Chapter 413: The Resonator?
"Cat" Headquarters, Prison.
On this particular morning, the strange sun rose as usual, casting its dim light upon this abandoned prison.
And this so-called prison had always been a place filled with fantastical elements.
Some people came here, turned over a new leaf, and walked out the gate toward a new life.
Others came here for nothing more than picking pockets, yet left as masters of every vice.
Thus, those with a heart for good, no matter what wrongs they had committed, would break free from the mire as long as a single ray of light shone upon them, and rush toward the blue sky above.
But those willing to sink into depravity, no matter how much sunlight shone overhead, would only see the bottomless abyss beneath their feet.
Qian Wu had arranged for two members to tidy up the staff lounge here, then called for Qi Xia, Qiao Jiajin, Chen Junnan, Li Shangwu, and Zheng Yingxiong to enter together.
"Everyone..." Qian Wu walked in with Saturday and the rank-nineteen "Silence," then casually closed the door.
But Qian Wu's appearance today was strange. He was a male dwarf.
"Qian... Wu?" Qi Xia looked at the scar on Qian Wu's left cheek and asked tentatively.
"It's me." Qian Wu nodded. "What, is this appearance of mine scaring you?"
"I have no interest whatsoever in your appearance," Qi Xia said. "Let's get started."
"But I'm feeling quite emotional today." Qian Wu chuckled. "It's been at least seven years since all the founding members of 'Cat' have gathered here... except... Zhang San. I wonder where she is now..."
"Skip the nonsense and get straight to the point," Qi Xia said. "You'll have plenty of time for reminiscing later."
"How harsh, Qi Xia." Qian Wu laughed. "You seem to have changed a lot. I remember you weren't like this before..."
"I've always been this way," Qi Xia said.
Qian Wu nodded and said no more. He turned back and gave number nineteen a look. Nineteen understood and closed his eyes.
"Silence" was activated.
It seemed several people had something to say. Everyone opened their mouths, but seeing that others also wanted to speak, they held back their words.
"I only have one thing to say, so let me go first..." Qian Wu began, speaking to Qi Xia. "I originally wanted to take this opportunity to tell you the true purpose of our 'Cat,' but now that Da Wa is here, I'll step back and let him reveal 'Cat's' ultimate plan in its entirety."
Qi Xia nodded and turned to look at Chen Junnan.
The others also looked at him.
Chen Junnan nodded along, but after a few seconds, he felt something was off.
"Wha—what the hell? 'Cat's' ultimate plan... what plan?"
"Hmm...?"
The moment these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned. Qian Wu was the most shocked of all.
"Wh—what..." Qian Wu slowly stood up from his chair, but awkwardly, standing made him look even shorter than when he was sitting. "How could you not know...? Have you forgotten the 'final mission' you assigned me?"
"What the hell does your little lord know?" Chen Junnan was also puzzled. "Isn't it just gathering intel here and getting paid? So that when that old bastard Qi Xia comes back, he'll have a place to stay?"
"You..." Qian Wu sighed helplessly, then hoisted himself back onto the chair. "Da Wa, are you joking with me? What about your 'army' plan?"
"Arm..." Chen Junnan was stunned for a long moment, then suddenly remembered something. "Ah, you mean... well..."
Chen Junnan recalled that just before he was about to return to the "interview room," he had bullshitted Qian Wu about an "army" plan.
He had suggested that Qian Wu expand his influence and build "Cat" into a well-managed army, with everyone in uniform, using code names, and under military discipline. They would undergo daily combat training and theoretical study. Since this goal was nearly impossible to achieve, Qian Wu, being a disabled person, would most likely give up. Chen Junnan's plan was meant to make him back off gracefully.
At the time, Qian Wu had earnestly asked the purpose of doing so.
Chen Junnan's answer was: "If Old Qi really comes back, we'll take this army and go kill the 'Divine Beasts.'"
But now, even he hadn't expected that not only had Qian Wu fulfilled every joke he had ever made, but Qi Xia had also returned.
Looking at it now, didn't that make him the most unreliable one here?
"Wai—wait a minute..." Chen Junnan decisively waved his hand. "I—I've thought it over again these past few years, and this 'kill the Divine Beasts' plan is still—"
"Kill Divine Beasts?" Qi Xia gave a cold smile. "Very interesting. Tell me more."
"Huh?!" Chen Junnan froze. "Hold on, hold on, hold on... Old Qi, is your brain still intact? Did you get out of bed too fast today and leave it stuck to the pillow?"
"I want to hear your plan," Qi Xia said. "I never imagined that 'Cat's' ultimate goal would actually be 'Divine Beasts.' It seems to me that 'Divine Beasts' rank above 'Zodiacs' but below 'Heavenly Dragons.' If 'Cat's' plan is so ambitious, I'd love to hear the details."
Chen Junnan felt a bit dizzy after hearing this. Things seemed to be spiraling out of control.
Kill Divine Beasts...?
What an absurd plan was that?
Why would anyone here actually believe in such a plan?
"Through years of investigation, we've figured out the abilities of two 'Divine Beasts,'" Qian Wu said. "If you all agree, we can start with these two."
"Let's hear it," Qi Xia said.
"First, I think the easiest to kill is 'Xuanwu,'" Qian Wu said. "The reasons are as follows."
Qian Wu laid out the possibilities of killing Xuanwu in a clear and organized manner.
First, Xuanwu longed for death, giving anyone who tried to kill her countless opportunities.
Second, Xuanwu was very easy to encounter. The simplest method was to lure her out by "killing someone and taking their path."
Third, Xuanwu's abilities had already been identified, and she had significant limitations.
"Wait..." Qi Xia froze. "Xuanwu's 'abilities'?"
His mind was filled with the memory of Xuanwu removing his organs. Could such a terrifying ability really have limitations?
"That's right." Qian Wu nodded. "'Xuanwu' likely has only three abilities. The first is 'Teleportation,' allowing her to appear anywhere at any time. The second is 'Reach into the Pouch,' letting her take whatever she wants. The third is 'Disintegration,' allowing her to dismantle non-living objects with a wave of her hand..."
After hearing this, everyone present widened their eyes in shock.
Qi Xia was even more stunned, unable to speak. "Are you joking with me...?"
"What is it?"
"These... these things... aren't they all 'Resonances'?!" Qi Xia said incredulously. "Are you saying Xuanwu not only has 'Resonance' but also possesses three of them at once?!"