Chapter 675: Entering the Unknown

Naturally, everyone wore displeased expressions towards Di Hou. If it weren't for everyone's full cooperation this time, Di Hou would have already taken their lives.

"Yo, Hou Er Ge, what pearls of wisdom do you have for us?" Chen Jun Nan asked irritably.

Di Hou acted as if he hadn't heard a thing and walked directly towards Xiao Cheng.

"You..." Di Hou was silent for a moment before speaking, "Are you certain his trauma was caused by 'Ru Meng'?"

"This..." Xiao Cheng hadn't anticipated Di Hou caring about this issue, so he simply shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure; I can only say it looks similar, perhaps from some other ability akin to 'Ru Meng'..."

"Do you have a way to 'treat' it?" Di Hou asked again.

"I..." Xiao Cheng felt a bit uneasy and quickly shook his head. "As I mentioned, if I enter the dream of someone with stronger mental fortitude than mine, I could very well be consumed by their dream. If it's a normal dream, that might be acceptable, but if it's an 'E Meng,' I could die within the dream..."

"Liar." Di Hou interjected coldly. "Unless the dream's owner sees you and kills you themselves, you cannot die in the dream."

"What..." Xiao Cheng was stunned and turned to look at Di Hou.

"Your 'Ru Meng' skills aren't advanced enough; it's difficult for those in the dream to perceive you, correct?" Di Hou stated. "In that case, how could they possibly kill you?"

"You... How do you know that?"

"You likely died in a dream before because you attempted to kill the other person within it, only to be detected and counterattacked." Di Hou continued. "Even if you truly entered Qi Xia's dream, I doubt Qi Xia would have any intention of killing you."

Xiao Cheng nodded heavily after hearing this. "Well, that's true... but what if there's even a slight possibility..."

"Qi Xia just gambled with your share as well." Di Hou pulled out another cigarette from his breast pocket and lit it. "So, aren't you going to gamble for him just this once?"

Chen Jun Nan and Qiao Jia Jin, standing nearby, suddenly found Di Hou somewhat more agreeable while he said this.

"I've considered it..." Xiao Cheng gritted his teeth and replied, "I'm just afraid my skills aren't up to par; not only might I fail to help Qi Ge, but I could potentially worsen his condition..."

"It's fine." Di Hou reached out to light his cigarette. "Go take a look. Qi Xia's situation cannot deteriorate further than it is now."

After saying that, he glanced around at Qi Xia's teammates and asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Tian Tian pondered for a moment before responding, "This is a bit beyond my comprehension; it truly depends on Xiao Cheng's willingness..."

"That's right." Chen Jun Nan nodded. "Xiao Cheng, if you're willing to go in and check on Lao Qi for us brothers, we will forever be indebted to you. If you're not, we won't hold it against you."

"This..."

While Xiao Cheng was hesitating, Di Hou blew a puff of thick smoke in his face and then said, "Sorry, they are them, and I am me."

"What?"

"If you cannot find a way to awaken Qi Xia, I will break your legs today and make you crawl out."

Di Hou's words were firm and brooked no argument, leaving everyone present momentarily stunned.

Although everyone was concerned about Qi Xia's condition, this approach was essentially forcing Xiao Cheng's hand. Qi Xia was essentially a stranger to Xiao Cheng, merely someone he had met once, so it would be understandable if he didn't wish to risk his life to save him.

But why was Di Hou so concerned about Qi Xia? Or did he have some ulterior motive?

Seeing Di Hou's eager demeanor, Chen Jun Nan began to feel suspicious.

"Hou Ge, during the card game earlier, I didn't observe you displaying this much concern for Lao Qi." Chen Jun Nan stared at him and asked.

"I have some business dealings with him." Di Hou stated. "If he remains like this, I lack the patience to wait."

"You'd best not be up to anything shady." Chen Jun Nan warned. "Hou Ge, they still aren't aware of your 'Huo Yan Jin Jing' ability, are they?"

Di Hou's face darkened, and he turned to look at Chen Jun Nan.

"If I discover you have any hidden agenda, I will ensure everyone becomes aware of it." Chen Jun Nan smiled. "Don't underestimate me just because I'm quiet; word spreads quickly from me."

"Rest assured, I stated I have business dealings with him." Di Hou pointed at the sleeping Qi Xia. "If he doesn't improve, neither do I."

Following that, he looked at Xiao Cheng again and said softly, "Is that clear enough? Would you prefer I 'accidentally' step on your foot and break it, or would you rather enter and check on him for me?"

Xiao Cheng appeared a bit nervous; he clenched his hands and replied, "I must state this first... I have no guarantee I can cure Qi Ge; at most, I can ascertain the 'cause of his illness.' If you all don't mind, I can enter his dream and take a look."

"Then why are you wasting time?" Di Hou demanded. "Hurry up."

Everyone harbored their own selfish thoughts at that moment, and no one spoke up for Xiao Cheng—after all, they cared more about Qi Xia being safe and sound.

Although making selfish choices sometimes weighed on the conscience, it was undeniable that Qi Xia's role was far greater than Xiao Cheng's.

"That thing..." Chen Jun Nan finally reminded him, "Kid, be careful not to die in there. I suspect Lao Qi's 'dream' is extremely terrifying. If things go south, find a way to withdraw quickly; Lao Qiao and I will devise another plan."

Chen Jun Nan had witnessed Qi Xia wake up a few times before, and his expression each time was like being reborn. Given Qi Xia's mental fortitude, any 'E Meng' capable of frightening him must be horribly terrifying for anyone else who stumbled into it.

"Okay..." Xiao Cheng nodded woodenly. "I understand."

After saying that, he sat down next to Qi Xia, laid Qi Xia flat, and pulled over a chair to sit beside him.

While he was preparing, Di Hou went into the small room behind the casino and emerged with a few fruits that looked almost rotten. He casually tossed them onto a mahjong table.

"What's this...?" Qiao Jia Jin blinked. "Do we need to feed the horses or something?"

"Get lost." Di Hou said impatiently. "This is what I promised that kid earlier. He said if this round of cards was dealt, I'd treat you all to some food."

He lit another cigarette irritably and said gruffly, "I'm a man who honors his bets."

Everyone looked at the fruits on the table—the bananas were turning black, and the apples had some dark spots—but they hadn't eaten or drunk anything for a long time, so they couldn't help swallowing hard at the sight.

"Eat up." Di Hou waved his hand. "I don't have the inclination to poison a few rotten fruits to harm you; it would be simpler to just stomp you to death."

Xiao Cheng sat by Qi Xia's side, took a deep breath, and placed his palm on Qi Xia's forehead.

This was his first time attempting to enter someone's dream during the day, and he was fully focused on controlling his thoughts.

"That thing..." Chen Jun Nan whispered, "Do you have to fall asleep too?"

"It's not precisely sleeping, but it's similar." Xiao Cheng nodded. "Once I enter Qi Ge's dream, I won't perceive the outside world anymore. Remember, don't deliberately wake me up, or I might die."

"We can't wake you...?" Chen Jun Nan glanced at Qiao Jia Jin and turned back. "So, what if you encounter danger in there?"

"I will try my best to sever my thoughts and exit the dream." Xiao Cheng said very seriously to everyone. "Remember, no matter what strange things occur, unless I can get out on my own, do not attempt to wake me."