Chapter 556: A Scheme Within a Scheme Within a Scheme

Leaving that dim basement behind, I stepped into the night and reverted to my true self.

The air tonight carried an unusual scent—stifling and heavy, like the stillness before a storm.

But what was coming might not be a storm at all, but a rain of blood.

My palms were slick with cold sweat. Though I had no idea what Qinglong, Qi Xia, and Chu Tianqiu were scheming, I knew this might be my only chance.

Even if the “Cats” truly stormed this place and slaughtered every member of “Paradise,” I couldn’t flee.

Because no matter how strong the “Cats” were, they might not be able to kill Qi Xia with absolute certainty.

I had to stay here—to ensure Qi Xia would die. And when he teetered on the brink of death, I would become the real Yu Nian’an.

This time, I would show Qi Xia what I was capable of.

Only with me here could you “Echo.” That was the simple truth.

I fastened my dagger to my belt, found an empty classroom in the building, and plunged into the darkness, waiting silently for everything to unfold.

Before long, a clamor erupted from the first floor. I concealed myself by the window and peered down.

Across the courtyard, someone on the opposite first floor flicked on a flashlight.

Qi Xia was still Qi Xia—he had seen through Chu Tianqiu’s plan in advance. Now, he had gathered a crowd, surrounding Chu Tianqiu in a classroom.

Among them were Yun Yao and Zhang Shan.

Here and now, Qi Xia had won a round—one point to him.

What would Chu Tianqiu do?

The distance was too great to hear their conversation, but soon, Chu Tianqiu handed a syringe to Dr. Zhao.

A short while later, the crowd dispersed, leaving only Qi Xia, Qiao Jiajin, and Li Xiangling in the classroom.

What was going on?

How had Chu Tianqiu defused the crisis?

Had Qi Xia’s move been dodged?

Now, Chu Tianqiu had won a round—one to one.

People flooded out of the classroom, scattering as if searching for something.

If I wasn’t mistaken… they were looking for me.

I wasn’t as smart as Chu Tianqiu, but the situation had become obvious enough that even I could guess.

Whether he held poison or antibiotics, he could now pin the blame on me.

If he told everyone that I had imprisoned him and orchestrated this mess, their blazing fury would be redirected at me.

Chu Tianqiu had made me lock the door each time, waiting for this moment. If someone had discovered him locked in the basement earlier, I might have been in danger long ago.

“What a terrifying night…” I murmured, watching the chaos unfold below.

If I wasn’t mistaken, tonight had seen three minor games, three intermediate games, and three grand games—all intertwined.

The three minor games were: Qi Xia wanted to eliminate Chu Tianqiu, Chu Tianqiu wanted to eliminate me, and I wanted to kill Qi Xia.

The three of us had formed a bizarre cycle of murder. Before striking, each of us had feigned cooperation, only to unilaterally tear up the agreement and bare our fangs on the same night.

The three intermediate games were: Qi Xia sought dominance over “Paradise,” I aimed to provoke conflict between Qi Xia and Chu Tianqiu, and Chu Tianqiu plotted to massacre “Paradise.”

In pursuing these, we all had deeper goals—killing each other was just the prelude. Success in the intermediate games would bring us a step closer to our grand designs.

As for the three grand games…

Qi Xia wanted to escape this place. I wanted to destroy it. And Chu Tianqiu—he wanted to become a “god.”

After all, Qinglong had once said that both Chu Tianqiu and Qi Xia’s chosen paths threatened “Tianlong’s” position. If so, the only road left for Chu Tianqiu was godhood—otherwise, he could never challenge “Tianlong.”

This was all the truth I could piece together with my limited mind.

If those two were even more terrifying than I imagined—if there was an “ultimate game” beyond the grand ones—then that was beyond my comprehension.

Even if my status differed from theirs, I was still just a mortal.

Mortals cannot imagine things beyond their understanding. You and I are no different.

As the crowd dispersed, I noticed some heading toward the field. Seconds later, a violent explosion erupted from that direction.

Deafening blasts followed—some like explosions, others like gunfire. This was undoubtedly Song Minghui’s doing.

The “Cats” had arrived.

Though everything matched Chu Tianqiu’s predictions, I felt it wasn’t the right time yet.

Qi Xia’s room still had Qiao Jiajin inside. Though I hadn’t seen him in a while, I remembered his strength.

He wielded genuine combat skills, unlike me—just an actor trained in martial arts.

Qi Xia had never fully trusted me. My chances of sneaking in and stabbing him were slim. With Qiao Jiajin there, this mission was practically suicide.

Several plans flickered through my mind…

If I disguised myself as Yu Nian’an and walked in, what were the odds of success?

Qi Xia wouldn’t attack me, but what about Qiao Jiajin?

While I hesitated, Qiao Jiajin suddenly stepped out of the room, his expression grim as he sprinted toward the explosions.

He was joining the fight.

Of course—I’d forgotten. That was just like him.

Now, my real opportunity had come.

Amid the cacophony of explosions and battle cries, I pushed open the door and stepped into the hallway. A few steps later, I glanced down—my clothes had shifted into a black leather jacket, my body now covered in agonizing burn scars.

Now, I was Song Minghui.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from around the corner—only one person.

Gripping my dagger, I hid on the opposite side. When the figure appeared, I lunged, pinning them down and driving the blade into their neck.

It was Aunt Tong—the one I respected most.

Though it pained me to meet like this, I wasn’t Xu Liunian. I was Song Minghui. Our allegiances differed, and she died for her cause.

Her eyes widened, staring at me until her last breath.

I stood, flicking blood from my dagger, then skirted the battlefield, weaving through several “Cats” without suspicion.

About ten minutes later, I reached Qi Xia’s door and closed my eyes.

The explosions had left me gravely injured. There was no winning this fight—I needed to return and save Qi Xia.

Now, I was Qiao Jiajin.