TDU Chapter 160: Targeted Earthly Branch
Chapter 160 Targeted Earthly Branch
As soon as Qi Xia’s words left his mouth, the person before him suddenly transformed—Chu Tianqiu’s form melted away in the blink of an eye, replaced by Xu Liunian. The change was startling, far removed from the slow, dramatic transformations seen on television, where one peels away a mask or gradually shifts. No, this was instantaneous, as if the very fabric of reality itself had been altered.
Qi Xia blinked, and in the next moment, the figure before him reverted back to Chu Tianqiu, as though nothing had happened.
It was as if the person in front of him existed behind a curtain—when the curtain was drawn open, he was Chu Tianqiu; when it closed, she became Xu Liunian.
"Qi Xia, stop making trouble." Chu Tianqiu's voice had returned to its usual calm, though it carried an undertone of urgency. He whispered, "My identity can’t be exposed here."
"You helped me before, so I won’t make things difficult for you," Qi Xia replied, his tone steady. "But let me see Chu Tianqiu."
"No can do!" Chu Tianqiu's voice dropped to a harsh whisper, the edge of warning sharp in his words. "You know that his {memory} is the key to escaping this place. He hasn’t lost his memory for two years! What you're asking could put him in danger."
"I know," Qi Xia said, his expression unwavering. "But what I need to discuss with him is precisely how to escape. I don't care about whatever plans he's scheming in the background. However, if he dares to treat me like a pawn... rest assured, I’ll make sure everything spirals out of control."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianqiu swallowed hard, his composure wavering for a moment. He spoke slowly, as if weighing his words carefully. "Qi Xia, you really can’t see him. If there’s anything you need, I can help you convey it."
"Convey..." Qi Xia's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "That’s fine. Just ask him one question for me."
"What’s is it?"
"Please ask Chu Tianqiu, {How long have you been here}."
"What...?" Chu Tianqiu’s expression froze. "You..."
"If Chu Tianqiu answers incorrectly this time, I will completely send him off." Qi Xia said, his voice low and resolute as he stood up, his attention no longer on the person before him. He turned and walked back to his seat.
Lin Qin glanced up as Qi Xia approached, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Is everything settled?"
"It fell apart." Qi Xia bluntly replied.
"Haha." Lin Qin laughed involuntarily while holding a bottle.
With no further words between them, they both turned their attention back to the noisy crowd, their gaze distant.
After a while, Yun Yao finished her performance and returned to her seat amidst the thunderous applause of the crowd. The audience, still buzzing with excitement, gradually returned to their seats.
"Swindler lad! Idol gal is too amazing!" Qiao Jiajin exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. "I thought it was a recording, but it turns out it was her singing live!"
"Yes, she sings well," Qi Xia agreed with a subtle nod.
Noticing Doctor Zhao also returning to his seat, his expression awkward, Qi Xia’s mind sparked with a new idea. A glint of thought crossed his eyes, though he wasn’t sure if it was too bold a move.
"Doctor Zhao, I want to team up with you tomorrow." Qi Xia said.
"Me?" Doctor Zhao turned back to face Qi Xia, a look of confusion spreading across his features. "Why?"
"Because I think you're a person of good character." Qi Xia’s lips curled slightly. "In this environment... I’m far more reliable than Xiao Ran, wouldn't you agree?"
Doctor Zhao studied Qi Xia for a long moment, his gaze intense as if weighing his words. Finally, he asked, "Who else will be joining us?"
"Just you and me." Qi Xia responded, "We won’t be bringing anyone else."
"What!?" Doctor Zhao’s voice was laced with disbelief. "Just you and me?"
Qiao Jiajin and Lin Qin exchanged glances, equally stunned by the suggestion.
"Swindler lad, you want to go solo?"
Qi Xia shook his head. "No, this is merely a temporary arrangement." He then turned to Lin Qin, his expression shifting to one of quiet seriousness as he leaned in, speaking softly. "Tomorrow, I’ll entrust Qiao Jiajin to you. Should he fail to return, our cooperation will cease."
"Understood." Lin Qin nodded, "Qiao Jiajin, I will go with you tomorrow."
"Uh..." Qiao Jiajin was thoroughly confused, his brow furrowing. "What kind of team arrangement is this?"
"Fists, it's settled." Qi Xia said, giving Qiao Jiajin a firm pat on the shoulder. "Doctor Zhao and I are two grown men—there’s little chance we’ll face any real danger. You, on the other hand, should focus on looking after Lin Qin."
Qiao Jiajin sighed in resignation, nodding helplessly. "Alright, but it’s gonna be pricey, to have someone as powerful as me."
"I know, I know." Lin Qin nodded with a wry smile, her voice smooth. "I'll be sure to compensate you with plenty of beer if we manage to earn any {Dào}."
The {welcome party} gradually came to a close, the joyous atmosphere faded as the evening settled in. From tomorrow onward, however, the jubilant mood would evaporate. There would be no more {happiness} to speak of, only the relentless grind of the games—until the {Passage to Heaven} stood eerily empty, devoid of life.
Qi Xia dismissed the others, urging them to rest. However, he made his way alone to the desolate wasteland behind the school as night cloaked the world. A can of drink and a bag of snacks were in his hands, the quiet rustle of the bag the only sound as he walked. He arrived at the grave of {Zhang Lijuan}, placing the offering gently on the ground.
His gaze rose to the darkened sky, and the distant chirp of insects was the only thing that broke the stillness. His eyes, however, betrayed an inner turmoil—there was despair there, deep and unrelenting.
"Tian Tian," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "That knife... it was placed in front of you on purpose. But... I let you die in the game, just to force everyone else out. You won’t blame me, will you?"
...
The next day, the participants formed their individual teams once again, the air charged with anticipation as they prepared for what lay ahead.
Although both Qi Xia and Han Yimo retained their memories, they did not join Zhang Shan's team.
Han Yimo, whose memories stretched only a short way back, was inherently timid. Given the circumstances, there was no way he could muster the courage to take part in a {Terrestrial}-grade game alongside Zhang Shan. Instead, he opted to align himself with Lin Qin and Qiao Jiajin's team, settling for the relative safety of a {Mortal}-grade game.
Qi Xia and Doctor Zhao packed their things and made their way to the departure point, ready to set out. However, a lingering worry weighed on Qi Xia’s mind: Xiao Ran hadn’t returned the entire night. No one knew where she had gone. Perhaps she had left the {Passage to Heaven} entirely, or perhaps she was lurking in the shadows, plotting her revenge.
"Heh..." Qi Xia sneered quietly to himself, the corners of his lips curling into something between disdain and amusement. "If you were just a bit more capable, it would have been best if you could help me draw out Chu Tianqiu."
Doctor Zhao, standing beside him, looked over with a puzzled expression. "What did you say?"
"It's nothing, let's go."
The two of them walked out of the school gates, the dull, dirt-colored sun casting long shadows across the ground as the day began.
"Qi Xia..." Doctor Zhao's voice broke the silence, and he turned his head, his gaze fixed on Qi Xia. "Why me?"
"Because I know most of the people in our team, but you remain an enigma to me," Qi Xia replied calmly, his gaze unwavering as they walked. "Doctor Zhao, what kind of person are you?"
Doctor Zhao considered this for a moment before responding, his tone matter-of-fact. "I’m a very pragmatic person. I tend to do only what benefits me."
Qi Xia nodded slowly, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, knowing smile. "I see. I’m the same. No one in this world lives for others, after all."
Doctor Zhao’s lips pressed into a thin line as he fell silent. He didn’t say another word, but simply fell in step behind Qi Xia.
The two made their way deeper into the heart of the city and passed numerous {Earthly Branches}. Despite the wealth of sights around him, Qi Xia didn’t spare them a single glance.
Doctor Zhao, unable to ignore the oddity of it, furrowed his brow. It didn’t sit right with him. Weren’t they supposed to be preparing for a game? "Qi Xia," he ventured, his voice laced with curiosity, "What exactly are you looking for?"
Qi Xia’s tone was composed as ever. "I’m looking for our target for this round."
Doctor Zhao's brow furrowed deeper. "You seem to know this place well. In just a day, you’ve already pinpointed a target?"
"Yes," Qi Xia replied, his expression neutral. "It’s a shame, though—our target seems a little rare and has not appeared yet."
Doctor Zhao’s gaze flickered with doubt, a subtle unease crept into his chest. He didn’t say anything, but the unsettling feeling lingered in the air, gnawing at him.
Two hours passed, and the pair had walked past at least twenty {Earthly Branches} when finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Qi Xia’s gaze landed on the one he had been searching for.
The {Earthly Branch} in question was unmistakable—a lifelike rooster head, its features grotesquely vivid. The comb atop its head swayed unnervingly, like a bloated tumor, while the feathers on its face gleamed an eerie, unnatural white, reflecting a ghostly light under the dim sun.
"Found it."
