Chapter 46

Chapter 46

True to his word, as the clock struck eight signaling the onset of night, Xie Yinxue remained in the Cradle of Dreams hall, standing nonchalantly on the stage, gazing down at the elite guests.

Almost in unison, the guests halted their actions and began emitting eerie wails.

Upon closer listen, one could discern those screams were distorted cries of pain and agony.

Their bodies started contorting, resembling their off-key lamentations. No matter how fiercely they thrashed, they couldn't resist their bodies melting like ice cream under intense heat. Their softened legs couldn't support the weight above, collapsing with a thud. Maggots crawled out from their eyes, nostrils, and mouths, hinting at the rotting organs inside, leaving only decayed flesh and larvae.

Eventually, they morphed into a puddle of sludge, inching towards each other by wriggling like worms.

Seeing this, Xie Yinxue finally understood why these elite guests loved massage chairs: They were probably trying to alleviate such agonies.

The grotesque and contorted faces on the monster's head, which looked sinister and twisted, were not its innate ferocity unveiled, but the only expressions that the elite guests could make when engulfed in excruciating pain.

Whether it's the Feast of Gluttony or 'The Dream of Heller', "Locking onto Immortality" showed the same mercilessness towards NPCs capable of killing and all participants.

Unfortunately, being soft on enemies is being hard on oneself. So Xie Yinxue wouldn't spare them a hint of pity, merely stating with indifference, "If you're going to kill me, hurry up. It's past eight already."

He had only promised to stay until precisely eight, not a moment after.

Hearing Xie Yinxue's words, nearly a hundred contorted faces on the monster glared at him with increasing malevolence.

Now, on the entire ship of 'The Dream of Heller', the only person these monsters could attack was Xie Yinxue. So, when the elite guests conglomerated into a massive, unprecedented creature, filling nearly the entire seventh floor, Xie Yinxue leisurely untied his hair ribbon, letting his black hair cascade down.

Holding his silver cold longsword, he took a sweeping strike towards a wall behind the stage, adorned with exquisite murals.

This blade's radiance, dim in comparison to the luminous chandeliers of the grand Cradle of Dreams hall, exuded an overwhelming force. With a thunderous roar, the wall shattered.

The shimmering moonlit sea became visible to all.

With a light step, Xie Yinxue dashed towards the sea. At that instant, the monster's tentacles lunged at him.

But the young man anticipated this. Swiftly turning mid-air and stepping on an incoming tentacle, he used the momentum to propel himself upwards, soaring towards the ninth floor.

He left only a remark in the moonlight, "Still worthless."

Xie Yinxue knew he couldn't defeat the monsters of the final night, but if he couldn't fight them, couldn't he still outrun them?

A mere wall thought to block him?

Remembering the location Heller had shared with him the night before, upon landing on the ninth floor, Xie Yinxue was relieved he didn't knock over Heller's grill this time.

However, both hadn't anticipated that the monster from the seventh floor, too overpowering to halt its assault, followed Xie Yinxue and crashed onto the ninth floor with a thud.

Not only was the grill in peril, but had Heller reacted a split second slower, he would've been squashed by the tentacle.

Even though the tentacle crumbled to dust upon impact, it couldn't salvage Captain Heller's increasingly darkened expression. For tonight's losses weren't just limited to the grill, but also his cherished velvety sofa.

The monsters howled in the night, "Xie Yinxue... come down... come down!"

Heller too looked at the originator of this chaos, articulating the young man's name, "Xie. Yin. Xue."

"Don't be mad."

Ignoring the monsters, the youth tried to appease Heller with a soft, cheerful tone.

But he only offered this one comforting statement.

Xie Yinxue transformed his sword back into a red ribbon and tied it back into his hair, a gesture of sheathing his weapon, signaling submission. Heller remained unappeased, his face stern.

"I didn't knock over tonight's grill," Xie Yinxue touched his lips and coughed softly, "But I'll compensate you—compensate with many, many gleaming gold coins."

Xie Yinxue emphasized the words "glistening gold."

Heller laughed in spite of his anger and said sarcastically, “So I should thank you? You promised me gold yesterday, yet I haven’t seen a single coin."

"If that's what you think, there's nothing I can do," Xie Yinxue replied with a hint of resignation, "Just wait a little longer."

Heller found it all more amusing, "Are you suggesting it'll rain gold soon?"

Xie Yinxue didn't confirm nor deny, just blinked at him rapidly.

To which Heller responded coldly, "Flirting won't work on me; I don't buy into that."

Xie Yinxue: “?”

"I was only trying to hint—" Xie Yinxue raised an eyebrow, "Someone’s in your room."

At this, Heller turned to see Enoch storming out of an elevator that suddenly appeared. As soon as Enoch reached the ninth floor, the elevator door vanished.

Enoch, like a wronged spouse, pointed at Xie Yinxue, furiously questioning, "Why is he here?! He shouldn't be here!"

Heller, the alleged betrayer, retorted, "It's not like I invited him. Why's it my fault?"

"Mmm, Deputy Enoch, don’t be mad, and don't blame Captain Heller," Xie Yinxue feigned sympathy, looking sorrowfully out to sea, "It's just that tonight’s winds are so strong, and perhaps I’m a bit lightweight. A gust came and blew me right here."

Heller: "..."

Xie Yinxue sure loved playing games and had an exceptional talent for infuriating others.

Case in point?

Enoch looked like he was about to keel over from sheer exasperation.

But Xie Yinxue hadn't technically broken any game rules. He just exploited a loophole. Enoch couldn't retaliate. Realizing he couldn't out-talk Xie Yinxue and feeling wronged, Enoch decided to make Heller feel the same.

He pointed accusingly at Heller, "Ah, so now you forget your benefactors! After all the electricity I've stolen for you!"

"... Stolen electricity?"

At this, Xie Yinxue's smile faltered slightly.

The mischievous Enoch chuckled, looking up at the starry lights above, "Haven't you seen these star lamps before? They're powered by electricity. How would they light up without it?"

Xie Yinxue smiled, "So, the electricity that mysteriously disappeared from my massage chair..."

"He said it was a waste to use the electricity on your massage chair for those elites. It should be used where it's more suited," Enoch, enjoying the drama, clarified, "So he instructed me to steal it."

Understanding dawned on Xie Yinxue. He looked at the "corpse" of the grill, smirked, and loftily commented, "Ah, so it’s karma."

Heller: "..."

The ferocious captain finally revealed his true colors at this moment. He snarled at Enoch, "Get lost."

Enoch's eyes widened as if wanting to retort, but just as the man finished his words, Enoch's body seemed to soar uncontrollably into the air, heading towards the balcony, only to scream as he fell from the ninth floor.

Xie Yin Xue initially thought the Guide NPCs held more power than the Ferrymen, but the scene before him made him question that assumption.

"Dawn is about to break," Enoch said, his pretense of kindness abandoned. A mischievous smirk played on his lips, and his ashen eyes dimmed. He asked in a deep voice, "Xie Yin Xue, where's your compensation?"

In theory, dawn was still a long time away. But just as the man finished speaking, a warm white light appeared on the horizon, signaling the impending sunrise and the forthcoming day. This scenario was nearing its end.

Xie Yin Xue remained unhurried, strolling to the railing to admire the dawn over the sea.

As He'er approached him, he heard the young man whisper, "It's so beautiful. This is the first time I've seen the sea."

Those words caused He'er to pause momentarily.

He found it hard to believe — after all, even he had seen the sea before. How could Xie Yin Xue possibly have not?

The young man seemed so unrestrained.

But before he could ponder further, Xie Yin Xue turned to face him.

He then gently lifted his sleeve, and in the next instant, countless golden coins rained down from above, shimmering brilliantly. They sounded like raindrops, reminiscent of the time they watched the sea from the deck and countless snowflakes passed by, none touching them.

The young man asked him, "Is this enough to compensate you?"

He'er was momentarily stunned. The scene with the coins wasn't particularly mesmerizing. What captivated him was Xie Yin Xue's outstretched left hand.

On his wrist was a bracelet with silver petals and golden stamens, and his fingertips had a soft pink hue, looking so warm, irresistibly drawing He'er closer.

So, He'er's fingers twitched involuntarily.

A deeper smile formed on Xie Yin Xue's face.

Unexpectedly, the young man asked, "What color do you think I'm wearing today?"

He'er, coming back to his senses, looked towards him. Only then did he notice the young man's attire, which seemed as white as snow in the night, but turned to a radiant gold with the touch of the morning light.

"Is it your favorite color?"

The smile on Xie Yin Xue's face deepened even more as he gently called out, "Ah Jiu."

He'er, also known as Ah Jiu, simply looked at Xie Yin Xue without uttering a word.

Yet his silence was the most eloquent response.

"I'm not sure how many scenarios there are in 'Locking Life', or how many Ferrymen there are; can't calculate the odds of meeting the same Ferryman in each scenario; and I don't know if we'll meet again in the next one."

With the morning light behind him, the dawn enveloped Xie Yin Xue, highlighting every strand of his wind-tousled hair.

"You once asked me what I thought this place was, where I can come and go as I please," he said, eyes fixed on the person in front of him, smiling, "Even if this is hell, I come and go as I wish."

"Let's meet again another time."

After saying these words, Xie Yin Xue released his grip from the railing, allowing his body to fall like a snowflake.

Those ashen eyes, seemingly filled with cold solitude and snowy mists, fixed upon him. By the time Xie Yin Xue regained consciousness from his descent and reopened his eyes, he found himself lying on a pristine white bed within a blue-and-white-themed cabin.

Rising from the bed, upon opening the door, he saw Zhu Yi Kun, Wan Mu, Yun Qian, Wen Ren Yan... Each of the survivors from the Hell's Dream were emerging from their cabins, like awakened travelers from a maritime journey.

Beyond his group, other passengers were also gradually emerging from their rooms. Glimpses through the portholes revealed groups on the deck, discussing the delightful journey and how they wished for another voyage.

"Wake up, we've arrived—!"

Amidst the collective daze, a familiar voice echoed. A blonde youth in a white naval uniform opened the corridor door, announcing, "Our journey has come to an end; it's time to disembark."

The blinding sunlight cast upon him made it difficult for anyone to discern his features at first glance.

Only when everyone descended the gangway towards the seaside, walking over a wooden pathway covered in dry moss, and finally stepping onto the golden sandy beach, did they turn to see the boy's face clearly. He had deep blue eyes, radiant as gems, and a brilliant smile reminiscent of the morning sun. It was Enoch.

He stood on the departing ship's deck, waving at them, signaling a farewell.

The departing vessel was magnificent, like a behemoth slumbering in the daylight, cold and silent. Its towering funnels belched dark smoke, yet unlike before, it didn't cast a shadow against the vast azure sky.

Under the sunlight, the only imprint left by the cruise ship was its name painted in black at the rear—[Hell's Dream Cruise].

As the twisting scene before them finally settled, Zhu Yi Kun realized they were back in the luxurious hotel atop Yun Wei Tower. Xie Yin Xue stood beside him, and Masseuse Yuan Yuan was handing over his luggage—everything looked as it did when they first entered the scenario, except for the massage chairs they were initially sitting on.

For those two chairs had remained aboard the Hell's Dream.

"It really felt like a damned nightmare."

Zhu Yi Kun sighed deeply, feeling utterly drained, and unceremoniously plopped down on the carpet.

Thankfully, that nightmare was finally over.

Yuan Yuan blinked, gazing at the standing Xie Yin Xue and seated Zhu Yi Kun, and let out a surprised, "Huh?"

Xie Yin Xue had long realized that "Locking Life" would alter the memories of ordinary individuals. Anything lost within the game, like those massage chairs, would only remain in the memories of the players. In Yuan Yuan's perception, Xie and Zhu had always maintained their current positions.

"Yuan Yuan, just leave the luggage. I don't need it," Zhu Yi Kun waved off Yuan Yuan and struggled up, heading for the sofa, "Come over here and give me a massage. I've missed you."

"Okay," Yuan Yuan nodded and followed Zhu Yi Kun to the sofa.

Dusting off his clothes, Xie Yin Xue remarked, "I should get going."

"It's already midnight. Mr. Xie, why not stay the night? I can call the front desk and reserve a room for you next door," Zhu Yi Kun knew he needed to stay in Xie Yin Xue's good graces. After all, managing to get through the challenging Hell's Dream scenario was primarily due to Xie's prowess.

His primary hope was that by appeasing Xie Yin Xue now, perhaps he might be spared in the next scenario.

"No need," Xie Yin Xue shot Zhu Yi Kun a knowing look, as if seeing through his ruse, and smirked, "Remember to deliver my custom white massage chair to my house. You won't be joining me in the next scenario."

"I'll definitely deliver it!" Zhu Yi Kun didn't even bother lying down. He sat up, akin to a sick man startled to life, leaped to his phone, and immediately dialed the manufacturer to customize the massage chair.

"Shall I order three for you? I can have them delivered directly to Ming Yue Cliff." Zhu Yi Kun thought about the few who remained at Ming Yue Cliff after Chen Yu Qing's death. "One each for you, Bu Hua, and Aunt Chen."

"Oh, make it four then," Xie Yin Xue responded upon hearing this, "There are now four of us at home. I've taken on an apprentice."

Zhu Yi Kun expressed his surprise, "You've taken on an apprentice already?"

He remembered that Chen Yu Qing had only taken Xie Yin Xue as his disciple around the age of forty. It was common in their lineage to take disciples at that age.

"Yes," Xie Yin Xue nodded. Since Zhu Yi Kun was privy to many of his secrets, he elaborated, "Before I knew about 'Locking Life', I feared my lineage would end with me, so I took on a young child as my disciple early."

Zhu Yi Kun further inquired, "Did he choose the 'Lonely' fate like you and Mr. Chen?"

"No, he chose 'Poverty'," Xie Yin Xue answered with a hint of worry. The theft of the air conditioner was one thing, "He can only attend public schools. What if he doesn't get into a good one later on? We can't afford private education."

"That's unexpected..."

Zhu Yi Kun hadn't anticipated that Xie Yin Xue would have a disciple with such a fate.

"How's his talent?" As he escorted Xie Yin Xue to the elevator, Zhu Yi Kun chuckled after asking, answering his own question, "Given that he's your disciple, he must be quite gifted."

Xie Yin Xue simply remained silent.

Talk about bringing up a sore subject.

But Xie Yin Xue wasn't one to disparage his family in public. He diplomatically responded, "He's already the most gifted child in our clan. That's enough. You can leave me here. I'll make my way home."

After stepping out of Yun Wei Tower's main entrance, Xie Yin Xue motioned for Zhu Yi Kun to stop following him.

Zhu Yi Kun was even more obedient than Yuan Yuan, always appearing at Xie's beck and call. Now that Xie didn't wish to see him anymore, Zhu promptly vanished.

Although it was already past midnight, the area around Yun Wei Tower was bustling, so the streets remained busy. Xie Yin Xue intended to hail a taxi home, but a sudden screeching brake disrupted the night.

A moment later, a massive crash echoed, followed by the horrified screams of bystanders.

Xie Yin Xue turned towards the sound and spotted a large truck overturned not far from him. Only the lower half of a person was visible, crushed under the truck's wheel, looking almost flattened. Blood oozed out, and it was clear they were beyond saving.

"Wow! There's been a car accident!"

"My God, they must be dead by now!"

"Why is there such a heavy truck in this area?"

As pedestrians rushed to the scene, some dialed the police and emergency services. Someone exclaimed, "Wow, you two were so lucky. That truck nearly hit you both."

Turning to the "lucky" duo, Xie Yin Xue recognized them instantly — it was Yi Zhong Jie and his daughter. They both stood in shock near the security booth of a building opposite Yun Wei Tower, which appeared to be Yi Zhong Jie's workplace.

A middle-aged woman, looking at the eight-year-old Yi Xiao Li, hesitated before suggesting to Yi Zhong Jie, "Brother, perhaps you should take your daughter away from here. It's not appropriate for a child to see such a scene."

Initially, on the Hell's Dream, Yi Zhong Jie was cautious about shielding his daughter from graphic scenes. However, after completing the game, he came to understand that she might witness many more such events in the future.

Sometimes, blind protection isn't always the best defense.

He wondered how long he could accompany Yi Xiao Li. If a day comes when he can no longer be by her side and they're still trapped in the game, how will she navigate future challenges alone?

Even with the middle-aged woman's advice, Yi Zhong Jie remained motionless.

To everyone's surprise, Yi Xiao Li shook her head and said, "It's okay, ma'am. It's not that terrifying. I'm not afraid."

The woman's gaze upon Yi Xiao Li grew more complicated, and she stepped back.

Ignoring the tragic scene under the truck, Yi Zhong Jie, while waiting for the police, pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and dialed a number from the security booth's landline.

A car pulled up in front of Xie Yin Xue. He entered, and just before the window rolled up, obscuring the street view, Xie Yin Xue overheard Yi Zhong Jie speaking into the phone, "Yun Xi, about that thing you mentioned in the game – taking someone's place in the dungeons..."

His words faded as the car sped away.

Leaning back in his seat, Xie Yin Xue closed his eyes to rest. Although the Hell's Dream challenge had been grueling, the rewards were satisfying. He hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

By the time he arrived at Ming Yue Cliff, it was just past midnight.

Liu Bu Hua was still awake and, seeing Xie Yin Xue's early return, asked, "Godfather, is the new challenge already over? You didn't enter it right at midnight, did you?"

Xie Yin Xue sighed, "Yes, we did."

"Wow, that's...," Liu Bu Hua was momentarily at a loss for words to describe such a coincidence.

"Is Ah Ji asleep?" Xie Yin Xue inquired about his young disciple.

"He's asleep," Liu Bu Hua replied. "He said he wanted to sleep while the air conditioner was still here, worried he'd lose sleep if he found out it was stolen."

Xie Yin Xue: "..."

Curious about Xie Yin Xue's recent challenge, Liu Bu Hua eagerly asked, "Godfather, tell me about your latest challenge."

Reflecting on the vast seascape, Xie Yin Xue smiled, "It was quite interesting. I even saw the sea."

Eagerly, Liu Bu Hua asked, "Did you all turn into flowers?"

Xie Yin Xue: "What?"

Seeing Xie Yin Xue's reaction, Liu Bu Hua quickly changed his question, "Were there any beautiful women?"

Xie Yin Xue: "..."

But recalling the guests in the Dream Cradle's grand hall who seemed human during the day, Xie Yin Xue honestly replied, "There were many beauties, but they turned into monsters at night."

Liu Bu Hua sighed, "Well, having them is good enough. We can't be too demanding." Then, hinting, he added, "Godfather, I'd love to meet these beautiful women too."

Just as Liu Bu Hua understood Xie Yin Xue, the latter caught the meaning behind his words, "Alright, you can come with me for the next challenge."