Chapter 30
"I think the clue is definitely in the library! The seventh book from the left in the third row of 'Tales of the Nine Provinces' has suspiciously worn edges on its pages!"
Lu Xiao pointed to the bookshelf, confidently offering his insightful opinion, his eyes shining with an astonishing light.
Monkey King stroked his chin, looking serious: "Little Lu, is it possible... that the wear and tear was artificially aged by the props team?"
Another shrewd guest immediately chimed in, quite seriously: "No, no, no, I think Lu's thinking is very unique! Often, the most unlikely thing is the most likely! Let's go to the library!"
As he spoke, he gave Zhuohua a knowing look.
Zhuohua stood in the shadows a little behind the crowd, arms crossed, leaning against the carved door frame. Upon hearing this, she raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.
Watching her silly boy nod repeatedly, enthusiastically leading the way in the wrong direction, a hint of helplessness and amusement flashed deep in her eyes. He might be a little silly, but his earnestness... was undeniably adorable.
Just as Lu Xiao led a group of people rushing into the library, busy rummaging through the chests and cabinets, Zhuo Hua's figure quietly appeared in the opposite direction, under the corridor of a secluded waterside pavilion deep in the ruins.
The place was silent and deserted. On the stone platform in the center of the waterside pavilion, a slowly rotating energy sphere, emanating a faint, ominous black aura, floated—the first node that needed purification.
A "Demon Guardian" NPC, dressed in a black cloak and wearing a ferocious mask, stands like a statue next to the node, faithfully fulfilling its duty to block players.
Zhuohua approached with light, graceful steps. The NPC immediately activated, letting out a low roar and brandishing its longsword as it lunged forward. However, just as it took a step—
“Crack.”
A very faint, almost muffled sound, barely audible, cracked. Without warning, a small section of the seemingly flat flagstone beneath the NPC's feet collapsed! The angle was perfect, causing him to twist his ankle and instantly lose his balance, tumbling awkwardly into the nearby lotus pond with a "plop!" Water splashed everywhere.
Zhuohua didn't stop walking, as if she were just passing by, not even glancing at the pool. She walked straight to the spinning black energy sphere. Her fair fingertips casually touched the air.
"Bo."
A soft popping sound, like a soap bubble being punctured.
The energy sphere, imbued with "demonic energy," along with the complex runic device on its base, instantly transformed into tiny specks of light and dissipated into the air. Clean, swift, and silent. The entire "destruction" was so fast that even the hidden cameras nearby almost missed capturing the crucial moments.
The waterside pavilion fell silent once more, leaving only the unfortunate NPC in the lotus pond, his head covered in waterweed, thrashing about aimlessly and pitifully. Zhuohua's figure had long since vanished into the depths of the winding corridors, as if he had never been there at all.
The broadcast sounded at the opportune moment, accompanied by a cold, electronic voice: "Warning! Warning! The energy node 'Pure Lotus Pavilion' has been destroyed by an unknown force! Good guys faction mission progress -1!"
"What?!"
"The waterside pavilion? Who went to the waterside pavilion?"
"Holy crap! The node is gone?!"
Lu Xiao and the others, who were engrossed in searching through the library, even scrutinizing the seams of the bookshelves, were collectively stunned when they heard the announcement. Lu Xiao, still clutching a book of military supplies, watched his expression shift from focused concentration to shock to utter bewilderment, a truly fascinating display.
"Who did this?!"
He subconsciously looked in Zhuohua's direction. Zhuohua had also returned to the edge of the group at some point, her brows slightly furrowed as she looked towards the waterside pavilion, her face displaying just the right amount of surprise and a hint of worry. Her expression was more "good" than any of the good people present.
"I don't know... It's so sudden!" Zhuohua shook her head, her voice carrying just the right amount of confusion. "Aren't we all here?"
Looking into her clear, innocent eyes, Lu Xiao's nascent suspicion was instantly extinguished. "Right, Hua Hua was with us the whole time, flipping through books! How could she possibly be in two places at once to sabotage the node? It must have been that cunning undercover agent!"
He was immediately overcome with a strong protective instinct. He leaned closer to Zhuohua, lowered his voice, and said firmly, "Huahua, don't be afraid! I'm here! I will definitely find that bad guy!"
Looking at his face, so close to hers, filled with trust and fighting spirit, and feeling his warm breath brush against her ear, Zhuohua felt that mischievous little flame in her heart suddenly flare up again.
She lowered her eyelashes slightly, concealing the cunning glint in her eyes, and softly hummed in agreement, her tone tinged with dependence: "Yes, I'm counting on you."
That soft, gentle response was like a shot of adrenaline for Lu Xiao! His sense of duty as a paladin surged instantly!
Time ticked by, and the atmosphere within the ruins grew increasingly tense. The second checkpoint was located deep within a narrow, secret passageway built into a rockery. This time, the production crew had clearly increased their precautions.
The entrance to the secret passage is narrow, allowing only one person to pass sideways. Inside, it is dimly lit, with winding paths and numerous forks, resembling a maze. To make matters worse, there are more than one "enchanted guard" NPC inside, and the terrain restricts teamwork, requiring individual breakthroughs.
The good guys were at a stalemate. A direct assault? The terrain was unfavorable, and they risked casualties. A clever maneuver? The clues were unclear, and the secret passage was filled with distracting information.
Just as everyone was at a loss and arguing endlessly, Lu Xiao took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said with a tragic determination that said, "If I don't go to hell, who will?"
Zhuohua stood on the outskirts of the crowd, and upon hearing this, she looked up at him. Her gaze was calm and unwavering, yet it warmed Lu Xiao's heart and strengthened his resolve.
He inspected his prop paladin longsword (it was plastic, but painted silver, and looked quite intimidating), tightened his belt, and was about to rush into the secret passage.
"Wait." A cold voice rang out.
Lu Xiao paused, then turned back in surprise: "Hua Hua?"
Zhuohua stepped forward, ignoring the curious or inquisitive gazes of the others. She reached out and naturally straightened Lu Xiao's collar, which had become slightly askew from excitement. Her cool fingertips brushed against the skin of his neck, sending a slight shiver down his spine.
She tiptoed slightly, leaned close to Lu Xiao's ear, and whispered quickly, in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Third from the left, the stone statue at the end of the fork in the road, the direction its sword is pointing, is a trap. First from the right, under the third loose paving stone, there's a real clue. The guard's weakness is in his lower back."
A warm breath, carrying a faint, cool fragrance, brushed past his earlobe, and Lu Xiao felt a jolt of electricity shoot from his ear to the top of his head, leaving half his body numb. He suddenly opened his eyes wide, staring incredulously at Zhuo Hua's profile, which was so close to his, yet still expressionless.
Hua Hua...is helping him? Passing him cheat sheets? In a game of fighting off an undercover agent?!
Overwhelmed by the immense surprise and the sweet feeling of being trusted, Lu Xiao was momentarily stunned! He didn't even bother to consider how Zhuo Hua, as a "good person," had learned such detailed inside information (perhaps she was exceptionally clever and observant?). He only felt that his girlfriend cared for him and supported him! This favoritism filled him with immense strength!
"Understood!" Lu Xiao nodded emphatically, his eyes burning with blind trust and adoration. "Hua Hua, don't worry! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
He gripped the prop sword tightly, turned around with a proud and imposing air, and plunged into the dimly lit secret passage.
Zhuohua watched his figure disappear into the darkness, slowly lowering her hand from adjusting his collar. Her fingertips lightly twirled at her side, as if savoring the brief, warm touch. A faint, fleeting smile curved her lips. Silly boy, have fun.
The sounds of fierce fighting (clashing of props) and Lu Xiao's booming shouts soon echoed from within the secret passage. Less than five minutes later, the broadcast blared again: "Congratulations! The energy node 'Maze Stone Array' has been purified! Good Faction Quest Progress +1! Paladin Lu Xiao has successfully defeated the guard!"
Wow! Lu is amazing!
"So fast?! Are you cheating?!"
"Wow, Lu Xiao is amazing! He's been keeping a low profile!"
The good guys outside the secret passage cheered! Lu Xiao emerged from the passage, covered in dust and his hair a little messy, but he was in high spirits, his eyes shining brightly. He was still symbolically waving the plastic holy sword in his hand, exuding the air of a triumphant general. He immediately looked at Zhuo Hua, like a large dog waiting for its master's praise.
Zhuohua met his bright, pleading eyes and nodded gently, her lips softening slightly.
Lu Xiao suddenly felt that all his hard work was worth it! He felt light and airy, as if he were walking on clouds.
As the game progresses into its mid-to-late stages, clues gradually become clearer, and the focus begins to subtly shift towards several suspects. Thanks to the "divine assistance" Zhuo Hua had previously provided, Lu Xiao has become the self-proclaimed strategist and combat expert for the good guys (even though his prop sword is made of plastic).
During a crucial clue analysis meeting, he frowned, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone present, finally settling on a male guest who had been appearing somewhat timid.
"It's you!" Lu Xiao suddenly stood up, pointing his prop sword at the other man, his aura imposing, his eyes filled with the certainty of "I've seen through everything." "'Shadow Demon'! You're the Fallen God's undercover agent! You have too many flaws! First, when the second node was destroyed, you said you were resting in the West Garden, but someone saw you heading towards the Water Pavilion! Second, just now at the entrance to the secret passage, you deliberately led everyone in the wrong direction! Third, and most importantly..."
He took a deep breath, as if to reveal the ultimate irrefutable evidence, his voice firm and powerful: "When you were analyzing the clues just now, you subconsciously touched your left wrist! Isn't there a mark of the fallen god hidden there?!"
His reasoning was seven parts guided by fragmented information unintentionally (?) revealed by Zhuohua beforehand, and three parts by his own imagination and imposing manner. Surprisingly, it sounded logically sound and convincing!
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