Chapter 130: Death Q&A (7)
Chapter 130: Death Q&A (7)
Feng Bu Jue leaned back lazily in his chair. “I won’t forget either, even if you do.”
“Hohoho… Well then…” Mr. You snapped his fingers. The console and seat Feng Bu Jue occupied slid forward smoothly. These objects were connected to the floor below, yet as they moved, the Black-and-White Checkered tiles beneath them momentarily vanished like a virtual projection and reappeared unscathed.
“The second round is… multiple choice.” Mr. You announced. “The rules are simple: contestants answer one by one. Each person must answer at least one question, and no more than seven.” He pulled out a stack of question cards from his pocket. Their reverse side was identical to the first round’s. “After I read the question, contestants select their answer via the buttons on the console. Once confirmed, answers cannot be changed.”
Feng Bu Jue asked, “So getting even one wrong means you can’t continue?”
“Exactly. And the mysterious advantage you gained in the first round is…” Mr. You paused dramatically. A tense drumroll echoed, as if heralding a trapeze artist’s final leap. “You may choose to skip any question during this round and add points.”
“So is the person with the lowest score still sent to the Colosseum?” Feng Bu Jue asked again.
“Hehehe… This round…” Mr. You chuckled sinisterly. “The contestant with the highest score at its end will select someone to enter the Colosseum.”
“Got it,” Feng Bu Jue said. “Then let’s begin.”
“OK! First question…” Mr. You held up a card. “This question is worth ten points. Tell me… Einstein’s birthday is… A) March 13; B) March 14; C) March 15; D) April 13.” After finishing, he turned to the camera: “As everyone knows, the second round is critical. Contestants who answer all seven questions correctly could gain a massive lead…”
Feng Bu Jue remained expressionless for a few seconds before interrupting, “I’ll skip this and add points.”
The audience erupted into murmurs.
Mr. You grinned, “Really? Contestant One, are you using this advantage on the very first question? Remember, the questions will only get harder.”
“Exactly,” Feng Bu Jue replied coolly.
“Hehe… Add points!” Mr. You burned the question card. Feng Bu Jue’s score display jumped to 60.
“Next, question two is worth twenty points. Answer correctly, gain twenty. Answer wrong, lose twenty.” Mr. You smirked. “Contestant One, why use your advantage so early? Previous contestants always save this chance for later questions.”
“Because I genuinely don’t know the answer,” Feng Bu Jue said.
“Why not guess? It’s just a ten-point question.”
“It’s a simple math problem. Suppose I don’t know any answers. If I guess on the first question, I’d have 60 for a correct guess or 40 for a wrong one. But by skipping, I secure 60 points and proceed to question two. If I guess there, the risk remains the same (25% chance), but the potential reward increases. Why not guarantee 60 and advance?” He paused. “Besides, maybe I’ll know question two. Then I won’t need to guess at all.”
Mr. You blinked, momentarily stunned. The audience fell silent for a beat before erupting into applause.
“Hmph… Contestant One remains so composed even when admitting defeat,” Mr. You chuckled.
The crowd laughed.
“This is called rational rule usage. Proceed,” Feng Bu Jue said, resting his hands behind his head.
“Fine. From question two onward, you may choose to answer or skip,” Mr. You adjusted his tiny round glasses, eyeing Feng Bu Jue. “By your logic, even if you have to guess, you’d still try, right?”
“Of course.”
“Question two!” Mr. You read, “On April 30, 1943, a famous historical hoax began—Operation Mincemeat. The corpse disguised as a Royal Navy major… what was his real name? A) William Martin; B) Samuel Jackson; C) Glyndwr Michael; D) Charlie Sheen.”
Feng Bu Jue pressed the C button without hesitation.
Mr. You warned, “Contestant One, once confirmed, no changes!”
“I know,” Feng Bu Jue replied.
Tense music swelled. Mr. You turned serious, facing the camera: “The correct answer is…”
“You’re making a constipated face for nothing,” Feng Bu Jue interjected. “B and D are actor names, so obviously excluded. William Martin was the forged identity in Operation Mincemeat itself. Even without knowing the operation, anyone would pick between A and C. The real name just sounds more… real.”
“Contestant One!” Mr. You scowled. “Why don’t you host instead?”
“Sure. Swap seats. I’ll guarantee your trip to the Colosseum,” Feng Bu Jue offered.
“Oh? Interesting. If Mr. You enters the Colosseum, pick one of us three Executioners,” Wenyi chuckled from the guest seats.
Arrogant nodded in agreement: “Great idea.”
“You’re just trying to kill me!” Mr. You groaned. “Don’t derail! I’m announcing the answer!”
“It’s C!” the audience whispered, spoiling it.
“Fine… since you all know,” Mr. You feigned cheer. “Correct! Add twenty points!” Feng Bu Jue’s score hit 80.
“Clearly no challenge for Contestant One,” Mr. You waved the burned card. “But next… a forty-point question.” He paused theatrically. The camera zoomed on Feng Bu Jue, who remained unfazed.
“Regret using that skip-and-add advantage yet?”
“Let me guess… Each question’s value doubles from here?”
“Hohoho… Who knows?” Mr. You evaded.
“Hmph. If you think you’ll regret something, don’t do it. If you do… never regret,” Feng Bu Jue smirked.
Mr. You whistled. The camera split to both men’s close-ups. “Contestant One… question three… will you answer?”
“Answer.”
“Question three!” Mr. You read, “Which of these is Not one of Abandoning Heaven Emperor’s techniques? A) Divine Flame; B) Divine Light; C) Divine Hand; D) Divine Judgment.”
This stumped Feng Bu Jue. Most of the Abandoning Heaven Emperor’s moves started with “Divine,” but he needed time to recall. He searched his memory’s attic.
“Contestants needn’t rush. There’s no time limit,” Mr. You said. “But if you take five minutes without answering, I’ll count down ten seconds for a random guess.” He turned to the stage. “While Contestant One thinks, let’s hear other contestants’ predictions. Don’t hint at the answer, or he’ll be penalized.” He faced Xiao Tan. “Contestant Two, how many questions do you think Contestant One will answer?”
Xiao Tan stared at his left hand, still unchanged. “I don’t know. But I trust Feng Bu Jue. He’ll finish.”
“But he’s leading now. If he completes all seven, he’ll be the round’s top scorer. What if he sends you to the Colosseum?”
“Huh?” Xiao Tan looked up. “Then go. If Feng Bu Jue chooses me, it’s probably reasonable.”
“Hehe… Contestant Two places great faith in Contestant One’s strategy,” Mr. You remarked, turning to si yu. “Then… Contestant Three…”
“Pass,” si yu dismissed him with a lazy wave.
“Erm…” Mr. You forced a smile, shifting to bei ling. “Contestant Four?”
“Commander, if you really finish all questions… choose Xiao Tan.” bei ling smiled maliciously at Xiao Tan as he spoke.
“What did I even do?!” Xiao Tan looked bewildered.
“Lose your left hand and your charm with women? You’ll spend life relying on your right hand alone…” Feng Bu Jue muttered sarcastically, his calm demeanor suggesting he’d decided the answer.
Mr. You perked up. “Contestant One, that quip was amusing! Can I quote it later?”
“Do as you like…” Feng Bu Jue said. “I’ve chosen. Reveal the answer.”
Mr. You leaned to check the console—Feng Bu Jue had pressed D.
“Contestant One chose D… Divine Judgment…” Mr. You resumed his signature pause, stretching the silence as long as possible. “…This answer…”
(End of Chapter)
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