Chapter 123: Get Rid Of The Eyesore

    With Shen Nianzu’s current fate unknown, an oppressive atmosphere filled the prison chamber.

    The four players tried to come up with a plan to no avail, as they could not even break free of the shackles around their ankles. And even if they managed to escape, what then? They had no idea how to confront Anubis, especially when they were deep within enemy territory and surrounded by mummy soldiers.

    "Let’s wait," Jiang Shun suggested, his voice strained. "All we can do right now is to wait for another opportunity to approach Anubis. As for JJ..." His expression sank when he recalled the image of the little boy who looked extremely petite and vulnerable standing amidst tall mummy creatures. "Let’s see... perhaps he could create an opening for us."

    Despite his words, his tone did not sound too confident. JJ might be able to climb into the leaderboard because he possessed an extremely powerful skill card or obtained a high level prop by chance, but in this place where their powers were nullified, how could he fight back? He was just an eight-year-old child, after all.

    Lang Zhenya sat crossed legs on the ground with a glum look, while Xinxin was pacing back and forth anxiously. Only Wind seemed wholly unaffected, as she hummed a cheerful tune that sharply contrasted with the others’ somber mood.

    "For fuck’s sake..." The uncertain wait was making Lang Zhenya’s patience run thin, and she snapped at Wind. "Can you stop?!"

    "Why should I?" Wind taunted her back, her lips curving into a delightful and triumphant grin. "Do you honestly think that he is still alive? Not a chance! Hahaha, he’s dead for sure! I can finally sit on the leaderboard again with him gone!"

    "Fuck!" Wind had voiced the worst possible scenario in Jiang Shun’s mind, causing angry veins to throb on his forehead. "Shut your damn mouth, woman! As soon as we are out of here, I’m going to fucking kill you!"

    "Wrong. It’s me who should be saying that," Wind shot him a condescending gaze, contempt was evident in her face. "Do you think you can beat me? Heh, are you even in the top 150?"

    "You—" Livid, Jiang Shun leapt to his feet and lunged toward her, the chain crinkling noisily behind him. But unfortunately, as they were confined in separate cells, he could not reach her and could only punch and kick the metal bars to vent his anger and frustration. "I don’t fucking care if you are a woman. You’re dead as soon as we finish this task!!"

    "Don’t think that you can escape!" Lang Zhenya glared at her. "Immortal Phoenix will not let you off!"

    "Suuure~" Wind shrugged without a care as she mocked. "That’s only if they care about the fate of two insignificant players."

    Jiang Shun, Lang Zhenya and Wind continued to quarrel, straining the already tense atmosphere. Eventually, exhaustion took its toll and they lay down on the ground to rest. Just as they thought they would be able to get some respite, the prison gate swung open, and several mummy soldiers marched in.

    "Get up!" one of the soldiers barked in a loud voice as they removed the shackles from the players’ ankles. "Our Lord is ready to pass judgment on your fate!"

    "Faster than I expected..." Jiang Shun murmured under his breath. "How long has it been? Two or three hours?" As he was brought out of his cell, he asked a nearby soldier. "What happened to the boy who was taken away earlier? How is he doing now?"

    "Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answer to, rebel!" the mummy sneered, causing Jiang Shun’s expression to darken with dread.

    It seemed like JJ... had really met his end. He clenched his fists and cursed inwardly. Damn it, what the hell was wrong with this Cycle? How was it possible for the rank 100th JJ to die here? How unbelievable!

    The four players were led through twisting corridors similar to the one they had come from. All of a sudden, Lang Zhenya let out a startled cry and fell to the ground. Apparently, she had accidentally tripped on her foot. "S–Sorry..." she scrambled to her feet when the soldiers pointed their blades at her, and the journey resumed once again.

    "Psst, Jiang Shun," she called out in a hushed tone.

    Jiang Shun turned to her and his eyes widened as he saw the thin piece of sharp wood clasped between her fingers. So she had pretended to trip on purpose to grab it! The wood appeared sharp and sturdy enough to cut through the ropes!

    His eyes lit up, "Good job, Zhenya!"

    Lang Zhenya’s chest swelled in pride and she started to grind the ropes around her arm using the sharp tip of the wood, while stealing glances at the mummies in front from time to time. "Wait for a while, I will give it to you after this."

    She succeeded in loosening the ropes halfway through, though not entirely, as they still needed to maintain the act of being bound. Nevertheless, they were loose enough for her to break free on her own. She then passed the wood splinter to Jiang Shun.

    Wind cast them a suspicious look upon noticing their hushed conversation, but as she was the closest to the mummies, she dared not make any big movement and could only keep the doubt in mind. Meanwhile, Xinxin did not even try to seek for a way to escape because he believed that Da Shen and Xiao Shen must have thought of a way.

    Just in time, as they reached the massive door of the hall, Jiang Shun managed to loosen the ropes around his arms as well. He held onto the wood, not sharing it with the two others, and silently motioned for Lang Zhenya to follow his lead.

    There was a hypothesis he had never shared with others. He had never encountered a hidden task before, and the fact that it existed here must have meant that this Cycle was more special than others. Though this task seemed to require teamwork, in truth, only one person was needed to kill Anubis. Whoever accomplished the task would definitely receive the highest rewards. And for that, Jiang Shun was determined to be the one to end the deity’s life!

    "My Lord, the rebels have arrived!" The guards announced their arrival as the door swung open. Then, the players were pushed forward roughly and forced to kneel before the throne.

    "Okay, good job. You may let them go now," Anubis declared in an almost bored manner.

    As the players lifted their heads, expressions of shock painted their features. W–What were they seeing right now?!

    Shen Nianzu, whom they believed had perished somewhere unknown, was perched on the deity’s lap clad in oversized black robes. Not only that, his hair was still damp and his entire person looked clean, as opposed to the players who looked like they had just rolled around in sand and mud!

    W–What the hell was going on?!

    Without a doubt, Wind was the most shocked of all, as she had been certain that she had gotten rid of her enemy. Her expression immediately turned dark and she glowered at Shen Nianzu, who maintained a cold fac?ade but was actually extremely mortified inside.

    He had told Jin Jiuchi that he could just stand beside the throne, but it was unknown what wrong medicine the man had taken today, Jin Jiuchi instantly voiced his refusal and placed the jade doll on his lap instead! And now Shen Nianzu had to endure not only the strange gazes from the mummies, but also the players!

    "Hmm, what’s that look for?" Jin Jiuchi quickly noticed the strong murderous intent directed toward his Nian’er, and he pointed at Wind in displeasure. "I had intended to sit down and talk calmly, but it seems like this woman is incapable of seeing eye to eye with me. Get rid of this eyesore for me, right now."

    "Yes, My Lord!"

    The mummy soldiers approached Wind, who could not believe the shocking turn of events. "W–Wait...!" she tried hard to struggle to no avail, her complexion blanching. "I didn’t... I didn’t mean to disrespect you, my Lord! Please forgive me, I—" the rest of her words were lost amidst the scream when the blade plunged deep into her chest, tearing through her heart and organs.

    Jin Jiuchi lowered his voice to whisper to the jade doll, "How is it, Nian’er? Am I doing a good job?

    "..." The corner of Shen Nianzu’s lips twitched. He did not expect Jin Jiuchi to deal with Wind in such a clean and ruthless manner. But it did not erase the fact that the man had done him a favor. "Yes, yes," he secretly pinched the man’s arm where it was concealed from everyone’s sight and warned him, "Be serious and play your role well!"

    "Mmmhh!!" Xinxin’s eyes widened in horror when he witnessed Wind’s swift and brutal death, while Jiang Shun and Lang Zhenya’s face paled. Anubis could really kill them with a single command... that meant they had to act as soon as possible before it was their turn!

    The two of them exchanged glances and nodded. Jiang Shun took the initiative to speak up, "My Lord, we heard that you intended to have a conversation with us? If so, can we come closer to you?"

    While he was speaking, he sent Shen Nianzu a meaningful look, signaling that they should act right now. He had no clue how Shen Nianzu ended up in such an intimate position with the deity, but if there was anyone who could catch Anubis off guard, then it could only be him!

    "Oh?!" Jin Jiuchi raised a brow, anticipation bubbling in his chest. "Sure, sure. Come here and let’s have a heart-to-heart talk."

    Reluctantly, the mummy minister led the three insolent rebels up the stairs and when they were only a few meters from Anubis, Jiang Shun broke free from the ropes and shouted, "NOW!"