Who doesn’t like stirring up trouble?
Numbers 1 and 4 immediately nodded.
The “Scholar Merchant” hesitated a bit; he didn’t see any reason to waste extra time in the dungeon.
Su Yan persuaded, “Just one hour, at most one hour. If those two guys don’t succeed by then, we’ll quit the game directly—no delays.”
Seeing him nod, Su Yan immediately put away the elastic cords, then said to the nearby host, “Let’s move on to the next round. Don’t say anything wrong or slip up.”
Brother Zhang nodded and waved his hand; six guests appeared simultaneously at the starting point. The memories of the two who had died in the last round froze at the exact moment of their deaths.
Red-haired Number 2 covered his face in fear, his voice distorted: “Just now… I literally had a steel nail driven into my brain! Oh my God! I’m still alive? Am I really still alive?”
He panted heavily, pointing to his face as he sat on the ground. Number 4 comforted him: “It’s okay, it’s okay. You’re completely unharmed now. Just be careful later.”
Number 6’s psychological endurance was clearly much stronger than Number 1’s.
He took several deep breaths, then looked at Su Yan and the others: “What happened after that? Did you win?”
Su Yan naturally shook her head and complained, “No, this game is just way too hard. We simply couldn’t get through.”
Number 1 was even more dramatic than her, contorting his face in pain as he said, “I died too, boohoo, it was terrifying! How could anyone possibly pass this game?”
Number 6 nodded in agreement: “It really is too difficult. But if I hadn’t lied back then, maybe we’d have had a chance at winning. After all, strength lies in numbers!”
Number 1 secretly sneered in his heart: Even if you’re still alive, you probably won’t be of much help in this game. I’m curious to see how you plan to get through it later.
At this moment, Number 2 was almost recovered.
This wasn’t his first time joining the game; he had faced death many times before. But this time was too sudden, leaving his mind a bit shaken.
Now that he had calmed down, he immediately scoffed disdainfully: “I knew you bunch of useless idiots wouldn’t make it. It’s still up to me.”
Su Yan was curious too—how could this guy who had just had a rough start be so confident to say something like that?
Though his complexion remained pale, he looked at the “Scholar Merchant” with an arrogant expression: “You, worthless, didn’t do anything just now and died right after me, didn’t you?”
Before the “Scholar Merchant” could respond, Number 1 quickly jumped in with a sycophantic tone: “Well, even if he’s no good, at least he died later than you! What right do you have to mock others when you bled first?”
His words sounded angry, but Number 1 was secretly pleased. Living longer definitely had its advantages—at least he knew a lot of insider information.
This “Scholar Merchant” was definitely someone they couldn’t afford to offend. Didn’t they see how respectfully even the host treated him? He regretted not realizing it earlier and offending him. Now was a chance to make amends!
Number 1 watched Number 2’s flushed, angry expression with satisfaction.
With this guy acting as a foil, his own previous offense probably didn’t seem so bad.
The big shot likely wouldn’t hold it against him.
Number 2 was genuinely furious: “I only acted like that before because I hadn’t adapted yet! You bunch of idiots, how dare you pretend to be better than me?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”
Number 1’s expression was dripping with sarcasm: “You even know proverbs? You’re quite cultured! Then Mr. Cultured, please help us pass the game later.”
Su Yan had seen enough of the drama and stepped out to prevent things from worsening: “Enough, enough. The host hasn’t even come out yet and you guys are already fighting. Are you still going to play the next game? Even if you don’t want that hundred thousand yuan prize, I still do!”
Her words stopped Number 2 from losing control and warned Number 1 as well.
She knew the latter wanted to flatter the “Scholar Merchant,” but there had to be limits.
If he messed up her plan, there would be no forgiveness.
Number 1 caught Su Yan’s subtle hint, cleared his throat, and took a step back to show submission. Seeing this, Number 2, though still angry inside, said no more.
After a short while, the system alert sounded:
The game begins.
At the same time, Brother Zhang sat down on the wooden post.
“Wait, who’s that guy?”
Number 6’s sharp eyes noticed the host had changed and asked suspiciously.
Su Yan smiled and explained, “Oh, the previous host had to leave early due to an emergency, so the production team brought in a new host. That’s the guy.”
“Hosts can leave mid-show?”
Number 6 looked at Su Yan doubtfully, trying to see if she was lying.
But Su Yan’s expression management was nearly flawless—he couldn’t easily tell.
After looking for a while and finding no evidence, Number 6 suppressed his suspicion and withdrew his gaze.
“This time, we can’t act recklessly. If we fail again, the whole show fails.”
“Exactly!” Number 2 boldly asked, “You guys failed last round, but surely you discovered something? Share it with us quickly.”
Number 6 glanced at Number 2, feeling a bit puzzled.
Where on earth did this attitude come from?
Acting like he’s some big shot, throwing his weight around without cause!
He did want to get some information from them but would never say it so bluntly.
Since they needed favors, it was best to be tactful.
Seeing Number 6’s strange look, Number 2 immediately exploded: “What are you looking at? Don’t think I didn’t notice—you died pretty early too! What, don’t tell me you don’t want more info? If you don’t want it, just say so now and get lost!”
Su Yan raised an eyebrow.
This guy wasn’t completely stupid—at least he had some brains and knew Number 6 wasn’t sincere.
Number 6 looked displeased after being shouted at: “I do want to know, but that information belongs to them. Even if I ask, I should do it humbly, not like you acting all high and mighty as if the info is yours and others owe you.”
Su Yan silently nodded.
That was also a masterful attempt at sowing discord. If they had really lost last round, their moods would already be bad, and with his instigation, Number 2 would instantly be isolated.
However, Number 2’s own brain was also problematic.
Even without Number 6 stirring trouble, he wouldn’t have had a good outcome.
Though Number 2 couldn’t tell the other was subtly provoking conflict, he did understand those words weren’t kind to him.
“We’re all on the same team. Isn’t sharing intel just natural? We still have to cooperate later! What’s wrong with them telling me their findings?”
Su Yan timely stepped up to refute him: “Let me say this—sharing intel means you have information and we have information, and we exchange it. It’s not a one-sided demand from you.”
Number 1 nodded. He had long been annoyed with this guy, who clearly needed their help but acted like they owed him: “Exactly! Besides, the difference between six people completing the task and five people probably isn’t that big. You don’t really think you’re the only one who can do it, do you? No way, no way.”
Su Yan had to admit, Number 1 was really infuriating.
That phrase “No way, no way”—who wouldn’t be maddened hearing it? Especially someone like Number 2, who couldn’t stand that kind of talk.
Sure enough, Number 2 got so angry his face turned red and his neck bulged, pointing a trembling finger at everyone: “Alright, alright, you’re messing with me? All of you against me? Fine, I want to see how you’re going to get through the level!”
Saying that, he plopped down in a corner, looking like he was there just to watch the show.
Number 6 immediately expressed loyalty to Su Yan and the others: “I’m on your side. When it’s time to complete the task, I’ll be the first to step up.”
Su Yan nodded but made no comment.
The others all centered around her, and seeing her silent, they ignored Number 6.
Not sure what the others meant, Number 6 tentatively asked, “Let’s not waste too much time. Do you have a plan? I can help experiment a bit.”
Of course, this was just a way for him to try and squeeze information from them empty-handed.
Su Yan didn’t make things difficult for him; after all, she still wanted to watch the show.
“We found out the hosts don’t want to kill us. They just want to see us struggle bitterly inside the game.”
Number 6 paused: “What do you mean? You’re saying this game won’t kill anyone?”
Su Yan shook her head and told him her previous reasoning.
Number 6 then suddenly understood: “Oh! I get it! They want to watch us keep failing to clear the level, trapped in the dungeon, hopeless.”
Such potential!
Su Yan showed a helpless expression: “This is all we’ve figured out so far, and that was after being played by the host for a long time. That ‘no surrender’ rule is aimed right at us!”
Number 6’s face darkened: “You guys… only know this much?” He looked at Numbers 1 and 4, seemingly hoping for a different answer.
But Numbers 1 and 4 were no pushovers.
Number 4 used her innocent-looking face to nod innocently: “Yeah, this game really is difficult! We’ve played for ages and found nothing.”
Number 1 even comforted, “But don’t worry too much. The host doesn’t want us dead; they want to see us struggle. That means we have a long time to probe how to pass.”
Su Yan nodded in agreement: “Yeah! At worst, we can always commit suicide. As long as you don’t do anything stupid, our deaths shouldn’t be too painful.”
Number 6’s expression twisted briefly before he tried to act indifferent: “You guys are really optimistic.”
The chat barrage erupted with laughter at their teasing.
“Optimistic? Of course! They’re about to clear the level!”
“I’m literally dying laughing! Those two just got wiped repeatedly.”
“Is Number 2 really not playing? I want to see him ruin himself!”
“That Number 2 is so annoying. Judging from what he said, he probably mocked the Scholar God when we weren’t looking.”
“Want to see Number 2 get owned!”
While the guests were still discussing, suddenly, a voice whispered into Su Yan’s ear: “Let Number 2 join the battle, or it won’t be fun to watch.”