TDU Chapter 422
Chapter 422 The Problematic Group
“Ole Qi… how come you—” Chen Junnan glared at him.
“I’ve no superior plan to offer,” Qi Xia admitted “Our immediate duty is to split up and lead all members of {Cats} into every available {Terrestrial-grade} game. If the chance presents itself, I will also stake my life.”
“You…” Qian Five blinked. “We’re already at such a critical point, and you’re still considering your plan?”
“Indeed. {Celestial Horse} is the immediate problem, but we still have a {final problem} to solve,” Qi Xia replied. “This is an opportune moment. Qian Five and I will operate separately, each commanding a small unit into the games; in the crucible of desperation, force {Cats} to unleash their potential.”
Qian Five nodded. “I had planned to carry out this task alone… Your willingness, Qi Xia, makes it all the better.”
He pivoted to face Qi Xia, his expression solemn. “Bear in mind {Reverberation} can fail. Two leaders alone aren’t enough. I suggest Eldest Brother and Second Brother each take a team as well. Allow me to inform you of each member’s {Reverberation} triggers; adapt as needed and decide your tactics.”
“What?!”
“What the hell?!”
Qiao Jiajin and Chen Junnan both froze, their expressions awkward.
Chen Junnan cleared his throat. “Say, Xiao Qian Dou… have you mistaken who I am? With Ole Qi here, how could I still be leading? Did you forget the type of person this young master is?”
Qiao Jiajin also forced a laugh. “Listen… Transformer lou, you’re overestimating me. I only know how to fight; otherwise I wouldn’t be working with a Swindler lad.”
“I know you both well enough,” Qian Five remarked. “However, if Qi Xia were to take charge of all the squads alone, it may be hard to drive everyone into utter desperation.”
Chen Junnan inclined his head, then caught a detail that didn’t sit right. “No—hold up. What did you just say, punk? Don’t go sullying our names. Are you trying to say we’ll drive everyone into utter desperation? Say that again and I’ll have you correct yourself.”
“That’s the reality.” Qian Five nodded, staring seriously at Chen Junnan. “Eldest Brother, I’ll give you a balanced team—individuals with both brains and brawn. They’re seasoned {Cats} members, but inexperienced in participating in games. You’ll lead them.”
Chen Junnan wanted to object, but after thinking it over the squad actually sounded pretty decent, so he could only agree.
Then Qian Five looked to Qiao Jiajin. “Second Brother, “I’ll place a soft‑built, thoughtful contingent under your command—men and women with brains rather than brawn. You’ll lead them into {Combat} and {Endurance} games. They can supply ideas in the clutch, but you’ll still need to invest heavy effort to prevail.”
“Oh okay…” Qiao Jiajin nodded. “While {Brain} is not with me, you substitute him with a group of {smarties}…”
“More or less.” Qian Five nodded. “As for myself, I’ll take the weakest few; those people suit me best.”
Qi Xia frowned. “Wouldn’t that leave me to be tasked with a full team of {brutes}?”
“No.” Qian Five shook his head. “{Cats} don’t have {brutes}, but you still carry a heavy responsibility.”
“Oh?”
“I’m entrusting you with the most notorious and {problematic members} of {Cats}. Each with a distinct temperament and hard to control, yet all formidable in their own right. I want you not only to trigger their {Reverberation}, but to let them see your personal charisma. We’ll be acting together soon; if these people don’t respect your command, they’ll become trouble down the line.”
“Personal charisma…” Qi Xia sneered. “Do I even have that?”
“You do,” Qian Five said, “it’s just a question of whether they’ll see it.”
Officer Li, who’d been listening in confusion, piped up: “Then what about me…?”
“You come with me,” Qian Five said. “I’ll trigger your {Reverberation} today.”
Qi Xia’s expression shifted discreetly. If his memory served, Officer Li’s {Reverberation} trigger was {imminent death}. Is it possible that Qian Five can revive those on the verge of dying...?
Once the final tactics were set, they had Nineteen lift {Sound Insulation}.
Calling everyone into the prison yard, Qian Five assigned the teams and prepared three notes, outlining the {Reverberation} trigger for each member, which he handed to the three other squad leaders.
Qiao Jiajin took the slip of paper and glanced at the people before him, already feeling a headache coming on. Three men and three women—though their gazes were firm, their frames were all painfully thin. Among them was Nineteen, who had just been exerting his {Reverberation} non-stop and already looked especially exhausted.
‘Sending a bunch of smart people into {Combat} and {Endurance} games…?’ Qiao Jiajin blinked, then sighed. ‘Why not a more fitting game?’
By contrast, Chen Junnan lit up the moment he saw his own teammates. He didn’t even need to size up the other five—just having Song Seven alone made him the strongest support. Not only was the man both sharp and skilled in close combat, but he had also awakened his {Reverberation} ahead of time.
“Xiao Song!” Chen Junnan grinned as he slung an arm around his shoulder. “Never thought you’d end up on my side. Guess that’s fate, huh?”
Song Seven could only give a helpless smile. However, since Chen Junnan had once been the highest-ranking member of {Cats}, after a moment’s pause, he nodded and wryly responded, “I never expected you to be my captain either.”
Of all of them, Qi Xia had it the worst.
The first to stride toward him was Zhou Six, her face etched with disdain. A metal baseball bat hung from her waist, and she chewed gum lazily. When her eyes met Qi Xia’s, it seemed like a greeting—but more like a sardonic roll of the eyes.
Qi Xia glanced past her and saw another familiar face: {Affliction Dismissal} Luo Eleven.
“Motherfu…” Luo Eleven muttered under his breath. “Nobody told me when I came that we’d have to {participate in games}…”
According to Qiao Jiajin’s previous description, this guy’s {Reverberation} makes him brutal in close combat—he won’t hesitate to trade lives repeatedly. If used properly, he could be a major asset.
Behind him stood two more people.
The first was about 1.75 meters tall. Qi Xia momentarily unsure of their gender: a masculine visage coupled with a distinctly feminine build.
The other was a short, chubby man who looked thoroughly dejected; his features were easy on the eyes, but his expression betrayed some huge grievance.
“Hey, Captain?” the androgynous one asked.
“Yes.” Qi Xia nodded. “You are…?”
“Qiu Sixteen,” the person said. “Why should I take orders from you?”
“Tsk!” Zhou Six snapped.“Sixteen, why are you babbling? Whether they’re human or beast, it’s all been arranged by Five ge. Do you really intend to defy him?”
Luo Eleven nodded in agreement. “Yeah. Five ge has given his orders. If this motherf*cker screws us over and gets us all killed, we can’t turn around and blame Five ge.”
With a faint smile, Qi Xia surveyed the four in front of him. ‘This ought to be interesting.’
TL Note: Rant goes here ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)
