Chapter 235 Bane of Existence
Qiao Jiajin’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Why do we have to be so serious here? Do we really have to kill?"
"Oi, hands off," Kim Wonhun said. "Do you also want to die?"
Despite the threat in his tone, Qiao Jiajin made no move to release his grip. Instead, his expression shifted into something far more solemn. With deliberate slowness, he extended three fingers, his touch hovering over Kim Wonhun's collarbone. The gesture, seemingly innocuous, was enough to unsettle the latter, a cold chill creeping down his spine.
"Leng-zai, explain to me—is it really correct to use {also} in that sentence?"
Kim Wonhun blinked, a hint of confusion and vulnerability flashing across his features. "What... I...?" His words faltered, an expression of reluctant frustration painting his face. "I’m Korean, my Chinese isn’t flawless! Please don’t—"
"In what kind of situations is {also} used?" Qiao Jiajin continued to ask. "My Mandarin is poor too, so I want you to explain."
Kim Wonhun frowned. "How could I know the details nàyàng? I’ve only spoken Korean before..."
"Leng-zai, clench your teeth!" Qiao Jiajin shouted loudly.
Before Kim Wonhun could even react, Qiao Jiajin seized his collarbone with a vice-like grip. In one swift motion, he swept his leg across, sending him crashing forcefully to the ground.
Kim Wonhun hit the ground with a brutal thud, the sharp sound of his back connecting with the hard surface ringing out in the air. Had he not followed the order and clenched his teeth, his tongue would have been severed from the impact.
"Ya—Ouch! Shibal..." he muttered under his breath, the curse escaping as he lay there, pain radiating through his body.
Chen Junnan observed Qiao Jiajin’s fluid, precise movements, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He shook his head slowly, the scene before him stirring a deep sense of nostalgia, as though he had been transported back seven years.
Though Qiao Jiajin had successfully incapacitated Kim Wonhun, he found himself at a loss for what to do next. A knife now hovered dangerously close to Chu Tianqiu, its cold blade pressed against his skin—should he stop him?
Yet, Chu Tianqiu seemed to have truly taken a life. While the act of revenge could sometimes be justified, the line between right and wrong here appeared blurred.
Qiao Jiajin’s gaze shifted, and he saw Zhang Shan and Yun Yao standing off to the side.
What was strange, though, was that despite having always been the most ardent defenders of Chu Tianqiu, neither of them made a move. They simply watched, their expressions were one of icy indifference.
"Fists, have them leave," Qi Xia ordered.
“There’s no need for spectators. This matter concerns only Chu Tianqiu and me.” Qi Xia raised his chin slightly, his gaze steely. “Rest assured, we’re merely seeking some clarity. No one will die today.”
At his words, Yun Yao turned without hesitation, pulling Tian Tian along with her. "Tian Tian, we’re leaving."
"Uh...?" Tian Tian’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Is this really alright?"
"Don’t concern yourself with the foolishness of men," Yun Yao replied, her voice firm. "The more you get involved, the messier it becomes." She linked arms with Tian Tian and steered her through the crowd, ushering her away.
Zhang Shan let out a soft, resigned sigh before leading Ole Lu and Specs out as well.
Qiao Jiajin swiftly followed suit, his grin widening as he ushered everyone out of the room, then calmly shut the door behind them. Only those from the same probation room as Qi Xia remained in the room, along with Kim Wonhun.
A chilling smile crept across Chu Tianqiu’s face as he spoke, his voice dripping with realization. "I understand now... Qi Xia, you orchestrated this, didn’t you?"
Qi Xia raised an eyebrow, a calm expression remained on his features. He seized a nearby chair, settling into it with an air of nonchalance. "Oh? I fail to see what you mean."
Chu Tianqiu's lips curled into something far from a smile. He turned his head slowly, revealing a cruel, almost twisted grin. "How could you possibly not understand... You truly are the master of manipulation. This scene—this obvious setup for a suicide—there’s no way you didn’t see through it."
"So you..." Chu Tianqiu began, but before he could finish his thought, Chen Junnan’s blade slowly crept toward his throat.
"Enough with the nonsense," Chen Junnan growled, his voice low and menacing. "Look into my eyes. Do you really believe I won’t slit your throat right here?"
The aura around him was dark, his gaze unblinking and filled with intent. It was clear—he would not hesitate to kill.
Chu Tianqiu swallowed, the cold edge of the knife pressing against his skin making his voice falter. "What is it that you want?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Xia couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude toward Chen Junnan. He was right—if they wanted to subdue Chu Tianqiu as quickly as possible, they had to disregard reason and simply press a knife against his neck.
Qi Xia paused for a brief moment, gathering his thoughts before replying. "I want a way to meet the {Celestials}," he said, his tone steady. "And my two thousand nine hundred Dào."
"I can provide you with the {Dào}..." Chu Tianqiu said, "but I have no knowledge of how to meet the {Celestials}..."
"You’ve wandered {End Point} for two years and you still can’t meet the {Celestials}?" Qi Xia's voice dripped with derision, his words sharp.
"Qi Xia..." Chu Tianqiu shook his head slowly, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Have you forgotten my {goal}? The {Terrestrial-grade} Earthly Branches alone are more than sufficient to accomplish what I seek. Why would I risk provoking the {Celestials}?"
"Fine, I’ll take your word for it—for now," Qi Xia said, his tone dismissive. "Then all I need is {Dào}. Have Kim Wonhun bring it to me now."
"Now?" Chu Tianqiu paused for a moment. "You want it right now?"
"Why not {right now}?" Chen Junnan’s voice was cold and lethal. His dagger pressed even more insistently against Chu Tianqiu’s neck. In one fluid motion, his other hand began slapping Chu Tianqiu’s face, each slap punctuated by a word, every impact sharp and deliberate: "Do, you, not, fucking, understand, words?"
This young man seemed to be the bane of Chu Tianqiu’s existence, his natural nemesis.
"Fine..." Chu Tianqiu swallowed, his throat tight. "Calm your fury. I’ve already promised to give the {Dào} to Qi Xia… there’s no need for further escalation."
"Five minutes," Qi Xia stated, his tone firm. "Will that be sufficient?"
"That may not be enough," Chu Tianqiu responded.
Chen Junnan nodded. "Three and a half minutes—will that do?"
"That will suffice," Chu Tianqiu said, his tone decisive as he nodded. "Kim Wonhun, come here. I’ll tell you the location."
"No," Qi Xia interjected, shaking his head with a flicker of impatience. "Just say it aloud."
Chu Tianqiu's expression turned grave as he pondered the situation for a moment. In a low, almost reluctant voice, he murmured, "The makeup of your team is far too intricate. If I reveal it here… it would be as good as signing my own death warrant."
"That’s outside my concern," Qi Xia replied coldly.
"Alright..." Chu Tianqiu gritted his teeth. "Kim Wonhun, the cemetery behind the school, the third tomb from the left—look for the one with the name {Chu Tianqiu} inscribed on it. Push the tombstone aside, and you’ll find a secret passage beneath."
"What?" Kim Wonhun was momentarily taken aback.
"Across from the dining table, there’s a cabinet," Chu Tianqiu continued, his voice more tense. "Inside, you’ll find two burlap bags filled with {Dào}—two thousand nine hundred pieces in total."
A cold smile curled at the corners of Qi Xia’s lips as he processed the information. ‘Indeed, this is no different from sealing Chu Tianqiu’s fate.’
Not only was a member of {Judgment’s Domain} present in the room, but also Su Shan, who had only recently joined their ranks. By revealing his hideout in front of everyone, Chu Tianqiu had, in effect, sealed his own doom.
"Chu Tianqiu," Qi Xia said with a smile, "You must know that I'm on the verge of losing my mind. Let alone trying to deceive us with fake {Dào}, even if you gave me one short of the full amount, we’d still have no hesitation in ending your life."
"Don’t worry," Chu Tianqiu replied, slowly closing his eyes, his voice calm and unshaken. "Our cooperation is based on mutual benefit. This is a matter of {sincerity for sincerity}. Let Kim Wonhun go and retrieve it."
"Got it, Chu ge. I’ll go right now." Kim Wonhun gave a quick nod and left the room without another word.
"Truly worthy of you…" Qi Xia nodded approvingly. "For the sake of studying corpses more effectively, you’ve chosen to live right in the cemetery?"
Chu Tianqiu’s expression darkened at the mention of it, and he fell into silence, refusing to respond.
"Qi Xia, what use is two thousand nine hundred {Dào}?" Chu Tianqiu shifted his body, attempting to lie as flat as possible, his tone almost mocking. "Do you have the means to protect the {Dào}? You have an {Adherent} by your side, and with a single thought, she could shatter all your hopes of leaving."
"I don’t need your concern," Qi Xia replied, his voice cool and unfazed. "Just bring me the {Dào}, and we’ll remain the best of partners."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
The others nearby exchanged confused glances, their eyes shifting uncertainly between Qi Xia and the newcomer, Chen Junnan.