Chapter Seventeen: Before the Review…
Isn’t that the female companion of Bai Kai from that day?
That day at the Siye Society, she was dressed like a woman of the night, and today she’s wearing a school uniform. Does she have a student identity as well? Bai Kai truly is…
Why is she here? There’s still a lingering “stench” of the witch-type urban legend on her…
Upon seeing Bai Kai’s former “companion,” manifesting in the form of a witch-type urban legend in front of the South Suburb Slaughterhouse and claiming to know her, Jiang Li was indeed taken aback.
However, after a brief moment of panic, she quickly adjusted her emotions, calming down and asking, “You recognized me? Do we know each other?”
Facing Jiang Li’s inquiry, Luxianbei pondered for a moment, as if considering something, and only came back to her senses when Jiang Li pressed her again.
“Where have we met?”
“We haven’t met! I mean, I’ve seen you, but you haven’t seen me!” Luxianbei shook her hand.
As she spoke, she walked up without caring about Jiang Li’s extremely displeased expression and casually sat down next to her. “Ma’am, you must be Miaomiao Sauce, right? I really like your cosplay, especially that set of [Bai Xiaohua · Qiansuolan]. The accuracy is so high, except for the chest area.”
Jiang Li, “…”
So, she really knows the true owner of this face?
Had she known, she wouldn’t have searched for templates online. Finding a random passerby on the street might have been more reliable and she wouldn’t have ended up in contact with such bizarre people, Jiang Li thought.
According to her original plan, she intended to disperse with the others as soon as she entered the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, finding a safer place to wait until dawn.
But now…
Jiang Li glanced at Luxianbei’s hand resting on her shoulder, slightly frowning.
Now, it was clearly not easy to act alone.
Jiang Li gently pushed Luxianbei’s hand away and said calmly, “You might have mistaken me for someone else. I’m not Miaomiao Sauce.”
However, Luxianbei quickly changed her position and linked her arm with Jiang Li’s.
“I get it, I get it! Many of you cosplayers are like this, right? The second dimension is the second dimension and the third dimension is the third dimension; you want to keep them separate because you don’t want real life to disturb you, right?”
“But I won’t mistake you! I’ve bought a lot of your electronic photobooks! Like the Belfast gown, the genderbent Jotaro, the racing suit of Black g*n…”
Jiang Li, “…” What am I supposed to say to sound professional without revealing my identity?
“By the way, the most thrilling one is definitely the swimsuit Peikolin! That curve, that b*tt, those long white legs! Tsk, amazing! I really want to touch it.”
Touch it? Jiang Li paused, instinctively shifting away, but Luxianbei locked her arm and pulled her back.
Looking at Luxianbei’s hands, which were chaotic and eager, Jiang Li’s cheeks turned slightly red as she twitched her lips. “Let go! I’m really not the person you think I am, you’ve mistaken me!”
d*mn it, how can this person be so frivolous and annoying?
What kind of witch type is this?
Moreover, this feeling is oddly familiar, always reminding her of that Luxianbei guy.
However…
Jiang Li stole a glance at Luxianbei’s curve, barely concealed by her high school uniform, and shook her head slightly.
This cannot be Luxianbei; although there are several types of urban legends that might change gender, if Luxianbei had really transformed into an urban legend, it would be impossible for her to normally enter the Siye Society—her senior would have dealt with her by now.
Jiang Li recalled when she had just become a formal operator; there was a member of the Solar Eclipse Society who tried to infiltrate Huacheng Siye Society. That person never made it past the small garden before being turned into a pile of mushrooms with three moves, leading Bai Kai to take him home and turn him into mushroom chicken, calling it waste utilization.
“Are you really not Miaomiao Sauce?”
“No.” Jiang Li replied flatly.
“Really? I don’t believe you.”
“Believe it or not.”
“Alright, it’s fine if you’re not….” Luxianbei nodded thoughtfully, pulling out a banana from somewhere and handing it to Jiang Li. “We all came here for the review, let’s be friends, right? That way we can look out for each other later.”
Jiang Li glared coldly at Luxianbei, her face darkening as she shifted away from the banana almost poking her face, remaining silent.
Where did she pull that from? Why would someone carry a banana with them?
“Uh…” Luxianbei scratched her head, “I picked it up from the taxi I took earlier; I reckon it was left behind by the previous passenger.”
“I figured it would be a waste to leave it in the car, so I took it when I got out.”
Jiang Li, “…” So you think it’s alright because it’s a waste? What kind of person is this?
Seeing Jiang Li remain silent and make no abnormal movements, Luxianbei nonchalantly retracted the banana, peeled it, and began eating it while pondering.
It seemed she shouldn’t be a leader. If she really were, after being teased like this, she would have drawn out a huge sword over four meters long and swung it at her by now to make the world quiet.
To be honest, with this girl’s ID in front of her and that earlier “captivating” smile, Luxianbei actually had a moment where she thought Jiang Li was disguised and had infiltrated the Urban Legends Chat Group for investigation.
Now it seemed she was physically intact, looking entirely different and having a distinct personality, making that possibility very low.
However, that possibility can’t be completely ruled out; it’s better to be slightly cautious, Luxianbei thought.
——
When Luxianbei finished the fourth banana and picked up the fifth under Jiang Li’s peculiar gaze, the third applicant who was late for the review finally appeared before them.
He was a rather good-looking young man but had dressed himself up to resemble a can of Wangzai milk for some unknown reason.
As he walked forward, he held a selfie stick while recording a video, mumbling to himself.
“Brothers, today I’m taking you to see the legendary South Suburb Slaughterhouse of Huacheng! Remember to double-tap 666!”
Before Luxianbei and Jiang Li could say anything, the young man spotted the two contrasting beauties with diverse styles from a distance, and an enchanting and wild smile instantly appeared on his face as he approached.
“Yo! I didn’t expect to spend this evening with two beauties! Not bad, not bad!”
“An impressively styled brother isn’t wrong, but bro, I’m not your partner, that’s right, I’m your Li Ge.”
“Who? Li Xianghe?” Luxianbei tilted her head.
“……” Li Daqiang’s face flashed with embarrassment. “Ahem, in any case, beautiful ladies, rest assured, with me around tonight, you both will be safe and sound.”
“And how will you guarantee that?” Luxianbei interjected expressionlessly. “What if we deliberately do something dangerous and send ourselves to our doom online? Can you ensure that?”
“I…” Li Daqiang stared blankly at her cold face, momentarily at a loss for words.
No, why aren’t you following the usual procedures? Shouldn’t the people here for the review all want to survive?
Li Daqiang silently complained a bit, quickly adjusting his mood and once again putting on a smile. “Beautiful lady, I think you’re quite strange, strangely cute.” As he spoke, he tried to squeeze between the two.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Li furrowed her brows, ready to respond, but was pulled into Luxianbei’s shoulder.
“I think you’re quite strange too, strangely disgusting.”
Jiang Li stole a glance at Luxianbei, “…”
Not my business, let’s see how it unfolds.JPG
Seeing Jiang Li’s reaction, Li Daqiang chuckled awkwardly. “Haha, I find that beautiful ladies really know how to talk. Just a few words and you’ve already plucked my heartstrings.”
“Of course!” Luxianbei raised an eyebrow. “This is a family heirloom technique for making cotton candy.”
“This…” Li Daqiang’s expression grew increasingly awkward, and with his hands behind his back, he turned away, gazing 45 degrees at the sky and sighed deeply, “Have you noticed? The moonlight is really beautiful tonight, and the wind is gentle.”
Are you trying to flirt hard even when it’s not working?!
Luxianbei rolled her eyes and said, “Many years ago on a certain night, Mr. Cha, while sneaking out to steal melons, thought the same way before meeting Run Tu.”
Li Daqiang, “…”
Being blocked by Luxianbei, he fell silent for a moment before turning his attention to Jiang Li.
However, just as his lips parted slightly, he saw Jiang Li smile at him, her eyes seemingly filled with malice from the underworld, causing him to shudder and freeze in place.
“Li Ge, right? Full name Li Daqiang, male, twenty-seven years old, possesses some basic thunder-type spell formulas, streamer on a particular platform, 32.7 million fans.”
“Five years ago in Luo City, he attempted to m*l*st a minor under the pretense of exorcism and was detained for two years and seven months. Two years ago in Moon City, he cursed a wealthy businessman with the surname Hu and stole over twenty million. Earlier this year, he also came into contact with the Son of Light…”
“Isn’t this all about you? As for recently… recently I’m not too sure; it seems you’ve been hunted and are now fleeing?”
How does this girl know so much? Luxianbei cast a surprised glance at Jiang Li, silently giving her a thumbs up in her heart.
Li Daqiang was drenched in cold sweat from Jiang Li’s words, pulling out a tissue to wipe his sweat while weakly saying, “I-I’ve reformed recently; I have changed my ways.”
As he spoke, he walked a bit to the side, found a stone to sit on, and shot a glare at Luxianbei and Jiang Li from a distance.
d*mn! When I left the house today, I calculated that everything would go smoothly; how did I end up with these two ghouls?
Lost in thought, a loud bang suddenly echoed not far away. He turned to look, and his face changed.
A pitch-black Raptor came rushing through the night, crashing into his parked ghost-fire motorcycle. Just as he was about to curse, he suddenly saw a hulking figure jump out of the car.
It was a man over two meters tall, dressed in a stylish jacket with sunglasses, his bald head radiating “invincibility,” and each of his muscular arms bore dozens of heavy copper rings as he walked straight over like a fallen iron tower.
Reaching the entrance of the slaughterhouse, the giant man removed his sunglasses, scanning the crowd gathered at the entrance sternly, speaking in a deep voice, “Everyone’s here? If you don’t mind, let’s each introduce our abilities first.”
“It might be dangerous to enter the slaughterhouse tonight; some communication before we go in will increase our chances of survival.”
As he spoke, he looked at Luxianbei.
Their eyes met, and Luxianbei frowned, contemplating whether to conjure a fireball, fearing it might explode the vicinity when the giant said, “Not bad! Very good!” while looking at Jiang Li.
Jiang Li gave him a chilling smile, and before she could demonstrate her strength, he nodded and said, “Next.”
Seeing the giant’s gaze land on him, Li Daqiang was momentarily stunned, then began shouting at the giant.
“What the hell? Why does she get to smile and that’s enough?”
“And who the hell are you? Why should I listen to you? I warn you, don’t act tough with us, or else!”
“Hmph! Young man…” the giant interrupted with a cold smile. “Do you know what that is? That is the smile of a strong person! One cannot show that terrifying smile without having gone through countless killings!”
Jiang Li, “…”
So tiring.JPG
Luxianbei, “…”
This™ can also work? I genuinely envy those with expressions on their faces.
“It’s just a smile born from the slaughter, right? Who hasn’t killed someone?!” Li Daqiang scoffed, grinning at the giant.
The giant looked at Li Daqiang’s silly grin, froze for a moment, then patted his bald head and sighed deeply, “Sigh! Young man, this place is very dangerous; you should hurry home to sleep.”
“I’m gonna let you…” Li Daqiang’s face turned red all of a sudden as he stood up quickly, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to charge at the giant.
Just then, all four of their phones buzzed simultaneously.
Feeling the vibration, everyone paused in unison and pulled out their phones.
When they saw the content of the message, everyone’s faces turned grave, and a subtle tension enveloped the atmosphere.
【One Hundred and Three and a Half Cats: @All Members, all members have arrived at the review location. You may enter the review location early or wait for midnight to arrive; it’s up to you.
Before entering the review location, let me repeat the review rules once again.
1. You must enter before midnight and cannot leave before eight o’clock. Leaving midway counts as failing the review.
2. After entering the review location, you need to move at least—standing still counts as failing the review.
……
These are the rules. Now, everyone, enjoy tonight’s thrilling adventure!】
Long silence.
Li Daqiang glanced at the three people in front of him and weakly said, “Don’t you think something’s off? Wasn’t there supposed to be five people?”
“Hmph, ignorant!” the giant snorted and walked ahead toward the large iron door of the South Suburb Slaughterhouse. Then he kicked the iron door open with a “DUANG!” and walked inside.
“Is one of them an evil spirit-type urban legend…” Jiang Li muttered to herself, also getting up and following the giant into the slaughterhouse.
In the blink of an eye, only Luxianbei and Li Daqiang were left at the entrance of the South Suburb Slaughterhouse.
Li Daqiang turned to Luxianbei, grinning, “Beautiful lady you…”
“Who are you calling beautiful? Clean up your mouth!” Luxianbei interrupted. “Don’t talk to me. You’re unlikely to win an argument with me and probably won’t beat me in a fight. I’m afraid I’ll make you d*e of anger here later.”
With that, she opened “Love and Magical Girl” and happily spent the time with Bai Xiaohua.
After all, this was a timed mission; according to the rules, as long as they stayed from midnight to eight in the morning, it would be eight hours. Anyone who went in early clearly had a problem. Luxianbei thought.
Li Daqiang twitched his lips, “…”
Not getting angry, not getting angry, won’t hold a grudge against a woman!
Today she treats me with indifference; one day I’ll make her regret being unable to catch up with me!
While pondering, he quietly took out his phone and selfie stick, opened a streaming app, and started a live broadcast.
“Hello everyone, I am your Li Ge! I believe you’ve all seen the preview video I posted earlier, right?”
“Why alone? When I came earlier, I ran into three ** teammates, and there were some minor mishaps, so I decided to explore alone! Now let’s take a look at the environment surrounding the South Suburb Slaughterhouse.”
“Brave? Of course! Who am I? I’m your Li Ge, just do it!”
……
Li Daqiang chatted with the phone camera, slowly walking along the small path at the foundation of the wall of the South Suburb Slaughterhouse.
The grass around the path swayed in the light breeze, undulating without making a sound, eerily quiet.
If someone were hidden inside, they would probably remain undetected.
The strange person he encountered at the village entrance might just be hiding in some grass, secretly observing!
Looking at the half-human-high, ghostly swaying grass, such thoughts crossed Luxianbei’s mind.
Oddly enough, at this moment, the crescent moon had vanished into thick clouds, and the night grew darker.
Li Daqiang’s figure quickly became indistinct in the shadows, even somewhat twisted, as if he had entered another space-time.
Luxianbei swiftly pulled her attention away from Li Daqiang and bent down to fiddle with her phone.
Until Li Daqiang’s loud voice rang out.
“Woa！？Brothers! Guess what I found, I’ve discovered a dry well! Want to know what’s down there? Send two rockets, and Li Ge will take you down to take a look!”
A dry well… Luxianbei paused, looking up toward the direction Li Daqiang had left, her expression changing.
cr*p! That direction is where the seal was broken this afternoon!
With this thought, she abruptly stood up and jogged in that direction.
She had already been to the South Suburb Slaughterhouse once during the day and was somewhat familiar with the roads around the slaughterhouse. Bypassing those grass patches that looked like countless small hands reaching out, she quickly arrived at the previously sealed spot.
However, Li Daqiang was nowhere to be seen; only his phone was left by the edge of the well, emitting a faint glow, a few drops of viscous liquid staining the screen.
In just a few dozen seconds, a living person had vanished silently, without any signs of struggle.
Luxianbei stared grimly at the inky well, feeling exceptionally strange, even though she had been there in the daytime.
It felt as if, after dark, everything in this vicinity had transformed from how it was by day.
That pitch-black well now resembled a large mouth, stirring in the darkness, radiating an inexplicable allure that beckoned people to uncover its secrets.
Luxianbei paused for a moment, walked to the edge of the well, stared into it for two seconds, bent down to pick up the phone on the ground, and without hesitation turned around… and ran.
At the moment she turned, a strange sigh echoed faintly from the cellar.
This Li Daqiang person might not be great, but his phone is quite impressive; it’s a Cherries 12PLUSPRO. Is it resistant to high temperatures?
Uh…
I’m not taking advantage of someone in trouble; I’m just keeping his phone safe to return to him the next time we meet! Luxianbei thought.
