"As we just discussed," Zheng Zha addressed the others, "the likelihood of the Buddha statue being fragmented into several pieces is extremely high. If it is indeed scattered, we must confirm precisely how many pieces there are, which factions have obtained which parts, and most crucially, we must ascertain all of this within seven days, recovering those dispersed fragments. Based on what Jonathan told us, he left the tomb over three months ago. During this time, other forces might have entered the mausoleum, and the Yellow Turban Warriors have been relentlessly pursuing him. Therefore, the outer perimeter of the tomb is likely clear of immediate danger. If any outside power dares to enter the periphery, they will very likely—no, they absolutely will—snatch the other pieces of the Buddha statue, especially since it’s a statue that floats in zero gravity."

Zheng Zha ran a hand through his hair, let out a breath, and continued, "From this moment, the Central Team will split into two groups. Because the power of the Yellow Turban Warriors will only increase, I will remain with the Buddha head; this arrangement is non-negotiable. So, it will be me, Jonathan, Imhotep, and Ansu-Na. Qi Tengyi, Liu Yu, and Ming Yanwei, the rest of you will form the second group and head to the Shanxi tomb. The others will remain here on standby. Once I confirm from the tomb that the Buddha statue has been broken apart, you all must figure out how to retrieve the various pieces. Chu Xuan, what do you think of my proposal?" Before Chu Xuan could speak, Ming Yanwei immediately retorted, "No, I want to be in the other group!" Zheng Zha’s brow immediately furrowed.

He knew about the deep-seated conflict between this woman and Zhang Heng; Zhang Heng had wronged her profoundly, to a point beyond remedy. Outsiders couldn't possibly interfere, but this was team operation, and the situation was dire—a single misstep could lead to total annihilation. Under these circumstances, he could not allow Ming Yanwei and Zhang Heng to remain on the same team. After all, the team going to the tomb would have his presence, and besides the Yellow Turban Warriors, there were no other major threats. Keeping the less combat-effective members with his group would, first, ensure their safety, and second, prevent them from burdening the other team during their investigation. This arrangement could not change.

Zheng Zha paused, then said, "Ming Yanwei, you must understand we are currently in a team side-plot scenario. Do not let your personal emotions bleed into the mission; this concerns the lives of every member of the team..." Ming Yanwei let out a cold laugh. "I don't care about living anyway, so why should I value anyone else's life? Either kill me right now, or let me join the second team..." Before Ming Yanwei could finish her sentence, Zhang Heng was already startled. He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, ignoring her immediate stiffening followed by violent struggles. He frantically said to Zheng Zha, "She’s just overwhelmed by anger; please don’t take this personally. I guarantee she won't do anything rash... I beg you, Zheng Zha, Chu Xuan, trust me, she will not cause any trouble for the team. In fact, she lacks the strength to cause any real trouble, so please, do not regard her as a hidden threat to the team."

Zheng Zha glanced at Chu Xuan, then directly addressed Zhang Heng, "Don't talk nonsense. Even if I were suspicious of anyone, I would never suspect you... I am well aware of her condition. Therefore, the decision of where she stays—Group One or Group Two—is up to you. You know the difference in risk factors between the two groups. Where she goes, you decide." Zhang Heng had intended to plead for Ming Yanwei, but seeing how accommodating Zheng Zha was being, he hesitated. Having survived numerous horror movie worlds, he could clearly distinguish which team faced greater danger. Zheng Zha's team would essentially only need to stay near the tomb; with Zheng Zha holding the fort and the immortal priest Imhotep assisting, the risk factor for that group was nearly zero. The other team, however, would likely have to split up and operate independently, drastically increasing their peril. Honestly, he sincerely hoped Ming Yanwei would go with the first group.

Ming Yanwei sneered, "Zhang Heng, I know you too well. Stop with the pretense about my safety urging me to stay with Group One... Don't worry, I will go with the second group. I don't even care about my life right now, so what else is there to care about?" Zhang Heng sighed deeply. He genuinely feared Ming Yanwei might do something foolish. If she recklessly threatened the team, Zheng Zha might dismiss her words due to his relationship with her, perhaps not taking them seriously. But if Chu Xuan deemed her a threat to the team, Ming Yanwei could very well be eliminated during this horror scenario. "Then... let her join Group Two. I will ensure her safety. Rest assured, even if it costs me my life, neither she nor I will drag the team down!" Zhang Heng finally stopped hesitating and declared loudly to Zheng Zha.

Zheng Zha sighed, walked over to Zhang Heng, and clapped him on the shoulder. "It’s precisely the fear that you might sacrifice your life without telling us about trouble or difficulty that prompts this. What do you take us for? Are we partners who dispose of members simply because we fear being implicated? Since you’ve decided to protect her closely, then everything is up to your discretion. Just know one thing... the Central Team will never abandon its comrades."

Zhang Heng gave Zheng Zha a grateful look, then turned to Chu Xuan. Comparatively, he was more worried about Chu Xuan's attitude, genuinely fearing this man might silently lay some trap that would cause Ming Yanwei's death in this horror world, consigning him to eternal torment.

Chu Xuan, however, made no further moves. He simply handed the map in his hand to Zheng Zha, then took out several silver metal plates. "These devices can receive signals from each other across vast distances. To prevent unforeseen circumstances during the operation, these silver plates can facilitate mental linkage. However, using mental linkage consumes about five times the normal amount of energy. Therefore, unless it’s crucial, do not use mental linkage casually on the pre-stored one-month communication energy reserve. Besides one plate for each of us active members, your group will only have two communication plates. We can contact you whenever necessary."

Chu Xuan paused here, looking around at the others before continuing, "That covers the basic situation. You will also be responsible for taking care of these sleeping team members. Oh, and this item..." As he spoke, Chu Xuan produced a pair of glasses from his inner pocket. They were identical in style to the glasses he wore, even having the same non-prescription lenses. From any angle, they looked like a perfect duplicate of Chu Xuan’s own glasses.

Zheng Zha took the glasses, puzzled. "Are you expecting me to wear these? Do they have some function? Or do you want this style to become the Central Team's symbol? Everyone on the Central Team wearing these non-prescription glasses... Why is it that when Zheng Zha said this, he felt a sudden chill? Especially imagining the entire Central Team wearing identical glasses, looking at each other with the same blank expression, and uniformly reciting arguments, principles, or deductions—the mere thought made his scalp tingle..." Chu Xuan, unaware of Zheng Zha’s internal monologue, continued calmly, "They are not for you to wear. During these seven days, when you feel safe and have downtime, have Zhao Yingkong wear these glasses and connect these two electrodes to your temples. That’s the basic protocol."

"What do you mean, 'that’s the basic protocol'!" Zheng Zha roared, holding up the glasses. "You little schemer must have some conspiracy brewing! Don't think I won't call you out just because you put on an emotionless facade! I've said this countless times: if you have any schemes, plots, or inside knowledge, please inform us in advance, okay? Don't leave me in the dark every time, only to have me nod along like an idiot afterward! I’m talking to you! Turn your head over here!" Chu Xuan seemed to have already tired of dealing with the man. He turned directly to Ling Dian and the others. "That covers the basic situation. From now on, we are the second group. The safety of the Buddha head, the safety of the sleeping team members, or the security of the tomb after obtaining the remaining statue pieces—these are no longer our concerns. All you need to do is follow my arrangements. Even if I order you to die, you must die." (Even though this sentence was clearly an illustrative warning, why did it feel like... if necessary, he would order them all to commit suicide?) Except for Ling Dian, Zhang Heng and the others wore expressions reflecting this thought, yet none dared voice it. Especially Zhang Heng; until this moment, he had been worried about Chu Xuan harboring ill will toward Ming Yanwei. Now, he simply wished to disappear silently, at least unwilling to attract Chu Xuan's attention.

"Then... we return to Shanghai."