Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 150: Mentality
“Welcome home.” Qian Ai, who has resigned to taking root on Grid 1, cheerfully stepped back to make space for Jiang Dachuan, who was bumped back by his captain.
Jiang Dachuan doesn’t feel like talking right now.
On Grid 2, Kong Lizhe glared at Qian Ai, annoyed. “Could you maybe take off before you start with the wisecracks?”
Qian Ai: “You’ve only moved 1 space yourself. Don’t get carried away.”
Kong Lizhe: “……”
The sound of the dice landing interrupted their bickering and drew the attention of everyone on the board.
Gu Nian and Kuang Jinxin were the vanguards for their teams, and whoever reached the end first would have fired the first shot for their team—a matter crucial for the team’s morale and fortune.
The dice rolled forward and finally stopped on an empty space ahead—6.
Wang Duanran was thrilled. “Beautiful!”
Jiang Dachuan and Kong Lizhe were also energized.
A roll of 6 allowed for another throw, effectively giving one an extra move compared to others. Now, he was only 2 spaces behind Kuang Jinxin, and overtaking him seemed almost certain!
Even Chen Guan, who usually had a stern face, lightened up considerably and shouted across the space, “Lao Gu.” When Gu Nian looked over, he glanced towards Kuang Jinxin and said, “It’s up to you now.”
Gu Nian nodded in understanding.
Although they were on Wang Duanran’s payroll, having fought side by side up to this point, there was a sense of camaraderie and understanding among them. Chen Guan’s “It’s up to you” wasn’t simply about overtaking Kuang Jinxin in progress but also about catching up in position, preferably landing on the same spot to directly knock Kuang Jinxin back.
Overtaking was one thing, but being overtaken was always a possibility. Only by completely knocking the opponent back to the starting point, denying them any chance of a comeback, could one truly claim victory—Gu Nian understood what Chen Guan meant. After all, Chen Guan was the most temperamental in the team, still burning from the frustration of their last encounter at the castle.
As they spoke, Gu Nian completed his move—15-21.
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Grid 21 revealed, reward.
Ding—
[Cheat Sheet]: Congratulations to Gu Nian for receiving a cash reward of 20,000 yuan!
Qian Ai couldn’t believe it. “Damn, what kind of luck is this? Is he blessed by the God of Wealth—”
Grid 20 was already a reward space, and now Grid 21 is too. Is the board created by Gu Nian’s family?!
Gu Nian looked over with an apologetic sigh. “It’s out of my hands when I’m in the game.”
Qian Ai: “……”
Why couldn’t he be the one to suffer such “out of my hands” misfortune!
The dice returned to Gu Nian’s hand. He became serious and looked at Kuang Jinxin’s position, silently calculating the spaces.
While he did so, everyone else did too.
A roll of 9 would land him on Grid 30, where Kuang Jinxin currently was. That space had already been revealed by Kuang Jinxin as a reward. The rest was up to him to knock the opponent back.
Wang Duanran’s team quieted down, silently wishing their teammate luck, as if the air itself was filled with the number “9”.
Xu Wang’s team watched closely, genuinely hoping Gu Nian rolled a 1.
The dice was thrown, landing on the water nearby, creating a small splash.
Everyone held their breath for the result…
8.
Gu Nian looked around and gave his teammates an apologetic look.
Wang Duanran was optimistic. “We’re already a quarter ahead in progress. Just keep up the pace and rush to the finish!”
Gu Nian’s Launch Point A was a quarter circle behind Kuang Jinxin’s Launch Point B. Now that he was caught up next to Kuang Jinxin, in terms of overall progress, that was a quarter lead, right?
Xu Wang breathed a sigh of relief, not caring much about catching up as long as they weren’t in the same space. He didn’t wish for Xiao Kuang to play this vicious stationery PK game.
After moving, Gu Nian landed on Grid 29.
Behind him was Wang Duanran on Grid 28.
Ahead of him was Kuang Jinxin on Grid 30.
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Grid 29 revealed, surprise.
The moment Wang Duanran saw the [Cheat Sheet], he immediately retreated all the way to the edge of Grid 28. Gu Nian, on the other hand, firmly moved forward, all the way to the line intersecting Grids 29 and 30.
This put nearly two meters of distance between Gu Nian and Wang Duanran, and even closer to Kuang Jinxin.
Kuang Jinxin was puzzled, while Wu Sheng immediately reacted. “Xiao Kuang, be careful not to get caught in the surprise!”
One must not overstep, but surprises know no bounds. Being so close, it felt unsafe, no matter how one thought about it.
As soon as the words were spoken, a gray shadow burst out from the ground at high speed, fiercely pouncing towards Gu Nian!
Gu Nian’s body suddenly soared more than two meters high. The gray shadow missed and plunged into the water, creating a layer of gray as if it had landed on the water’s surface.
Kuang Jinxin stared blankly at the gray shadow, which gradually revealed arms, legs… In the rippling water, he suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.
Just as he was wondering, a prompt suddenly came to his ears—
[Owl: Someone is within three grids. [Pond Fish Rule] activated. Darlings around, share the surprise~~ You cannot attack opponents, but accidental harm doesn’t count~~]
Kuang Jinxin was stunned. The previously incomprehensible [Pond Fish Rule] appeared!
A disaster for the gate causes trouble for the fish in the pond, so does this mean, as their advisor deduced, that being nearby would get one involved in the surprise?
“Xiao Kuang—”
An urgent call came from the distance.
Kuang Jinxin snapped back to reality, only to find the gray shadow charging at him, already face to face.
At that moment, Kuang Jinxin remembered where he had seen this gray figure before—it was the [(Offense) Returning Home] used by the Camouflage Team in the 4/23 Moonlight Maze!
The shadow was so fast that there was no time to dodge, and Kuang Jinxin was struck squarely.
Xu Wang, Qian Ai, and Wu Sheng all tensed up, while Chi Yingxue threw a stationery. After all, it was only said that you can’t attack opponents, but didn’t say you can’t attack surprises.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the stationery came out, it fell into the water, not even flying a meter.
Chi Yingxue narrowed his eyes, probably understanding that outside the [Pond Fish Rule], or rather, those not within the nearby three grids, could only watch, unaffected and without the right to intervene.
At this moment, a faint golden light suddenly appeared around Kuang Jinxin.
The next second, the gray ghost shadow bounced back to the water surface!
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: [Bystander’s Amulet of Protection] activated.
Kuang Jinxin had almost forgotten about the Happy Wheel incident; so, being a bystander means not being affected! Does “three rounds” mean he can dodge three times, or is it effective for three rounds?
While Kuang Jinxin pondered one question after another, Wu Sheng was closely watching the shadow, realizing his earlier judgment was wrong. Wang Duanran’s avoidance wasn’t out of “fear” of being affected, but because he knew the [Pond Fish Rule] would be triggered, and under this rule, surprises would actively attack those within the nearby three grids!
The shadow then turned towards Wang Duanran, who used a defense stationery, managing to hold off for a moment.
“Fwish—”
Gu Nian had used some stationery, causing flames to ignite above his head and on both shoulders, shining with a blue light like a gas stove.
The next moment, the blue flames flew towards the shadow.
Just as the shadow turned, preparing to attack Gu Nian again, shadow and flames collided squarely.
The blue flames blazed intensely, like three blooming lotuses, and the ghost shadow twisted and deformed in the fiery light, eventually vanishing.
Wang Duanran removed his defense stationery and sat on the ground, gasping for breath.
Glancing up by chance, he met Kuang Jinxin’s gaze and said unpleasantly, “What are you looking at? You’re just lucky, or you would have died a hundred times over.”
Kuang Jinxin, who was just quietly minding his business, was now the target of anger, no longer followed the path of love and peace, and calmly declared, “Qian Ge said, luck is the greatest strength.”
Wang Duanran: “……”
Kong Lizhe and Jiang Dachuan looked at Qian Ai, then understood.
Qian Ai frowned, feeling the gazes on him were full of sympathy.
The dice came into Kong Lize’s hands.
He threw it, a 5.
He moved from 2 to 7, but Grid 7 had already been revealed—a surprise.
Surprises are definitely the most tormenting little devils.
Kong Lize focused intently, daring not to be careless for even a second, and finally landed on Grid 7 after a slow descent.
[Owl: Quick Happy Answer! What is the contact number on the small advertisement posted on the flat map board at the entrance of the Central Hospital in 3/23? A.2586XXXX B.2568XXXX C.2877XXXX D.2657XXXX. Countdown begins! 10! 9! 8! 7……]
This prompt sounded in everyone’s ears.
Although Kong Lize was the one answering, Xu Wang and the others were inexplicably nervous, and… Why is there even a quiz?! And such a crazy question at that?! Who would notice a small ad while running through levels!
“B… B! I choose B!” Kong Lize, although prepared, still felt his heart pounding and almost couldn’t speak clearly.
[Owl: Correct answer. Congratulations!]
Grid 7 was securely passed.
Kong Lize felt a huge relief. His forehead was covered in sweat as if he had returned to the scene of a college entrance exam—truly a true journey through hell.
“Xiao Kong,” Qian Ai called affectionately, unashamed to ask. “Did you really remember, or was it a guess?”
“If you’ve been tricked before, you’d start to observe life in a twisted way during the challenges. But that’s a story for another time.” Kong Lize wiped his sweat and smiled. “You all just pray you don’t encounter such surprises, or you’ll be sent back to the starting point one after another.”
Qian Ai: “Xiao Kong…”
Kong Lize: “I’ve tolerated you for a long time. Don’t simplify people’s names at will!”
Qian Ai wanted to continue the conversation, but the dice had already flown to his own hands.
Well, squatting at the launch point for so long, he almost forgot he had the right to roll the dice.
“Clack.”
The dice landed and hit Jiang Dachuan’s foot, who was also at the starting point, and almost didn’t roll before stopping.
6.
Finally, he, could, fly!
“Da Jiang!” Qian Ai wanted to embrace this lucky star!
Jiang Dachuan: “……”
Even if one really wanted to get closer, normal people should call him Da Chuan, right?!
Qian Ai’s heart had already flown to the moon, now seeing everyone as little angels.
1-2.
One small step on the game board, one giant leap for Qian Ai.
Next was—
Kuang Jinxin, 3, 30-33, blank.
Xu Wang, 10, taking off again.
Chi Yingxue, 5, 36-41, landing on the same blank square as Wu Sheng.
“You’re quite fast without making a sound.” Wu Sheng had only moved one square from the starting point, while Xiao Xue had rushed over from the previous launch point.
Chi Yingxue looked back at the path he had taken, sighing softly. “I’ve only encountered blank squares.”
His words were filled with regret.
Wu Sheng smiled. “At least there was a snake.”
“The combat power is too weak.” Chi Yingxue shook his head, his gaze wandering into the distance, full of longing. “If only it were a snake spirit.”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Wang Duanran’s dice landed, freeing Wu Sheng from the “conversation dilemma”.
9.
28-37, blank.
Chen Guan, 3, 45–48, was rewarded with [(Defense) Immunity to All Poisons]!
Wu Sheng, 4, 41–45, was rewarded with 3,000 yuan.
The fifth round ended, and the lead in progress changed—Gu Nian advanced 29 squares, Kuang Jinxin 20 squares—the former overtaking by 9 squares!
Wang Duanran’s team’s morale surged once again.
Jiang Dachuan, who had been sent back to the starting point by Xu Wang in the previous round, rolled the dice again with full force!
10!
Jiang Dachuan was overjoyed. “Taking off!”
“Hey, I’m standing here.” Qian Ai, who had just taken off last round and was exactly on Grid 2, felt as if Jiang Dachuan didn’t see him at all and immediately gave him a friendly reminder.
Jiang Dachuan, already in mid-air, spread his hands. “Sorry, for making you return as soon as you took off.”
Qian Ai widened his eyes. “Who gave you such audacity? Xiao Wang?”
Jiang Da Chuan: “……”
Kong Li Ze: “……”
Chen Guan: “……”
Wang Duanran: “I’m so damn far away from you. Can you not drag me into this!”
[Owl: Please choose the stationery you want to use within ten seconds.]
As Qian Ai and Jiang Dachuan stood back-to-back, the countdown began.
Qian Ai stared at his [Stationery Box] with a serious expression and deep gaze. His stationery included items like [Swish Swish Hidden Blade], [Money Darts], and [Invincible Hot Wheels], which required his own effort and weren’t powerful enough on their own. The rest were either odd or of uncertain effectiveness. If the opponent used a decapitation move, he couldn’t counter with dust and ashes…
[4, 3, 2…]
The countdown was about to end, and Qian Ai was ready to take a gamble!
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Qian Ai uses [(Defense) Iron Shirt], Jiang Dachuan is safe; Jiang Dachuan uses [(Offense) Shattered to Pieces], Qian Ai stood unmovable, defense successful, safe. This round of PK ends in a draw.
The scene was silent.
Because Wang Duanran’s team had never encountered such an event. In a stationery PK, starting with lethal weapons and brutal fantasy items, who the hell uses defensive items!
How do we count this draw?
[Owl: Please choose the stationery you want to use within ten seconds.]
“Again?” Jiang Dachuan exclaimed out of shock.
Qian Ai let out a big sigh of relief, as if he had narrowly escaped a calamity.
With the prompt sound, they had to stand back-to-back again.
The ten-second countdown ended.
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Qian Ai used [(Defense) Impenetrable Golden Armor], Jiang Dachuan is safe; Jiang Dachuan uses [(Offense) Cutting Iron Like Mud], Qian Ai’s golden armor remained intact, defense successful, safe. This round of PK ends in a draw.
Xu Wang’s team: “……”
Wang Duanran’s team: “……”
Jiang Dachuan: “……Damn!”
[Owl: Please choose the stationery you want to use within ten seconds.]
Jiang Dachuan, having been blocked by the iron shirt, switched to cutting iron like mud. He had withstood it with his golden armor. What would Jiang Dachuan change to next… Qian Ai’s brain was spinning fast. He had never worked this hard even for college exams.
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Qian Ai uses [(Defense) Righteous Aura], Jiang Dachuan is safe; Jiang Dachuan uses [(Offense) Ghostly Reaping], Qian Ai was unaffected by evil, safe. This round of PK ends in a draw.
In a flash, three rounds had passed, all ending in draws.
Jiang Dachuan was going insane.
Although it was a text-based battle, the stationery used was real and consumed, just like in an actual fight! In these three rounds, he had used stationeries that could stand on their own, and what about the opponent? Just three defense stationeries!
In a moment, Jiang Dachuan realized. “You’re tricking me into wasting my stationeries!”
Lao Qian felt wronged. “Your stationery is stationery, but mine isn’t? If I had something like crushing bones to dust, I would have used it on you already, but I don’t have it!”
Jiang Dachuan: “Then what do you have! All defense? When it was time for rewards, were you the only one with a three-piece set of defensive items?!”
“I also have offense and illusory!” A man of honor cannot be humiliated. “If I really use them, don’t regret it!”
Jiang Dachuan: “I’m afraid you’re not using them harshly enough!”
[Owl: Please choose the stationery you want to use within ten seconds.]
Jiang Dachuan turned around, trying to calm himself down. Talking tough is easy, but if you believe the tough talk, that’s foolish. Qian Ai had tasted the sweetness of defense, so logically, he wouldn’t easily give it up. Moreover, if he really had lethal stationery, he would have used it already… Wait. Jiang Dachuan furrowed his brow. What if Qian Ai was waiting for this moment, waiting for him to be reluctant to use good stationery against his broken defense stationery, waiting for him to waver, and then strike a fatal blow?
Should he continue with a defensive strategy to wear down his opponent or unexpectedly throw in an offense to exploit a gap? Jiang Dachuan was torn between the two theories, finding it hard to make a decision.
If it was the former, he would also throw in a defense stationery, continuing the stalemate without risking his weapons; if it was the latter, he could throw in an offense stationery to see who was more ruthless, but the outcome was uncertain. He could also throw in a defense stationery to ensure a tie.
Throwing a defense stationery—this was the best solution for this round!
When Jiang Dachuan made his decision, Qian Ai was frantically browsing through his [Stationery Box]. His brain was on the verge of exploding. However, this round he was definitely going to use an offense or illusory stationery. A man’s promise is his bond, and once said, it cannot be taken back!
“Ding—”
[Cheat Sheet]: Qian Ai uses [(Illusory) Ah, Fortune Has Fallen], Jiang Dachuan is forever doomed; Jiang Dachuan uses [(Defense) Impenetrable as Fortified Metal], Qian Ai is safe. Jiang Dachuan’s mentality collapses. Qian Ai wins.
The whole audience: “……”
Qian Ai looked at Jiang Dachuan with a baffled face. He had already said he didn’t have the kind of offense stationery that could crush bones into dust, so why did the other party still use such a defense stationery?
Jiang Dachuan didn’t look at him.
The man who was sent back to the launch point for the second time quietly squatted down in Grid 1. His state of mind was just like the result of the stationery PK battle—completely shattered.
The author has something to say:
Xiao Wang, Xiao Kong, Da Jiang. From the nicknames, it’s clear that Qian Ai’s feelings towards Jiang Dachuan are different from others—after all, this man has illuminated his path from Africa to EU*.
*Gaming slang referring to luck, as EU = white = lucky while Africa = black = unlucky.
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