Chapter 1188: Temporary Trump Card

Chen Jun Nan stared at the darkening sky and glanced at Qi Xia.

Qi Xia sat on an old chair, his eyes slightly closed, one hand gently supporting his cheek.

"No, we still need to wait," Qi Xia replied.

"Aren't we supposed to board the *lie che*?" Chen Jun Nan asked with some confusion. "I remember the *sheng xiao* finish work around this time."

Qi Xia slowly opened his eyes and asked, "You should know what you'll encounter once you enter the *lie che*, right?"

"Encounter what? Just the *sheng xiao*, isn't it?"

"It's not just the *sheng xiao*—there's also the *zhang lang*," Qi Xia said. "The *lie che* is made up of numerous rectangular *kong jian* forming compartments, so from any angle, it's essentially a long corridor."

"I get it," Chen Jun Nan nodded. "The first ones to board the train will immediately face the *sheng xiao*... Since the corridor connects front and back, theoretically, they'd see all the off-duty *sheng xiao* the moment they get on."

"This is a 'prisoner's dilemma' involving a large number of people," Qi Xia said. "If we all coordinated perfectly and boarded last, we might avoid all the off-duty *sheng xiao* and have an empty corridor all to ourselves. Even if a few straggling *sheng xiao* were wandering around, we could take them out quickly without any chaos."

Zhang Lü Shi listened intently to Qi Xia's analysis and nodded repeatedly. "That's the ideal scenario, but in reality, rational people are in the minority."

"Exactly, with threats on all sides," Qi Xia said. "Outside, there's Zhu Que and a crowd of *can yu zhe* chasing and blocking us. Every second we stay out here increases the risk."

"That sounds like a tall order," Zhang Chen Ze adjusted his glasses and thought carefully. "If anyone panics and enters the *lie che* first, it'll alert the nearby *sheng xiao*, and they'll take longer to return to their rooms, which puts everyone else at a disadvantage. No wonder you call this a massive 'prisoner's dilemma.'"

Chen Jun Nan half-listened to their conversation, pondered for a few seconds, and said, "So, Qi Xia, do you have a plan?"

"Me?" Qi Xia looked at Chen Jun Nan. "What do you mean?"

"You look so relaxed, just sitting here like it's a stroll in the park, not worried at all," Chen Jun Nan said. "Do you think this 'prisoner's dilemma' is definitely going to be broken?"

"I have no guarantees," Qi Xia said. "If it were just one opponent, I might guess their thoughts, but this time, too many people are involved—not just *ji dao*, *mao*, and *can yu zhe*, but also human-level and earth-level *sheng xiao*. Each has their own mindset, and after brief interactions with others, new ideas emerge. After all, decisions made by one person, two people, or three people differ, and these groups might even encounter other groups, leading to more ideas. In a situation with so many variables, not even a god could predict their final choices."

Chen Jun Nan glanced helplessly at Qiao Jia Jin, who seemed lost in thought. Unexpectedly, Qiao Jia Jin stepped forward and patted Qi Xia on the shoulder.

"Swindler, don't sell yourself short. You're already impressive for figuring out all this."

Qi Xia paused slightly. "Are you... trying to comfort me?"

"Uh, yeah."

"It's not necessary," Qi Xia said. "The only thing I can be sure of is that the overall direction of the mission stays the same, so I don't interfere with what happens in between. For me, boarding in the morning would definitely trap us in the 'prisoner's dilemma,' but in the evening, it's only a possibility. So, we wait."

Qiao Jia Jin dragged a chair over from the side and sat down slowly next to Qi Xia. "So... Swindler, what are we supposed to do there? Once we get on the *lie che*, can we still stick together?"

Qi Xia quietly looked at Qiao Jia Jin and Chen Jun Nan before saying, "Honestly... this plan never included the two of you from the start."

"What...?"

Qi Xia shook his head. "In my original idea, after I started recovering my memories, we'd go our separate ways, so I never left spots for you."

He then turned to Zhang Chen Ze, Tian Tian, and Yun Yao. "That goes for all of you too."

Everyone fell silent, unsure of what to say.

"But I always believe everything has a destined path," Qi Xia said, looking at Chen Jun Nan and Qiao Jia Jin. "Just like I've always told you—if you want to do something, go ahead. Those strange forces called *yin guo*, *ye li*, *ming yun*, *tian yi*, and *qi yun* will subtly guide the outcome to its end."

"Just do what you want..." Chen Jun Nan nodded. "Qi Xia, I realize you're consistent from start to finish—you never worry about this guy causing trouble."

He glanced at Qiao Jia Jin and asked, "Old Qiao, once we board, where are you heading?"

"I..." Qiao Jia Jin looked down at his bloodied fists and replied, "Wherever I can fight, that's where I'll go."

"Fighting happens everywhere on the *lie che*," Qi Xia responded.

"I'm going after Qing Long," Qiao Jia Jin said firmly. "The toughest spot is where I'll fight."

"Qing Long..." Qi Xia paused slightly. "Maybe that's fated too?"

"What?"

"The fist," Qi Xia said, shaking his head. "As for killing Qing Long, I can give you a tip that might slightly improve your chances."

Chen Jun Nan was stunned. "Wait, Qi Xia... are you serious? If Old Qiao fights Qing Long, is this really about 'tips' to improve 'chances'?"

"Something is better than nothing."

"Oh?" Qiao Jia Jin perked up with interest. "Does it involve finding the owners of those 'eyes' and breaking their spells?"

"That's not realistic," Qi Xia said. "Even Qing Long doesn't remember where those eyes come from, and Tian She certainly doesn't either."

"Then how should I fight?"

"The key is to shatter his *xin nian*," Qi Xia explained after thinking carefully. "Make Qing Long deeply doubt himself."

Chen Jun Nan nodded, but quickly realized the issue. "The theory's sound, but a guy as unhinged as Qing Long... How much doubt would it take?"

"Enough to make him doubt the entire *zhong nian zhi di*, his own life, and the memories in his mind," Qi Xia said. "If you can cause that level of *xin nian* collapse, killing him would be a sure thing."

"That intense?" Qiao Jia Jin frowned.

"Fist, the strategy I have for you is just two words. If you get into a tough battle, give it a try..." Qi Xia lifted his head slightly and whispered the two words into Qiao Jia Jin's ear.

"Ah...?" Qiao Jia Jin frowned immediately.