Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 47: Fierce Battle

The original plan for “The Great Beetle Retrieval Operation” was for Xu Wang and Wu Sheng to lure their opponents on Dumbo while attracting zombies from the south and north of the city. Qian Ai was on standby at the switch, ready to cut the power when the situation was right, helping the captain and advisor ambush near the Candy House in the dark. They were waiting for the zombies to arrive so that Han Buting and the others, caught in the chaotic sea of zombies, could be ambushed. Wu Sheng and Xu Wang would then jump out from the shadows to retrieve the Beetle. The final step involved going to the switch and the Ferris wheel to connect with Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin.

From start to finish, Kuang Jinxin’s role was to hide at the base of the Ferris wheel. As the user of [Candy House], he couldn’t afford any mistakes. Han Buting would surely leave someone to guard the car. If the zombies hadn’t arrived yet and the Candy House disappeared, the guard could drive away and pick up the team, rendering Xu Wang’s plans and efforts futile.

However, as the old saying goes, plans are meant to be improvised.

Qian Ai was the first to spot Kuang Jinxin and Chi Yingxue riding the Ferris wheel together, prompting him to abandon his post and rush towards the Ferris wheel with the chainsaw in hand, almost instinctively.

After disembarking from Dumbo, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng discreetly made their way towards the Candy House, not even considering looking back at the Ferris wheel.

But some things are inevitable, whether you believe in them or not.

Just as Kuang Jinxin’s gondola reached the highest point of the Ferris wheel, Xu Wang had a sudden premonition and instinctively looked up to see two people plummeting from the wheel.

Below the Ferris wheel was a rest area with a clear, hard surface surrounded by long benches.

The two fell rapidly. Kuang Jinxin was tightly embraced by Chi Yingxue, making it hard to distinguish who was who. Knowing that their teammate was hiding near the Ferris wheel, Xu Wang couldn’t afford to take any chances.

[(Defense) I Urge You to Have One More Drink].

Xu Wang used the last piece of defense stationery from his [Stationery Box], intently watching the two people falling. The urgency of the moment didn’t even allow him time to “communicate” with the item; he could only strongly project his one-sided intention—to save them. He must save them!

In an instant, a gigantic, tri-legged wine jar appeared on the empty, hard ground. Adorned with animal-shaped handles and entirely gilded, it resembled an ancient, golden pool of wine, catching the two people as they fell.

With a “thud,” the froth of the wine splashed up, its fragrance intoxicating.

In this thrilling moment of life and death, which lasted only a few seconds, Wu Sheng, who had been stealthily advancing, only turned back bewilderedly at the sound of the splash. The sight of the huge, out-of-place wine jar under the Ferris wheel left him even more baffled.

“People have fallen from the Ferris wheel. It might be Xiao Kuang,” Xu Wang said urgently, without time for a detailed explanation. “I must go check. You go ambush near the Candy House alone!”

“[I Urge You to Have One More Drink]?” Initially stunned by the shock, Wu Sheng looked again and, adding Xu Wang’s words, quickly understood.

“Right.” Xu Wang, already mentally at the Ferris wheel, responded casually and was about to leave.

Wu Sheng immediately grabbed his wrist. “Deactivate it.”

Xu Wang was taken aback. “Huh?”

Wu Sheng, exasperated, said, “First, deactivate the stationery. Otherwise, by the time you get there, they would have either drowned or died from intoxication.”

The smell of the wine was so strong that he felt dizzy even from a distance.

Xu Wang suddenly understood, and his thoughts became clear in an instant. He focused on the tri-legged wine jar, controlling it while softly saying, “Hurry to the Candy House.”

Wu Sheng understood; if the person who fell was indeed Kuang Jinxin, the effect of the Candy House might not last long.

Letting go of Xu Wang’s wrist, he shouldered his rocket launcher, crouched down, and slipped back into the bushes.

“Remember, just as you’re afraid of the car breaking down, so is Han Buting.”

This was the last piece of advice from Xu Wang.

Wu Sheng didn’t understand, but he kept every word in mind.

……

Qian Ai, hurrying as fast as he could, was still a step too late. He watched helplessly as Chi Yingxue fell out of the Ferris wheel while holding his teammate. At that moment, his mind went blank. He crazily ran towards the base of the Ferris wheel, preparing to catch them with his bare hands.

And then—

A wine jar emerged from the ground, catching the two falling people in its fine brew, stirring up waves of intoxicating aroma that spread far and wide.

Of course, this is a somewhat poetic description. In Qian Ai’s mind, it translated to just one thought: Damn, can the captain’s defense stationery be any more extravagant? =_=

Thinking of defense stationery related to wine, he could only think of his own captain’s. Relieved but not slowing down, he rushed to the wine jar and started to climb up one of its legs!

Falling into water wouldn’t kill them, but drowning in wine would!

He had to rescue them as quickly as possible!

With this belief, he managed to climb to the top of the leg in one go. Just as he was about to grab the jar’s handle to climb further, it twisted strangely, like a distorted TV signal.

This was a sign that the stationery’s effect was about to be deactivated.

Qian Ai held tight to the jar’s leg, resignedly accepting his fate—Captain, you’re playing me to death. TAT

A few seconds later.

The wine jar vanished, and the wine within cascaded down like a mighty waterfall!

Qian Ai held his breath and got thoroughly drenched in the wave of wine. Fortunately, the ground around was flat, and the wine quickly dispersed. The moment he could breathe again, he got up and started searching frantically. The first person he saw was Chi Yingxue, lying half-dead in the center of the plaza, and then Kuang Jinxin, his teammate, who had been washed to the edge of the small plaza.

He rushed over and helped them up, only to find his soaking wet teammate unconscious, eyes tightly closed.

Serious injury or death would mean an immediate return home. If they hadn’t returned, it meant the injuries were still within a manageable range.

But that was just a possibility.

Facing such a state of Kuang Jinxin, Qian Ai couldn’t stay calm to deduce the “Owl’s” logic. He anxiously held the person, saying, “Xiao Kuang, don’t scare me…”

Just as he was at a loss, unsure whether to pinch the philtrum or slap the cheeks, Qian Ai suddenly heard footsteps approaching from afar.

Li Zijin and Li Xia were rushing over.

Chi Yingxue had already sat up but didn’t go to meet his teammates. Instead, he looked at the area where Qian Ai was, and their eyes met across the distance.

Chi Yingxue slightly raised his eyebrows and sighed silently, seemingly regretting not being able to bring the person back home.

Qian Ai looked at him deeply, as if trying to memorize his face down to the ashes, then picked up Kuang Jinxin and left silently and swiftly.

“I’ll go after them. You check on Chi Yingxue,” Li Xia said, then quickly crossed the plaza, following Qian Ai’s trail.

Li Zijin was eager to pursue the enemy but was held back by his new, sickly teammate, who sat there without moving.

“What’s the matter with you?” After a long look, Li Zijin couldn’t figure out where the other was injured.

Chi Yingxue sighed faintly. “What a pity.”

Li Zijin was confused. “A pity for what?”

“A pity for a good lesson missed.” Chi Yingxue looked at the departing backs of the two, disappearing amidst the colorful lights of the amusement park.

Such teachable kids are hard to come by.

Tsk.

Li Zijin couldn’t understand his cryptic words and went back to his own concerns. “The captain sent you to bring someone back, and you tried to kill yourself along with him. Are you crazy?”

“Suicide?” Chi Yingxue withdrew his gaze, looking innocently at his teammate. “Who?”

“Who else but you, the psycho?” Li Zijin said exasperatedly. “I saw you jump down with him!”

“Oh.” Chi Yingxue finally seemed to understand, clarifying seriously, “I slipped.”

“……”

That agile movement, that swift speed, that firm direction, almost as if he was about to fly—that’s called slipping?!

Li Zijin had a bellyful of solid evidence ready to spill, but looking into Chi Yingxue’s eyes, he swallowed it back down.

Those eyes appeared innocent at first glance, but upon closer inspection, one could see the darkness within, like an endless swamp that could devour a person whole, including their soul.

This man is actually crazy.

From the moment he saw him kill the first zombie, Li Zijin had thought so. Hence, with a psycho, one must never argue about right and wrong. If he says the sky is purple and the water is red, then it is.

“If you’re okay then…” Li Zijin was about to suggest getting up, but before he could finish, Chi Yingxue suddenly pounced towards him!

Li Zijin, terrified, instinctively dodged to the side!

Chi Yingxue brushed past his shoulder and tackled a zombie preparing to ambush from behind. He grabbed its neck with one hand, pressing it to the ground, while with the other, he pulled out a dagger from behind his waist and plunged it straight into the zombie’s eye socket!

The blade sank in completely.

The zombie, which had been struggling violently, suddenly stopped moving, going limp as if dead.

Chi Yingxue pulled out the dagger and, without hesitation, struck again.

A second time.

A third time.

A fourth time.

A fifth time…

Dark red blood beads splashed onto his cheeks with each thrust of the knife, creating a strangely enchanting scene under the candy-colored lights of the amusement park.

Li Zijin couldn’t appreciate such beauty.

He only felt chills running down his spine.

“That’s enough.” He tried to keep his voice steady. “They must have gone to steal the car. We need to meet up with the captain quickly…”

Chi Yingxue finally stopped. He casually wiped his face and looked at the “blood and wine mix” on his hands, still feeling irritated. “The lingering aroma of good wine, all ruined by it.”

Li Zijin was on the verge of a breakdown. Did this guy actually enjoy the opponent’s stationery?!

“Jimmy~~ Aaja~~”

The already peaceful amusement park was suddenly filled with musical notes again.

“Jimmy~~ Aaja~~”

“Aaja, re mere saath~~ Ye jaagi jaagi raat~~ pukare tujhe sun~~~~ suna de wahi dhun~~~*”

*These are the lyrics to “Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy, Aaja (Come On)” by Indian female singer Annette. The lyrics are in pinyin that sounds out the Indian lyrics (so I put the Indian equivalent). It roughly translates to: Come with me, this waking night. Listen to me when I call you, let me listen to the same tune.

This time, it’s fucking Indian style!

“These people are sick—” Li Zijin couldn’t take it anymore. Why was his drone gun destroyed so early!

“Don’t expect to meet up with Han Buting.” Chi Yingxue stood up. His watermelon-pink shirt clung to his body due to being soaked, so he pinched the corner of his shirt and shook it rhythmically to the music. “Let’s just try to survive here for now.”

Underneath the Indian music were the chaotic footsteps of a large group of approaching zombies.

……

Next to the Ferris wheel, near the drop tower.

Qian Ai, running frantically with Kuang Jinxin in his arms, bumped into the team captain, who was on his way to the Ferris wheel. This moment of distraction allowed Li Xia to catch up.

“You go help Wu Sheng. I’ve got this!” Qian Ai immediately sent the captain away and then stood guard with his buzzing chainsaw, defending against Li Xia by the benches.

Kuang Jinxin, still unconscious, was on the bench, so Qian Ai only defended, not leaving his side.

Xu Wang wanted to stay and help, but firstly, using his Lightning Gun would continuously attract zombies, making it harder to escape with the unconscious Kuang Jinxin, especially since Li Xia could run away. Secondly, they had almost exhausted their stationery in this struggle, all for the Beetle or, more accurately, to compete with Han Buting’s team. Even if there was no time for the hospital afterward, they couldn’t lose this battle.

This was their team spirit!

“Captain.” Qian Ai suddenly lowered his voice, glancing quickly towards the Candy House. “I still have Mr. Thirteen.”

“Okay.” Xu Wang nodded, saying seriously, “Wait for us to come get you.”

Seeing Xu Wang leave, Li Xia couldn’t hold back and tried to follow.

Qian Ai immediately stepped sideways, blocking his view from a few meters away. “Come over if you’re not afraid of becoming tomato sauce and minced meat!”

Li Xia: “……”

Qian Ai: “Glaring at me won’t help!”

Li Xia: “Can you change the way you make threats?”

Qian Ai: “Sweet and sour pork?”

Li Xia: “Great, you’ve just ruined two of my favorite dishes.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xia slid to Qian Ai’s side with incredible speed, as if he had ice blades under his feet!

Qian Ai could talk tough, but actually using a chainsaw to cut someone? That would drive him crazy!

Li Xia seemed to sense his fear. He suddenly attacked face-to-face, thrusting his murderous weapon forward!

Qian Ai dodged backward just in time, narrowly avoiding it, and then saw that Li Xia was holding a screwdriver.

The same screwdriver that was a deadly weapon in someone else’s hands was useless in his for even fixing a toilet door!

Where’s the fucking justice in that?!

Missing the first strike, Li Xia suddenly retreated, sliding back swiftly!

Qian Ai, though slow to realize, understood that his opponent had used a defense stationery!

Distracted for a moment, Li Xia advanced again—not towards him but towards the bench where Kuang Jinxin lay!

In a blink, Li Xia was at the bench, his screwdriver unhesitatingly aiming downward!

The chainsaw suddenly extended from behind the bench, its teeth cutting horizontally across the screwdriver!

The intense cutting caused a strong vibration, numbing Li Xia’s palm and sending the screwdriver flying!

Li Xia quickly retreated, looking up to see Qian Ai standing behind the bench.

The man who had just been hesitant and bluffing was now resolute, with no sign of wavering.

“If you touch him again, my chainsaw will go back to its old ways and crave flesh. Let’s see if you dare.”

……

At the pink Beetle.

Wu Sheng and Han Buting had been in a standoff for thirteen minutes.

One in front of the car, the other on top, silently “staring” across the height and distance, neither daring to make a move.

Thirteen minutes earlier, shortly after Kuang Jinxin fell into the water, the Candy House disappeared.

Han Buting, who had been guarding the Candy House roof, suddenly found himself on top of the car. He quickly realized it was related to the noise from the Ferris wheel and happily accepted this gift, ready to drive away.

It was then that Wu Sheng arrived, firing a shot near the car.

The explosion’s heat wave dizzied Han Buting, and it took him a while to identify the “culprit”.

“You wouldn’t really dare to blow me up because if you did, the car would be ruined too.” That was Han Buting’s first statement upon seeing Wu Sheng. He stood on the car roof in the night breeze, confidently in control.

Wu Sheng had no advantage in a war of words.

But he had the captain’s advice.

[Remember, just as you’re afraid of the car breaking down, so is Han Buting.]

At this moment, he understood Xu Wang’s meaning.

Centuries ahead, foreseeing that the Candy House might not hold, his captain had already written the script for the ensuing battle, smooth and precise, simple and easy to execute.

“I dare not touch the car, but that’s based on the possibility that I can get it back. If you insist on driving away, then I have no choice but to fight to the death.”

Shouldering the rocket launcher, Wu Sheng shrugged and spread his hands.

Every emotion and action were calculated to make the opponent worry he might lose control.

So, the standoff continued.

Wu Sheng didn’t advance because he wasn’t confident he could defeat Han Buting without destroying the car.

Han Buting didn’t come down because once he left the car, Wu Sheng wouldn’t hesitate to fire, and that would be enough for him.

This delicate balance could only be broken by an external force.

Both were waiting for their teammates.

In the end, Wu Sheng won.

A squirt gun hit Han Buting on the back of the head, signaling Captain Xu’s arrival.

The pain made Han Buting shake and instinctively turn around.

Wu Sheng seized this moment, rushing forward and grabbing Han Buting’s ankle, pulling hard!

Han Buting lost his balance and was yanked down from the car roof by Wu Sheng!

Close combat meant no rules; Wu Sheng pressed down on Han Buting, searching his pockets for the keys, urging Xu Wang, “Hurry, get in the car—”

Despite being ambushed, Han Buting was calm, smiling under Wu Sheng. “Don’t bother. The keys aren’t on me.”

Wu Sheng paused, staring into his eyes, trying to discern truth from lie.

Meanwhile, Xu Wang, who had arrived, tried the car door. It was locked.

“How could I possibly leave the keys with the car?” Han Buting sighed as if certain they wouldn’t “kill” him. “Only you would be so naive.”

Wu Sheng glanced back at Xu Wang.

Xu Wang, as if making a final decision, took a deep breath and called loudly into the woods. “[Mr. Thirteen of the Middle Ring]—”

Wu Sheng wasn’t sure if their last card would work, but at least for now, he couldn’t let Han Buting gloat.

“Who said you need keys to start a car?”

His question was soft but full of scorn.

Han Buting’s expression changed slightly.

From the depths of the woods, a man in a racing suit, his head adorned with two leaves, ran out, heading straight for the Beetle as if it was the only thing in his eyes.

Xu Wang stepped aside to give him room to work.

Mr. Thirteen immediately tried the car door.

Once.

Twice.

Then turned to tell Xu Wang, “It’s locked.”

Xu Wang was speechless. “I know it’s locked. Didn’t you say you could open it?!”

Mr. Thirteen looked at him innocently. “I said I could try.”

Xu Wang was on the brink of praying. “Then please, try quickly, Ancestor.”

……

This person wasn’t a “colleague” or an “NPC”, but Qian Ai’s [(Defense) Mr. Thirteen of the Middle Ring].

Right after Kuang Jinxin used [Candy House] to trap Han Buting’s team, they decided to meet up, not to steal back the Beetle, as it was too difficult, but instead use this defense stationery.

They had imagined that a flashy sports car would descend from the sky, and if they were lucky, it would come with a driver. They would then zoom around the Central Ring in just thirteen minutes, reaching the hospital in style.

This beautiful fantasy made them hesitant to use the stationery, saving it for a more critical moment.

At that time, they felt it was the right moment.

Unexpectedly, after using the stationery, no car arrived—only a driver with a small owl mark on his forehead that glowed faintly, matching the symbols on their arms.

“Can you start a car without the keys?”

“Of course, who am I? Mr. Thirteen of the Middle Ring!”

“Can you open the car door without a key?”

“……”

“You’re silent.”

“I’m the king of cars, not the king of locks!”

“The car door lock is an inseparable part of the car!”

“I… can try.”

“Hide well. Wait for our call.”

……

Seeing the mark on the newcomer’s forehead, Han Buting understood.

He had used similar stationery that could summon “special characters” before, with perfect user experience.

Losing his last bit of composure, Han Buting’s expression darkened.

Wu Sheng kept a vigilant eye on him, smiling slightly. “Your teammates probably won’t make it. The Ferris wheel is in a straight line from both the north and south gates. They’re probably dancing an Indian dance with the zombies by now.”

Han Buting looked at him quietly. “Do you know why I’m the team captain?”

Wu Sheng, feeling wary, didn’t respond.

Han Buting smiled back. “Because even if they all attacked together, they couldn’t beat me.”

[Owl: Someone used [(Illusory) Cupid’s Arrow] on you~~]

The playful notification sound made Wu Sheng’s breath hitch.

He didn’t even know when or how Han Buting activated the [Stationery Box] on his arm.

Xu Wang, also hearing the notification, saw a burst of holy golden light in the sky.

A chubby little boy angel with wings, holding a bow and arrow, flew in the light.

Wu Sheng and Xu Wang looked up, and without giving them time to react, the angel shot an arrow, hitting Xu Wang in the chest, right at the heart, then turned and shot Wu Sheng in the back, also corresponding to his heart.

The golden arrow turned into tiny golden particles upon entering their bodies, leaving no trace and not even a hint of pain.

Xu Wang held his chest, confused about what was happening.

Meanwhile, Wu Sheng was flipped over by Han Buting. Although he quickly got up, he showed no intention of stopping Han Buting!

Seeing Han Buting approaching, Xu Wang aimed his squirt gun at him and pulled the trigger!

Huh?

Xu Wang was stunned; his fingers wouldn’t move. No, it wasn’t that his fingers wouldn’t move, but his heart wouldn’t allow it.

He couldn’t bring himself to shoot Han Buting, even feeling as if his heart fluttered a bit as the other man approached. Was this Cupid’s Arrow?

[(Illusory) Cupid’s Arrow].

He had just been shot by… the arrow of the god of love?

What kind of stationery is this without any morals?!

“Sorry, I didn’t want to use this.” Han Buting gently pushed Xu Wang aside. “But you left me no choice.”

Next to the Beetle, only Mr. Thirteen was left, busily working.

“Click—”

The car door unlocked.

He, oblivious to the surroundings, looked up happily. “It’s open!”

Then he realized that the person in front of him had changed.

Han Buting raised his hand.

Mr. Thirteen quickly dodged aside, giving up the car door faster than a rabbit. It wasn’t that he gave up resistance; he had no intention of resisting.

Xu Wang widened his eyes. “Can defense stationery also be affected by illusory stationery?”

Mr. Thirteen looked up blankly. “No.”

Xu Wang: “Then why didn’t you resist?”

Mr. Thirteen: “I have no combat value, and we racers always advocate Love & Peace.”

Xu Wang: “…Why are you so racing if you’re so Zen?!”

Han Buting was amused by their conversation, leisurely listening for a while before bending down to enter the car.

Suddenly, an arm stretched across the car door, blocking his way.

Han Buting frowned and looked up at the blocker, who had appeared at some point. “You can’t lay a hand on me.”

Wu Sheng said, “I know.”

Han Buting tilted his head. “So?”

Wu Sheng leaned in, looking deeply into his eyes. “Thank you for giving me Cupid’s arrow. Now I can brew emotions.”

Han Buting felt a chill.

In the gaze full of emotion from his opponent, he heard the farewell song of going home.

[Owl: Someone used [(Offense) Deep Gaze of Death] on you~~]

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