Chapter 1271: The Gatekeeper

Dì Hǔ's ten students turned around one after another, put on their masks, and faced the Huò Cāng, looking as if they were about to enter.

After about ten seconds, a slightly overweight Dì Mǎ walked over. He stretched lazily and glanced casually at the several Rén Jí at the door, then asked softly, "What's the situation now?"

Rén Hóu paused for a few seconds before slowly turning around and saying to Dì Mǎ, "We don't really know... As soon as we got the message, we rushed over and met Tiān Niú at the door. She said the situation had changed and we should hold off on any action for now."

"Ah, come on..." Dì Mǎ sighed helplessly, "It keeps changing—how are we supposed to handle this?"

In no time, about a dozen Rén Jí and two other Dì Jí began to appear.

They didn't seem very enthusiastic, gathering lazily in the area and surrounding Rén Hóu and the others in the center, then starting to discuss what had just happened.

"This is so dramatic..." a Rén Tù said, "I was just about to go back to my room when I suddenly heard the 'broadcast'—it was so loud."

"I heard we're not allowed to go in now?" a Rén Gǒu said.

"I don't know, it seems like we're supposed to wait at the door."

"So, does anyone know what's going on with the Cān Yù Zhě today? Why did this big group board the Liè Chē—what are they up to?"

A chorus of voices erupted, and inside Rén Hóu's mask, a bead of cold sweat formed. After all, such a simple lie could be exposed at any moment.

Fortunately, no one in the group knew each other, and there was no one to prove that anyone was lying.

Rén Hóu stood in front of the door, back to everyone, using her slender body to block the entrance, silently hoping the fight in the Huò Cāng would end soon.

But even if it did end, what then?

There were three Dì Jí guarding the door, and after taking down Tiān Niú, the people inside would likely have little strength left to fight their way out.

"Ah... We can't just wait here forever." The slightly overweight Dì Mǎ stepped forward from the crowd and said gruffly, "You guys up front, move aside. I'll just smash the door open myself."

Rén Hóu hesitated slightly, then turned back and said gravely, "But she just said not to act yet—I’m worried that breaking the door could cause problems. You're Dì Jí, and she's Tiān Jí. We have to prioritize following her orders."

"That's not our concern." Dì Mǎ shook his head and said, "Everyone heard the order to 'break the door.' I'm just following it. If the plan really has some variables, that's only on you few who heard it. It has nothing to do with us—if something goes wrong, you take the blame."

"You..." Rén Hóu paused, "Then... could we give her a little more time? Right now..."

"What time is there to give her? You all know Qīng Lóng's temperament." Dì Mǎ shook his head, "I'm not risking my life for this. Anyone who keeps blocking the door will be treated as a traitor and killed along with them."

Dì Mǎ's words completely undermined Rén Hóu's strategy. They had ten Rén Jí on their side, but the opposition had more than ten Rén Jí and three Dì Jí. Protecting the door from being broken was next to impossible in this situation.

She slowly stepped aside, and the other students of Dì Hǔ followed her lead, moving out of the way.

Rén Hóu lowered her head slowly. She knew that if she wanted to save the door now, the only way was to divert the enemy's attention.

And the easiest target to divert it to was herself—in other words, as long as she drew enough attention, no one would focus on the door anymore.

"Everyone..."

Rén Hóu lifted her head, about to speak, when suddenly she saw the door being burst open. A man in a black leather jacket charged out recklessly.

As he ran, he shouted, "It's done! I killed that damn Tiān Niú! Let's get out of here!"

In the midst of everyone's stunned expressions, the man dashed through the crowd of Shēng Xiào and bolted deeper into the corridor.

"Dammit!" Dì Mǎ finally realized something was wrong and hurried after the man, "Stop right there!!"

Several Rén Jí also followed suit. Rén Hóu's heart leaped into her throat.

It seemed she and that man had chosen the same tactic, but he was being far too reckless.

With the door now open, everyone could see the other Cān Yù Zhě standing inside, led by a bewildered middle-aged woman.

The middle-aged woman clearly hadn't coordinated any tactics with the leather-jacketed man and was just standing there in a daze, staring at the large group of Shēng Xiào in front of her.

Although they were face-to-face, the middle-aged woman was inside the door, and the many Shēng Xiào outside were a bit hesitant, none daring to rush in.

"Hey..."

From among the Shēng Xiào, a tall Dì Shǔ wearing a collar stepped forward. His suit didn't fit well and was just draped over him. As he loosened up his muscles, he said in a deep voice, "If no one's going in, get out of the way. I'll handle it."

He pushed aside a few people around him and stood directly in front of the door. Rén Hóu's heart raced faster as she watched Dì Shǔ's movements, ready to lunge at him the moment he attacked—though it might not save the door, it was her final effort.

"Tell our people to get ready..." she whispered quietly to the Rén Gǒu beside her.

"I've been waiting for this..." Rén Gǒu replied.

"It's okay, child. It doesn't matter if I die here." The middle-aged woman spoke as she slowly stepped out from the door, standing calmly in front of everyone and blocking all the Shēng Xiào.

This bold attitude left the tall Dì Shǔ momentarily baffled.

"Child, you can kill me, and the Mother Goddess will forgive your actions here." She continued to Dì Shǔ, "I'm standing right here, watching you kill me without flinching."

Rén Hóu paused slightly, realizing this middle-aged woman was thinking the same as her—they had to do everything possible to stall for time and protect the door. But should she save her now?

Dì Shǔ was silent for a moment, looking the woman up and down, then quickly sneered with contempt.

"You, a mere Cān Yù Zhě, talking tough in front of me? Are you expecting some miracle?" Dì Shǔ stepped forward and extended his thick arm, "Since you asked for it, go ahead and die."

With that, he swung his arm toward the middle-aged woman's face. At the critical moment, a Rén Zhū suddenly charged from behind Dì Shǔ and tackled him hard to the ground.

"Xiao Chan, run!!" the Rén Zhū roared.

"Attack!!" Rén Hóu shouted at the same time.