Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Yet, on this day, Xie Yinxue wasn't the only one who suffered a figurative beating from the “school.”

Due to a series of unexpected twists, only Yun Meizhen had managed to complete the day's assignment and receive a red flower. Others even missed two assignments and could no longer rely solely on collecting five flowers to graduate successfully. So, this night's customary window-side inner monologues proved even more captivating than usual—

Liu Yi: "I haven't received a red flower for two days. Have I lost my chance to clear the level? No... there's still hope. The teacher has four flowers left. But how can I deceive them into giving me one?"

This is the beauty of the inner monologue segment: the deepest desires of one's heart can't be controlled or concealed. The more you wish to forget or ignore something, the more it becomes an obsessive focus.

Whether they were noble intentions or cunning plans, once night falls, everyone would be privy to them.

The irony now was that the roles of Jiang Mo and Liu Yi seemed completely reversed. Present-day Jiang Mo behaved like Liu Yi when he first arrived, murmuring with fear and timidity: "I can't go on... I just want to go home..."

Although Pei Qingrong had eventually discerned the essence of the [Play] class, his late realization prevented him from attempting the likely solution, leading to regret: "Had I known that encountering a toilet ghost wouldn't result in death, I would've risked it. I missed out on the one chance to skip an assignment. I must be even more careful in the future."

But the one with even deeper regret was Sun Lingxi: "What kind of twisted scenario is this where you don't die even when captured by a ghost? Out of the few who encountered a toilet ghost, I was one of them! I could've earned a red flower too..."

The two voiced their innermost thoughts, their tones filled with complexity and desolation, as if intending to pull the other participants into their regret, wishing for a chance to revisit their choices.

Yun Meizhen, who miraculously survived, was euphoric: "Hahaha, I can't believe I'm still alive and I even got the only red flower! This feels like a protagonist's privilege. Could it be that I'm destined to be the final survivor of Luo Changsheng's challenge?"

Ji Shanshan harbored a similar sentiment: "Isn't Meizhen's life too charmed? Born into wealth, naturally beautiful... she's been breezing through these scenarios and has already secured four flowers. Just one more, and she'll clear the challenge. I'm so envious..."

Veteran participants like Wei Xiao, Jin Xi, and Zhang Caixia also envied Yun Meizhen's fortune. Still, their thoughts were mostly preoccupied with a pressing concern: "Too few deaths in this scenario."

— It's unnatural.

"Graduation" was designed for a total of eighteen participants. That's not a small number. Yet, we're on day five, and only Lei Chenglei has died. Except for Yun Meizhen with four flowers and both Jiang Mo and Liu Yi with two, the remaining ten all have three.

Veteran participants felt the pressure more acutely. Their past experiences told them that the challenges would only get tougher as they advanced. If they couldn't secure a 'red flower' in the next two days, they might be faced with a dire situation: eleven surviving students competing for just four extra 'red flowers' held by the teachers.

Threats were impractical since the game prohibited participants from killing each other. Bribes, on the other hand, might work. After all, didn't He Wei complete an assignment for Yun Meizhen for a hefty sum of two million? However, not everyone has such deep pockets, and what if He Wei were to demand ten million?

"Maybe we should try to identify who the ferryman NPC is, just in case."

This was the final thought of Wei Xiao, Jin Xi, and Zhang Caixia.

Of course, they weren't seeking the ferryman NPC for their own benefit but for others, especially the helpless newcomers. If these newcomers could strike a deal with the ferryman NPC and pass the challenge, wouldn't they then free up slots for the extra 'red flowers'?

As for the identity of the ferryman NPC, the most likely candidate, Xie Yinxue, was ruled out. Among the remaining, Wei Xiao, Jin Xi, and Zhang Caixia speculated it could be Liu Buhua, Bu Jiuzhao, or even Wu Yuehan, Chen Yun, and He Wei.

The former group was suspected because their inner thoughts never reflected any concern about completing the challenges. This suggested that either they were supremely confident in their abilities or simply indifferent to the deadly consequences of failure. The latter were doubted mainly because their thoughts remained inscrutable, leaving others in the dark about their true intentions.

Objectively speaking, the "Graduation" challenge made it relatively easier to identify the real identity of the ferryman NPC. So far, the only permanent NPC in this challenge was the dean, and everyone else appeared to be participants—at least on the surface.

There were also no undercover spirits posing as students. Thus, couldn't they simply inquire directly, as they did with Xie Yinxue, to clarify any doubts?

After hearing everyone's thoughts, Xie Yinxue began to realize that these seasoned participants weren't easy to fool. Before the last day, they might already deduce the true identity of Bu Jiuzhao.

Unexpectedly, the inner monologue from Bu Jiuzhao that followed made Xie Yinxue question if the man had been possessed. Bu Jiuzhao pondered, "I don't have many red flowers. The one from Xie Yinxue is definitely for Liu Buhua. If I can't complete the upcoming tasks, I might not make it. Will I perish here?"

While these words indeed seemed to come from Bu Jiuzhao, they deviated from his usual demeanor. Liu Buhua's random thought that night was about missing the "toilet ghost" and wondering about its appearance. Why would an atypical NPC like Bu Jiuzhao worry about completing the challenge?

Could it be that these thoughts were intentionally released by Bu Jiuzhao to deceive Wei Xiao, Jin Xi, and Zhang Caixia? Especially since his tone seemed so dispassionate and rehearsed, contrasting sharply with the anxious tones of others who genuinely feared failure.

But why would Bu Jiuzhao hide his true identity?

Unless he didn't want the participants to strike a deal with him.

Xie Yinxue pondered this throughout the night, replaying every interaction he had with Bu Jiuzhao. In the end, the most improbable theory seemed to be the most likely.

However, Xie Yinxue would never jump to conclusions based on mere speculation.

Just as he had previously observed and tested Bu Jiuzhao's affections for him, now, armed with a hypothesis, Xie Yinxue would gather concrete evidence to piece together the truth.

The next day marked the sixth day of the "Graduation" challenge.

After breakfast in the canteen, everyone headed to Room 404.

Along the way, Xie Yinxue occasionally glanced at Bu Jiuzhao. Yet, the man remained as stoic and calm as ever, showing no signs of the anxiety hinted at in his thoughts from the previous night.

Using his height to his advantage, Xie Yinxue noticed he wasn't the only one discreetly observing Bu Jiuzhao nearby.

Wei Xiao, Pei Qingrong, Jin Xi, and Sun Lingxi had their gazes surreptitiously darting between Bu Jiuzhao, Liu Buhua, and Chen Yun, all of whom they suspected might be the ferryman NPC.

After everyone pantingly reached the fourth floor, Zhang Caixia, hands on her hips, grumbled, “This school has some semblance of kindness, offering free breakfast. Otherwise, after failing yesterday’s task, I might not have had the energy to climb up here.”

Jin Xi retorted sarcastically, “If it truly had a conscience, would we still be here?”

"…Fair point."

Zhang Caixia muttered gloomily. Just as she finished, she saw He Wei, the first to step into Room 404, quickly retract his foot, standing puzzled at the door, muttering, "Why is she here?"

Everyone huddled around him, peeking into the room. They instantly understood He Wei’s astonishment — standing on the usually empty podium of Room 404 was the dean who typically appeared only to distribute 'red flowers' after class.

Her attire was the usual striking red. The lesson plan, which is customarily used by instructors, was now clutched in her arms. Spotting the group, she smirked eerily and rasped in a voice resembling sound from a worn-out gramophone, "Today’s assistant teacher… must be… voted…”

Zhang Caixia, confused, asked, “What did you say?”

Liu Buhua frowned, “Could you please articulate, madam?”

“I think her tongue might’ve been cut,” Ji Shanshan whispered, “considering that, she's doing pretty well.”

“I believe she's trying to say—”

Xie Yinxue slowly began, his gaze moving from the dean’s face to the chalkboard behind her, “Today, the assistant teacher for the demonstration will be selected through a vote by the students.”

Usually, the names of the main and assistant instructors would be chalked on the board in Room 404, but today it was blank.

Perhaps growing impatient with the dean’s garbled speech, the guiding NPC’s voice suddenly echoed from the loudspeaker, “Dear students, our school emphasizes holistic development, encompassing morality, intellect, physical health, and aesthetics. Today is your Physical Education class, themed ‘Jump’. Once the voting for the assistant instructor concludes, please proceed to the location: the rooftop on the fifth floor.”

“A PE class on the rooftop titled ‘Jump’?” Yun Meizhen's eyes widened in horror after hearing the NPC’s message. "Are they expecting us to jump off the roof?"

“Isn’t it obvious?” Pei Qingrong said with a furrowed brow, “It couldn’t be clearer.”

What normal school would have PE classes on a rooftop?

“Are they out of their minds?!” Even though Zhang Caixia had anticipated that the course’s difficulty might increase, she never expected it to reach such an impossible level. “How can we possibly complete this task?”

The guiding NPC continued, “The school would never assign an impossible task. If it's scheduled in the curriculum, then there will certainly be a teacher capable of demonstrating, and there will be students who can complete it.”

“Isn’t that stating the obvious?” Zhang Caixia, ever fiery, snapped back, “If a teacher jumps and dies, and students follow suit, sure the demonstration and assignment are done, but what’s the point?”

After yesterday's [Play] lesson, every participant now clearly understands that to successfully complete a task, they must mirror the instructor's demonstration. Thus, for today's [Jump] lesson, there are only two possible ways to succeed:

First, both the teacher and the student jump off and perish.

Second, both the teacher and the student jump off and survive.

Succeeding the first way is futile, even with a 'red flower' as a reward. As for the second — how many can be so fortunate to survive a leap from the fourth floor? Even if they survive, they'd likely be gravely injured. Considering that injuries within this scenario only heal after leaving it, how can those with just three 'red flowers' endure the last day after such a fall?

Ji Shanshan, both frustrated and despairing, exclaimed, “This scenario is blatantly impossible to clear!”

Pei Qingrong, catching onto her sentiment, mused as if talking to himself, “Perhaps we need to seek out the ferryman NPC for assistance to pass?”

Recognizing the cue, Wei Xiao feigned distress, playing along, “Even though striking a deal with the ferryman NPC would increase the difficulty of upcoming scenarios, without his help, we'd surely fail this one. I think even one more month to see our families would be worth it.”

Jiang Mo, who was despondent just yesterday and still looked dejected today, slowly raised her head upon hearing the conversation, seemingly contemplating their words.

Xie Yinxue wasn't surprised by Wei Xiao and Pei Qingrong's tactics, as he had anticipated this last night.

What did surprise him was that even the guiding NPC seemed to be nudging participants towards seeking the ferryman. The NPC, in a gentle tone, queried, “Of course there's a chance to pass. Who said jumping from the rooftop would mean certain death?”

At the very least, the ferryman NPC hidden among them would undoubtedly survive.

Xie Yinxue discreetly glanced at Bu Jiuzhao. Though his youthful face remained expressionless, Xie didn't miss the fleeting hint of displeasure in those deep eyes.

At that moment, Xie Yinxue became certain: Bu Jiuzhao was concealing his true identity as the ferryman NPC.

This revelation explained his ability to alter his appearance at will among participants and other mysteries.

Xie Yinxue once pondered the rationale behind the establishment of the “ferryman” in "Lock of Longevity." Now, he realized the entity behind this wasn't “Lock of Longevity” but Bu Jiuzhao himself.

Judging by the malevolent scenarios within "Lock of Longevity," its goal was never to facilitate participants' success but to see them perish or become utterly detached from the game as it progressed.

The one who wished to see participants achieve longevity and survive till the end was Bu Jiuzhao.

Thus, he became the ferryman NPC, offering a last chance for survival in each scenario.

However, this opportunity isn't a guaranteed salvation. “Lock of Longevity” would significantly increase the difficulty of subsequent scenarios after a deal, accelerating participants’ demise. It also prohibits Bu Jiuzhao from denying his identity as the ferryman when asked, allows spirits to pose as the ferryman to kill participants, and lets the guiding NPC's voice sway participants based on the scenario. All these measures are employed by “Lock of Longevity” to hinder participants' survival.

Bu Jiuzhao was well aware of this, which is why he concealed his true identity as the ferryman NPC, intentionally dropped hints about clearing the scenario, permitted his false "ferryman NPC" persona to help other participants, and ensured they cleared the level.

This was the reason behind Bu Jiuzhao's hesitation that night when Xie Yinxue asked if he truly liked him. Bu Jiuzhao's approach from the beginning was not out of "affection," but because he needed someone to survive till the end.

How fortunate...

Xie Yinxue curled his lips into a slow smile. With Bu Jiuzhao paving the way, why should he fear not reaching the final stage?

As for whether Bu Jiuzhao's "affection" for him is genuine or serves another purpose, and what the ultimate "immortality" signifies, why dwell on such matters?

What he desires is for the generational tragedy of his lineage to end with him, without continuation—just this singular outcome.

All else, including other people and events, can be deemed inconsequential to him.

Standing beside Xie Yinxue at that moment, Bu Jiuzhao was utterly unaware of these thoughts. He merely felt a heightened cold, intangible scent emanating from Xie Yinxue. This chill permeated deep into his very being. Yet, what should have been a comforting sensation now seemed to prick his heart, extending its pain to his fingertips.

Hence, his hand, hanging by his side, trembled slightly.

Lifting his gaze to the young man beside him, Bu Jiuzhao found warm, tender eyes settled on him, full of unspoken emotion. Xie Yinxue mouthed silently, hinting a secret: Your secret has been discovered.

Secret?

Bu Jiuzhao paused briefly. Was it about his identity as the ferryman NPC in this scenario being exposed?

The next moment, as Pei Qingrong and Wei Xiao anticipated, Jiang Mo began to question each suspect in turn.

Her first query was directed at Chen Yun.

Without beating around the bush, Jiang Mo bluntly inquired, "Chen Yun, are you the ferryman?"

Having overheard the thoughts of Jin Xi and Zhang Caixia the previous night, Chen Yun wasn't surprised by the question. She simply shook her head, truthfully stating, "No, I am not the ferryman."

Pausing momentarily, Jiang Mo's shoulders sagged with disappointment. She then turned to He Wei, "He Wei, are you..."

Her voice weakened after only a few words, clearly indicating she didn't truly believe He Wei to be the ferryman. The others seemed to share her sentiment, with their attention mostly on Liu Buhua and Bu Jiuzhao, deeming them more probable candidates.

To everyone's shock, He Wei declared, "Indeed, I am the ferryman NPC."

The revelation was so explosive that everyone, including Bu Jiuzhao and Xie Yinxue, gaped in astonishment for a moment.

Dumbstruck, Jiang Mo reiterated, "You're the ferryman?"

"Indeed, it's me," He Wei unabashedly declared, lifting his chin. "You want me to save your life, right? Fine. Once this class is over, vote for me. By tomorrow, I'll tell you how to get through this stage."

Upon hearing this, Pei Qingrong pressed his lips into a thin line, his face radiating incredulity.

Is He Wei trying to exploit a loophole in time?

The students need many more red flowers (a symbol for rewards or accolades), yet all the teachers require just one more performance assessment to pass. If they vote in He Wei's favor today, allowing him to meet the criteria, would he even care about the students' fates tomorrow?

But He Wei never directly denied being the ferryman NPC, so they couldn't rule out the possibility that he might indeed be one.

"Scoundrel."

Zhang Caixia repeated the words she'd used to scold Sun Lingxi to He Wei, warning Jiang Mo, "Jiang Mo, don't trust him. He's playing you."

Just as Jiang Mo was about to speak, Wu Yuehan interjected, "No, he's not the participant. I am."

"What?" Ji Shanshan asked in a daze, "But I know you in real life, Mr. Wu."

Taking a deep breath, Wu Yuehan composed himself and said cryptically, "This isn't the real world. Can you be certain I'm the same Mr. Wu you know?"

Ji Shanshan, a newcomer who was still young and hadn't experienced many instances, was thoroughly baffled.

Seeing Ji Shanshan getting ensnared in the conversation, Liu Buhua couldn't suppress his chivalrous instincts and stepped forward, "Ji Shanshan, Jiang Mo, don't listen to their nonsense. If you're going to believe anyone is the ferryman NPC, it might as well be Bu Jiuzhao and me."

"Exactly," Zhang Caixia added fuel to the fire, "Both of them seem even less human than He Wei and Wu Yuehan. They're downright languid."

Bu Jiuzhao: "..."

Foolish Liu Buhua.