TDU Chapter 279
Chapter 279 Warehouse Dào Seeking
The lizard man looked at White Goat gege, seemingly too angry to say anything.
White Goat gege no longer bothered with him. He forcefully pushed him aside and lightly said, "Oh, and just so you know, today’s humiliation was your own doing, so don’t try to pin it on me."
Although the lizard man’s {disciples} seemed to number in the dozens, they all made way for us.
Mister Tiger and Mister Snake turned back to hold my hand again, and we followed White Goat gege.
After walking several steps, White Goat gege turned to us and said in a quiet voice, "From now on, the four of you should leave together after work. If any issues arise, stall for time, and I’ll deal with it."
Mister Black Goat hesitated for a moment after hearing this, then asked, "So, Goat ge... are we going to shelter this child from now on?"
"What of it?" White Goat gege turned back to look at him. "Is there something you find inappropriate?"
"Oh, no—not at all..." Mister Black Goat shook his head. "Goat ge, I’m sure you have your own intentions... I just feel this child won’t bring you {Dào}, and your ascension will be delayed further."
"If I were solely focused on ascension, not to mention that child, I wouldn’t keep any of you three around," White Goat gege replied calmly, "I’ve been without family since I was a child. Although we share no blood relations, a shared meal makes us no less than family. Even if I were to leave, I would do so after ensuring all of you are taken care of."
"Goat ge, you don’t need to worry about me!" Mister Tiger said, shaking his head. "I’m a liability anyway. If you want to ascend, you can leave me behind without hesitation!"
"Oh shut up!" Mister Snake smacked Mister Black Tiger on the back of the head. "Can't you tell the difference between good and bad? There’s no f*cking point playing righteous!"
"Damn Snake, you motherfu— May I ask why are you hitting me?" Mister Tiger rubbed the back of his head and asked.
"Why are you talking like that?" Mister Snake reached out to touch Mister Tiger’s mask. "Little Tiger, you’ve got a fever or something? Why aren’t you cursing me out?"
"Laozi… I don’t want to curse today. Don’t provoke me." Mister Tiger pushed away Mister Snake’s hand. "Let’s just get to work already."
Mister Snake nodded and then reached over to pat my head.
I instinctively took a small step back. I couldn’t help it—Mister Snake’s scent was hard to tolerate.
"Why are you so afraid?" Mister Snake shook his head. "Although I’m a {Snake}, I’m not going to eat you, little {Mouse}, for now."
"Ah… that’s not it… I’m not afraid that you’ll eat me, Mister Snake…" I quickly shook my head.
"Alright, I need to go." Mister Snake patted my head once more. "I’ll play with you again tonight."
After Mister Snake left, Mister Black Goat and Mister Tiger followed suit. I didn’t know where the exit was, so I just followed White Goat gege.
After all, every door here looked the same—how did they remember which one was which?
We walked for about another dozen steps before White Goat gege stopped.
"Mouse, you’ll go out from here." He pointed to a door next to him. "Your door is separated from mine by a total of one hundred and thirteen doors. Remember that for the future."
"Ah... okay, I’ll remember that." I nodded. "Well... I’ll be going now, White Goat gege…"
White Goat gege turned to look at me for a moment before asking, "Why do you call them ‘mister,’ but call me ‘gege’?"
"Bec—Because you sound younger..." I whispered, "I feel like you’re more like a gege to me..."
"Gege, huh...?" There was a hint of sadness in White Goat gege’s eyes. "Do you know how long I’ve been here...?"
I quickly added, "If you don’t like it, White Goat gege... I can call you ‘mister’ too..."
"No, just keep calling me ‘gege’." White Goat gege shook his head. "No one has ever called me that in my life."
"Ah...?"
"Mouse," White Goat gege said, "Don’t die out there."
"Die...?" I felt like White Goat gege might be overthinking because Lord Vermilion Bird outside seemed to be watching over me, so I shouldn’t be in any danger.
"Perhaps I’m worrying too much," White Goat gege shook his head, took out four small orbs from his pocket, and handed them to me.
I recognized these orbs. Qin Dingdong jiejie used them to play a game with an umpire.
"These four {Dào} are for your protection," White Goat gege explained. "I don’t have high expectations—just break even."
"Th–Thank you, White Goat gege." So these are what they call {Dào}?
"Go on, I’ll see you tonight." White Goat gege opened the door for me, and I realized we were right back at the warehouse entrance where I had come in.
After saying my goodbyes, I stepped outside, feeling amazed.
I stood there dumbly at the warehouse entrance, replaying the rules that Mister Tiger and Mister Snake had told me.
I’m the umpire for this warehouse, so I need to wait at the entrance for the {participants}...
I don’t know why, but I felt a little nervous.
Will anyone really come to participate in my game...?
I pulled out the small notebook White Goat gege had given me and carefully reread the rules. They were a bit complicated, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle it...
The sun slowly moved across the sky. I felt like I had been waiting for a long time, but no one came.
My warehouse seemed to be in a remote place...
But maybe that’s a good thing! I was worried I might mess up... and I also didn’t want to cause White Goat gege to make a loss.
They gave me food, so I can't make things difficult for them...
I really feel torn. I want to earn some {Dào} to bring back to White Goat gege, but at the same time, I don’t want anyone to come to me...
"Little Mouse!" A voice suddenly rang out behind me, startling me so much that I jumped.
I turned around and was surprised to see two jiejies. They were both so beautiful!
No... to be more precise, one of them was extraordinarily stunning, almost like a movie star from a magazine. Though the other jiejie was also very pretty, she paled in comparison next to her.
Ah! This isn’t the time to think about that.
Cu–Customers!
I didn’t know where to put my hands. I froze for a moment and could only put them behind my back.
"Do–Do you want to participate in my {trial}?" I mustered the courage to ask. As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt like I at least sounded somewhat presentable.
"Trial...?" The pretty jiejie smiled, "You sound like a little child... Everyone else calls it a {game}, why do you call it a {trial}?"
"Ah, I..." I kept trying to think of something to say, but my mind went blank, and I couldn't come up with a single reason.
"Forget it, xiao meimei." The pretty jiejie shook her head. "Tell me, what’s your game?"
"Ah, my game is called..."
Oh no, I’ve forgot!
"It’s called..."
"What is it called?" The pretty jiejie stared at me with earnest eyes.
The more I tried to recall the contents of the little notebook, the emptier my mind became... What was White Goat gege's game again?
The particularly beautiful jiejie glanced at me and asked, "Did you just become part of the {Earthly Branches}? How could you even forget your game?"
"Wh–Who said I forgot..."
I turned to look at my warehouse, and suddenly an ingenious idea came to me.
"Jiejie! My game is called {Warehouse Dào Seeking}!"
TL Note: Ayeee, the cat’s outta the bag! I think from all the hints given from this side story so far, it’s about time I reveal to you who the narrator is! It’s the same Mortal Mouse from chapter 30! The name of her game is exactly the same! Now you all know why I was so sad when she was killed by the same Lord Vermillion Bird that saved her…. It only gets sadder from here :’)
