209: Use force to defeat cleverness! Narration helps!

“...”

“Holy crap!”

Watching the sudden turn of events before him and hearing the sound of bones shattering under the massive stone block, Chen Jie stood dazed, reaching out to wipe the blood from his face.

He let out a low, bewildered roar.

“What the hell...”

“What’s going on?”

“It doesn’t give you a single chance?”

“One mistake and it just crushes you?”

“...”

Li Xiaotie narrowed his eyes and said in a chilling tone.

“Chess is about no regrets once a move is made. Since this step was wrong, the punishment is naturally instantaneous!”

“It’s just...”

“Poor Fourth Master Xie!”

“I heard...”

Li Xiaotie said with a frown.

“This Fourth Master Xie was very skilled at chess. He participated in national Xiangqi tournaments many times and was even close to being the national champion once!”

“For such a person to die...”

“Tsk tsk!”

Li Xiaotie shook his head with a look of disappointment.

“The possibility of us breaking this chess formation has just become much smaller!”

“What a pity!”

“...”

“Pity?”

Fatty, standing beside Wu Tian, suddenly glared and cursed at Li Xiaotie.

“I say, you son of a bitch, are you even human?”

“The man is already dead, and you aren't worried about him? You're just standing there acting all sarcastic, saying it’s a pity he died because the chess game won't be solved?”

“...”

“Otherwise?”

Li Xiaotie immediately glared back at Fatty.

“If I worry about him, will he come back to life?”

“Even though he's dead!”

“We, the living, still have to finish the road ahead!”

“Little Fatty...”

“You... you have the benevolence of a woman!”

“...”

“You!”

Fatty’s eyes bulged, and he rolled up his sleeves, preparing to strike Li Xiaotie.

“That’s enough!”

“...”

Just as Fatty and Li Xiaotie were about to come to blows... Third Master Xie slowly stepped down from the chessboard.

He gave Fatty and Li Xiaotie a faint glance.

He waved his hand.

“The man is already dead; there's no need for you two to make a scene.”

“The priority now...”

“Is to find someone else to come out and crack this chess game!”

“...”

“What the hell?”

Hearing Third Master Xie’s words, Fatty was instantly stunned.

He looked at Third Master Xie in disbelief and asked.

“What do you mean by that?”

“The person who died was your brother. I'm over here speaking up for him, and you actually say it’s not necessary?”

“Old brother...”

“You really are damn cold-blooded!”

“...”

After saying this, Fatty spat on the ground and muttered a curse about his bad luck!

He turned around and returned to Wu Tian’s side.

Since the man's own family didn't bother to care, Fatty was even less inclined to care.

Lest he be like the dog biting Lu Dongbin—failing to recognize a good heart!

“...”

“Hehe...”

“Cold-blooded?”

“Little Fatty...”

Third Master Xie gave a cold smile. His icy eyes stared at Fatty from beneath his black robe as he spoke with a chuckle.

“We are underground. Once you enter this tomb, including the corridors!”

“Then...”

“All of our lives are no longer our own!”

“Every single person here is just trying to survive!”

“Family ties certainly exist.”

“But are they worth anything?”

“However... hehehe!”

Beneath the black robe, Third Master Xie’s eyes scanned everyone’s faces.

He said coldly.

“Whether it succeeds or not, our Xie Family has already tried!”

“And my own younger brother was lost inside!”

“Next...”

Third Master Xie looked at the crowd.

“It’s time for all of you to show your methods!”

“...”

“...”

The crowd fell silent upon hearing this!

It was true that the Xie Family had made the first attempt, but... Fourth Master Xie was a genuine national-level chess player!

With such high chess skills, even he was rendered helpless by this formation and died on the spot!

Them?

They were fine for manual labor!

Playing chess... wouldn't that be seeking death?

“...”

Seeing that everyone remained silent.

Third Master Xie gave a cold smile.

“What?”

“Since when did our Nine Gates people become shrinking turtles, only knowing how to enjoy the fruits of others' labor without daring to take a single risk ourselves?”

“Brothers...”

“Our Xie Family has shown our sincerity...”

“Don’t make it difficult for me, as your older brother!”

“...”

“Well...”

Chen Jie gave a chuckle.

He was the first to break the deathly silence.

He gave Third Master Xie a polite smile.

He spoke.

“Third Master Xie, it’s really not that we don’t want to share the burden, nor is it that we are selfish. We of the Nine Gates have always been united and sincere when facing external matters!”

“But...”

“Every profession has its specialty. None of us know how to play chess. Rashly challenging this mechanism would just be sending ourselves to our deaths, wouldn't it?”

“That would be a senseless sacrifice!”

“Hehe...”

“There's no need, no need at all!”

After saying this.

Chen Jie smiled at Third Master Xie again.

Attempting to ease the atmosphere.

“...”

However... “Oh?”

Third Master Xie turned his head, his hawk-like eyes beneath the black robe staring straight at Chen Jie with a cold laugh.

“Kid from the Chen Family, what did you say?”

“You say it’s not necessary?”

“Hehe...”

“Do you even know what you're saying?”

“You don’t want to enter this tomb anymore? The cooked meat is at your lips and you won't eat it?”

“You don’t want the ultimate secret anymore?”

“Naïve!”

Third Master Xie cursed in a low voice.

“Since ancient times, all success has been built upon piles of corpses. As the saying goes, a general's success is built on ten thousand rotting bones!”

“Without sacrifice, how can there be the sweetness after the bitterness!”

“Death!”

“Is a necessary process on the road to success!”

“Kid!”

“I’ve experienced death!”

“How about you go next?”

“...”

Chen Jie was stunned.

His face then turned somewhat pale. Looking at Third Master Xie under the black robe, he quickly waved his hands and laughed.

“Well...”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“If even Fourth Master Xie couldn't do it, how could we!”

“Hehe...”

“...”

“If you can't do it...”

“Are you just not going to try?”

Third Master Xie said relentlessly.

“Since you were the only one to stand out and be the early bird, then you might as well be it to the end.”

“How about it?”

“Next time, your family sends someone out to try?”

“...”

“Don’t worry!”

Seeing Chen Jie’s expression change, Third Master Xie said with a smile.

“I believe you’ve already memorized the steps my fourth brother took just now, so you definitely won't have any problems at the start of the game!”

Tilting his head.

Third Master Xie continued.

“Tell you what!”

“I’ll give you ten minutes!”

“You just follow my fourth brother’s method and try to finish the game!”

“How about it?”

“I should have given you plenty of time, right?”

“...”

Chen Jie’s face darkened.

He then looked around at the indifferent faces of the other families!

He gritted his teeth and slowly nodded.

“Fine!”

“Since every family has to send someone to try, then our Chen Family can be the first!”

“But...”

“All of you have to offer advice while my people are playing!”

“Can you do that?”

“...”

“Sure!”

“No problem for me!”

“Our Li Family has no problem!”

“Our Zhao Family has no problem either. We all have to go through it anyway; it’s just a matter of order!”

“Chen Jie...”

“Good luck!”

“The more steps you take, the fewer of our people will die!”

“Right!”

“Head of the Chen Family, you must do us proud!”

“...”

Chen Jie was stunned.

No matter how carefree his personality usually was, he understood the predicament he was in now.

In the end... it was because he had meddled in things that didn't concern him that he ended up in this mess.

Although every family would have to go through this... the ones who went later would have the advantage!

Their Chen Family was being used as the guinea pig.

It was likely... the person from his family who went to play chess would have a narrow escape from death!

“...”

Hesitating for a few seconds.

Chen Jie frowned and called out softly to two young men behind him.

“Xu Ze!”

“Zhang Duo!”

“You two...”

“You two go!”

“...”

The two who were called trembled, then lowered their heads. With dejected expressions, they nodded to Chen Jie and stepped onto the massive chessboard.

“Good!”

Third Master Xie smiled at this sight.

He gave Chen Jie a thumbs up.

“The Chen Family truly has great spirit.”

“Head of the Family Chen Jie also certainly knows how to manage his subordinates!”

“You two boys, come here!”

Third Master Xie beckoned to the two dejected Chen Family youths and said with a smile.

“I remember the first few moves my fourth brother made very clearly. Come here!”

“I will tell you!”

“...”

The two were stunned.

Although they were unwilling, for the sake of a better chance at survival.

The two looked at each other.

They still nodded and slowly walked toward Third Master Xie.

“Hehe...”

Looking at the two young men standing before him.

Third Master Xie gave a chuckle.

He spoke directly to the two of them.

“My fourth brother made a total of five moves just now. This move was... then like this... and then like that!”

“As for...”

Third Master Xie said faintly.

“How to move next, my useless brother didn't manage to figure it out.”

“That will require you...”

Third Master Xie said with a smile, looking at the two from the Chen Family and the other members of the Nine Gates standing nearby.

“To work together and find it out!”

“...”

“No problem!”

Li Xiaotie gave a chuckle.

He found that this Third Master Xie’s personality was a perfect match for his own. What Third Master Xie was doing was exactly what he wanted to do.

Naturally, he was in complete agreement with what the latter said.

He was the first to jump out in support.

“Although we aren't participating inside the chess game and our skills aren't high, we will do our best to think!”

“After all...”

“This is a matter for all of us!”

“As long as the chess game isn't solved, we won't be able to get in!”

“Hehe...”

Li Xiaotie said high-soundingly.

“I believe everyone will give their all!”

“Right?”

As he spoke.

Li Xiaotie glanced at Huo Nanfeng, as well as Wu Tian and Wu Xie.

He asked softly.

“...”

“Hmph!”

Huo Nanfeng rolled her eyes at him and didn't speak.

Wu Xie didn't even look at him, narrowing his eyes and spitting on the ground.

And Wu Tian was even more dismissive.

He was chatting and laughing with Zhang Meng beside him.

It was as if he hadn't heard Li Xiaotie speak at all.

This kind of disregard... immediately made Li Xiaotie’s face darken.

His triangular eyes darted around, hatching a malicious plan in his heart as he looked at the three on Wu Xie’s side.

“...”

“Let’s begin!”

Third Master Xie’s expression turned solemn as he spoke faintly to the two from the Chen Family who were already in their positions.

“You can take your moves a bit slower!”

“That way, it can also leave enough time for us to think about what to do next.”

“...”

“Leave time to think?”

After hearing Third Master Xie’s words, Wu Xie immediately raised an eyebrow in disdain.

“I say, Third Master Xie!”

“That sentence of yours is really a bit brain-dead.”

“If you really needed time to think, why not think first before letting the Chen Family go up and try?”

“It’s clearly a public use of a private grudge, yet you still want to sound high-sounding!”

“You...”

Wu Xie cursed without the slightest restraint.

“You want to be a whore and still have a monument built for your chastity!”

“Truly despicable!”

“...”

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“Hehe...”

Third Master Xie turned his head toward Wu Xie. It was impossible to tell what expression was on his face beneath the black robe.

He only heard him say hoarsely.

“Little Third Master Wu, what you're saying is biased!”

“I’m doing this to speed up the progress!”

"If I really wanted to harm someone, wouldn't it have been enough to tell them the wrong steps earlier?"

"Would I really need to go through all this trouble?"

"..."

"Fine, fine."

Listening to Third Master Xie's sophistry,

Wu Xie waved his hand impatiently.

He said in a cold voice,

"Hurry up!"

"You two from the Chen Family, slow down your moves. We also need to think about how to proceed after that move that led to Fourth Master's death."

"..."

*Rustle, rustle...*

*Rumble!*

On the chessboard ahead, two of the Chen Family's subordinates were playing with trembling hearts.

They tried their best to delay the time for each move.

Not far in front of the chessboard where the two were standing,

Wu Tian and the others were also discussing how to solve this game.

"..."

"This endgame is a bit strange!"

"Although it looks simple and clear at a glance, it's actually full of myriad variations. One mistake and you'll fall into an endless abyss!"

"I've been thinking about it since just now..."

"I think!"

Huo Nanfeng rubbed his chin.

"The move that Fourth Master Xie died on should have been King Five to Four!"

"..."

"King Five to Four?"

Hearing Huo Nanfeng's suggestion, Wu Xie, standing nearby, frowned.

Then he shook his head gently and said,

"I'm afraid that won't work!"

"The move you're suggesting is to have the King dodge the brunt of the opponent's Chariot, but that's not a long-term solution. If you make that move, your options become very narrow!"

"Even if you don't die on this move..."

"You'll likely be dead on the next!"

"..."

"Right!"

Zhao Wu nodded.

"This game shouldn't be played like that!"

"The way I see it!"

"In this endgame, one shouldn't have even the slightest thought of retreating; one should keep attacking!"

"Offense is the best defense!"

"..."

"Not bad, Zhao Wu!"

Li Xiaotie chuckled.

"Your suggestion is actually on point."

"Then you tell us!"

"How should the next move be played?"

"..."

Seeing the inexplicable smile on Li Xiaotie's face,

Zhao Wu was momentarily stunned.

Then he said in a low voice,

"Well..."

"I was only proposing my hypothesis, but as for the actual gameplay of Xiangqi, I'm completely clueless!"

"Haha..."

"Third Master Xie, if you're asking me how to play!"

"This question..."

"Is out of my league!"

"..."

*Scoff...*

Third Master Xie laughed upon hearing this.

Then he turned to look at Wu Xie and Wu Tian beside him.

He said with a smile,

"Little Third Master Wu, you're the most capable of the younger generation in our Nine Gates. You tell us!"

"How should the next move be played?"

"And Boss Wu?"

"Hehe..."

Third Master Xie said with a fake smile,

"As the leader of our operation, Boss Wu, you can't just stay silent and not say anything!"

"Right?"

"You..."

"Need to set an example."

"..."

"Hehe..."

Wu Tian smiled slightly upon hearing this.

Then he slowly leaned in, getting close to Third Master Xie's black robe, and said to him in a low voice,

"It's good that you know I'm still the boss of this team. Things here don't need you poking your nose into them."

"Shut your mouth!"

"When it's not your turn to speak..."

"Stay quiet for me!"

"..."

"You?!"

Third Master Xie was momentarily stunned.

Immediately, his expression under the black robe changed sharply. In the blink of an eye, he was about to stand up and curse at Wu Tian.

However... *Thump!*

A muffled sound.

Wu Tian's heavy and powerful palm slammed directly onto the other man's shoulder.

He said to him in a cold voice,

"You'd better..."

"Sit down!"

"..."

Third Master Xie was still defiant and tried to struggle to his feet!

However... his face hidden under the black robe instantly turned beet red. He used all his strength, even to the point of trembling... but he couldn't move an inch.

He was pinned down firmly by Wu Tian's single hand!

"Hehe..."

Wu Tian gave a disdainful laugh.

He had dealt with plenty of people and ghosts who opposed him, and this Third Master Xie was easily the weakest of them all.

If he couldn't even handle this little piece of trash,

He might as well go back to Songjiang to plant rice as soon as possible!

"I advise you to sit there obediently."

"You've seen my livestreams..."

"I don't easily resort to violence, but once I do..."

Wu Tian's tone was chillingly cold.

"You know the consequences!"

"..."

Third Master Xie was suddenly struck with horror!

The spine-chilling feeling he had when watching the replays of Wu Tian's livestreams began to flash through his mind.

He had almost forgotten... this Wu Tian... was definitely no pushover!

But rather a ferocious beast ready to devour people!

"..."

*Cough, cough...*

"Hehe!"

After being stunned for a few seconds, Third Master Xie raised his head. His triangular eyes under the black robe met Wu Tian's cold gaze with a laugh.

"Boss Wu..."

"Look at what you're saying. Since you're the boss, I'll just shut up!"

"I'll only speak when you let me!"

"Everything... is up to you!"

"..."

*Shh...* After staring at Third Master Xie for a few more seconds, Wu Tian let go of his hand.

Looking at the man, he gave a light grunt from his nose.

"Mm."

"Continue the discussion. Those two over there are probably almost done!"

"If they can't hold out, it'll be too late for everything!"

"..."

...Just as Wu Tian finished dealing with Third Master Xie, on the public screen of the livestream... the Fans were also discussing frantically.

"To be fair, this Third Master Xie is really cold-blooded. And he dares to be so arrogant in front of Brother Tian. I don't know whether to call him a frog in a well or say he's overly full of himself!"

"Hehe..."

"I'm laughing!"

"It's already 2021, and there are still people who don't take Brother Tian seriously?"

"To be honest!"

"Did Third Master Xie just get internet access?"

"Is he still using 2G?"

"..."

"Hahaha..."

"Brother upstairs, you really made me laugh!"

"But seriously..."

"Brother Tian is as domineering as ever."

"This group from the Nine Gates looks all mysterious and badass at first glance!"

"But when they meet Brother Tian, don't they still have to coil up obediently?"

"..."

"Hehe..."

"Look at how weird the others are. Although that Li Xiaotie clearly doesn't look like a good person, at least the kid knows how to restrain himself."

"This Third Master Xie is just hilarious."

"The Qi Family being wiped out is still fresh in memory, has this Third Master Xie already forgotten?"

"He still dares to jump out!"

"Isn't this a toad trying to screw a frog—ugly as hell but trying to play fancy?"

"..."

*Hiss...*

"The brother upstairs is quite the literary giant!"

"Haha!"

"..."

"Brothers, let's not talk about that for now. Regarding this Xiangqi formation, are there any experts who can offer some advice?"

"I'm thinking that although Brother Tian is badass,"

"When he encounters this Xiangqi stuff..."

"He's still a bit out of his depth!"

"..."

"Well..."

"There's probably really no advice to give!"

"I just checked. That deceased Fourth Master Xie really was an active Grandmaster of Xiangqi in the Dragon Country!"

"Just think about it!"

"Even he's gone!"

"What kind of advice could we possibly have!"

"..."

"Sigh!"

"I say, are you guys stupid?"

Suddenly!

A fan sat at his computer desk, squinting with a cigarette in his mouth, one hand typing frantically and the other scratching between his toes.

He said with a look of self-satisfaction,

"For this kind of Xiangqi endgame problem, just look it up online!"

"Man!"

"Worst case, just download a Xiangqi software. Whatever the ghost move is, you just input it!"

"Won't it be solved then?"

"..."

As soon as this person's bullet chat floated across the screen, the Fans in the livestream immediately began to mock him.

"Hahaha..."

"No way, it's already 2021, and there's still this kind of idiot in Brother Tian's livestream?"

"Search for game records?"

"Simulate with a computer?"

"Brother!"

"Please use your precious brain, which is the size of Patrick Star's, to think for a second."

"The one who just died was an active Grandmaster of Xiangqi in our Dragon Country!"

"You think that can't compare to a computer in some software?"

"Wake up!"

"You're on the first floor, and you think Brother Tian is on the second floor, and you're even proud that you understood his second-floor operation from the first floor. But actually..."

"Brother Tian is currently on the fifth floor!"

"Silly child!"

"Eat more nuts when you have nothing better to do!"

"Supplement your brain!"

"It might even make you a confident man!"

"..."

*Cough, cough...*

"Brother upstairs, that remark was a bit too harsh!"

"But..."

"Uh, can eating nuts really make you a confident man?"

"..."

*Cough, cough...*

"If you believe it, it's true; if you don't, it's not!"

... "Two more moves..."

"Fa... Family Head..."

The two Chen Family subordinates playing on the board called out tremulously to Wu Tian and the others behind them.

"Have you... have you thought of the next move?"

"We..."

"We're not going to be able to stall much longer!"

"..."

Everyone was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.

Then Chen Jie gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, and said in a low voice to the two subordinates,

"Don't rush!"

"Don't panic!"

"Keep your hands steady!"

"We're thinking, we'll have a result soon!"

"..."

Having said that,

Chen Jie looked at the group around him with a flushed face and roared in a suppressed voice,

"What's the status?"

"Hurry up and think of something!"

"How do we play the next move?"

"My people are about to die!"

"Third Master Xie!"

"Didn't you say you had a way?"

"Hurry up!"

"Where's the solution?"

Chen Jie looked urgently at the silent Third Master Xie. Unable to suppress the fire in his heart, he asked the man angrily.

"..."

"Hehe..."

Hearing Chen Jie's questioning,

Third Master Xie gave a cold laugh.

"Kid from the Chen Family..."

"I said earlier that the solution is for everyone to think of together. If we can't find one now, there's nothing I can do either, is there?"

"After all..."

"Everyone present hopes to find a way to solve this."

"Don't you agree?"

"..."

"You..."

Chen Jie's eyes widened, and they instantly turned bloodshot. The look he gave Third Master Xie seemed like it could burst into flames!

"Bullshit!"

"If my people die, I won't make it easy for you either!"

"..."

*Bang!*

Third Master Xie was already frustrated from being bullied by Wu Tian earlier.

Now, being questioned like this by a junior like Chen Jie, the wicked fire in his heart immediately flared up.

"What the hell are you shouting at me for?"

"Get lost!"

"Hasn't someone from my Xie Family died too?"

"Huh?"

"Shut your mouth!"

"Hurry up!"

Third Master Xie said with a cold sneer,

"If you keep blabbering for a while longer, your people will be dead!"

"Instead of wasting time, you'd better hurry up and think of a way!"

"..."

[Author's Note]: Wait a moment, brothers. I haven't finished writing. I'll upload everything once I'm done. Sorry, something came up today and delayed me.

Reminder: The website is about to be updated, which may cause loss of reading progress. Please save your 'Bookshelf' and 'Reading Records' (screenshots recommended). We apologize for any inconvenience caused!