Chapter 291: Their Own Thoughts
After seeing off Tianma and Tianhu, the prison fell into silence, and Qian Wu sank back into deep thought.
"Fifth Brother..." Song Qi approached Qian Wu, leaning down with a hesitant expression. "Was it necessary to make that deal with them? With a single order from you, we could start a war. Whether she's 'Tianma' or not, the brothers would..."
"It's unnecessary," Qian Wu said. "I also want to know what that massive 'Echo' really is. Since the establishment of 'Cat,' we've never heard such a sound. It's important to figure out where the other party stands."
"I understand, Fifth Brother." Song Qi nodded.
"By the way..." Qian Wu narrowed his eyes and added, "It seems Tianma and the others don't know about 'Heaven's Gate'..."
"'Heaven's Gate'...?" Song Qi frowned. "Fifth Brother, do you mean that massive 'Echo' is related to our last business deal?"
"It's highly possible," Qian Wu nodded. "If we launch a large-scale attack, it could very likely trigger someone else's 'Echo.' Moreover, that 'Echo' appeared late at night—it's hard not to connect it to that incident."
"I understand." Song Qi nodded again. "Fifth Brother, I'll go burn the twenty-one now. Let the brothers rest for the night. We'll head to 'Heaven's Gate' first thing tomorrow morning."
"Good." Qian Wu nodded. "Old Seven, spread the word—if we really find that person... remember to keep it a secret."
...
Dihu saw the glowing portal beside him flicker to life and slowly stood up.
A few participants were approaching him, hoping to join Dihu's game before it got completely dark.
"Scram," Dihu growled. "Take one more step and I'll fucking kill you."
The participants hesitated, then slowly backed away.
Another day of not working overtime.
Dihu hoisted a huge burlap sack onto his back and stepped through the portal. Several Human-rank 'Zodiacs' bowed to him in greeting before vanishing down the corridor without looking back.
But Dihu took his time, strolling leisurely to a wooden door as if waiting for something.
Before long, a young man wearing a horse-head mask approached and called out softly, "Teacher, today..."
"Get lost first," Dihu said. "I'll come find you later."
"Oh..." The horse-head mask nodded respectfully, apparently familiar with Dihu's temper, and left without another word, disappearing down the corridor.
Dihu waited in silence, growing impatient. Just as he was about to leave in frustration, the wooden door before him finally creaked open.
On the other side of the door was a bar. Diyang slowly emerged from it. He had deliberately come late, never expecting Dihu to be standing right there. Without a word, he turned to leave.
"Yo..." Dihu's face broke into a grin as he looked at Diyang with eager anticipation.
Diyah acted as if he hadn't seen anything, brushing past Dihu and walking away.
Dihu shot him an annoyed glance, then quickly stepped in front of him and said again, "Yo!"
Realizing he couldn't avoid this pest, Diyang could only shake his head helplessly and ask, "Yo what?"
"Back pretty late today!" Dihu laughed. "How was it? Busy at work? Win or lose?"
"What's it to you?"
"We're old classmates!" Dihu said excitedly. "We share the good times and the bad—come on, tell me about your troubles!"
"Not necessary." Diyang shook his head. "I'll handle my own problems."
"I've got a ready-made solution!" Dihu dropped the burlap sack at Diyang's feet. "Take a look at all these brand-new 'Paths.' What a hassle... why are there so many? How the hell do I deal with all this?"
"Deal with them however you want."
"Want some? I can lend them to you!" Dihu said. "Daily interest rate of nine point five percent—you'll never find cheaper loan sharking than this."
Diyah glanced at the sack on the ground, then looked up expressionlessly and asked, "Dihu... seriously, who the hell was that person you sent today?"
"Who the hell?" Dihu frowned slightly. "What are you trying to say?"
"I want to know if you're really that stupid... or if you saw through it long ago."
Dihu slowly lowered his head and fell silent.
Seeing Dihu's expression, Diyang naturally guessed something.
"His eyes... the methods he used..." Diyang's voice trembled. "Don't you feel like we've seen him before?!"
"I... I know what you mean, but is that possible?" Dihu pointed behind himself. "He's a participant who doesn't even have an 'Echo'... how could he possibly be...?"
"Hu, 'Tianyang' is vacant."
"What?!" Dihu was stunned. "Old Black... what the fuck did you just say...?"
"I've seen Tianlong. He told me himself," Diyang said. "Though I shouldn't be saying this... but do you understand now?"
"You mean Brother Yang never became 'Tianyang'..." Dihu blinked. "He left about a month ago... and then became a participant again?"
"Isn't that even more terrifying?" Diyang turned to look at Dihu. "You and I both know what kind of person Brother Yang is... He could turn this place upside down. How many 'Zodiacs' here can stop him?!"
Just as the atmosphere between them grew tense, a lazy voice sounded from behind.
"Impossible."
They turned around. It was Renshe.
"You little shit..." Dihu raised his hand to slap him, but suddenly remembered he had been promoted to 'Earth-rank,' so he just pushed Renshe lightly instead. "Who the fuck told you to eavesdrop?"
Renshe stumbled back a step from the push, then laughed. "Come on, we're all friends here. What's wrong with listening in?"
Dihu paused for a moment, then asked Renshe, "Why did you say 'impossible'? With Brother Yang's abilities, he could clear all of our games."
"Little Hu, you've always been single-minded," Renshe laughed, giving him another shove, but Dihu didn't budge.
"How am I single-minded?"
"Remember..." Renshe said to Diyang, "Brother Yang once told us why he joined the 'Zodiacs.'"
At those words, both of them suddenly recalled something.
"Brother Yang really did say that..." Dihu lowered his head in thought. "Because he was one of the 'Unfortunates'... He could never hear the 'Echo,' couldn't retain memories for long... so joining the 'Zodiacs' was his only way out."
"So that means... even if Brother Yang became a participant, he could never possibly clear the games..." Dihu quietly lowered his head. "Because every time, it's like starting from scratch..."