Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 149: Continuing to Fly
In the third round, flights finally began to take off in succession—Jiang Dachuan, Xu Wang, Chi Yingxue, and Chen Guan—all rolled either a 6 or a 10.
Kong Lize, Qian Ai, Wang Duanran, and Wu Sheng remained in place, waiting.
Gu Nian rolled a 2, moving from 11 to 13, but nothing happened; it was another blank grid.
Kuang Jinxin rolled a 5, moving from 20 to 25…
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Grid 25 revealed, surprise.
The atmosphere instantly tensed up, as this was the first surprise grid since the game began, especially for Xu Wang’s team, who were eager to see what surprise the Owl had in store.
Before the prompt faded, a large wheel with wings suddenly materialized on Grid 23 where Kuang Jinxin stood. If not for the pointer in the middle of the wheel, it looked almost like a sentient electric fan.
As the wheel stabilized on the grid, the wings vanished.
Xu strongly suspected that this spinning wheel was stolen from a mall where a lottery event was being held, as it was exceptionally colorful and festive.
[Owl: Happy Roulette! You have thirty seconds to try your luck~~ If you don’t spin it in time, move back five spaces. Countdown begins.]
Xu Wang, being far away, couldn’t clearly see the different sections on the spinning wheel or what rewards they offered. Turning around, he looked at Gu Nian, who was just two spaces behind him, and waved with a friendly smile. “Hi.”
Gu Nian nodded gently and said in a calm and polite tone, “There will be a projection soon.”
Xu Wang: “I didn’t even ask yet…”
Gu Nian smiled. “Given the timing, it must be related to the Happy Roulette. Considering your first visit here, the information you’re looking for becomes clear.”
“……” Gu Nian’s thoughts were clear, but Xu Wang’s were currently quite blurry! He already had an advisor and a prospective boyfriend; he didn’t need another detective-genre opponent!
“Swish—”
The roulette, under the force exerted by Kuang Jinxin, started spinning with inertia, and at the same time, a clear projection appeared above the roulette.
The roulette was divided into five sections, each containing:
Move forward 1–10 random spaces.
Move backward 1–10 random spaces.
Bystander* Amulet of Protection (three rounds).
*Watch a fire from the other side of the river (隔岸观火) Idiom referring to taking an attitude of not helping others in emergencies and instead watching the excitement.
Good Neighbor* Responsibility Amulet (three rounds).
*(睦邻友好) Idiom referring to living in harmony and friendly interaction with neighboring countries or neighbors.
Tornado.
The pointer inside the roulette, fixed vertically upwards, pointed towards the 12 o’clock direction, just waiting for the roulette to stop to see which section it would land on.
Out of the five fates, besides moving forward and backward, the rest of the three sections left Xu Wang’s team in confusion.
The roulette gradually slowed down, as if it would stop at any moment.
Kuang Jinxin stared intently at the pointer. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t nervous.
Finally, the roulette wheel came to a complete stop—Bystander’s Amulet of Protection!
The next moment, the roulette grew wings and flew away, disappearing into the dome. Just as it vanished, a pale golden light shone down from the glass dome, illuminating Kuang Jinxin!
Seconds later, the light vanished, and Kuang Jinxin looked at his body in a daze, not feeling any change.
Wang Duanran’s team obviously knew what this was. From their slightly furrowed brows, Xu Wang judged that this must be something good.
The Owl didn’t give them time to think and immediately reminded the next person to roll the dice.
Thus, the third round ended quickly, and the fourth round began.
In Grid 1, Qian Ai and Kong Lizhe’s initially high spirits were completely extinguished by the flight delay. They crouched despondently in the square, quietly watching Jiang Dachuan, who had already moved to the next square, roll the dice, their posture uniform, their hearts unmoved.
Jiang Dachuan rolled a 5, landing on 2-7.
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Grid 7 revealed, surprise.
Qian Ai slightly lifted his head, waiting for the Happy Roulette to fly back, but instead of the roulette, there was the sound of… a wolf’s howl.
“Owooooo—”
This howl jolted Qian Ai to full alertness, and even more shockingly, a winged wolf really flew in from the sky!
It was one and a half meters long, with its gray-black fur shimmering with a dim light. Its eyes were like green stones and its teeth were like sharp knives—a true image of a ferocious wolf!
But… it had a pair of tiny, snow-white wings.
This was undoubtedly the most maliciously cute thing Qian Ai had ever seen!
Like the Happy Roulette, the wolf had a clear target, heading straight for Jiang Dachuan on Grid 7!
Jiang Dachuan reacted quickly, dodging at the last moment. The wolf brushed past him, plunging into the water, but almost instantly, it rose from the water and attacked Jiang Dachuan again!
Jiang Dachuan stood still this time.
At this moment, Qian Ai finally understood the trap in the rules—falling into the water or leaving the square was against the rules, meaning Jiang Dachuan had to stand in the square and take down the wolf, ensuring he wasn’t pushed out of the square! But the wolf could move freely over the water!
While he was lost in thought, the wolf had already pounced in front of Jiang Dachuan.
Suddenly, his eyes darkened, and the water beside him surged into a high wave. The wave turned into a giant hand, slapping the wolf into the depths of the water, never to be seen again.
Qian Ai, looking at the Owl emblem faintly glowing on Jiang Dachuan’s arm, instantly understood—he had used stationery.
“Ding—”
It was Gu Nian’s arm that sounded the alert.
[Cheat Sheet]: Please roll.
Qian Ai watched as the dice flew into Gu Nian’s hand, then looked back at Jiang Dachuan. “Is it over just like that?”
The latter was only seven spaces ahead, still within shouting distance.
Jiang Dachuan frowned. “What’s wrong? Not satisfied with the show?” The surprise of a wolf appearing was already annoying, and this question added to his irritation. “You should worry about how you’re going to take off instead.”
Qian Ai was exasperated. “No, I’m just making small talk. Can we not get aggressive…”
He felt like he was being stabbed in the chest.
Meanwhile, Gu Nian had already started rolling the dice.
Jiang Dachuan ignored him, focusing entirely on his teammate.
So the surprise grid is indeed a mix of surprises and shocks; it can be the Happy Roulette or the legend of the evil wolf… As Qian Ai pondered, Gu Nian’s roll was already decided.
2.
He moved forward two spaces, 13-15.
But Xu Wang was on Grid 15.
Watching Gu Nian move through the air towards him, Xu Wang felt conflicted—his Launch Point was Grid 14, and he had just taken off in the last round, only to be caught up by someone from the previous take-off point.
If he remembered correctly, the rules stated that when different teams enter the same grid, they must compete using their stationery, with the losing side returning to their Launch Point.
It wouldn’t be a big loss for him to go back since he just took off, but if he could make Gu Nian, who had already moved a quarter of the way around, go back, that would be even better.
Thinking this, Xu Wang quickly started sorting through his stationery in his mind, looking for the most effective tactic.
Gu Nian arrived in front of Xu Wang and gently landed.
One grid, two people, face to face.
Gu Nian still had that calm demeanor, even raising his arm elegantly and composedly.
Knowing he was less experienced than his opponent, Xu Wang felt uncontrollably nervous, but he didn’t show it and imitated Gu Nian, gracefully raising his arm and opening his [Stationery Box].
[Owl: Stationery PK battle begins. Please stand back to back.]
Back to back?
Xu Wang was startled. What kind of new battle stance was this?
But Gu Nian had already turned around.
Xu Wang quickly did the same. He couldn’t show any weakness at this moment.
[Owl: Please choose the stationery you want to use within ten seconds.]
Xu Wang frowned deeply.
Choosing a stationery wasn’t the issue, but what next? How was this fight going to happen? Stationery needs to be controlled, and with their backs turned, they couldn’t see anything. Who would know where to aim!
With no time to think, Xu Wang made a snap decision, choosing [(Illusory) Never Want to Grow Up].
If he guessed right, this stationery could turn the opponent into a child or even a toddler with diminished intelligence and physical strength, rendering any stationery they use ineffective!
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Xu Wang uses [(Illusory) Never Want to Grow Up]. Gu Nian regresses to childhood, losing combat ability. Gu Nian uses [(Illusory) Eighteen Levels of Hell*]. Xu Wang enters the Eighteen Levels of Hell, suffering extreme pain, leading to a mental breakdown. Gu Nian wins.
*In Chinese hell, there’s eighteen levels, which vary depending on narration but are used to punish sinners.
Xu Wang: “……”
Wu Sheng, Kuang Jinxin, Qian Ai, Chi Yingxue: “……”
It’s a fucking text-based PK?!
Without his consent, Captain Xu was sent back to his Launch Point.
Gu Nian stood firm on Grid 15, casting an apologetic glance at him.
Xu Wang asked, “Can I protest?”
Gu Nian replied, “I don’t think that mechanism exists.”
Xu Wang then asked, “Can I curse, then?”
Gu Nian responded, “You can, but try not to be too offensive.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Grinding his teeth, Xu Wang couldn’t think of anything to strike back at his opponent; the asymmetry of information was too much of a disadvantage. In the end, he could only look up at Wu Sheng across from him—I’ve been bullied!
Wu Sheng sighed quietly and nodded subtly—I saw.
Xu Wang glared with furrowed brows—Avenge me!
Wu Sheng pondered for a moment, then decided to be honest—I’m half a circle away from him.
Xu Wang shook his head—It’s okay. He should reach you by the time you take off.
“……” Advisor Wu didn’t know how to respond to such a complicated statement.
“Hey.” Chen Guan, who had just taken off and was now in the neighboring grid, frowned. “If you two have something to say, just say it openly. No need for all these secretive glances!”
Before their captain could speak, Qian Ai, squatting on Grid 1, couldn’t help but interject, “They’re flirting. What’s it to you!”
Chen Guan was stunned, stammering, “Fl-flirting? What are you talking about?”
Qian Ai stood up, feeling the fire of battle reigniting within him. “Flirting! Mwah, mwah, mwah! Get it?”
“……” Chen Guan became petrified.
Gu Nian, Jiang Dachuan, and Kong Lizhe were stunned.
Wang Duanran’s eyes widened, his mouth half-open. A few seconds later, he suddenly slapped his head, causing his curly hair to shake, exuding an air of sudden enlightenment. “Right. Why do I have to find friends outside the Owl, constantly lying and coaxing? I can just sort it out in the Owl! Fall in love, go through challenges, and get married…”
“Wang! Boss Wang. Wake up.” Kong Lizhe, in a panic, directly called his employer by his title. “There are only men in the Owl—brothers, brothers!”
Wang Duanran shrugged indifferently. “I’m very open-minded.”
Kong Lizhe, Jiang Dachuan, Gu Nian, Chen Guan: “……”
We’re not!
“Lizhe, just roll the dice.” Chen Guan, while rubbing his temples, urged his teammate, not wanting to say another word to his delusional, lovelorn boss.
Kong Lizhe, feeling exhausted, took a deep breath and casually threw the dice—10.
He took off!
Moving lightly to Grid 2, Kong Lizhe looked back at Qian Ai with a clear and refreshed spirit, thinking that even if there were another male boss’s wife, he could handle it!
Qian Ai gripped the dice tightly and threw it with all his might!
9.
…Goodbye.
As Qian Ai crouched back down on this side, Kuang Jinxin, Xu Wang, Chi Yingxue, Wang Duanran, Chen Guan, and Wu Sheng each took their turns to roll the dice.
In the end, Kuang Jinxin moved from 25 to 30 and received another stationary reward [(Illusory) Counterintelligence*]; Xu Wang was still at his original Launch Point; Chi Yingxue went from 28 to 36—a surprise grid gave him a poisonous snake which he threw into the water without using any stationery; Wang Duanran successfully took off, moving from 27 to 28; Chen Guan moved from 41 to 45, earning a cash reward of 5,000 yuan; Wu Sheng took off, moving from 40 to 41.
*(反间计) This is derived from the Thirty-Six Stratagems, referring to seeing through the other side’s conspiracy and cleverly using it to attack them.
Thus, the fourth round ended with Kuang Jinxin leading, having covered 17 out of 52 spaces in the circle, followed closely by Gu Nian with 15 spaces, and Chi Yingxue coming from behind with 10 spaces. The rest were still in single digits.
Of course, there were players like Qian Ai and Xu Wang who hadn’t had the chance to take off or had taken off only to be knocked back.
The fifth round began.
Jiang Dachuan rolled a 7, moving from 7 to 14.
On Grid 14, stood Captain Xu—that was his Launch Point.
The Launch Point also applied the “collision PK rule”.
But this time, Captain Xu was happy, opening his arms to welcome him. “My door is always open, waiting for you with open arms.”
Jiang Dachuan despaired. “Of course, you’re open. If the PK fails, you stay put, and my quarter-circle journey is wasted…”
Xu Wang looked at him with innocent eyes. “I don’t want this either. I would like to leave the door open for you, but it’s your Gu Nian who sent me back here.”
“Da Chuan, why are you arguing with him?” Kong Lizhe, who had just taken off, was in a great mood and spoke lightly, as if he was on cloud nine. “Just PK him directly. They are first-timers in this level. Are you afraid of newbies?”
Hearing this, Jiang Dachuan also felt the same way, and his confidence in facing Xu Wang increased.
Xu Wang gave him a host-like smile, then turned around proficiently even before the prompt.
Jiang Dachuan also turned his back as soon as he landed on the grid.
[Owl: Please choose the stationery you want to use within ten seconds.]
Xu Wang tried to calm himself, flipping through his stationeries while thinking about what the opponent might use.
Judging from his teammate’s comment that boosted his confidence, Jiang Dachuan seemed like a straightforward boy. Such people usually throw straight punches and are more likely to use weapons because they are less prone to errors, and he would definitely choose a weapon with lethal power. Xu Wang knew he couldn’t defend against it, not knowing the attributes of the weapon nor being able to counter it precisely. The only thing he could do was fight fire with fire…
“Ding—”
The crisp sound of the alert made the whole place rustle.
There was no projection for stationery PK, so every participant was anxious, looking down at their arms as soon as the alert sounded.
Xu Wang and Jiang Dachuan did the same.
[Cheat Sheet]: Xu Wang uses [(Offense) Crushing Bones and Scattering Ashes], Jiang Dachuan dies; Jiang Dachuan uses [(Offense) Beheading], Xu Wang dies; Jiang Dachuan dissipates with the wind, Xu Wang remains intact. Xu Wang wins.
“……” The whole place fell silent.
Never underestimate a captain’s will for revenge.
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