Chapter 1128: I Have a Plan

The moment the human-monkey appeared before them, Zhong Zhen’s throat was pierced by an invisible iron rod that vanished just as suddenly.

It seemed as though the human-monkey had thrust an unseen weapon through his throat before revealing itself—along with the rod—in full view.

Yet, even as the situation became clear, confusion still clouded everyone’s minds.

A Zodiac with an “Echo” had just killed someone?

Since the deceased Zhong Zhen had no clear faction, there was no way to deduce the human-monkey’s allegiance.

“W-what’s all this ‘long live’ nonsense? I don’t get it…” Dr. Zhao forced a nervous laugh. “You’re here to eliminate the ‘rebels’ too, right? W-we’re on the same side.”

While the two spoke, Lin Qin cautiously unbuckled the belt from Zhong Zhen’s waist and used it to tie off Xiaoxiao’s upper arm, stemming the bleeding.

Kim Woon-ho wiped blood from his brow and moved to Dr. Zhao’s side, wary of any sudden attacks. This human-monkey’s ability reminded him of his own—both could manifest out of thin air—but the monkey was even more terrifying, capable of making an iron rod materialize from nothing.

Like “Teleportation,” or perhaps “Displacement.”

The human-monkey took a step forward. “Too much explanation could get me killed. That’s why I can only appear in dense smoke.”

Seeing their skepticism, it spoke again. “If you trust me, I have a plan.”

Dr. Zhao knew the problem lay in whether they could trust this Zodiac. After all, nearly everyone in the square had their own hidden motives.

Some wanted to destroy the giant bell. Others sought to kill the rebels. Some aimed to collect a thousand “Dao.” And then there were those like Zhong Zhen, who had come to exact revenge or indulge in slaughter amidst the chaos.

Now, with a Zodiac offering cooperation, Dr. Zhao found it hard to place his faith in it.

“You say you have a plan…” Dr. Zhao muttered. “I’m worried this ‘plan’ might get us all killed…”

The human-monkey glanced up at the dissipating smoke before raising its empty palm toward Dr. Zhao.

A moment later, a bloodied folding knife materialized in its hand—the same one Zhong Zhen had wielded earlier.

No one had noticed when the human-monkey took it, let alone concealed it.

But instead of gripping the handle, it simply held the knife flat in its palm, as if offering it to Dr. Zhao.

“Listen…” the human-monkey said. “If I wanted you dead, I wouldn’t need a ‘plan.’”

“Uh…” Dr. Zhao had to admit it was right. Even if the human-monkey had merely patted his shoulder, it could’ve easily driven that invisible blade into his body.

The human-monkey lowered its voice. “Take the knife. If you suspect treachery, you can kill me anytime.”

Though baffled, Dr. Zhao accepted the folding knife out of caution.

Seizing the moment, the human-monkey stepped closer. “Despite all the chaos, this smoke has helped us. Right now, my plan is the only way to succeed.”

“You…” Dr. Zhao eyed it warily, unsure how to respond.

“The smoke will fade soon. Once it does, the White Tiger will grow even more frenzied, the scent stronger, and we’ll stand no chance.” The human-monkey suddenly grabbed Dr. Zhao’s wrist. “You’re the one Sister Chun sent to destroy the bell, aren’t you?”

The statement carried too many implications for Dr. Zhao to dismiss. It truly seemed like an ally.

“Yes, I am—”

“How long would it take you to destroy it?” The human-monkey pointed at the thinning smoke behind them.

“I… can’t say for sure.” Dr. Zhao frowned. “I’ve never dealt with something this massive. It’s like a small building—there’s no way I can make it vanish instantly. Maybe… a few minutes?”

“A few minutes…” The human-monkey looked up again. “The smoke’s almost gone. That’s too long. The White Tiger is just temporarily disoriented. Once his vision clears, you’ll be the first to die.”

“Then what do we do?” Lin Qin interjected. “Should we try to calm the White Tiger first?”

“No.” The human-monkey shook its head. “He’s teetering on the edge of insanity. Pulling him back would require too much effort.”

“So you’re suggesting…?” Lin Qin trailed off.

“Make him lose himself completely.” The human-monkey’s voice was grim. “If he descends further into madness, he’ll be incapable of coherent thought.”

Dr. Zhao, Lin Qin, Kim Woon-ho, and Xiaoxiao exchanged uneasy glances. This plan sounded dangerously reckless.

“Don’t touch the bell yet,” the human-monkey instructed. “If you want to destroy it, follow my lead.”

—

The “Extremists” gradually regained their sight as the smoke thinned, its source seemingly exhausted.

But the scene before them was even more horrifying than before.

Bodies and wounded littered the square, while those still standing fought ruthlessly for survival.

Perhaps they had arrived with different goals, but now, they were reduced to desperate killers.

Zhang Shan and Li Xiangling shielded Yan Zhiqun, who stood behind them. Nearby, Jiang Ruoxue and Zhou Mo bore minor injuries.

“Tsk. Could you two have taken any longer?” Zhou Mo spat. “Why not wait until these bastards were dead before showing up?”

“Enough!” Jiang Ruoxue shoved her.

“Damn right, you know how it is,” Zhang Shan chuckled. “A free-for-all with hundreds of people—some using weapons, others unleashing ‘Echoes.’ Then explosions, smoke… Took everything we had just to reach the center.”

“Felt like crossing a mountain of flames,” Li Xiangling added, twirling her staff as she studied the dissipating smoke. “Shan-ge… it’s clearing.”

“Clearing? That’s trouble.” Zhang Shan glanced back at Yan Zhiqun, whose eyes now burned with resolve. “Hey, once the White Tiger goes berserk again, more of us will die. What’s the call?”

Yan Zhiqun took a deep breath. “If things turn dire, evacuate everyone from ‘Paradise Port.’ But the ‘Extremists’ won’t retreat—not one step.”

Zhang Shan hesitated. “Even if it means losing your minds?”

“For some… this might’ve just been a random morning. They woke up, wandered into a ‘Zodiac Game,’ heard a broadcast, and stumbled into this mess. But for us… decades of effort have led here.” Yan Zhiqun’s lips trembled slightly. “If we run now… what’s left to live for?”

Zhang Shan fell silent, struck by the profound sorrow in her eyes.