Chapter 1125: Within Reach

Chapter 1125: Zhi Chi

At the other end of the square.

Led by Jin Yuanxun and Xiao Xiao, Lin Qing, Han Yi Mo, and Zhao Yisheng quickly approached the giant clock and display screen from the rear in a very short time.

The group was almost unscathed, except for Han Yi Mo, who was on the brink of death.

“Finally made it here safely.”Xiao Xiao slowly placed Han Yi Mo on the ground and noticed he was struggling to roll his eyes.

“Something's wrong... this guy...”

Before Zhao Yisheng could say more, Lin Qing interrupted him, saying, “The giant clock and display screen are right in front of us, so instead of worrying about Han Yi Mo, we should focus on the task at hand.”

The group knew this was a rare opportunity, or rather, that everyone's survival hinged on it. They turned their attention to the giant clock and display screen, but soon discovered a chilling problem.

They were far too close to Bai Hu.

Bai Hu was fully concentrated on triggering “Mao Mu” and “Bao Ran” in front of him, fending off the numerous “Ji Dao Zhe” while unleashing attack-type “Hui Xiang.” The layers of heat waves made the giant clock behind him sway continuously.

Zhao Yisheng and the others were only about ten meters away from Bai Hu, completely within his fire coverage. If Bai Hu turned around or heard any noise, even with “Jia Huo” and “Yue Qian,” they would be doomed.

“Once you're ready, let's go together.” Lin Qing whispered, “If you need any help, just tell me.”

Zhao Yisheng paused for a moment after hearing this, then turned to her with an awkward expression and asked, “Could you shake my hand again?”

Although Lin Qing was a bit puzzled, she didn't ask further and simply extended her hand.

But she had a feeling that what came next wasn't just a handshake. After all, once he grasped her hand, he began gently stroking the back of it with his thumb, as if carefully feeling every inch of her skin. She wasn't very familiar with Zhao Yisheng, and this bold action made Lin Qing's hairs stand on end.

“You...”

Before Lin Qing could say anything, Zhao Yisheng took a deep breath, withdrew his hand, and said, “That's enough.”

Then he turned back to the others and said, “This is too dangerous... Now that things have come to this, I can go alone. You don't need to risk your lives.”

Zhao Yisheng's unpredictable behavior left Lin Qing unsure what to make of it. She turned her head with a puzzled expression and glanced at Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao nodded with a smile and said, “I really want to go with you. I feel like I can do anything right now.”

“No...” Zhao Yisheng shook his head. “There's no need. Getting me here is enough. If I die, you all should run away quickly.”

Xiao Xiao hesitated after hearing this, as if regaining some empathy. “Well... alright then. Go ahead. If there's any fatal danger you can dodge, I'll help you 'Jia Huo' it away.”

At that point, Han Yi Mo on her shoulder just lightly coughed, as if lost in thought.

Zhao Yisheng cautiously moved forward, while Jin Yuanxun steadied his “Xin Nian” and stared intently at him. If any real danger arose, Jin Yuanxun might be the one who could save him.

As Zhao Yisheng was about to reach the giant clock, he caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye of a “Can Yu Zhe” hiding behind a nearby tree.

He suddenly felt uneasy. Anyone standing here at this moment didn't seem to be on the side of the “Ji Dao” or “Tian Tang Kou”; they must be a “Zhi Chi Zhe” aiming to claim his head.

It was a middle-aged man in a suit, with a sinister face and faint bloodstains around his ears.

“Though I don't know the situation... it seems like everyone wants to kill her...” His gaze shifted to the distance, toward Yan Zhichun's direction. “Coming along with the crowd was the right call this time.”

Zhao Yisheng swallowed hard, feeling that the man looked familiar, as if they'd crossed paths in “Tian Tang Kou” or on the street, but he couldn't quite remember who he was.

“But that old man...” The man stared at Bai Hu and muttered to himself, “He's really troublesome...”

Since the man was standing just behind the tree nearby, Zhao Yisheng sensed the situation was getting dangerous. He didn't know the man's stance, but if a fight broke out, even if Zhao Yisheng survived, the noise would surely attract Bai Hu.

“Bro... brother... which side are you on?” Zhao Yisheng asked.

Seeing Zhao Yisheng's reaction, Xiao Xiao and the others quickly and quietly moved a few steps forward. At that moment, another intense explosion came from Bai Hu's direction, making everyone stagger.

The middle-aged man seemed to completely ignore Zhao Yisheng's question and slowly approached him.

By then, Xiao Xiao and the others had caught up. Jin Yuanxun stared at the man for a moment and then said, “Hey, aren't you... Uncle Zhong Zhen?”

“People like her deserve to die.” Zhong Zhen continued staring in Yan Zhichun's direction. “I said I'd kill her, and I will.”

Jin Yuanxun followed Zhong Zhen's gaze and realized his eyes were fixed on Yan Zhichun in the center of the square.

“Uncle Zhong...” Jin Yuanxun whispered, “Can I talk to you about something like that?”

Zhong Zhen showed no reaction and simply pulled a folding knife from his pocket. “This is such a great opportunity, isn't it?”

The group felt that something was off with this man; he was no longer capable of normal communication.

“U-uncle...” Jin Yuanxun stepped forward and reached out to grab his arm, but Zhong Zhen reacted instinctively, swinging back with a slash.

Fortunately, Jin Yuanxun dodged the fatal blow quickly, though his arm was left with a long gash.

“Dammit...” Jin Yuanxun jumped back, ready to fight, but Lin Qing stepped in to stop him.

“Let him pass.” Lin Qing said, “If he wants to kill Yan Zhichun, let him go now. We won't stop you.”

Even with things said to that extent, Zhong Zhen just turned back with a fierce glare at the group. “So many helpers, huh? Which side are you on? Even Jin Yuanxun is here?”

“Uncle, you...”

“We're on no one's side.” Lin Qing added, “Do what you need to do. We'll stay out of each other's way.”

She furrowed her brow tightly, wondering what kind of “Yin Guo” this was.

“Killing one is killing, killing a group is killing. I've already killed people I know, so a few more won't make a difference.” Zhong Zhen muttered to himself. “Let this place become my battlefield.”

With that, he closed his eyes, and the giant clock began to sway gently. A massive cloud of smoke started spreading out from Zhong Zhen as the center.

The smoke was incredibly thick, making it impossible for the group to keep their eyes open due to the irritation.

At that very moment, Bai Hu suddenly noticed the anomaly behind him and whipped around to check, but all he could see was white smoke everywhere.

He glared with his bloodshot eyes and unleashed a strong wind, but the smoke kept pouring out endlessly, quickly enveloping half the square again.