Chapter 1271: Gatekeeper
Earth Tiger’s ten students turned around one after another, put on their masks, and faced the “cargo hold,” looking as if they were about to enter.
After about a dozen seconds or so, a slightly overweight Earth Horse walked over. Stretching lazily, he glanced casually at the few “Human-level” individuals by the door, then asked in a low voice, “What’s the situation now?”
Human Monkey paused for a few seconds after hearing this, then slowly turned around and said to Earth Horse, “We’re not too sure… We rushed over as soon as we got the message and ran into Heaven Ox at the door. She said the situation has changed and we shouldn’t act for now.”
“What the heck…” Earth Horse sighed helplessly. “It changes every minute. What are we supposed to do?”
Before long, about a dozen “Human-level” individuals and two other “Earth-level” began to show up.
They didn’t seem very motivated, gathering here lazily, but they surrounded Human Monkey and the others in the center, then started discussing what had just happened.
“That was insane…” a Human Rabbit said. “I was about to go back to my room when I suddenly heard the ‘amplifier.’ It was so loud.”
“I heard they’re not letting us in now?” a Human Dog said.
“No idea. Seems like we’re supposed to wait at the door.”
“So does anyone know what’s going on with the ‘participants’ today? What are all these people doing getting on the ‘train’?”
A cacophony of voices began to rise. Cold sweat trickled down from beneath Human Monkey’s mask, because such a simple lie could be exposed at any moment.
Fortunately, no one in this group knew anyone else, and no one could prove she was lying.
Human Monkey stood in front of the door, back to everyone, using her slender body to block the entrance, silently hoping that the battle in the “cargo hold” would end soon.
But even if it ended, what then?
Three “Earth-level” were waiting at the door. After killing Heaven Ox, the people inside would hardly have enough strength left to fight their way out.
“Sigh… but we can’t just keep waiting here forever.” The slightly overweight Earth Horse from the crowd stepped forward and said in a muffled voice, “You guys up front, move aside. I’ll just smash the door down.”
Human Monkey paused slightly at this, then turned back and said gravely, “But Heaven Ox just said we shouldn’t act for now. I’m worried that smashing the door might cause problems. You’re an ‘Earth-level,’ she’s a ‘Heaven-level.’ We have to prioritize following her orders.”
“That’s not my concern.” Earth Horse shook his head. “Everyone heard Heaven Ox say ‘break the door down.’ I’m just following orders. Even if the plan really has changed, only you few heard that. It has nothing to do with us. If something goes wrong, you take the blame.”
“You…” Human Monkey hesitated. “Then… can we at least give her some more time? Right now…”
“What time is it to be giving her time? You all know how Green Dragon is.” Earth Horse shook his head. “I can’t risk my own life. Anyone who keeps blocking the door will be treated as a rebel and killed on the spot.”
Earth Horse’s words shattered Human Monkey’s strategy. They had ten “Human-level” on their side, but the enemy had more than ten “Human-level” and even three “Earth-level.” Under these circumstances, protecting the door from being broken was an impossible task.
She slowly stepped aside, and the other students of Earth Tiger followed her lead, moving to the side.
Human Monkey lowered her head. She knew that if she wanted to protect this door now, the only way was to divert the enemy’s fire.
And the most convenient target for that diversion was herself. In other words… as long as she attracted enough attention, no one would focus on the door anymore.
“Everyone…”
Human Monkey looked up, about to speak, when suddenly the door burst open. A man in a black leather jacket stumbled out recklessly.
As he ran, he shouted loudly, “All good! I fucking killed Heaven Ox! Get out of here fast!”
While everyone stood there dumbfounded, the man darted through the crowd of “Zodiacs” at the door and rushed deeper into the corridor.
“Damn it!” Earth Horse finally realized something was wrong and immediately gave chase. “Stop right there!!”
Several “Human-level” followed suit. Human Monkey’s heart was in her throat.
So this man had chosen the same tactic as her—but he seemed to be taking an insane risk.
A mere mortal leading away an “Earth-level” was no different from suicide.
With the door now open, everyone could see that there were other “participants” standing behind it. The one in front was a middle-aged woman with a dazed expression.
Clearly, she hadn’t coordinated with the man in the leather jacket. She just stood there frozen, staring at the horde of “Zodiacs” without moving.
Though they were now within striking distance, the middle-aged woman was inside the door, and the many “Zodiacs” outside were somewhat wary, none daring to step forward.
“Hey…”
From among the “Zodiacs,” a tall Earth Rat wearing a collar stepped forward. His ill-fitting suit was draped over him like a mere formality. As he cracked his knuckles, he said in a low voice, “If none of you dare to go in, then move aside. I will.”
He pushed aside a few people and stood directly in front of the door. Human Monkey’s heartbeat quickened. She fixed her eyes on Earth Rat’s movements, ready to lunge at him the moment he made a move. Though she might not be able to protect the door, it was the last effort she could make.
“Tell our people to get ready to strike…” she whispered to the Human Dog beside her.
“I’ve been waiting for this…” Human Dog replied.
“It’s all right, child. Even if I die here, it doesn’t matter.” The middle-aged woman spoke as she slowly stepped out from the door, standing calmly before everyone, blocking all the “Zodiacs.”
Her utterly unguarded attitude left even the tall Earth Rat momentarily baffled.
“Child, you can kill me. The Mother God will forgive your actions here.” She continued speaking to Earth Rat. “I’ll stand right here, watching you kill me without blinking.”
Human Monkey paused. She felt that this middle-aged woman was thinking the same as her—all that could be done now was to use every effort to stall for time and protect the door from damage. At this moment, the woman was preparing to sacrifice herself. So… should she save her now?
Earth Rat listened, then paused. He looked the woman up and down from head to toe, and soon a contemptuous sneer appeared on his face.
“You’re nothing but a mere ‘participant,’ and you dare to throw out threats in front of me? Are you expecting some miracle to happen?” Earth Rat took a step forward, extending his thick arm. “Since you’ve offered yourself up, then die.”
With that, he swung his arm toward the middle-aged woman’s face. In that split second, a Human Pig behind Earth Rat suddenly charged forward and slammed Earth Rat hard to the ground.
“Xiao Chan, run!!” the Human Pig roared.
“Now!!” Human Monkey shouted at the same time.