Chapter 1294: Family

A rather gaunt-looking Earth Monkey was shielded by the Black Sheep, his entire upper body already drenched in blood.

Before long, Earth Monkey halted his steps and stood in the center of the hallway.

“Black Sheep…”

“Don’t stop…” the Black Sheep said weakly. “Keep going… I don’t want to kill you…”

“Can’t go any further…” Earth Monkey sighed. “We’re surrounded…”

Only then did the Black Sheep struggle to lift his eyelids, taking in the sight before him.

Dozens of “Human-level” figures, tall and short, stood in the hallway, blocking their path.

Without hesitation, the Black Sheep reversed his grip on the dagger, pressing it firmly against Earth Monkey’s throat. His swaying figure spat out a few words: “Are they yours…?”

Earth Monkey replied helplessly, “I don’t know them.”

“Make them leave…” the Black Sheep growled. “Or your life ends here.”

“Black Sheep… you must understand…” Earth Monkey said. “These people don’t even care about my life—they want *your* head. You’ve held a dagger to an ‘Earth-level,’ crossed nearly half the hallway, and declared yourself a ‘rebel’ to everyone… Now, anyone who takes your head will earn a great reward.”

Earth Monkey lowered his head and clenched his left hand, realizing his fingers were icy from blood loss.

But the whole time, he noticed the Black Sheep had only ever cut his flesh—never once touching bone or tendon.

*What could drive someone who seemed so calm to this madness?*

The Black Sheep’s dazed eyes locked onto the dozen figures ahead, his teeth grinding in frustration.

He wasn’t sure he had the strength left to fight them all. With this much blood lost and these many wounds… even an enhanced body might not hold out against ordinary people anymore.

“So, what do you plan to do?” Earth Monkey asked softly.

“I… what *can* I do…?”

“Kill me here?” Earth Monkey said expressionlessly. “Or restrain me and slaughter everyone in front of you… Or turn and run now. Those are probably your only three options.”

After a long silence, the Black Sheep spoke: “There’s a fourth way.”

“Oh?” Earth Monkey nodded. “Let’s hear it.”

The Black Sheep slowly eased the dagger a few centimeters away from Earth Monkey’s throat—then said something the other never expected:

“Can you… help me…?”

Earth Monkey frowned. This Black Sheep was truly bizarre.

“Do *you* think that’s a reasonable request?” he asked.

“I have no other choice…” the Black Sheep murmured, lips pressed tight. “I knew this path would be hard… but not *this* hard. Every road leads to death… All I see is despair…”

Earth Monkey shook his head. “Then why risk everything to find the Sky Tiger? Revenge?”

“Revenge…?” The Black Sheep let out a bitter laugh. “I have no grudge against him yet… but I might soon. Right now, my family is fighting him. I *have* to get there… If I’m too late…”

“Family?” Earth Monkey paused. “First time I’ve heard that word on the ‘Train.'”

“I’m about to lose it… lose… everyone that word represents…”

The Black Sheep’s voice grew weaker—whether from exhaustion or grief, it was impossible to tell.

“Not to discourage you,” Earth Monkey said helplessly, “but in your state, even if you *do* find the Sky Tiger… what can you change?”

“I don’t know…” The Black Sheep exhaled. “I’m holding on by sheer willpower… I can’t think beyond the next step. My goal was to kill two ‘Sky-levels’ in this rebellion…”

“How much have you accomplished?” Earth Monkey pressed.

“Half.” The Black Sheep’s voice was hollow. “I killed the Sky Bull.”

“Wha—” Earth Monkey’s expression flickered before he suppressed it. “You’re insane. The fact that you’re still alive is a miracle, and now you want to drag yourself to the Sky Tiger like this…?”

“That’s why I need your help…” the Black Sheep said gravely.

Earth Monkey glanced down—the Black Sheep’s arm had gone slack, the dagger no longer at his throat.

“Now everyone’s seen us whispering secrets,” the Black Sheep murmured into Earth Monkey’s ear. “They won’t fully trust you anymore. Instead of hiding and facing the Azure Dragon’s suspicion later… why not join our rebellion? Which path gives you a better chance of survival?”

Earth Monkey lowered his head in thought. Truthfully, neither option promised much hope.

Even if the Black Sheep was truly cornered, that wasn’t reason enough to throw his own life away for him.

“Black Sheep, the most I can do is not kill you right now,” Earth Monkey said. “You’re a decent person… but that’s it. That’s not worth dying for. Besides, you’re trying to save *your* family, not mine.”

“Not killing me…” The Black Sheep nodded. “That’s already the greatest help… Just step aside for a moment… I’ll deal with these ‘Human-levels’ myself… Then I’ll need you to guide me forward…”

“Hey… you *really*—” Earth Monkey tried to dissuade him, but the Black Sheep wasn’t joking.

Pushing Earth Monkey aside, he staggered forward, his movements erratic—yet in an instant, his dagger slashed open a Boar’s chest.

The Boar clutched the wound, stumbling back to create distance.

“I’m in a hurry…” The Black Sheep raised his bloodied dagger, addressing the crowd. “If any of you step aside now… you’ll have my gratitude. I’ll repay you tenfold later…”

Despite his fatal injuries, the Black Sheep’s chilling aura kept them at bay.

“But if you insist on fighting… I’ll stake my life on it.” He took a deep breath, tightening his grip. “I *really* don’t have time… So if you’re coming—come all at once.”

Even as he spoke, the Black Sheep could already see his death looming.

He was likely the last “rebel” still roaming the halls—hence the swarm of “Human-levels.”

*Where were the others?*

Dead? Victorious? Fled?

Soon, he realized the crowd had no intention of attacking—they merely encircled him, waiting for him to bleed out.

Every step he took forward, they retreated—but after a few paces, he could barely lift his feet.

*At this point… could any reinforcements still appear?*

*If they did… what kind of miracle would that be?*

Before the thought faded, a girl materialized among the crowd.

She appeared out of thin air, her face etched with disdain.