Chapter 123: Departure
"They're back!" Chu Tianqiu's expression stirred, and he quickly hurried over to greet them.
Despite his minor flaws, Chu Tianqiu seemed to truly value his teammates.
Zhang Shan opened the school gates, and the car slowly drove into the center of the square.
Yun Yao was the first to open the car door, scrambling out in a panic. "I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead... They were all 'Ants'... scared the hell out of me..."
"Yun Yao!" Chu Tianqiu stepped forward and asked, "How did it go? Did you find Xiao Nian?"
"No." Yun Yao stood up, looking vexed. "We found the taxi Qi Xia mentioned. It had Xiao Nian's photo on it, but Xiao Nian wasn't there."
"Not there?"
Chu Tianqiu was taken aback.
"Qi Xia... did you really see Xiao Nian there?" Chu Tianqiu asked.
"What do you think?" Qi Xia frowned. "That car had that woman's business license and photo on it. Do you think I'd make something like that up?"
"It really is strange," Yun Yao nodded. "Why would Xiao Nian's taxi appear in 'All will assuredly perish'? That's not her 'Resonance' either."
Chu Tianqiu lowered his head in thought for a moment, then said, "Regardless, we can be almost certain that Xiao Nian is still alive in 'All will assuredly perish'. As long as we persevere, we'll find her sooner or later."
Jin Yuanxun and Little Glasses also got out of the car, both looking exhausted.
"You've worked hard," Chu Tianqiu said with a smile. "Rest for today. The rest of us will handle the operations."
"How can we do that?" Yun Yao shook her head firmly. "Today marks the first time Qi Xia and I fight side by side. Even if I'm exhausted, I have to push through."
"What?" Qi Xia was stunned. "Fighting side by side with me?"
"That's right," Yun Yao nodded. "It's a rule of 'Heaven's Gate'. I'll take you to participate in the games and assess your skills."
Chu Tianqiu leaned in close to Qi Xia and whispered, "Let me state upfront, this rule didn't exist before."
Qi Xia sighed helplessly upon hearing this and asked, "What about my teammates? How will they be arranged?"
"You can arrange them yourself if you want," Chu Tianqiu replied. "If you have no special requests, I'll have them participate in some 'Human-level' games. Some already have complete guides, so they can start 'betting their lives'."
"I can arrange them myself?" Qi Xia nodded thoughtfully. "There's a woman in the team named Xiao Ran. She's thoughtful, gentle, and polite. There's also a man named Zhao Haibo. He's highly intelligent and selfless. I'd like those two to participate in a 'Human-Rabbit' escape game. I'll draw you a map."
"No problem," Chu Tianqiu nodded. "You know your teammates better than I do. I'll follow your advice and arrange for them to go."
Qi Xia borrowed paper and a pen from Yun Yao, drew a rough sketch, and handed it to Chu Tianqiu.
"What about the others?" Chu Tianqiu asked after taking the map. "Anyone else who needs special attention?"
"That should be all. But please make sure the others are safe."
"Alright," Chu Tianqiu agreed.
"And what about us?" Qi Xia asked. "Since we're participating in the games as 'Heaven's Gate' members, are there any rules we need to be aware of?"
"None," Chu Tianqiu smiled. "Just act according to your own judgment. But 'Heaven's Gate' has an unwritten rule: bring back the bodies of all fallen comrades to the school for a unified burial. I won't allow my companions to be left exposed in the wilderness."
"Alright, got it." It was a very heavy topic, and Qi Xia didn't object.
Chu Tianqiu nodded, took a slip of paper from his pocket, and handed it to Yun Yao. "Yun Yao, this is your game schedule for today. Take care of it on the way."
"Okay, I'll work hard together with Qi Xia," Yun Yao said.
Qi Xia thought for a moment, then added, "If we're going out, I want to bring this guy here who isn't wearing any clothes."
Joe Ji Jin hugged himself awkwardly, smiling at everyone. "So... can I go put some clothes on first?"
Seeing Joe Ji Jin scurry away, Yun Yao laughed. "That guy is so cute."
Qi Xia glanced at Yun Yao and asked, "Who else are you bringing? Is it just the three of us?"
"Who else can I bring?" Yun Yao said pitifully, looking at the men around her. "Little Glasses and Jin Yuanxun don't like talking to me, and Chu Tianqiu has to stay here to hold down the fort. Tell me, how did an idol like me end up like this?"
"Huh? Sis, when have I ever not talked to you like that..." Jin Yuanxun was startled.
"See?" Yun Yao pointed at Jin Yuanxun and said to Qi Xia. "Did you hear what this guy just called me? He called me 'Sis'. I'd rather he just ignored me."
"I..." Jin Yuanxun was completely dumbfounded. Never being much of a talker, he seemed at a loss with Yun Yao.
Little Glasses chimed in with an apologetic smile. "Miss Yun, it's not that I don't want to talk to you. It's just that the two of us really don't have much in common."
"Listen," Yun Yao patted Qi Xia's shoulder. "The words 'Miss Yun' ring so loud and clear. I haven't heard that title in at least twenty years."
Qi Xia sighed helplessly. "It sounds more like you don't want to talk to them, rather than them not wanting to talk to you."
"Same difference." Yun Yao pulled out a lipstick and applied it. "Anyway, we all just ignore each other."
The two honest men felt like they were sitting on pins and needles under Yun Yao's teasing, leaving Chu Tianqiu unsure of how to handle the situation.
Qi Xia suddenly thought of a question—how did Yun Yao become the second-in-command of 'Heaven's Gate'?
Was she stronger than most people here?
In no time, Joe Ji Jin had gotten dressed and come downstairs. What puzzled Qi Xia was that Tian Tian was following behind him.
"What's going on?" Qi Xia asked in a low voice.
"Uh... let her tell you herself." Joe Ji Jin scratched his head, finding it hard to explain.
"Are you two going out to participate in a game?" Tian Tian asked.
"Yeah."
"Take me with you." Tian Tian's face was troubled. "I can't stay here. This place can't accept me."
"Well..." Qi Xia immediately understood Tian Tian's meaning, but he didn't agree right away.
Tian Tian always felt that no one here would respect her, so she subconsciously wanted to stick close to him and Joe Ji Jin.
This poor woman didn't seem to have much will to live. She would most likely die in the game.
Although they weren't close, Qi Xia hoped she would live well. Her life had already been difficult enough; there was no need to continue tormenting herself.
"It's okay if it's not convenient." Tian Tian seemed to sense Qi Xia's dilemma and changed her tune. "I'll just wander around on my own. Maybe I can bring back a 'Tao' for everyone."
She patted her pocket as she spoke, then looked at Qi Xia. "Can you lend me a 'Tao'?"
Qi Xia only had one 'Tao' on him, but he didn't want to give it to Tian Tian. That 'Tao' would end up hurting her.
"Forget it... come with us." Qi Xia shook his head. "If we get a 'Tao', I'll give you a share."
"Really..." Hearing this, Tian Tian didn't seem very happy. Qi Xia knew she didn't actually want the 'Tao'; she just wanted a legitimate reason to join the team. "In that case, I need to be clear with you first. I'm only going with you for the 'Tao'. You don't have to trust me..."
"Alright, I understand." Qi Xia nodded, then looked at Yun Yao. "Idol, the three of us are so broke our pockets are empty. Are you sure you want to team up with us?"
"Qi Xia, today I'll show you what it feels like to be kept by a rich woman." Yun Yao patted her bag. "I'll cover today's entrance fee. All you need to provide is your 'brain'."