Before Song Qi could finish his next sentence, a short sword folded from newspaper was held horizontally before his eyes.

He turned his head to find a strange youth staring at him, muttering repeatedly: “Killing among civilians is forbidden.”

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

Qi Xia slowly rose to his feet: “Song Qi, you said you’re taking me away?”

“That’s right.” Song Qi came back to his senses, his face bloodless. “The tasks received by ‘Cat’ must be completed.”

“You’re now a band of remnant soldiers—how do you plan to complete it?”

“It doesn’t matter if we die.” Song Qi shook his head. “We either all perish here or complete the mission. There is absolutely no third path besides these two.”

“Somewhat interesting.” Qi Xia sneered coldly. “Yesterday I still considered you a brother, but I never expected we’d be crossing swords today.”

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

“True enough.” Qi Xia nodded, then asked again, “Where are you taking me?”

“Our boss Qian Wu wants to see you.” Song Qi said. “I dare not speak of anything else, but I can guarantee your personal safety.”

Qi Xia only felt somewhat amused: “A dozen of you have severed your hands, yet you claim you can guarantee my safety?”

After hearing this, Song Qi slowly walked before Qi Xia, then said in a low voice: “To tell the truth… this time there’s a ‘big shot’ who wanted to see you, but Fifth Brother intercepted them. He wants to see you first, then decide whether to hand you over to this ‘big shot.'”

“Big shot…?” Qi Xia’s brows furrowed as that old woman and young boy suddenly appeared in his mind. Could those two truly be ‘Heaven-level’?

“So in order to obtain information about you, we were willing to sever one hand, all for the sake of ensuring Fifth Brother’s plan proceeds smoothly.” Song Qi appeared increasingly weak. “You should be able to see that we don’t have much time. If you don’t come with us…”

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

“You’re agreeing?” Song Qi said with some surprise.

“Yes.” Qi Xia stood up. “I’ve suddenly become very interested in that boss you mentioned, and I’d like to meet him.”

Qiao Jiajin and Officer Li exchanged glances, feeling something wasn’t quite right about this matter.

“Liar boy, are you serious?” Qiao Jiajin asked. “Those who would sever their own hands to find you—could they possibly be good people?”

“Hmm…” Qi Xia pondered for a moment before answering, “Muscle, what they severed was their own right hand, not mine, which is precisely why I’m so interested.”

“Then I’ll accompany you.” Qiao Jiajin grabbed his jacket from the table and draped it over his shoulder, smiling. “The other party sent over a dozen people to invite you—how could you go alone?”

After hearing this, Officer Li smiled and stood up: “That’s right, Qi Xia, I’ll go with you too.”

Qi Xia nodded. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to walk to Han Yimo’s side, speaking in a low voice: “Han Yimo, this trip of mine will likely bring more danger than fortune. In the coming days, just follow Su Shan.”

“What…?” Han Yimo paused, then directly reached out to grasp Qi Xia’s wrist. “That’s not right… What do you mean by ‘this trip will likely bring more danger than fortune’? You’re clearly my sav—”

“You already understand, so why are you still asking me what I mean?” Qi Xia pulled away Han Yimo’s hand, turned around, and came before Su Shan.

He pondered for a while, then reached out to pull Su Shan into a corner.

“What is it?” Su Shan asked.

“Su Shan, you’re a clever person.” Qi Xia said. “It’s just that right now you understand too little about ‘The End,’ so I can’t trust you one hundred percent. In the coming time, participate in games as much as possible. I take back my previous words—from now on, no matter what level of game it is, you can freely participate.”

“No matter what level…?”

“That’s right.” Qi Xia nodded. “Let yourself fall into despair, just like when we first met.”

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

“Don’t suppress your own thoughts.” Qi Xia said. “Being timid and overcautious will keep you temporarily safe but permanently endangered.”

“So that’s how it is…” Su Shan’s eyes seemed to change somewhat. “You’re saying that at critical moments I should be like you—decisively stake my own life and my teammates’ lives?”

“Exactly, Su Shan.” Qi Xia nodded. “If you want to escape from here, normal people won’t work—only ‘madmen’ will. Though you have brains, you’re ultimately still too rational.”

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

“How long will it take for you to go mad?”

“Very quickly.” Su Shan replied. “After all, your teammates aren’t my teammates.”

“Excellent.” Qi Xia nodded. “You must remember, as long as you’ve obtained ‘Echo,’ anyone’s death is not worth regretting.”

“Qi Xia, I really wish I’d met you earlier.” Su Shan smiled. “If I’m not mistaken, I should have wasted far too much time.”

“The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, and the second-best time is today.” Qi Xia nodded at Su Shan, then turned around and came to Song Qi’s side.

“Let’s go.”

Qiao Jiajin put on his jacket and nodded to Officer Li. The two followed Qi Xia out of the room.

The members of the ‘Cat’ team all raised their right hands over their chests and followed behind the three of them.

The ‘Hero’ in the corner pondered for a moment, grabbed his short sword, and followed far behind them.

Su Shan surveyed the several people remaining in the room and said: “Doctor Zhao, Author Han, do you two have time?”

“What…?” The two simultaneously lifted their heads to look at her.

“I’m planning to participate in a game and would like to bring you two along. I wonder if it’s convenient?” Su Shan asked.

Doctor Zhao and Han Yimo thought for a few seconds, then simultaneously said: “Not convenient.”

Su Shan never expected these two would be so straightforward—she didn’t even get the chance to get them killed.

“What about you all…?” She looked toward the three women in the room.

Lin Qin, Qin Dingdong, Zhang Chenze.

“I don’t mind.” Lin Qin said.

“I’ll go wherever Little Shan goes.” Qin Dingdong said.

Lawyer Zhang surveyed the several people in the room and nodded: “I agree with the majority’s choice. If you three are going, I’ll go too.”

“At critical moments, it’s still the girls who are reliable.” Su Shan smiled as she looked toward Doctor Zhao and Han Yimo. “Doctor, great author, you two can stay home washing clothes and sweeping floors. When we bring back the ‘Dao,’ we’ll buy food for you.”

“Pfft…” Qin Dingdong covered her mouth and giggled. “Little Shan, you’re still the same as ever.”

Lin Qin and Zhang Chenze silently looked at Su Shan. They felt this girl’s aura had changed somewhat—she seemed to be moving in Qi Xia’s direction, with an elusive quality mixed into her extreme rationality.

“Let’s go.” Su Shan tidied her clean, neat short hair and looked at the three with bright eyes. “From now on, we’ll help each other.”

The three women stood up with her and left the room one after another.

Han Yimo was stunned for a while, then turned his head to ask: “Did she just curse at us?”

“No… she didn’t, right?” Doctor Zhao replied.