Voting process
“What’s there to judge? One person has already been eliminated. Eliminating one more person will allow us to move on to the next round,” Zhu Qinghe said.
"Can we just reveal ourselves? Let's just end this awful game already, I can't take it anymore," someone complained.
The mythical beast at the window calmly said, "You can only reveal yourself during the voting process."
So we have to hear another round of secrets no matter what, how mean!
Number three was eliminated and sat down to the side, which meant that she could only wait on the first floor for the rest of her time and could not continue to advance.
However, she didn't care at all. She gave Number Four, who was looking at her with concern, a reassuring look and then calmly closed her eyes to rest.
The remaining twelve people continued to use secret slips of paper to start the game.
The group of people who unfolded the note were taken aback when they saw what it contained.
Number 10 asked in confusion, "What's going on? The contents of the note are the same as the previous one."
Someone quickly responded: "Mine too, it was mentioned in the last round."
Mu Chengwen frowned: "Is this ever going to end?"
Liang Youan puffed out her cheeks and crumpled the paper into a ball.
Why do you keep appearing in front of her? Enough already.
Zhu Qinghe rolled up the slip of paper and said, "In that case, this round only requires the person who draws the traitor's name to say what it says, but the person must be changed."
"But it's impossible to tell who the secret note belongs to in such a short time."
“So, we need to add an extra move this round.” Zhu Qinghe snapped her fingers.
"Motion?" Number Ten repeated in confusion, "But during the game we all stand in a circle and can't see each other's backs, so how can we make unnecessary movements?"
"The action I'm talking about doesn't require moving at all, so naturally you won't see my back."
Number Ten thought for a moment and understood what she meant. "You mean to point out the real target."
"That's right. The rules only require us to lie verbally, but they don't specify any actions, so it's not a violation at all."
After everyone realized what was going on, they suddenly understood: "That's right, the rules don't say you can't point at other people. You can lie with your mouth but point at the real thing with your hand."
No wonder he's number 11, he really knows how to exploit loopholes.
"Now, let the person who drew the traitor's name tell us what they have to say."
After waiting for a long time, no one spoke.
Mu Chengwen: "What are you all doing? Who is the traitor? Speak up!"
Bai Qiuru: "It seems no one will say anything this round."
"Why?" Mu Chengwen and Liang Youan asked at the same time.
"Haven't you figured it out yet?" Number Ten's expression also became more serious. "This round, we've obtained our own secrets."
Mu Chengwen: "...I thought I was the only one who got mine."
Liang Youan: "...I thought so too."
After all, not showering for three months and weighing 180 pounds, while not heinous crimes, were still quite embarrassing, so they kept quiet.
"If that's the case, the traitor definitely won't reveal their identity, so why don't we just let the trustee speak?"
"Traitors can lie, and they can also pretend to be trustworthy and not break the rules."
"Then how are we supposed to play?" Mu Chengwen scratched his head. Were they going to be trapped here forever?
Number Six spoke up: "If you want to end the game quickly, vote for Number Eight."
Number 8: "Feifei, you really won't give up. Since that's the case, I admit it, it really was me."
"But the incident involving the death of two lives was yours, wasn't it?"
Number Six's expression changed slightly: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
“I admit that I was very nervous when I received the note in the last round. For so many years, I have been afraid that others would find out my true background. I have two older brothers and a younger brother. As the only daughter, my father has always been cold to me, and my situation at home has always been difficult.”
"If he finds out I'm not his daughter, you can imagine what will happen. But after going through this round, I feel that my secret isn't such a big deal. At least I haven't killed anyone."
"Everyone can think back carefully, in the last round, besides me, who else mentioned number six?"
Following the line of thought from Number Eight, it's true that apart from Number Eight saying that Number Six wasn't Master Song's biological son, no one else, whether a traitor or a liar, mentioned Number Six.
“I admit that I was the traitor in the last round. I accidentally saw that the note in Number Seven contained my secret. In order to prevent this secret from being exposed, I used the rule that traitors can lie to drag Number Six into the mess. That way, even if Number Seven tells the truth after me, no one will believe her.”
Number Six glared at her: "I really misjudged you. You usually pretend to be so timid and obedient, but your mind is so deep and vicious."
Number Eight sneered: "If you weren't a member of the Song family, who would be your friend? You're so vicious. I'm just trying to protect myself. I can't control my background, and what do the grudges and entanglements of the previous generation have to do with me?"
"But you, falling in love with your teacher and killing two people for your own selfish desires, are far more wicked than me."
With such a deluge of bombshell revelations, everyone was a little overwhelmed.
So, number eight has an impure background, and number six died in a pregnancy with his unborn child.
If that's true, they could even kill two people at once.
"Vote," Number Ten whispered.
Number Six's eyes reddened with anger: "If we vote out Number Eight, we'll pass. You need to think this through. I am the real Miss Song. Have you considered the consequences of offending me?"
Several young ladies who had business dealings with the Song family immediately shrank back. Yes, if they offended the Song family, their family business would inevitably be affected, and they would be sinners against their family.
Number Eight watched coldly, without saying a word.
Finally, the Divine Beast announced the final voting results—
"Number eight will be eliminated."
"This round of the game is over. Except for number three and number eight, everyone else can enter the second level."
Number Six looked at Number Eight smugly: "How about that? You went through all that trouble and still got eliminated. You'll never beat me."
Number Eight: "But your crimes have already been exposed. Do you think Prime Minister Shen would accept a murderer as his daughter-in-law?"
"Besides," she said, glancing at Zhu Qinghe, who was surrounded by enemies, "you are far inferior to Number Eleven in terms of wisdom, strategy, character, and overall outlook."
"Your real opponent has never been me. Instead, I will be here watching you lose miserably."
After Number Eight finished speaking, he chose a place to sit down, sitting at a distance that was neither too close nor too far from Number Three, who had also been eliminated.
At this moment, Number Four and Number Three were pouring their hearts out to each other.
"I want to abstain and stay with you," Number Four said firmly.
Number Three shook his head: "No, if you do that, your father will definitely punish you when he gets back."
"Anyway, I can't win. You've seen how powerful they are. Rather than wasting time going up and dying alone on a certain floor of the tower, I'd rather stay here with you."
Number Three fell silent, while Number Four glanced timidly at the ferocious-looking Divine Beast Lord at the window, feeling a chill in his heart.
It looks so scary, I don't dare to talk to it, but if I don't talk to it, I won't be able to stay on the first floor.
Number Four encouraged himself, slowly walked over, and raised his voice, trembling, "I want to abstain."
The Divine Beast King glanced at her and hummed in agreement.
I agreed so easily...
Number 4 went back feeling dizzy.
So only ten people were left to go up to the second floor.
"So you can abstain too?" Mu Chengwen was somewhat tempted and urged Liang Youan, "Why don't we abstain as well and talk to that guy? Maybe we can go out for dinner first."
Liang Youan's eyes lit up: "Great! Can the kitchen add another dish for us?"
"It should be fine. We'll just mention Qinghe's name. They can't possibly refuse to give face to the future young mistress, can they?"
"Oh right, then I'll add ten more."
The two of them were exchanging words when Zhu Qinghe, without turning her head, threw out a sentence: "If you bring this up again, I'll throw you both down."
The two exchanged a glance and dared not utter a sound.
Number Six watched Zhu Qinghe and the others walk ahead, his expression gloomy.
Number Two asked cautiously, "Feifei, what's wrong?"
Ever since learning that she had once been in love with her teacher and had even caused the death of his wife and children, Number Two has become somewhat hesitant to speak to her.
It's true that she and Number Six have a good relationship, but in the beginning, it was her family who asked her to intentionally get close to them to gain some benefits, so she was always a little cautious when interacting with this young lady.
But after knowing her for a while, I realized that she was just a bit spoiled, and that I could just coax and pamper her more often.
She wasn't difficult to get along with at all, but now everything has changed, and the thought of two lives lost chills her to the bone.
Number Six, however, paid no attention to Number Two's subtle change in attitude; her gaze fell on Zhu Qinghe.
"If we don't take down number 11, we won't win in the end."
Number Two certainly knew as well, but Number Eleven was simply too difficult to deal with; it was impossible to predict her next move.
She asked, "Feifei, do you have a solution?"
“This is inside the tower. People outside can’t see what’s happening inside. No matter how skilled that masked guy is, he can’t be everywhere. If Number Eleven is seriously injured, he’ll have to withdraw eventually.”
Number Two exclaimed in surprise: "You mean..."
"Shh," Number Six put a finger to his lips, "Just listen to me, don't ask any other questions."
Number Two remained silent for a moment before nodding.
The layout of the second floor is clearly different from the first floor, and the area is much smaller than the first floor, but fortunately there are fewer people, so it is not too cramped.
A circle of futons of different colors were placed on the central floor tiles, looking out of place with the silent and dark stone pagoda.
Mu Chengwen picked up a red futon and sat down, sighing, "Ah, this is so comfortable. My legs are about to break from exhaustion."
Liang Youan also chose a yellow cushion and sat down, stretching out her legs. Everyone else also chose cushions and sat down. After all this commotion, they were all pampered young ladies, and they were all exhausted.
Zhu Qinghe circled the wall but couldn't figure it out, so she rejoined the group.
Everyone had chosen their cushions, except for one black one, which looked rather dull and ugly.
Zhu Qinghe didn't mind, picked it up, shook it a few times, and sat down.
"Now we're just waiting for the questions, but we don't know what we'll be playing this round."
Everyone sighed in unison, thinking, "This isn't playing a game; it's clearly playing with them."
My life is almost ruined.
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