Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

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

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Chapter 127: Kitchen

The bus arrived at a railway crossing. The barrier was raised high, showing no sign of an approaching train.

The bus smoothly entered the crossing, and the driver slowed down. However, as the tires rolled over the tracks, the ride was inevitably a bit bumpy.

Unexpectedly, this jolt shook loose a phone from the hand of a girl who was extending her selfie stick out of the window to capture the scenery. There was a “snap” sound, and the selfie stick was still extended, but the phone that had been attached was now gone.

The girl quickly shouted, “Driver, stop. My phone fell out—”

As she shouted, she retracted the selfie stick and leaned out to look down, fearing the tires might have crushed her phone.

Xu Wang saw her leaning out and felt something was wrong. Just as he was about to warn her to be careful, a large truck also crossing the railway line approached at high speed. In the midst of the violent jostling, the truck brushed past the bus with a whoosh!

The girl didn’t have time to dodge, and her head was struck directly by the truck! The force of the impact flung her entire body out of the window, and she practically flew out!

It all happened in an instant.

The truck crossed the railway and sped away.

The girl landed several meters away on the ground with her head gone, leaving only her body. Blood surged from her neck, staining the tracks red.

The bus driver, terrified, slammed on the brakes and killed the engine.

Qian Ai was shocked. “Driver, don’t stop. This is a railway!”

But the bus driver couldn’t hear him. Trembling, he opened the window, his face pale as he stared at the body not far away, completely stunned.

“Ding—Ding—Ding—”

The railway signal light started flashing red.

In the distance, the sound of a train could be heard.

To run or not to run? That was the question! Running could mean falling right into the demon’s trap, as stepping off the bus might trigger an attack. Not running? Staying put would mean certain death when the train arrived!

Outside the window, the approaching train could already be seen!

“What are you waiting for? Get off the bus!” Wu Sheng quickly walked back and made a decisive call.

As soon as he spoke, the small team hadn’t yet moved, but the travelers in the bus panicked first. They got up, some climbing directly out of the windows; others ran to the front, banging on the door and shouting for the driver to open it.

Wu Sheng unbuckled Xu Wang’s seat belt and pulled him up. Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and Chi Yingxue also stood up.

The bus door was already opened by a traveler who had found the switch.

The five companions were heading forward, and two girls and another couple from the back of the bus also ran over. Annoyed at their slow pace, they rushed forward in a panic, pushing and pulling each other, which only slowed them down even more!

“One at a time, there’s enough time!” Xu Wang shouted.

But those few ignored him, acting as if possessed, more intent on dragging everyone down with them than escaping!

The companions didn’t hesitate anymore. Using all their wits and strength, they finally managed to push them behind!

They rushed forward, the exit just in sight.

But so was the train!

Just a few steps away!

[Owl: Someone has used [(Defense) A Clever Rabbit Has Three Burrows] on you~~]

Suddenly, the ground beneath the five companions gave way, and they fell into an underground space!

Above them was a transparent surface, through which they saw the train “thunder” past, hitting the bus and sending it flying, pressing against the transparent surface as it sped by.

The bus hit the ground, making another loud noise, nearly shaking the ground, and then rolled a few times before coming to a stop.

Xu Wang, relieved, looked around at his four companions inside the “Rabbit’s Burrow”.

Chi Yingxue raised his hand, taking credit for the action.

Xu Wang patted his shoulder with gratitude. “I’ll make sure to credit you for this when we get back—a big merit, for sure!”

Kuang Jinxin looked up at the transparent surface, still puzzled about how they had fallen in so suddenly. He had used the [A Clever Rabbit Has Three Burrows] stationery before, during the Red Eye Flight level. Back then, to enter the burrow, one had to climb down themselves.

After the train had completely passed, the red light at the crossing turned off.

The five climbed out of the burrow, finding the crossing in total disarray.

The surviving travelers were gathered outside the crossing, some limping, likely injured, and jumping out of the windows.

The man and three women who had been pulling at them at the last moment didn’t make it out. Along with the driver, they lay in the wreckage of the bus—now five corpses.

The sun was beginning to set.

Only seven survivors remained—five men and two women.

Among the five men—the tour leader, the backpacker, and the man in a long-distance relationship—were all suspects previously identified by Wu Sheng; the remaining two men were university classmates who had come together, and the two women, who were best friends, on vacation.

The tour leader, dusting off the dirt from the escape, sighed heavily. “The bus is gone. We’ll have to walk the rest of the way. Luckily, it’s not too far.” He pointed behind him. “See that red roof over there? That’s where we’re headed.”

The travelers grumbled but had no choice but to follow the tour leader, limping forward. The original plan to “enjoy the green mountains and rivers” had ended prematurely, moving into the “just wanting to get to the lodge to rest” phase.

Wu Sheng walked at the back of the group, able to see everyone’s condition.

The backpacker still followed the tour leader, walking alone and silently, occasionally lifting his camera to take a picture, like an artist lost in his own world.

The man in the long-distance relationship was constantly tapping on his phone, perhaps communicating with his girlfriend about the recent scare.

The tour leader’s face no longer held ease, and he no longer waved the small flag. He trudged forward, taking a few steps and then sighing heavily as if out of breath.

The pair of male classmates were playfully pushing and shoving each other, still full of energy; the pair of female friends were whispering and occasionally laughing lightly, radiating charm and vivacity.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long, like cryptic codes waiting to be deciphered.

They finally reached the mountain villa.

It was a three-story countryside villa, built in an ancient style with a wild charm in its garden walls, but the companions had no time to appreciate it.

As they entered the courtyard, Qian Ai looked at the sky and reminded with concern, “Captain, the sun is about to set.”

“Mm.” Wu Sheng acknowledged, indicating he heard.

Qian Ai was anxious. “Don’t just ‘mm’. Do you have any idea who it is?”

The time was drawing near to make a choice. Though not many people were left, choosing one out of seven was still difficult. Even if they only considered the three remaining suspects Wu Sheng had in mind, the probability of being right was only 33.3%…

“Just ask directly,” Wu Sheng said.

Qian Ai was stunned. “Directly ask?”

Xu Wang, who had been waiting for their advisor to make a move, was also surprised and whispered, “Ask the tour leader?”

Wu Sheng nodded. “Since all suspicions point to him, asking him is the most direct way.”

Qian Ai was incredulous. “If he really is the demon, how could he possibly tell you the truth?”

Ahead, the tour leader had already used a key hidden under a windowsill to open the villa’s main door and led the team inside. Looking back to see them still at the entrance of the courtyard, he called out loudly, “Come in quickly. Why are you standing outside?”

Wu Sheng looked towards the tour leader and said indifferently, “Whether he tells the truth or not is his business. Finding inconsistencies is my job.”

Qian Ai: “……”

Kuang Jinxin: “……”

Chi Yingxue: “……”

Xu Wang looked down, focusing on the ground, ready to protect their advisor from stepping on nails or any other danger. Behind a successful person, there always has to be a man working silently in the background.

When they entered the hall, Chi Yingxue unexpectedly asked, “What should we do?”

It was the first time he had taken the initiative to ask for a task, which made Xu Wang raise his eyebrows.

Wu Sheng was about to delegate, but upon hearing the question, he responded directly, “Don’t let anyone else die.”

Chi Yingxue tilted his head. Confusion flashed in his eyes, but he just reconfirmed verbally, “Everyone?”

Wu Sheng said, “Yes, everyone.”

Qian Ai couldn’t understand. It was obvious that they themselves couldn’t die, but why did they have to prevent the deaths of the tour group members? The more members of the tour group that died, the fewer were left, making the demon more obvious. In an extreme case, if only one person remained at sunset, there would be no need for deduction to identify the demon.

Before he could ask, Wu Sheng had already headed towards the tour leader in the living room.

Qian Ai, bewildered, turned to Xu Wang.

Xu Wang explained, “Haven’t you noticed? Whoever we suspect ends up dead.”

Qian Ai realized it was true. They suspected the cook, and he was chopped to death by a kitchen knife; they suspected the two people who splashed water in the restaurant, and then they fell down the elevator shaft; recently, during the train incident, the people who hindered their escape also seemed suspicious and ended up as a corpse.

“Any of the remaining survivors might hold crucial clues,” Xu Wang said. “We can’t afford to lose any more.”

With the captain’s explanation, Qian Ai understood completely, but he suddenly realized he hadn’t actually voiced his question.

“How did you know what I was going to ask?”

“If I don’t even know what you want to ask, how can I be the captain?”

Xu Wang smiled confidently, turned proudly, and went to support Wu Sheng, leaving Qian Ai alone, deeply impressed. “The captain is truly a captain.”

Kuang Jinxin, who had been listening to the entire conversation, hesitated whether to tell Qian Ai the truth. Why did the captain know what Qian Ai wanted to ask? Because the leaders had secretly discussed the next tactics a few minutes ago, and the captain had already asked the advisor. The answer the captain gave to Qian Ai was the same as the advisor’s response to the captain.

“Tonight, we’ll have a BBQ. Everyone, get busy. You, skewer the meat. You, wash the vegetables. You, start the charcoal. And you… what did you say you were good at again?”

“Fried chicken! I’m not bragging, but I’m a chef held back by academics!”

In the living room, the travelers were already getting excited, rolling up their sleeves to contribute to the evening’s barbecue feast.

The kitchen was at the end of the living room—an open-style kitchen. When Wu Sheng arrived, the tour leader was already busy with a few people. Only the backpacker, sitting at the bar stool near the counter, was flipping through photos on his DSLR camera, and the long-distance lover, for once putting down his phone, was helping the college student prepare fried chicken and searching the fridge.

“Oh, are you also planning to show off your skills?” The tour leader, stuffing kiwifruits into a blender to make a smoothie, saw Wu Sheng coming and teased him with a smile.

Wu Sheng, having no time to beat around the bush, got straight to the point. “How many people have you flirted with?”

The tour leader was taken aback, putting the kiwifruit piece he had just picked up back into the bowl, and looked at him bewildered. “What are you talking about?”

Wu Sheng said, “The young man who almost drowned at the bath center; he was distracted because you rejected him; the two girls who splashed water at each other in the restaurant, they quarreled because of you. Is your main job leading tours and your side job being a lover?”

“First, finish the fruit smoothie.” The tour leader handed the blending task to a female traveler next to him, wiped his hands, and then frowned at Wu Sheng. “Are you sick?”

Wu Sheng didn’t speak. He just silently looked at him, continuing to look until the tour leader felt uneasy.

“Alright.” The tour leader finally couldn’t stand it and admitted it. “I was two-timing, but only with girls—there were no guys. You can’t just blame me for everything because I’m a womanizer, can you?”

“Wasn’t it you who texted the young man?”

“Texted what?”

“Twice. Once, you reminded him, ‘Handsome, it’s time to gather,’ and the other time he confessed his love…”

“Tour leader—” A coquettish call from the side suddenly interrupted Wu Sheng’s words and instantly drew the tour leader’s attention.

“What’s the matter? What’s the matter?” The tour leader almost immediately rushed over, showing great eagerness.

The girl who called him was the one who had just taken over his juice-making task. She pouted and said, “The blender stopped working. I told you not to cut the pieces so big…”

“Kiwifruits are so soft. It doesn’t matter how big the pieces are. You could even put the whole fruit in and it wouldn’t get stuck. Let me see…” The tour leader said, about to lift the lid of the blender.

Wu Sheng suddenly felt uneasy. “Don’t move—”

But it was a step too late. The moment the blender lid was opened, the blades at the bottom suddenly started spinning at high speed again, splattering green smoothie all over the tour leader’s face!

“Fuck!” He cursed, about to wipe the green pulp off his face, but the blender blades spun faster and faster, and suddenly, out of control, they detached and flew straight towards his eye!

“Ahhhhh—”

The tour leader, covering his bloodied eyes, staggered backward. The guy frying chicken behind him was so frightened that he instinctively moved aside, revealing the bubbling, smoking hot oil in the deep fryer!

Wu Sheng wanted to go forward to help, but the startled travelers blocked his way!

Just as the tour leader was about to knock over the fryer, Wu Sheng could almost foresee the subsequent development—the fryer toppling over, bursting into flames, resulting in either the tour leader being scalded to death by hot oil or burnt alive, with no chance of survival!

In the nick of time, Chi Yingxue suddenly appeared.

Wu Sheng didn’t even see how he darted in from the other side.

He saw Chi Yingxue forcefully bump into the tour leader, who was falling backward. The impact sent the tour leader flying towards Wu Sheng, crashing heavily onto Wu Sheng and a group of travelers hiding there.

Then, he swiftly turned off the stove.

Kuang Jinxin, standing by, immediately put on heat-resistant gloves and took the entire fryer outside the villa, banishing it to the cool outside air.

Qian Ai unplugged all the kitchen appliances and also confiscated dangerous items like kitchen knives, can openers, and wine bottle openers.

“First aid kit. Find the first aid kit.” A girl finally reacted, supporting the screaming tour leader, as she anxiously said.

“Nobody move!” Xu Wang stopped everyone from running around, offering his own first aid kit.

The girl gave the tour leader’s injured eye a simple dressing, which was more for psychological comfort than any real treatment, at most stopping the bleeding.

Wu Sheng was unwilling to interrogate the man at this moment, but he was pressed for time, as outside, only half of the sun was visible over the mountain.

After a moment of hesitation, he gently searched the tour leader’s pocket.

The tour leader, in pain, didn’t notice.

Soon, Wu Sheng found the man’s phone and quickly unlocked it using the tour leader’s fingerprint.

Checking the message history, there were flirtatious texts to the two girls but none to the young man.

Aside from the unexpected line with the young man, the source of the restaurant water-splashing accident was undoubtedly the tour leader. According to the theory that “the first flap of the butterfly’s wings must be triggered by the demon”, the demon should be the tour leader. But the current scene, looking like an “attempted murder”, was enough to prove that the demon wasn’t the tour leader, which was contradictory…

“What are you doing with my phone!” the tour leader, realizing late, shouted from a distance.

Seeing that he still had the energy to yell at him, Wu Sheng was somewhat relieved and, thinking quickly, suddenly said, “I’m checking who leaked your two-timing.”

The tour leader became furious, forgetting the pain and struggling to get up. “I knew someone was out to get me! I was wondering why they both confronted me out of the blue, saying I sent messages meant for one to the other, even getting the names wrong. As the heavens is my witness, ever since I started two-timing, I’ve been careful never to use any names in messages!”

Wu Sheng: “……”

Xu Wang: “……”

Chi Yingxue: “……”

Kuang Jinxin: “……”

Qian Ai: “Why are you so proud of that?!”

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