Chapter 589: A Gathering of Heroes?
"Tell us more." Lying Flat Dog nodded.
"Since you leaders don't mind my presumption, I'll say a few words..." Earth Rat glanced at everyone, then laid out everything that had happened when he encountered Qi Xia during the day.
At that time, the game still had three rounds left, each requiring at least one fruit to be consumed to move. And that man had ultimately completely won him over with the three kumquats he had hidden by the door.
"That man told me... if all paths are blocked, you must choose to break through the wall without hesitation." Earth Rat smiled and said to everyone, "I think what that leader said makes a lot of sense; at the very least, it improved my way of thinking. What do you all think?"
"But that doesn't seem like your style..." Lying Flat Dog frowned. "Are you the 'wall breaker'?"
"No, of course not." Earth Rat nodded to Lying Flat Dog. "Leader, you know me well. Under no circumstances would I ever be a 'wall breaker.' I also told that participant that I would wait for someone else to smash the wall, then follow their path."
"Then what's the point of you showing up here today?"
"I'm naturally a 'fence-sitter.'" Earth Rat scratched his head a bit sheepishly. "I wonder if saying this will make you leaders angry?"
"You're really fucking crazy, aren't you?" Earth Tiger couldn't hold back anymore. "We don't need any fence-sitters here. Get lost!"
He expected his words to get support from Earth Dog and Earth Goat, but when he looked closely at the two, neither responded at all.
Both had their own thoughts, each calculating something in their minds at that moment.
Earth Goat had initially thought Earth Tiger's suspicions were purely baseless, but now it seemed that things were exactly as he had predicted.
At least one participant was currently outside inciting the "Zodiacs" to rebel. Without any communication or connection between the two sides, this matter had already been set in motion with great urgency.
If that was the case, how could it not be Brother Goat's doing?
Who else in the entire "Land of the End" could orchestrate such a scheme?
Thinking this, Earth Goat looked up at Earth Rat and asked, "What does 'fence-sitter' mean?"
"Greetings, leader. It means exactly what it sounds like." Earth Rat put on a professional fake smile and said to Earth Goat, "I heard that a group of people were 'breaking walls' here, so I came to take a look. If you break the wall and the other side leads to a way out, I'll follow you all out without a second word. But if your wall-smashing attracts the Enforcers, I'll immediately step forward and betray you, having you leaders torn limb from limb and left with no place to die. That's what I mean by 'fence-sitter.'"
Everyone fell silent after hearing this.
"Money-Losing Tiger was right..." Earth Goat frowned as well. "You really are unlikeable."
"It doesn't matter if I'm unlikeable. My purpose in living isn't to win your favor." Earth Rat said seriously. "Even if you hate me to the core, I don't see that as a problem."
Earth Goat said nothing, only shaking his head helplessly.
"So, saying this—will you leaders really be angry?" Earth Rat chuckled. "I'm just a small fry. Getting angry at me isn't worth it. Instead of wasting time, why not let me see how you plan to 'break walls'? You leaders can show off freely—I'll watch and learn."
The few exchanged glances, and eventually, their eyes settled on Earth Dog.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Earth Tiger snorted in frustration and said, "You heard how your man talks... Can he be trusted?"
"I'm not sure about that." Earth Dog shook his head.
Black Goat also frowned upon hearing this and asked, "Isn't he your friend?"
"Just a 'friend,'" Earth Dog said to the two. "We've only exchanged a few words, met a few times, and felt we weren't mortal enemies, so I called him a 'friend.' I couldn't very well tell you that I notified some unfamiliar 'rat,' could I?"
"Damn... not a single reliable one among you." Earth Tiger sighed. "You'd better be grateful. If we weren't barely in the same boat right now, I'd beat you until you begged for mercy."
"You'd better be grateful too," Lying Flat Dog said. "We have no reason to join you. The only reason we're sitting here is that we think you might still be useful."
Earth Goat looked at the three people before him and increasingly felt that this team was full of holes. Each had their own hidden agenda, and they couldn't even pick someone to lead.
"Dog Leader." Earth Rat turned to Lying Flat Dog. "You said someone wants to turn this place upside down, and yet, including me, we're only four people?"
Lying Flat Dog replied expressionlessly, "This plan just came to light yesterday, so we're short on people. If you think it's not right, you can leave now. I couldn't care less, since it doesn't affect me much anyway."
"Oh, Leader, what are you saying?" Earth Rat shrugged with a smile. "I've already told you, I'm a 'fence-sitter.' Either we all leave together, or I sell you all out. If I leave now, it'd make me seem too principled."
Time and again, Earth Rat shut down the conversation. The others gradually fell silent, none knowing how to proceed.
Before long, a faint knock sounded at the door.
The four exchanged glances. Earth Tiger stood up to open the door.
"Money-Losing Tiger, stay there." Earth Goat called out. "Your temper's too sharp—you'll scare off the 'new member.' I'll go."
"Hmph." Earth Tiger snorted and sat back down, saying sternly, "This was my idea, and now I'm not even allowed to speak."
Lying Flat Dog and Corporate Slave Rat both stared at him expressionlessly, the atmosphere growing even more somber than before.
Only a few seconds passed, and everyone heard Earth Goat open the door. But before any conversation could be heard, a dull thud reached their ears.
**Bang!!**
Before anyone could react, Earth Goat was sent flying, crashing directly into the table in front of them. All the food and fruit spilled across the floor.
"What the hell!" Earth Tiger yelled, jumping to his feet and turning around. He saw two people standing in the doorway.
In front was a short, arrogant-looking Earth Pig. Behind him stood a tall, sturdy female Earth Horse. The powerful attack that had sent Earth Goat flying had come from the diminutive Earth Pig in front.
"Damn it..." Earth Tiger glared at Earth Pig. "Have you got a death wish?! You dare come into my room and hit my people now?"
"Oh?" Earth Pig let out a contemptuous laugh. "Let me correct two things for you. First, I didn't even step into the room before I struck. Second, the person I wanted to hit wasn't him—it was you."
By now, Earth Goat had climbed back to his feet. He nonchalantly brushed the dirt off his suit, his expression growing ugly.
"Earth Pig, even though we've had plenty of friction in the past, this isn't the point of coming to blows, is it?" He had veins bulging on his forehead, barely holding back his anger as he spoke.