“Although I don’t know the ‘Wen Qiaoyun’ you mentioned…” Qi Xia said as he slowly picked up the fragments from the ground, his tone deliberately casual, “I feel like I’m stronger than her.”
“You…” Earth Horse was momentarily speechless. “You haven’t even met Wen Qiaoyun… How can you claim to know how strong she was?”
“Precisely because I’ve never met her that I know I’m stronger,” Qi Xia continued, wearing that inscrutable smile of his, steadily breaking down Earth Horse’s psychological defenses. “If I’m not mistaken, I’ve faced the brink of disappearance many times, yet here I stand—still active in the ‘Land of the End.’ But Wen Qiaoyun? She’s gone.”
Earth Horse studied Qi Xia’s eyes intently, as if trying to discern the truth in his words.
“That proves the ‘path’ I’ve laid out is stronger than anyone else’s… If you’re willing to resist ‘that person,’ then we’re on the same side.” Qi Xia said. “No matter how strong I am, I still need the help of the ‘Zodiacs.'”
Earth Horse silently gathered the fragments from the floor, his expression blank, as if his mind had completely emptied.
Qi Xia waited quietly for a while, but when it became clear Earth Horse had nothing more to say, he stood up, placed all the collected fragments onto the nearby “Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse,” and turned to leave the frigid basketball court.
He had done what he came to do, said what he needed to say.
At the entrance of the venue, Qi Xia glanced back one last time at Earth Horse’s desolate figure and murmured softly, “The ‘needle’ I’ve planted… Now it’s up to you.”
Shrouded in the cold, he stepped into the foul-smelling streets to rejoin the “Cat” team, and together they set off toward Qian Wu’s location.
In the shadows, unnoticed by anyone, Earth Horse curled his lips slightly, revealing a faint, eerie smile.
“I’ve relayed the matter of Wen Qiaoyun… So, what’s next?”
……
It took Zhang Chenze nearly the entire morning to reach the gates of “Paradise Port.”
This time, her goal was clear—not only to question Chu Tianqiu about Wen Qiaoyun but also to find Xu Liunian.
If the plan went smoothly, she might uncover a way to turn the “Natives” back into “Participants.” With that, they could awaken Qiaoyun, gaining a powerful ally and bringing them one step closer to escaping this place.
Standing guard at the entrance today were Old Lü and Aunt Tong. When they saw Zhang Chenze return alone, they frowned slightly.
After all, in their memories, Zhang Chenze had left yesterday with several others. Her solitary return suggested something had gone wrong.
“Hey, kid…” Old Lü stepped forward. “Where are the others?”
“Brother,” Zhang Chenze smiled, “we had a bit of a disagreement. Let’s just say we went our separate ways.”
“A disagreement…?” Old Lü nodded, slightly relieved. “Well, as long as everyone’s okay…”
“Mm, thanks for your concern.” Zhang Chenze smiled and walked past them into the courtyard, where she soon spotted Chu Tianqiu and Dr. Zhao deep in conversation at the school building’s entrance.
Behind Chu Tianqiu stood the young man named Jin Yuanxun. The three of them glanced at Zhang Chenze briefly before resuming their discussion.
Unfazed, Zhang Chenze strode forward and entered their circle.
Chu Tianqiu studied her for a long moment before offering a refined smile. “What is it?”
“Chu Tianqiu, I have something to ask you. Can we talk somewhere private?”
Chu Tianqiu nodded. “Of course. Dr. Zhao, go ahead with what we discussed earlier. I’ll catch up with you.”
“Understood,” Dr. Zhao replied solemnly before heading into the school building.
Then, Chu Tianqiu gestured to Zhang Chenze. “Let’s talk in my classroom.”
……
Chu Tianqiu opened the classroom door, motioning for Jin Yuanxun to wait outside before stepping in with Zhang Chenze.
He pulled out a chair and sat down, not waiting for her to speak first. “Did Yun Yao send you?”
Zhang Chenze knew exactly what kind of person Chu Tianqiu was—like the most formidable opponent in a courtroom battle. Concealing the truth would only put her at a disadvantage, so she nodded immediately.
“More or less,” she said. “But I’m not here to relay Yun Yao’s words. I have other matters to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead,” Chu Tianqiu said, removing his glasses and polishing them with a soft cloth from his shirt pocket. “But I can’t promise I’ll tell you the truth.”
“Fine.” Zhang Chenze nodded. “Who is Wen Qiaoyun?”
The question struck like thunder, sending ripples through Chu Tianqiu’s heart.
“Y-You… Who did you say?”
Seeing his reaction, Zhang Chenze was taken aback.
She hadn’t expected someone as composed as Chu Tianqiu to lose control of his micro-expressions. What was his relationship with Wen Qiaoyun?
“I said ‘Wen Qiaoyun,'” she repeated. “You know her, don’t you? I want to know everything about your connection.”
“You…” Chu Tianqiu finished cleaning his glasses, slowly placing them back on his nose before regaining his composure. “That’s… strange. Who in this land would still remember that name? Where did you hear it?”
“By chance,” Zhang Chenze said bluntly. “An elder with long-preserved memories told me.”
“Is that so?” Chu Tianqiu let out a bitter laugh. “There’s someone like that?”
“So, are you going to tell me?” she pressed.
“Before I do, may I ask your motive?” Chu Tianqiu countered. “Wen Qiaoyun is already a figure etched in history. How would knowing about her help you?”
“Yes,” Zhang Chenze nodded. “We’ve found Wen Qiaoyun and want to awaken her. If you know her, then you must be aware that she was once the leader of all ‘Participants.’ She’ll help us escape this place.”
At those words, Chu Tianqiu slowly stood and turned to gaze out the window at the courtyard.
Though she couldn’t see his expression, Zhang Chenze sensed something off about his posture.
He looked utterly desolate.
When he remained silent, Zhang Chenze pressed on. “Chu Tianqiu, in the real world, I was a lawyer. If you’re willing to confide in me, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”
“Help… me?” Chu Tianqiu chuckled bitterly, still facing the window. “You don’t even know what I truly want. How can you help?”
“Then consider it helping Wen Qiaoyun,” Zhang Chenze amended. “You’re alive and well, but you know she isn’t, don’t you? Are you just going to leave her like this?”
Chu Tianqiu stood frozen for a long time before finally turning around, revealing eyes brimming with despair.
“Attorney Zhang, are you certain that after learning what’s in my heart, you’ll still have a way to help me?”
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