"Zhu Long, I feel like my whole body is falling apart," Xu Jinsong said to Chen Jinzhao with a bitter smile. Chen Jinzhao said in a deep voice, "Let alone you, my arm has been dislocated several times, and I’ve popped it back myself."
"You're amazing!" Xu Jinsong said sincerely.
Chen Jinzhao forced a smile, "Let’s think about how to survive first, this isn't working."
Xu Jinsong fell silent.
In fact, both of them knew that in their current situation, survival was almost impossible. Perhaps this time, they were truly going to die here.
After a long pause.
Xu Jinsong said, "The only chance of survival now is if Old Xu discovers we are missing and comes to find us."
"But..."
"Distant water can't quench a nearby fire."
Before he could finish, 'X' reappeared before them.
Chen Jinzhao felt the powerful aura that made them feel oppressed and immediately said, "Let’s split up and escape. This laboratory is quite large. This way, at least one of us can survive. I'll go left, you go right, understand?"
"Run!"
The two fled in different directions.
After running a distance, Xu Jinsong looked back and saw that Chen Jinzhao was escaping slower than him. 'X' then focused on Chen Jinzhao and chased after him. He knew, of course, that Chen Jinzhao was creating an opportunity for him to escape.
"Why are you being so good to me? You were just about to kill me not long ago. I truly deserve to die!" Tears welled up in Xu Jinsong's eyes. To live up to Chen Jinzhao's expectations, Xu Jinsong desperately fled through the laboratory, hoping to find a sewage pipe, through which he might be able to escape.
On the other side.
Chen Jinzhao was once again cornered by 'X'. 'X' didn't attack immediately, seemingly playing with Chen Jinzhao. Chen Jinzhao cursed, "Damn it, kill me if you dare, you ugly thing. Do you think I'm afraid of death? I'll still cut off one of your arms before I die!"
'X' seemed to understand Chen Jinzhao's curses and instantly became enraged, swinging its agile tail towards Chen Jinzhao. Chen Jinzhao also seized this opportunity and charged forward with his knife. 'X's tail also changed direction, striking Chen Jinzhao's back and causing blood to spurt from his nose and mouth.
However, Chen Jinzhao's body also flew towards the monster's body. Chen Jinzhao then used his last bit of strength to sever two of the monster's arms. This was Chen Jinzhao's final strike, draining all his strength. An unprecedented weakness pervaded Chen Jinzhao's body as the side effects of the enhancement serum began to manifest.
The monster roared, its tail flailing wildly. Chen Jinzhao was too weak to dodge and took several sweeping blows, nearly spitting out his internal organs. "After so many life-and-death battles, I never thought I would die in a place like this. No one would believe it if I told them," Chen Jinzhao mused bitterly.
"What a pity."
"This beast actually has five arms. Otherwise, if I had severed two of its arms, its strength would have diminished, and with the combined abilities of Xu Jinsong and myself, we might have been able to kill it." Chen Jinzhao lamented inwardly. However, he had come to terms with it. Life is not always smooth sailing; failure is the dominant theme.
Not long after.
The monster codenamed 'X' turned and fixed its gaze on Chen Jinzhao. Its three ugly eyes glared fiercely at Chen Jinzhao, its rage almost palpable. It stopped roaring and slowly approached Chen Jinzhao, intending to stomp him to death. Chen Jinzhao smiled.
As he felt the footsteps of death drawing nearer, he became more carefree. Perhaps this was fate. Just as the monster was about to reach Chen Jinzhao, a piercing whistle reached Chen Jinzhao's ears. The monster also became alert, but due to its massive size, it couldn't dodge in time. An arrow pierced its hide and flesh. Chen Jinzhao stared at the roaring monster, stunned. Where did that arrow come from? He didn't remember Xu Jinsong being skilled with such a weapon.
The monster turned its attention to a dark corner, and Chen Jinzhao followed its gaze. Soon, two figures emerged from the darkness. Huh? It's them? The two were Ji Bo'an and Number Nine. And the arrow had been shot by Number Nine. Seeing them appear, Chen Jinzhao instantly realized that Ji Bo'an must have discovered Number Nine's true identity. These two were truly in love.
"Why are you here?" Chen Jinzhao asked. Before he could receive a reply, Xu Jinsong suddenly appeared and dragged Chen Jinzhao to a safer spot. Ji Bo'an's face was still pale, but when he smiled faintly, he still exuded a comforting aura. He said calmly, "I have sinned. I am here to atone. You two, hurry and leave. Dai Yin and I can hold it off for a few minutes."
"By the way," Ji Bo'an added, "we've already blown up the way we came in. You can leave the way you came."
"Time is short, hurry!"
Chen Jinzhao frowned, "What about you?"
Ji Bo'an said with resignation, "I've long been disgusted with my current state, neither human nor ghost. This should be considered self-redemption."
Number Nine also said, "I want to stay by Bo'an's side."
Chen Jinzhao felt a pang of sadness in his heart. If possible, he wished he was the one dying. In an instant, he made up his mind and said to Xu Jinsong, "Man Xiong, you leave with them. I can still hold on for a moment with my last breath. Ji Bo'an, and... Dai Yin, I hope you both live well."
Ji Bo'an chuckled with an air of freedom, "I have committed many evils, what face do I have to live? You all hurry, time is running out."
The monster reacted and lunged at Chen Jinzhao again. Number Nine and Ji Bo'an immediately moved, blocking Chen Jinzhao and Xu Jinsong in an instant, only to be swept away by the monster's tail.
"Hurry and go!" Ji Bo'an exclaimed, blood spilling from his mouth. He and Number Nine supported each other and stood in front of them again. With their strength, it was truly difficult to resist 'X's furious onslaught. Chen Jinzhao's eyes welled up with tears as he witnessed this scene. He clenched his fists and said, "Why? Why are you doing this? This is suicide!"
Number Nine replied, "Because you are a person of great importance, someone who can influence the course of history. We minor figures are ultimately just supporting leaves. As long as you are alive, there is infinite hope."
"Hurry and go!"
Xu Jinsong and Ji Bo'an exchanged glances. The former instantly understood Ji Bo'an's intention, and a look of resolve flashed in his eyes. "Take care of yourselves!" Xu Jinsong choked out. Before Chen Jinzhao could say anything more, Xu Jinsong struck him on the neck with a palm chop, instantly rendering Chen Jinzhao unconscious. Xu Jinsong carried Chen Jinzhao on his back and ran towards the passage.
Ji Bo'an and Number Nine breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at each other and smiled. Ji Bo'an sighed, "Little Nine, will you hate me for making this decision?" Upon hearing the address 'Little Nine', a blush crept onto Number Nine's cheeks. "I don't hate you." "It is my honor not to be born in the same year, month, and day as you, but to die in the same year, month, and day. I hope, in the next life, we are both ordinary people, and we can meet, know each other, and love each other."