Chapter 1255: Ticketing
Ever since Tianhu first appeared in the corridor, the other "Heavenly Level" Zodiacs had gradually begun to show themselves.
The many "Earthly Level" Zodiacs on the corridor saw the two elderly individuals—Tianma and Tianshu—striding past, and they were too terrified to even breathe.
As they walked forward, they casually killed the "participants" they passed along the way. None of the participants had ever imagined that the "Heavenly Level Zodiacs," who stood at the very peak, would have such harmless faces. No one thought to avoid them in advance.
All they knew was that a pair of elderly people had started clearing out every "participant" from one side of the corridor. Their methods were brutal, their abilities formidable. Ordinary "participants" stood no chance against them.
"How strange..." said the old woman Tianma, holding a blood-dripping head in her hand as she walked forward. "Why are there so many people?"
The old man Tianshu clutched his chest, said nothing, and simply reached out to snap the neck of another "participant" in front of him.
"Who knows..." He bared his few remaining teeth and gave an ugly grin. "At least we can blow off some steam."
"There are way too many people... I'm worried my little Tiger might get snatched away..." Tianma said, her face full of concern. "Kidnappers have always been a headache. Without me holding my precious Tiger's hand, he won't know his way around."
"Doesn't know his way?" Tianshu shot Tianma a contemptuous look. "There's only one path on this train."
"But he's still a child! What does he know?" Tianma sighed. "I've always treated him like a treasure. I'm afraid he won't be able to handle a scene like this."
"Oh, 'can't handle it,' huh? That precious Tiger of yours eats corpses every day," Tianshu snorted coldly. "What are you trying to raise him into? A wolf?"
"Don't say that..." Tianma looked at Tianshu. "Haven't you seen how skinny my Tiger is? He never grows tall! He rarely finds things he likes, so let him eat whatever he wants."
"Ha." Tianshu bared his teeth, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out a little. "I heard before that you missed your grandson, and I actually felt a bit of sympathy. But now, I think I feel more sorry for your real-world grandson."
"You—" Tianma's face turned cold instantly. "What nonsense are you spouting...? Tianhu *is* my grandson."
"Fine." Tianshu nodded. "I was being naive. You're the one truly destined to live in 'Paradise' forever."
"So where are all your underlings?" Tianma asked, her tone still hostile. "You always go on about how strict you are with them, but not a single one is in sight right now?"
"They wouldn't dare not come," Tianshu said. "I've already sent someone to summon them. Instead of worrying about me, you'd better worry about that 'grandson' of yours who shares no blood with you."
Their conversation ended on a sour note. They split up, each moving to one side of the corridor, continuing their slaughter of "participants." The blood, thick as mud, gradually dyed the entire carriage red.
Not only were the nearby "participants" terrified out of their wits, but even the "Human Level" Zodiacs began to retreat. After all, many had never seen a "Heavenly Level" before and couldn't understand what was happening.
In the eyes of many "Human Level" Zodiacs, it almost seemed like the "participants" were slaughtering each other.
Dishu led Chu Tianqiu, Qiao Jiajin, and Zhang Shan along the path. From a distance, they spotted the slow approach of the two elderly figures.
"Oh..." Dishu paused. "It seems some higher-ups have come to the train to do a ticket check."
He turned around to look at the three of them. "Did you all buy tickets, leaders?"
Qiao Jiajin stared at the two people in the distance. "That old lady looks kinda familiar. Is she 'Heavenly Level'?"
"Exactly." Dishu nodded. "The old lady is Leader Tianma, and the old man is Leader Tianshu. My urge to betray you all has just reached its peak, I'd say."
"It's already at its peak?" Chu Tianqiu smiled.
"Oh, I suppose I shouldn't say that," Dishu denied. "Saying it's the peak now would be too soon. There are more 'Heavenly Levels' behind them, and above them are the 'Twin Dragons.' My urge to betray you should only climb higher and higher."
Zhang Shan couldn't help but laugh. "Shit, so what are you planning to do? Turn against us now?"
"Of course not." Dishu shook his head, showing his rat-like teeth in a grin. "You leaders are decent people—capable, intelligent. I won't sell you out here. To make sure I never have the chance to, I suggest we part ways here."
With that, he moved to the side and stood in front of a door.
"Please go inside this room to hide, leaders." Dishu said. "I need to find a way to clear this path. Leave those two to me. Once I get them out of here, you can head to the engine room. It's not far ahead."
Chu Tianqiu listened to Dishu's words, his smile gradually fading, replaced by a serious expression. "What's the logic here...? If we need to kill a 'Heavenly Level,' the three of us can help. We've been traveling together all this way—why would you stay behind alone to face a 'Heavenly Level'?"
"No, no, no, leader, you overstep." Dishu waved his hand. "Such a simple little job doesn't require your esteemed presence."
The three of them exchanged glances, unsure whether Dishu was showing off or joking.
"Leaders, two of you are going to face the Green Dragon, and one will face the Heavenly Dragon. I can't even dream of matching that." Dishu said. "It's fine for someone like me to stay here and deal with 'Heavenly Levels.' Your skills are better spent on the bigger bosses."
"Are you sure?" Chu Tianqiu frowned. "That's two 'Heavenly Levels.'"
"Of course." Dishu nodded. "Besides, this was always our plan. All the rebelling 'Zodiacs' will 'counter-kill' the 'Heavenly Levels.' The one coming here is Tianshu—that's my job by default."
"Counter-kill...?" Chu Tianqiu paused. "Scattering our forces to face the 'Heavenly Levels' after weakening them? That doesn't sound like Qi Xia's plan."
"Oh? You noticed, leader? Couldn't fool you, huh?" Dishu grinned. "That whole 'counter-kill' plan is nothing but a stinky, silent fart—disgusting when you smell it, but you're left wondering who did it when you don't. Don't you think?"
"I can't say." Chu Tianqiu shook his head. "Since there's no 'counter-kill' plan, why would you throw yourself into death's path?"
Hearing this, Dishu's gaze slowly turned cold. Everyone could feel as if he had become a different person.
Qiao Jiajin, also a bit anxious, said, "Yeah, big rat, if there's something you need to say, just say it. Aren't we friends now?"
The word "friends" made Dishu's expression shift once more, as if silently tearing away the mask on his face.
"Leader..." Dishu paused. "That might be the most unfunny thing I've ever heard in 'Paradise.'"