Chapter 397: Suicide Note

“Don’t your memories connect?” Qi Xia asked.

“Apparently not, at least for now.”

“So you two can’t read each other’s thoughts and naturally can’t sync memories…”

“No…” Chen Junnan raised a hand to cut Qi Xia off. “If we’re talking about ‘communication’… there is actually one way we can share our thoughts.”

“What is it?”

Chen Junnan smiled faintly before pulling a note from his coat pocket and unfolding it in front of Qi Xia.

“Since I’ve died too many times, I’ve developed a habit of leaving suicide notes… This one was originally meant for you, but somehow it ended up back in my hands.”

Qi Xia leaned in to look. The note was scribbled messily—whether that was Chen Junnan’s usual handwriting or written in a panic, it was hard to tell.

…

*Old Qi, if you’re reading this, I’m probably dead.*

*How’s that for an opener?*

*Gotcha, didn’t I?*

*Hahahaha.*

*I’m heading to Earth Snake’s territory for a spin. If I make it back alive, I’ll regale you with my heroic exploits. If not, well, I’ll tell you next time—you’ll have to listen either way.*

*Though there’s also a chance I might gamble my life on a whim, in which case… who knows how it’ll end.*

*Regardless, as long as this note exists, you can probably imagine my dashing figure in your head, right?*

*Oh, I just remembered what I wanted to say. Heaven Snake is extremely protective of his underlings. If I actually take down Earth Snake, chances are some bookworm will come after me. Since you and I came from the same room, you might get targeted too.*

*In other words, if you see that bookworm, it means Heaven Snake has left the train. And since Heaven Snake is supposedly the Dragon’s right-hand man, if even he’s out, that means all the Celestials are mobilized. My advice? Dig a hole and escape.*

*I’ve only seen three Celestial Zodiacs, and each one’s worse than the last.*

*But on the flip side, if Heaven Snake hasn’t shown up, wait for me to return before making any moves.*

*I suspect I’m the only one in the entire “Land of Finality” who’s witnessed the methods of Pegasus and Tiger and still remembers them.*

*That’s all. Sincerely yours.*

*Don’t bother replying—I won’t get it anyway.*

…

After reading the “suicide note,” Qi Xia lifted his gaze to meet Chen Junnan’s eyes.

Yes, there was something he hadn’t mentioned.

About the “Celestials.”

Based on Chen Junnan’s earlier account, their experiences shouldn’t have involved the Celestials—so how had he come to know them?

“These three… people,” Qi Xia omitted unnecessary words, “where did you meet them?”

“Before you ‘disappeared,'” Chen Junnan replied. “Back then, half of the… people, mobilized, even launching games.”

“What…?” Qi Xia raised his eyebrows. “What kind of games?”

“Basically… ‘reshuffling games,'” Chen Junnan sighed. “In their games, we didn’t even need to think about ‘winning’—just surviving was a miracle.”

Just then, the figure leaning against the wall outside finally stepped forward.

Everyone turned to see Qian Wu standing there with a cigarette.

Chen Junnan gave the woman a once-over, finding no familiarity until his gaze landed on the scar on her left cheek. Then, he suddenly grinned. “Moneybags?”

“That’s me, Big Bro Chen.”

At that moment, Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin finally confirmed that this seemingly shrewd woman’s real name was indeed “Qian Duoduo.”

“Little Moneybean!!” Chen Junnan looked ecstatic, stepping forward to grab Qian Wu’s shoulders. “You still remember me! This trip wasn’t for nothing!”

In an instant, Qian Wu transformed into a man, matching Chen Junnan’s build.

“Whoa, you’re ‘echoing’?”

“Yeah. I feel a bit guilty eavesdropping for so long…” Qian Wu chuckled.

“Cut the crap. If we’re talking like this, it means we don’t see you as an outsider.” Chen Junnan brushed it off with a laugh.

“I get it.” Qian Wu nodded, then glanced at the group solemnly. “I just wanted to remind you all—since you mentioned ‘games,’ it’s getting late. You should rest soon.”

After speaking, he scanned the room and frowned deeply.

Qi Xia understood.

The topic he and Chen Junnan were discussing was sensitive. Any word could be monitored.

But what did “monitored” even mean?

Back at “Paradise Port,” he’d boldly declared on the rooftop that he was the “great echo.” If someone really was listening, he should’ve been taken by the Celestials by now.

Meaning… their words were only *potentially* being monitored.

“You’re right…” Qi Xia nodded, exchanging a glance with the others. “It *is* late. We should rest.”

Chen Junnan and Qiao Jiajin agreed.

“Alright, it’s about time. I’ll find a place to crash.” Chen Junnan patted Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin’s shoulders.

“Liar… I’ll head out too.” Qiao Jiajin stood, nodding at Qian Wu before the two left the cell together.

Once again, only Qi Xia and Zheng Yingxiong remained.

Just as Qi Xia was about to settle down, he noticed something off about the kid.

He kept wiping his nose, his face now smeared with blood.

“Hey…” Qi Xia frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine…” Zheng Yingxiong sniffled, briefly stopping the bleeding before it resumed. “It’s an old issue… happens all the time…”

“An ‘old issue’…?”

Qi Xia guided him to a chair, tilting his head forward and pinching his nose.

“Do you get nosebleeds often?”

“Yeah…” Yingxiong murmured. “Why are you doing this? Shouldn’t I tilt my head back?”

“No.” Qi Xia replied. “Tilting your head makes the blood flow backward into your stomach. It won’t clot and could damage your throat or stomach.”

“Oh…?”

After a minute of holding his nose, Qi Xia’s frown deepened.

Normally, pinching the nose would stop the bleeding as the blood clotted. But this kid’s nosebleed only worsened, seeping through Qi Xia’s fingers.

“This isn’t normal. It’s like you’re injured…”

When Qi Xia released his grip, a torrent of blood gushed from Zheng Yingxiong’s nose—showing no sign of clotting.

Startled, Qi Xia quickly tore a strip of cloth and stuffed it into his nostrils.

“I’m fine… really…” Zheng Yingxiong waved weakly. “It’ll stop on its own…”

Qi Xia sighed.

Was his nose bleeding like this because he was a “Spiritual Sniffer”?