Chapter 1125: So Close
At the other end of the plaza.
With Jin Yuanxun and Xiaoxiao leading the way, Lin Qin, Han Yimo, and Dr. Zhao managed to approach the giant bell and the display screen from behind in a very short time.
The group had emerged almost completely unscathed, though Han Yimo was on the verge of death.
"Finally made it over here safe and sound." Xiaoxiao gently lowered Han Yimo to the ground and noticed he was struggling, rolling his eyes back.
"This is bad... this kid..."
Dr. Zhao was about to say something, but Lin Qin raised her hand to stop him, saying, "The giant bell and the display are right in front of us. Instead of worrying about Han Yimo, let's focus on the task at hand."
The group knew this was a rare opportunity—or rather, everyone's life or death hinged on this moment. So they turned their attention to the giant bell and display first, but soon discovered a chilling problem.
They were far too close to the White Tiger.
At this moment, the White Tiger was completely focused on triggering "Reed Grass" and "Explosive Combustion" right in front of him, simultaneously resisting numerous "Extremists" while unleashing wave after wave of offensive "Reverberations." The layers of heat caused the giant bell behind him to constantly sway.
Dr. Zhao and the others were almost within ten meters of the White Tiger, squarely within his attack range. At this point, if the White Tiger so much as turned around or heard a single sound, even with "Frame-Up" and "Jump Shift," they would be dead for sure.
"Whenever you're ready, let's go together," Lin Qin whispered. "If you need any help, just tell me."
Dr. Zhao paused for a moment, then turned around with an awkward expression and asked, "Could we shake hands again?"
Though a bit puzzled, Lin Qin didn't ask further and simply extended her hand.
But she felt that Dr. Zhao's next move wasn't quite like a "handshake." After gripping her hand, he began to gently stroke the back of her hand with his thumb, as if carefully feeling her skin inch by inch. She wasn't very familiar with Dr. Zhao, and this unusual action made Lin Qin's hair stand on end.
"You..."
Before Lin Qin could say anything, Dr. Zhao took a deep breath, then withdrew his hand and said, "That's enough."
He then turned back to the others and said, "It's too dangerous... Since things have come to this, I'll go alone from here. There's no need for you to throw your lives away."
Dr. Zhao's erratic behavior—now righteous, now strange—left Lin Qin uncertain. She could only look at Xiaoxiao with confusion.
Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded, saying, "I really want to go with you. I feel like I can do anything right now."
"No," Dr. Zhao shook his head. "There's really no need. Getting me this far is enough. If I die, you all run."
Xiaoxiao paused for a moment, as if regaining some empathy. "Well... alright then. Go ahead. If there's a deadly danger that can be avoided, I'll help you 'frame' it away."
As she spoke, Han Yimo on her shoulder let out a light cough, his thoughts unknown.
Dr. Zhao moved forward cautiously, while Jin Yuanxun recovered his "Conviction" and began to stare intently at Dr. Zhao. If any real danger arose, perhaps he would be the one to save him.
Just as Dr. Zhao was about to approach the giant bell, a flash of movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. He saw a "Participant" hiding behind a large tree not far away.
In an instant, he sensed trouble. The only people who could be standing here at this moment—aside from "Extremists" and "Heaven's Mouth"—would have to be "Supporters" looking to take his head.
The man was middle-aged, dressed in a suit, with a sinister look on his face and faint traces of blood beside his ears.
"I don't know what's going on... but it seems everyone wants to kill her..." His gaze shifted to the distance toward Yan Zhichun. "Coming along with the crowd this time was the right call."
Dr. Zhao swallowed nervously. The man in front of him looked somewhat familiar—as if he'd crossed paths with him once before, either at "Heaven's Mouth" or on the street. But he couldn't quite recall who he was.
"But that old man..." The man stared at the White Tiger and muttered to himself, "He's really troublesome..."
Since the man was standing behind a large tree not far away, Dr. Zhao felt a bit of danger. He didn't know what the man's stance was, but if a fight broke out, even if Dr. Zhao himself didn't die, the noise would be enough to attract the White Tiger's attention.
"Bro... brother... which side are you on?" Dr. Zhao asked.
Seeing Dr. Zhao's reaction, Xiaoxiao and the others quickly crept forward a few steps. Just then, another violent explosion erupted from the White Tiger's direction, shaking everyone off balance.
The middle-aged man seemed to completely ignore Dr. Zhao's question. He then slowly walked over to stand beside Dr. Zhao.
Now Xiaoxiao and the others had gathered close. When Jin Yuanxun saw the man, he froze for a moment, then said, "Hey, aren't you... Uncle Zhong Zhen...?"
"Someone like her deserves to die." Zhong Zhen stared in Yan Zhichun's direction and continued, "I said I would kill her, and I will."
Jin Yuanxun followed Zhong Zhen's gaze and saw that the man's eyes were fixed on Yan Zhichun in the center of the plaza.
"Uncle Zhong..." Jin Yuanxun called out softly. "Can I talk to you about something?"
Zhong Zhen still didn't react. Instead, he pulled a folding knife from his pocket and said, "This is a perfect opportunity, isn't it?"
The group felt that something was off with this man. He was clearly unable to communicate normally.
"U-Uncle..." Jin Yuanxun stepped forward and reached out to grab the man's arm. But as if triggered by a reflex, Zhong Zhen slashed back instantly.
Fortunately, Jin Yuanxun reacted quickly and dodged the fatal strike, though a long gash was cut into his arm.
"Ah, sibal..." Jin Yuanxun jumped back, ready to fight, but Lin Qin reached out and stopped him again.
"Let him through," Lin Qin said. "If you want to kill Yan Zhichun, go ahead now. We won't stop you."
Even with that said, Zhong Zhen just turned around and glared viciously at the group. "So many helpers, huh? Which side are you on? Even Jin Yuanxun is here?"
"Uncle, you..."
"We're not on any side," Lin Qin said again. "You do what you need to do; we don't interfere with each other."
Her brow was tightly furrowed. Where did this "Causality" come from now?
"Killing one is the same as killing a group. Since everyone I know has already been killed by me, a few more won't make a difference," Zhong Zhen muttered to himself. "Let this place be my battlefield."
With that, he closed his eyes. The giant bell swayed slightly, and a thick cloud of smoke began to spread outward from Zhong Zhen in all directions.
The smoke was so dense it made everyone choke and unable to open their eyes.
At that moment, the White Tiger also noticed the anomaly behind him. He immediately turned around to check, but all he could see was white smoke.
He glared with bloodshot eyes and unleashed a strong gust of wind, but the smoke seemed to pour out endlessly, quickly covering half the plaza once again.