Ten Day Ultimatum

Terrestrial Ox remained silent, his eyes scanning the group of survivors. With a slight tinge of displeasure, he stated, “Nineteen Dào per person. The game has concluded. Please come forward, one at a time, to receive your Dào.”
Specs couldn’t tear his gaze away from the gruesome wound on Zhang Shan’s chest. Cold sweat formed on his brow as he stammered, “Zhang Shan… are you really okay?”
Zhang Shan gave a reassuring smile and lightly patted Specs on the head. “Lǎozi is completely fine. How was it on your side? I see you and Ole Lu are both in good spirits.”

“Ah!..” Specs suddenly cried out. “Zhang Shan, speaking of Ole Lu—I need to talk to you about something…”
Ole Lu, looking just as anxious, rushed over and gestured wildly. “Yes, yes! You’ve got to help us settle this!”
“Settle what? What happened?”

Qi Xia’s face darkened at the sight of the three huddled together, whispering intensely. He turned to Lin Qin and asked, “What exactly happened on your side?”
Lin Qin took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting the harrowing memories. “To be honest, I thought we were done for…”
“Exactly,” Tian Tian chimed in, her voice still trembling slightly. “When the black bear showed up, both Lin Qin and I were so terrified we could barely stand.”

“And then?” Qiao Jiajin prompted.
“Well…” Lin Qin began, her brows furrowing as she recalled. “All I remember is Zhang Shan shouting Get out of the way! Before we knew it, he’d lifted the iron plate and charged straight at the black bear.”
“What?!” Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin exclaimed in unison.

“We didn’t dare to watch…” Lin Qin continued, her voice shaky. “It was so brutal. Zhang Shan knocked the bear down with the iron plate, then—riding on top of it—pinned it and kept hammering its head. The entire floor was soaked in blood…”
Qiao Jiajin gritted his teeth, a mix of awe and unease in his eyes. “Damn… this guy’s like the Terminator. Seriously something else.”
“He seemed to know the bear’s weak points. By the time the game ended, it was a wreck—nose shattered, teeth missing…” Lin Qin recounted.

Tian Tian added, “But Zhang Shan didn’t have it easy either. At the brink of death, the bear retaliated like mad. It lifted the plate and clawed him nonstop. He was drenched in blood. Luckily, the bear collapsed within a minute. Thanks to him, the rest ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ of us were safe…”
Qi Xia furrowed his brows. No wonder Tian Tian and Lin Qin doubted they’d survive on their own.
So in their room, no one employed a strategy like his. Instead, someone turned the iron plate into a weapon—and fought the bear head-on.

“If that’s the case… why did it take so long for you gals to come back?” Qiao Jiajin asked. “It was four minutes after the game ended before any of you returned. Swindler Lad and I were already planning your funeral.”
“That’s the more frightening part…” Lin Qin said, lowering her head. “After he killed the bear, Zhang Shan muttered, I haven’t eaten in days. Bear paws are a delicacy. Then he ordered us to use the plate to chop off the bear’s limbs…”
“So those two bear arms…” Qiao Jiajin began, but stopped when he noticed the towering man, Specs, and Ole Lu approaching.
All three wore small cloth bags at their waists, indicating they had received their Dào.

The tall man in the lead wore a cold, detached expression. His gaze locked intently on Qi Xia, as if harboring ill intent.
“Oh…” Qiao Jiajin suddenly recalled the deal between Qi Xia and Specs. The situation was clearly turning south. “Swindler Lad, what’s the plan?”
“Matthew Effect…” Qi Xia murmured, “For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”

“Huh? What did you say?”
Qi Xia didn’t answer. He scanned the surroundings, then dragged a chair closer, positioning himself at a safe distance from the approaching trio.
Among the nearby chairs, one had a splintered leg—nearly broken. A potential weapon.

The ox-headed figure was still ten steps away—too far to intervene quickly. Qi Xia gauged that if things turned ugly, he could neutralize Zhang Shan first.
“It’s not a major issue,” Qi Xia said coldly, fixing his gaze on Zhang Shan. “He may have bested a bear, but unfortunately for him—I’m not a bear.”
Lin Qin, wary, asked, “What are you planning?”

Qiao Jiajin glanced at the trio, cracking his neck slightly. His expression turned grim.
The atmosphere tensed, heavy with the scent of looming violence.
If this towering man had come to support a betrayal of the deal, a clash was unavoidable.

Zhang Shan approached Qi Xia, scrutinizing him.
Qi Xia met his gaze. The man stood a full 1.9 meters tall—an imposing presence.
“I heard,” Zhang Shan said evenly, “there was some incident between you and my pals.”

“Indeed,” Qi Xia replied. “That middle-aged man bargained his Dào for his life. With me.”
“Fuck… Who do you think you are?” Zhang Shan asked, scratching his ear with a pinky, voice thick with contempt. “You think you’re King Yama, deciding who lives and dies?”
“I can be.” Qi Xia stepped closer to the chair. “I can save lives—or end them.”

Zhang Shan’s irritation deepened. “What’s your problem? Can’t you talk like a normal person?”
“That depends,” Qi Xia said, “on whether you’re willing to hand over their Dào.”
“You’re quite a nuisance,” Zhang Shan muttered, brow furrowing. “And if I refuse?”

Specs, panicked, whispered, “Zhang Shan! This isn’t what we agreed on!”
“Don’t meddle,” Zhang Shan whispered back. “I have my own arrangements.”
“If you don’t hand it over,” Qi Xia said, “I’ll take it myself.”

“What!? Are you tired of living, punk?”
Before Zhang Shan could react, Qi Xia kicked the chair at his feet, sending it crashing into Zhang Shan’s knee.
Zhang Shan winced, staggering backward.

Qi Xia dashed forward, snatched the fallen chair, and gripped its leg. He knew Zhang Shan was still injured—this was his best chance.
Thirty-Six Stratagems: To Topple the Enemy, Seize Their Leader, Qi Xia reminded himself as he swung the chair upward.
Zhang Shan realized the danger and immediately hunched, arms shielding his head.

The chair shattered against his forearms.
Bang!
It hurt, but it spared his vital points.

If the enemy’s force is strong but dependent on a single leader, strike the commander. Once he falls, the rest will scatter… Qi Xia recited inwardly.
Zhang Shan’s rage exploded. “You seriously want to do this, punk?”
Before he could finish, he saw Qi Xia gripping the broken chair leg.

Qi Xia twisted his body, building momentum, and swung the jagged leg toward Zhang Shan’s head.
Zhang Shan, no novice, turned his head just in time. The stick smashed into his forehead.
Crack!

The chair leg split in half. A red welt blossomed across Zhang Shan’s brow.
“Interesting…” Zhang Shan said through gritted teeth. “You bastard, you really go for the kill… Then I won’t hold back either!”