Chapter 635: Tactics
Qi Xia thought back carefully to all the known information about this game. Using the dates of the twenty-four solar terms and traditional festivals to compare sizes was far too far-fetched.
If he remembered correctly, not only were the dates of traditional festivals uncertain, even the specific dates of the twenty-four solar terms weren't fixed.
Take the most well-known "Winter Solstice" for example—it fluctuated between December 21 and December 23 every year. With dates this uncertain, how could anyone compare their sizes?
"If there are no more questions, our gambling match is about to begin," Earth Monkey said, then used his pinky to pick his teeth. He kept the nail on that finger especially long. "Of course, even if you have questions, it doesn't matter to me anymore. We each rely on our own abilities."
"I need to discuss tactics with them," Qi Xia said. "Give me a few minutes."
Earth Monkey nodded, then lazily leaned back in his chair.
He gave the group a look, and everyone stood up and followed him to a spot not far behind them.
Even Xiao Cheng, who was meeting Qi Xia for the first time, was full of respect and dared not slack off.
"Distribute the chips," Qi Xia said. "Everyone take some Tao."
Xiao Cheng thought for a moment, then asked, "Brother, are you sure you want all of us to participate?"
"What's the matter?"
"I know your skill level. Logically, wouldn't your chances of winning be best if you bet against Earth Monkey alone?" Xiao Cheng asked. "Do you really need us dead weights to join in?"
Qi Xia nodded. "I don't know the winning rules yet. If it's just the two of us, it might take eight rounds before I figure them out. But with more people, I might understand it all in one round."
"I see..."
"I should also make this clear beforehand—my goal this time is to take down Earth Monkey, so there's a chance I might win against you at the gambling table." Qi Xia's gaze swept across everyone, looking at Zheng Yingxiong, then Tiantian, then Xiao Cheng. "If you have any questions, you can speak up now. If not, I'll start laying out the tactics."
Xiao Cheng slowly lowered his head. He naturally understood what Qi Xia meant. In the "Land of the End," meeting someone who wouldn't harm you was already lucky, let alone expecting someone to save your life in a game as murky as this. So this man in front of him might very well abandon him at a critical moment.
"I'll prove through my own efforts that I don't deserve to be abandoned," Xiao Cheng said.
The others glanced at him, not understanding what he meant, and quickly averted their eyes.
Qi Xia took out two Tao and handed them to Tiantian, then another two to Zheng Yingxiong. "You two each get two Tao, enough for at most two rounds. Since this game gets more dangerous the further it goes, there's no need to keep gambling until the end."
Tiantian and Zheng Yingxiong nodded and put the Tao into their pockets.
"Play it by ear," Qi Xia said. "But try not to bet all your Tao in the first round. Barring any surprises, you'll leave after the third round. I'll find a way to get the Tao for your ransom."
"Okay," Tiantian and Zheng Yingxiong answered without hesitation.
But Xiao Cheng was a bit confused.
"Wait... you'll find a way?" He didn't quite understand the man's motives.
"That's right. I have some history with them—we're a team. So I'll take care of their Tao," Qi Xia said. "But I can't fully trust you yet. Like you said, my treatment of you from now on depends on your performance."
"I understand..." Xiao Cheng felt that this man was different from what he had imagined.
Qi Xia then took stock of the chips everyone had left. Xiao Cheng had brought fifteen Tao, but after paying the entry fees for everyone, only three remained. He had lost one himself, and together with the sixteen Tao Qi Xia had brought, the group had eighteen Tao in total.
After giving four to Tiantian and Zheng Yingxiong, fourteen remained.
Qi Xia thought for a moment, then handed three Tao to Xiao Cheng, and then three to Chen Junnan.
Xiao Cheng took them without hesitation, but Chen Junnan looked puzzled.
"Old Qi, I get three too?" He scratched his head.
"It's not that I don't trust you," Qi Xia said. "But your main task isn't 'gambling'—it's 'psychological warfare.'"
"Psychological warfare?" Chen Junnan grinned mischievously. "Old Qi, you know exactly what kind of guy I am."
"So you don't need to place bets every round. Even if you 'surrender,' just sit at the table and chat with the guy. That'll be enough."
"Got it." Chen Junnan beamed happily. "Just you wait, mate."
Qiao Jiajin looked at the eight Tao Qi Xia had left and asked suspiciously, "Tricky boy... am I getting three too?"
"No, you and I get four each." Qi Xia looked at him seriously. "Fist, I'm not familiar with traditional gambling, so this time I need you to fight alongside me."
"Huh? Me?"
"Your favorite line is 'no cheating'..." Qi Xia asked. "You may not like gambling, but you're quite knowledgeable about it, aren't you?"
Qiao Jiajin slowly lowered his head. "Tricky boy, 'gambling' never leads to a good end. I've seen too many families ruined by it."
"Of course. Smart people in this world don't rely on 'gambling' to make money," Qi Xia said. "But Fist, don't forget—this time we're different from ordinary 'gamblers.' They gamble, and their families are ruined. We don't gamble, and we lose our souls."
"I know." Qiao Jiajin nodded gravely. "Tricky boy, this might be the only time I can help you with my brains."
"Don't talk nonsense. There'll be plenty of chances." Qi Xia waved his hand and handed him four Tao.
The six of them had now divided up the chips: Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin had four each, Xiao Cheng and Chen Junnan had three each, and Tiantian and Zheng Yingxiong had two each.
Qi Xia looked at the ready group and said, "Since we're a team, any Tao we win can be redistributed at the table. Everyone just needs to adapt on the fly."
Everyone nodded. Just as they were about to say something, they noticed Qi Xia suddenly swaying, as if he was about to fall.
Qiao Jiajin was quick and reached out to grab his arm, steadying him. Only then did he realize that Qi Xia was trembling slightly all over.
"Tricky boy... you?"
"Sorry..." Qi Xia frowned tightly and waved his hand at the group. "I probably haven't rested well... It's nothing. Let's start quickly."