Chapter 195 - 181: A Deal

[What kind of deal do you want to make?]

The system coalesced into bleeding words before Yin Zhen’s eyes, exuding the distinct supernatural style of the Autumn Tomb World.

Yin Zhen ignored the system’s new changes and continued, "There is a massive disparity in Strength between the incense master and me right now. Killing him within the seven days of the next crossover is a nearly impossible task for me. However, I can give it a try. If I succeed, I don’t need any Mysterious Gift Package; I just need you to answer one question."

[What question?]

"I want to know how I can reach your dimension and get the chance to slaughter all of you."

[Are you sick in the head?]

Yin Zhen scoffed. "I’m just asking for the method. It’s not like I’m going over there to kill you right this second. Are you scared already?"

[Do you know what this entails? Aren’t you afraid of the subsequent game difficulty increasing?]

Yin Zhen and her system had practically reached the point of laying all their cards on the table. She knew there was a "living person" behind her system, and that there was an audience behind her—some rooting for her, and others betting against her. The invasion game was a game for Players, but it was also a game for these so-called higher-dimensional entities. A game always had to have rules.

Yin Zhen currently didn’t know what kind of entity established these rules, but she knew that even the system and the audience couldn’t break them. They could issue tasks to her, and once a task was issued, it became a contract that both parties had to abide by. However, they couldn’t force her to accept it; they could only use rewards and punishments within their authority to induce or coerce her into making a decision. They couldn’t kill her directly either. They could only influence her through the plots and events in each world, putting her in danger. Whether she could escape that danger depended entirely on her own abilities.

Ever since this game began, ever since she awakened her own will, they could no longer treat her like a marionette, manipulating her every move. Above all, they could not control her thoughts. Everyone was in the same arena. Why shouldn’t she be able to cross dimensions and stand before them?

"Threatening me is useless. I won’t fall for it!"

[Who the hell is threatening your—]

Before the bloody words could fully appear, they were erased by a mysterious force. Immediately after, Yin Zhen heard the system’s original rigid voice—the same voice that issued tasks in that Special space every time she crossed over.

[Exclusive Black Gold Event Card "Stubborn Mule" has been altered]

[Event Explanation]: Please kill the Autumn Tomb World villain "incense master" within the seven days of your next crossover.

[Event Reward]: An answer you desire.

[Failure Penalty]: Lose your Villain Card and everything you currently possess, restarting from zero.

Yin Zhen laughed. "You won’t even directly obliterate me after that? You really are a legitimate game with guaranteed credibility!"

[...]

A string of bloody ellipses floated before Yin Zhen’s eyes, each dot bleeding downwards. It was both laughable and pitiful. After her laugh, Yin Zhen’s gaze gradually darkened. The fact that the deal could be struck proved that there truly was a method to reach higher dimensions in this game. If she didn’t take this gamble, how many worlds would she have to struggle through before learning this?

With Yin Zhen’s current abilities and understanding of the system, she could live comfortably in every game if she wanted to. But she refused to let herself do that. She wanted to constantly push herself into desperate situations, forcing herself to move forward and fight for survival. Compared to comfort, she preferred the thrill of growing stronger bit by bit and the adrenaline rush that came with shattering desperate situations over and over again. This thrill let her clearly feel that she was a living, breathing human being!

Bai Qiang’s call came in, and Yin Zhen answered it.

"Guan Lan has agreed to make a deal with you, but you need to sign a contract. I have the contract with me," Bai Qiang’s voice came through.

"Alright. What about Ye Mingzhe?"

"The person suspected to be Ye Mingzhe is at the funeral home in the suburban cemetery. He went there early this morning. His behavior is very strange, and Kunpeng’s people are constantly monitoring him. Guan Lan said your conversation with him must take place under Kunpeng’s surveillance. Shall I come pick you up now?"

"Sure."

Hanging up, Yin Zhen got her things ready and rubbed Lucy’s head. "I won’t be coming back today. You can pack your things in advance; we’ll move out tomorrow."

For Lucy, it would be tomorrow. For Yin Zhen, it would be seven days later. The villa itself didn’t need any renovations. It just required a few simple adjustments, some cleaning, and then moving in the equipment Lucy had purchased. Lucy was highly efficient, and with the ten million Yin Zhen had given her, she had already sorted everything out.

Hearing Yin Zhen’s words, Lucy waved her over to crouch down, then wrapped her arms around Yin Zhen’s neck, giving her a hug. "I’m learning how to be a human. Although I can’t help you much in this world, I will pray for you like a human family member."

Yin Zhen pinched Lucy’s cheek. "What’s so good about learning to be human? Just be Lucy. That’s enough."

Yin Zhen took Ying, slung on her backpack, and left. Lucy stood there, staring at the doorway. Her hidden indicator lights flashed frantically for Yin Zhen once again. After a long while, tiny Lucy raised her head again, her eyes bright.

"Right. Lucy won’t be a human. Lucy will just be Lucy."

After Yin Zhen waited outside her residential complex for a short while, Bai Qiang drove up. As soon as she got into the car, Bai Qiang pushed up her sunglasses and looked Yin Zhen up and down.

"Tsk, I haven’t seen you for a few days—what have you been eating? You look so full of vitality. Look at me, I’ve cried so much my eyes are puffy, and my body feels incredibly weak lately. If you have some good stuff, don’t hog it all to yourself."

Yin Zhen glanced at Bai Qiang. She had indeed lost weight, radiating a frail Lin vibe. "Actually, if you don’t mind, you can switch to Adeline’s Character Card and drink some blood. It’ll help restore your condition."

Bai Qiang’s eyes lit up, and she smacked Yin Zhen’s shoulder hard. "You’re the smart one! Why didn’t I think of that? Good idea, good idea! We won’t suck the blood of the living; going to a blood bank to find some is easy enough. Here, the contract Guan Lan gave me. It’s a system Item. Buckle your seatbelt."

Yin Zhen buckled her seatbelt and carefully inspected the paper Bai Qiang handed her. Once the contract was signed, she couldn’t break it; otherwise, she would face the punishments outlined in the terms.

The agreement stated that within three days of her next crossover into the Autumn Tomb World, she had to deliver one substitute death puppet to Guan Lan, who would immediately provide a full-body photo of the target to be replaced. The remaining four were to be delivered by Yin Zhen in batches of two—two in Autumn Tomb and two in Ancient Abyss—clearing the debt within two rounds.

Time was indeed tight, but the substitute death puppets didn’t need to have movable joints like those used in puppet shows. They only needed to be palm-sized wooden carvings with realistic appearances. The Fierce Ghost Puppets were much more troublesome to make. Every single one required movable joints and had to be crafted strictly according to the structure of theatrical puppets.

On the way to the funeral home, Yin Zhen shared all the information she had gleaned about Ye Mingzhe from Liu Hua’s memories with Bai Qiang. The two of them analyzed Ye Mingzhe’s personality traits together, preparing for the upcoming meeting.

Bai Qiang drove the car to the funeral home in the suburbs. Upon stepping out, Yin Zhen put on a mask and a baseball cap, doing a rough sweep of her surroundings. A significant number of Special Operations Bureau agents were stationed both inside and outside the funeral home. Yin Zhen even spotted Ma Fan disguised as a front desk receptionist. He also saw her.

Yin Zhen had never shown her face publicly in the Ancient Abyss World. This time, she had no choice. If she used Ding Yi’s Identity, it would link Ding Yi with Blossoming Prosperity, which was pointless. She might as well appear just as she was.

Bai Qiang and Yin Zhen received a signal and walked to the outside of the memorial hall. Through the doors, they saw a farewell ceremony underway. A man dressed in black sat quietly in the corner. It was obvious that he didn’t know the people hosting the ceremony, yet when Yin Zhen walked closer, she saw the man’s eyes welling with tears, his expression as sorrowful as if the deceased were his own kin.

Bai Qiang mentioned that Ye Mingzhe had been sitting there all morning. This was already his third farewell ceremony.