Chapter 249: Ghost in the Mirror (Part 12)

Chapter 249: Ghost in the Mirror (Part 12)

Without considering the impact on others, Jie Fangcheng's speed was indeed extraordinary.

And it was because of this that he managed to rescue Guan Yingying in time.

"Are you okay?" Jie Fangcheng asked, extending his hand towards her.

Guan Yingying glanced at his outstretched hand and shook her head, silently standing up on her own.

Not taking offense at her reluctance, Jie Fangcheng refrained from commenting.

"Let's go. The others are waiting at the hotel!"

Jie Fangcheng led the way, with Guan Yingying quietly following behind.

Initially, monsters lurked and peeped from the fog, eager to attack them. However, after Jie Fangcheng dispatched a couple, the remainder seemed to vanish, making the foggy path eerily tranquil.

The two walked in silence. As they neared the hotel, it was Guan Yingying who broke the silence: "Aren't you curious why I missed the bus? Or what clues I found at Xinxin Home Community?"

Being a roving player in the game for so long, Guan Yingying had grown accustomed to certain realities.

Players usually had ulterior motives for rescues. If someone was deemed useless, they wouldn't bother saving them.

As the man who saved her life, Guan Yingying had resolved that, should Jie Fangcheng ask, she would reveal some of the clues to him.

For instance... Guan Yingying probably knew how to clear this level, and she had uncovered the true identity of Guan Qing.

Yet, when she posed her question, Jie Fangcheng shook his head decisively, saying, "No need, right?"

A closer look revealed a hint of distress on his face. "Analyzing clues isn't really my forte."

Jie Fangcheng was fully aware of his own limitations. Even though a fragment of Professor Ji's intellect was at his disposal, it couldn't compensate for the fragmented state of his own mind.

If he were to analyze and contemplate, not to mention the potential headache, the accuracy of his conclusions would be questionable. Unless absolutely necessary, Jie Fangcheng wasn't inclined to rely on his muddled cognitive abilities.

Expert tasks should be left to experts. Amateurs guiding professionals never ended well.

His apparent indifference caused Guan Yingying to study him more closely as they returned to the hotel.

Inside the hotel, Zhu Ping and the others were gathered together.

Although the hotel was currently ghost-free, thanks to the disconnected phone, the group remained apprehensive.

What if there was some hidden danger lurking within the hotel?

Their most capable member was absent... But there were advantages to his absence, as the players had taken this time to discuss and devise a "clearance strategy."

"As Ping mentioned, when the system announces the bus's arrival, crucial clues might emerge. So, if we have someone stationed in the residential area waiting for those clues... why not inform Jie Fangcheng during that time through the security room's phone and have him assist us in the community?"

The player proposing this plan was clear in his intentions: he wanted Jie Fangcheng to stay back at the hotel as a communications officer, leaving the clue-hunting to the rest, but always ready for a rescue call.

As for whether Jie Fangcheng would assist... he should, right? After all, Zhu Ping merely mentioned it, and he immediately went to save Guan Yingying!

Besides, everyone needed to clear the level, not just them. As one of the players, it's only right that Jie Fangcheng contributes!

Hearing their line of reasoning, Zhu Ping laughed ironically, "So you're suggesting we take the rewards, and let someone else face the risks? Do you think he's a fool?"

Her words struck a nerve with the strategist, but given his audacity in suggesting such a plan, it was evident he had thick skin.

"It doesn't hurt to try," the player retorted.

Zhu Ping smirked and turned her attention to the other players.

The others remained neutral, pretending they hadn't heard anything. Clearly, they had their own agendas.

At a glance, Zhu Ping understood. If this player could persuade Jie Fangcheng, all the better. If not, they wouldn’t risk offending the powerful figure.

Zhu Ping remained silent.

It was only after Xie Fangcheng arrived that the player actually approached.

"Boss!"

"Hm?"

Xie Fangcheng looked at him.

One must admit, Xie Fangcheng has quite an intimidating appearance. He's undeniably handsome, but it's an aggressive kind of beauty, reminiscent of a captivating and fearsome demon from tales, radiating cunning at first glance.

Feeling his gaze, the player involuntarily took a half step back. After collecting himself, he relayed the "method to clear the game" he'd thought of.

To Zhu Ping's surprise, the boss actually nodded in agreement, saying, "Sounds good."

No way! Zhu Ping stared in astonishment, thinking, such a sharp-looking boss is actually...

A moment later, Xie Fangcheng turned to the other players, "Do you all feel the same?"

His demeanor was calm, seemingly in a good mood. The players' eyes lit up, and they started showering him with flattery.

Xie Fangcheng simply stood there, listening to their praises. When they finished, he extended his hand, "Pay up."

He was straightforward.

"...Excuse me??"

The player who had just said they'd try without paying was dumbfounded, "Pay for what??"

"Protection fee."

Xie Fangcheng might not be the brightest, but he's far from stupid. Having spent so much time with Zhen Daoan, he's learned one thing very well: "Always charge sneaky players." His skills in this area have become impeccable.

These players had a misconception. They assumed that since Xie Fangcheng willingly went to save Guan Yingying, he must be kind-hearted.

In reality, while Xie Fangcheng might have some patience for players of "Don't Respond," he's quite strict with those from "Three Thousand Worlds."

As he spoke, the players looked at each other, and after a long while, one of them said, "Let us discuss this."

After speaking, he went to find the others.

However, Guan Yingying took a longer look at Xie Fangcheng and, seizing the moment while the other players were debating about paying, asked, "Aren't you charging me?"

Compared to the other players who merely proposed an idea and got charged, Guan Yingying had already been saved once by Xie Fangcheng.

Surprisingly, Xie Fangcheng didn’t mention a fee for this life-saving favor.

Xie Fangcheng simply shook his head, "You're different."

Guan Yingying furrowed her brows, quickly recalling a name he had mentioned when they first entered the instance.

"Ronghua? Nie Shuangshuang?" Guan Yingying inquired.

Xie Fangcheng nodded, "Yes."

"But I don't think I'm the person you're looking for."

Xie Fangcheng was somewhat uncertain too. After all, he had only heard of Guan Yingying’s name from Nie Shuangshuang and had never actually met her.

However, the Guan Yingying standing before him didn't quite match Nie Shuangshuang's description. In Nie's eyes, Guan Yingying wasn’t just a person but a deity—intelligent, kind, gentle, and rational, almost a synonym for perfection. Yet the woman in front of him seemed somewhat indifferent.

Of course, Xie Fangcheng wouldn’t take Nie’s words at face value. Nie always saw her friends through rose-colored glasses.

Since he couldn't confirm whether she was the same person, Xie, with grandeur, waved his hand and declared, "Better to make an error of judgment than to let someone slip through!"

What in the world was that about?

Guan Yingying felt the situation was somewhat surreal, but he had saved her life.

Finally, after some hesitation, she managed a belated, "Thank you."

Soon, the players reached a consensus.

The designated representative approached Xie Fangcheng and hesitated before saying, "Boss, we're all players in the same instance. Charging us a protection fee seems a bit unreasonable, right? We're all comrades..."

Before he could finish, Xie Fangcheng slammed his staff on the ground, interrupting, "Who said you're my comrades? Watch your words!"

He might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but Xie Fangcheng could clearly sense their earlier intentions to deceive him.

Besides, didn't he have comrades of his own?

When Xie Fangcheng slammed his staff, the player in front didn't dare to persuade further and hesitantly asked, "So, how do you charge?"

Xie Fangcheng had considered the matter of the fee. Unlike Zhen Daoan, he couldn't instantly gauge a person's limit and charge right up to their breaking point.

Xie Fangcheng had his own method of estimation.

"The points you earn from this instance after leaving it..."

The player's expression didn't change, allowing Xie Fangcheng to quickly catch on.

I've quoted too low, haven't I?

"...plus the items obtained from this instance..." As he finished, the players' eyes widened in astonishment. Some even looked flushed with outrage.

See? This is charging too much!

So, Xie Fangcheng leisurely added, "...half of them."

The players who were previously upset now appeared somewhat relieved. Their faces displayed a mix of reluctance and consideration.

From their reactions, Xie Fangcheng deduced that his quote was about right.

The player facing Xie Fangcheng tried to negotiate, but Xie was ready. He gestured for the player to stop, saying decisively, "No negotiations!"

His demeanor and confidence were compelling, leaving no room for bargaining—at least that's how it appeared.

Only Xie Fangcheng knew that, if they had tried to negotiate, he might have been open to it.

The players huddled together again to discuss.

Guan Yingying, observing from the side, quickly discerned that Xie Fangcheng seemed inexperienced in charging, likely unsure of the appropriate amount.

She whispered a reminder, "If you allow them to pay later with items and points, what if they default?"

"No worries. Those who default on me end up dead," Xie Fangcheng replied nonchalantly. After a pause, he added, "Well, not exactly. I'm currently pursuing someone who owes me."

Guan Yingying studied him more intently, then with a determined tone, said, "I might not be able to afford your price, but I'm willing to exchange crucial clues that could impact the completion of this instance."

"Ah..." Xie Fangcheng was taken aback by her persistence. He had already declined earlier, but here she was, raising the matter again.

However, Xie Fangcheng studied her expression.

Guan Yingying didn't seem like she wanted to share any clues with him. If anything, she appeared to be seeking help.

So, without hesitation, Xie Fangcheng nodded, "Go on."

"Let's talk over there." Guan Yingying pointed to a corner, indicating she didn't intend to share the clue with the other players.

Xie Fangcheng raised no objection.

Once they were alone, Guan Yingying began, "This instance... it might be constructed based on my memories. If that's the case, I might have a clue on how to clear it."

"Oh? How do we proceed?"

"Qiao Qiang gifted Guan Qing a table lamp. I suspect there might be a hidden camera inside that lamp."

"Wait, what??" Xie Fangcheng seemed puzzled, as he had been absent all afternoon and no one had briefed him on what had transpired or the clues they'd gathered.

Guan Yingying quickly briefed him on the afternoon's events, then said, "Initially, I thought the 'Mirror Ghost' in the instance's name referred to an actual mirror. But now, it seems 'mirror' might imply a camera... What are you about to do?"

Xie Fangcheng had already turned away.

Holding his staff, he looked poised to act.

When Guan Yingying inquired, he responded curtly, "I'm going to smash that lamp."

And if there really is a camera, he'd deal with Qiao Qiang accordingly.

At that moment, Xie Fangcheng was almost grateful this was just an instance and Qiao Qiang was merely a system-generated NPC. If this were the real world, he'd have to hold back and wait for the man's earthly judgment to conclude, then take matters into his own hands in the afterlife.

For someone often chastised by the Celestial Order for "breaking the rules", few knew that Manager Xie, in his over two millennia of service in the underworld, had never harmed a living soul.

Regardless of their morality or evident wickedness, he never intervened in mortal conflicts.

Xie Fangcheng knew better than any spirit how dire the consequences could be when meddling in the affairs of the living using powers from beyond.

Thankfully, this was just an instance.

Xie Fangcheng felt relief once again.

"Wait!" Guan Yingying, not expecting this reaction, quickly interjected, "That won't work."

"What do you mean?"

Guan Yingying paused for a moment, her voice raspy, "Do you remember the news we saw on TV at noon? Qiao Qiang is dead; that's the reality. Everything that happened in the Xin Xin Residence was from the [mirror], events that have already occurred. We are mere observers, unable to alter history."

Just like the lemon chicken feet Jie Fangcheng received, the moment he hung up the phone, the chicken feet aged three days instantly, rotting in his hand.

Even if he tried to intervene now, once the phone was hung up, reality would continue on its predetermined course.

"There are two ways to clear this instance," Guan Yingying stated calmly, revealing one of them.

"That's in the past. There's no need to intervene," Guan Yingying said rationally, as if she were recounting someone else's experience, "You're powerful; completing this instance will be easy for you. Guan Qing will murder Qiao Qiang, and after his death, she will commit suicide. Once dead, she'll turn into a vengeful spirit. You only need to defeat her in that state. She is the [Mirror Ghost]. If I'm not mistaken, once she's defeated, the instance will end."

After listening, Jie Fangcheng replied, "I don't like that approach."

With that, he continued to walk away.

Watching his retreating figure, Guan Yingying's lips trembled slightly, "Are you still heading to Xin Xin Residence to stop Qiao Qiang? It's a futile effort; there's no need to waste your energy!"

Indeed, it had all already happened.

The scenes they witnessed at the Xin Xin Residence seemed to be from a camera's SD card. Even if they altered the data on the card, wouldn't those events still occur?

"It's not in vain," Jie Fangcheng shook his head, his face calm but an underlying aura of aggression evident, "It's my principle that, even the 'evil' within illusions, despite not affecting reality, is always worth eradicating first."