Chapter 635: Tactics

Qi Xia carefully recalled the known information about this game. Comparing the dates of Er Shi Si Jie Qi and traditional festivals to determine superiority seemed far too forced.

If he remembered correctly, not only were the dates of traditional festivals uncertain, but even the specific dates of Er Shi Si Jie Qi were not fixed. For example, taking the well-known Dong Zhi as an instance, its day fluctuated between December 21 and December 23 each year. Under such uncertain date conditions, how could one possibly compare them?

Di Hou said:“If you all have no questions, our gambling game is about to begin.”He extended his little finger to pick his teeth, with a long fingernail on it. “Of course, even if you have questions, it has nothing to do with me. We'll each rely on our own abilities.”

“I need to discuss tactics with them,” Qi Xia said. “Give me a few minutes.”

Di Hou nodded and then lazily leaned back in his chair.

He signaled to the others with his eyes, and they all stood up and followed him to a spot not far behind.

Even Xiao Cheng, who was meeting Qi Xia for the first time, was now extremely respectful and dared not show any negligence.

“Distribute the chips,” Qi Xia said. “Everyone take some 'Dao'.”

Xiao Cheng thought for a couple of seconds after hearing this and said:“Ge, are you sure you want all of us to participate?”

“What's the matter?”

“I know your skill level. Logically, you'd have the highest chance of winning if you gambled against Di Hou alone, right?” Xiao Cheng asked. “Do we really need these hindrances to join in?”

Qi Xia nodded after hearing this:“After all, I don't know the rules for winning. If it's just me against him, it might take eight rounds or more to figure it out. But if there are enough people, I might understand in just one go.”

“This…”

“I also need to say this upfront: My goal this time is to take down Di Hou, so I might end up winning against you all at the gambling table.” Qi Xia's gaze swept around, looking at Zheng Yingxiong, then at Tian Tian and Xiao Cheng. “If anyone has any questions, you can say so now. If not, I'll start laying out the tactics.”

Xiao Cheng slowly lowered his head after hearing this. He naturally understood the meaning behind Qi Xia's words. In the “Zhong Yan Zhi Di,” it was already lucky to encounter someone who wouldn't harm you, let alone expect anyone to save your life in this confusing game. So, this man might abandon him at a critical moment.

“I'll prove with my own efforts that I don't need to be abandoned,” Xiao Cheng said.

The others glanced at Xiao Cheng, not quite sure what he meant, and quickly turned their attention away.

Qi Xia took out two “Dao” and handed them to Tian Tian, then took out another two “Dao” and handed them to Zheng Yingxiong, saying:“You two get two 'Dao' each, for up to two rounds of the game. Since it gets more dangerous later on, there's no need to gamble until the end.”

Tian Tian and Zheng Yingxiong nodded after hearing this and put the “Dao” in their pockets.

“Play it by ear,” Qi Xia said. “But it's best not to bet all your 'Dao' in the first round. Unless something unexpected happens, you should leave after the third round. I'll figure out a way to get the 'Dao' for your redemption.”

“Okay.” Tian Tian and Zheng Yingxiong nodded without hesitation.

But Xiao Cheng was a bit confused at this point.

“Wait a minute… You'll figure out a way?” He didn't quite understand this man's motives.

“That's right. I have some connection with them, so we're in this together. I'll handle their 'Dao',” Qi Xia replied. “But I can't fully trust you. As you said, how I treat you next will depend on your performance.”

“I understand…” Xiao Cheng felt that this man was a bit different from what he had imagined.

Qi Xia then tallied up the remaining chips. Xiao Cheng had brought fifteen “Dao,” but after paying everyone's entry fees, only three were left. After losing one himself and adding his own sixteen, the group had a total of eighteen “Dao.”

Subtracting the four given to Tian Tian and Zheng Yingxiong, they now had fourteen left.

Qi Xia thought for a moment, handed three “Dao” to Xiao Cheng, and then handed another three to Chen Jun Nan.

Xiao Cheng decisively took the “Dao,” but Chen Jun Nan looked puzzled when he saw them.

“Lao Qi, I get three too?” He scratched his head.

“It's not that I don't trust you,” Qi Xia said. “It's just that your main task isn't in the 'gambling'; it's in the 'psychological warfare'.”

“Psychological warfare?” Chen Jun Nan smirked. “Lao Qi, you know me too well.”

“So you don't need to bet with us every round. Even if you 'fold,' you can just sit at the table and chat with the opponent. That'll be enough.”

“Alright then.” Chen Jun Nan grinned happily. “Just watch me.”

Qiao Jia Jin looked at the eight “Dao” Qi Xia had left and asked curiously:“Dian Ren Zai… Do I get three too?”

“No, the two of us get four each.” Qi Xia looked at him seriously. “Quan Tou, I don't know much about traditional gambling, so I need you to fight alongside me this time.”

“Me? What?”

“You always say, 'Don't cheat'…” Qi Xia asked. “Even though you don't like gambling, you really understand it, right?”

Qiao Jia Jin slowly lowered his head after hearing this:“Dian Ren Zai, 'gambling' never leads to a good end. I've seen too many examples of families destroyed by it.”

“Of course, smart people in this world don't rely on 'gambling' to make money,” Qi Xia said. “But Quan Tou, don't forget, we're different from ordinary 'gamblers.' If they gamble and lose their families, we don't gamble and lose our souls.”

“I get it.” Qiao Jia Jin nodded solemnly. “Dian Ren Zai, this might be the only time I can use my brains to help you.”

“Don't talk nonsense; there'll be plenty of opportunities later.” Qi Xia waved his hand and handed him four “Dao.”

Now, the six of them had their chips distributed: Qi Xia and Qiao Jia Jin with four each, Xiao Cheng and Chen Jun Nan with three each, and Tian Tian and Zheng Yingxiong with two each.

Qi Xia looked at the group, all ready to go, and then said:“Since we're a team, any 'Dao' we win can be redistributed at the table. Just adapt as needed.”

Everyone nodded after hearing this, about to say something, when they noticed Qi Xia suddenly zoning out, as if he was about to fall over.

Qiao Jia Jin reacted quickly, stepping forward to grab his arm and steady him. Only then did they realize Qi Xia's whole body was trembling slightly.

“Dian Ren Zai… Are you okay?”

“Sorry…” Qi Xia furrowed his brow and waved to the others. “I probably didn't get enough rest… It's nothing. Let's get started.”