off. "Wait a minute... are you trying to ruin our reputation here? You're saying if we lead, we'll drive people into desperate straits? You'd better rephrase that."
"That's just how it is." Qian Wu nodded, looking earnestly at Chen Junnan. "Big Baby, I'll give you a balanced team. These people are both smart and capable fighters, but they're seasoned 'Cat' members, so they have little experience participating in games. You'll lead them."
Chen Junnan wanted to argue, but after thinking it over, the team didn't sound too bad, so he could only nod in agreement.
Then Qian Wu turned to Qiao Jiajin. "Second Baby, I'll give you a scholarly and frail team. These people have brains but aren't good at combat. You'll lead them to participate in 'combat' and 'physical' games. At critical moments, you can ask them for advice, but winning the games will still require considerable effort from you."
"Oh... alright." Qiao Jiajin nodded. "I may be missing a 'brain,' but it sounds like you've given me a whole team of 'little brains'..."
"Something like that." Qian Wu nodded. "As for me, I'll lead the weakest members of the entire team to participate in the games. These people should be most suitable under my care."
"And me...?" Qi Xia frowned. "So it seems... you're giving me a whole team of 'brutes'?"
"No." Qian Wu shook his head. "There are no brutes among the 'Cat,' but your responsibility is still heavy."
"Oh?"
"I'll give you the 'Cat's' notorious 'problem members.' These people have wildly different personalities and are extremely hard to manage, but each of them has considerable strength. I hope that not only will you make these people 'Echo' today, but you'll also let them experience your charisma. After all, we'll be acting together soon. If they don't respect your authority, it'll be trouble later."
"Charisma..." Qi Xia let out a cold laugh. "Do I have something like that?"
"Yes." Qian Wu confirmed. "I just don't know if they'll be able to see it."
Officer Li had been listening on the sidelines and now asked in confusion, "And me...?"
"You're coming with me," Qian Wu said. "I'll trigger your 'Echo' today."
Hearing this, Qi Xia's expression darkened. If he remembered correctly, Officer Li's "Echo trigger" was "near death."
Did Qian Wu have a way to save someone on the brink of death...?
After finalizing the battle plan, the group had Nineteen dispel the "Silence."
Qian Wu gathered everyone and divided them into teams. Once the teams were established in the square, he wrote three slips of paper, each containing the "Echo" trigger for the members of each team, and handed them to the three leaders besides himself.
Qiao Jiajin took the slip and looked over the people in front of him. He felt a headache coming on. There were three men and three women. Though their eyes looked determined, they were all skinny and frail. Among them was Nineteen, who had been constantly using his "Echo" and now looked extremely exhausted.
"Letting a bunch of smart people play 'physical' and 'combat' games...?" Qiao Jiajin blinked and sighed. "Why not find a game that suits them..."
In contrast, Chen Junnan grinned happily when he saw his team. Leaving aside the other five, just Song Qi alone was the most powerful asset. Not only did he have brains and fighting skills, but he had even triggered his "Echo" in advance.
"Little Song!" Chen Junnan happily slung his arm around Song Qi's shoulder. "I never thought you'd be with me. It's fate, right?"
Song Qi was a bit helpless with Chen Junnan, but considering that Chen Junnan had once held the highest position among the "Cat" team, he could only nod and smile bitterly. "I didn't expect you to be my captain either."
If anyone was the most uncomfortable, it was Qi Xia.
First to walk toward him was Saturday, wearing a disdainful expression. A metal baseball bat was tucked into her waistband, and she was chewing gum casually. When her eyes met Qi Xia's, it was as if she was greeting him, but more like she was rolling her eyes.
Qi Xia looked behind her and saw another familiar face.
"Forget Sorrow" Luo Shiyi.
"Damn it," Luo Shiyi cursed under his breath. "When I came here, no one told me I'd have to 'participate in games'..."
Based on Qiao Jiajin's description, this man was exceptionally ruthless when activating his "Echo" or fighting, not hesitating to trade his life for another's many times. If used well, he could be a great help.
Looking further back, there were two more people. One was about 1.75 meters tall. At first glance, Qi Xia couldn't even tell the person's gender. Their face seemed male, but their body was like a woman's.
The other was a short, fat man with a dejected look. His face was pleasant, but his expression made him look like he had suffered a great injustice.
"Hey! You our captain?" asked the person of unclear gender.
"Yes," Qi Xia nodded. "You are...?"
"Qiu Shiliu," the person replied. "What makes you qualified to be my captain?"
"Tch!" Saturday called out. "Shiliu, why waste words? Whether the guy's a man or a dog, since Fifth Brother arranged it, can we defy Fifth Brother?"
Luo Shiyi nodded from the side. "Yeah, damn it. It's Fifth Brother's arrangement. Even if this guy gets us all killed, we can't blame Fifth Brother."
Qi Xia smiled and looked at the four people before him. "Interesting."