At the other end of the square.
With the guidance of Jin Yuanxun and Xiaoxiao, Lin Qin, Han Yimo, and Dr. Zhao managed to approach the giant bell and display screen from behind in a very short time.
The group was almost unharmed, except for Han Yimo, who was on the verge of death.
“Finally made it here safely,” Xiaoxiao muttered as she gently laid Han Yimo on the ground, noticing that he was struggling, his eyes rolling back.
“Oh no… this guy…”
Before Dr. Zhao could say anything else, Lin Qin raised a hand to stop him. “The bell and the screen are right in front of us. Instead of worrying about Han Yimo, let’s focus on the task at hand.”
They all knew this was a rare opportunity—perhaps their only chance to survive. So they turned their attention to the giant bell and display screen, only to quickly realize a chilling problem.
They were far too close to Bai Hu.
Bai Hu was completely absorbed in unleashing “Maki” and “Explosive Combustion” in front of him, fending off numerous “Extremists” while continuously releasing offensive “Echoes.” The waves of heat caused the giant bell behind him to sway violently.
Dr. Zhao and the others were barely ten meters away from Bai Hu, well within his range of attack. If Bai Hu turned around or heard any noise, even with “Frame-Up” and “Leap,” they would be dead without a doubt.
“Let’s go together when you’re ready,” Lin Qin whispered. “If you need any help, just tell me.”
Dr. Zhao hesitated for a moment before turning to her with an awkward expression. “Can we shake hands again?”
Though puzzled, Lin Qin didn’t question it and simply extended her hand.
But what followed didn’t feel like a handshake at all. Dr. Zhao gripped her hand and then slowly ran his thumb across the back of it, as if carefully tracing every inch of her skin. Since they weren’t particularly close, this intimate gesture made Lin Qin’s hair stand on end.
“You…”
Before she could say anything, Dr. Zhao took a deep breath, withdrew his hand, and said, “That’s enough.”
Then he turned to the others. “It’s too dangerous… Given the situation, I’ll go alone from here. There’s no need for you to die with me.”
Dr. Zhao’s erratic behavior left Lin Qin confused. She glanced at Xiaoxiao with a questioning look.
Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded. “I really want to go with you. I feel like I can do anything right now.”
“No…” Dr. Zhao shook his head. “It’s really unnecessary. You’ve gotten me this far. If I die, just run.”
Xiaoxiao paused, as if regaining some empathy. “Then… alright. Go ahead. If there’s a fatal danger you can avoid, I’ll use ‘Frame-Up’ for you.”
As she spoke, Han Yimo, slumped on her shoulder, coughed lightly, lost in thought.
Dr. Zhao cautiously moved forward while Jin Yuanxun steadied his “Conviction,” keeping his eyes fixed on Dr. Zhao. If danger arose, perhaps he’d be the one to save him.
Just as Dr. Zhao was about to reach the bell, a flicker in his peripheral vision revealed a “Participant” hiding behind a nearby tree.
A sense of dread washed over him. Whoever was standing there didn’t seem to belong to either the “Extremists” or “Paradise Port.” The only possibility was a “Supporter” here to claim his head.
It was a middle-aged man in a suit, his expression cold and cruel, with faint traces of blood near his ears.
“Not sure what’s going on… but it seems everyone wants her dead,” the man muttered, his gaze shifting toward Yan Zhichun in the distance. “Following the crowd was the right call this time.”
Dr. Zhao swallowed hard. The man looked vaguely familiar—perhaps someone he’d seen in “Paradise Port” or on the streets—but he couldn’t recall who he was.
“But that old man…” the man murmured, staring at Bai Hu. “What a pain…”
Since the man was standing so close behind the tree, Dr. Zhao felt the situation growing precarious. Regardless of his stance, any sudden movement could draw Bai Hu’s attention with the noise alone—even if they didn’t kill each other.
“Hey… brother… whose side are you on?” Dr. Zhao asked.
Seeing Dr. Zhao’s reaction, Xiaoxiao and the others quietly stepped forward. Just then, another violent explosion erupted from Bai Hu’s direction, throwing them off balance.
The middle-aged man seemed oblivious to Dr. Zhao’s words as he slowly walked toward him.
As the group closed in, Jin Yuanxun froze for a second before speaking up. “Huh? Aren’t you… Uncle Zhong Zhen?”
“People like her deserve to die,” Zhong Zhen muttered, still staring at Yan Zhichun. “I said I’d kill her, and I will.”
Jin Yuanxun followed his gaze and realized Zhong Zhen was fixated on Yan Zhichun in the center of the square.
“Uncle Zhong…” Jin Yuanxun whispered. “Can we… talk about this?”
Zhong Zhen remained unresponsive. Instead, he pulled out a folding knife from his pocket. “This is the perfect opportunity, isn’t it?”
The group sensed something was off about him—he was no longer capable of rational conversation.
“U-Uncle…” Jin Yuanxun stepped forward and grabbed his arm, but Zhong Zhen reacted like a startled animal, slashing at him in response.
Fortunately, Jin Yuanxun dodged the fatal strike, but the knife still left a long gash on his arm.
“Ya, sibal…!” Jin Yuanxun leaped back, ready to fight, but Lin Qin stopped him again.
“Let him pass,” she said. “If he wants to kill Yan Zhichun, let him go now. We won’t stop him.”
Despite her words, Zhong Zhen only turned and glared at them. “So many helpers, huh? Whose side are you on? Even Jin Yuanxun’s here?”
“Uncle, you—”
“We’re not on anyone’s side,” Lin Qin repeated. “Do what you need to do. We won’t interfere.”
Her brow furrowed in confusion—what kind of “karma” had brought him here?
“Killing one is the same as killing many. I’ve already killed everyone I knew—what’s a few more?” Zhong Zhen muttered to himself. “Let this place be my battlefield.”
With that, he closed his eyes. The giant bell swayed slightly as thick smoke began billowing outward from Zhong Zhen, engulfing the area.
The smoke was so dense that it made their eyes sting.
Bai Hu abruptly noticed the disturbance behind him and turned to investigate—but all he saw was a wall of white.
His crimson eyes flared as he summoned a fierce gust of wind, yet the smoke continued to pour out relentlessly, soon shrouding half the square once more.
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