Mu Sicheng bent over the thick pile of temperature records Bai Liu had handed him and found the coldest spot on August 10th of the previous year.
The records clearly indicated the latitude and longitude—exactly where Bai Liu and his team stood now.
Tang Erda moved the radar detector onto the ice, exhaled a hot breath, straightened, and turned to Bai Liu. "As usual—probe first, then drill?"
Bai Liu nodded.
Tang Erda positioned the heavy hydraulic hammer over the ice. After carefully checking for crevices, he climbed into the helicopter and began operating the instrument.
Liu Jiayi stayed back in the helicopter. The wind was so fierce it threatened to sweep her away, forcing her to remain close to the cabin. She braced herself against Tang Erda's seat, feet propped, straining to see the radar screen on the dashboard.
The instrument scanned layer by layer. At over a thousand meters, it detected a regular metal object. Liu Jiayi frowned. "That deep? How long will it take to dig?"
"A conservative estimate… more than six hours." Tang Erda rubbed his frozen hands. "It's a problem. It's so cold that even if we work in shifts, the rest of us won't stay warm. Fuel is running low."
"Forcing the excavation would be dangerous."
Liu Jiayi glanced at the thermometer dangling in Tang Erda's hand. "But it's only about -30°C. You've worked safely at -50°C in Taishan Station before. Why is it more dangerous here?"
Tang Erda's expression hardened. "Because the wind here is colder than the snow itself. Cold temperatures drain heat slowly, but high-speed wind strips body heat rapidly. With our limited gear, we'd freeze to death in minutes."
He looked over at Bai Liu and the others outside, stabilizing the equipment. Within minutes, Mu Sicheng and Mu Ke were turning purple, hopping lightly on the snow to keep warm.
"I'll go down and relieve them," Tang Erda offered, concern flickering in his eyes.
"But you won't last long in these gales," Liu Jiayi said sharply, hitting the truth. "Even if we take turns digging, it's only a matter of time before someone freezes. Fuel is low, and we have no way to warm up."
Liu Jiayi paused, her voice trembling but resolute. "We don't need to challenge Spades right now. Naturally, we can't win yet. We should convince Bai Liu to log out first."
"Trying to excavate a heart a kilometre deep and beat Spades? Impossible!"
Clinging to the side of the helicopter, Liu Jiayi's eyes were red, faint tears streaking her cheeks. Her voice, carried by the snow and wind, sounded fragile—almost like a real, helpless girl.
"Spades is terrifying. I saw Hearts go up against him. She asked if I could save her from Spades… I didn't answer her then."
"But now I can. And the answer is absolutely not—I am powerless to save any of my teammates from him." Liu Jiayi's thin white fingers gripped the side of the helicopter as she huffed a hidden sob. "I can't let him kill Bai Liu like before, when he threw [Bai Liu] into the acid pool. He's bound to lose, and I can't save him."
Her voice broke. "I'm not sure I can persuade Bai Liu to leave the game. He trusts you more. Can you help me?"
Tang Erda looked at her—this little witch, once bloody, cruel, and clever, now so vulnerable. He realized in a trance: she was afraid.
The memories of Edmond Observatory, the horrors they had witnessed there, still haunted her.
Despite her fear, the little girl had shown no sign of it since boarding the plane. She remained calm, even waiting for Bai Liu to leave before attempting to conspire.
Tang Erda paused as he stepped into the snow, then continued, sinking deeper with each step. He glanced back at the helicopter, tilting his head toward Liu Jiayi in the doorway, the wind tugging at the animal fleece edging his hat.
Liu Jiayi was right—but Bai Liu was the tactician.
This was unquestionable.
"Are you questioning the tactician's decision?" Tang Erda asked quietly.
Liu Jiayi bit her lower lip, silent.
"Never question the tactician's decisions," Tang Erda said, looking directly at her. "The moment he makes a decision, he is ready to give his life for victory. Bai Liu knows the consequences better than anyone."
"For the tactician, winning the game is all that matters. You, as his player, only need to execute his decisions—and win."
Liu Jiayi's voice was hoarse. "Even if Bai Liu dies for this victory… it doesn't matter, does it?"
Tang Erda replied calmly, "Yes. It doesn't matter. Because that's what he wants."
He turned and stepped into the snow, leaving heavy footprints behind.
Liu Jiayi lingered by the doorway, staring at the prints. She took a deep breath, wiped away her tears twice, then turned back to rummage through boxes for maps and information.
Her teeth gritted as she thought fiercely: We can't freeze to death here. We have to get the heart out first.
By the time Bai Liu and his team were rotated back by Tang Erda with the drill, Liu Jiayi had expertly set up a snow camp, bringing out heating equipment to keep the three men warm.
Mu Sicheng clutched a cup of hot water, shivering. "Shit… ah… it's… too… cold!"
Liu Jiayi handed Bai Liu a small plush blanket. He took it and wiped the ends of his hair. "Thank you."
"We're running out of fuel," Liu Jiayi said once the group slowed. "We need enough to get the helicopter airborne. We don't have six hours' worth to last the entire dig."
Bai Liu considered briefly, then proposed, "Any nearby observation posts? We could check for fuel and supplies."
"Yes," Liu Jiayi said, pulling out a map. "I checked carefully. Only one place might have a stockpile."
She pointed. "Scott's Hut—a relic from early explorers, built in 1912."
Mu Ke peeked over, exhaling into his hands. "It's wooden… flammable. Would they leave a large fuel reserve?"
"Yes," Liu Jiayi nodded. "Edmond's books mention it, and a tourist brochure confirms it. The hut is maintained, people live nearby, and there's fuel stored there."
Bai Liu nodded. "It's close. We can go straight to Scott's Hut first."
He issued instructions. "Mu Ke, Mu Sicheng, Jiayi—come with me. Take a small amount of fuel and supplies; leave the rest for Captain Tang. He's more experienced with helicopter operations and Antarctic conditions. He'll handle the drilling here.
"Give him a satellite call once we get there. If there's fuel, have him come over. If not, keep him in place."
Bai Liu scanned the group. "Any questions?"
Mu Ke and Mu Sicheng shook their heads. Liu Jiayi pursed her lips, silent.
He looked at her.
Liu Jiayi met his gaze briefly, red-eyed. "Do you have to win against Spades?"
Bai Liu smiled. "I have to."
She expected the answer, yet couldn't help scolding: "Even if it means you die?"
Bai Liu stood, smiling. He patted her head, brushed away the tears she tried to hide, and gave her a gentle hug. "I promise… I'll beat him before I die."
The group left Tang Erda behind and set off for Scott's Hut, sleds and ski poles in hand.
It wasn't far. Soon, the nostalgic building appeared on the coast, a faint light glowing warmly from within. The heat felt like a balm to bodies chilled by wind and snow. Mu Sicheng relaxed, shoulders loosening.
Bai Liu set aside his ski poles, removed his sled shoes, and gripped his whip as he entered the hut.
Inside, on a creaking wooden stool, an old man sat dozing by the fireplace, arms folded over his belly. His bristling beard twitched, a faint string of snores escaping.
Bai Liu's footsteps and the burst of cold air at the door roused him. His eyes opened lazily, taking in Bai Liu standing five meters away.
He appeared calm, not alarmed by the unexpected guest, though a raised eyebrow betrayed mild surprise.
"Look what I've found," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Edmond's gaze fell on the whip in Bai Liu's hand. "Ah… another guest who likes to use a whip."