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墨書 Inktalez
This was the closest Xu Nuan had come to uncovering the true identity of Another Founder. The fact that this person dared to appear before Zhang Xiao and used Zhang Xiao's hand to thwart them meant that their abilities had already posed a threat to him.
Xu Nuan felt a surge of excitement as she looked at Gu Ze with a hint of anticipation.
"Which direction did he go?"
She could tell from Gu Ze's movements that he was also excited, though he appeared more composed than she was, deep in thought as if he had discovered something else.
"There's no rush."
Gu Ze laid Liu Minghong flat and examined his complexion carefully before continuing.
"We just need to find him in the trap. This time, we won't let him escape."
A single Zhang Xiao had significantly impacted most of their gaming careers. Whether through covert sabotage or his connection with the other founder, Zhang Xiao was an important enemy for Xu Nuan and her group. Eliminating him would undoubtedly affect the current situation.
As the number of players in the game dwindled, even though the remaining ones were all part of Another Founder, Xu Nuan and her group still held a numerical advantage. With a Game Designer like Liu Minghong and an informant like Chi Xiaoming, their chances of victory were substantial.
To secure this victory, however, they needed to be unafraid of the traps set by the game, not fall into that person's schemes, and avoid stabbing each other in the back at such a critical moment.
This was an uncertainty that no one could guarantee, and it was precisely what Another Founder had exploited. Thus, from the very beginning, this victory was shrouded in doubt for Dust.
Xu Nuan didn't mind; a risky chance was still better than no chance at all. She continued to gaze at Gu Ze with eager eyes, waiting for him to make a decision.
She had no idea where that trap lay. While she didn't doubt Gu Ze's confidence this time, she was eager to witness Zhang Xiao's downfall firsthand.
The deaths of Tang Jingshu and Qin Yaojie were caused by Zhang Xiao, and now Xu Nuan was certain that her parents' deaths were also linked to another founder. Therefore, in a way, Zhang Xiao could be considered an accomplice. She relished the thought of seeing those who plotted against her loved ones meet a tragic end.
Xu Nuan's expression twisted for a moment, revealing an overwhelming sadness that seemed impossible to shake off. In truth, if she could, she would prefer that none of this had ever happened—that Zhang Xiao wouldn't have died, that none of her friends would have perished, and that everyone would be safe and sound, living in harmony.
That was the utopia of her ideals, an impossibility in reality, which had already dealt her a heavy blow from which she felt powerless to escape.
"I'll take you there shortly."
Gu Ze remained calm, but the moment he heard the sharp whistle sound, his expression changed.
Another whistle followed closely behind. Gu Ze and Xu Nuan exchanged glances; one raised a hand while the other retrieved a necklace from around her neck. They both saw the simple tail ring glowing red, the source of the whistle sound.
Chi Xiaoming's eyes deepened as he reflected inwardly, "This is fate."
Xu Nuan's hands weren't as quick as Gu Ze's. Rarely using the tail ring, she felt clumsy and could only move closer to Gu Ze, watching him swiftly open it.
His fingertips danced up and down, and soon the instrument panel displaying the location of the tail ring's owner began to rise slowly.
Two-two-one.
This indicated the distribution of locations for those who possessed the tail ring. Gu Ze stared intently at Xu Nuan, who quickly reacted.
"This direction leads to the tunnel; I remember Xu Hang was there!"
At that moment, she had only noticed Xu Hang nearby while focused on finding Gu Ze, neglecting everyone else.
Chi Xiaoming, who understood the purpose of the tail ring but had never owned one himself, spoke up as well.
"When I came out, Deng Yinyin was there."
Neither person mentioned Xie Huai. "You stay here, let's go over!" Gu Ze's expression changed and he pushed Xu Nuan in the direction of Liu Minghong, leaving a sentence saying that he wanted to leave with Chi Xiaoming before taking a step , and was grabbed by Xu Nuan. "I'll go with you, and he'll stay." Xu Nuan was very determined. She didn't miss the surprise in Gu Ze's eyes at that moment. She was sure of it. "The location of the light spot is where you set the trap." Xie Huai may have encountered something unexpected, and the person who did it is Zhang Xiao, or it may even be Another Founder who is waiting in the dark for an opportunity. . In this game, the drama of the mantis stalking the cicada and the oriole behind will continue to be staged. It is not that Gu Ze is incompetent, but that his starting point is destined to lose the opportunity. This is unfair, and Xu Nuan has always been angry and powerless. She wants to find a chance for Gu Ze to win, and the only chance is the game data. She must find it, and she will not let Gu Ze take the risk alone. They were responsible for each other's lives, protected each other, and had agreed to stay together through thick and thin. At this time, the less she could let go. This is the consciousness of Xu Nuan, and she conveys this consciousness with her eyes. It seemed that many thoughts passed through his mind, but in fact, it only took a moment. Gu Ze curled his lips. It was nothing. He just paused for a moment while looking at Chi Xiaoming. Chi Xiaoming immediately took back his steps, silently turned around and walked to Liu Minghong's side. In fact, this may also be a fight. The unconscious Liu Minghong and the injured Xu Nuan are the weakest existences no matter how you look at them. Let him protect Liu Minghong and Gu Ze personally protect Xu Nuan. This is the true style of Gu Ze.
Realizing that he would always lose to Gu Ze, Chi Xiaoming closed his eyes and quickly opened them again. His gaze remained deep, though the mist within it had dissipated considerably.
"Come this way, keep your heart steady."
Gu Ze pulled Xu Nuan closer, shifting most of Xu Nuan's weight onto himself to ease her burden as much as possible.
Even in a moment when he had no time to spare for details, Gu Ze still took care of Xu Nuan thoroughly. He had entered the game with his own responsibilities; it was only right that he would sacrifice his life for the mission if necessary.
The mission came first.
This thought was shattered by Xu Nuan. He prioritized her above all else; if it was for Xu Nuan, he was willing to cling to life alongside her or even die together with her. Though he never voiced these thoughts, his actions constantly conveyed this sentiment.
A well-meaning person can also encounter love.
Xu Nuan was fortunate, and so was Gu Ze.
The sound of a whistle subtly reminded both of them that Xie Huai was in danger. No matter how urgent their feelings were, reality weighed heavily upon them; two injured individuals could only move so fast. Moreover, along the way, Gu Ze clearly led Xu Nuan to avoid several traps.
The whistle, the wind, the rustling of clothes against leaves, and their breathing all intertwined to create a sorrowful melody. As they pursued the light ahead, Xu Nuan and Gu Ze did not hear any other sounds nor notice anyone approaching. It seemed that Xu Hang and Deng Yinyin were also in a critical situation.
"He won't be in trouble."
Gu Ze repeated this phrase.
He understood Xu Nuan well. Even though she usually appeared rational and detached from matters concerning Xie Huai and Deng Yinyin, when those two were in danger, Xu Nuan would undoubtedly step in to help. He could even guess her inner thoughts—that those two were too naïve and their troubles had little to do with her; if they died, it would be their own doing, and she wouldn’t waste her energy on people unrelated to her.
Being contradictory was part of Xu Nuan's nature, and he understood this well enough to worry about her.
Xu Nuan's face turned pale, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He watched, feeling the pain in his heart.
No one wanted to lose a companion again. He shared the same thoughts as Xu Nuan, comforting him while also trying to soothe himself.
"Drip!"
The whistle sound lingered for a long moment before abruptly stopping.
Gu Ze and Xu Nuan exchanged a glance, both noticing the panic in each other's eyes, and they quickened their pace.
Breathing became difficult; the air felt thin. His heart seemed to be pulled by an unseen hand, beating erratically. Pain spread through his limbs, every part of his body screaming, transmitting this agony through blood and cells, enveloping everything in sorrow.
Cells played a mournful tune, spreading through the blood until they escaped the body, coloring everything around them red—a color that represented both life and death.
When Gu Ze and Xu Nuan hurriedly arrived, the last scene they witnessed was Xie Huai desperately plunging a knife into Zhang Xiao's heart. Zhang Xiao, already wounded and slow to react, was just a moment too late, but he retaliated with a stab of his own towards Xie Huai.
"No!"
Xu Nuan let out a short cry of despair. In that instant, Gu Ze leaped into the shallow pit without even considering how to land properly; he lunged forward, intending to stop Zhang Xiao's strike.
He failed.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye, leaving only a fleeting light spot on Xu Nuan's retina before it vanished.
Xu Nuan recognized the markings on the knife in Xie Huai's hand—it was Qin Yaojie's knife, the one Zhang Xiao had used to kill Qin Yaojie, left behind outside the secret passage.
Everything had an explanation, but it came with the deaths of Xie Huai and Zhang Xiao.
Xu Nuan leaped forward, but a figure moved faster than her. A sharp cry suddenly pierced her ears, and darkness enveloped her vision, leaving her dizzy.
“Xie Huai!”
It was Deng Yinyin, whom she thought had been caught up in urgent matters.
As Xu Nuan fell straight down, her vision cleared during the descent, but by then, it was too late for her to adjust her posture. While trying to protect her head, someone caught her. She stumbled slightly upon landing but was not injured.
It was Xu Hang; this taciturn man had also arrived.
When Tang Jingshu died, it was these same people.
Xu Nuan, Gu Ze, Xu Hang, Deng Yinyin, Xie Huai, and Zhang Xiao.
Now it was still these people, but among them, Xie Huai and Zhang Xiao were dead, with no chance of return.
The pain in her heart was undeniable. She didn’t care about Zhang Xiao’s life but mourned the death of that courageous man.
That courageous man… was gone.
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