The black sheep spun midair and suddenly lashed out with a kick aimed at the Earth Ox’s neck.
The Earth Ox staggered back several steps from the unexpected blow. After steadying herself, she charged forward, knocking over several chairs in her path.
The Earth Rooster, unfazed, leaped into the air and gracefully caught the chairs before gently setting them back on the ground.
“Fight all you want… but don’t wreck the furniture,” the Earth Rooster muttered under her breath. “I picked these out carefully, and I’m rather fond of them.”
The two clashed again, exchanging several fierce blows before both were forced back, neither gaining the upper hand.
As they stood panting, locked in a standoff, the Earth Rooster finally took a seat.
“Had enough?” she snapped irritably. “Are we settling for one death today, or two?”
Both combatants bore numerous injuries, clearly locked in an evenly matched battle.
“What kind of man are you…?” the Earth Ox gritted her teeth, steadying her breath. “Black Sheep, you fight dirty—eye-gouging, throat strikes, groin kicks… I’ve been holding back, but you’re aiming for nothing but lethal spots.”
“Did I ever ask you to hold back?” the Black Sheep sneered. “I told you from the start—I came to kill you. If you don’t die, my brother’s in danger.”
The Earth Ox realized the Black Sheep wasn’t someone to be trifled with. He truly seemed intent on murder.
“If you don’t like the plan, you don’t have to listen to me,” the Earth Ox said. “Let’s both step back. I’ll pretend you never came today, and you’ll pretend I never said anything. Escalating this benefits no one.”
“You…” The Black Sheep frowned slightly. “Earth Ox, are you joking? If it were that easy, why would I be here trying to take your head?”
“It *is* that easy,” the Earth Ox replied. “You’re the one making it complicated.”
“Bullshit!” the Black Sheep roared. “If you hadn’t dragged the White Sheep’s name into this, I might’ve let it slide. But that idiot Foolish Tiger treats every word from the White Sheep as gospel—even if it’s a lie you pulled out of thin air. You just blabbered carelessly, but who’s responsible for his life?”
“Then go back and tell him it was a lie,” the Earth Ox said. “Is that so hard?”
“Damn it…” The Black Sheep’s golden eyes burned with renewed fury. “You really piss me off. Now you’re outright admitting you lied?”
“Of course it was a lie,” the Earth Ox said. “I figure most of the smart ones here already saw through it. So the fools will die, and the clever will survive. But you… I really don’t get it. You’re clearly smart, yet you’re raging over a fool?”
“Who the hell do you think you are…?” The Black Sheep took a step forward, clearly ready to fight again. “Even the White Sheep wouldn’t sacrifice his own people with a fake plan.”
“I *am* the White Sheep’s voice,” the Earth Ox declared. “Believe it or not, I hold the highest authority in his plans now.”
“What…?”
“Let me be clear—the White Sheep gave me the right to *adjust the plan temporarily* and command as I see fit. We’ve gathered too many people this time,” the Earth Ox continued. “The final stage doesn’t need this many. Only nine surviving *Zodiacs* are necessary. So some of us need to die—to create chaos, thin the numbers, and ensure the plan proceeds flawlessly.”
The Black Sheep stood frozen for a long moment before finally uttering, “That’s insane…”
“How?”
“Our room already has nine people,” the Black Sheep said darkly. “Didn’t you say it yourself? The nine of us mirror the original interview room.”
“But the lineup is wrong,” the Earth Ox countered. “There are still three more waiting outside to join. Twelve candidates in total—meaning at least three must die willingly.”
The Black Sheep stiffened. *Three more…?*
Could it be… the Dragon, the Snake, and the Monkey?
“The White Sheep won’t dirty his hands, but I don’t care,” the Earth Ox added. “Even if my hands are drenched in blood, I’ll ensure his plan succeeds.”
The Black Sheep stepped closer until their faces were inches apart.
“Earth Ox, you’re lying again,” he said coldly. “If we’re talking about *dirty work*, the White Sheep only needs *me*. I handle all the ugly tasks. So what the hell are *you*?”
“Oh?” The Earth Ox smirked. “Then if the White Sheep ordered you to kill the Earth Tiger right now, would you do it?”
“It’s precisely because the White Sheep would *never* devise such a cruel plan that I respect him as my leader,” the Black Sheep retorted. “He’s the only one I follow willingly. Don’t play the clown.”
“And so what…?” the Earth Ox shot back. “I’m not here to be your friend. Whether you respect me or not means nothing.”
The Black Sheep hesitated, then grabbed the Earth Ox’s wrist. “Come with me. You’re going to tell Foolish Tiger to his face that the plan was fake—make him give up.”
“Dream on.” The Earth Ox yanked her arm free. “My goal is his death. If his *hope* dies, *he* won’t.”
“You…” The Black Sheep’s expression darkened. “The White Sheep would never let you kill Foolish Tiger. He’s not that kind of man.”
“*Not that kind of man?!*” The Earth Ox’s voice suddenly flared with anger. “What kind *is* he, then?! For decades, he’s treated everyone’s lives as chess pieces for his schemes. Countless people have died and revived under his plans. And now, at the final stage—one reckless Earth Tiger standing in his way—do you *really* think he’d hesitate?!”
“He…” The Black Sheep fell silent.
“Between saving the Earth Tiger’s life and ensuring *everyone* escapes… what choice do you think the White Sheep would make?” the Earth Ox pressed. “His plan doesn’t need reckless fools like him. You’d better think carefully too.”
……
When the Black Sheep returned to the Earth Tiger’s room, the latter was crouched on the floor, scavenging for food.
Stuffing scattered scraps into his mouth, the Earth Tiger mumbled, “Yo, Blacky… you hear that earlier? Sounded like the damn room next door was getting demolished…”
The Black Sheep said nothing, sitting down slowly while pressing a hand to his forehead.
“Whoa… Blacky, who’d you tussle with? Even your horns are busted!”
The Earth Tiger hastily wiped his hands on his suit and reached out, only to be shoved away.
“Damn it, Blacky, talk! Did they knock your brains loose?!”
After a long silence, the Black Sheep finally spoke.
“Foolish Tiger… I’ll help you kill the *Celestial Tiger*.”
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