Ten Day Ultimatum

"I'm not well-versed in psychology," Qi Xia remarked with a nonchalant shake of his head. "I simply have a knack for playing the villain."
Hearing his agreement, Ole Lu's demeanor softened somewhat.

"Let’s get one thing straight, punk," Ole Lu said, his tone more measured. "Every {Dào} you win belongs to me."
"I’d like to keep just one," Qi Xia proposed.
"Out of the question," Ole Lu retorted, shaking his head firmly. "Are you seriously trying to bargain with me? You already took nineteen {Dào} from me before, and now you want more? If that’s how it is, I’m walking away right now."

Qi Xia inclined his head. "Very well, I won’t take any {Dào}. But you’ll cover my {admission}."
Ole Lu’s eyes gleamed with renewed calculation as he leaned in closer, warning, "Listen, kid, a word of advice—the people you’re looking for aren’t in this district. Try to pull a fast one, and you won’t get a word about their whereabouts."
"Rest assured," Qi Xia replied. "Deceiving you would be pointless."

With that reassurance, Ole Lu’s confidence returned, and he began leading Qi Xia toward the building.
"Hold on a moment," Qi Xia interjected. "Just to be safe, explain the game to me."
"Oh, right!" Ole Lu exclaimed, slapping his forehead. "I almost fucking forgot. Punk, haven’t you ever played a {Pig Category Game} before?"

"Do I look like I have?" Qi Xia replied, brows knitting with faint irritation.
"Sigh. Pig Category Game, as the name implies, requires you to think like a pig."
"Think like a pig?" Qi Xia echoed, puzzled. "Why would I need to think like a pig?"

"Because you don’t need to use your brain," Ole Lu replied with a grin. "Pig Category Games are all {luck-based}—just like Morra[1] or Sic bo[2]."
"What?" Qi Xia hesitated. "You’re saying... the outcome depends entirely on luck?"
"Exactly!" Ole Lu nodded, sizing him up again. "You’re not backing out now, are you?"

"I..." Qi Xia wasn’t exactly considering {backing out}, but he struggled to see the link between {pigs} and {luck}.
"Come on, what’s there to be afraid of in a Pig Category Game?" Ole Lu pressed, exasperated. "You struck me as clever before, now you’re hesitating just because it’s chance-based?"
A game of chance?

Qi Xia knew better than to dismiss {pigs} as simpletons. In reality, pigs rank among the ten most intelligent species, with cognitive abilities comparable to a five-year-old child. Besides, the games Ole Lu had mentioned—{Morra} and {Sic bo}—weren’t purely luck-driven.
With the right strategy, one could minimize losses and maximize gains.
"I still have to ask," Qi Xia said, his gaze drifting to the building ahead, "what exactly is the game? This is clearly a Go Association Club—how does a luck-based game fit in?"
"Simple. Two piles of stones, equal in number—one black, one white. You close your eyes and draw at random. If you pick a black stone, you win."

"That’s it?"
"Yeah!" Ole Lu confirmed. "Told you—it’s a game of luck!"
To prove his point, he pulled a white Go stone from his pocket and hurled it to the ground in frustration. "I drew a white piece twice in a row! My luck is trash today!"

Qi Xia could hardly believe his ears. If the game was truly as simple as Ole Lu described, he couldn’t be certain of success against the pig-headed figure. He picked up the white stone, inspecting it. It was an ordinary Go piece, with no hidden mechanism.
"Well? Are you in or not?" Ole Lu demanded impatiently. "Don’t you want to know where those two people went?"
Qi Xia understood he had little choice. With {no money to his name}, his only real hope lay with Officer Li. To track him down, he needed information from Ole Lu.

In short, he had nothing to lose. Even if he failed this game of chance, his losses would be negligible. Besides, it was a good opportunity to assess {pig}.
"No, I’m just thinking through my approach," Qi Xia replied. "Let’s head inside."
At this, Ole Lu's enthusiasm returned. He eagerly gestured for Qi Xia to enter the building.

Lin Qin, finding the situation absurd, opted to remain silent and followed discreetly.
As they entered the room, the pig-headed figure erupted into exaggerated delight. "Hmph! Hmph! Visitors! Someone’s come to play with me again!"
His voice, though deep, carried a strangely childish tone.

Qi Xia instinctively covered his nose and mouth; the stench from the pig mask was overwhelming.
"You damned pig head!" Ole Lu roared. "I’ll have you lose ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) everything today—even your underwear!"
"Hahaha! Excellent! Excellent!" The pig-headed figure clapped gleefully. "Which of you dares challenge me?"

Qi Xia calmly seated himself across from the figure. "I’ll play. What’s the admission fee?"
"Offer whatever you like," the pig-headed figure replied cheerfully. "No more than five {Dào}. Win, and it doubles! Now, hand it over!"
"Offer whatever I like..." Qi Xia mused, shaking his head. "You’re {Mortal Pig}, aren’t you?"

"Yes! I am Mortal Pig! Mortal Pig!" he declared, pointing dramatically at Qi Xia. "You’re a foolish pig! A foolish pig!"
Everyone wisely ignored him, unwilling to engage with someone so unhinged.
Ole Lu gritted his teeth and reluctantly handed over five {Dào} to the Mortal Pig.

Qi Xia noticed the unmistakable glint of a gambler in Ole Lu's eyes. Even though it was luck-based, Ole Lu was determined to keep betting.
"Ole Lu, five {Dào}?" Qi Xia asked, a touch of skepticism in his voice. "Isn’t that a steep stake?"
"Listen," Ole Lu urged seriously, "I already played two rounds. First for one {Dào}, second for two. I lost both to this damned pig. If you win now, I break even—maybe profit."

Qi Xia considered briefly, then turned back to Mortal Pig. "What are the game rules?"
"Quite simple," Mortal Pig replied, pushing the black and white stones forward. "Fifty black pieces, fifty white. Your task is to distribute them into these two bowls."
He slid two identical porcelain bowls toward Qi Xia.

"How you divide them is entirely up to you," Mortal Pig added with a mischievous grin. "Once that’s done, I’ll blindfold you. I’ll shuffle the bowls and mix the stones. You pick a bowl and draw a piece. If it’s black, you win. But beware—if anyone interferes or hints, penalties for all!"
Qi Xia’s expression remained unreadable as he studied the bowls and stones. He let out a cold snort.
"Hehe, what are you laughing at?" Mortal Pig chuckled. "If your luck’s good enough, you might just win."

Qi Xia found the setup amusing. He had to distribute the stones himself and then draw one?
A game of chance?
Pig Category Game?

It became clear—this so-called 50-50 game was a well-crafted trap, luring countless participants into its snare.
"Mortal Pig, I’ve clearly underestimated you," Qi Xia remarked. "You’re much sharper than I expected."