Earth Monkey hurriedly rushed forward and covered Jiang Ruoxue’s mouth.
“Fuck…” Earth Monkey nervously glanced out the window for a long time, only lowering his hand after confirming that no *Thunderbolt* had been provoked.
“Don’t cover my mouth!” Jiang Ruoxue wiped her lips with slight disgust. “Did you even wash your hands?”
“Who cares about that now?” Earth Monkey muttered. “If you want to die, don’t drag me into it. I’ve got other important things to do. Get out, go rebel on your own.”
“You’re already on the rebel list,” Jiang Ruoxue said loudly. “Even if we leave, you’re still a rebel.”
“Dammit!” Earth Monkey lunged again to silence her, but Jiang Ruoxue dodged with two quick steps.
“Seriously! Haven’t you seen the list?” she pressed. “‘Rebel Monkey’—that’s you, right? We found you using the map!”
“Shut the hell up!”
“Maybe you haven’t gotten the news yet,” Jiang Ruoxue continued, raising her voice, “but in our *Extreme Path*’s rebellion plan, you’re the liaison! Now—”
“Alright, alright!”
Earth Monkey shouted, forcibly lowering her volume before hissing, “You bastard… forcing me into this, huh?”
“Heh.” Jiang Ruoxue smirked, matching his hushed tone. “Consider it your initiation. My apologies.”
“I wanted you to *convince* me,” Earth Monkey growled, “not scare the shit out of me.”
“Same difference.” She shrugged. “At dusk, open the door and let everyone behind me board.”
Earth Monkey hesitated. “What’s in it for me?”
“We’ll turn the *Train* into chaos,” Jiang Ruoxue said. “Might even help you deal with *Sky Monkey*.”
Earth Monkey nodded, mind racing. “Can you create a *crack*?”
Jiang Ruoxue blinked. “A crack? Where? What kind?”
Earth Monkey sighed—clearly, this woman couldn’t fulfill his goal.
He *knew* he was a rebel.
But back when Qi Xia assigned him the mission, he’d been told to wait—for a *crack* to appear.
Qi Xia had said it theoretically *shouldn’t* exist. No one, no matter how bold, could create one here.
Now, uprisings were erupting everywhere. Even the *Zodiacs* were gathering for emergency meetings. Yet the *crack* still hadn’t appeared.
“Was I… lied to?” Earth Monkey muttered. “Without the *crack*, how do I join the operation? Am I even part of this plan?”
Jiang Ruoxue’s eyes sharpened. “You need a *crack*… to act?”
Before Earth Monkey could respond, she swiftly removed her leather shoe and smashed its heel against the aged wooden table.
The already fragile table splintered under the impact.
“Fuck! What are you doing?! That’s solid wood!”
“Here. A crack.” She dangled her shoe. “Now can we move? Can we use the *door*?”
“That’s *not* what I meant!” Earth Monkey snapped.
“Got it.” Jiang Ruoxue nodded. “One’s not enough?”
She eyed the gambling table behind him. “Hold on, fatso.”
“Stop!” Earth Monkey grabbed her. “The *crack* I need isn’t supposed to exist—”
“Yeah? And which *participant* would dare break your table?”
“No, I mean—” He struggled for words. “Even the boldest person couldn’t possibly—”
“Really?” Jiang Ruoxue arched a brow. “Am I not bold enough?”
Earth Monkey fell silent. He knew the *crack* wouldn’t appear so abruptly, but what choice did he have?
If he didn’t act now, the plan would proceed without him.
“Fine, stop smashing things.” He exhaled. “Rest here for now. But listen—I’m old and blind. If Xuanwu or Zhuque show up to stop you, I’ll betray you on the spot.”
Jiang Ruoxue stiffened. “Wait… Xuanwu and Zhuque would *intervene*?”
“Isn’t that obvious?” Earth Monkey scoffed. “A violation this severe would fall under their jurisdiction. But this has never happened before, so I can’t say which one would come.”
Jiang Ruoxue’s expression darkened. “So that’s why it’s a *death door*… Only Zhuque equals true death.”
—
Zhou Mo had been bickering with the short Earth Pig before realizing they were on the same side.
An awkward silence followed. Zhou Mo stepped aside and began using *Telepathy* to check in with each team.
She first contacted Song Qi, asking about the *Cats*’ overall progress. Whether they killed Xuanwu or not, the outcome aligned with her expectations—shockingly, the *Cats* had actually slain a seemingly invincible foe.
Though Song Qi couldn’t explain *how* over *Telepathy*, he assured her, “Everything’s under control.”
Next, Zhou Mo tried reaching Wang Ba and Jiang Shi—but her messages vanished into void, as if swallowed by a soundless abyss.
Steadying herself, she contacted Qian Wu.
“Fifth Brother, how’s your side?”
A long pause. When Qian Wu finally replied, his voice was ragged with exhaustion.
“Spent all day tracking down *Zodiacs* who owe the *Cats* favors,” he said. “Only one agreed to *flee*. The others promised support in other ways—to weaken Zhuque.”
“Trustworthy?” Zhou Mo pressed.
“No choice now.” Qian Wu sighed. “I expect casualties from Xuanwu’s side. The fight against Zhuque falls to me and Old Seven. Your end?”
“Going smoothly…” She hesitated. “Fifth Brother… You’re really planning to board the *Train* through me afterward?”
“Yes.” His voice was firm. “As we agreed last night. Keep it quiet.”
“But… why?” Zhou Mo frowned. “I know you’re not doing this to survive. The *Train* is deadlier than fighting Zhuque. So why?”
“It’s part of an older promise,” Qian Wu said. “I’m still needed… to kill *Qinglong*.”
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