Chapter 126: Death Q&A (Iii)

Chapter 126: Death Q&A (Iii)

"Of course... Since this is a double-score special question, it's naturally a bit more challenging. Please listen carefully..." Mr. You raised the question card, "Green Lantern... everyone must know it already." He glanced at the camera, "Their green light energy source is 'willpower.'" Looking up at Feng Bu Jue, he continued, "In the DC universe, green represents willpower. So then... what do the other lantern colors symbolize? Please name at least four. Time starts now!"

This question posed no challenge for Feng Bu Jue. Even without collecting writing materials, he had read extensively out of personal interest. After a brief moment of recall, he answered calmly, "Let me explain by color order. Red represents anger, orange is greed, yellow signifies fear, green is willpower, indigo stands for compassion, blue embodies hope, and purple symbolizes love. There's also the black lantern, which represents death."

The audience fell silent. Mr. You checked his answer sheet, paused for several seconds, then suddenly declared in a rapid, decisive tone, "Completely correct!"

The spectator stands erupted into thunderous applause, second only to the opening reception.

"Competitor One truly demonstrates vast knowledge! After three questions, he's already earned forty points, while the other three competitors remain at zero. Competitor One has practically secured an unbeatable position", Mr. You explained, turning toward the guest seats, "May I ask our three guests for their opinions on Competitor One's performance?"

As the camera focused on the guest area, Lady of Pride surprisingly spoke for the first time that day, uttering just two words: "Dead-end geek." She turned away with a cold snort.

Wenyi slumped in his seat, supporting his cheek with his bony hand. His pale, almost translucent skin revealed the veins beneath, making his already frail appearance seem even more haggard: "Come to think of it... why isn't there any lantern color representing Wenyi?"

The cameraman (a semi-transparent ghost) shifted focus to He Hua Si Tuo Si, whose commentary remained as cryptic as ever: "Hmph... Those are just lanterns and rings collecting free-floating energy. If you wanted mass production, it'd just require sufficient Cyclops labor..."

"Alright, thank you for the insightful comments", Mr. You quickly interrupted before the speaker could continue, turning toward Xiao Tan, "Competitor Two, please listen to Question Ten." He burned the previous question card, raised the next one, "Please accurately spell the term 'phenylketonuria' in English. Time starts now!"

As the ticking sound effect began, Mr. You turned to engage the audience: "As we all know, medical terminology in English can be notoriously difficult..."

"Phenylketonuria, abbreviated as Pku", Xiao Tan replied, then spelled out each letter systematically.

Mr. You hesitated for several seconds, adjusted his sunglasses with the hand holding the microphone, and widened his small eyes to double-check the answer card, "Correct!"

Xiao Tan gained ten points, prompting immediate audience applause.

"It seems this question happened to fall squarely within Competitor Two's specialty field—or perhaps his English skills are exceptional?" Mr. You remarked.

"This one is actually quite simple..." Before Xiao Tan could finish speaking, Mr. You raised his voice and continued, "Then... next question!"

Mr. You turned toward Si Yu once more: "Competitor Three, you and Competitor Four are the only ones still at zero points. This question could be crucial."

"Oh", Si Yu responded indifferently, his nonchalant attitude seeming to say, "No big deal."

"Please listen carefully..." Mr. You lifted the new question card, "Tell me what the chemical formula appearing on the screen represents. Time starts now!" As he spoke, the small screen on Si Yu's console and the main venue display both showed the same formula: C6H12O6.

"Glucose", Si Yu replied after brief consideration.

"Correct!" Mr. You confirmed.

The audience erupted in cheers once again.

"It appears our competitors are all remarkably capable! Will the suspense last until the final round, or will someone be eliminated sooner?" Mr. You shifted his focus toward Bei Ling.

"Hey! Are you implying this question will leave me with negative ten points?" Bei Ling squinted suspiciously at Mr. You, "Even if it does become negative, I still have chances in the next round, right?"

"Hehe... I mentioned it because..." Mr. You raised the next question card, "Question Twelve is another special question."

A wave of murmurs swept through the spectator stands.

"Please listen carefully!" Mr. You read from the card, "Name three footballers who won the European Footballer of the Year award in the twentieth century. Full names aren't required, but... their nationalities must not repeat. Time starts now!"

Bei Ling pouted, wearing an expression of distress.

"This sports-related question might seem extremely straightforward for male competitors. If Competitor One or Two had drawn this, those twenty points would practically be free gifts. Unfortunately, it's our female competitor who faces the challenge", Mr. You remarked, adding, "Thirty seconds remaining."

"Beckenbauer, Platini", Bei Ling actually managed two names.

"Thus far... correct", Mr. You acknowledged, "Interesting... The two names mentioned by Competitor Four are not only outstanding players but later served as officials as well."

"Ronaldo!" Bei Ling suddenly blurted out.

"Competitor Four, may I ask... why do you believe a Brazilian ever won the European Footballer of the Year award?" Mr. You asked with a smile.

"Huh? He's Brazilian?" Bei Ling countered.

"Er... Since you don't recognize him, why did you answer with this name?" Mr. You asked.

"Because I remember many footballers having that name, so I thought maybe one of them might've won the Ballon d'Or", Bei Ling replied.

"Hmm..." Mr. You mused, "Well then, regardless of that confusion, your answer... is correct!"

Audience applause erupted as Bei Ling's score jumped directly to twenty points.

"Ladies and gentlemen, and all gender-diverse viewers..." Mr. You raised his tone dramatically, "With four questions remaining in the first round, let's review the competitors' current scores."

"Competitor One leads with forty points. Competitor Two sits at ten points, appearing rather tense. Competitor Three remains calm at ten points. Competitor Four, leveraging luck on special questions, currently holds twenty points." As Mr. You spoke, the camera sequentially focused on all four contestants.

"Therefore, barring surprises, the competitor advancing to the Colosseum will emerge among Competitors Two, Three, and Four." Mr. You heightened the atmosphere, declaring loudly, "Now, please hold your breath and brace yourselves for the final four questions of Round One!"

He turned toward Feng Bu Jue, raising a question card: "This question..." He deliberately paused, "is not a special question."

"Which means even if I answer incorrectly, it doesn't matter?" Feng Bu Jue asked.

"Precisely", Mr. You replied, "However, I must remind you that the player ranked first at each round's end receives a mysterious advantage." He made a '1' gesture with his card-holding hand, his tone heavily implying.

"Advantage, huh..." Feng Bu Jue mused thoughtfully, "Well then... ask away."

"Please listen carefully!" Mr. You began, "Quote: 'There lies inherent meaning; the will endures eternally. Who comprehends the mystery and power of will? God is a great will, bestowing His singular essence upon all things. Mortals possessing no weakness in will shall never bow to angels nor submit to death.' " Pausing here, he added, "Now tell me—who originally spoke these words? Time starts now!"

"Hmph... Since it's the final round, the question certainly carries hidden danger..." Feng Bu Jue chuckled coldly, his confident attitude suggesting preparedness, "At the beginning of 'Ligeia,' the author quoted this passage from Joseph Glanvill to align with the essay's central theme."

"So your answer is Joseph..." Mr. You began.

Feng Bu Jue interrupted, "However!" He pointed at Mr. You's belly, "However... The author of 'Ligeia' is Edgar Allan Poe, a man whose drunkenness makes him unreliable." Smiling faintly, he continued, "Glanvill was a renowned theist, and Poe specifically exploited this reputation. In reality, the passage was entirely Poe's creation. He fabricated those lines, then added a dash followed by Glanvill's name, making readers believe it was a historical quotation. But in truth... it was Poe's own handiwork."

Mr. You asked, “So… your answer is?”

“Without a doubt. Edgar Allan Poe.” Feng Bu Jue replied.

“Absolutely correct!” Mr. You waved his hand, incinerating the question card. The audience erupted into applause and cheers once more.

“Phew…” Mr. You exhaled, “Contestant Number One has answered all four questions in the first round correctly, including a special question. Fifty points are more than enough to secure first place for now.” He turned toward Xiao Tan. “Then what about Contestant Number Two’s fate?”

Xiao Tan was already drenched in cold sweat, chuckling nervously. “Heh… Hehe… I’ve already prepared myself to go to that ‘Colosseum’ place…”

“Is that so… Hohohoho…” Mr. You laughed. “But the final round’s questions are indeed quite challenging, so… Listen carefully!” He glanced at the question card. “As we all know, there’s a fictional character named Kick-Ass (Kick-Ass). When he takes off his superhero costume, he’s actually a student. What’s this student’s name?” Mr. You lowered the card and fixed his gaze on Xiao Tan. “Time starts now!”

Xiao Tan froze the moment he heard the question. He was terrible at hiding his thoughts, and his expression immediately revealed everything—he had no idea what the answer was.

“Hmm…” Xiao Tan had watched the entire movie series more than once, yet somehow, he’d never remembered the protagonist’s name.

“Thirty seconds remaining.” Mr. You announced, turning to the spectator stands with a sly remark. “Ah, I can see from Contestant Number One’s expression that he knows the answer. Unfortunately, this question isn’t his to answer.”

The ticking clock effect droned on as Xiao Tan stood clueless.

“Fifteen seconds left.” Mr. You called out again.

“Alright, I give up.” Unable to endure the tension any longer, Xiao Tan surrendered before time ran out.

The audience booed loudly.

“Tragically, Contestant Number Two’s score drops back to zero, making it the lowest so far.” Mr. You declared, then approached Si Yu’s console. “Contestant Number Three, if you answer this question correctly, you’ll be safe. And as long as Contestant Number Four doesn’t encounter another special question, the outcome won’t change even if she answers incorrectly. In short… Question Fifteen will likely determine the first round’s final result.”

“Alright.” Si Yu’s response was identical to the previous round.

Mr. You’s lips twitched twice. He’d just spent so long building up the drama, yet the other party remained utterly unfazed. He could only pick up the question card and ask, “So… Who are the second, fifth, and tenth kings among the Ten Kings of Hell in Legend of the Crypts?” He paused. “Time starts now…”

Si Yu answered before the last word left Mr. You’s mouth: “Chujiang Wang, Yanluo Wang, and Zhuanlun Wang.”

Mr. You incinerated the question card. “Correct!”

The spectator stands erupted in applause. Meanwhile, the camera cleverly zoomed in on Xiao Tan’s bitter expression at Position Two.

Returning to the center of the stage, Mr. You faced Bei Ling and glanced at his final question card. “Question Sixteen…” He deliberately paused for ten full seconds. “…is actually…” The man seemed to force each word out with a dramatic pause, “another special question!”

The entire audience fell silent instantly.

“Currently, Contestant Number Four, Bei Ling Xiaogu, has twenty points.” Mr. You announced. “If she answers incorrectly, her score will reset to zero.” He let the suspense hang in his tone. “The thrill… is saved for the final moment.”

“Hey, Mr. You, if both of us end up with zero, who goes to the Colosseum?” Bei Ling suddenly asked.

“Hmm… Mr. You?” Mr. You’s expression darkened. “Alright, looks like he means me…”

He couldn’t really deny it. Except for himself, the only other presence on stage was a ghostly cameraman weighing roughly 21 grams.

“Ahem… If two contestants tie for first place, they’ll compete in an additional speed-response tiebreaker.” Mr. You cleared his throat to cover his embarrassment. “And if two contestants tie for last place, both will enter the Colosseum together.”

“Oh?” Bei Ling smirked cunningly. “Hehe… Then I’ll forfeit this question.”

The audience gasped in an uproar. Mr. You simply grinned without speaking.

On the other side, Feng Bu Jue looked at Bei Ling and gave her a thumbs-up—praising her strategy and admiring her loyalty.

Xiao Tan was practically moved to tears. Regardless of what the Colosseum was, having someone to face it with him eased his nerves.

“Forfeiting without even hearing the question… I suppose I don’t need to ask if you’re certain.” Mr. You smiled meaningfully. “Then… Welcome to the Colosseum, both of you!”

As his words echoed, Xiao Tan and Bei Ling’s chairs rotated downward, sinking into the dark space beneath the stage. A moment later, an invisible force yanked them from their seats, sending them sliding down separate tunnels into the unknown.

The live screen switched to a vast desert landscape. Moments later, Xiao Tan plummeted from the sky, landing flat on his back. A few seconds later, Bei Ling descended gracefully, landing firmly on Xiao Tan’s stomach to cushion her fall.

“Who will be the first Executioner to appear in the Colosseum?” Mr. You’s voice rang out. “Though our contestants aren’t particularly high-tier beings… the spectacle of life struggling at death’s edge is unparalleled in entertainment value.” He raised his tone to hype the audience. “Who—or what—will be the blood-soaked Executioner facing off against two contestants at once?” He stepped closer to the camera, his expression turning ominous as the background music grew tense.

Suddenly, Mr. You’s demeanor shifted. Speaking rapidly, he blurted, “Before that, viewers watching our program, please remember— you can still participate in our live guessing game via the interactive panel at the bottom of your screens! Send text messages or visit our website to predict the final winner, and you could win a valuable Scare Box gift worth 1000 Ghost Coins! Trade with Scare Box! Win prizes while watching Death Trivia! Thank you for your support!”

“Hey! Why interrupt with an ad at the most critical moment!” Feng Bu Jue shouted.

“Hehe… It seems our Number One contestant is getting impatient.” Mr. You chuckled. “But before I announce the Colosseum’s first Executioner, let’s have our three guests comment on the contestants’ first-round performances—and share their predictions about the Executioner.”

The camera panned to Aoman, who haughtily looked down on the distant Mr. You and said, “If I give my commentary, will you go find a corner and commit suicide?”

“Why such a request… Have you truly come to despise me this much?” Mr. You wiped his brow uncomfortably. “Er… I'm afraid that's not possible.”

“Hmph…” Aoman fell silent.

Next, the camera cut directly to He Hua Si Tuo Si, clearly the cameraman’s choice to let the more reliable Wenyi speak last.

“Will the Executioner be a Cyclops?” He Hua Si Tuo Si’s predictably absurd guess landed flatly.

“If it is, then you go commit suicide in a corner!” Mr. You snapped.

Finally, the camera focused on Wenyi. Facing Mr. You, he spoke calmly, “The first round already revealed their respective strengths in knowledge domains. Notably, Contestant Number One’s performance was impressively well-rounded. As for the Executioner… No need for guesses. Ahem, cough… As a Knight, I already know what’s lurking in that desert. So… Let the host announce it!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end