Chapter 48: Gaoji Academy (Part Thirteen)

Chapter 48: Gaoji Academy (Part Thirteen)

Jie Fangcheng was taken aback, a question slipping from his lips: "How did you know?!"

As he prepared to listen to the forthcoming explanation, a pained expression crossed Jie Fangcheng's face, "Nevermind... Are you confident about your conclusion?"

"Just a guess," Zong Dao'an replied.

Just as Jie Fangcheng let out a sigh of relief, Zong Dao'an added, "About seventy percent sure."

Jie Fangcheng: "..."

Jie Fangcheng's face gradually displayed a look of distress, yet it seemed not entirely unexpected.

The game had existed for over fifty years, apparently built upon the powers of the Book of Life and Death, which implies the Book had been missing for at least that long.

Fifty years might not seem that long, but the fact that no one noticed the disappearance of the Book - which wasn't exactly as common as underworld travel magazines being handed out like flyers - certainly suggested something amiss. Even if the underworld was a tourist area, at the very least the Book would be a famous attraction; its disappearance going unnoticed indicated that something was not right.

The theft must have been perpetrated by someone well-acquainted with the workings of the underworld, and Jie Fangcheng realized that an insider was likely involved.

Jie, a former codex manager in the underworld, had only suspected that the thief might be from the underworld, but this young man boldly guessed that the thief had visited the underworld two years ago, despite apparently having no prior knowledge of its organizational structure.

Jie Fangcheng eyed him with suspicion.

Zong Dao'an offered a knowing smile, as if he could read Jie's thoughts: "I might not fully understand what the underworld is like, but I reckon it doesn't exactly align with the general perception of it. There's a good chance your technology isn't too far behind the modern world. After all... Jie Manager, you seem quite familiar with computers, a product of advanced technology. You have only cleared one instance of the game, and while I don't know the specifics of it, I guess it didn't involve computers since you are not adept with software."

"So, I suspect that you just returned to the real world... No, more likely, you were dragged into this game before you even had a chance to return. If you had spent time in the real world, signs of familiarity with smartphones, internet, and other modern amenities would be apparent. Jie Manager, you don't exhibit traces of recent exposure to modern society. Thus, by observing you, I can approximate the current state of the underworld."

He paused briefly before speculating further: "'Finance Department Manager'... Is the underworld adopting a corporate management style now? Even having a 007? Are you on a business trip to this game... No, you seem quite dispirited, resembling someone forced to work during a vacation. And being in the second instance already without any colleagues around, are you unable to contact the underworld?"

Jie Fangcheng: "..."

Seeing his expression, Zong Dao'an raised both hands: "Manager Jie, considering you can discern the truth of my words, you can also tell that I bear no ill intentions, right?"

Jie Fangcheng was candid: "If you had malicious intentions, you would have already joined Director Wei."

Zong Dao'an continued to smile warmly: "I'm merely seeking collaboration."

"Collaboration on what?"

"You intend to recover the Book of Life and Death and dismantle the game, right? I share that wish."

Jie Fangcheng scrutinized him: "Many people in this game are eager to accumulate enough points to return to the real world, aren't they? Don't you share this desire?"

"No."

"Why?" Jie Fangcheng was truly baffled.

It's a common occurrence for humans to desire immortality and fear death. Hardly anyone can calmly accept the fact that they have died.

Although Jie Fangcheng has witnessed many separations by death, he is not an arrogant person. He doesn't assume that all the deceased souls should accept death calmly; it's perfectly natural for humans to struggle for survival. The more one works in the underworld, the more they understand the preciousness and importance of life.

Of course... primarily because the adjudication and sending off of souls are not his responsibilities.

However, Zhang Dao'an spoke with a serene tone, "Life only has value because it has an end. A story without a conclusion or a journey without a destination will eventually become dull."

Jie Fangcheng looked at him in surprise.

Were these words... genuinely heartfelt?

Could this be the enlightenment of a professor teaching Marx at a Buddhist institute? A unification of Buddhist thoughts and philosophical ideologies?

Who on earth was this person?

Jie Fangcheng was perplexed.

Zhang Dao'an spread his hands honestly, "My only goal is to destroy the game. We have the same objective, so there should be a possibility for collaboration, right?"

Although this was true, but...

Jie Fangcheng raised his hand to ask a question, "I have a query."

"What?"

"Why choose to collaborate with me? With your intellect, clearing instances in the game shouldn't be difficult, right?"

"It's not difficult, but Manager Jie, in this game, you are the only one I can trust." After saying this, Zhang Dao'an seemed to recall something and added with a smile, "And I really didn't lie about one thing."

"What?"

Zhang Dao'an stated, "I am indeed very weak."

.

Whether he was weak or not remained to be seen, but at lunchtime, Yue Haoyang looked a bit lost while watching the two people sitting at the same dining table.

"Weren't Brother Jie and Zhang An not getting along well? How come they are dining together now? ...And they seem quite cheerful?"

It wasn't exactly cheerful. Jie Fangcheng hadn't said much, but the person opposite him nodded understandingly.

"I think I have an idea of who stole the Book of Life and Death."

Jie Fangcheng, who was clueless even after completing an instance and coming face-to-face with the Book of Life and Death, was like, "???"

What was this person really doing? Just a teacher teaching Marxist Philosophy?

Zhang Dao'an analyzed swiftly, "The underworld has now introduced an automated management system. The people who created the system were among the earliest batch of programmers who died suddenly. In order to ensure the system's smooth operation without affecting the normal reincarnation process, this batch of programmers started working in the underworld after passing evaluations. However, due to their lack of seniority, they couldn't access the core sections of the underworld. They generally have a relaxed work schedule with a lot of free time. Currently, over forty people are maintaining the entire operating system. I suspect that the thief of the Book of Life and Death is one of these programmers, because the game's programming is quite crude, resembling the work of someone with some technical skills, but hasn't updated their technology for a long time."

"It wouldn't be the individuals at the forefront; they are under too much scrutiny to meddle with the Book of Life and Death surreptitiously. Nor would it be those at the very bottom tier. The underworld has been using this system for over a hundred years; someone who hasn't been promoted in that timeframe lacks the ambition and mindset... they don't seem to be the kind to craft this game. Therefore, it's highly probable that it's someone from the middle management."

"Zhang Dao'an began rapidly narrowing down the suspect pool, 'At the moment, we are not entirely sure of the perpetrator's motive behind creating this game. However, I have ascertained that it isn't a sinister technique to absorb souls to augment one's power, nor is it to satisfy physical needs. It is highly likely that the game was designed to fulfill some psychological craving. What could this game possibly satisfy? A desire to watch the ordinary people struggle within the instances? No, I believe there's more to it. This person passed away a century ago, and the game emerged fifty years later. Fifty years is a substantial period for a human, a long enough time for them to prepare meticulously, stealing the Book of Life and Death unnoticed. This individual is detailed-oriented, patient, and... harbors a strong sense of vanity.'"

"Because this person probably has entered the game in some capacity. Fifty years of preparation and planning isn't for them to merely be a bystander. As the creator and administrator of the game, what could be more entertaining and more gratifying to their vanity than personally entering the game, reigning supreme and trampling over everyone?"

With that, Zhang Dao'an handed a notebook filled with notes to Xie Fangcheng.

Xie Fangcheng bowed his head to look, pausing momentarily.

What Zhang Dao'an was verbally analyzing were the individual's psychological and personality traits, yet what was written on the paper presented traits such as "mid-level manager, well-groomed, seldom appears in public outside work hours (due to the time spent experiencing the game), not overly successful (the fact that they haven't given up on developing the game in fifty years indicates a less than fulfilling life), average interpersonal relationships, unable to find psychological satisfaction in regular social interactions"...

There were over ten points listed, Xie Fangcheng felt overwhelmed just looking at them, lifting his head with a pained expression.

He wasn't acquainted with these programmers at all, even after reading this, he couldn't pinpoint who it might be.

But evidently, he would need to file a report upon his return.

But how was he supposed to report this pile of incomprehensible information?

Zhang Dao'an observed his expression, paused for a moment to ponder, then realized, "You're not from the same department as them, so you're not familiar with them, right?"

"Correct."

The look of distress on Xie Fangcheng's face hadn't diminished. Zhang Dao'an continued nodding, "So even after I've said all this, you can't identify who it is, but you will need to compile and hand over the information to a contact from the underworld later?"

Xie Fangcheng already had a fair understanding of his way of thinking, yet he still looked momentarily blank.

Zhang Dao'an smiled, "In that case, I'll prepare a detailed document for you after we clear the game. You can just submit that."

The pained expression on Xie Fangcheng's face vanished instantly, he quickly patted him on the shoulder, "Good brother!"

Zhang Dao'an just continued smiling.

When Yue Haiyang and the others approached, all they heard was Xie Fangcheng saying "good brother," leaving them exchanging bewildered glances.

At that moment, Xu Xiuxiu, who had been in the class the entire day, hurried over with a pale face.

Tong Xinxin immediately waved her over upon seeing her.

"Xiuxiu!"

As Xu Xiuxiu sat at the dining table, Tong Xinxin inquired, "What happened to you? Why do you look so pallid?"

Xu Xiuxiu managed a bitter smile, "I now understand why that student committed suicide yesterday."

"Why?"

Xu Xiuxiu's face turned even more ashen.

"It seems these students indeed don't know each other and bear no prior grudges, but amongst themselves... there is a tendency to compete and compare."

Everyone exchanged a glance.

Xu Xiuxiu had always felt that it was terribly unfair how these students were bullied by the teachers. They seemed so obedient and gentle, surely they deserved to be treated kindly by the school.

However, in the morning, following the method imparted by the teacher named Zhang An, Xu Xiuxiu had granted everyone a period for free discussion during the break. She had hidden herself by the corridor wall, secretly eavesdropping on the conversation.

Previously, Xu Xiuxiu had granted the students their first opportunity to engage in free discussion during class, and she had listened in. At that time, it seemed like the students were merely engaging in self-introductions.

During their introductions, they even detailed their previous test scores. Listening to them, Xu Xiuxiu felt a sense of melancholy, thinking how pitiable these students were, confined in this decrepit school where they had nothing but studies, devoid of personal uniqueness and hobbies.

Their self-introductions were limited to discussing their exam scores, which was truly sad.

But this time, Xu Xiuxiu, hidden beneath the glass window, finally discerned what the students near the window were discussing.

"With your dismal test scores, why hasn't the teacher expelled you yet?"

"Are you Liu Tongxi? That waste who only scored 84 in the last Chinese language exam?"

These students had never experienced normal interactions; they had only ever heard the remarks made by the teacher NPCs. Consequently, their mimicry was confined to the kind of remarks that these NPCs would utter.

— Complimenting the high-achievers, while berating the underperformers.

The students seated at the back, who faced daily scoldings, ironically developed somewhat better psychological resilience.

Ironically, it was the mediocre students, those who hadn't been scolded as much, who struggled. Suddenly confronted with a barrage of derogatory comments, some took out their frustrations on the students at the back, who were performing even worse. Yet, there were others, much like the student who committed suicide yesterday, who still harbored some semblance of conscience and goodwill. Unable to retaliate against those behind them, they saw no option but to tread the path of suicide.

Xu Xiuxiu had believed her actions were beneficial, yet she hadn't considered what these students could possibly learn in such an environment.

"I don't know... I thought what I was doing wasn't wrong."

Tong Xinxin was also unsure how to comfort her.

After all, these NPCs were just that, mere NPCs. They would resurrect with the next instance reset, making it difficult for players to truly mourn their deaths.

Xu Xiuxiu was simply too tender-hearted.

However...

Tong Xinxin turned her gaze towards Zhang An, “Teacher Zhang, did you anticipate this kind of incident happening?”

Everyone simultaneously turned their heads to look at him.

Zhang An nodded slightly, then shook his head.

"I warned you, but you didn't listen."

Indeed.

Back then, Zhang An had warned Jie Fangcheng, advising him not to treat the students like that, cautioning that it could lead to trouble.

However, there was something about the way this man spoke that simultaneously inspired belief and skepticism, hence at that time, no one truly believed him.

Tong Xinxin furrowed her brows, “If you had explained it at that time, we would naturally have believed you.”

Zhang An looked at her, “Why should I have explained?”

“You!” Tong Xinxin had absolutely no affection for him, her hand instantly materializing a blood spike.

Zhang An turned towards Jie Fangcheng, “Teacher Jie, she wants to hit me.”

Jie Fangcheng, who was enjoying the drama unfolding beside them, touched his nose uneasily and stepped forward to mediate, “Alright, alright, are you planning to kill him or what? No? If you're not planning to, then let it be.”

Everyone cast sidelong glances, finding it difficult to determine whether the two shared a good relationship or not at the moment.

However, Tong Xinxin, holding her breath, returned to her seat.

Ever since the players started showing starkly different attitudes and split into two factions, they no longer gathered to dine together in the cafeteria.

Or, it could be said that since exiting the library, apart from Jie Fangcheng’s group who still congregated, the other players seemed as if they had found some kind of secret treasure to level up, currently opting to dine separately.

With no one around them, Tong Shanshan quickly withdrew the blood spike and hastily brought out the information she had found to brief Xu Xiuxiu, filling her in on the clues they had discovered in the morning.

After listening, Xu Xiuxiu hesitated for a moment.

"Then... shouldn't we inform those players? Warn them not to place too much trust in the information they've found?" she asked.

"No," Tong Xinxin replied with a cold sneer, "Since these people are so confident, let them learn the hard way."

Xu Xiuxiu glanced over her shoulder.

Zhang An chimed in calmly from the side, "Even if we told them, they wouldn't believe it."

Tong Xinxin was momentarily startled, but quickly regained her composure, understanding his point.

Indeed, given the current mindset of those players, it was unlikely that they would take their words seriously.

Just like... earlier, even if Zhang An had provided explanations regarding the imprudence of being overly lenient with the students, it's doubtful that the others would have believed him.

"But what should we do now? Whether we treat these students kindly or not, it seems to be the wrong approach. How can we possibly clear this instance?" Xu Xiuxiu wondered aloud.

Everyone fell into deep contemplation.

Jie Fangcheng also pondered deeply.

After a few seconds of contemplation, he said briskly, "Why don't I just eliminate all these teachers? With a large number of teacher positions vacant, you can pick the students at will, can't you?"

"What??" Everyone was dumbfounded. "Is that even possible??"

"Why not?" Jie Fangcheng affirmed, "Anyway, these teachers are nothing good; if I get rid of them all, it will save me effort in the long run."

It's inevitable that they will be eliminated, whether sooner or later, it makes no difference.

Everyone was bewildered.

At that moment, Zhang An spoke, "Teacher Jie, perhaps there's no need for you to take action."

"What?"

"These teachers might soon all meet their demise."