“Dealing with two kings at the same time is a real strain. If we could form an alliance with one of them, the situation would be much easier to manage.” Yan Qingwen said.

Du Lai considered it. “Both kings who’ve made it to the fourth battle are no pushovers. Negotiating a partnership won’t necessarily be easy.”

“At the very least, we can’t let them team up against us.” Yan Qingwen said. “That speedster from before would be useful as a messenger. Whose side are they on?”

Fu Miaoxue said, “They’re with Kachi. The other king is named Willard.”

“Willard?” Yan Qingwen paused slightly. “Willard…”

“What, you know him?” Du Lai asked.

“We crossed paths in a previous game.” Yan Qingwen frowned. “No direct contact, but a teammate told me — that guy is dangerous.”

“Every king who made it here is dangerous.” Du Lai studied the map he had just drawn and made a decision. “…We try to cut a path straight through the middle, and prevent the two sides from joining forces.”

No time to waste — they moved out immediately.

Du Lai recalled Chen Hui, deciding to abandon territory-capturing in the early stage of the game. Instead, their focus shifted to two simultaneous goals: severing enemy communication, and launching attacks with the primary aim of reducing enemy numbers.

The enemies they encountered happened to be scattered — either in pairs or alone. Against Du Lai’s plan to encircle with ten people, the only option was to turn and flee.

Du Lai led the group in relentless pursuit!

He was ruthless, using items without hesitation, refusing to ease up even when companions were injured. Combined with Yan Qingwen’s traps and Leonid’s formidable strength, their opponents had no way to defend against the full-force assault!

By the time the king realized what was happening and tried to rally the remaining subjects, it was already too late!

By the time Du Lai had fully eliminated that king, their group had already claimed over twenty territories — far surpassing half the map.

The losses weren’t nothing, though.

Du Lai and Fu Miaoxue had lost two subjects, and both Chen Hui and Leonid had sustained injuries.

“Why haven’t we seen anyone from the other side?” Fu Miaoxue was puzzled. “You don’t think they’re planning something sneaky behind our backs?”

Du Lai glanced at the time. “That’s a valid strategy too — wait until we’ve worn ourselves down, then strike.”

Yan Qingwen said, “Although we have the biggest advantage right now, we’re also in the most danger. The king called Willard is likely still sitting in his home base, waiting until we’re exhausted and then delivering us a fatal blow.”

Exhausted…

Fu Miaoxue looked around at everyone. After hours of intense fighting, every person was worn thin. Leonid had killed the most enemies, but also bore the most wounds.

They needed time to recover.

“If he’s waiting for us to exhaust ourselves, he’s in for a surprise.” Du Lai said with a cold smile, then turned to Fu Miaoxue. “Take out the painting.”

Fu Miaoxue’s bag was light — she only carried essential items. Inside was a rolled scroll; when unfurled, it revealed a landscape painting of mountains and a rural village.

She held the painting up with both hands raised high.

“This painting is an item — you can live and rest inside the buildings depicted in it.” Du Lai beckoned to the group. “Follow me.”

He stepped in first —

His entire body sank into the painting and vanished!

Inside the ink-wash scene, a tiny new figure appeared — rendered in just a few sparse brushstrokes, yet clearly recognizable as Du Lai’s silhouette. He stood on stone steps among mountains, his hand raised in a beckoning gesture.

Everyone stared in amazement.

Yan Qingwen immediately thought of the dollhouse — both were special items with “pocket dimensions.”

He couldn’t help asking: “Once we’re all inside, what happens to the painting?”

“I’ll be outside, obviously.” Fu Miaoxue said casually. “Once you’re all in, I’ll roll it up, find somewhere to hide it, and then you can all get a proper rest.”

—