Chapter 22: The Deceased

Chapter 22: The Deceased

Table of Content | Character Guide

Tang Cuo had a long dream. When he woke up from the dream, he was confused, and there was no light in the room, so he couldnt tell whether it was day or night. After two seconds, he remembered that there was no day in Yong Ye City.

Blurred light slipped in through the broken window, casting a fuzzy shadow on the ground. Tang Cuo lay motionless and stared at the shadow for a long time, only to realise that it looked like a person.

He looked at the broken window to see Jin Cheng sitting on the edge with one leg nonchalantly put up. The luminous sphere at the top of the tower in the distance was like the moon hanging over his head, shining on the side of his face that carried no scar.

He was peeling an apple. The long apple skin fell from between his fingers all the way to the ground, just like Rapunzels hair.

Tang Cuo remembered that he had locked the door before sleeping. Now that there were no signs of the door being pried open, Jin Cheng must have climbed the window again.

You were talking in your dream just now. Jin Cheng teased as he saw Tang Cuo wake up.

Tang Cuo sat up from the bed. He didnt feel too irritated as he woke up today, but as usual, he didnt pay attention to Jin Chengs boring joke. He grabbed something to eat, then sat there quietly for a while, letting himself relax and welcoming a new day.

Jin Cheng told him: You always look so bad early in the morning, surely you dont eat enough fruits. I told you to eat at least one apple a day, and you threw my words in the trash again?

I look so bad early in the morning because youre in my room annoying me.

Tang Cuo didnt believe in the nonsense of An apple a day keeps the doctor away, because it was the man in front of him who preached those healthy tips everyday, but he never stuck with them himself.

For example, now, he was peeling an apple but he wouldnt eat it. He wanted to force Tang Cuo to eat it.

But Tang Cuo didnt like eating apples.

I havent even f**king brushed my teeth yet. He even started to swear.

Then go brush. Jin Cheng acted all matter-of-factly and put the apple in the glass bowl, then stared at Tang Cuo as he walked into the bathroom. By the time Tang Cuo really started brushing his teeth, Jin Cheng had already started soaking the oatmeal.

He had an electric kettle and a toaster, both hidden under Tang Cuos bed together with the red wine these were all must-haves for lazy singles. The toasters sold in Yong Ye Citys supermarket were not the same as the ones in the human world. Back there, the toasters imprinted a smiley face on the sandwich, while here, it would be a skull.

After the two had breakfast, Tang Cuo looked at the alarm clock that he had just bought yesterday. The time indicated that it was past 9 in the morning.

Jin Cheng said: That kid who came to Yong Ye City at the same time as you is really talented. If he doesnt die, he could definitely become either a skilful trickster or a great man.

Tang Cuo said coldly: What did he do again?

Oh. Jin Cheng smiled: He could really add fire to the gatherings and make very enthusiastic speeches before they go into fighting. Now newcomers in East Cross Street dont rush to do their missions within the first week, rather, they will spend some time joining the gatherings.

Tang Cuo walked to the window and looked down. East Cross Street was actually not just a street, it was a collective name for two long cobblestone streets that crossed each other, with a population of about 5,000. As a well-known garbage dump of Zone F, the people gathered here were either the newest of new players, or the weakest players at the low end of the food chain. Now these people were all gathered in a group, and no one knew what reaction they could provoke.

Chi Yan.

Tang Cuo chewed the name in his heart. He could see that Chi Yan really wanted to help, just like when he pulled off his hat to put it on the little girls bald head in the arena.

In that kind of situation, no one could fake such kindness.

But does he really understand how much danger it will bring him?

Thinking of this, he turned around and asked: When you first came, how did this place look like?

Boss Jin Cheng leaned his legs to one side: Youre asking the wrong person. I was assigned to Zone A from the beginning. When I was punished back to Zone F, I was already No.1 on the Blacklist. Zone F has always been the same for me all this while.

You seem to be very proud?

Tang Cuo couldnt bother to engage him any further. Jin Cheng asked: So Im very curious about how you died. Your rating cant be bad, it must be either A or B. Why did you show up in East Cross Street?

Jin Chengs eyes were serious. His intuition told him that there was something not quite right about Tang Cuos death. But Tang Cuo didnt want to answer this question. He turned his head and continued to look out the window: Im all dead. Does it matter how I died?

Of course it matters.

There was nothing actually important in life except for life and death themselves. If death wasnt important, then what was more important? Jin Cheng actually had a lot to ask him, such as whether he passed the final army assessment or what he had been doing in the past few years. As he hesitated for a moment, there was a knock on the door.

The two turned their heads together and heard Chi Yan shouting from outside the door: Ge, Cheng ge!

Jin Cheng went to open the door and Chi Yan ran inside, rushing to speak before even he could catch his breath: There is news about that little girl. Just now a player came over to tell me that he had seen her on San He Street in the north two days ago. She is easy to recognise because of her bald head. I think it cant be wrong, its her!

After Chi Yan joined the Kitchen Knife gang, he asked other players to look out for the little girl. To get this after just a few days, it could be said that his effort wasnt fruitless.

Jin Cheng asked: Are you going to find her?

Chi Yan naturally nodded: Yes, she isnt easy to find. Now that Ive caught some news, of course I have to go.

Zhang Xing ultimately used the Skill card against him because Tang Cuo attacked him first. That little girl was young and very weak, would it be that she went heads-on against those old players?

That was illogical.

Ge, what should I do now? Chi Yan couldnt make any decision at this moment. He could only feel that the dinosaur hat in his hand was a thousand times heavier.

Theres only one way to get out of the prison: either to think of a way to reduce the sentence, or wait until the sentence is over. Its very difficult to bail someone out, so dont think about it first. Jin Cheng slowly turned on the faucet to wash away the blood on his hands and wiped it with his handkerchief before continuing: If youre very angry, you can also kill the murderer and send him after her.

Chi Yan inexplicably felt a chill as he heard Jin Cheng speak so lightly. But we dont even know who the murderer is.

Jin Cheng spread his hands.

Tang Cuo suddenly said: The deceased knows.

Huh? Chi Yan was stunned, then he understood immediately: Yes, shes in prison, she didnt really die. Doesnt it mean that we just need to see her to ask who the murderer is?!

But as soon as he finished the sentence, Chi Yan remembered what Jin Cheng had said yesterday the warden of Zone G was a man so twisted that even he didnt dare to provoke.

If I just go to the prison to pay her a visit, shouldnt there be no problem? He is a chief warden, and there are so many people in the prison, perhaps he wont notice me? He tried to test his luck with this question, his big eyes filled with hope.

You have too many hopes. Jin Cheng dropped his dirtied handkerchief on the ground. The prison in Yong Ye City has no officers, only one chief warden. If you want to go in, you must pass in front of him, which will trigger a game.

Chi Yan looked as though hed just eaten a bitter gourd, and his features twisted into an ugly expression.

Tang Cuo frowned slightly, asking: Is this warden a player or an authority of Yong Ye City?

Jin Cheng raised his eyebrows. His disciple was always so smart.

A player. He replied affirmatively. Except for Mr. Crow, everyone else in Yong Ye City is essentially a player.

Chi Yan and the other player blinked, not understanding what this meant. Jin Cheng and Tang Cuo were not kind enough to explain to them. They just exchanged a glance, then immediately walked out.

Tang Cuos gaze swept across the closed doors, but he didnt have the time to ask around. The player who brought them here also left quickly. Chi Yan looked at him running away then looked at the dinosaur hat in his hand, and suddenly felt like a failure.

On the way back to East Cross Street, a lot of thoughts still rambled in his head: Shes so small and definitely poses no threat. Why would anyone kill her? It doesnt make sense, and its not necessary either

Jin Cheng said: There are plenty of ways to die, and there are plenty of ways to be evil. Who says there must be a reason for killing?

Chi Yans mouth was shut. He didnt want to agree, but couldnt say anything to refute. He had only seen unbelievable things on social media before, and even when he encountered the Wheel of Fortune, he was too scared to understand the gravity of it.

Tang Cuo looked at him without speaking.

After a short while, the three of them returned to East Cross Street. From a distance, they saw a crowd gathering on the street, with more and more people coming over. Someone looked up and saw them, then immediately rushed forward: Little brother Chi!

Chi Yans eyelids twitched: Whats wrong?

Someone was killed! The man was horrified yet also a little angry: We just found out about it. There are two new players who know each other and live not far away from here. Just now one of them went to find the other but only found a pool of blood in the room. And the person in it has disappeared!

The others also rushed forward. They didnt dare to behave recklessly in front of Tang Cuo and Jin Cheng, so they all surrounded Chi Yan.

Yes, yes, weve searched around but couldnt find him at all!

It must be those old players who did it. Theyre taking revenge on us!

It must be them!

What should we do now?

Everyone babbled noisily, and the angriest of them even shouted that they should confront the old players. As soon as these words came out, although the people in the crowd seemed nervous, they didnt refute, because no one knew if they would be the next to be killed. They were after all the same bunch; one dead man might quickly lead to another.

But Chi Yan shouted out firmly: No!

The young mans face was unwavering: Blackmailing for points and killing are completely different things. Everything has its rights and wrongs. We dont even know who did it yet and you already want to confront them?! If things turn ugly, whos going to take responsibility for it?!

Chi Yan being like this had everyone dumbstruck. The group of grown men and women were shocked by this little boy. Even Tang Cuo and Jin Cheng looked at him in a different light.

But after Chi Yan managed to calm the crowd for a moment, he turned to look at Tang Cuo and Jin Cheng, his little determined face immediately collapsing: Ge, what should your little brother do now?

Jin Cheng: Dont you look like you already know what to do, my little brother Chi?

Someone else is dead! Dont you think this is a bit like that little girls situation? How could there be such a coincidence? Its not like there are murderers lurking around the city, right? I wont be able to handle it!

Lets see. Tang Cuo said concisely. How many people actually died.