Chapter 36 Terrestrial Ox
"What do you mean by ‘earning {Dào}’?" Qi Xia asked.
"We found an Ox Category Game. According to the explanation, we can win a large amount of {Dào}, but it requires twenty participants to start. We're still short of five people. Do you guys want to join us?"
"Short of five people?" Qi Xia was taken aback. "You've already assembled fifteen individuals?"
It seemed there were indeed many participants here.
"Yes," the man with glasses confirmed, pointing to a distant gathering. A sizable crowd was visible.
After a brief moment of consideration, Qi Xia nodded and said, "Alright, we’ll go and take a look."
"Okay! I'll wait for you guys over there!" The man with glasses said, retreating tactfully.
"Hey!" Qiao Jiajin interjected, sensing a potential issue. "What if they're all accomplices of a violent gang? Are we really going? Though, this would be a good time to show you what I can do."
He then cast a meaningful glance at Lin Qin, subtly hinting at a deeper implication.
Lin Qin seemed visibly affronted, though she couldn’t fathom why she was under suspicion. Was it truly due to her unfamiliarity with {handbills}?
As they proceeded along a weathered path, the four arrived in front of a grand edifice.
True to the man's description, a figure adorned with a water buffalo mask was stationed at the entrance of the imposing building.
Many participants gathered outside the door in groups of three or four, intentionally maintaining their distance from one another.
Despite being strangers, Qi Xia and the others felt a measure of reassurance upon seeing so many ordinary individuals assembled together.
Even if these people’s appearances were less than ideal, they were still undeniably human.
"Wow, Specs!" a middle-aged man exclaimed, clapping the man with glasses on the back. "How did you manage to find four people at once!"
Qi Xia approached the ox-headed figure and inquired, "What are the rules of the game?"
The ox-headed figure responded calmly, "Ox Category Game, admission is one {Dào} and needs twenty participants to commence. Players will be eliminated throughout the game. When the game concludes, each remaining player will receive the same number of {Dào} equivalent to the number of people who have not been eliminated."
"Equivalent to the number of {Dào} as the number of people who have not been eliminated?!" Qi Xia was taken aback. "So, if all 20 participants make it through, each of them would receive 20 {Dào}?"
Qiao Jiajin's eyes widened in astonishment. "Damn! Wouldn't that mean instant wealth?! That's 400 {Dào}!"
"How can it be so easy?..." Tian Tian remarked, skeptical. "Hey, Mortal Ox, you wouldn't go back on your words, right?"
The ox-headed figure remained silent for a moment before shaking his head and stating, "Allow me to clarify, I am not {Mortal Ox}."
"Not {Mortal Ox}?" Tian Tian regarded the imposing figure with doubtful eyes. "But aren't you all referred to as {Mortal}-something?"
"I am {Terrestrial Ox}," the figure replied matter-of-factly. "If you mistake me for {Mortal Ox}, you'll have to face the consequences."
It then became apparent to the group that {Terrestrial Ox} was indeed distinct from the other animal-headed individuals they had encountered. His mask was exceptionally clean, crafted with such detail that it resembled a live ox. His black suit was pristine, appearing freshly pressed, and as he spoke, the mask’s mouth seemed to move slightly.
Yet, the distinction between Mortal Ox and Terrestrial Ox remained unclear.
‘Terrestrial Ox…’ Qi Xia furrowed his brow, trying to discern their connection. He then asked, "Terrestrial Ox, what is the game about?"
Terrestrial Ox hesitated momentarily before replying, "You must pay the admission fee to learn the details."
The only concern Qi Xia had now was that if all four of them participated in the game simultaneously, their previously discussed strategy would become obsolete.
To engage in an unknown game all at once carried substantial risks.
However, given the high stakes involved, the potential rewards seemed to be directly proportional to the risks.
"Swindler Lad, what kind of games do you think {oxen} represent?" Qiao Jiajin inquired.
Qi Xia pondered briefly before responding, "Most likely the type I dislike the most."
"Oh? You have a specific type of game you don’t like?" Qiao Jiajin’s curiosity was piqued. "What kind is it?"
"'{Oxen}' are bred to diligently plow the fields. If I’m correct, the game likely emphasizes {physical strength}," Qi Xia remarked, eyeing Qiao Jiajin with an indifferent expression. "It might be more suited for a coarse man like you."
"Ha!" Qiao Jiajin rolled up his sleeves and flexed his muscular, tattooed arms. "Finally, it’s my chance to shine... Wait, did you just call me a coarse man?"
Qi Xia shook his head with a hint of exasperation. "If it weren't for the sake of {Dào}, I would probably never even consider entering an ox’s game."
"Don’t worry," Qiao Jiajin said with a smirk, "if you call me 'godfather,' I’ll win all the ox games for you. Sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it?"
Qi Xia turned to face Qiao Jiajin and said, "We should be about the same age—around 26 or 27, at most. Why should I call you {godfather}?"
"If you say it like that, then we better get things straight now!" Qiao Jiajin scratched his head and said, "What year were you born?"
Qi Xia couldn’t help but note Qiao Jiajin’s fearless demeanor; despite the grim environment, he maintained a constant, easygoing smile.
"If you’re so free, why not use the time to warm up?" Qi Xia said dismissively, "Otherwise, you might cramp up later."
"Don’t be like that," Qiao Jiajin persisted, "Just tell me! If you’re older than me, I’ll call you godfather!"
"Alas." Qi Xia sighed. Unable to dissuade Qiao Jiajin, he relented and asked, "Alright then, you first. What year were you born?"
"1979," Qiao Jiajin replied with a grin.
"1979... Is that supposed to be amusing?" Qi Xia furrowed his brow, "It’s quite unscrupulous to push so hard for the title of {godfather}. We’re dropping this discussion."
"Huh? Why?" Qiao Jiajin looked at Qi Xia with confusion, "Just tell me your birth year. Are you younger than me?"
Tian Tian smiled and shook her head. It seemed that staying with Qiao Jiajin was the right choice; his personality had a way of lifting the somber mood.
Qiao Jiajin continued calling Qi Xia's name a few more times but received no response, leading him to shake his head in resignation.
Several minutes passed, and the number of participants remained at nineteen.
It seemed that while there were many participants here, they were available everywhere. Gathering twenty people on short notice proved to be challenging.
"Has he not arrived yet?" the middle-aged man asked Specs beside him. "Did he perhaps oversleep?"
"I’m not sure," Specs replied, scratching his head. "He promised to come this morning. Should I go find someone else to fill in?"
"Forget it..." The middle-aged man waved his hand dismissively. "We already have nineteen people. Let's wait for him. I'd rather not die a dubious death."
Their conversation was overheard by Qi Xia, who stood nearby.
‘Die?’ Qi Xia frowned. ‘What does that mean? Will this game kill?’
Before Qi Xia could grasp the full meaning of the middle-aged man's words, a figure appeared leisurely in the distance.
The newcomer was shirtless, revealing numerous scars across his upper body, and wore camouflage pants on his lower body. He stretched languidly as he made his way towards them.