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墨書 Inktalez
Chi Ming and Xu Nuan were testing each other along the way, which left Xu Nuan feeling exhausted and drained of her energy. However, she believed she had an advantage: Chi Ming was unaware that she already knew his identity, so he likely wouldn't suspect her words too much, at most thinking she was just a paranoid person.
Conversely, Xu Nuan was skeptical of everything Chi Ming said while remaining vigilant around him. She understood that traveling with Chi Ming was a risky endeavor; if he turned hostile, she had no plans to escape. But if he gave her a chance to reach the Supply Station, she would be able to stand her ground without worrying about his aggression.
She thought Chi Ming was trying to make her let her guard down, which only made her more cautious. Every response she gave was carefully considered, ensuring that she didn’t take too long to think and reveal any flaws to Chi Ming.
The two set off early in the morning, and after just over an hour of walking, they spotted the Red Special Tree. However, these Special Trees continued to stretch into the distance, seemingly climbing up a not-so-high peak.
Could this Supply Station be on the mountain?
Xu Nuan speculated, squinting her eyes to take a closer look at the peak. Although the hills were rolling, they generally appeared green without dense forests or tall trees. Overall, it resembled the Tundra where they currently were. Referring to these low hills as peaks felt somewhat generous; they were more like elevated areas on the Tundra from which one could overlook the landscape.
Overlook?
Xu Nuan's expression stiffened again as she worried that Dong Keyong might have already reached this low peak and was secretly observing nearby Players. Soon, this worry morphed into speculation—wondering if Gu Ze and his companions had also arrived here and were scanning for her with binoculars, waiting for her to join them at the Supply Station.
No way. Realizing she had fallen into such delusions, Xu Nuan quickly snapped back to reality and glanced at Chi Ming a few steps away, her gaze swiftly darting past the short knife at his waist.
She was in dire need of a weapon.
Suppressing the greed in her eyes, Xu Nuan quickened her pace to walk alongside Chi Ming and smiled slightly.
"I encountered the First Batch of Players before; you all belong to the same group of Players, yet your progress varies greatly."
Previously, Chi Ming had introduced himself as a successful businessman who enjoyed adventure and had come to this game. However, due to differing ideals with other Players, he had chosen to go solo through the challenges.
Not a single word of truth. Xu Nuan scoffed inwardly while maintaining an appropriately suspicious expression on her face to convey that she was paranoid but posed no real threat.
"Everyone comes from different backgrounds, so naturally, their progress will vary."
Chi Ming seemed to have no doubts, casually responding. However, to Xu Nuan, who was aware of his identity, those words felt laden with meaning.
"Indeed, everyone prepares differently before entering the game, and their state when facing the game tasks will also differ."
Xu Nuan's words were equally profound. If Chi Ming could discern this and reacted intriguingly, it would mean he had not concealed himself well.
"You look like the type who is well-prepared."
Chi Ming merely glanced at Xu Nuan, his gaze not lingering on her for long. Nonetheless, a tone that carried both admiration and something else reached Xu Nuan's ears.
"To be able to follow me so casually while having nothing on you shows you have confidence in your skills."
Xu Nuan instantly understood that Chi Ming was getting to the point. It seemed he truly did not realize that she had learned about his identity through Chi Xiaoming. However, it wasn't that Chi Ming had hidden it poorly; it was simply that the facial features and those eyes of the Chi brothers were strikingly similar, which had given her a clue.
"You know, I have nothing on me either. I'm not afraid of what you might think, so I naturally don't mind my poor skills. Or do you believe a wounded woman could subdue you?"
At this moment, Xu Nuan was indeed feeling quite unwell. The untreated injuries troubled her, and the fever made her steps unsteady. Yet she could not accept Chi Ming's medicine.
Food and medicine can sometimes be more deceptive than Shen Shen's hypnosis.
She absolutely refused to be controlled again!
Chi Ming laughed heartily several times, startling a few birds resting in the Special Tree.
"You speak too candidly, so candidly that I begin to doubt your true intentions."
Just when Xu Nuan thought this probing session was over, Chi Ming suddenly turned around, his gaze piercing as he looked at her. His eyes flashed with sharpness, but there was none of the irritation or madness one might expect from a designer.
The absence of such emotions meant that the secret passage could not stabilize these individuals for long, and she had no way to exploit their feelings to find their weaknesses.
"What do you think my purpose should be?"
At that moment, they were slowly climbing along the Special Tree, the low peaks being quite flat with sparse vegetation. Aside from the Special Tree, only the rocks between the peaks provided any cover and potential ambush spots.
Xu Nuan suppressed the discomfort rising in her stomach, fighting against the dizziness in her head. She curled her fingers into a fist, using the pain to keep herself alert, while keeping an eye on all possible hiding places around her, focusing most of her attention on Chi Ming in front of her.
Chi Ming chuckled twice, and the atmosphere around them suddenly intensified. He stood on higher ground, his tall figure looming over Xu Nuan.
As she was enveloped in Chi Ming's shadow, Xu Nuan couldn't help but think of Dong Keyong. Back then, Dong Keyong's presence had been equally intimidating; however, his aura had exuded danger that made her want to flee. In contrast, although Chi Ming's presence was overwhelming, it did not provoke an urge to run away. Instead, she swallowed her fear and clenched her fists tighter to encourage herself before looking up at Chi Ming.
"I know everything that has happened to you."
Chi Ming suddenly smirked. Seeing Xu Nuan standing firm despite her evident apprehension sparked a mischievous thought in him. He took two steps forward and directly hooked his arm around Xu Nuan's shoulder, leaning close to her ear and lowering his voice as he spoke slowly.
"I am well aware of every player who has come through here. I know who you are and what has happened; I know it all. So, Xu Nuan, let's make a deal."
Surrounded by the man's presence, Xu Nuan felt her stomach churn even more violently. Just as she prepared to push Chi Ming away, his words made her pause.
Chi Ming likely still didn't realize that she had seen through his identity. His words merely indicated that he knew what Shen Shen and Dong Keyong had done to her and understood that those two wanted to extract different secrets from her while she was trying to evade Dong Keyong.
He was an extremely clever man; by revealing his omniscience in this manner, he aimed to keep his identity hidden while negotiating with her for those secrets.
Thus, this intelligent man had waited until now to reveal himself, which meant he had something to bargain with.
"Where is that person?"
With a mind racing through countless thoughts, Xu Nuan instantly realized the situation. She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Chi Ming, adopting a pose of intimate whispering, careful not to alert someone who might be lying in ambush.
"Tsk, you're too clever."
Chi Ming maintained his hold on Xu Nuan's shoulders, seemingly unfazed by the blood seeping from her wounds onto his clothes. He leaned in closer to her ear, exhaling lightly in a suggestive manner, though his thoughts were elsewhere.
"However, this way, you qualify to collaborate with me."
Chi Ming continued to guide Xu Nuan forward.
"Well, that's quite an honor."
Xu Nuan matched Chi Ming's pace, her heart racing. She had no idea where Dong Keyong was. If Dong Keyong were to spring out and Chi Ming did not help her or teamed up with Dong Keyong instead, she would be finished. At that moment, she became even more wary of Chi Ming. This man was definitely not the way Chi Xiaoming described him—a mere illegitimate child without any skills. His impressive abilities, cunning mind, and long-term vision revealed a different kind of talent. Unfortunately, that talent was trapped here, betrayed by the mysterious Two Founders.
"I'll help you deal with him if you tell me something."
Chi Ming maintained their intimate posture as Xu Nuan suppressed her disgust and reluctantly played along with him. She wasn't foolish enough to ask at this moment what he wanted to know.
For now, she needed Chi Ming's help to eliminate Dong Keyong before considering other options.
"If you’re sure I know what you want to find out, then we have a deal."
Xu Nuan tried her best to keep her gaze straight ahead, avoiding the increasingly close presence of Chi Ming and refraining from scanning around carelessly.
"Deal established."
Xu Nuan felt Chi Ming's lips almost touching her ear, and instinctively she tried to shrink away. However, Chi Ming noticed and tightened his grip on her shoulder. The wounds on her body throbbed with pain, and she could only let out a low groan, careful not to show too much discomfort lest Dong Keyong lurking in the shadows catch on.
Chi Ming seemed oblivious to her unease and restraint, happily continuing their conversation in such an ambiguous position.
"To the southeast, about a hundred meters, behind that rock formation."
Reacting to the information, Xu Nuan instinctively turned to look in that direction, only to have Chi Ming grasp her chin with his hand, bringing her face close to his lips.
The sensation made Xu Nuan's stomach churn even more. She couldn't tell if Chi Ming was doing it on purpose, but if he didn't stop her in time, she would have alerted the snake in the grass.
Her feelings grew more complicated.
Just then, several figures appeared ahead of them, coming into view.
"Ah, it seems we have some unexpected guests."
Chi Ming did not release his hold on Xu Nuan and maintained their intimate posture as he urged her to look forward.
Xu Nuan raised her gaze and felt her pupils constrict sharply.
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