As per the {rules}, Mortal Monkey won the rock-paper-scissors match, granting him the right to decide who would take the {first move}.

"I’ll go first," Mortal Monkey said. "You can choose which box I draw from."

Qi Xia lowered his head in thought, then replied, "The box with ten {Dào}."

At those words, Mortal Monkey’s expression darkened, his pupils flickering slightly. He sensed that someone formidable had stepped into his domain. Had this man already deciphered the game’s mechanics... or was it merely a fluke?

After a brief pause, Mortal Monkey moved to the box containing ten {Dào} and retrieved one.

Now, the two boxes held twelve {Dào} and nine {Dào}, respectively.

When Qi Xia saw Mortal Monkey take only one, his own expression shifted ever so slightly. One...? So you’re not a fool after all.

The mental battle between them was already razor-sharp, though outwardly their faces remained calm.

Qiao Jiajin studied the scene for a long while before quietly asking Yun Yao, "Is this game really that hard?"

"Do you think it’s easy?" Yun Yao crossed her arms and replied softly, "Every move Qi Xia makes is calculated, even his deliberate loss at rock-paper-scissors—all for the sake of {box designation}."

"Wait, Swindler lad lost on purpose?" Qiao Jiajin was stunned. "So losing rock-paper-scissors means he can win the real game?"

"How about a little simulation?" Yun Yao suggested. "One box has nine pieces, the other twelve. Which would you pick, and how many would you take?"

"Hmm..." Qiao Jiajin thought aloud. "I’d probably take all twelve {Dào} from the second box."

"Then I’d just take all nine from the other box and win," Yun Yao said with a smile.

"Then what if I leave one behind and only take eleven?" Qiao Jiajin pressed.

"Then I’d leave one as well, take eight, and I’d still win the next round," Yun Yao replied.

"Ugh—" Qiao Jiajin drew in a sharp breath, realizing there was no way out. "So the second player is doomed to lose?"

"No, Qi Xia wouldn’t approach it like you did," Yun Yao said calmly. "The man I fancy would never be that stupid."

"That makes sense..." Qiao Jiajin started to agree but froze. "Wait, are you saying I’m stupid?"

At that moment, Qi Xia stepped to the box with twelve {Dào}, paused briefly, then drew out three. Now both boxes held nine pieces each.

Mortal Monkey’s eyes were like stagnant water, his gaze heavy with thought.

"Monkey, is this good enough?" Qi Xia asked. "If you concede now, I’ll even leave you a few {Dào}." After his run-in with Mortal Pig, Qi Xia had grown wary, always on edge, worried that his opponent might stake his life after losing all {Dào}.

Mortal Monkey gave no answer. He simply reached into the box before him and took one {Dào}.

Qi Xia shook his head and also took one.

It seemed conceding wasn’t allowed; otherwise, Mortal Monkey wouldn’t need to persist. Then Mortal Monkey took two {Dào}, and Qi Xia mirrored him, also taking two.

From there, the match slipped into garbage time. No matter how many pieces Mortal Monkey removed, Qi Xia matched him exactly.

This mirroring ensured that Qi Xia would always take the final {Dào}. Even if there had been ten thousand pieces, the outcome would never change.

A few sharp opening moves had secured him an unshakable position.

"Damn... I think I get it," Qiao Jiajin exclaimed, eyes wide. "He’s going to win no matter what now, isn’t he?"

"Mhm," Yun Yao nodded. "When both boxes hold the same number of {Dào}, the second player is guaranteed to win."

"You truly are formidable..." Mortal Monkey muttered. "However, you’ve overlooked..."

‘Overlooked?’ Qi Xia frowned, a jolt of unease flashing through him. In this supposedly unlosable game, could Mortal Monkey still have a trump card?

Qi Xia glanced at the {Dào} in front of them. Mortal Monkey had five, and he had six; the numbers were crystal clear. Could there still—

Wait. Qi Xia’s entire body tensed. Why were there five {Dào} in front of Mortal Monkey?

He had taken three turns—one the first time, one the second, and two the third. Qi Xia had seen it clearly. That should only make four. When had it become five?

On the surface, Mortal Monkey’s box held five, and Qi Xia’s six.

Now it was Mortal Monkey’s turn again. He stepped calmly to the box nearest Qi Xia and, without hesitation, plucked out one of the six.

Qi Xia furrowed his brows, realizing with shock that in an instant, their positions had reversed.

Now both boxes contained five {Dào}. No matter what Qi Xia did, Mortal Monkey could copy him exactly, ensuring the last piece would fall into his own hands.

As Yun Yao had said: when both boxes hold the same number, the second player is guaranteed victory.

Had Qi Xia really lost?

"Hey, cheating costs you a pinky," Qiao Jiajin snapped, stepping forward. "You filthy monkey, did you sneak those orbs out?"

"Indeed," Mortal Monkey admitted bluntly. "I cheated. What will you do about it?"

"I..." Qiao Jiajin faltered, stunned by the open admission.

Seeing their reactions, Mortal Monkey slowly reached toward the {Dào} on the table. With two fingers, he delicately lifted one—and instantly, two were missing. Flipping his hand, he revealed another hidden in his palm.

"This is called {Palming}, one of the most basic tricks in magic," Mortal Monkey said with a faint smile. "Be grateful you didn’t stake your life against me."

Qi Xia’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. Indeed, who said cheating was forbidden?

At some point, Mortal Monkey had pretended to take one {Dào} while actually palming two.

"Missing such a crucial move—how careless of you," Mortal Monkey said, twirling the orbs between his fingers. "It seems you’ve taken me too lightly."

"Yes, I truly did," Qi Xia admitted with a resigned nod. "Let’s end it here."

With that, he tossed five {Dào} onto the table at once. Yun Yao, standing nearby, wore a conflicted expression. For Qi Xia to throw ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) in the towel so recklessly—had he always been this kind of person?

Mortal Monkey smiled faintly, then pulled five more {Dào} from the box.

The game was finished.

Tian Tian and Qiao Jiajin exchanged helpless glances, their faces heavy.

What did ten {Dào} mean to them? Four grueling rounds of deadly games had earned them only four pieces, and now ten were gone in an instant.

Mortal Monkey gathered all the {Dào} and pulled them toward himself. "I didn’t expect anyone to deliver this many so early today," he said with a smile. "I’m truly grateful."

"I also didn’t expect anyone to neatly collect them for me beforehand. The feeling is mutual," Qi Xia replied.

"Yes, but you—" Mortal Monkey suddenly faltered, a look of confusion crossing his face. "What?"