"Hehe, I just love talking to smart people." The leader straightened his clothes. "The usual rules: the four of you go out and find four blue balls, or else—we feed you to the red-dressed ones!"
"Alright, and what if we bring them back?"
"Hmph, bring them back and we'll talk."
"Now hold on, we need to settle the terms first so things don't get chaotic. Tell us about the situation outside, leader."
The leader tilted his head toward someone nearby. "There are five blue-dressed people left, and ten red-dressed ones."
"Mhm, good. Do you have any blue balls on you?"
Leader 77 pulled a blue ball from his tunic. "Just this one. That's why you have to go complete the mission."
"Very well. If we bring back four blue balls, it's your turn to send people out to retrieve them."
"Deal."
"A promise is as hard to break as four horses!"
Wang Defa whispered quietly into Guixiong's ear, "Brother Gui, doesn't this play right into his hands? We're practically walking into certain death."
"I have one more request!" Guixiong continued, addressing the leader.
"There are four of us. To show our sincerity, we'll leave two people here, on the condition that you guarantee their safety."
"Ha? Two people are going to get four blue balls?"
"Hahahaha." The mocking laughter of the dozen men echoed through the stone cave.
"No problem at all."
"Also, we get to choose from the available, practical weapons. And you'd better give us your blue ball, too."
"What?!" A large man protested angrily, "You pick your weapons, and you want our commander to hand over the only blue ball that guarantees our safety? A toad trying to eat swan meat—you've got a lot of nerve!"
"Now, now," Leader 77 waved his hand. "The two who stay behind will naturally be guaranteed safety and food, and they can choose their own weapons, but the blue ball stays."
"Fine. Let's go, Old Wang, time to pick our weapons!" Guixiong said resolutely. "Chen Shi, Han Bing, you two stay here. Now that the leader has promised your safety, I can rest easy."
"Guixiong..."
"Wait for our good news!"
Anyone with eyes could see this was an extremely unequal trade. Not only were they being forced out of their own territory, but Guixiong and Wang Defa were being sent outside the cave to gamble with their lives—hoping not to be eliminated by the red-dressed people while simultaneously capturing four blue-dressed people. More importantly, it was now pitch black outside, meaning their chances of survival out there were practically zero.
The members of the Death Warrior Alliance eagerly handed over their weapons for them to choose from. After all, their own danger was now greatly reduced, with two scapegoats wandering outside.
"Old Wang, pick something light and handy, and nothing reflective."
Wang Defa had his doubts, but he stayed silent and followed instructions.
In the end, Guixiong chose a dark dagger. It wasn't sharp enough, but it suited his purpose; he also took a sturdy rope. Wang Defa picked up a few flying locust stones and coin darts.
"Old Wang, do you even know how to use flying locust stones and coin darts?"
"You flatter me."
"Then why are you taking them?"
"It gives me peace of mind."
"I don't have peace of mind. Hurry up and find some more rope."
"What do we need so much rope for?"
"Heaven's secrets must not be leaked. You'll find out in a moment."
After getting ready, the two bade farewell to Chen Shi and Han Bing. "The two of you share one life between you now, so rest up well here. I promise we'll have this sorted before dawn."
"Remember, act with caution."
"Leader, I leave their safety to you. The four blue balls are on me."
"One more thing, Chen Shi, please cover our return."
Leader 77 cupped his fists in a salute. As he watched the supremely confident pair, a trace of sudden fear rose in the depths of his heart—perhaps these two would become his direct rivals in the later games.
"Old Wang, do you remember the situation outside?"
"If nothing's changed, there are five blue-dressed people left, and ten red-dressed ones. Brother Gui, you want us to take four out of the five?"
"Not at all!" Guixiong echoed Wang Defa's phrase.
"Then... are we going to trick Leader 77?"
"Where's the trick? We still have two people in their hands."
"Forgive Wang's meager learning and shallow understanding, I don't follow."
"Old Wang, think about it. There's currently one blue ball in Leader 77's hands, and the others wouldn't dare trick him. That means where did the other four blue balls go?"
"Ah, right! We'll go find them! Only... finding all four blue balls is easier said than done, not to mention a whole mountain, plus ten red-dressed people hunting us down."
"Hehe, that's why I had you bring extra rope."
As they spoke, they reached the exit. It was this exact spot again. Guixiong listened quietly for a long moment. Hearing no movement, he directed Wang Defa to stand on one side while he stood on the other, then turned to Chen Shi and said, "Brother Chen Shi, please keep watch here and cover us. If you hear a knock on the door, please open it for us. If you get too sleepy, please take turns keeping watch with Han Bing. You're crucial—our very lives depend on it."
"I understand. I leave everything to you both," Chen Shi said, cupping his fists before opening the stone door's mechanism.
In an instant, a freezing chill rushed in. Just as Wang Defa was about to step out, out of the corner of his eye he saw Guixiong didn't move, and he quickly pulled his raised leg back.
"Wrong! Fall back!" Guixiong roared, drawing his dagger and slashing it in front of his chest.
Wang Defa scrambled back at the sight, but he was still a fraction too slow—both of his arms were struck by a heavy blow that sent him flying backward.
Chen Shi had quick reflexes and slammed the stone door shut.
"Old Wang! Are you alright?" Guixiong rushed over to check his injuries.
"No harm done, just lost half my life."
Guixiong beat his chest in deep remorse, "My fault, my fault. The red-dressed people chased us here and then vanished; they must have left people behind waiting for us to come out. How could I be so stupid!"
"Calm down, Brother Gui. Now is not the time to lose heart. What do we do next?"
Guixiong took a deep breath, and his brain sprang into action. "Let's go, let's hope the entrance hasn't been discovered!"
"This cave isn't safe anymore. If there are red-dressed people hiding at both ends, we really are fish on a cutting board."
"Yo, got all four balls already?"
Ignoring the taunts from the members of the Death Warrior Alliance, Guixiong quickly rushed with Wang Defa toward the entrance and cautiously slipped out of the cave.
Sure enough, crawling out brought them right to the spot beneath the incense burner in the back hall of the temple. After quickly disguising the entrance, the two moved toward the front hall. Just as they were about to exit the Ghost King Temple, they suddenly heard voices and quickly retreated behind the Ghost King Statue.
They heard two people push the door open and walk in.
"I'm starving. What are we eating later?"
"Eat, eat, eat, all you ever think about is eating. You'll eat yourself to death."
"Hehe."
"Go get the water so I can have a drink. We've got it pretty good, you know—we have food, we have drink, and the red-dressed people aren't too bad either. Look at the blue-dressed people, they can only hide. Once these prisoners run out of lives, what are they going to eat? They can only keep hiding."
"Yeah, boss, the water's gone."
"What?!"
"Someone's been here. Be careful."
"Boss, are you getting too into character? We're just messengers."
"Uh, true. Though my end hasn't rung in ages."
"Do you think the prisoners hid it well, or..."
"Hmph, if they win, I'll let you use my head as a night-stool."
"Haha."