Chapter 623: The Eighth Person

Silence fell across the room at his words.

“Although I’m not particularly familiar with all of you… who among us is willing to kill?” Di Tu asked. “In the end, aren’t the 'Sheng Xiao' just desperate individuals trying to escape this place?”

He sank back into his chair, a look of profound disappointment on his face, clearly deeply affected.

Everyone understood his feelings. Those present could kill without hesitation because they were left with no other choice.

“Participants” could be resurrected if they died, but “Sheng Xiao” could not.

This place was bound by some strange curse, allowing only those with the title of “Participant” to be revived. Anyone outside that category would meet a true death.

It was a seemingly fair game, yet riddled with deception, forcing every “Sheng Xiao” to give their absolute all.

“So… let me join in.” Di Tu slowly lowered his head. “I don’t know if I’ll have an opportunity like this in the next few decades, but this time, I’m willing to try.”

“Buddy… you…” Di Hu started to speak but faltered, his mouth opening and closing without a sound.

“Don’t try to talk me out of it…” Di Tu said earnestly. “Although this doesn’t seem to directly involve me, I’ve been thinking about it for a full day and night, and I’ve finally come to a decision.”

“No, I mean…”

“It doesn’t matter.” Di Tu said. “Everyone dies eventually, and that fate was sealed the moment we became ‘Sheng Xiao’.”

Di Hu was stunned for a long while before he finally couldn't help but blurt out:

“I was actually just asking if you wanted some sunflower seeds…”

Di Tu looked mortified upon hearing that. He turned to Di Hu and saw a handful of sunflower seeds in his hairy palm.

“Uh, yes, I’ll have some.” Di Tu reached out to take them, still a bit bewildered.

“Good, have plenty…” Di Hu, unsure of how else to express his goodwill, shoved more seeds into Di Tu’s hand. “Your teeth are stronger than mine—you’ve still got your front teeth. My tiger teeth make it hard to crack them.”

“Oh, oh… do, do you need me to crack some for you?” Di Tu nodded awkwardly and began shelling the seeds, feeling as though his decision to join the group might have been somewhat impulsive.

“Well… no, that’s okay…” Di Hu said with an awkward smile.

Di Tu had no choice but to return an equally awkward smile.

“Have more, don’t be shy.” Di Hu said casually. “There aren’t many rooms on the train with roasted seeds, and I specially asked for these. They’re really tasty.”

“Okay, okay…”

The uncomfortable atmosphere between the two spread to the others in the room, making everyone’s expressions uneasy.

“If you don’t have anything to say, don’t force it.” Di Gou sprawled on the sofa, scratching his ear as he asked, “Everyone’s here today, so should we just meet up like this every day until we come up with a plan?”

Before Di Hu could respond, they heard footsteps outside the door.

Everyone turned to look—it was Di Zhu and Di Ma.

“Oh!” Di Zhu exclaimed in surprise. “I was just passing by and thought I’d drop in, and look at this, everyone’s here! Big tiger, you really know how to bring people together!”

Di Ma’s feet were swaddled in thick bandages. She hobbled in on crutches, and as she passed Di Yang, she shot him a look of resentment.

Di Yang remained unfazed and met her gaze with a cold stare.

She had made a scene right in front of him and ended up like this, so there was no need for an apology.

“Little pig is here! Why didn’t you close the door?” Di Hu asked. “Is my place that open now? Anyone can just walk in?”

Hei Yang, standing by the door, reached out and closed it. He had been about to leave but now found himself without a reason to, figuring that if he didn’t intervene, Di Hu wouldn’t be able to manage this group on his own.

The same “Sheng Xiao” lineup from yesterday was now all assembled in the room, and Di Hu was impressed. Bai Yang truly knew what he was doing.

He had never witnessed a scene like this before, but he had predicted it all along.

Next came his final prophecy…

Would it come to pass?

Di Hu glanced nervously at the wall on his left, then the one on his right.

“Neighbor…?” Di Hu murmured to himself. “Why would the ‘Neighbor’ join us?”

As he was lost in thought, Di Gou and Di Zhu began to quarrel.

“It looks like we’ve all shown up as agreed!” Di Zhu said earnestly. “An agreement is an agreement—this is great.”

“Didn’t I tell you to stop talking like you’re in some middle-school drama?” Di Gou replied lazily. “And do you have to sit right next to me?”

“Oh, come on, that’s enough from you.” Di Zhu frowned. “Do I need you to tell me how to talk? And do I need your permission to sit where I want?”

“Anyway, I don’t like you—go sit somewhere else.”

“You’re going too far!” Di Zhu slowly stood up, his eyes icy cold. “Do you think you can boss me around just because you’re a few years older in the real world?”

“Boss you around?” Di Gou scratched his ear and glanced down at his nails indifferently. “Yesterday you started a fight out of nowhere and nearly ruined our plan, and now you’re saying I’m bossing you? I just can’t stand people who act tough but are reckless.”

“You jerk…” Di Zhu rolled up his sleeves. “I’d love for this to be an unbreakable team, but running into someone like you is inevitable! If you’ve got a problem, let’s settle it with our fists—no need for words.”

“What a hassle…” Di Gou rubbed his forehead and looked at the others. “I suspect this guy will cause trouble sooner or later. We should kick him out of the group early.”

“You!” Di Zhu stopped talking and lunged forward with a kick aimed at Di Gou’s face.

The usually laid-back Di Gou suddenly displayed a murderous intent. He sidestepped the kick, then used his hands to brace himself on the chair and countered with a kick of his own.

Di Zhu blocked it with his arm, and a loud thud echoed as both staggered back a few steps.

“You really think you can win with your fists?” Di Gou said. “When are you going to fix that habit of jumping straight to violence?”

“Hey, hey, hey!” Di Hu quickly stepped in to break it up. “You two, that’s enough. We’re all in this together now—fighting won’t help anyone.”

“You’re putting up with this?” Di Gou said. “Yesterday he scratched my face, and it wasn’t even me.”

“Hey! That was a misunderstanding, right?” Di Hu said with an awkward smile. “We’ve cleared that up now, haven’t we?”

“Big tiger, stay out of it!” Di Zhu snapped. “This world is all about survival of the fittest—I’m going to make him submit with my fists today!”

“I can’t take this anymore.” Di Gou turned to Di Hu. “Loss-maker tiger, listen to him! Is he mature at all?”

As they spoke, Di Zhu leaped up again and clashed fiercely with Di Gou.

The two were locked in a stalemate when a faint knocking came from the door.