TDU Chapter 413
TL Note: Book Two is out, guys! for those who are uncomfortable with subscriptions, this alternative is now available! thank you so much in advance!
Proofread SpeedDemon (ko-fi)
Chapter 413 Reverberatee?
{Cats} headquarters:
On this morning, the strange sun rose as usual, spilling its not-so-bright light over the abandoned prison.
And this so-called prison had always been tinged with an air of the uncanny.
Some who stepped inside left reborn, eager for a new beginning, while others, jailed for stealing a mere purse, emerged versed in countless trades.
Thus, those with a heart inclined toward goodness—no matter the mistakes they had committed—would, with even a sliver of light shining upon them, break free from the mire and run toward the blue sky overhead. While those willing to fall into depravity, no matter how much sunlight shone above, would see only the abyss of chasms at their feet.
Qian Five had two members quickly tidy up the staff lounge, then invited Qi Xia, Qiao Jiajin, Chen Junnan, Li Shangwu, and Zheng Hero over.
“Welcome…” Qian Five entered, accompanied by Zhou Six and {Sound Insulation} Nineteen, then shut the door behind them.
But today, Qian Five’s figure struck them as strange, for he was a male dwarf.
“Qian… Five?” Qi Xia looked at the scar on Qian Five’s left cheek and asked cautiously.
“It’s me.” Qian Five nodded. “What, does this appearance scare you?”
“I had no inclination toward your outward appearance,” Qi Xia said. “Let us begin.”
“But I’m filled with sentiment.” Qian Five remarked with a smile. “It’s been at least seven years since all the original members of {Cats} gathered in one place… except… Zhang Three. I wonder where she—”
“Cut the small talk and get to the point,” Qi Xia interrupted. “You’ll have plenty of time to reminisce later.”
“How harsh, Qi Xia,” Qian Five laughed. “You seem to have changed a lot. I remember you weren’t like this before—”
“I’ve never been any different,” Qi Xia cut in.
Qian Five nodded and fell silent, then glanced at Nineteen, who immediately closed his eyes in understanding.
{Sound Insulation} had been invoked.
It seemed several people had something to say; they opened their mouths, then, upon seeing Qian Five wanting to speak, suppressed their voices.
“I have just one thing to say, so allow me to go first.” Qian Five declared to Qi Xia. “I originally wanted to use this opportunity to tell you the true purpose of {Cats}, but now that the Eldest Brother has arrived, I shall yield the floor, and let him unveil the ultimate plan.”
Qi Xia nodded and looked back at Chen Junnan.
The others also turned their gaze toward him.
Chen Junnan followed with a nod, yet scarcely had seconds passed before he perceived a disquieting flaw. “W–Wait what? {Cats}’ ultimate plan…how come this young master has never heard of such a thing?”
“Hm…?”
At this, everyone present froze for a moment, and the most surprised was Qian Five.
“W–What do you…” Qian Five slowly stood up from his chair, but awkwardly, he was much shorter standing than sitting. “How could you not know…? Did you forget the {final mission} you assigned me?”
“What is this young master supposed to know?” Chen Junnan retorted, a bit dumbfounded. “Didn’t I just tell you to collect intelligence here and earn remuneration? So that when punk Qi Xia comes back one day, he’d at least have a place to stay.”
“You…” Qian Five sighed helplessly, then pushed himself back onto the chair. “Eldest Brother, are you pulling my leg? What about your {military} plan?”
“Military…” Chen Junnan paused, then suddenly remembered something. “Ah, you mean that…”
Chen Junnan recalled, just before he was to return to his {probation room}, the fabricated {military} scheme he had spun for Qian Five.
He had suggested that Qian Five expand his influence, turning {Cats} into a well-organized military force: everyone would wear standardized uniforms, adopt codenames, and undergo militarized management, training daily in both combat and theory. Since this goal was nearly impossible to achieve, the handicapped Qian Five would most likely give up. Chen Junnan’s plan was basically to let him back off gracefully.
At the time, Qian Five had even asked earnestly about the purpose behind this plan.
Chen Junnan had answered, “If Ole Qi really comes back, we’ll take this army and go kill the {Sacred Guardians}.”
But now, he hadn’t expected that not only would Qian Five follow through on what was originally a joke, but Qi Xia would actually return as well.
In that case, wouldn’t this make him the least credible of them all?
“H–Hold on…” Chen Junnan quickly gestured. “I-I’ve been reflecting all these years, maybe slaying the {Sacred Guardians} isn’t the best idea—”
“Slaying the {Sacred Guardians}?” Qi Xia offered a cold smile. “How interesting. Do elaborate.”
“Huh?!” Chen Junnan froze. “Hold on, hold on… Ole Qi, are you still thinking straight? Did you get up too fast today, your brain sticky or something?”
“I wish to hear the full plan,” Qi Xia said. “I had never supposed {Cats}’ ultimate goal to be the {Sacred Guardians}. Their positions seem above the {Earthly Branches}, yet under {Celestial Dragon}. If the {Cat}’s design is truly so grand, I am eager for the details.”
Chen Junnan’s head swam as he listened; the situation was slipping beyond his grasp.
Slaying the {Sacred Guardians}…?
What an absurd plan.
Why would anyone here actually believe in such a scheme?
“Through years of investigation, we’ve discerned the abilities of two {Sacred Guardians},” Qian Five began. “With your consent, we may proceed against them first.”
“Go on, tell me more,” Qi Xia said.
“First, I believe the easiest target is {Black Tortoise},” Qian Five started. “For several reasons.”
Qian Five clearly outlined to everyone the possibilities for taking down {Black Tortoise}:
First, Black Tortoise is eager to die and will give anyone willing to kill her countless chances.
Second, Black Tortoise is extremely easy to encounter; the simplest method is to lure her out through {killing others for Dào}.
Third, Black Tortoise’s abilities had been fully analyzed, revealing substantial limitations.
“Hang on…” Qi Xia paused in thought. “Black Tortoise’s {abilities}?”
His mind was still haunted by the memory of his organs being torn away by Black Tortoise. How could such a terrifying power have limitations?
Qian Five nodded. “{Black Tortoise} possessed three abilities. The first is {Quantum Leap}, allowing her to appear anywhere at any time. The second is {Probing Pocket}, letting her take anything she desires. The third is {Perishing Disintegration}, where she can dissolve any inanimate object with just a wave of her hand…”
After hearing this, everyone present silently widened their eyes.
Qi Xia was even more shocked beyond words. “You can’t be serious…?”
“What do you mean?”
“Ar–Aren’t those all {Reverberation}?!” Qi Xia said incredulously. “You’re saying Black Tortoise not only has {Reverberation}, but actually possesses three at the same time?!”
TL Note: Rant goes here ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)
