Su Er didn’t dwell too much on the joke; instead, he was more interested in Ji Heng’s ability to exterminate ghosts.
“If we let her pass the seventh day, we’ll have to hide.”
Su Er: “That powerful?”
Ji Heng nodded. “That female ghost from earlier seemed to have been injured.”
Su Er’s first thought was that it had something to do with the stun gun, but he said instead, “The Li family hired a monk for a ritual, maybe that hurt her.”
Ji Heng didn’t show whether he accepted this explanation, his gaze fixed on the last section of the badge.
Seeing this, Su Er sighed helplessly. “We still don’t even know what the Charm value does.”
Ji Heng: “No rush.”
Li Shouzhang had warned them not to go out after ten at night, but Ji Heng had other plans. “Let’s take a walk.”
Since the Tongue-Pulling Ghost had been dealt with, the danger didn’t seem too great. Su Er didn’t question his decision and followed him directly.
The sound of scripture chanting continued. The courtyard was empty, and they followed the sound until they found a small house with an open door. Light spilled from inside, casting a curved glow in the courtyard.
For the first time, Su Er got a clear look at the mourning hall. It was set up rather shabbily. A monk sat on a cushion, chanting scriptures for the deceased. The three Li brothers and their children were all present, their expressions solemn. Mosquitoes hovered around Li Youzun, but he didn’t react at all, as if he couldn’t see them.
Su Er whispered, “Li Youzun thought his daughter brought shame to the family. He didn’t even want to hold a proper funeral, yet he’s here keeping vigil?”
Not to mention, the other two Li brothers were also present, which made even less sense.
Ji Heng: “Guilt.”
Su Er caught on. “They’re afraid of being targeted on the night she returns?”
Ji Heng nodded.
There were no taboos against eating or drinking during the vigil. When the monk finished reciting his scriptures, Li Shouzhang spoke a few words to his father, Li Youzun, then walked out of the mourning hall.
Ji Heng signaled Su Er with his eyes, and they carefully hid themselves, following him.
The night was dark, but Li Shouzhang didn’t use any lighting tools. He seemed preoccupied, walking with his head down until he turned into a small room.
To avoid being exposed, Su Er and Ji Heng moved to the window, using the moonlight to observe what was happening inside.
Li Shouzhang took out a set of teaware from a cabinet and poured hot water into each cup. When he reached the last one, he pulled out a small paper packet from his pocket and carefully added its contents to several of the cups.
His hands trembled as he lifted the tray, and he nearly tripped on his way out. Standing still for a long moment, he looked up at the night sky, took a deep breath, then steadied himself and walked out with purpose.
Back in the mourning hall, Li Shouzhang respectfully handed a cup to the monk first before placing the remaining cups in front of the others.
Su Er had memorized which cups had been tampered with. Fortunately, his eyesight was sharp enough to clearly see that the drugged cups were given to the three Li brothers.
Ji Heng: “This family is quite something.”
Su Er raised an eyebrow. “Looking on the bright side, maybe it’s just meal replacement powder.”
Ji Heng glanced at him. Su Er shrugged.
Even if Li Shouzhang was bold, he wouldn’t dare poison his three brothers so openly in the mourning hall—it would be too obvious. And indeed, after drinking the water, Li Youzun didn’t show any serious discomfort, only coughing a few times.
The night wind was strong, and standing still for too long made their blood circulation sluggish. Su Er felt his hands and feet turning cold.
Ji Heng: “Let’s go back. We’ll return before dawn.”
Su Er wouldn’t push his body to its limits. If he caught a cold, it would only hinder the mission. Ji Heng didn’t linger either, and they both returned to their rooms to rest. The next morning, Ji Heng woke him early to stake out the area.
By then, dawn had begun to break. The monk got up to leave, and with nothing unusual having happened overnight, Li Youzun let out a breath of relief and personally saw him to the door.
“Father,” Li Shouzhang said respectfully, “I’ll escort the master a bit further.”
Li Youzun nodded in satisfaction. “Go ahead.”
Su Er and Ji Heng couldn’t just stroll out through the main gate, so they climbed over the wall instead. The streets were nearly empty at this hour, so they didn’t dare follow too closely, keeping their distance.
As they walked, Ji Heng suddenly asked, “Did you finish reading the brochure?”
Su Er: “I memorized the gist of it.”
Ji Heng: “The brochure only covers well-known basics. Players wouldn’t include their personal experiences in it.”
Su Er sensed that he was about to share something important.
Sure enough, Ji Heng soon continued, “The selection process for dungeons is relatively fair.”
Su Er considered his words and found some contradictions—at least, this current dungeon didn’t seem fair at all.
Ji Heng gave him a hint. “If a team-formation item is used, and one party dies, the survivor won’t receive any points even if they clear the dungeon.”
Su Er understood. “I’m a newcomer, so I’m likely to be a burden.”
Their pairing clearly lowered their overall combat effectiveness. Meanwhile, Shen Jiangbei and Wan Yi, though not as strong as Ji Heng, had good teamwork and might have an easier time clearing the dungeon.
While trailing Li Shouzhang, Su Er asked another question that had been bothering him. “Why were Wen Buyu and Ge Xuyan brought in?”
Ji Heng didn’t answer immediately, giving him time to think.
Su Er hadn’t interacted with Ge Xuyan much. After some thought, he guessed, “Does it have to do with physical power stats?”
Ji Heng smiled approvingly. “When any stat approaches its critical threshold, the game will transport the player into a higher-difficulty dungeon.”
It was a mechanism to regulate and filter players. After a brief pause, he added, “If I’m right, the Charm stat’s threshold is 60.”
Su Er raised an eyebrow.
Ji Heng: “Because the game wants you dead.”
“Dying just as you’re on the verge of breaking through—it fits the dungeon’s twisted sense of aesthetics.”
Su Er thought about it. He couldn’t refute that logic, and 59 was indeed an ominous number. “What about Wen Buyu?”
“Either she got some kind of game-breaking item, or…” Ji Heng suddenly stopped walking. Up ahead, instead of heading straight back, Li Shouzhang had taken a convoluted route before slipping into a dark alley. A moment later, a graceful figure appeared in the distance.Ji Heng watched the scene unfold and raised an eyebrow. “Or the game assigned her an advantageous role.”
Ji Heng didn’t approach for some reason. Instead, he glanced at a nearby tree, and Su Er swiftly climbed up.
They were too far away to hear the conversation between the two people below, but they could see Wen Buyu lightly embracing Li Shouzhang. Su Er let out a low whistle. “According to the rules here, that counts as an improper relationship. And yet, the female ghost didn’t attack her.”
Compared to that, Ge Xuyan’s death seemed rather unjust.
Ji Heng said, “The ghost holds a grudge against the Li family. Li Shouzhang poisoning his own family was likely under Wen Buyu’s instigation, since their interests align.” He narrowed his eyes. “The only question is—why is Li Shouzhang listening to her?”
Su Er jumped down from the tree and suddenly grabbed Ji Heng’s shoulders, speaking in a high-pitched voice, “I was punished in the ancestral hall for breaking the rules and left with a stain on my record. Your family will never agree to us being together! Let’s kill those stubborn old fools who stand in our way, okay? I can help you become the Guard Chief!”
“If you don’t agree, I’ll expose our relationship and drag you down with me!”
Saying this, Su Er placed a hand on his stomach. “Besides, I’m already—”
Before he could go any further with his performance, Ji Heng cut him off. “You make a good point.”
Logically, they had already gathered enough information to manipulate the situation from the shadows, but Ji Heng showed no intention of leaving. A short while later, his lips curled slightly. “Here comes the drama.”
Su Er looked up and saw Shen Jiangbei and Wan Yi appear out of nowhere, walking straight into the alley. A startled cry rang out from within.
“Let’s go,” Ji Heng said. “Time to enjoy the show.”
As they got closer, the argument inside became clearer——
Li Shouzhang’s furious voice rang out. “This is slander!”
“Indeed,” Wen Buyu remained calm. “Even if you spread the rumor, no one would believe he’s with me.”
“Which is exactly why,” Wan Yi smirked, “I rented a camera in advance. I’ve taken plenty of interesting photos over the past few days.”
Wen Buyu clenched her fists tightly. Her original plan had been a gamble. The other players were all focused on the three Li brothers, and if she secretly helped Li Shouzhang win the Guard Chief position, she could monopolize the points. Now that her biggest secret had been exposed, she had to change her strategy on the fly. “Why don’t we all work together?”
Li Shouzhang quickly promised, “If I become the Guard Chief, I won’t treat you unfairly!”
“That’s fine.” Wan Yi’s smile deepened. “But…”
He glanced at Wen Buyu and fell silent.
Wen Buyu seemed to realize what he meant, and her pupils trembled.
“The Li family has power and influence. If you return home, it’s entirely possible you’d order someone to get rid of us,” Wan Yi stroked the camera in his hand. “Only when everyone shares the same secret can we truly cooperate.”
Shen Jiangbei, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke. “Your sister has already disgraced the family. If word gets out that you’re in love with a woman who was punished in the ancestral hall, Li Youzun might decide to execute you in the name of righteousness.”
At the mention of his father, memories of punishments from childhood made Li Shouzhang instinctively shudder.
Wen Buyu could sense his hesitation, her nails digging into her palms.
The atmosphere grew more and more tense. Suddenly, Shen Jiangbei turned his head sharply, his keen gaze sweeping the surroundings. “Who’s there?”
Ji Heng stepped out, unperturbed.
Su Er raised an eyebrow. “Instigating murder—this is allowed too?”
Ji Heng replied, “It’s not like he’s hiring an assassin. He’s just making a suggestion.”
Besides, while Wen Buyu’s combat ability wasn’t high, she had survived in the game for this long. Killing an ordinary man wouldn’t be an issue. The most likely outcome was that she’d get injured, and Li Shouzhang would die.
That way, not only would she personally eliminate her bargaining chip, but she might even be forced to rely on the mastermind due to her injuries.
Just then, Wen Buyu suddenly turned to Ji Heng and said, “Help me clear this instance, and I’ll tell you a secret about this town. With your skills, once you know it, you’ll become the biggest winner in this game.”
To show her sincerity, she decisively cut off her escape route and added coldly to Wan Yi, “Otherwise, even if I die, I won’t tell you a single word.”
Shen Jiangbei frowned. He clearly hadn’t expected her to play this move.
The tension between all parties reached its peak, and the air seemed to freeze.
“Why did things have to get this far?” After a long silence, Su Er finally spoke, breaking the stillness. “Everyone has their own stance and is fighting desperately to survive. To achieve that goal, scheming and manipulating each other is understandable. But let’s not forget…” He tilted his face toward the vast sky, his smile tinged with bitterness. “We’ve laughed together, cried together. We’ve shared bonds and almost became each other’s trusted friends.”
Then, as if making a grand declaration, he continued, “So if the only way for us to get along again is to align our interests… then please, everyone—elect me as the Guard Chief.”
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