TDU Chapter 301
Chapter 301 Women's League
Before Song Seven could utter his next words, a short sword, fashioned from folded newspapers, appeared before his eyes.
Turning his head, he saw a peculiar boy gazing at him intently, softly muttering, "No murdering other civilians."
"What?" Song Seven furrowed his brows in confusion. "Civilians?"
Qi Xia rose slowly to his feet. "So you're here to escort me, Song Seven?"
"Indeed," Song Seven regained his composure, his face still drained of color. "Any task assigned to {Cats} must be carried out to completion."
"And how do you intend to achieve that? You are but a band of broken soldiers."
"It matters not if we die," Song Seven replied, shaking his head. "We either perish here or see the task through. There is no other path."
"How intriguing," Qi Xia stated with a cold smile. "Just yesterday, I considered you a xiōngdì. I never anticipated that today we would stand on opposite sides of a blade."
"Bonds don’t bend the rules of business." Song Seven remarked, his tone resolute. "Taking you with us this time does not mean we can't become xiōngdì in the future."
"Fair enough," Qi Xia nodded, then asked, "Where exactly do you intend to take me?"
"Our leader, Qian Five, wishes to meet you," Song Seven replied. "I can't promise much, but I can guarantee your personal safety."
Qi Xia couldn't help but laugh. "You and your group of men, each of you having lost a hand, claim to be able to guarantee my safety?"
Song Seven slowly approached Qi Xia, lowering his voice. "Truth is… there’s a {formidable individual} who wishes to meet you, but Five ge intervened—he insists on seeing you first, before rendering judgment."
"A formidable individual...?" Qi Xia furrowed his brow, the image of the elderly woman and the young boy suddenly flashed through his mind. Could they truly be {Celestial-grade}?
"We were willing to sacrifice a hand each just to learn your whereabouts—all to ensure Five ge’s plan unfolds without a hitch." Song Seven’s voice grew faint, his strength visibly waning. "You must realize… time isn’t on our side. If you refuse to come with us—"
"Enough," Qi Xia shook his head. "Lead the way."
"Really? You’ll come with us?" Song Seven asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Qi Xia nodded then rose from his seat. "I’ve developed a sudden interest in the leader you spoke of and would like to see him for myself."
Qiao Jiajin and Officer Li exchanged a glance, both feeling uneasy about the situation.
"Swindler lad, are you serious?" Qiao Jiajin asked. "Would a sane person really go as far as cutting off their hand just to find you?"
"Hmm..." Qi Xia pondered for a moment before replying, "Fists, they severed their right hands, not mine—that's what has me intrigued."
"In that case, I'll go with you," Qiao Jiajin grabbed his shirt from the table, slinging it over his shoulder with a grin. "They sent over ten people just to invite you. How could you go alone?"
At his words, Officer Li let out a soft laugh and stood up. "He makes a fair point. Qi Xia, I’ll accompany you as well."
Qi Xia nodded in acknowledgement. Just as he was about to step out the door, a thought struck him. He stopped, turned on his heel, and walked back to Han Yimo, his voice low and steady. "Han Yimo," he began, "this time, my chances of survival are slim. From now on, you should follow Su Shan."
"What—" Han Yimo froze, immediately grabbing Qi Xia’s wrist. "Wait a minute... What do you mean, ‘chances of survival are slim’? You’re clearly my sav—"
"You already know what I mean," Qi Xia interjected, his eyes steady. "So why ask?" He pushed Han Yimo’s hand away, then turned and walked toward Su Shan, leaving no room for further words.
He paused for a moment, considering his words carefully, before reaching out and pulling Su Shan into a quiet corner.
"What is it?" Su Shan asked.
"Su Shan," Qi Xia began, "you're undoubtedly a sharp individual. But right now, your understanding of {End Point} remains far too limited, and because of that, I can't afford to place my full trust in you just yet. I’m lifting my earlier restriction. From now on, you’re welcome to engage in any game, no matter the grade."
"No matter the grade…?"
"Precisely," Qi Xia affirmed with a nod. "Let yourself fall into despair—just as you did when we first met."
"Fall into despair?" Su Shan echoed, a flicker of understanding crossing her face before she gave a careful nod.
"Don’t suppress your thoughts," Qi Xia advised. "Caution may offer temporary refuge, but it nurtures long-term danger."
"I see…" Su Shan’s eyes shifted, the weight of the words settling in. There was a subtle shift in her gaze, as if something clicked into place. "Are you suggesting that, in critical moments, I should be as resolute as you—willing to risk both my own life and the lives of my teammates?"
"Exactly." Qi Xia nodded. "Su Shan, if you want to escape this place, a sane mind won’t suffice. It takes a {madman}. You’ve got the wit, but in the end, you’re still too rational."
"You’ve enlightened me, Qi Xia," Su Shan said with a faint smile.
"How much time do you think it will take for you to truly lose yourself?"
"It won't be long," Su Shan answered. "After all, your teammates are not mine."
"Excellent." Qi Xia nodded. "Bear this in mind—once you acquire your {Reverberation}, the deaths of others become inconsequential."
"Qi Xia, I truly wish I’d encountered you sooner," Su Shan remarked with a wry smile. "If I’m not mistaken, I’ve already squandered far too much time."
"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now." Qi Xia gave Su Shan a nod, then turned and made his way toward Song Seven.
"Let’s go."
After putting on his shirt, Qiao Jiajin gave Officer Li a nod, and together, they followed Qi Xia out.
One by one, the {Cats} placed their right arms over their chests, then moved to trail behind the trio.
{Hero}, still standing in the corner, paused for a moment, considering his options. After a brief moment of hesitation, he drew his short sword, then fell in behind the others at a measured distance.
Su Shan surveyed the few who remained in the room, then addressed them with a calm but purposeful tone. "Doctor Zhao, Author Han—do either of you have a moment?"
"What…?" Both turned to look at her, their expressions equally surprised.
"I’m about to take part in a game, and I’d like to bring you both along—would you care to join?" Su Shan asked.
Doctor Zhao and Han Yimo exchanged glances, each contemplating the offer for only a few seconds before responding in unison, "No."
The bluntness of their refusal caught Su Shan off guard. It was so direct, so resolute, that they hadn’t even allowed her the chance to tempt them with the prospect of their impending demise.
"Then what about the rest of you...?" Su Shan asked, her gaze sweeping over the three women who remained in the room—Lin Qin, Qin Dingdong, and Zhang Chenze.
Lin Qin spoke first, "I don’t mind."
"Wherever Xiao Shan goes, I go," Qin Dingdong chimed in.
Lawyer Zhang surveyed the room before she spoke, "I’ll go with the majority. If the three of you are heading out, then I shall follow as well."
"In the end, it’s the girls we can rely on," Su Shan remarked with a smile, casting a glance at Doctor Zhao and Han Yimo. "Doctor, Author—stay behind and handle the housework. We’ll return with enough {Dào} to treat you to a nice meal."
"Pfft…" Qin Dingdong stifled a laugh. "Xiao Shan, you haven’t changed one bit."
Lin Qin and Zhang Chenze exchanged glances but remained silent, sensing a subtle shift in Su Shan’s aura. There was something more resolute about her now, her demeanor taking on a more calculated edge, much like Qi Xia—rational, yet tinged with something deeper and more enigmatic.
"Let’s be on our way," Su Shan said, giving her short hair a quick adjustment. Her sharp gaze swept across the three women. "From this point on, we move forward together."
Rising to their feet, the three women followed Su Shan out the door, one by one.
Han Yimo sat frozen in place, a perplexed expression on his face. He then turned to Doctor Zhao and asked, "Was she… insulting us just now?"
"I–don't believe so?" Doctor Zhao replied.
PR Note: I wish it wasn’t true. But guys are generally this dense.
