Chapter 335: Unwarranted Crime

Qi Xia, Qiao Jiajin, and Li Shangwu followed a group of “Cat” team members for nearly the entire morning, gradually feeling somewhat exhausted.

Could the “Cat” base really be this far from “Paradise Entrance”?

“Liar…” Qiao Jiajin muttered under his breath, “There’s something that’s been bothering me.”

“What?”

“Look…” Qiao Jiajin nudged his chin backward, “There’s a little hero who’s been following us.”

Qi Xia turned his head, his gaze piercing through the pale-faced “Cat” team members, landing directly on Zheng Yingxiong at the back of the group.

The boy was still wearing his newspaper-folded crown, his eyes warily scanning the surroundings, his hand never leaving the makeshift newspaper shortsword at his waist, as if prepared for something.

“Song Qi.” Qi Xia called out.

Song Qi, walking at the front of the group, turned around with his bloodless face and asked, “What?”

“Have… you seen that kid before?” Qi Xia flicked his eyes toward the back of the line.

Song Qi looked over from a distance, thought for a moment, and said, “Seems familiar, but nothing stands out.”

“I once heard an interesting theory,” Qi Xia said. “Everyone who enters the ‘Endgame’ is a sinner. We’re here to ‘atone.’ But do children have their own ‘sins’?”

“Of course.” Song Qi sighed. “If you’ve preserved your memories in the ‘Endgame’ long enough, you’d even find some people are born with unforgivable ‘sins.'”

“Is that so?”

“A completely oblivious child who helped his mother hang herself was labeled a ‘matricide.’ A homeless beggar who stole food from another beggar during a harsh winter was deemed a ‘plunderer.'” Song Qi forced a bitter smile, listing them with despair. “A struggling magician accidentally broke an audience member’s expensive watch, burdened with millions in debt, leading to his family’s ruin. A heroic big brother accidentally killed a notorious thug. Even a taxi driver who missed a college entrance exam candidate’s ID card left in his car, causing the student to miss the exam and commit suicide…”

“Absurd.” Qi Xia coldly interrupted. “Song Qi, do you think these are ‘sins’? If this logic holds, what ‘sins’ are they atoning for? And why should they?”

“It is absurd, but how is it not ‘sin’?” Song Qi turned back, his gaze equally icy. “We all have pasts we’d rather forget. Why should I care what ‘sin’ a child committed?”

Officer Li, watching the two argue, slowly interjected, “In my opinion… for something to be called a ‘sin,’ it should at least involve breaking the law. If the law doesn’t recognize it as a crime, then the ‘sin’ is inherently unjust.”

“Heh…” Song Qi glanced at Officer Li. “Easy for you to say. But I’ve seen too many people… some can’t even recall what they did wrong. Did they all break the law without realizing it?”

Officer Li sighed and fell silent.

“If we all broke the law, why is it the ‘Endgame’ punishing us?!” Song Qi flashed a cold smile. “From the way you talk, you’re an ‘enforcer,’ right? Tell me… should we, by all logic, be trapped here for eternity?!”

Officer Li had no answer to any of Song Qi’s questions.

Wasn’t he just as trapped as the rest of them?

“What the hell…?” Qiao Jiajin stepped between them, glaring at Song Qi. “Explosion guy, watch your tone. Can’t you read the room? If you keep yelling at our people, don’t blame me for turning on you.”

Song Qi exhaled sharply, whether out of fear or resignation, and turned to Officer Li. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to target you. This place just… brings up bad memories.”

As Song Qi calmed down, Qiao Jiajin turned back to Qi Xia. “Liar, what about that kid? Just let him follow us to the ‘Cat’ base?”

“I doubt the ‘Cats’ would kill a child,” Qi Xia said. “But we should still be cautious. After all, we’re not kids.”

Song Qi shook his head. “If Fifth Brother wanted you dead, he wouldn’t go through all this trouble.”

Qi Xia didn’t respond. The group continued following the “Cats” for another half-hour before finally arriving at the entrance of a massive prison.

Standing at the gate was a tall woman with a lip piercing and dark lipstick, her demeanor unwelcoming.

“Sixth Sister…” Song Qi clutched his severed right hand, struggling forward to greet her.

“Seventh… what happened to you all?” The woman called Sixth Sister glared at the battered group in anger. “Who dared lay a hand on you?”

“Just a transaction…” Song Qi said. “Fifth Brother wanted these people brought here…”

“Is it them?” She glanced at Qi Xia and the others, then said, “Whatever it is, it can wait. Come see Fifth Brother first.”

To the trio’s surprise, the woman had them wait outside while she led the entire “Cat” team into the prison. Qi Xia, Qiao Jiajin, Li Shangwu, and Zheng Yingxiong were left standing alone at the gate, seemingly ignored.

“What’s going on, Liar…?” Qiao Jiajin scratched his head. “This is…?”

“No idea.” Qi Xia replied coldly. “I don’t know them.”

Officer Li stretched, saying, “I thought this was a criminal gang, but they seem highly organized.”

Qiao Jiajin thought for a moment, then turned. “I’ve got an idea.”

“What idea?” Officer Li asked.

“What if I sneak in?”

“Sneak in…?” Officer Li hesitated. “Is that necessary?”

“Fists, forget it,” Qi Xia said. “Even injured, they outnumber us. Better be careful.”

“Fine.” Qiao Jiajin shrugged and sat down, soon idly digging at the sand.

Yingxiong cautiously stepped forward, his young face filled with wariness. “Civilians, I advise caution. The scent inside is… strong.”

“Oh…?” Qi Xia raised an eyebrow. “Yingxiong, are there ‘monsters’ inside?”

“No. It doesn’t smell like ‘monsters.’ It’s thick with the scent of ‘Echoes.'”

Qi Xia frowned in thought. The scent of “Echoes”?

Now, there were only two possibilities: either the entire “Cat” team had awakened their “Echoes,” or among them was an exceptionally powerful “Echo” user.

But why would they so casually leave the group outside while they went to see this “Fifth Brother”?

After a moment’s consideration, Qi Xia found the answer straightforward.

If Song Qi and his team were willing to sever their right hands just to bring them here, it proved their importance. Yet, their first priority upon returning was to see “Fifth Brother.” That could only mean one thing.

The man called Qian Wu might be able to heal them.