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墨書 Inktalez
Although it was regrettable that Ning Han did not reveal Zhang Xiao's true identity before dying, it did not mean that Gu Ze would give up.
Zhang Xiao could control certain individuals in the game for his own purposes. The elusive Mastermind also used others to attack Xu Nuan, so Gu Ze could do the same.
Zhang Xiao was actually the illegitimate son of Chairman Rao of Rao Group. Legally, he had not been recognized as the legitimate heir of the group, and he was not favored; the true heir was someone else.
This information was obtained by Gu Ze through special channels and aligned with what he learned when he encountered Chi Xiaoming to exchange intelligence. To some extent, it indicated that Chi Xiaoming had not deceived them regarding Zhang Xiao and that he could still collaborate with Chi Xiaoming.
Chairman Rao's deceased wife’s child, Rao Tingxue, was not the heir, nor was the illegitimate son Zhang Xiao. Was there another child of the chairman?
At this moment, Gu Ze sat at a corner of the glacier, rubbing his chin while pondering this question. Undoubtedly, as the initiating company of this game, Rao Group held a significant position among the four partners. Fengtong Technology recruited talent, Heng Technology provided external support, Chi Securities offered funding, and there was still a fourth force they had yet to uncover. Whether it was the main designer or unaware peripheral designers, they were all controlled by Fengtong Technology, and the initiator was Chairman Rao—or more accurately, those who controlled Chairman Rao, namely the unappeared heir.
Finding the heir meant finding the Mastermind. It was worth considering whether this Mastermind was the one threatening Xu Nuan or if there was someone else involved. Gu Ze half-closed his eyes, concealing a fleeting sharp glint beneath them. Zhang Xiao was an important piece on the chessboard; perhaps he did not see himself that way, but from Gu Ze's perspective and those of a few outsiders, Zhang Xiao—the abandoned illegitimate son—was likely to meet a fate similar to Rao Tingxue's. The reason Zhang Xiao was still alive was that he still held value for them; thus, finding him would unveil the mystery and expose the true puppet master.
Zhang Xiao had yet to show himself, indicating that those he controlled were not limited to Ning Han and Yang Mingyue. As long as he and Xu Nuan managed to draw out these individuals one by one, Zhang Xiao would have no choice but to appear.
After fully closing his eyes, Gu Ze opened them again and looked towards Xu Nuan, who was conversing with He Min and Deng Yinyin not far away.
They had already navigated through the uniquely challenging Friendship Forest for several dozen rounds. During this time, they successfully traversed Joyful Snow Mountain, Sad Lake, Wandering Gorge, and other Survival Game challenges while enduring a series of harsh rules and completing tasks that could only strain their relationships. Ultimately, they arrived at this stage: Cunning Glacier.
The glacier, as its name suggests, is an ice mass formed by snow undergoing a series of freezing processes. They were now near a snowy mountain and on top of the glacier; all around them stretched an endless expanse of white. Snow basins and Ice Duels were scattered everywhere in their line of sight; vast areas filled their vision along with numerous ice surface lakes and ice caves that significantly hindered their progress.
Aside from that, there was only one word left to describe their feelings: cold!
Everyone wore many layers but still could not withstand the icy wind seeping into their collars. Their breath seemed to freeze into ice cubes in an instant with each exhale; every step consumed considerable energy and drained their warmth.
The key point was that no one expected a Special Tree to grow on this glacier. Thus, the Special Tree and the Supply Station became bargaining chips for the System to require them to complete tasks. As Players, they could only passively accept their fate, swallowing their grievances and hardships in silence.
While Xu Nuan was explaining to He Min and the others that she had found the exact location of the secret passage, which would allow everyone to leave once they reached that level, she sensed a familiar gaze behind her. Turning around, she locked eyes with Gu Ze.
From their distance, they could clearly see the warmth and approval in each other's eyes.
Their counterattack was about to begin.
"Warm, which level is it and where is it located?" He Min asked eagerly. When she noticed the others leaning in to listen, she felt a bit shy and smiled awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, I just got too excited. It's so great to be able to leave this game."
Everyone knew that exiting through the secret passage would count as successfully completing a level and would also grant them the Billion Dollar Prize. The secret passage represented a chance for them to survive and enjoy endless wealth, so no one could help but feel thrilled about it.
Except for Gu Ze, Chi Xiaoming, and Xu Hang, who were resting on the other side, everyone else gathered around Xu Nuan. No one mentioned the missing Fan Beibei or the betrayals that had occurred during the previous Survival Game. In this game, forming a team and gathering strength was undoubtedly the right choice. However, should any unforeseen events arise, betrayal was always a possibility. Everyone had started to get used to this reality and learned to ignore such matters afterward. As for what each person truly thought, only they themselves knew.
"There should still be about ten levels before we reach that one," Xu Nuan observed everyone's reactions while maintaining her calm demeanor. She tried her best to keep her tone steady and gentle. "As for the specific location, I can't describe it yet. I’ll only know when we get there and see the scenery."
Naturally, Xu Nuan wouldn't reveal the exact location or the true rules for opening the secret passage at this moment. Once she did, their team would no longer be able to maintain its current harmony. Of course, if she revealed it, there would be no way for the story to continue as planned. She could also guess what the others were thinking; they probably believed she was unwilling to give away such a significant bargaining chip directly. However, she was certain that they wouldn’t turn against her over this concealment.
After all, each of them had changed.
"It's fine, by the time we reach that point, you won't be late anymore, and we can go out together then."
Deng Yinyin naturally patted Xu Nuan on the shoulder. Anyone who didn't know about their previous disputes would think they had a great relationship.
Xu Nuan nodded in silence, tacitly agreeing with Deng Yinyin's words. Seeing this, Xie Huai's smile deepened as he exchanged a glance with Deng Yinyin, simultaneously letting out a sigh of relief.
He Min and Yu Yu were also smiling, looking equally relieved.
The break was about to end soon. On the other side, Xu Hang called everyone over to discuss their next steps. The danger of the glacier wasn't just from the fierce animals that hadn't appeared yet, but from the dropping temperatures. In a few hours, it would be dark, and that would be when they were truly tested.
As expected, Deng Yinyin and the others stood up and walked over. Xu Nuan also got up, brushing off the snowflakes that had settled on her clothes, intending to follow them. However, when she looked up, she saw He Min hesitatingly watching her.
"Amin, what's wrong?"
Xu Nuan straightened up and looked directly at He Min. She was a few centimeters shorter than He Min, and now facing her meant she couldn't see the expressions of the others.
"Warm, I want to..."
He Min appeared very hesitant, her expression conflicted, and a blush crept onto her face. It was unclear whether the blush was due to her unspoken words or the biting cold wind.
"Amin, just say what you want," Xu Nuan said with a slight smile that seemed understanding. "We used to share everything."
Unfortunately, that was in the past. Now they were both hiding things from each other.
Suppressing the pain rising in her heart, Xu Nuan continued to look at He Min with a gentle gaze, seemingly encouraging her.
"What’s wrong?" He Min asked, twirling a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her chest. "I really like Yu, but I’m a bit worried because of the conflict you had with Fan Beibei before. It might have affected your impression of Yu."
The pain in Xu Nuan's heart intensified, but her expression remained unchanged as she followed He Min's lead in the conversation.
"I understand now, Amin. You’re worried that I won’t take Yu Yu out through the secret passage, right?"
"...Yes."
He Min paused for a second, a hint of embarrassment flashing in her eyes before she quickly nodded.
Xu Nuan couldn’t see Yu Yu, who had already gone to gather with others, and sensing the awkwardness between them, she could only sigh quietly to herself.
"I will care for everything related to you, Amin."
Xu Nuan spoke earnestly.
"I respect you and appreciate the help you've given me. I admire and acknowledge you, and how could I refuse the requests of my teacher and friend?"
A glimmer of hope lingered in Xu Nuan's heart, though she felt anxious that this person might disappoint her.
"I will ensure that you leave with him. After all, there’s no limit on the number of people who can use the secret passage."
She smiled with a calmness that reminded her of the lively and romantic demeanor she had when she first met He Min outside the game.
He Min was momentarily lost in thought, recalling the moments she shared with Xu Nuan. Within those memories, she also sensed Xu Nuan's changes, which tugged at her heart.
In just an instant, He Min cautiously asked, "But Nuan, are you really not just comforting me? The secret passage is a mechanism that can only be activated once. Will it really allow an unlimited number of people to leave?"
Xu Nuan's heart sank, and all her hopes dissipated in that moment.
Her expression remained unchanged as she pointed to her own head with a finger.
"My memory tells me this is how it is; I am not comforting you. Moreover, in the game, I am the only one who knows the true location of the secret passage, Amin. You should trust me."
In her last sentence, Xu Nuan made an effort to lift her tone, but He Min didn’t notice. Instead, she awkwardly smiled and mumbled an apology.
"I'm sorry; I misspoke. Nuan, you wouldn't lie to me. We are good friends; I know you best."
"Yes, Amin, I also know you best."
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