Chapter 232: Choice

Qianxi? Qianxi?!

Zhang Wenda stared in disbelief at the computer-person before him—the enemy he hated to his very core.

He had imagined the day he would finally confront him, but he never thought they would meet again under circumstances like these.

It was true he wanted revenge, but he wasn't stupid enough to think he could beat him in his current state.

This was no longer about whether or not to get revenge. It was about how to escape with his life.

Although the Qianxi before him showed no hostility, Zhang Wenda knew that with his power, he could kill every single one of them, anytime, anywhere, if he so chose.

Zhang Wenda's heart was pounding. His mind raced, desperately trying to figure a way out of this deadlock.

'There's still a chance! I still have a chance!' Zhang Wenda had actually anticipated that he might have to face Qianxi, so he had been preparing.

Staring intently at the other man's screen, Zhang Wenda silently reached into his pocket. Inside the enamel mug, his fingers closed around the Obsidian Dagger, his final trump card—Kopan's Sacrificial Knife!

The price for using it was immense, but Kopan's gaze could nullify Qianxi's Thought Waves for a short time.

If he were to face Qianxi, his only opportunity lay within that brief window of nullification!

Just as Zhang Wenda was frantically calculating his odds, Qianxi spoke. "You can let go of that little nail clipper in your pocket. I'm not here to cause trouble this time. I'm here to recruit you."

"Recruit me?" A sense of absurdity washed over Zhang Wenda. They were mortal enemies, yet he wanted to recruit him into the Big Circle?

But he didn't refuse outright. Stalling for time was also a strategy. "You think that's possible? You say you want to recruit me, and our blood feud just disappears?"

"Of course it's possible." Qianxi waved his white-gloved right hand, and the flashlight in the hands of Shuisheng, who was attempting a sneak attack nearby, instantly burst apart with a series of CRACKLES and POPS.

As a former member of the Third Line himself, he knew exactly how to deal with his own kind.

Amidst the sound of shattering glass, he walked up to Zhang Wenda. He brought his white leather shoes together, making a soft CLICK.

"My dear boy~ we don't have that much of a grudge, do we?"

Hearing this, an uncontrollable rage surged within Zhang Wenda. "You got my uncle killed! You call that 'not much of a grudge'?!"

"No, no, no." Qianxi wagged a slender index finger. "I must correct you on one point. Biaozi didn't die. He just became stars in Thought Wave One. As you know, there is no death in Thought Wave One."

Then, Qianxi followed up with words that were incredibly tempting to Zhang Wenda. "If—and I'm just saying if—I had a way to bring him back? If he could return, wouldn't that mean there's no grudge between us?"

"You can bring him back?! You really have a way?"

Hearing the wavering in Zhang Wenda's voice, Shuisheng, who was standing to the side, quickly shouted to stop him, "Don't believe him! This guy is totally lying to you!"

SMACK. A white arrow cursor flew over, double-clicked rapidly on Shuisheng's mouth, and dragged it to the side.

Shuisheng's mouth was instantly moved onto a nearby partition wall, no longer able to make a sound.

Qianxi placed a hand on Zhang Wenda's shoulder and continued in a seductive tone, "Let me tell you the truth. The Third Line actually has the ability to save Biaozi, too. But have you ever heard them mention it to you? Did they ever offer to help? They don't give a damn about what you need."

"The Third Line is just a bunch of stick-in-the-mud old-timers who are always saying this can't be done, that can't be done."

"So come to the Big Circle. Even though you betrayed us, the Big Circle is about freedom—including the freedom to betray. In the Big Circle, nothing is off-limits, and only we can help you bring Biaozi back."

Zhang Wenda fell silent. He bowed his head slightly, as if deep in thought. At that moment, everyone present was watching his face.

It was as if his words would decide everyone's fate.

Finally, everyone present saw Zhang Wenda's cleft lip slowly move. "I... I need some time to think. Give me some time."

Qianxi snapped his fingers crisply. "Fine. I will generously give you ten minutes to consider. When the time is up, I will need a definitive answer from you."

After speaking, the floating arrow cursor zipped over, CLICKED twice on Qianxi's body, and selected "Delete" from the pop-up toolbar.

Immediately afterward, a red ten-minute countdown appeared on all the computer screens in the room.

Wang Xiaohua rushed over and said anxiously, "Wenda! You absolutely can't agree to his terms! He's most likely lying to you!"

Zhang Wenda looked at her, then at everyone else. "Don't worry. I'm just stalling for time."

Hearing this, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief. Zhang Wenda's expression moments ago had almost made them think he was going to accept the offer.

However, Zhang Wenda knew that buying ten minutes was essentially useless. He would still have to make a choice in the end. Qianxi was probably listening in from somewhere, completely unconcerned about whether he was stalling or not.

'Pretend to join the Big Circle?' He'd already used that trick once. Zhang Wenda knew instantly that Qianxi wouldn't fall for it a second time.

He didn't even have to think hard to know that the first thing he'd have to do after joining the Big Circle would be to kill a few people from the Third Line as a pledge of allegiance. He might even have to choose from among Wang Xiaohua and the others.

Whether he agreed or not, it seemed the outcome wouldn't be good.

'Is there another way? Is there any other way to escape this desperate situation?'

As Zhang Wenda's thoughts churned, he turned to look at the calm rabbit beside him, and an idea struck him.

He took out his key, opened the gate to the island, and, to avoid Qianxi's prying eyes, dragged the blue rabbit directly onto the pink island.

Surrounded by a crowd of Little Black Cats, Zhang Wenda spoke to the blue rabbit, his voice filled with urgency. "You saw what happened. Qianxi is here. Stop playing around. Come back. I need a part of your power."

The return of his true self could enhance his own strength. He didn't know how much stronger the blue part's return would make him, but now, facing a Thought Wave Strong Person like Qianxi, any extra strength would increase his chances of winning.

The blue rabbit shook its head numbly. "It's useless. Qianxi is too strong. Whatever you do will be in vain."

"How will we know if we don't try!?"

The rabbit continued to shake its head. "There's no need to try. We already know his strength. A simple estimation is all it takes to guess the outcome. My advice is to accept his offer."