Chapter 301: Girl Group

Before Song Qi could finish his next sentence, a newspaper-folded dagger was thrust before his eyes.

He turned his head and saw a strange young man staring at him, muttering under his breath, “No infighting among civilians.”

“What?” Song Qi frowned in confusion. “Civilians?”

Qi Xia slowly stood up. “Song Qi, you said you were taking me with you?”

“Correct.” Song Qi snapped back to attention, his face pale. “The task assigned to ‘The Cats’ must be completed.”

“You’re all wounded now. How do you plan to do that?”

“We don’t care if we die.” Song Qi shook his head. “Either we all perish here, or we complete the mission. There’s no third option.”

“Interesting.” Qi Xia smirked coldly. “Yesterday, I still considered you a brother. Now we’re pointing blades at each other.”

“Brothers are brothers, business is business.” Song Qi said. “Taking you away today doesn’t mean we can’t be brothers in the future.”

“Fair enough.” Qi Xia nodded before asking, “Where are you taking me?”

“Our boss, Qian Wu, wants to see you.” Song Qi replied. “I can’t say much, but I can guarantee your safety.”

Qi Xia found it almost laughable. “You have over a dozen men with severed hands, yet you claim you can ensure my safety?”

Song Qi stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Honestly… a ‘big shot’ wanted to see you, but Fifth Brother intercepted it. He wants to meet you first before deciding whether to hand you over.”

“A big shot…?” Qi Xia’s brows furrowed. The old woman and the little boy flashed through his mind. Were they truly “Celestials”?

“So we were willing to lose a hand just to get information about you—all to ensure Fifth Brother’s plan proceeds smoothly.” Song Qi was visibly weakening. “You should see that time isn’t on our side. If you don’t come with us…”

“Enough.” Qi Xia shook his head. “Let’s go.”

“You’re agreeing?” Song Qi sounded surprised.

“Yeah.” Qi Xia stood. “I’m suddenly very curious about this boss of yours. I’d like to meet him.”

Qiao Jiajin and Officer Li exchanged glances, sensing something off.

“Liar, are you serious?” Qiao Jiajin asked. “People who’d cut off their own hands to find you—do they seem like good guys?”

“Hmm…” Qi Xia pondered for a moment before replying, “Fists, they cut off their *own* right hands, not mine. That’s why I’m intrigued.”

“Then I’m coming with you.” Qiao Jiajin grabbed his jacket from the table and slung it over his shoulder, grinning. “They sent a dozen men to invite you. You can’t go alone.”

Officer Li chuckled and stood. “He’s right, Qi Xia. I’ll go too.”

Qi Xia nodded. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back, approaching Han Yimo. In a low voice, he said, “Han Yimo, this trip is dangerous. From now on, stick with Su Shan.”

“What…?” Han Yimo stiffened, grabbing Qi Xia’s wrist. “What do you mean ‘dangerous’? You’re my sav—”

“If you understand, why ask?” Qi Xia pulled his wrist free and walked over to Su Shan.

After a brief hesitation, he took her aside.

“What is it?” Su Shan asked.

“Su Shan, you’re smart.” Qi Xia said. “But you still know too little about the ‘Land of the End.’ I can’t fully trust you yet. From now on, join as many games as possible. I take back what I said before—play any level you want.”

“Any level…?”

“Exactly.” Qi Xia nodded. “Plunge yourself into despair, just like when we first met.”

“Plunge into despair?” Su Shan seemed to recall something and nodded cautiously.

“Don’t suppress your instincts.” Qi Xia said. “Playing it safe keeps you temporarily secure but eternally in danger.”

“So that’s it…” Su Shan’s gaze shifted subtly. “You mean at critical moments, I should act like you—bet my life and my teammates’ without hesitation?”

“That’s right, Su Shan.” Qi Xia nodded. “To escape this place, you can’t be normal. You have to be a ‘madman.’ You’re smart, but still too rational.”

“You’ve enlightened me, Qi Xia.” Su Shan smiled faintly.

“How long until you go mad?”

“Not long.” She replied. “After all, your teammates aren’t mine.”

“Perfect.” Qi Xia nodded. “Remember—once you achieve ‘Echo,’ no one’s life is worth sparing.”

“Qi Xia, I can’t wait to meet you again.” Su Shan grinned. “If I’m not mistaken, I’ve wasted too much time already.”

“The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second-best is today.” Qi Xia gave her a firm nod before turning back to Song Qi.

“Let’s go.”

Qiao Jiajin pulled on his jacket and exchanged a glance with Officer Li. The two followed Qi Xia out.

The members of “The Cats” raised their severed right hands to their chests and trailed behind them.

In the corner, the “Hero” hesitated for a moment before grabbing his dagger and following at a distance.

Su Shan scanned the remaining people in the room. “Doctor Zhao, Writer Han, do you two have time?”

“What…?” They both looked up at her.

“I’m going to join a game. I’d like to take you both. Is that alright?”

Zhao and Han exchanged glances before replying in unison, “No.”

Su Shan hadn’t expected such blunt refusal. She didn’t even get the chance to lead them to their deaths.

“What about you three…?” She turned to the women in the room—Lin Qin, Qin Dingdong, and Zhang Chenze.

“I don’t mind.” Lin Qin said.

“Wherever Xiao Shan goes, I go.” Qin Dingdong chimed in.

Lawyer Zhang surveyed the group and nodded. “I’ll follow the majority. If all three of you are going, I’ll join.”

“At least the girls are reliable in a crisis.” Su Shan smirked at Zhao and Han. “Doctor, Great Writer, stay home and do the laundry. We’ll bring back ‘Tao’ to buy you food.”

“Pfft—” Qin Dingdong covered her mouth, laughing. “Xiao Shan, you haven’t changed.”

Lin Qin and Zhang Chenze studied Su Shan in silence. Her aura had shifted—she was aligning herself with Qi Xia’s mindset, blending extreme rationality with something unpredictable.

“Let’s go.” Su Shan adjusted her neat short hair, her bright eyes sweeping over the three. “From now on, we help each other.”

The three women stood and followed her out.

Han Yimo blinked. “Did she just insult us?”

“N-No… right?” Zhao stammered.