freeallnovels The real name that appears in Chapter 86 of the game
The real name that appears in Chapter 86 of the game
The game world.
A lawless place.
You carefully folded the letter, tucked it into your pocket, and got up to walk to the door.
You gently pull the door open a crack, observing the movements outside.
The courtyard was empty; my parents were no longer home, presumably preparing for the transaction. My sister's bedroom door remained tightly shut; she must still be enduring inner turmoil.
You quietly slipped out of your room, intending to knock on your sister's door to discuss a plan with her.
Suddenly, a familiar, stiff set of footsteps echoed from the courtyard.
[Unlike the crisp footsteps of the crying groom and smiling bride, this was a cheerful, even slightly mischievous, dance.]
You peek out and see a familiar figure draped in a dark robe and wearing a Zhong Kui mask, slowly stepping into the center of the courtyard and walking straight towards you.
He was still wearing that dark, blood-red robe, the hem of which swept lightly across the ground in the wind without making a sound; within the sunken eye sockets of his mask, two points of scarlet light flickered eerily, and his aura was chillingly cold, the sinister malice that used to surround him completely gone, replaced by a composed and solemn presence that suppressed all evil.
It's Zhong Kui!
A sudden chill ran through you; the hairs on your body stood on end, and you instinctively tried to dodge and hide.
The terrifying memory of being manipulated by him, forced to dance a deadly dance until near death, remains vivid and indelible.
But upon closer reflection, you realize that the letters kept close to your body never mentioned any collusion between Zhong Kui and his heartless parents.
Perhaps this mysterious being who wields the power to exorcise evil spirits and suppress souls is not truly an enemy, but rather the only ally capable of protecting you and helping you escape your predicament.
You gritted your teeth, decided to take the risk, and slowly walked out from the corner.
Zhong Kui stopped in his tracks, still staring intently at you.
You started the ghost-hunting dance.
Your dance moves perfectly replicated his movements.
Zhong Kui stood quietly in place, silently watching the entire dance, then slowly raised his hand to gently applaud you; his applause was particularly noticeable in the courtyard.
Zhong Kui's gaze fell intently on you, and he nodded slightly, clearly quite satisfied with your dance steps; this was his approval of your performance.
He then stretched out his hand, and a toad, entirely black with bright red eyes, slowly appeared in his palm. The toad was small, yet it possessed a spiritual quality, radiating a faint golden light that perfectly complemented Zhong Kui's aura.
Zhong Kui gently placed the soul-suppressing toad in your palm. The toad lay docilely and motionless, showing no sign of ferocity or aggression, and was exceptionally obedient.
You clearly sense that the shimmering golden light flowing around the toad is constantly dispelling the chilling, malevolent aura surrounding it, calming the restless fear in your heart, and instantly settling your chaotic emotions.
Zhong Kui pointed to the toad in his palm, then turned and pointed towards the basement deep in the courtyard. His eyes clearly indicated that this spirit toad was the key to unlocking the long-sealed secrets of the basement.
You instantly understood, quickly clenched the toad in your palm, and bowed deeply to Zhong Kui: "Thank you!"
Zhong Kui didn't respond, only giving you a deep look before turning and walking out of the courtyard, his figure gradually disappearing into the distance, as if he had never been there.
You clutch the docile, crouching toad in your palm, and suddenly remember a bronze key you'd fortuitously replicated earlier in the corner of the room.
At the time, the purpose of this object was unknown, only a guess was made. Now, reminded by Zhong Kui, it has become clear that this bronze key must be the exclusive key to unlock the dusty door to the basement.
You quickly returned to the room, retrieved the cold, replica brass key from the depths of a hidden drawer, and gripped it tightly in your hand.
The toad that suppresses evil spirits in your palm remains docile and dormant, its gilded light shimmering faintly.
You take a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the tension and fear surging within you, and quietly leave the room again, walking briskly towards the basement.
You enter your parents' room, press a hidden button, and open the basement door.
As the door swung open, a chilling, damp aura rushed out, mingled with a faint smell of fish and mildew, sending a shiver down your spine.
The basement was pitch black, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. You fumbled in your pocket for a tinderbox, lit it, and the faint flame illuminated the path ahead.
The basement was not spacious; the walls were covered in slippery moss, and the floor was scattered with various decaying and dilapidated items, the corners dark and crumbling.
Several tiny, venomous spiders lurked in the corner, but the moment they caught a glimpse of the golden light emanating from the toad in your palm, they scattered in terror, not daring to approach even a fraction closer.
You walked cautiously along the wall, your eyes warily scanning your surroundings, afraid of encountering any danger.
After walking for a while, you came across the unlocked secret room deep in the basement. In the center of the room was an ornately carved wooden table, on which rested a delicate wooden box. Beside the box, a ferocious and extremely difficult-to-deal-with ghost spider, exuding malevolent energy, was coiled up, guarding the treasure.
[You immediately raise your hand, revealing the Soul-Suppressing Toad in your palm. The toad instantly leaps into the air, bathed in golden light, and pounces straight at the Ghost Spider with swift and fierce movements.]
Toads are natural enemies of spiders!
[This mere ferocious spider is utterly no match for you; the toad easily swallows it whole, instantly eliminating a major threat!]
[Then the toad leaped and landed steadily in your palm, lying docilely once more. The golden light around it dimmed slightly, clearly indicating that the exorcism had expended considerable spiritual energy.]
The weight that had been pressing on your heart suddenly lifted. You quickly took out the brass key from your pocket, stepped forward to unlock the wooden box, and slowly lifted the lid.
To your surprise, the wooden box contained a VIP admission ticket to a lawless place.
In an instant, everything went black before your eyes, your body felt weightless and powerless, and you plummeted uncontrollably, as if falling into an endless abyss.
Once the dizziness subsides, you find yourself in a strange, pitch-black space. The surroundings are deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and an eeriness permeates everything.
Clusters of eerie green candlelight flickered and lit up the surroundings, illuminating the scene around you. Only then did you realize that you were sitting in the audience, surrounded by a densely packed crowd of ghostly figures, their shadows lurking, and an atmosphere of gloom permeating the air.
[You see Zhong Kui in the center of the square ahead. Zhong Kui tells you not to be afraid; these are all docile little ghosts he personally subdued, who have reformed and have no intention of harming you. There is no need to be afraid.]
[Then Zhong Kui raised his hand, inviting you to move to his side and stay close to him.] [You obeyed and stepped forward, standing beside Zhong Kui.]
[Zhong Kui's face lit up with joy. He reached up and took off his official hat, placing it gently on your head. The hat was enveloped in a protective aura, warding off evil spirits and dispelling malevolent influences.]
He said this was a hat to ward off evil spirits and ghosts; once worn, it could protect against malevolent influences.
[Those wicked little devil couple—the crying groom and the smiling bride—will no longer be able to harm you in the slightest, nor easily take your life.]
With gratitude in your heart, you solemnly bow to Zhong Kui in thanks.
Then Zhong Kui led the way, guiding you directly into the realm of the underworld.
In the underworld, you saw the kind-faced yet solemn King Yama sitting before his desk.
[The King of Hell spoke in a deep, majestic voice: "Welcome to the Underworld. I hope you have a wonderful time here."]
You couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, thinking how absurd this was. What normal person could possibly have fun in the underworld? It was truly bizarre and ridiculous.
Before you could think further, Zhong Kui grabbed your wrist and quickly led you to the central square of the underworld.
On the plaza, all sorts of strange little imps frolicked and played freely, in groups, seemingly in jest, but in reality, each one was part of the underworld's trials.
"Mr. Li Qingchen, would you be interested in joining their game?" Zhong Kui turned to you, smiling as he invited you.
"What?!"
Li Qingchen's heart suddenly trembled violently, his face filled with astonishment and disbelief—
The Zhong Kui was calling out his real name, not his character Lin Mo from the game!
"What exactly is going on?"
New text appears on the front panel:
[The Blessed One, the True Lord of Wisdom, suggests that you accept Zhong Kui's invitation to play the imp game.]