Chapter 1184: Information Gap

Yan Zhichun paused slightly upon hearing Zhou Mo’s message, then stood up and glanced out the bookstore window.

Two figures clad in black leather jackets were already standing in the distance.

With a trace of concern, Yan Zhichun stepped outside and quickly approached the leader.

“Song Qi?” Yan Zhichun asked.

“It’s me,” the man replied. “Ma Shier is behind me.”

Yan Zhichun nodded. “The target has appeared at Di Zhu’s location. Hurry, don’t wait for the signal.”

“Di Zhu…” Song Qi mentally reviewed the map, then suddenly frowned. “Damn… the distance is… too far…”

“We gambled wrong,” Yan Zhichun said. “Zhu Que doesn’t know I’m the ‘King,’ so he didn’t descend here. But if Zhou Mo dies, the entire information chain will be severed.”

“I’ll go now,” Song Qi said gravely. “Hopefully, Fifth Brother can get there before me.”

With a slight nod to Yan Zhichun, Song Qi turned and swiftly left with Ma Shier in tow.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ruoxue, after receiving the message, rushed outside and spotted Bai Jiu standing nearby, waiting for orders.

“Xiao Jiu!”

“Ruoxue-jie!” Bai Jiu waved.

“At Zhou Mo’s location!” Jiang Ruoxue said urgently. “It seems to be Di Zhu—I’m not sure of the exact spot. Contact them immediately, don’t just stand here!”

“Ah! Got it!” Bai Jiu nodded. “It shouldn’t be far. Sixth Sister should send a signal.”

“Don’t wait for the signal!” Jiang Ruoxue insisted. “Start running now! Our Xiao Jiu is the best—go, go!”

Bai Jiu rolled her eyes slightly. “Ruoxue-jie, I just look young. I’m not a kid.”

“Xiao Jiu is amazing! Run, Xiao Jiu!”

“Fine, fine…”

—

Before the smoke could even rise from the flare in Zhou Mo’s hand, Zhu Que had already flashed before her.

“What are you doing?”

The numerous “Extremists” behind Zhou Mo tensed, ready to charge, but she raised a hand to stop them.

Zhu Que smirked and seized Zhou Mo’s wrist, his thumb pressing down on the flare’s vent, stifling the smoke before it could escape.

The move was too swift—neither Zhou Mo nor Di Zhu could react in time. After all, the pressure exuded by a “Divine Beast” was always overwhelming.

They were like true cats, toying with doomed mice.

“Tch, can’t I set off a firework?” Zhou Mo steadied herself and retorted.

“No,” Zhu Que chuckled before turning to Di Zhu. “It’s boarding time. Why haven’t you left?”

Di Zhu swallowed hard. “I had some business today. Wanted to stay a little longer.”

“How strange…” Zhu Que lifted his gaze, scanning the distance. “It seems many ‘Participants’ are gathering outside various ‘Zodiac’ gates. What are you planning?”

“Zhu Que,” Di Zhu cut in before Zhou Mo could respond, “this time, *I’m* the one breaking the rules. Why bother the ‘Participants’?”

“Oh?”

Zhu Que narrowed his eyes at Di Zhu before crushing the flare in Zhou Mo’s hand with a sharp squeeze. The device sputtered weakly, emitting only faint wisps of smoke that curled along the ground instead of rising.

Zhou Mo’s expression tightened with urgency. Prison-issued flares were limited—each “Cat” squad carried only one.

The deadliest issue was that after killing Xuan Wu, the “Cats” had split into seven teams. Apart from her own direction, the others were each following a group of “Extremists.”

With only six or seven “Extremists” at her side, and no way to signal their position now, how could she rally all the “Cats”?

“Interesting, little pig,” Zhu Que mused. “When ‘Zodiacs’ break rules, their first words are always ‘I’m innocent.’ Yet you willingly took the blame. What’s your plan?”

“I made up my mind the moment I realized I’d never become ‘Tian Zhu,'” Di Zhu replied. “Since death is inevitable either way, I might as well die honorably—for the sake of my comrades’ bonds.”

As the two conversed, Zhou Mo glanced back at Liu Ershiyi, who nodded subtly after a brief pause.

“Die?” Zhu Que tilted his head, still puzzled. “Why would you die?”

“Because today, I’m letting these ‘Participants’ through my gate,” Di Zhu declared. “Is that reason enough?”

“Bold words for someone so young.” Zhu Que’s brow furrowed slightly. Though his tone remained dismissive, a sliver of doubt crept in.

He couldn’t fathom why “Participants” would want to board the “train.”

Such a critical matter—how had Qing Long and Tian Gou, his two ears, failed to hear of it?

“So all of you are waiting by ‘Zodiac’ gates for them to open…?” Zhu Que pressed.

Before Di Zhu could answer, Zhou Mo waved a hand dismissively. “Tch, no need to explain. A ‘rebellion’ is a ‘rebellion.’ Why bother with questions?”

“Rebellion?” Zhu Que’s confusion deepened. Something felt off today.

It was as if his ears had been plugged—he’d received no intel at all.

For a “rule-breaking” incident, he should’ve appeared alongside Xuan Wu—Xuan Wu handling “Participants,” while he dealt with “Zodiac” violations.

So why was he alone here now?

“Tian Gou…” Zhu Que suddenly called out, glaring skyward. “For something this big, Qing Long stays silent? Are you deaf, or is he?”

Inside his chamber, Tian Gou shuddered but feigned ignorance.

“You’re acting strange today,” Qing Long said, eyeing him. “What’s happening below?”

“Nothing…” Tian Gou muttered. “A ‘Zodiac’ broke the rules. Zhu Que is handling it.”

“‘Zodiac’ violation…” Qing Long massaged his temples. The mental toll of his battle with Xuan Wu still hadn’t fully receded.

He wanted to kill someone—anyone.

But the remaining “Celestials” still had their uses. He had to focus what little restraint he had left to avoid slaughtering them outright.

“Damn it.” Zhu Que scanned the empty sky, receiving no response. “Where exactly did things go wrong…?”

“At ‘Di Zhu’s location,'” Zhou Mo murmured, eyes shut, repeating the phrase like a mantra. “They’re at ‘Di Zhu’s.'”

Soon, multiple replies flooded in. Most “Cats” were embedded with “Extremist” groups, unable to pinpoint Di Zhu’s position immediately. They urgently demanded coordinates.

Zhou Mo opened her mouth to answer—only for Zhu Que to reappear before her, smiling.

“What are you discussing?”

A bead of sweat slid down Zhou Mo’s temple. “Tch… None of your business…?”