Ten Day Ultimatum Chapter 301

Chapter 301 Won's League

Before Song Seven could utter his next words, a short sword, fashioned from folded newspapers, appeared before his eyes.

Turning his head, he saw a peculiar boy gazing at him intently, softly muttering, "No murdering other civilians."

"What?" Song Seven furrowed his brows in confusion. "Civilians?"

Qi Xia rose slowly to his feet. "So you're here to escort , Song Seven?"

"Indeed," Song Seven regained his composure, his face still drained of color. "Any task assigned to {Cats} must be carried out to completion."

"And how do you intend to achieve that? You are but a band of broken soldiers."

"It matters not if we die," Song Seven replied, shaking his head. "We either perish here or see the task through. There is no other path."

"How intriguing," Qi Xia stated with a cold smile. "Just yesterday, I considered you a xiōngdì. I never anticipated that today we would stand on opposite sides of a blade."

"Bonds don’t bend the rules of business." Song Seven remarked, his tone resolute. "Taking you with us this ti does not an we can't beco xiōngdì in the future."

"Fair enough," Qi Xia nodded, then asked, "Where exactly do you intend to take ?"

"Our leader, Qian Five, wishes to et you," Song Seven replied. "I can't promise much, but I can guarantee your personal safety."

Qi Xia couldn't help but laugh. "You and your group of n, each of you having lost a hand, claim to be able to guarantee my safety?"

Song Seven slowly approached Qi Xia, lowering his voice. "Truth is… there’s a {formidable individual} who wishes to et you, but Five ge intervened—he insists on seeing you first, before rendering judgnt."

"A formidable individual...?" Qi Xia furrowed his brow, the image of the elderly woman and the young boy suddenly flashed through his mind. Could they truly be {Celestial-grade}?

"We were willing to sacrifice a hand each just to learn your whereabouts—all to ensure Five ge’s plan unfolds without a hitch." Song Seven’s voice grew faint, his strength visibly waning. "You must realize… ti isn’t on our side. If you refuse to co with us—"

"Enough," Qi Xia shook his head. "Lead the way."

"Really? You’ll co with us?" Song Seven asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Qi Xia nodded then rose from his seat. "I’ve developed a sudden interest in the leader you spoke of and would like to see him for myself."

Qiao Jiajin and Officer Li exchanged a glance, both feeling uneasy about the situation.

"Swindler lad, are you serious?" Qiao Jiajin asked. "Would a sane person really go as far as cutting off their hand just to find you?"

"Hmm..." Qi Xia pondered for a mont before replying, "Fists, they severed their right hands, not mine—that's what has intrigued."

"In that case, I'll go with you," Qiao Jiajin grabbed his shirt from the table, slinging it over his shoulder with a grin. "They sent over ten people just to invite you. How could you go alone?"

At his words, Officer Li let out a soft laugh and stood up. "He makes a fair point. Qi Xia, I’ll accompany you as well."

Qi Xia nodded in acknowledgent. Just as he was about to step out the door, a thought struck him. He stopped, turned on his heel, and walked back to Han Yimo, his voice low and steady. "Han Yimo," he began, "this ti, my chances of survival are slim. From now on, you should follow Su Shan."

"What—" Han Yimo froze, imdiately grabbing Qi Xia’s wrist. "Wait a minute... What do you an, ‘chances of survival are slim’? You’re clearly my sav—"

"You already know what I an," Qi Xia interjected, his eyes steady. "So why ask?" He pushed Han Yimo’s hand away, then turned and walked toward Su Shan, leaving no room for further words.

He paused for a mont, considering his words carefully, before reaching out and pulling Su Shan into a quiet corner.

"What is it?" Su Shan asked.

"Su Shan," Qi Xia began, "you're undoubtedly a sharp individual. But right now, your understanding of {End Point} remains far too limited, and because of that, I can't afford to place my full trust in you just yet. I’m lifting my earlier restriction. From now on, you’re welco to engage in any ga, no matter the grade."

"No matter the grade…?"

"Precisely," Qi Xia affird with a nod. "Let yourself fall into despair—just as you did when we first t."

"Fall into despair?" Su Shan echoed, a flicker of understanding crossing her face before she gave a careful nod.

"Don’t suppress your thoughts," Qi Xia advised. "Caution may offer temporary refuge, but it nurtures long-term danger."

"I see…" Su Shan’s eyes shifted, the weight of the words settling in. There was a subtle shift in her gaze, as if sothing clicked into place. "Are you suggesting that, in critical monts, I should be as resolute as you—willing to risk both my own life and the lives of my teammates?"

"Exactly." Qi Xia nodded. "Su Shan, if you want to escape this place, a sane mind won’t suffice. It takes a {madman}. You’ve got the wit, but in the end, you’re still too rational."

"You’ve enlightened , Qi Xia," Su Shan said with a faint smile.

"How much ti do you think it will take for you to truly lose yourself?"

"It won't be long," Su Shan answered. "After all, your teammates are not mine."

"Excellent." Qi Xia nodded. "Bear this in mind—once you acquire your {Reverberation}, the deaths of others beco inconsequential."

"Qi Xia, I truly wish I’d encountered you sooner," Su Shan remarked with a wry smile. "If I’m not mistaken, I’ve already squandered far too much ti."

"The best ti to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best ti is now." Qi Xia gave Su Shan a nod, then turned and made his way toward Song Seven.

"Let’s go."

After putting on his shirt, Qiao Jiajin gave Officer Li a nod, and together, they followed Qi Xia out.

One by one, the {Cats} placed their right arms over their chests, then moved to trail behind the trio.

{Hero}, still standing in the corner, paused for a mont, considering his options. After a brief mont of hesitation, he drew his short sword, then fell in behind the others at a asured distance.

Su Shan surveyed the few who remained in the room, then addressed them with a calm but purposeful tone. "Doctor Zhao, Author Han—do either of you have a mont?"

"What…?" Both turned to look at her, their expressions equally surprised.

"I’m about to take part in a ga, and I’d like to bring you both along—would you care to join?" Su Shan asked.

Doctor Zhao and Han Yimo exchanged glances, each contemplating the offer for only a few seconds before responding in unison, "No."

The bluntness of their refusal caught Su Shan off guard. It was so direct, so resolute, that they hadn’t even allowed her the chance to tempt them with the prospect of their impending demise.

"Then what about the rest of you...?" Su Shan asked, her gaze sweeping over the three won who remained in the room—Lin Qin, Qin Dingdong, and Zhang Chenze.

Lin Qin spoke first, "I don’t mind."