Chapter 934: The Coward
After hearing this, Dr. Zhao was taken aback at first, then stood up with a troubled expression, seeming a bit puzzled. "Wh-What do you mean... 'join'? What kind of organization are you people?"
He had originally planned to visit each room and solidify his relationships within this organization, but he never expected other organizations to have infiltrated and were preparing to recruit him on the spot.
"There's no need to regard the concept of 'organization' as so important anymore," Yan Zhichun said. "This doctor... do you want to get out?"
"Get out...?" Dr. Zhao was stunned. "O-Of course I want to..."
Hearing Dr. Zhao's decisive answer, Yan Zhichun knew that only two paths lay before her.
Currently, the total number of Jidao members was unknown, as were the abilities of most of them. Trying to destroy the display screen and giant bell while carrying so many unknown factors was naturally no easy task. But if they had Dr. Zhao, whose ability could disintegrate objects, this desperate plan might gain a sliver of elusive success rate.
That was the first path. The difficulty lay in getting Dr. Zhao, the deputy leader of Heaven's Gate, to join Jidao.
But this also had a fatal problem. Since Jidao had not recruited new members for a long time, all current members were veterans. This not only indicated their excellent abilities but also proved they were trustworthy. Except for Xiaoxiao, who had only joined Jidao a few cycles ago, the vast majority of the rest could be considered relatively senior Jidao members. Carrying out missions with these people gave a considerable sense of security.
If such an important task were entrusted to Dr. Zhao, and he fled at the critical moment, while the mission might not necessarily fail, it would significantly shake morale.
Therefore, maintaining the status quo was the second path.
"Miss, why are you suddenly asking this...?" Dr. Zhao said. "I'd imagine most people here want to escape."
Yan Zhichun looked at Jiang Ruoxue and then asked softly, "Ruoxue, if you activate Causality, can you demand that the other party must act according to my instructions?"
Jiang Ruoxue gave a wry smile. "Zhichun... demanding someone to do as you say doesn't sound like Causality at all; it sounds more like Soul Stealing."
Yan Zhichun knew Jiang Ruoxue was right. Even Causality could only ensure the other party joined Jidao. But every detailed decision once they were in Jidao depended on their own thoughts; it couldn't be directly controlled through Causality.
Even if she did make Dr. Zhao join Jidao, he might still flee at the critical moment.
"In that case... you'll have to make your own choice," Yan Zhichun said, looking at Dr. Zhao. "I have a way to free everyone from the suffering of reincarnation. Do you want to try it?"
"What...?" Dr. Zhao was clearly stunned. "Free everyone from the suffering of reincarnation...?"
"Yes. As long as you agree to help me with one thing, the chances of liberating everyone will increase significantly," Yan Zhichun said. "The opportunity is right before you. It's up to you to choose."
"This..." Dr. Zhao paused slightly. "I'm the one to choose...? What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to help me destroy a large piece of equipment," Yan Zhichun replied. "I can't say exactly what it is now, but you need to set out with Jiang Ruoxue tomorrow morning. When we reach the mission site, I'll tell you what to do. Is that okay?"
Dr. Zhao squinted cautiously, sensing something odd. "Destroy something, but you can't say... Is it something very important?"
Yan Zhichun sighed deeply and replied, "Pretty much."
"Could it be equipment for some 'Zodiac' game?" Dr. Zhao asked again.
"Also... pretty much," Yan Zhichun answered. "So this path is somewhat dangerous, but your ability happens to align with this mission. That's why I want to ask if you're willing to be this savior. Of course, if you're unwilling..."
Dr. Zhao's expression clearly shifted. He knew his own limits. Just surviving in this place was no easy feat, and now someone was calling him a "savior"?
Wait... Why did the word "savior" sound so familiar?
Just as they were talking, another figure appeared at the door. The person timidly peered inside and then called out softly, "Dr. Zhao...?"
Everyone turned to look. The newcomer was short in stature, with messy hair.
"Han Yimo? You came just in time..." Dr. Zhao said. "There's something you might want to be part of..."
Han Yimo smiled slightly upon hearing this. Of course he wanted to be part of it. When passing by the door, he happened to hear the word "savior."
He knew that his mission as the protagonist was about to begin.
But Yan Zhichun's expression instantly cooled, and she said with slight suspicion, "Was that you eavesdropping at the door just now?"
"What? Eavesdropping...?" Han Yimo immediately shook his head. "How could that be? I saw Dr. Zhao staying here for a long time while delivering food, so I came to check if he was okay."
"It's not him," Zheng Yingxiong said from the side. "That person's presence was very strong, not this cowardly."
"C-Cowardly?!" Han Yimo's anger flared upon hearing that. A protagonist in a novel couldn't be called cowardly. "Kid, if you don't understand, don't talk nonsense! Who are you calling cowardly? I've got plenty of blood on my hands!"
Zheng Yingxiong gave Han Yimo a blank look, as if looking at a child younger than himself.
"Don't argue, don't argue," Dr. Zhao quickly mediated. "We're all on the same side. Miss..."
He looked at Yan Zhichun and said with a smile, "Han Yimo and I have been through life and death together for quite a while. Would you like to bring him along too? That way, I'll have someone I can trust. If he goes, I'll go."
Yan Zhichun had met Han Yimo once before. Back then, when she first arrived at Heaven's Gate, this man had summoned a pitch-black giant sword and massacred wildly within the room, much like a cultivator from a fantasy story. He might possess some rare "sword-controlling" ability. With such a powerful ability backing them, the chances of success in destruction might increase.
That day, a gold ingot had also inexplicably appeared on her person.
Just as Yan Zhichun was about to speak, she looked toward Zheng Yingxiong first, to be safe.
Zheng Yingxiong understood and lifted his nose for a slight sniff. After a few seconds, he said, "Calamity Call."
"Calamity Call...?"
Yan Zhichun was momentarily puzzled, not understanding how "Calamity Call" connected to "sword-controlling."
But her experience wandering the Endland for so long told her that an ability like "Calamity Call" sounded ominous. Better not to use it than to take the risk. So she could only refuse. "Forget about Calamity Call. Dr. Zhao, if he's coming, you should stay too."
"Hey, hey, hey?" Han Yimo immediately stepped forward. "What kind of talk is that! My ability is very strong... Didn't I just tell you?! I've got countless lives on my hands!"
"Never mind," Yan Zhichun said. "I can't stake so many lives on a 'Calamity Call.' If Dr. Zhao is willing to go alone, you're welcome. But both of you together—no deal."