Edited by Jules
Bidding farewell to Qi Ning for now, Xiao Lan and Luo followed the butler’s earlier directions and headed for their rooms.
Because it was a private residence, although Mingyue Pavilion had many rooms, it didn’t have room numbers like a hotel.
At the same time, who knew if it was a personal interest of Crow’s, but all the doors were identical and looked extremely orderly.
When they reached the rooms.
The butler probably saw that the two of them had come together, so their rooms were arranged very close together — just next door to each other.
The inside was clean and neat, with the vintage feel of the Republic of China era.
Crow hadn’t modified the interior decor significantly, and had only refurbished damaged parts before installing modern furniture that conformed with the style of the room as much as possible.
It had to be said that this truly was a very tasteful place.
If… it wasn’t rumoured to be haunted.
Xiao Lan and Luo entered their individual rooms.
Xiao Lan observed the layout of his room.
It looked just like a high-end guest room, and even had an ensuite. However, it was a bookcase which took up an entire wall that was relatively more unique.
This bookcase was against the wall near the door, and could only be seen after entering the room.
It was filled with all sorts of horror novels that were very much in keeping with the owner’s identity. They were written by various authors, and covered different eras and genres.
Xiao Lan also discovered Crow’s books among them.
Crow truly deserved to be a famous horror author. His books alone took up an entire shelf; moreover, they were the most conspicuous, placed almost at eye level.
What frightening output; it seemed that this Crow laoshi not only wrote quickly, but you were also guaranteed to be pulled in.
It was no wonder he was able to accumulate such popularity.
Completely different from those readers who would stop and run off to play mahjong, his novels caused readers to lament longingly and even want to send him blades.
Xiao Lan casually flipped through Crow’s books.
The content of all these novels was bizarre and freakish. He seemed to enjoy describing scenes of someone dying miserably from the teasing of monsters. His writing was vivid and exquisite, allowing the readers to practically reconstruct these scenes in their minds.
Crow was also very fond of using the “manor in a snowstorm” trope. Several of the books depicted a group of people arriving at a confined environment, then each person dying in different ways.
This made Xiao Lan think of the players acting as book fans. They were also gathered in a large residence for a common objective.
After roughly thumbing through these novels, Xiao Lan realised that not a single one of Crow’s stories had a perfect ending.
The characters in his stories basically were, after experiencing panic and suffering, wiped out at the end. Even if there were survivors, they either went mad, became possessed, or were controlled into becoming chang
Xiao Lan closed the last book, looked at the row of horror novels before him, and felt like they could be called ‘A Thousand Ways For Protagonists To Die’.
Book fans who had been specially gathered together, a haunted private manor, novels which recorded ghosts and various ways to die…
It felt like the players had been invited on a one-way trip.
Speaking of, it seemed Xiao Lan hadn’t found a return train ticket in his suitcase.
Could this be the self-cultivation of a chive emperor?
Knowing that there might be something wrong with the invitation letter he received, but — due to his ardent love for Crow laoshi — still willing to travel thousands of miles to deliver his own head on a platter.
If this wasn’t love…
Moving away from the bookcase, Xiao Lan noticed a hardcover book on the table in his room.
The book was leather-bound, the binding and layout was very refined, and the workmanship was extraordinary.
But there weren’t any words on the cover, only a circle design similar to a clock.
The design was very elaborate and in the art nouveau style popular in the 19th and 20th centuries, full of decorative curves.
However, this wasn’t a clock; there were thirteen boxes in the circle, and no numbers to indicate time.
Xiao Lan quietly murmured, “What does this represent?”
Flipping open the book, it was blank inside.
Compared with a novel, this thing seemed more like a sketchbook.
It was just especially lavish.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Vlg.” Ca atja wbwfca, Oeb kjixfv lc.
Wljb Ojc jrxfv, “Xba jcsatlcu?”
Oeb rtbkfv tlw jc lvfcalmji-ibbxlcu ybbx.
Wljb Ojc mbwqjgfv atflg ybbxr. “Obbxr ilxf fnfgsbcf tjr bcf bo atfrf. Pa qgbyjyis tjr rbwfatlcu ab vb klat mifjglcu atf lcrajcmf.”
Oeb mbcalcefv, “P olclrtfv gfjvlcu jii atf ybbxr lc atf ybbxmjrf. Cwbcu atfw, atf vfjatr vfrmglyfv ys Jgbk jgf atf wbra lcafgfralcu.”
Xiao Lan was already no longer surprised by Luo’s reading speed.
As long as Luo wanted to, he could flip through an entire book instantly. That usual appearance of flipping pages unhurriedly was just a way to relax for him.
Xiao Lan said, “Hopefully, these deaths won’t be tested on us.”
Luo: “But it truly is very possible.”
Xiao Lan was full of self-confidence. “…If people don’t have dreams, how are they different from salted fish?”
Luo maintained his small smile. “As long as you’re happy.”
Following Qi Ning’s hint about the relationship between advanced players, Xiao Lan simply had no intention whatsoever of visiting the other players here.
In the first place, players did things their own way starting from the intermediate instances; on top of that, advanced instances even had players slaughtering each other. If one described intermediate players’ expectations of other players as ‘just don’t give me trouble’, then advanced players were probably mutually vigilant against each other.
Not only was the possibility of cooperation extremely low, not encountering someone who loved to kill might already be considered a lucky thing.
Seeing that there wasn’t anything else to examine in the room, Xiao Lan’s attention shifted back to the blank book.
Anyway, they had nothing to do; why not do a little research?
Book: …
Feels a little cold.
After that, Xiao Lan picked up the flower from a vase on the table and did a test by letting a drop of water drip onto the blank paper.
As if dripping onto a waterproof surface, the water gathered in a droplet and had no intent of seeping in at all. Xiao Lan casually wiped the page, and the water droplet dripped off the side.
After trying ink, the result was also the same.
Xiao Lan: “Looks like this book isn’t for a player to write in.”
He then carefully tried tearing it, but it didn’t move a single bit.
Lighter, the book didn’t respond.
Boiling water, the book was still steadfast.
Xiao Lan relaxed. “Looks like this is something very hard to destroy, so we don’t have to worry about accidentally damaging it.”
Since it wasn’t a weak thing, they could go all out in a fight.
Luo was still smiling, but he felt that his family’s sir was just bored.
Book: …
You’re relieved! But I’m not happy at all ah!!
This player, can I bother you to respect a key item?!!!
Dinner was delivered to their respective rooms by the butler.
After the meal, the two took a lap around Mingyue Pavilion, but they truly couldn’t see anything strange about it. The current Mingyue Pavilion looked like a refined and unique but ordinary building.
To the point that they could even go out for a wander; they were simply so free it was inconceivable.
There wasn’t any sense of ‘once entering, don’t think of leaving’ at all, like in the other instances.
But the inhabitants nearby also didn’t offer any more detailed information than what was in the pocket diary.
When the sky darkened, they returned to Mingyue Pavilion.
After all, clearing the game was the most important. Danger might exist in Mingyue Pavilion, but the way to clear the game was also here.
They could probably evade danger by constantly wandering outside, but they would also be cut off from clearing the game.
Very early in the evening, Xiao Lan ran off to shower, and prepared for bed.
Regardless of whether the danger came tomorrow or in the middle of the night, getting a good rest tonight was the most practical way to deal with things.
Xiao Lan had just pushed the bathroom door open, when he saw a black cat lying on his pillow.
It was unknown how it had slipped in, and it also didn’t look like it planned to leave at all.
Xiao Lan: “…”
He never slept together with Luo ever since kissing him.
This was so sudden, and it was still a little awkward even if Luo was in cat form ah!
Luo seemed unaware. “Sir, quickly come and rest ba. I’ll stand guard tonight.”
Xiao Lan calmed down on the surface and lay down under the blankets.
After turning off the lights, he closed his eyes right away and forced himself to clear away the chaotic thoughts in his mind.
At that moment, Luo’s voice quietly rang out by his ear. “What are you nervous about, sir?”
Xiao Lan: “…”
Can you not call me out?
Luo quietly laughed. “Don’t think too much. I won’t do anything. In the game, everything is for your safety.”
But he also seemed to be doing it on purpose. That low laugh tickled Xiao Lan’s outer ear slightly, and the tips of his ears even turned hot.
Xiao Lan expressed that he didn’t want to talk, and even took another pillow that was on the bed and covered the black cat with it.
What remains unseen is deemed clean!
Luo: “…”
Sir has changed, I am no longer his cute little kitty.
After his ear was purified, Xiao Lan finally sank into deep sleep.
When his eyes sensed light, Xiao Lan thought it was daybreak already.
When he opened his eyes, however, what he saw was a somewhat familiar yet foreign ceiling.
It was a mottled ceiling with water stains and moldy spots; there was still a damp scent in the air, and the bedframe under him was swaying slightly, as if it would fall apart at the slightest push.
This was the bunk that leaked wind and rain which he once lived in for a good while!
At that time, he was so poor he could only rent a bunk; not only could he only rent the worst one, he would also frequently be harshly criticised by that stingy and mean landlord.
Thinking about it, it felt like a memory from very long ago.
Why was he here?
Xiao Lan sat up. The old bedframe creaked from overburden and even swayed twice, but ultimately settled.
Except for him, the room was empty. There was also no trace of Luo.
Xiao Lan tried calling for Luo, but there was no response.
It wasn’t the first time he had encountered such a situation either. Guessing that it was probably yet another situation where it was an independent space or a space which could only house one person, Xiao Lan didn’t panic at all.
He looked around; the beds around him were also empty.
He remembered that because the condition of this room was seriously too horrible, even if it was the cheapest, no one chose to bunk here. After all, it was only cheaper by three dollars fifty.
Yes, that stingy landlord would even haggle about three dollars fifty.
But did Xiao Lan at that time lack the three dollars fifty?
— He did!
So, this shabby and lousy place practically became his room alone.
Xiao Lan walked one circle around this room and didn’t see anything special, but he was unable to push the room door open either.
He then examined the window.
The window that couldn’t block out the wind or rain still looked on the verge of collapse, like in his memory, but it couldn’t be forcefully destroyed at all, as if it was protected by some unknown power.
It was as if this place had suddenly become a secret room.
Xiao Lan turned around and began searching the room again.
This time, he examined it very carefully. The game wouldn’t set up an inescapable stage, so there definitely was a flaw here somewhere.
Fortunately, poverty caused him to be basically unambitious. Xiao Lan wasn’t someone who liked to hoard and collect things. There weren’t many things in the room, so much so that he could practically count them on one hand.
Xiao Lan was incredibly glad that he wasn’t fond of collecting junk; otherwise, searching might have been much more troublesome.
He first examined the bunks, carefully comparing every detail with his memory.
Suddenly, he felt the sensation of being spied upon.
His senses had become even more acute after extensive combat training.
Now, not only could he sense he was being watched, he didn’t even need Luo’s help to search for the peeper’s general location.
Xiao Lan turned around and looked over —
This room truly was too dilapidated and poor, and also empty. There was simply no place to hide.
His gaze was directed at a small, broken bed.
The bed was so broken that even the bedframe was leaking, and the cotton wadding was full of holes. Half of the headboard had fallen off, and the only place that could hide a bit of something was the pitch-black darkness under the bed.
Poverty was sometimes a type of treasure.
Especially when one was so poor that ghosts didn’t even have anywhere to hide.
Xiao Lan took out 【Dalit’s bone】 and walked to the front of the broken bed.
His rod hit the floor with a thump, and he opened his mouth. “Are you going to come out yourself, or shall I make you?”
This attitude was like the child of a street tyrant.
The bottom of the bed was silent, without the slightest movement.
Xiao Lan didn’t say anything superfluous either, and directly swept under the bed with the rod.
Bang —
A white thing was directly swept out with this swing, and was sent flying to the wall by the tremendous force which Xiao Lan had used.
It was then that Xiao Lan clearly saw that this thing had something similar to a human form. Its head had no facial features and its limbs were human-like, but there was a long tongue where the mouth should be. It was obvious at a glance that this thing was used for attacks.
Any surface touched by the tongue was corroded and emitted green smoke; if it landed on a person, the effect would definitely be far more severe.
However, looking at this frail little physique, it was definitely an ambush player.
As a melee player used to head-on fights, what Xiao Lan was least afraid of was this sort of support fighter.
Seizing the moment when the monster had yet to get back up, Xiao Lan dashed forward and mowed it down again with another swing of his rod, then pressed down its long tongue while his other foot stomped on its back so that it couldn’t move.
Xiao Lan: “May I ask if you know how to leave this place?”
The monster lifted its head and roared.
Xiao Lan repeated his question, but still got no reply.
This monster had no wish to communicate, and even tried to attack him.
It seemed while this thing was human-shaped, it couldn’t communicate. It had nothing to do with whether or not its tongue was being restrained.
This time, Xiao Lan was no longer polite. He hit it with his rod, and again, until even this human form was beaten into nothing.
The monster, which turned into something like a lump of dough, shrank back into the rotten floor pitifully and slowly disappeared.
After dealing with the monster, Xiao Lan re-examined the room.
He didn’t notice anything else strange, so he returned to his own bed again.
He had already examined it earlier, but hadn’t discovered anything.
Regardless of whether it was the pillow which might have been chewed up by a dog, or the bedsheet and blanket that were about to fall apart from being washed so much, or even the cotton mattress that was flat from long use.
But there seemed to still be one more place…
This time, Xiao Lan directly flipped the entire bed over to reveal the rusty bedframe. The entire bed emitted a scream-like creak.
Then, he spotted a hundred dollars in a crack in the bedframe.
A hundred dollars!
Xiao Lan smiled. “How can there be money under my bed?”
Poverty, was just this self-confident.
He picked up that fake one hundred dollars which was incongruous with the entire room, and violently crumpled it.
The hundred dollar note shattered, as if it were made of glass.
The familiar, rundown room around him started to slowly disappear.
Thank you for the chapter ❤️
“Crow hadn’t modified the interior decor significantly, and had only refurbished damaged parts” it’s probably refurnished, although putting furbies everywhere sounds like a nightmare
Thank you for the chapters!
Nah, “refurbish” is a synonym for “renovate” and means “to clean up, make bright and clean.” “Refurnish” is also a synonym for “renovate” though this points more particularly to replacing old furniture with new ones.
Oh thank you, I didn’t know
well I guess we learn something everyday….
it’s true that furbies everywhere is a real nightmare tho LOL
Pathetic little trick won’t work on Xiao Lan
»Especially when one was so poor that ghosts didn’t even have anywhere to hide.« Should my pity go to XL or the ghosts… or both? xDD
Thx for the ch ٩(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )و
did you really think you can seduce our Lord of the Poverty with 100$? Tch, so naive
thanks for the chapter~
I demand pets for kitten Luo!!
thanks for the chapter <3
+1
+2
Money not in this lifetime
It’s interesting that these instances can “read” a player’s memories but not necessarily their interior thought processes? Or else it would be clear that a $100 lure would never attract the current XL’s desire. LOL just had a thought. What if XL was too poor to even afford the bed frame (which may or may not have come with the room)? If it’s just a mattress on the floor, then where would the monster hide???? Thanks for the chapters <3
my bed directly placed on the floor; yep, the reason for that is because i want to make it inhabitable for ghost because there’s no dark closed space to hide 🤣
((though, ceiling is another case… 🙈))