Chapter 1078: Bearing Half the Burden

Chu Tianqiu watched Chen Junnan enter the room, and to his surprise, the inner door bore the character “zi” (子).

A searching-type game.

Was this intentional on Chen Junnan’s part, or merely a coincidence? His “Tian Xing Jian” ability was practically useless in this “searching-type” game; even if he used his divine power to tear apart the venue, victory wasn’t guaranteed.

If he truly entered the room, knowing Chen Junnan’s reckless personality, he would definitely try to challenge him head-on, which might not kill him, but would certainly buy time.

“Come on, Xiao Chu,” Chen Junnan said, swallowing hard. “Aren’t you going to kill me?”

Right now, Chen Junnan was also taking a desperate gamble. His side’s display screen had already been destroyed—how could he ensure victory in the upcoming game?

“No… can’t say ‘victory’… I should just aim for ‘not losing.'”

A faint smile flickered across Chen Junnan’s face as an idea struck him—why not just destroy the opposing side’s display too?

If both sides dragged the game until time ran out, the final score before the displays shattered would decide the outcome.

Qi Xia had already accumulated nearly twenty points. Did Chu Tianqiu have just as many?

Chen Junnan confirmed his strategy and turned to run—but as soon as he opened the door, Wen Qiaoyun blocked his path inside the room. She clearly had no intention of moving forward and seemed to be following orders to guard this spot.

He inwardly cursed, quickly turned and fled left, then checked the forward route. However, the room leading to the “river channel” had Doctor Zhao inside.

He didn’t even need to guess—Chen Junnan could already tell the other rooms were occupied by Xu Liunian and Yan Zhichun.

“Damn it… you’re all here?!” Chen Junnan finally realized the opposing side had launched a full offensive.

But where were his own teammates?

Where was Lawyer Zhang? Where was Sweetie? Where was Zheng Yingxiong?

Most importantly… where was Qi Xia?

Shortly afterward, Chen Junnan more or less confirmed his suspicions. In the rooms he couldn’t access, Lawyer Zhang, Qi Xia, and Sweetie were likely trapped in games with the enemy.

In this game, if two people were trapped in the same room, all four “doors” of that room would lock, making it impossible to even pass through to the “river channel”—essentially a dead end.

If the enemy had indeed established such a “dead-end” defense line on their side, then their chances of winning this game were less than one percent.

“Destroying our display first and then blocking our people… you guys really have some skill,” Chen Junnan bluffed. “But aren’t you scared that Old Qi isn’t here? Don’t you feel uneasy?”

“Pity,” Chu Tianqiu replied. “Qi Xia is trapped in a game with Yan Zhichun. He can’t do anything during this time period. This game is mine to win.”

“Xiao Chu… you’re really arrogant,” Chen Junnan said. “If it weren’t for that kid Zhang Shan’s ability protecting you, I’d definitely show you what I’m made of.”

After hearing this, Chu Tianqiu reached out and touched the necklace on his chest, then shook off the coat draped over his shoulders. Countless drops of foul-smelling blood began to slowly drip down.

“What difference does it make if I don’t have ‘Tian Xing Jian’? The more than a hundred eyeballs I carry on me make me omnipotent. Here, only the ‘madmen’ are closest to ‘gods.'” Chu Tianqiu stared at Chen Junnan. “How exactly do you, a ‘scapegoat,’ plan to defeat me here?”

Chen Junnan knew Chu Tianqiu’s words were true. In a battle of “Echoes,” he was at a disadvantage. In a battle of wits, he might not have the upper hand either. If he wanted to retrieve the “character” from Chu Tianqiu, he had no choice but to rely on brute force.

Yet Chu Tianqiu had activated “Tian Xing Jian” again, almost sealing off every possible path.

Now, cornered and out of options, Chen Junnan could only focus on solving the immediate problem and stall until Qi Xia returned.

But how could he do that?

“Wait a second…” Chen Junnan suddenly narrowed his eyes, recalling a sentence Qi Xia had said after briefing him earlier.

“If this really happens, then do whatever you want.”

“Isn’t that exactly what’s happening now…?” Chen Junnan widened his eyes. “Old Qi… you mean…”

He knew Qi Xia understood him well. What he wanted to do every day wasn’t “walking through walls” or “arguing.”

It was “scapegoating.”

“Well then, it’s time for this young master to pull out a surprise move…” Chen Junnan muttered to himself. “I’ll trust that kid Zheng Yingxiong just once… maybe I’ve already ‘Echoed’ by now?”

After hearing this, Chu Tianqiu narrowed his eyes, unsure how Chen Junnan intended to resolve the situation with “scapegoating.”

But the next second, he noticed Chen Junnan’s gaze shift toward Qiao Jiajin on the ground.

“Xiao Chu… watch closely today. This young master’s ‘Echo’ is actually ‘summoning Old Jiao.'”

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Junnan’s cheeks suddenly split open, blood splattering instantly. He gritted his teeth and let out a muffled groan.

“Old Jiao, I’ll take your injuries for you…”

Within seconds, Chen Junnan’s entire body was covered in wounds and bruises, layer upon layer like fish scales. Moments later, he spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

He felt like it was a miracle Qiao Jiajin wasn’t dead yet. Before fully absorbing all the injuries, he already felt like he was about to leave this world.

“Damn…” Chen Junnan gritted his teeth. “Old Jiao, your injuries… cough…”

Another large mouthful of blood splattered onto the floor. Chen Junnan swayed unsteadily, nearly collapsing.

Chu Tianqiu couldn’t help but smile. “Chen Junnan… what’s the difference between your ‘scapegoating’ and ‘suicide’? You’re just saving me the trouble.”

At this moment, Chen Junnan realized he had indeed acted recklessly. Transferring all of Qiao Jiajin’s injuries onto himself would surely be fatal.

For someone who rarely got beaten up, the sheer pain alone could knock someone unconscious.

Originally, he had intended to let Qiao Jiajin stand up and help him out, but now, before Qiao even woke up, he was about to die instead.

Now that he had already made such a bold declaration… what else could he do?

“I should’ve known you were this badly injured, Old Jiao… why did I have to show off?” Chen Junnan coughed a few times and began thinking about his next move.

In moments like this, where confusion was easy, Old Jiao had his own strategies, and Old Qi had his own plans.

As for Chen Junnan, he quickly decided on his own strategy.

This time, he’d take half the injuries for now, and leave the rest for later.

“N-no… can’t do it anymore…” Chen Junnan said. “I’ll just take this much. This young master feels like I’m about to die just standing still… I have a meeting to attend. Excuse me for a moment.”

Chen Junnan wanted to say more, but suddenly felt dizzy and plopped down onto the ground.

Watching Chen Junnan’s seemingly effortless use of “scapegoating,” Chu Tianqiu wasn’t sure how to evaluate it. Originally, a heavily injured Qiao Jiajin and a fully energetic Chen Junnan.

After the “scapegoating” activation, there were now two injured people unable to stand. How could one even describe this ability?

“You’ve actually made things easier for me,” Chu Tianqiu said, pulling a chain from his pocket, balling it up, and hurling it toward Chen Junnan with force.

Chen Junnan shouted in alarm, mustering all his strength to roll aside, narrowly dodging the meteor-like iron chain.

The chain struck the ground with a tremendous noise, embedding itself deeply into the floor.