Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Many viewers gasped aloud at the stumble, convinced that a malevolent entity had struck and that Ying Yuanxing was now in grave danger.

However, within the mist, Ying Yuanxing was intently watching his steps on the uneven mountain path, careful not to misstep.

A sudden sound ahead made him glance up—only to find Yuan Xiu’s figure had vanished.

Ying Yuanxing clearly remembered seeing Yuan Xiu in his peripheral vision just a second before he lowered his head. Yuan Xiu couldn't have simply teleported, so…

Hesitantly, he edged forward, scanning through the fog until he spotted Yuan Xiu lying prone on the ground.

He must have fallen hard—Yuan Xiu remained motionless, face-down. Ying Yuanxing quickly reached out to pull him up. “Yuan Xiu, are you—”

The wrist he grasped felt strangely cold, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine.

“I’m fine, just a stumble,” Yuan Xiu said, gripping Ying Yuanxing’s hand to stand. But just as he was about to let go, he suddenly sucked in a sharp breath and tightened his hold on Ying Yuanxing’s arm.

A sudden sharp pain shot through Ying Yuanxing’s arm, as if something pointed had pierced him. Since when did Yuan Xiu’s fingernails become so sharp and long?

Instinctively, he glanced at his arm, but the dim forest light combined with the thick fog made it impossible to see clearly, even at such close proximity.

Yet, though he couldn’t see, he could still feel. Ying Yuanxing reached out and took Yuan Xiu’s hand—knobby knuckles and slender fingers. Tracing downward, the nails weren’t as sharp as he’d imagined, though a bit too long.

“I think… I twisted my ankle,” Yuan Xiu winced, his pained voice cutting him off.

You twisted it?

Ying Yuanxing could feel most of Yuan Xiu’s weight leaning against him—clearly, the injury must have been severe.

With Ying Yuanxing’s support, Yuan Xiu attempted a few steps, hopping awkwardly. On flat ground, it might have been manageable, but the rugged mountain path made it impossible.

“I probably can’t guide you anymore,” Yuan Xiu managed through clenched teeth. “But the village entrance should be just a hundred meters ahead. See that light? Go and call for help.”

The fog seemed to thin slightly, and through the slightly hazy mist, Ying Yuanxing spotted a faint glow in the distance. Though the light was dull, it shone like a beacon in the oppressive dark, beckoning him towards its perceived safety.

Without thinking, Ying Yuanxing released Yuan Xiu and took a step forward.

“NOOOO! It's happening—this is such an obvious trap!”

“I thought he was safe for a second there, but that was just the calm before the storm!”

“Don’t buy it, dude! That’s not the village—if you go, you’re walking straight into a monster’s den!”

Regular viewers should've been numb to this by now. But today, those who remained felt like they were riding an emotional rollercoaster, their emotions swinging wildly. Unable to contain themselves, they spammed the chat in panic.

Seeing Ying Yuanxing seemingly ready to comply, Yuan Xiu's smirk faltered. Could he really be this gullible?

“No, it’s too late to leave you here alone,” Ying Yuanxing turned back to Yuan Xiu. “You said monsters come out at night, and it’s getting really late. What if something finds you while you wait?”

“But I can’t walk,” Yuan Xiu sighed.

“I’ll help you—” Ying Yuanxing began, but Yuan Xiu cut him off.

“Ying-ge, my foot's completely useless. Even if you support me, we’ll move too slowly. If a monster shows up, we'll both be monster chow. Just hurry to the village and bring help.”

“Night came early today, but the monsters won’t appear this quickly. I’ll wait.”

Yuan Xiu fell silent, studying Ying Yuanxing's indecision, his patience wearing thin. He had hoped playing with the invitee would be entertaining, but this was just tedious.

No matter what choice Ying Yuanxing made, the outcome was predictable—either he’d get lost in the woods and be devoured, or he’d stubbornly stay and meet the same fate.

If it was the latter… Yuan Xiu inhaled the clean, bright scent of Ying Yuanxing’s essence, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. He was getting hungry.

Make your damn choice!

A sudden urgency surged in Yuan Xiu as he stared at Ying Yuanxing, a fierce hunger blazing in his eyes.

Ying Yuanxing knew Yuan Xiu had a point, but there were two things Yuan Xiu hadn't considered. First, while reaching the village might be easy with the guiding light, finding his way back through the fog would be nearly impossible.

Second, Ying Yuanxing wasn’t confident in his own speed. Even if it was just a hundred meters, navigating safely could take unpredictable time. And if the fog thickened again, they'd be completely screwed if they got separated.

Better to stick together.

But was there really no other solution?

Ying Yuanxing glanced at his stamina meter—still full after all this walking, his body still fresh. The game rules applied hard here. If this were a game, how would he solve this?

Games didn’t have “support” or “healing” mechanics, but one game mechanic fit like a glove.

He turned to Yuan Xiu, who suddenly got goosebumps—something wasn't right.

Giving him a once-over, Ying Yuanxing decided to test his theory.

But first, the conventional method.

“Hop on. I’ll carry you,” Ying Yuanxing said, bending his knees and steadying himself against a tree.

This was just a test. Yuan Xiu looked like dead weight—if this didn't work, the tree might save them from eating dirt.

Yuan Xiu paused. He’d considered many possibilities, but not this.

“Ying-ge, you probably can’t carry me,” he said, playing along.

“Just try. Maybe I can,” Ying Yuanxing insisted.

Seeing his determination, Yuan Xiu obliged, climbing onto his back—only to nearly crush him.

Was this guy filled with lead or what? Ying Yuanxing's knees nearly buckled from the crushing weight.

Noticing his struggle, Yuan Xiu quickly slid off and leaned against the tree. Ying Yuanxing finally straightened with a gasp.

“Ying-ge, just go ahead without me.”

Ying Yuanxing stared at his hands. The failure didn't faze him—after all, in games, items were held, not carried on the back.

The real solution was likely to lift Yuan Xiu outright. He’d tried carrying him first because the alternatives—a bridal carry or holding him aloft like in-game objects—felt awkward.

“One more try,” Ying Yuanxing said firmly.

Seeing his persistence, Yuan Xiu stood, ready to humor him once more—but no more than that. Repeating the same act bored him.

“Not like this.” Ying Yuanxing adjusted his grip, sliding one arm under Yuan Xiu’s shoulders and the other beneath his knees before lifting him effortlessly.

Success!

He adjusted his hold, marveling at how light Yuan Xiu felt—like a wisp of cotton, a world apart from the leaden burden he'd tried to carry earlier.

Yuan Xiu's mind went blank for a moment as Ying Yuanxing picked him up like this. He thought the last time was the final shock Ying Yuanxing would give him, but now he was hit with another next-level shock.

Not just Yuan Xiu, even the livestream audience was stunned. The chat section went silent for a while before any comments appeared.

"No way, this... no way..."

"Though I knew the streamer’s actions were unpredictable, this is on a whole other level."

"Bet the streamer’s ability is strength-related."

"If they encounter physical monsters, this ability might be useful, but against incorporeal ghosts..."

"Wouldn’t this provoke the supernatural? The streamer’s toast!"

All the viewers nervously stared at the screen, fearing Yuan Xiu might lose it and rip the streamer to shreds. Yet, on screen, Yuan Xiu didn’t resist or struggle at all, letting Ying Yuanxing carry him forward. The audience was floored.

They watched as Ying Yuanxing carried Yuan Xiu, quickly reaching the village entrance under the guidance of the lights.

Clearly, they’d made it through.

"Wait, do ghosts really put up with this?" someone exclaimed in disbelief.

"No idea, but don’t try this at home—try it and die."

"Suddenly feel like the streamer might survive. Not everyone can princess-carry a ghost."

"Earlier, the streamer clearly couldn’t carry the supernatural on his back, so how is a princess carry possible? Is it ability-related?"

"The Dawn Bureau staff registering contestants’ abilities must be losing it—they can’t analyze what this ability even is."

"I’m numb. Other streamers get a breather after surviving a deadly encounter, but with this one, there’s never a safe moment."

The village chief stood at the entrance, waiting for the invited 'guest.' Through the fog, he saw a figure—though its shape seemed odd, he’d seen too much weirdness to bat an eye. He pasted on a kindly smile and stepped forward.

"Ying—" The chief began, then fell silent as the figure emerged from the fog.

He didn’t recognize the newcomer—likely the invited 'guest'—but the one being carried in their arms... wasn’t that Yuan Xiu?!

The chief’s mind raced through all the visitors the village had ever hosted: those who forced their way in with hostages, lone arrivals, even half-eaten ones. But this? This was new.