Chapter 123 Setting Forth
"They’re back!" Chu Tianqiu's expression shifted, and he quickly stepped forward to greet them.
Despite his small flaws, Chu Tianqiu seemed to genuinely care about his teammates.
Zhang Shan opened the campus gates, and the car slowly came to a stop in the center of the square.
With a frantic motion, Yun Yao threw open the car door and ran out, shouting, "I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die... there were so many {mole crickets}... Too terrifying..."
"Yun Yao!" Chu Tianqiu approached her and asked, "How was it? Did you find Xiao Nian?"
"No," Yun Yao stood up in frustration. "We found the taxi Qi Xia mentioned. Xiao Nian's photo was hanging inside, but she wasn’t there."
"Wasn’t there?" Chu Tianqiu froze for a moment. "Qi Xia... Did you really see Xiao Nian there?" he asked.
"What do you think?" Qi Xia furrowed his brow. "That taxi had her Certificate of Professional Qualification and photo. Do you think I fabricated it?"
Chu Tianqiu lowered his head, pondering for a moment before speaking. "Regardless, we can almost confirm that Xiao Nian is still alive in {End Point}. If we remain persistent, we’ll find her sooner or later."
Kim Wonhun and Specs also got out of the car, both looking utterly exhausted.
"You’ve worked hard." Chu Tianqiu smiled. "You three can take the day off, the rest of us will take action."
"Not happening!" Yun Yao immediately shook her head. "Today is my first time fighting alongside Qi Xia. I’ll see through it, no matter how tired I am!"
"What?" Qi Xia was taken aback. "Fighting alongside me?"
"Indeed," Yun Yao nodded. "It’s the rule of {Passage to Heaven}; I’ll be the one leading you into the game and assessing your skills."
At that moment, Chu Tianqiu leaned closer to Qi Xia and whispered, "Allow me to clarify—this rule didn’t exist before."
With a resigned expression, Qi Xia asked, "What about my teammates? How will they be arranged?"
"If you wish to manage the arrangements yourself, you’re welcome to," Chu Tianqiu replied. "Unless there’s a special request, I’ll have them participate in some {Mortal-grade} games. A few are already prepared with complete strategies and ready for {life-stakes}."
"I can manage the arrangements myself?" Qi Xia nodded thoughtfully. "There’s a woman in the team named Xiao Ran. She’s meticulous, gentle, and polite. Then there’s a man named Zhao Haibo. He’s exceptionally intelligent and selfless. I’d like them to take part in a {Mortal Rabbit} escape-type game. I’ll draw the map for you."
"No problem," Chu Tianqiu nodded. "You know your teammates better than I do. I’ll follow your suggestion and arrange it for them."
Thus, Qi Xia borrowed some paper and a pen from Yun Yao, quickly sketching out a rough map, and handed it to Chu Tianqiu.
"What about the others?" Chu Tianqiu asked as he took the map from Qi Xia. "Anyone else who needs special attention?"
"That should be it, just be sure to guarantee the safety of everyone else."
"Alright," Chu Tianqiu acknowledged without hesitation.
"And us?" Qi Xia asked. "As members of {Passage to Heaven}, are there any special precautions we need to take while participating in the game?"
"No," Chu Tianqiu chuckled. "Just act according to your own judgment. However, there is one unwritten rule in {Passage to Heaven}—all companions' bodies must be brought back to the school and buried properly. I don’t allow my people to be left to rot in the wild."
"Understood." It was a heavy topic, and Qi Xia made no objections.
Chu Tianqiu nodded, then pulled a small piece of paper and handed it to Yun Yao. "Yun Yao, this is your game arrangement for today. Make sure to take care of it on the way."
"Okay, I’ll give it my all alongside Qi Xia," Yun Yao responded.
Qi Xia pondered for a second before saying, "If we’re going to take action, I’ll have to bring this half-naked guy along."
Qiao Jiajin, feeling embarrassed, wrapped his arms around himself and grinned. "So, can I go put some clothes on first?"
Seeing Qiao Jiajin hurriedly running off, Yun Yao smiled and said, "That man is so cute."
Qi Xia glanced at Yun Yao and asked, "Who are you bringing along? Is it just the three of us for this operation?"
"Who can I bring?" Yun Yao looked at the men around her with a pitiful expression. "Specs and Kim Wonhun won’t even bother with me, and Chu Tianqiu has to stay here. How did I, a perfectly fine idol, end up in this situation?"
"Ya? Jie, when did I do such a thing nàyàng?" Kim Wonhun was startled.
"See?" Yun Yao pointed at Kim Wonhun and said to Qi Xia, "Did you hear what he called me? He called me {jie}, it's worse than not bothering with me."
"I..." Kim Wonhun was at a loss for words. His usual reticence made it clear that Yun Yao was beyond his ability to manage.
Specs, standing nearby, quickly added with a forced smile, "Miss Yun, it's not that I don't bother with you, it's just that we really don't have much in common to talk about."
"Listen to him," Yun Yao patted Qi Xia's shoulder. "{Miss Yun}, such a resounding title. It’s been twenty years since I’ve heard it."
Qi Xia sighed helplessly. "Sounds like you’re the one who doesn't bother with them, not the other way around."
"All the same," Yun Yao took out a lip balm and applied it to her lips. "In any case, I don’t bother with either of them."
The two straightforward men shifted awkwardly under Yun Yao’s words, leaving Chu Tianqiu unsure of how to handle the situation.
In that moment, Qi Xia’s mind flashed with a thought—what made Yun Yao the second-in-command of {Passage to Heaven}? Was she more capable than most of those here?
Before he could ponder further, Qiao Jiajin, now dressed, came down the stairs, but to Qi Xia's surprise, he was followed by someone—Tian Tian.
"What's going on?" Qi Xia asked in a low voice.
"Uh... let her explain it to you herself," Qiao Jiajin scratched his head, unable to find the right words.
"Are you two going to participate in the {game}?" Tian Tian asked.
"Take me with you." With a difficult look on her face, Tian Tian said, "I can't remain here. I don't belong here."
"That..." Qi Xia instantly understood what Tian Tian meant but did not immediately agree.
Tian Tian always believed that no one here would think highly of her, so she instinctively gravitated toward himself and Qiao Jiajin. This pitiful woman lacked a strong desire to survive, and it was highly likely that she would meet her end in this realm. Although their bond wasn’t deep, Qi Xia hoped for her to live, for her life had already been hard enough, and there was no need to continue torturing herself.
"If it's too inconvenient, it's alright," Tian Tian appeared to sense Qi Xia's discomfort and quickly adjusted, "I'll head out on my own. I might be able to bring {Dào} back for everyone."
After speaking, she patted her pocket and turned back to Qi Xia, "Can you lend me a {Dào}?"
Qi Xia possessed but a single {Dào}, and yet he hesitated to give it to Tian Tian, fully aware of the potential harm it could bring her. "Never mind... come along with us," he said, shaking his head with quiet resolve. "If we acquire more {Dào}, I will ensure you get your share."
"I see..." Upon hearing this, Tian Tian didn’t seem particularly pleased. Qi Xia knew she didn’t really want any {Dào}, she just wanted a legitimate reason to join their team. "In that case, let me be clear—I’m only joining you for the {Dào}. You don’t have to trust me..."
"Alright, I understand." Qi Xia nodded, then turned to look at Yun Yao. "Idol, we three are broke, not a penny to our name. Are you sure you want to join us?"
"Qi Xia, I’m about to let you experience the life of being kept by a rich woman," Yun Yao patted her purse. "I’ve got the admission covered, all you need is your {brain}."