Chapter 557: Chu Mo Island (Twenty-Three)
Chapter 557: Chu Mo Island (Twenty-Three)
The third Stone Chamber maintained the same dimensions as the previous layers, though its interior was completely empty.
“Well, this is straightforward…” Fei Chai Shu said, sweeping his flashlight beam across the chamber. “There’s absolutely nothing here—not even a hatch leading down to the next level.”
“Could this be a dead end?” Tian Ma Xing Kong asked.
Ji Bu nodded. “It’s possible. When we were on the surface, we saw multiple tower tips. Perhaps only one or two of them connect to the shrine’s base, while the rest are false.”
“Makes sense,” Fei Chai Shu agreed. “We rushed into the shrine without proper reconnaissance, choosing a tower tip randomly. Taking a wrong turn isn’t surprising.”
“Agreed,” Hong Hu added. “I’d guess there’s some kind of clue outside the shrine indicating which tower tips are genuine.” He exhaled sharply. “Thankfully, we realized this tower tip leads nowhere after only descending three layers. We should retreat to the surface and investigate the tower tips and their surroundings carefully.”
“Actually,” Feng Bu Jue interrupted, “the entrance we used to get here has vanished.”
“What?!” The group recoiled in unison, craning their necks upward.
In that instant, their terror spiked.
“I missed the disappearance process entirely,” Feng Bu Jue said flatly. “After descending, my attention drifted elsewhere. Only when you mentioned retreating did I casually glance up—and found the ceiling completely bare.”
“Er… it vanished without a sound in such a short time, leaving no trace,” Hong Hu muttered, wiping cold sweat from his temple. “Not a moment to let our guard down…”
“No, this has nothing to do with vigilance. These nightmare scenarios specialize in underhanded tricks—’unpredictable’ sums it up.” Feng Bu Jue gestured with his spotlight. “Take this chamber. No natural light, so we rely entirely on artificial illumination.” His beam swept the walls. “Our vision naturally follows the light, ignoring darker areas. The ceiling’s high—no one would stare upward constantly. There was bound to be a moment when all five of us looked away from the entrance.” He smirked. “Even an instant leaves room for countless possibilities. Disappearance is just one of them.”
“Enough! I know you’ll spook us next,” Ji Bu interjected. “I’d probably wet myself even knowing you’re exaggerating, so please shut up!”
“Imagination is fear’s root—your greatest enemy,” Feng Bu Jue countered. “Better to analyze it openly…”
“How about I blast the ceiling or floor with a Meteor Strike Fist?” Tian Ma Xing Kong suggested. “Then we’ll have an exit and stop panicking.”
“Frankly,” Feng Bu Jue shook his head, “using a Meteor Strike Fist here has a 50% chance of failing to break the wall, 30% risk of structural collapse, 10% chance triggering lethal rebounds, and only 10% success.”
“Perfect! I’ll try anyway.” Tian Ma Xing Kong crouched, winding up.
“Are you even listening?! Nine out of ten odds say it’ll backfire!” Feng Bu Jue shouted.
“Don’t worry—heroes turn the impossible into reality!” Brother Horse declared with middle-school-syndrome bravado, charging forward.
“Hold!” Fei Chai Shu barked.
“Don’t stop me—I’ve made my choice…” Brother Horse swung his arm. “Heaven… Horse… Style…”
Crack—
Tian Ma Xing Kong’s chant cut off abruptly.
A powerful hand clamped his throat, halting his motion.
“Didn’t I say stop? You deaf?” Fei Chai Shu hoisted him aloft.
Ji Bu and Hong Hu gaped in shock, while Feng Bu Jue arched an eyebrow, murmuring, “Oh?”
In one fluid motion, Fei Chai Shu lunged. Clutching Tian Ma Xing Kong’s neck, he slammed him against the chamber wall with a thunderous boom.
“You… who… are you?” Fei Chai Shu glared at the “Tian Ma Xing Kong,” enunciating each word.
“Hel… help…” The imposter twisted, struggling on tiptoes to breathe. “He’s mad… He’s monster-controlled… Kill him!”
The trio exchanged glances, silent for a beat before circling the captive casually.
“Spill it—who are you? Where’s the real Brother Horse?” Hong Hu demanded.
“I… am…” The fake tried one last denial.
“You have three inconsistencies,” Feng Bu Jue interrupted, raising three fingers. “First, your act’s forced. The real Brother Horse isn’t this cloyingly foolish—just a hot-blooded fool.” He lowered one finger. “Second, players rarely harm allies, yet Fei Chai Shu attacked you successfully. That means you’re not Brother Horse and Fei Chai Shu saw through you.” Another finger dropped. “Third—and most importantly…”
“Third… the killer detail,” Hong Hu cut in coldly. “Tian Ma Xing Kong would never beg for mercy or wear that expression.”
Silence fell.
The captive’s agonized expression melted into a sneer.
“Hmph… Laughable excuses,” it scoffed. “Not convincing at all…” Yet it dropped the act, revealing its true form.
Its attire fused into a shadowy humanoid figure, genderless in silhouette. Bald-headed with normal ears, its face bore distinct black-and-white eyes, nose, and mouth.
“Ah… So you’re…” Feng Bu Jue’s gaze sharpened.
“Indeed,” the entity gloated.
“…The culprit who helped Conan imprison hundreds, stealing, killing, and terrorizing innocents!” Feng Bu Jue finished.
“You Uncle’s culprit!” Ji Bu snapped. “Is this really the time for jokes?!”
“Ji Bu’s right,” Hong Hu said. “Let’s torture it for Brother Horse’s location—priority one.”
“Relax, just a test,” Feng Bu Jue replied breezily, though his ill-timed quip was deliberate—to gauge reactions for more imposters. “We all know who you are,” he added, eyeing the figure. “Imitation Soul.”
(End of Chapter)
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