Chapter 106 Those Deprived of Resurrection
Despite their varying thoughts, everyone ultimately decided to join {Passage to Heaven}. After all, most of them knew nothing about this realm, and anyone would be curious about someone confidently proclaiming that escape was possible.
As Kim Wonhun prepared to lead the collective away, Qi Xia's gaze caught sight of a narrow path beside the plaza. He had ventured down this path once before; it led to the safest game at {End Point}.
One {Dào} for another {Dào}, with no danger along the whole process—just like a leisurely sightseeing trip. If circumstances allowed, Qi Xia wished to meet Mortal Mouse and extend his apologies to the child.
"You all go ahead; I’ll catch up shortly," Silently, Qi Xia fell back to the rear of the group and conveyed his thoughts to the others.
Kim Wonhun asked with a perplexed expression, "Catch up? Ge, do you know where our organization is?"
Realizing his slip, Qi Xia quickly corrected himself, "I forgot to ask. Could you draw me a map?"
Nodding, Kim Wonhun pulled out a pre-prepared map and handed it to Qi Xia. "Our organization is based at a school nayang. Here’s a map I drew earlier."
Qiao Jiajin shot a contemplative glance at Qi Xia. "Swindler Lad, what are you planning to do?"
"I’ll go with you," Qiao Jiajin remarked, his eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously. "Something about this place gives me an uneasy feeling."
"Go with me?" Qi Xia cast a puzzled glance at Qiao Jiajin.
"Yeah, aren’t we a team now?" Qiao Jiajin gave a carefree smile. "You’re my {brain}; if you get lost, I won’t be able to find my way back."
At this, Qi Xia nodded, a sense of reassurance washing over him. Though Qiao Jiajin lacked memories of the last instance, he remained steadfastly himself.
"In that case…" Kim Wonhun approached the pair. "I’ll lead the others to the organization. You two ge stay safe."
"Where are we heading to wander, Swindler Lad?" With a languid stretch, Qiao Jiajin asked.
"Follow me," With a composed expression, Qi Xia answered and guided Qiao Jiajin down the narrow pathway.
As they weaved through the alley, Qi Xia focused on locating Mortal Mouse’s small warehouse, recalling it from memory. Though it was tiny, the warehouse held the hopes of many. Mortal Mouse must have gathered various odds and ends from numerous places, meticulously crafting this game.
But all of that was ruined by him.
Should he have the opportunity to encounter her this time, perhaps he could offer a few reasonable suggestions for improving her game and help her earn more {Dào}—a way to make amends.
‘Strange…’ Qi Xia murmured, scanning the street. He didn't see anyone in front of the buildings. "Did I take a wrong turn?"
"Are you looking for something?" Qiao Jiajin asked, puzzled.
"I—" Qi Xia hesitated, choosing not to reveal his memories, even though he trusted Qiao Jiajin. "No, I'm simply exploring casually."
As they turned the corner and were about to continue forward, they spotted a dark object lying across the road ahead.
Qi Xia paused, a sense of foreboding creeping in. Just as he was about to take a step forward, Qiao Jiajin grabbed his arm.
"Fuck... Swindler Lad, wait!" He moved in front of Qi Xia, cautiously stepping closer.
On the ground lay the emaciated body of a young girl, now darkened and grotesque. Her features were twisted and decayed, with her skin beginning to rot and dissolve. Puddles of foul yellow pus pooled around her.
At her abdomen bloomed a grotesque flower made of flesh, its decay apparent.
"How could this happen..." Qi Xia stared in disbelief at the frail figure, horror flooding his mind.
This was unmistakably Mortal Mouse, but she lay dead here.
Qiao Jiajin crouched down, covering his nose as he inspected the body. "The corpse has passed the swelling phase and is starting to rot and decompose; they should have died at least ten days ago."
"Ten days...?" Qi Xia's heart sank. "Are you saying this corpse has been dead for ten days?"
"It may be even longer," Qiao Jiajin replied, standing up and stepping back, still covering his mouth and nose. "Ever since I arrived here, something felt off. The stench in the air is unusually strong; there might be many dead in this city."
Qi Xia slowly approached, a dull pain throbbing in his mind. Why had everyone else been revived... but Mortal Mouse had not? Did this child lack the {right} to be reborn?
Nevertheless, he remembered that Mortal Goat had returned to life; so why was Mortal Mouse still here, despite their shared affiliation with the {Earthly Branches}?
"Swindler Lad, do you know this person?"
Know?... Qi Xia struggled to respond. He had no idea what the child's name was; they had only met in a moment of chaos. But if he hadn’t shown up, she wouldn’t be lying here at all.
Qi Xia stepped aside, plucking a dark red flower from the roadside, and gently placed it on Mortal Mouse's chest. If this child had a choice, she might have preferred never to have met him.
"I don’t know her, but it’s regrettable to see a child so young dead here." Qi Xia said to Qiao Jiajin, "Let’s move along."
Though Qiao Jiajin didn’t quite understand his actions, he followed the {brain} nonetheless.
After taking three steps, Qi Xia suddenly paused, struck by a thought.
"What’s wrong?" Qiao Jiajin asked.
Qi Xia turned back, looking at Mortal Mouse's corpse with confusion. There was an odd dissonance he couldn't shake off. He glanced around Mortal Mouse, and aside from the pooling pus, there was nothing else in sight.
Frowning, Qi Xia wondered why the mask was missing if this place had remained unchanged since ten days ago. Had someone stolen it, or had {Vermilion Bird} taken it away?
Despite having retained his memories upon returning to {End Point}, Qi Xia still knew nothing about this place. To unravel the mystery, he would have to seek out Chu Tianqiu.
"It’s nothing, let’s hurry and reunite with the others."
The two left the alley and returned to the plaza, which was now completely deserted. Qi Xia looked up again at the screen, which still displayed the message: "I hear the reverberation of {Beckoned Calamity}."
The {Reverberatees} he had encountered never sustained their {Reverberation} for this long; it seemed that Han Yimo's ability was indeed quite special.
After staring at the screen for a while, Qi Xia suddenly noticed that there appeared to be something engraved on the column beneath the display. Upon closer inspection, he discovered it was two numbers: {87}.
He reached out and gently traced the digits. These numbers seemed to be scattered throughout the city; what could they possibly signify?
"I have so many questions I want to ask Chu Tianqiu right now."
Qi Xia turned around, only to suddenly find an old, withered face smiling at him. The man stood on his tiptoes, his entire body resembling a desiccated tree. He leaned in closer, pressing his wrinkled face toward Qi Xia.