Ten Day Ultimatum

"What do you mean by ‘earning {Dào}’?" Qi Xia asked.
"We found an # Nоvеlight # 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 five people. Do you guys want to join us?"

"Short five people?" Qi Xia was taken aback. "You’ve already assembled fifteen?"
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 thought, Qi Xia nodded. "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 potential trouble. "What if they’re all part of some violent gang? Are we really going? Though, this would be a good time to show you what I can do."

"No." Qi Xia replied, "Each room accommodates a maximum of nine people. In this kind of environment, it’s extremely difficult to form a cohesive group of more than ten. Even among those who came from the same room, complete trust is hardly guaranteed."
He then cast a meaningful glance at Lin Qin, subtly hinting at something deeper.
Lin Qin looked visibly affronted, though she couldn’t quite grasp why she was under suspicion. Was it truly because she hadn’t known what {handbills} were?

As they proceeded along a weathered path, the four arrived in front of a grand building.
Just as the man had said, a figure wearing a water buffalo mask stood at the entrance to the imposing structure.
Many participants had gathered nearby in groups of three or four, deliberately keeping their distance from one another.

Despite being strangers, Qi Xia and the others felt somewhat reassured seeing so many ordinary-looking people together.
Even if their appearances weren’t ideal, they were clearly human.
"Wow, Specs!" a middle-aged man exclaimed, clapping the man with glasses on the back. "How’d you manage to find four at once?"

Qi Xia approached the ox-headed figure and asked, "What are the rules of the game?"
The ox-headed figure responded calmly, "Ox Category Game. Admission is one {Dào}, and twenty participants are required. Players will be eliminated during the game. When it ends, each remaining player will receive {Dào} equal to the number of survivors."
"Equivalent to the number of {Dào} as the number of people who haven't been eliminated?!" Qi Xia was surprised. "So, if all 20 participants make it through, each gets 20 {Dào}?"

"Yes."
Qiao Jiajin's eyes widened. "Damn! That’s instant wealth! That’s 400 {Dào} total!"
"How can it be that easy..." Tian Tian said skeptically. "Hey, Mortal Ox, you're not going to go back on your word, are you?"
The ox-headed figure remained silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Allow me to clarify. I am not {Mortal Ox}."

"Not {Mortal Ox}?" Tian Tian gave him a doubtful look. "But aren’t you all called {Mortal}-something?"
"I am {Terrestrial Ox}," the figure replied plainly. "If you mistake me for {Mortal Ox}, you'll face the consequences."
It became clear that {Terrestrial Ox} was indeed different from the other animal-headed individuals they had encountered. His mask was pristine, crafted so intricately it resembled a real ox. His black suit looked freshly pressed, and when 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 make sense of it. Then he asked, "Terrestrial Ox, what is the game about?"
Terrestrial Ox hesitated before replying, "You must pay the admission fee to learn the details."

‘Pay the admission...’
Qi Xia’s only concern now was that if all four of them entered the game at once, their previously discussed strategy would no longer apply.
Joining an unknown game all together carried serious risks.

Still, the high rewards likely came with high danger.
"Swindler Lad, what kind of games do you think {oxen} represent?" Qiao Jiajin asked.
Qi Xia thought briefly. "Most likely the kind I dislike most."

"Oh? You have a specific type you don’t like?" Qiao Jiajin’s curiosity was piqued. "What kind?"
"'{Oxen}' are bred to plow the fields. If I’m right, the game probably emphasizes {physical strength}," Qi Xia said, eyeing Qiao Jiajin. "Might suit a coarse man like you."
"Ha!" Qiao Jiajin rolled up his sleeves and flexed his tattooed arms. "Finally, my time to shine... Wait, did you just call me coarse?"

Qi Xia shook his head, slightly exasperated. "If it weren’t for the sake of {Dào}, I wouldn’t even consider entering an ox game."
"Don’t worry," Qiao Jiajin said with a grin. "If you call me 'godfather,' I’ll win all the ox games for you. Sounds fair, right?"
Qi Xia turned to face him. "We’re about the same age—26 or 27, tops. Why should I call you {godfather}?"

"Well then, let’s settle this now!" Qiao Jiajin scratched his head. "What year were you born?"
Qi Xia couldn’t help noticing Qiao Jiajin’s fearless demeanor. Despite the grim setting, he kept smiling as if nothing could faze him.
"If you’re so free, why not warm up?" Qi Xia said flatly. "Or you might cramp up later."

"Don’t be like that," Qiao Jiajin insisted. "Just tell me! If you’re older than me, I’ll call you godfather."
"Alas." Qi Xia sighed. Unable to shake him off, he gave in. "Alright then, you first. What year were you born?"
"1979," Qiao Jiajin said with a grin.

"1979... You think that’s funny?" Qi Xia furrowed his brow. "Pretty shameless to force your way into being a godfather. We’re done with this conversation."
"Huh? Why?" Qiao Jiajin blinked. "Just tell me your birth year. Are you younger than me?"
Tian Tian smiled and shook her head. It seemed sticking with Qiao Jiajin had been the right choice—his personality lightened the mood.

Qiao Jiajin kept calling Qi Xia's name a few more times but got no response, eventually shaking his head in mock defeat.
…
Several minutes passed, and the number of participants remained at nineteen.

Though there were many people around, they were spread out. Gathering twenty on short notice proved difficult.
"Still not here?" the middle-aged man asked Specs beside him. "Did he oversleep?"
"I’m not sure," Specs replied, scratching his head. "He promised to come this morning. Should I find someone else?"

"Forget it..." the man waved dismissively. "We’ve already got nineteen. Let’s wait. I don’t want to die some stupid death."
Their exchange was overheard by Qi Xia, who stood nearby.
‘Die?’ Qi Xia frowned. ‘What do they mean? Can this game actually kill?’

Before he could dwell on it, a figure appeared in the distance.
The newcomer was shirtless, his upper body covered in scars, and he wore camouflage pants. He stretched lazily as he approached.