Guild Leader Nan pointed at Chen Jie and revealed his final trump card. He wouldnāt take a single Tai Sui Pillāall would be given to Ba Tan. With such a gesture, what reason would Ba Tan have to not help himself?
He aimed to corner Chen Jie, to leave him with no options but a dead end.
The only card Chen Jie could play was to offer all one hundred Tai Sui Pills to Ba Tan, which he had already done. Whose side would Ba Tan take now? It needed no clarification.
As long as Ba Tan remained loyal to himāone vote from himself, one from Ba Tanāit would be enough to send Chen Jiusi to his grave.
Guild Leader Nan looked provocatively at Chen Jie, incredulous that Chen Jie could turn the tables.
At that moment, Ah San said with a grim face from outside, "This is bad, Nan Batian is too wicked. With this move, what can Jiu Si use to win over Ba Tan? Isnāt this forcing Jiu Si down a path to his death?"
Everyone outside was frowning deeply, waiting for Chen Jie to break the game or meet his demise. At this point, aside from the three scheme makers, no one could intervene.
Ah Da looked at Zhao Yaās pale face and asked, "Commandery Princess, are you alright?"
Zhao Ya replied, "Iām fine, just lamenting the loss of a great talent."
Hearing her words, Ah Da too sighed, realizing that this time, Chen Jiusi truly had no chance of turning the situation around.
Right then, the voice of the old Taoist echoed in the air again, "Alright, number three, please begin your speech. After your speech, numbers four and five will each have an opportunity to speak. Afterwards, number three, present your proposal, and weāll start voting."
Hearing that voice, Guild Leader Nan looked at Chen Jie and said, "You donāt have much time..."
His voice was cut off instantly. Now only Chen Jie could speak.
Chen Jie looked towards Ba Tan, observing his arrogant demeanor, even too lazy to spare Chen Jie another glance.
Chen Jie paused briefly, then said, "Lord Ba Tan, the outcome of this game, my life and death, almost hinge on your single word. If you agree with me, I could live; otherwise, I will surely die."
"Hmph!"
Ba Tan shook his head, contempt written all over his face. Why waste words? He could just vote for Chen Jieās death and be done with it.
But Chen Jie continued, "However, Lord Ba Tan, have you considered what happens to the game after my death? Will it stop, or will there be another vote between you and Guild Leader Nan?"
Huh?
Upon hearing this, the crowd was initially stunned, then looked at Chen Jie with surprised eyes. What did he mean by that? Was he sowing discord?
At this moment, Ba Tan also turned to look at Chen Jie, his eyes filled with confusion.
Chen Jie went on, "According to the rules of the game, if I die, the game will continue. That means it would be your turn to choose the distribution proposal. For voting, both you and Guild Leader Nan must agree. What if Guild Leader Nan casts a dissenting vote? Lord, wouldnāt you also be turned to ash just like me?"
Chen Jie said with a smile, and quickly added, "Of course, Lord Ba Tan and Guild Leader Nan are as close as brothers. Guild Leader Nan might not necessarily cast a dissenting vote."
"Unlike me, who is hated by Guild Leader Nan for snatching his wife. He surely wouldnāt let me off..."
Huh!!
Hearing this, a shiver ran down Ba Tanās spine, the hatred of a wife-snatcher.
Ba Tan was arrogant, but not foolish. How could he miss the way Nan Batian looked at Yu Manāer over such a long time?
He understood perfectly well and even found thrills in behaving indecently with Yu Manāer right in front of Nan Batian. Each time he saw Nan Batianās eyes filled with shame, helplessness, and humiliation, he felt a perverted excitement.
He wasnāt short of women, he had no lack of any type of woman. What he craved was that thrill, and recently, he had sought it from Nan Batian.
Since their initial meeting, he had noticed Nan Batianās special feelings for Yu Manāer. On the carriage into the city, and later in the inn, he frequently flaunted his dalliance with Yu Manāer in front of Nan Batian.
Watching the humiliation flicker in Nan Batianās eyes was exhilarating for him.
But now, he broke out in cold sweat.
His former superiority, his defiance, his perverse pleasuresāthey all turned into his death knell.
He looked over at Nan Batian. Though Nan Batian was muted, he could still hear Chen Jieās words. He was desperately gesturing, shaking his head, and calling out, "Donāt listen to him, I wonāt."
But his voice got absorbed by the light shield around him. Ba Tan couldnāt hear.
Even if he could hear, what would it change? For at that moment, Ba Tanās eyes were full of fear and suspicion.
He had just put himself in Nan Batianās shoes, thinking if someone played with his loved one before him while he couldnāt lash out, he would definitely want the perpetrator dead.
Previously, he had no chance, but now, he had the opportunity!
And he remembered the words he had recently said to Chen Jie, "Whatever I, Nan Batian, have lost, I will take back twofold. I want you dead without a place to bury!"
Shivering, Ba Tan trembled, his face no longer showing his former arrogance, but deep wariness and suspicion.
He turned to look at Chen Jie, who, with a smile, said, "To be honest, I do prefer the defiant look you had earlier..."
Ba Tan didnāt respond to Chen Jie but furrowed his brows.
Chen Jie then said, "Iāve finished speaking. Please, number four, itās your turn."
Chen Jie indicated he had finished speaking, and now it was Ba Tanās turn, but Ba Tan remained silent.
"Does number four wish to speak? Hmm... donāt want to talk? Then letās have number five speak."
It was finally number fiveās turnāNan Batian at last could speak, "Lord Garrison Commander, Lord Governor, you mustnāt believe his nonsense. I share a heart with you, Lord. How could I ever harm you? You must believe me. Letās vote him dead together. And then, the remaining Tai Sui Pills, I donāt want any; theyāre all yours. I donāt need anything; I just want him dead!"