“Qi Xia…?” Black Sheep frowned slightly.
“Yes…!” Xiao Ran never thought the two words she despised most would become her lifeline at this moment. “It’s Qi Xia! He’s the ringleader of the rebellion—I heard it with my own ears!”
Black Sheep slowly retracted his hand and crossed his arms over his chest.
A playful smile spread across his face—a smile that left Xiao Ran unsure whether she was doomed or saved.
Ignoring her, Black Sheep simply pondered the situation.
At this very moment, many incomprehensible things were indeed happening on the “train.”
But once these circumstances involved the name “Qi Xia,” they demanded careful consideration.
“So, you’re Qi Xia’s…” Black Sheep chose his words carefully, “…friend?”
“Friend? How could that be? He’s my enemy!” Xiao Ran exclaimed. “Even though we came from the same room… I swear I never colluded with him. You have to believe me! He’s the one plotting a rebellion—I came here specifically to expose him!”
“From the same room…?”
At this, Black Sheep finally understood that the woman before him was anything but ordinary.
A teammate from Qi Xia’s room could never be a useless pawn—after all, he’d had ample time to handpick his allies.
Wouldn’t a woman like her sow division among the entire group?
“Wait…” Black Sheep lowered his head, deep in thought.
Why was it necessary for everyone in the room to remain united?
Could it be that Qi Xia actually wanted division?
Before everything was fully prepared, the greatest risk was the room becoming too cohesive, then charging forward under Qi Xia’s leadership and prematurely challenging the Twin Dragons.
That would shatter the meticulous plans Qi Xia had spent so long crafting.
So, until he was completely ready, someone in the room needed to be responsible for sowing discord.
Qi Xia needed a powerful team at his disposal—but he couldn’t afford for that team to be exposed too soon.
Thus, placing a “divider” among them was the most strategic choice.
Black Sheep stroked his chin, thinking that while this scenario seemed absurd, coming from Qi Xia, it made perfect sense.
Even so… Black Sheep still had one major question.
How had Qi Xia ensured this woman survived long enough to board the “train”?
Given her tactics, experience, and cunning, protecting her was no easy feat—because she might just get herself killed.
Even with covert protection, she could easily turn on her benefactor.
Every second she remained a “participant,” the risk of her dying increased.
Black Sheep was grateful his mission was to “eliminate Tian Niu” and not to protect this woman—otherwise, he’d have failed his mentor’s training.
The situation was bizarrely contradictory: this woman saw Qi Xia as her mortal enemy, yet he had ensured she made it onto the “train.”
Any fool could see Qi Xia had countless ways to deal with her—after all, Black Sheep had witnessed the White Sheep’s methods many times before.
If even he could tell she was lying… how could the White Sheep not know?
Yet she was still alive.
That meant he shouldn’t kill her either—instead, he should let her do what she was meant to do.
After all, the “rebellion” would be exposed in minutes anyway—one more informant wouldn’t change that.
“So… what’s your ‘Echo’?” Black Sheep asked.
If this woman had any real value, it had to lie in the uniqueness of her “Echo.”
“Echo…?” Xiao Ran blinked. “I don’t think I have one…”
Black Sheep nodded. Just as he’d suspected.
She didn’t know her own “Echo”—but Qi Xia certainly did. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have placed her in his room.
So, she’d been turned into a pawn without even realizing it.
“Classic White Sheep,” Black Sheep muttered under his breath.
Xiao Ran didn’t catch his words and tentatively asked, “So… brother, do you also have a grudge against Qi Xia?”
“Me? Oh, yes. Of course.” Black Sheep nodded. “If you hadn’t mentioned that name, I might’ve killed you. Consider this your payment for staying alive.”
“Phew… you scared me…” Xiao Ran patted her chest, flashing a relieved smile. “Brother, I knew something felt off earlier—you really misunderstood!”
“Right.” Black Sheep nodded. “It’s fine now. For Qi Xia’s sake, I won’t kill you.”
“Yes, for our shared enemy, Qi Xia!” Xiao Ran beamed.
Black Sheep didn’t respond, merely smiling again.
If someone like her could make it onto the “train,” what was there to worry about?
She couldn’t even begin to match his cunning—let alone outmaneuver the numerous “rebel” squads.
Intelligent people weren’t terrifying—those who thought themselves clever were.
Xiao Ran took a step forward, boldly linking arms with Black Sheep. “But I wasn’t lying—Qi Xia really is planning a rebellion. We need to warn Tianlong and Qinglong immediately. Brother, can you take me to them?”
“I…” Black Sheep’s smile turned chilling as he coldly pushed her hand away. “Miss, I’m a bit busy. How about I point you in the right direction, and you go see Qinglong yourself?”
“Me… alone?”
“Don’t worry.” Black Sheep nodded. “Qinglong is very kind—refined and approachable. You can tell him anything.”
“Really…?” Xiao Ran hesitated. “Is Qinglong your highest leader?”
“Yes.” Black Sheep turned and pointed into the distance behind him. “See that door at the very end?”
Xiao Ran squinted. “Mm…!”
The door was far down the corridor, still a long way off.
“Go knock on it.” Black Sheep grinned. “Qinglong is waiting inside.”
“Thank you so much… brother.” Xiao Ran smiled again. “If Qinglong gives any rewards, I’ll make sure to share some with you.”
“No need.” Black Sheep patted her shoulder. “His rewards aren’t for me—you keep them all.”
As they spoke, a nearby door opened, and a few “Human-level Zodiacs” stepped out. They seemed to have lost their instructor and were searching for him.
The moment they spotted Xiao Ran and Black Sheep, their expressions twisted in confusion.
For a second, they even forgot whether they should call an “Heavenly-level” to deal with a “participant” boarding the train.
“Get back inside and shut your eyes,” Black Sheep said coldly. “This woman must reach Qinglong’s room alive today.”
The “Human-level” Zodiacs froze, recognizing that this Black Sheep wasn’t to be trifled with, and quickly retreated, slamming the door behind them.
Xiao Ran grinned even wider. “Brother! You’ve been such a huge help!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage