TDU Chapter 180: Narrow Road Encounter
TL Note: The title of this chapter (狭路相逢) is actually an idiom in Chinese. It literally translates to ‘meeting face to face on a narrow path’, but it figuratively means ‘unavoidable confrontation of enemies’. Again, there’s many ways one can translate this idiom, but for the sake of this chapter, it’ll be ‘Narrow Road Encounter’.
Edited by Molly Z and CitrusP
Chapter 180 Narrow Road Encounter
"Having a fun chat?"
A familiar voice cut through the air, snapping Qi Xia back to reality.
Xiao Xiao was leading her team toward the game venue, flanked by two men.
One of them was Ole Sun, the same one who had conjured stones the day before. The other was a lanky youth Qi Xia had never seen before. The youth wore a black leather jacket and gold earrings, exuding a lazy, indifferent air.
Qi Xia’s expression darkened, his features sharpening with coldness. He realised, indeed, there were more immediate concerns at hand. Without sparing the trio another glance, he strode past them and into the building, his mind focused on the task at hand.
Upon entering, Qi Xia was immediately met with an expansive space that seemed to stretch endlessly. His gaze swept across the barren space, where the only objects in sight were an elevator and a wooden door.
‘This building couldn’t be more than five or six floors. Why does it have an elevator?’ Qi Xia mused.
He moved toward the wooden door, only to find it locked and unyielding. With no other choice, he turned and stepped into the elevator. The elevator panel was simple, with only two buttons—one for the first floor and the other for the sixth.
After a moment of contemplation, Qi Xia pressed the button for the sixth floor.
The elevator shot upward with surprising speed, and within mere seconds, Qi Xia found himself at the rooftop. It was his first time encountering a lift that led directly to the top, and even more so, the first time he saw such a perfectly smooth, expansive rooftop.
Zhang Shan and the others had already arrived, gathered in a small circle and deep in conversation.
Qi Xia stepped off the elevator, his footsteps measured as he approached the group. “How is it?” he asked, his voice calm.
“You’ve arrived,” Li Xiangling smiled and responded. "We’ve got a rough idea of what this game involves—it’s a {Single-Plank Bridge}."
Qi Xia nodded, his eyes shifting to the playing field ahead.
The rooftop of the building was unusually flat, though its center had been excavated, creating an open void.
Standing at the edge of this empty space, Qi Xia peered down into the abyss below. His eyes were met with a labyrinth of tangled hemp ropes, stretching in every direction, their dense coils weaving together so thoroughly that the end was impossible to spot.
A gust of cold wind swirled up from the depths, carrying with it the sharp, metallic scent of rust.
If anyone were to fall, they would either plummet to their death or be ensnared by the ropes, suffocated by the entangled web.
At the very center of the void, a slender steel beam spanned the expanse. About one meter in diameter, it stretched at least twenty meters across the gaping chasm. Given the layout, it was clear: this was a {Single-Plank Bridge} game.
Since Terrestrial Tiger and the people from {Judgment’s Domain} hadn't arrived, Qi Xia made a quick decision. He stepped onto the steel beam of the Single-Plank Bridge, testing its hardness by pressing down with his foot, then attempting to walk across to gauge the difficulty.
‘If this is truly a Single-Plank Bridge, then it seems a bit too simple,’ Qi Xia murmured, standing tall atop the beam, stroking his chin in thought.
Although the beam’s one-meter diameter wasn’t particularly wide, it was more than enough to comfortably walk across. The steel itself was rigid and stable, providing a solid foundation beneath his feet.
In that case... how were the elements of {combat}, {cooperation}, and {physicality} meant to be showcased here?
‘Ah, I get it…’ Qi Xia murmured quietly to himself. ‘There’s a rule that satisfies all these conditions.’
"Hey, Swindler lad, come over quickly, it’s dangerous!" Qiao Jiajin called out.
Qi Xia nodded, carefully stepping down from the steel beam. Once on solid ground, he turned to the others. "I’ve more or less figured out the rules of the game, so now I’ll brief you all on possible tactics."
"Rules of the game?" Zhang Shan blinked, confusion crossing his face. "Isn’t it just a {Single-Plank Bridge}? What else is there to figure out?"
"No," Qi Xia shook his head. "It’s not entirely accurate to call it a {Single-Plank Bridge}. It should be called the {Narrow Road Encounter}."
...
By the time Qi Xia had provided as much explanation as he could, Terrestrial Tiger and the three members of {Judgment’s Domain} had arrived on the rooftop.
Strangely, none of the six contestants appeared nervous. In fact, their expressions were more relaxed than the others.
As they stepped off the elevator, Terrestrial Tiger cast a sharp glance at Qi Xia, his features hardening. "Didn’t you only pay for admission for three people? Who let you in?"
"I wish to watch from the sidelines," Qi Xia responded calmly.
"There’s no such rule. Get out," Terrestrial Tiger snarled coldly.
"I..." Qi Xia started to reply, but he faintly sensed a murderous aura emanating from Terrestrial Tiger.
"It's alright, Qi, just go down and wait for us," Zhang Shan said, "I’ve got everything you mentioned memorized."
"Yeah, Swindler lad, don’t worry," Qiao Jiajin added with a slight smile. "You can take Buff lou and Kung Fu gal with you; just having me here is plenty."
"What are you talking about, punk?" Zhang Shan shot back, clearly irritated. "Why don’t you go down?"
Qiao Jiajin flexed his arms with a grin. "Because I have the skills."
"Lǎozǐ is also born with divine strength," Zhang Shan retorted.
Qi Xia gave the three of them a serious look and said, "My role ends here. The rest is up to you three."
"Mhm." Qiao Jiajin nodded.
Qi Xia’s gaze sharpened as he added, "Above all, your life comes first, understand?"
"Got it."
Without another word, Qi Xia turned and stepped into the elevator. As the doors slid shut, he cast one last, lingering glance at his three companions. This was no longer his battle to fight; he had given them all the tools they would need, and now the responsibility was theirs.
When the elevator descended to the first floor, Qi Xia exited and found an old wooden box to sit upon. Leaning against the cold wall, he closed his eyes, his thoughts a tangled web of anxious anticipation.
Though physically removed from the game, his nerves were taut, more tightly wound than the participants themselves. It was strange—he wasn’t the one walking the precarious beam or facing down the enemy, yet the weight of what lay ahead pressed on him with unrelenting force.
…
Upstairs, Terrestrial Tiger had already begun outlining the rules of the game.
He strode to one end of the Single-Plank Bridge, where he firmly planted a red flag, then made his way to the opposite side to place a blue flag with equal precision.
"My game is called {Narrow Road Encounter}," Terrestrial Tiger announced, "At the start of the game, both teams will position themselves on the Single-Plank Bridge, divided into left and right. The winning condition is simple: all surviving members of one side must reach the other side and touch the opponent's flag."
Zhang Shan glanced at Qiao Jiajin, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.
The rule laid out before them mirrored exactly what Qi Xia had speculated.
The only divergence was that Qi Xia had added an extra warning: "While the rules are generally as they seem, there will undoubtedly be hidden conditions that only emerge during the game."
Seeing no one ask any questions, Terrestrial Tiger continued, "Now, let’s go over some key points. First, to reach the opponent's side, you must cross the Single-Plank Bridge. Taking any route other than the Single-Plank Bridge is considered a {violation}, and the violator will be subjected to {punishment}."
Li Xiangling surveyed the venue, understanding the logic behind the rule—it was meant to prevent anyone from attempting to bypass the bridge entirely by simply sneaking around to the other team's side from the rooftop.
"Secondly," Terrestrial Tiger continued, "participants may step off the Single-Plank Bridge to rest at any time without forfeiting their position. However, should they wish to rejoin the game, they must re-enter the bridge from their own side."
The six players remained silent, their eyes fixed on the arena, each deep in thought as they considered their approach.
"Lastly, no one is permitted to damage the venue," Terrestrial Tiger concluded. "Are the rules clear?"
"Clear," Zhang Shan responded.
"Any questions?" Terrestrial Tiger asked.
Li Xiangling was the first to break the silence. "Is there a time limit for this game?"
Terrestrial Tiger shook his head. "No. The game concludes when all surviving members of your team simultaneously touch the opponent's flag. The winners will receive eight {Dào} and all the spoils from the opposing team."
Everyone nodded.
"Since there are no further questions," Terrestrial Tiger continued, "the game will begin in three minutes." He stepped aside, gesturing for the teams to take their positions. "Please move to opposite sides of the Single-Plank Bridge."
Qiao Jiajin, Zhang Shan, and Li Xiangling slowly made their way to the side with the red flag, while the other three stood at a distance on the opposite side. The tension in the air was palpable, and not a word was spoken. Both sides stared across at each other, their gazes sharp and unwavering.
