Chapter 612: The Great Hero
The crowd, who had been somewhat tempted, once again showed reluctance after hearing the Human-Monkey's words.
Many had already paid one "Dao" earlier. If they had to pay another now, even if they managed to win two back, wouldn't that just be breaking even?
It had turned into a game of wits between Xiao Cheng and the Human-Monkey, leaving the others unsure whose side to take.
"That's fine too, everyone!" Xiao Cheng said after thinking for a few seconds. "I can guarantee we'll definitely win this game! So even if the entry fee has gone up, we'll still come out ahead!"
"Well…"
The crowd exchanged glances. Xiao Cheng knew that a few of them couldn't really understand what he was saying and would just follow the majority.
If most people chose to go again, the rest would follow along due to herd mentality.
But the Human-Monkey was too cunning. His timing was perfect, leaving all the "participants" hesitant.
"I don't think that's right…" A man in his thirties suddenly sensed something. "You're lying, aren't you, kid?"
"Lying…?" Xiao Cheng was momentarily confused. "Didn't I just explain the solution to everyone?"
After speaking, Xiao Cheng pointed to Zheng Yingxiong beside him. "If you had listened to this child from the start, we would have won on the first try! The winning strategy was already given. How could we possibly be deceiving you?"
"The problem is exactly this child!" a middle-aged woman interjected. "Look at the color of the lamp above his head! He stood in the wrong spot!"
"Wrong spot…? Oh!" Xiao Cheng quickly nodded after hearing that. "Everyone, listen to me… When he came upstairs, the formation was already broken, so he didn't need to—"
"Who knows?" Another middle-aged woman cut him off. "Who knows what happened when he came up? I didn't stand in the wrong spot, anyway."
"Exactly! Who brings a child to participate in a game?! Isn't that just asking for trouble?"
"I had a feeling that kid would mess things up… Sigh…"
Doubts grew louder in the crowd. They babbled on, shifting the blame with sarcastic tones, as if everyone was ready to pin the failure of this game on Zheng Yingxiong.
Tiantian quickly pulled Zheng Yingxiong behind her and raised her eyes, filled with pity and defiance, to face the crowd.
She had always known that human nature was like this.
When something affected their interests, most people would immediately find someone to blame rather than reflect on their own shortcomings.
Now Zheng Yingxiong was everyone's scapegoat. If this wasn't controlled, the outcome could be unpredictable.
"What the hell is wrong with you people?!" Xiao Cheng couldn't hold back anymore and cursed loudly. "This kid is better than all of you combined! He was the first to figure out the solution. What were you all doing back then?!"
"No matter what solution he came up with, he stood in the wrong spot!" a man who looked about thirty insisted. "We only care about results! If we'd followed his advice and all stood in the wrong place, what then?!"
"Do you not have a brain?!" Xiao Cheng roared. "Can't you think for yourselves whether the solution is right or wrong?!"
His voice was loud enough to overwhelm the thirty-something man.
Tiantian felt a little relieved. She remembered how Xiao Cheng had stood up against those two middle-aged men earlier. Though young, he could tell right from wrong and wasn't afraid to speak up at critical moments.
"It's okay!" Zheng Yingxiong's childish voice suddenly came from behind Tiantian. "Everyone, please don't argue."
Hearing this, Tiantian immediately turned to stop him, but Zheng Yingxiong shook his head calmly and whispered, "I'll handle this."
"But—"
"Please don't." Zheng Yingxiong raised his small hand and gently covered Tiantian's mouth. "Sister, you don't need to get involved. I won't let this happen again."
"What…?"
He walked around Tiantian and stood before the crowd, his voice firm and full of presence. "Everyone, there's no need to argue over me! If you have anything to say, say it to me!"
The crowd was stunned that this child would suddenly say such things, frozen in place.
"There is no need for any debate!" Zheng Yingxiong said seriously. "It's my fault. I failed to protect everyone. You don't need to blame others, and you don't need to blame yourselves. If you have any grievances, take them out on me. Even killing me is fine!"
As soon as he finished speaking, silence fell over everyone.
"I won't hide, I won't run, and I won't complain!" Zheng Yingxiong shouted resolutely. "If someone in this world has to bear the blame, then I'm the best choice! But you must not argue because of me. Our only goal is to escape from here!"
With that, Zheng Yingxiong took off the newspaper crown on his head, carefully placed it on the ground beside him, then knelt down on one knee and lowered his head, like a great knight.
"My head is right here. You can cut it off anytime." Zheng Yingxiong said solemnly. "But you must promise me one thing—let my death bring you unity. Then I will feel that I died a worthy death."
His consecutive statements left the people present at a loss.
It was just a lost game, but what this child said was far too serious.
"Well… that's a bit much," the thirty-something man said. "Killing and all that? It's just a game. I can afford to lose one 'Dao.'"
The others also nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's just drop it."
Xiao Cheng and Tiantian exchanged glances, neither knowing what had come over the child. They only heard the crowd mutter among themselves for a while before dispersing from the Human-Monkey's game area.
It seemed they neither wanted to pursue the matter further nor participate in another round.
Watching the crowd leave, Zheng Yingxiong's expression gradually turned lonely. He looked at the crown beside him and murmured to himself.
"Sister, I can do it now."
Xiao Cheng quickly stepped forward to help Zheng Yingxiong up, while Tiantian walked over, picked up the crown, and placed it back on his head. The three of them stood there, uncertain of what to do next.
Tiantian glanced at the Human-Monkey in the distance and asked softly, "Xiao Cheng, do you still want to try the game again? We already paid one 'Dao.' If we win, we'd have six."
"No…" Xiao Cheng shook his head helplessly. "This might sound wrong, but this game is far too simple. It doesn't give me that 'brainstorm' feeling."