IGSB – Chapter 26
Chapter 26: Who's the Murderer? (Part 7)
After Xia Zhiyi finished naming the quest NPC, the class bell rang.
The students returned to their seats, waiting for the teacher to arrive.
The players also had no choice but to return to their own seats, forced to waste time.
In this school, the students' duty was to attend class. Any student who skipped class would be punished.
No one wanted to bet their life on what that punishment might be, so they could only attend class obediently and wait for time to pass.
Liu Xue passed them a note, asking about their plans.
Xia Zhiyi didn't hide anything, directly asking on the paper if she wanted to leave the school with them to see a place outside that was free of the white fog.
Liu Xue hesitated for a long time before refusing.
She didn't dare.
She seemed to have an innate fear of the New World's white fog. As long as she was still in the instance, as long as she hadn't cleared it, she felt the white fog was unsafe, always feeling like it could surge up at any moment and devour the players.
Therefore, she chose to stay in the school.
Xia Zhiyi and Jing Ruyu didn't press her.
Here, whether to move forward or retreat was one's own choice.
In the face of danger, fear is human nature.
However, Liu Xue volunteered to take on the task of sleeping in the Ghost King's bed at night to watch the wall.
On the note, she repeatedly confirmed with Xia Zhiyi: You really saw words appear on the wall last night, right?
She didn't dare go outside, but she could stay in the school and continue to investigate the clues there.
In the New World, you had to do something if you wanted to survive; otherwise, the quest NPC wouldn't repeatedly remind them to actively participate in the game.
But she was also uneasy. That was the Ghost King's bed, after all. She was afraid Xia Zhiyi's information was wrong, which would mean sending herself to her death for nothing.
There was no helping it. Every player here was a stranger to her.
Xia Zhiyi and Jing Ruyu saw her distrust but understood her feelings.
Jing Ruyu calmly wrote a sentence: Don't force yourself.
These things needed to be done by someone, but it didn't have to be just one person.
If she couldn't do it, they could.
Liu Xue replied: No, I can only force myself.
Jing Ruyu and Xia Zhiyi had already decided to follow Sun Jun after school.
She admired their courage, but at the same time, she couldn't help but worry. What if they didn't come back? Who would check the information on the wall then?
They had to answer the question tomorrow. The pressing deadline made her forget how to even write the word "relax."
—Then the clue on the wall is up to you. Thank you for your hard work.
Jing Ruyu wrote in reply.
—Trust the broadcast's information. As long as you don't get out of bed or make loud noises, you'll be fine.
The note was passed back and soon returned.
This time, Liu Xue had only written one word: Okay.
The tasks were divided.
Next, it was their turn to figure out how to follow Sun Jun out of the school gate.
They had considered asking for leave, but that path was blocked.
The school had a rule: students could only ask for leave twice a month, they couldn't take leave together, unless a parent came to take the student out.
But their parents weren't here!
They could be their own parents!
Xia Zhiyi looked up at the silent Little Broadcast, then shook her head after a moment.
No, Little Broadcast wasn't as easy to deal with as Xiao Qiao. He talked too little.
Xiao Qiao even brought them meals every day and diligently gave out side quests—even if it was essentially to exploit their labor.
The broadcast hanging on the wall: 【...】
Why do I feel like she's suddenly quite disappointed in me???
Time ticked away on the countdown board.
They seized every minute and second, searching every place they could in the school, but they found no clue about the Ferry Crossing.
They began to suspect the Ferry Crossing wasn't on campus at all, just like in the novice instance.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for school to end.
As soon as class was over, the students checked their bags as usual before leaving.
Sun Jun didn't have much to carry. He slung his backpack over his shoulder, held his still-warm day student card, and turned to leave.
Xia Zhiyi and Jing Ruyu immediately followed.
Wu Yong and Chen Jianxiong also followed when they saw this.
Liu Xue, however, went back alone.
Sun Jun walked ahead, greeting many people along the way. He seemed to have good relationships, and many people even whispered praises about his appearance, seeming to like him.
Bright and handsome, a seemingly flawless person.
If he hadn't smiled at Jing Ruyu with ill intentions today, Xia Zhiyi would have almost believed it.
Soon, they reached the school gate, and their challenge arrived.
Sun Jun could come and go freely, but they couldn't.
Suddenly, Wu Yong scoffed disdainfully, "Look how stupid you are."
He nonchalantly pointed at an unguarded wall. "Climb the wall!"
Chen Jianxiong thought it was feasible. The two hit it off and started climbing right away.
Xia Zhiyi and Jing Ruyu just quietly watched them find an inconspicuous spot and struggle to climb over the wall.
If this method worked...
"Hey—"
Someone suddenly shouted from outside the wall.
"You two, get down from that wall! What class are you in! What are your names!"
Seeing this, Wu Yong and Chen Jianxiong hastily jumped back inside the school and took off running. The school guard from outside rushed in to chase them.
Under the setting sun, with two in front and one behind, the drifting breeze carried the voices of the three people.
Wu Yong: "Run faster, ahhhh—"
Chen Jianxiong: "I can't run fast!!!"
School guard: "Don't run, stop right there!"
The scene was somewhat comical.
Xia Zhiyi: "..."
Jing Ruyu: "..."
—This move won't work.
Seeing that Sun Jun had already left the school gate and was about to get far, Xia Zhiyi had a sudden stroke of genius. She grabbed Jing Ruyu's hand and said, "I've got an idea."
They walked openly towards the school gate, about to step out.
As expected, they were stopped by a fierce-looking school guard.
"Wait, what class are you students from? Where's your day student card?"
He held out his hand, looking at the two menacingly.
Xia Zhiyi turned to look at him and retorted, "Who told you we were students?"
School guard: "...?"
Xia Zhiyi: "Don't we look like students' parents?"
School guard: "??"
Xia Zhiyi asked a soul-searching question: "Have you ever seen students who look so old and dress like this for school!"
School guard: "..."
He was bluffed.
Especially since Xia Zhiyi had a serious expression.
They indeed didn't look like high school students...
Xia Zhiyi grabbed Jing Ruyu's hand again and said with a serious face, "Do you know who she is?
"The president of the Jing Group, a big boss who is here to sponsor your school and pay for the renovation of your school building and playground!
"You dare stop our President Jing and prevent her from getting in her car to go back to the company? You're finished. Your school's investment is gone. I'll call your principal right now!"
After saying that, she actually took out a mobile phone from her backpack.
"No, no, no, my apologies, my apologies, it's a misunderstanding." The school guard said, and really let them pass, his face full of embarrassment.
It wasn't that he was a coward, but this President Jing really had the aura of a president, and she was dressed like she was very rich!
"You're sensible," Xia Zhiyi said, quitting while she was ahead, and even patted his shoulder. "Thanks for your hard work."
Jing Ruyu was thus led out of the school gate by Xia Zhiyi: "..."
She also didn't know that their outside identities could be used here, not to mention that self-deprecating move of "looking so old"...
Our Xiao Xia, she's got some cleverness in her.
They successfully left the school gate and could still see a bit of Sun Jun's back.
Soon, he turned left, and his figure disappeared.
"Oh no, we're going to lose him!"
Xia Zhiyi said, and the two of them hurried to the corner.
Xia Zhiyi peeked around the wall, carefully sticking her head out, and discovered it was a small path lined with scholar trees, with a hint of eeriness in its quietness.
Sun Jun hadn't gone far.
He was just ahead, standing motionless.
Just then, two delinquent youths, one with black hair and one with yellow hair, walked out from behind two trees.
With their hands in their pockets and roguish expressions, they swaggered towards Sun Jun.
Xia Zhiyi was slightly surprised and whispered, "Are they going to pick a fight with him? Or... collect protection money?"
"Let's keep watching."
Jing Ruyu stared intently ahead.
As soon as she spoke, the two delinquents smirked. The black-haired one raised his hand towards the motionless Sun Jun.
"You brat..."
"Pat."
A light sound.
The hand landed on Sun Jun's shoulder, patting it friendly a couple of times.
"You're finally out. Where are we going to have fun today?"
They asked Sun Jun with smiles, looking very familiar with him.
Sun Jun twisted his neck, his tone casual and completely different from in school. "Anywhere is fine. Anyway, I'm a day student from now on. I can go wherever I want after school.
"How much protection money have you collected? You should treat me to a cup of milk tea, right?"
He didn't see "collecting protection money" as a malicious act at all.
Xia Zhiyi looked up at Jing Ruyu.
—Sun Jun really is no good!
"Tch, it's just a cup of milk tea. Your bro will treat you!" the black-haired youth said, then suddenly nudged Sun Jun with a wicked smile. "Hey, any fun stuff happening lately?"
"Fun stuff?"
Sun Jun said, then fell silent for a moment before smiling and saying, "Yeah."
"A few transfer students came to our class. One of the girls is very pretty. Find a chance, and you guys can help me teach her a lesson."
Xia Zhiyi suddenly looked at Jing Ruyu.
Damn it, wasn't he talking about her ex-girlfriend!
Jing Ruyu looked at the three of them calmly, showing no major reaction other than a slight raise of her eyebrow.
These three wet-behind-the-ears brats weren't even enough for her to fight.
Then they heard the other yellow-haired youth put his arm around Sun Jun's shoulder and ask, "What did she do to you?"
At this, Sun Jun's fists clenched unconsciously. "She actually dared to embarrass me in front of so many people... I hate it when people make me lose face!"
The black-haired delinquent suddenly said, "Oh, like that math class representative of yours?"
Xia Zhiyi and Jing Ruyu were slightly startled.
—Zhou Xiuxiu?!
Sun Jun snorted, "They're all the same, shameless bitches who don't appreciate kindness. A 'lesson' will make them learn their place."
He patted their shoulders. "If you're my brothers, you'll help."
"Help, help, help."
The two delinquents happily agreed.
"When have we ever not helped you, really."
"Let's go, let's get something to eat. Consider it a celebration for you finally becoming a day student. We'll go to a bar tonight!"
"Okay, let's go drinking!"
—Fuck!
Xia Zhiyi's anger flared up!
She rolled up her sleeves, about to go out and deal with this bastard!
The bright and handsome appearance was all fake. No matter how beautiful the exterior, it couldn't hide that filthy heart!
Although it was still unclear what kind of "lesson" they were talking about, it couldn't stop her fury!!
He was the one who was wrong first, yet he blamed others and called them bitches?!
How dare he call her ex-girlfriend a bitch!!!
Damn it, you little thing, you're finished.
This old lady is going to serve justice today and beat you, you little beast, until you're unrecognizable!
But she was held back by Jing Ruyu.
She gestured for silence, then pointed to a tree behind the three of them.
Long black hairs were coiled around the slender branches.
They squirmed like dangerous black snakes.
That was the Ghost King's hair.
She was right here, monitoring everything.
There was no white fog ahead; this was a perfectly clear road.
Zhou Xiuxiu's hair followed the tracks of the three people, its target clearly not on them.
Jing Ruyu looked at the road and turned to say, "Let's follow them. We might discover something."
Xia Zhiyi nodded.
The three in front were completely unaware, still chatting, and even started talking about Xia Zhiyi.
Sun Jun praised her appearance, but the words he used were extremely uncomfortable.
Jing Ruyu: "..."
Xia Zhiyi grabbed her hand as she was rolling up her sleeves.
This time, it was her turn to calm Jing Ruyu down.
After the two of them followed for a while, holding back their anger, Jing Ruyu suddenly realized something.
"Zhiyi, this road leads to Quicksand Park."
Xia Zhiyi was stunned.
Quicksand Park... isn't that Zhou Xiuxiu's favorite place to go???
In mid-air, in a place they couldn't see, Zhou Xiuxiu was floating eerily, her gaze calmly and coldly watching everything.
After a long while, her gaze fell on Sun Jun, and a malicious smile bloomed on her lips.
It was time for her favorite part again.
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