Chapter 982: Commander
Officer Li let out a deep sigh after hearing this, then put his heart back into his pocket.
"Xiao Su... I know you're trying to comfort me..." He shook his head and continued, "But it's okay... I just hope I can use my own ability to bring everyone out..."
"But there are many people here who have committed crimes," Su Shan said. "Captain Li, we're both police officers. Do you think these criminals also need to be saved?"
"Yes," Officer Li said without hesitation. "Even if they're criminals, I must make sure they get out and face true legal punishment."
Looking at Officer Li's attitude, Su Shan realized she had indeed misunderstood him somewhat.
"Xiao Su, our mission as police officers is to uphold the law and enforce it," Officer Li said. "I cannot tolerate the existence of a place like this... It makes everyone who fights for the law a joke, and turns justice and kindness in this world into mere luxuries."
Su Shan sighed. She didn't need Officer Li to tell her—she herself had once thought about killing her teammates in the Earth Dog's game.
She didn't have as strong a conviction as Officer Li, but she had to admit he was right.
"Although I've made mistakes myself..." Officer Li let out a wry smile. "After coming here, I realized I can't keep making the same mistakes. I should face everything in my life squarely, so I can turn back as soon as possible and sleep peacefully."
As the two were talking, they saw several people walk past the door. A closer look revealed Qi Xia, Chen Junnan, and Qiao Jiajin, followed by a girl dressed in white.
"Qi Xia...?" Officer Li called out.
Hearing the sound, Qi Xia turned his head, and his gaze met the eyes of the two inside the room.
Both of them furrowed their brows slightly. They felt something strange about Qi Xia's eyes—a mix of grayish white tinged with black, as if madness was blended with a hint of morbidity.
"Officer Li, Su Shan." Qi Xia nodded.
After speaking, he looked down at the bloodstains on Officer Li's clothes, then glanced at his pocket. A few seconds later, a smile appeared on his face. "Officer Li... I didn't expect you to do pretty well too."
"You... did something happen?" Officer Li asked.
"Anyway, it's good news." Qi Xia said, then looked into the distance and continued, "You don't need to practice anymore. Go meet up with 'Cat' now."
"Meet up with 'Cat'...?" Officer Li didn't quite understand the meaning of those words. "But isn't Qian Wu already..."
"Go ahead," Qi Xia said. "Everyone is alive. You're the only one missing."
"Huh...?" Officer Li's eyes flickered, and he looked down at the heart in his hand. "How is that possible...? Even this heart..."
"Trust me, go," Qi Xia said. He then looked at Su Shan and said softly, "I heard from Qin Dingdong that you have 'Spiritual Sight'."
"Yes..." Su Shan nodded.
"You go too," Qi Xia said after thinking for a few seconds. "There will be a use for you there."
"But... what exactly is 'Cat'...? I..." Su Shan hesitated.
"Let Officer Li explain on the way," Qi Xia said.
...
After bidding farewell to Officer Li and Su Shan, Qi Xia and the three others moved forward along the road. Apart from Qi Xia, the rest clearly noticed that the number of people on the street had increased.
Everyone was coming out of the buildings facing the "morning sun," moving their bodies on the street.
Yan Zhichun seemed distracted. She had been thinking about the "Extreme Path" the whole way.
Regardless of whether this Earth Dragon game succeeded or not, the fate of the "Extreme Path" had to be settled today.
What she couldn't understand was the attitude of the other three men. The game they were about to experience was the most difficult among all "Earth-level" games—the "Dragon"—yet their expressions were calm and composed, as if they were going on a trip.
"Lao Qi..." Chen Junnan walked for a while before finally couldn't help but speak up. "Don't we need to wait for Xiao Chu? He doesn't have a map. Will he know where the 'Earth Dragon' is?"
"He will," Qi Xia said. "Chu Tianqiu has a deal with the 'Earth Dragon.' He knows better than I do where to find him."
As Qi Xia said, when the four arrived at the location shown on the map, Chu Tianqiu, Jin Yuanxun, and Wen Qiaoyun were already waiting there.
The three of them seemed to have arrived very early, now standing silently on the empty street.
What puzzled everyone was that despite standing at the location indicated on the map, the "Earth Dragon" was nowhere to be seen. There wasn't even a decent building on this street, let alone a game venue.
"Oh, Xiao Chu," Chen Junnan said. "Why are you here so early? Couldn't sleep last night?"
Chu Tianqiu smiled and nodded at the four of them. His expression was just as calm as Qi Xia's.
"Is it here...?" Yan Zhichun looked around the street in confusion. "I've been here many times, and I don't remember there being any game venue here."
"Tsk..." Chen Junnan scratched his head. "Not only that, there isn't even a proper courtyard here... I've heard that the 'Dragon' games are really sinister... Some 'Dragons' don't even have dedicated game venues."
Everyone present had complex expressions, each bearing many thoughts. As Qi Xia and Chu Tianqiu faced each other, a strange light flickered between them, gradually enlarging and forming a circular portal in midair.
A female Earth Dragon of short stature stepped out from within. Her face was three parts human and seven parts lizard, resembling a half-human, half-beast monster.
She wore a gray-white suit and was very petite.
Everyone turned to look at her at the same time, their hearts tensing slightly.
No matter how small her figure was, she represented the pinnacle among the "Chinese Zodiac"—the "Dragon."
"Everyone, long time no see. I am the 'Earth Dragon.'" The female Earth Dragon said in a calm voice. "I have received orders to escort you all to the 'Cangjie Chess.' Are you all ready?"
Chen Junnan stared at the Earth Dragon for a few seconds, then looked at the glowing door behind her. "'Escort'? What do you mean?"
"My game venue must be accessed through the portal behind me," the Earth Dragon continued. "My game is 'Team versus Team.' If you're ready, please have both 'Commanders' enter first. The rest of you wait here."
After saying this, she raised her slightly sorrowful eyes and quietly glanced at Qi Xia. Qi Xia returned her gaze without a change in expression and said nothing.
Seeing the glowing door behind the Earth Dragon, Qiao Jiajin was instantly reminded of the previous Human Dragon game—"Seesaw."
That eerie game had transported them to an extremely strange space, causing Tian Tian, Officer Li, Attorney Zhang, and others to die there.
But now, few people remembered that event.
"Chu Tianqiu," Qi Xia called softly. "Are you ready?"
Hearing this, Chu Tianqiu shook the coat draped over his shoulders. It looked even heavier now.
"Everything that needs to be prepared is ready."