Chapter 1256: Parting Ways
"Can't laugh...?"
The three of them looked at the Groundhog, their expressions equally conflicted.
The Groundhog let out a sigh and said in a low voice, "Have none of you leaders realized that I actually have nothing to do with this 'rebellion' at all?"
"What...?"
"I've been lying to you leaders all along," the Groundhog said. "You leaders don't need to treat me as a friend anymore, either."
"Lying...?" Chu Tianqiu paused. "What did you lie about?"
"I'm not a teammate of Qi Xia from any period..." the Groundhog muttered. "I'm not even his student or friend... Tianlong and Qinglong never offended me, and I don't hate them either. Everyone here has various identities that justify them 'rebelling,' and even those who genuinely had no identity were once recruited by you for various reasons... But not me. Qi Xia just happened to pass by my game venue and left me three kumquats."
The group looked at the Groundhog's demeanor and only felt a sense of sorrow.
"I'm the most unique one here, aren't I?" the Groundhog said with a bitter smile. "To put it bluntly, I jumped into this torrent on my own. Even if it wasn't Qi Xia, I would have found a Zhang Xia or a Li Xia. In the end, I wanted to rebel."
"I still feel a bit confused," Chu Tianqiu said. "If that's the case, our goals are ultimately the same. You want to rebel, and we want to rebel. So how is it that you've deceived us?"
The Groundhog turned his head again to look at the two distant 'Heavenly levels,' his expression still cold.
"I've only ever had one goal from beginning to end, and that's to kill Sky Rat," he said in a low voice. "When I learned someone was planning a rebellion, I was indeed more eager than anyone because I knew I was good at stirring things up. As long as I could join this team, then fabricate some lies about 'killing Sky Rat being the top priority,' someone would willingly lay down their lives for me. To achieve this goal, I even spent time specifically investigating White Sheep's story."
"So you mean you had no prior connection with them...?" Chu Tianqiu asked again.
"Not entirely. One of the 'rebels' happened to be a former teammate of mine, but we argued easily, so our relationship wasn't that good," the Groundhog sighed. "When I joined this team, I already thought that I wouldn't mind selling everyone out at the last moment. Regardless of whether this rebellion plan succeeded or failed, I would definitely be safe. If I could kill Sky Rat, that would be best. If not, I'd wait for the next opportunity."
"So what?" Chu Tianqiu shook his head with a smile. "Isn't the opportunity perfect now? Even if you make up some lies on the spot to urge us on, I'll still treat everything you said before as a joke."
"No, it's precisely because you're all this kind of damn goody-two-shoes that I don't want to play anymore," the Groundhog said. "I keep lying, and you keep telling the truth. I'm really breaking down. Ever since I joined this rebellion plan, every troublesome person I've met has opened their heart to me. I'm exhausted. And I've been stirring the pot the whole time..."
After hearing this, the three seemed to understand what the Groundhog meant, but didn't that meaning seem a bit too dangerous in this context?
"So from now on... I'm going to do my own thing myself, without troubling you all," the Groundhog said. "All the 'Zodiacs' I met in that rebellion room were decent people. This time, I'll be merciful and won't sell them out. Now it's a personal grudge between me and Sky Rat. I'll settle it myself."
"That's a real man," Zhang Shan said. "But I still don't get it—why do people like you keep insisting on calling yourselves 'fence-sitters'?"
"Usually, ignorant people like to show off their knowledge, and poor people like to flaunt their wealth," the Groundhog replied. "The things people talk about all day might be what they lack the most. From the first time I called myself a 'fence-sitter,' it was to remind myself not to develop real feelings for those 'Zodiacs.' But I didn't win."
The three fell silent. They hadn't known this Groundhog for long, but they could clearly tell he was a good person. Though his words were harsh, when Zhang Shan and Qiao Jiajin were connecting with the 'Twin Flowers' earlier, only he had been using his own life to shield them.
Naturally, Qiao Jiajin and Zhang Shan should conserve their strength to reach the 'locomotive.' But in this environment, once they parted ways, it would be forever.
"Alright." Chu Tianqiu was silent for a few seconds before nodding. "You shouldn't be playing the hero. I'm willing to respect your decision."
Qiao Jiajin also nodded. "I understand that feeling. When it comes to your own enemy... if you can't finish them off with your own hands, you always feel an emptiness in your heart."
"That's exactly it," the Groundhog replied with a serious expression. "If you all helped me kill Sky Rat, my entire journey would lose its meaning."
Zhang Shan shrugged helplessly. "Then you'd better stay focused, kid. Remember to hit his chin."
The Groundhog reached out and straightened his tie. "I will. Leaders, the road ahead is wide. Let's part ways here."
With that, he walked forward alone, heading toward the two distant 'Heavenly levels.'
"Damn, are we really not going to help him?" Zhang Shan stared at his retreating figure. "Even a few 'Earthly levels' could gang up on him earlier. Now it's two 'Heavenly levels.'"
"Everyone has their own choices," Chu Tianqiu said. "His eyes are already prepared. Even if he dies there, it will be while doing what he truly wants to do."
"Ah..." Zhang Shan sighed.
"Besides, each of us carries a heavy burden. I carry the expectations of everyone in 'Heaven's Gate,' and you..."
Zhang Shan could only feel a pang of grief. He knew the expectations he carried were even greater than those of 'Heaven's Gate.'
"...So we can't afford to take risks under these circumstances," Chu Tianqiu shook his head. "Leave it to him."
Qiao Jiajin wasn't listening to them. He instead looked at the door beside them and asked, "So we... should find a place to take shelter?"
Chu Tianqiu looked at the door. Faint voices of conversation came from inside, meaning there were still 'Zodiacs' in the room.
"More 'Heavenly levels' should be coming out," Chu Tianqiu said. "The Groundhog mentioned 'rank-to-rank elimination' earlier. Even though he knew it was a lie, not all the 'rebel Zodiacs' necessarily know that. The ideal scenario is that all the 'Heavenly levels' are tied up by the 'rebel Zodiacs,' and then we three can go unimpeded to the 'locomotive.'"
"Using 'Earthly levels' to block 'Heavenly levels'... no matter how you look at it, that's a ridiculous tactic," Zhang Shan sighed. "Hopefully, it works."
Qiao Jiajin gently pushed the door open on his own. It wasn't locked. A female voice came from inside:
"...Guess what Bunny told me? She said the person she's always liked is Pig next door! Oh my god, I was so mad! If you don't like someone, just say it earlier!"
"What? Did she really say that? That's too much..."
The voices stopped abruptly. Hearing the door open, the two 'Zodiacs' inside stared woodenly at the entrance.