TDU Chapter 284
Chapter 284 The Unconventional Earthly Branches
With his arms folded and posture straightened, Black Goat said coolly, "If you think it's presumptuous, then leave. Goat ge isn't your mentor—you owe him no imposition."
White Goat glanced at Black Goat but didn’t rebut the statement.
A few seconds later, Mortal Pig suddenly dropped to his knees with a {thud}.
"Goat ge... you know my mentor won't help me... now, all I can rely on is you..." Mortal Pig’s tone was filled with despair. Though clearly a middle-aged man, he now knelt and bowed like a lowly servant, his demeanor abject and pitiful.
"Get up." White Goat said coldly, "I have no respect for those who grovel."
Mortal Pig hesitated for a moment, then slowly straightened up, pushing himself to his feet with the support of his knees.
"Out with it—what do you want?" White Goat inquired.
"Goat ge... I’m just twenty {Dào} short of being able to sign the contract... but my mentor keeps making things difficult for me... he keeps demanding more and more every day..." Mortal Pig’s voice slowly began to choke, "All I want is to depart from here justly, and with honor.... I—"
"Spare the pretense. What do you want?"
After a brief pause, Mortal Pig looked up and said, "I would like to sign the contract and part ways with my current mentor."
White Goat and Black Goat exchanged a glance, a peculiar expression flickering across their faces.
"Are you not speaking treason?" White Goat commented. "If word of this spreads, death will be your only end."
"But you won't let it get out!" Mortal Pig said desperately. "Goat ge, I'm nearly there, just one final step to complete my quota. I only need one last bit of security... Please, Goat ge, once I reach {Terrestrial-grade}, I’ll be forever loyal to you."
Black Goat, hearing the request, looked at White Goat out of the corner of his eye, unsure of what course he would take.
White Goat slowly rose to his feet and spoke, "Pig, are you implying that you want to integrate {deception} into your {probability game}?"
"Yes."
"But you’re also aware that... once the game is finalized, it cannot be modified at will, unless..."
"Unless it’s a life-staking gamble, I’m fully aware." Mortal Pig nodded. "If I continue to be exploited like this, not only will I fail to sign the contract, but I might even be killed by my mentor. If it comes down to that last step… I will boldly wager my life."
After a lengthy contemplation, White Goat finally nodded. He turned, reached into the drawer, and pulled out two pairs of glasses, which he then handed to the Pig.
Black Goat narrowed his eyes slowly, watching the scene unfold, and exhaled deeply.
"These two pairs of glasses were once game tools from my {Mortal Goat} days," White Goat remarked. "One forces the wearer to tell the truth, while the other ensures lies. They are yours now."
"Y–You’re giving them to me?" Mortal Pig stared at the two pairs of glasses in disbelief.
"But I must warn you ahead of time..." White Goat resumed his seat at the table. "These glasses could either be a miraculous remedy, supporting your escape, or a vast abyss, undoing all your efforts. It depends entirely on how you use them."
"Goat ge..." Mortal Pig raised his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "I’ve never designed a game around deception... May I ask you to lend me your guidance once again?"
"No." White Goat shook his head, "You and I have no connection. This is the limit of what I can provide."
Mortal Pig nodded in understanding. "Yes... Goat ge, I’m sorry. I’m already extremely thankful for your help."
"Handle the {deception} segment yourself," White Goat remarked. "Your fate, whether you live or die, is in your own hands."
"Understood!" Mortal Pig nodded, "Goat ge, I truly hope your tools will be my lifeline when the time comes."
"May it be so."
White Goat and Black Goat silently saw Mortal Pig out of the room, and the atmosphere fell back into silence.
After a lengthy pause, Black Goat finally spoke, "Goat ge... so you've been holding onto your {Mortal-grade} items all this while?"
"Yes, what of it?" White Goat turned to look at him.
"Not–Nothing at all." Black Goat shook his head.
"What you mean is, {you possess these convenient tools, but you didn’t offer them to me, giving them to an outsider instead}, am I wrong?"
"I..." Black Goat paused slightly, then quickly smiled, "Goat ge, how could I think that…"
"You and Mouse are two extremes," White Goat laughed, "She never lies, and you can never be truthful."
Black Goat's eyes darkened for a moment, but he remained smiling as he replied, "Goat ge, you were the one who taught me to never reveal my true thoughts."
"Is that so?" White Goat smiled, "Using the very skills I gave you against me?"
"No, that’s not it..." Black Goat stood up in a slight panic, "Goat ge, you’ve misunderstood, I was simply—"
"Alright, no need to say more." White Goat waved his hand, "This is a good thing; among all of you, you might be the first to reach Terrestrial-grade."
Upon hearing those words, Black Goat's face tightened with a mix of emotions, and he slowly seated himself.
Just as they were lost in their silence, the door to the room was abruptly thrown open.
"Goat ge! Trouble!" Mortal Tiger shouted urgently from outside, "Little Mouse is in trouble... we need you to step in and resolve it!"
White Goat slowly rose to his feet. "Why all this fuss... is there something neither of you can manage?"
"The situation is indeed tricky…" Mortal Snake rushed in and said, "That little girl is now in the hands of Terrestrial Snake!"
Both White Goat and Black Goat’s eyes narrowed as they heard the news, and without a second thought, they bolted out the door.
As they made their way down the hallway, Mortal Tiger briefed the details he had gathered from the two Mortal Rabbits with White Goat.
"Terrestrial Snake, that old pervert, is completely insane…" Black Goat gritted his teeth and said, "It would be one thing to snatch people, but Mouse only just left Goat ge’s side—this is a blatant breach of protocol!"
"I heard that Little Mouse said she had {no mentor} herself." Mortal Tiger said, his eyes full of concern, "We need to act quickly... If we could beat that old bastard ourselves, we would never trouble you, Goat ge."
"Cut the nonsense."
They hurried past dozens of doors and finally arrived in front of Terrestrial Snake’s room.
White Goat loosened the top of his suit, then proceeded to remove his cufflinks.
"Goat ge… what’s the plan?" Mortal Tiger inquired, his anxiety evident as behind that door was not just Terrestrial Snake, but his male and female disciples as well.
"I’ll take on Terrestrial Snake, you deal with the others."
"Take on...?" Mortal Tiger blinked for a moment, then broke into a smile, "I expected no less of you, Goat ge, your plans are always so clear-cut."
The three {Earthly Branches} behind White Goat all loosened the buttons on their suits. After stretching their limbs slightly, White Goat kicked the wooden door with a powerful strike, sending it flying open.
The scene inside immediately ignited their fury.
An emaciated, snake-headed old man stood bare, clutching Mortal Mouse in his arms as he ripped at her garments. Surrounding them, a throng of naked men and women shouted and cheered in a frenzy.
The sudden intrusion caused everyone in the room to jump in shock.
"Terrestrial Goat...?" Terrestrial Snake turned his head, his expression full of confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"I’m here to pick up our child." White Goat cracked his knuckles as he strode forward.
TL Note: Rant goes here ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)
