Chapter 175: Battle Squad

Even without his memories, Zhang Shan had heard that 'Ji Dao' was a group of lunatics.

But this group was truly beyond crazy.

"Why do we have to decide the winner in the game?" Zhang Shan asked.

"Because there's a 'referee'," Xiao Xiao said with a smile. "If we kill you in the game, the other 'Tian Tang Kou' members won't have a reason to take revenge, right?"

Qi Xia felt increasingly uneasy as he listened.

"Wait, wait..." He looked up blankly. "Are you guys gambling with me as the stake?"

"That's right," Xiao Xiao nodded.

"What do you take me for?" Qi Xia said. "Even if you win, then what? I don't want to join you, don't you understand?"

"If you don't agree, we'll kill you every time we see you. Unless you stay holed up in 'Tian Tang Kou' and never come out, you'll just rot here over and over," Xiao Xiao said with a smile.

Qi Xia was so angry at this madman his teeth itched, but he didn't know how to stop them.

Yun Yao thought for a moment and asked, "What if we win? If we win, will you never harass Qi Xia again?"

Xiao Xiao pondered for a bit and said, "If you win, I promise we won't use force to take him away."

This answer made Zhang Shan's face change.

"Damn, are you playing word games with me?" He frowned. "You won't use force, but you can use other ways, right?"

"This is the biggest concession I've ever made as a 'Ji Dao' member," Xiao Xiao said with a smile. "So, how do you choose? Endless killing or a one-time kill?"

Yun Yao thought for a moment; she knew what kind of people 'Ji Dao' were.

If they didn't agree, Qi Xia probably wouldn't have an easy time from now on.

"What game are you going to play?" Yun Yao asked.

"I know there's a newly built 'Di Hu' game at the intersection ahead, three against three, and no one has tried it yet," Xiao Xiao said. "Tomorrow at dawn, we'll fight there. How about it?"

"'Hu'...?" Qi Xia paused and quietly asked Yun Yao, "'Hu' is what type of game exactly?"

"It's said to be a 'physical type' but easier than 'Niu', a 'combat type' but gentler than 'Ji', and a 'team type' but without the need for as much coordination as 'Gou'," Yun Yao said.

Yun Yao gave three examples, all highlighting the shortcomings of 'Hu', but Qi Xia sensed something unusual from it.

"So, that means... 'Hu' includes elements of physical, combat, and team play?"

"Not bad."

Xiao Xiao saw the two whispering and spoke up, "But I'll say this first, Qi Xia himself can't participate, otherwise we won't be able to go all out. If he joins, the match is void."

Yun Yao and the others looked at each other but didn't respond.

"Accept or not, I just need a word from you," Xiao Xiao said.

There wasn't much choice in this matter.

Yun Yao knew that Qi Xia's abilities were extraordinary, and to escape from 'Zhong Yan Zhi Di', they had to keep him in 'Tian Tang Kou'.

But was it worth rashly joining 'Di Hu' for this reason?

"Who are you sending?" Yun Yao asked. "Just you three?"

"You don't need to worry about that," Xiao Xiao replied. "You can send your strongest lineup, and 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 situation was nauseating; a group of lunatics with superpowers were desperately trying to entangle him, hoping he'd become as crazy as them.

But then he thought, this... might not be a bad thing?

A straightforward fight between 'Tian Tang Kou' and 'Ji Dao', and he wouldn't have to participate.

It would clearly show who was stronger.

This was a great opportunity to observe both sides' methods without getting involved.

"Do you want to agree?" Qi Xia asked.

"Chu Tian Qiu isn't here, so I'm in charge," Yun Yao said. "We definitely have to keep you."

"Then agree," Qi Xia said indifferently. "If we lose, next time we meet, I'll just say 'Ji Dao forever' or something."

"You're sick."

Yun Yao rolled her eyes helplessly, then turned to Xiao Xiao and said, "Alright, it's settled. Tomorrow at sunrise, at the 'Di Hu' at the intersection ahead."

The group left the scene under a subtle atmosphere.

Since the matter was serious, Yun Yao led everyone back to 'Tian Tang Kou' to discuss the next steps.

Chu Tian Qiu listened to the account of events, his expression extremely serious, and then immediately gathered the current members of 'Tian Tang Kou' for an emergency meeting in a classroom.

Because some were out playing games, only about a dozen people were present.

"'Di Hu'?" Lao Lv asked. "Has anyone here played 'Di Hu' before?"

No one in the room responded.

"Zhang Shan has played it," Chu Tian Qiu said. "He's very suitable for 'Hu' type games."

"Really?" Zhang Shan didn't remember.

"Yes, and this time, you'll lead the team," Chu Tian Qiu nodded. "Due to certain reasons, we can't give up on Qi Xia, so we'll have to trouble you."

"No problem," Zhang Shan nodded. "But who should I choose as teammates?"

Chu Tian Qiu looked around the room and realized the second suitable person wasn't there. "Qi Xia has a teammate called Qiao Jia Jin; bring him along."

Qi Xia was slightly stunned. "Qiao Jia Jin? Why?"

"Why?" Chu Tian Qiu glanced at Qi Xia. "Because he's a member of 'Tian Tang Kou' now and should follow my orders. Besides, his combat abilities are exceptionally strong, which fits 'Hu' well."

Qi Xia wanted to refuse, but then he thought that today Qiao Jia Jin and Lin Jian had acted together.

Lin Jian would definitely find a way to touch him.

So, the chances of Qiao Jia Jin 'echoing' would increase greatly, and this 'Di Hu' game was a perfect opportunity.

Bai Hu had said that to escape this place, Qiao Jia Jin's abilities were crucial.

But what about safety...?

Qi Xia looked up and saw the giant-like Zhang Shan.

He suddenly felt he was overthinking it.

If Qiao Jia Jin and Zhang Shan teamed up and still couldn't win this 'fight' game, then Xiao Xiao would be unbeatable.

Teaming Qiao Jia Jin with Zhang Shan would even be safer than with himself.

But who for the third member...?

Qi Xia was also pondering what the team lacked.

Chu Tian Qiu thought for a moment and muttered, "It's a pity Jin Yuan Xun isn't here..."

Even if Jin Yuan Xun were here, the situation wouldn't be optimistic. His personality was too similar to Zhang Shan and Qiao Jia Jin's.

Chu Tian Qiu paused and looked at a dark and skinny girl sitting in the corner.

"Li Xiang Ling," he called.

"Yes," the girl stood up quickly, like a gust of wind.

"After thinking it over, you're the most suitable," Chu Tian Qiu smiled slightly at her. "Two rough guys in a team might have shortcomings; you can make up for what they lack."

The girl smiled sharply and gave a martial arts salute. "Understood!"

Qi Xia took a closer look; the girl's palms and the backs of her hands were full of calluses.