Gai Fengyou said, "Since neither of you will say what is inside this Fate Boat, as the guarantor, I cannot deduce it according to the oath. Slanted-Eye Dog, are you sure this is what you want?"
Li Qingxian nodded. "It is indeed what I mentioned."
"Good. The three of us shall make a contract."
Gai Fengyou took out the Fate Arts Contract Book. After the three examined it, they each swore an oath, pressed their handprints upon it, and left behind traces of their mana. The contract was complete.
Gai Fengyou put away the two items and said, "The contract is complete. The victor will obtain both treasures. The loser will not only gain nothing, but must also leave Far-Reaching City and may not enter within a hundred li of it for three years. In this Fate Chess match, Slanted-Eye Dog will set the Pattern Stabilization. So long as it conforms to the rules, Great Sir must comply. Do either of you object?"
"No," they said in unison.
Gai Fengyou said, "For Flowing Annual Fate, what specific rules are there?"
Li Qingxian said, "No borrowing external objects."
Great Sir smiled. "Just a game of words. I certainly will not use external objects."
Gai Fengyou asked a few more questions. Neither had any objections. He took out a white banner and sent mana surging from his right hand. The words "Fate Chess: Flowing Annual Fate" appeared upon the banner.
Holding the banner aloft, Gai Fengyou led the two onward along Beast Bridge.
Fate Arts Masters who saw the white banner gathered around. Even many of those selling goods at stalls packed up their wares, their interest piqued.
"A fine show is coming."
"I seem to have seen those two half-wolf-heads before. They seem quite extraordinary. They have played Fate Chess three