Chapter 1006: The Ancient Strategist

Chen Junnan furrowed his brow and turned his fist sideways, then opened his palm to reveal only a single chain—not a single “character” in sight.

The people behind him erupted into murmurs at the sight, and even Dr. Zhao couldn’t help but complain.

“That Chen Junnan is so arrogant… How could he possibly be carrying so many ‘characters’?” he grumbled. “I already knew his hand was empty… How could you guess he was the ‘Cannon’?”

It wasn’t just Dr. Zhao—even Zhang Shan, Xu Liunian, and Jin Yuanxun were certain his hand held nothing.

Only Yan Zhichun stood silently to the side with her arms crossed, deep in thought.

“Ah, that was my mistake,” Wen Qiaoyun said, frowning. “What a shame—we just lost a chain for nothing.”

Chen Junnan couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. Was Wen Qiaoyun’s skill really this lacking?

Had her past glory been solely because she retained enough memories, and now that her memories were diminished, so was her ability?

It felt like he’d stumbled onto something significant. If the opposing team’s “strategist” was weakened, that was naturally good news for his side.

But even so… an overwhelming sense of unease gnawed at him.

This round of “Guess the Character” was clearly his win, yet he couldn’t feel happy about it. Deep down, something felt missing.

A few seconds later, Wen Qiaoyun’s expression of regret faded, replaced by a faint, dangerous smile.

“Oh, so I guessed wrong…”

At that moment, Chen Junnan’s eyes widened as a flash of realization struck him—he’d just been played.

“Damn it!”

Wen Qiaoyun turned to Jin Yuanxun and said, “Go tell Tianqiu that Chen Junnan isn’t the ‘Cannon.'”

“W-Wait—”

The situation took a sharp turn. Chen Junnan hurriedly tried to interrupt, but he didn’t know what to say.

Ignoring him, Wen Qiaoyun continued, “The frail woman and the child traveling together on their side, as well as that short author, couldn’t possibly be carrying such a dangerous left-right structured ‘character.’ So, among Qi Xia, the tattooed man, and the lawyer—one of them is the ‘Cannon.'”

Chen Junnan’s frown deepened. Things were spiraling out of his control.

Wen Qiaoyun turned back to him. “Chen Junnan, I asked you earlier—did you really think ‘nothing’ was the best answer here? You could have tried bluffing me about my own ‘characters,’ but you didn’t.”

“Well played…” Chen Junnan ran a hand through his hair with a wry smile. “Wen Qiaoyun really is Wen Qiaoyun. I gave it my all, and I still feel like I fell right into your trap.”

But how could he turn this around?

Taking a deep breath, an idea flashed through his mind.

Even if Wen Qiaoyun could deduce most people’s “characters” from a single detail, she hadn’t seen them firsthand. Since it was just speculation, there had to be a way to counter it.

Besides, given his “reputation,” the best move now was to play along.

“So, anything else to say?” Wen Qiaoyun asked.

“Nope. I’m out. This is boring—not playing anymore.”

With a wave, Chen Junnan cast one last meaningful glance at Dr. Zhao before slamming the door shut.

His abrupt exit caught Wen Qiaoyun off guard.

Xu Liunian and Dr. Zhao quickly approached her, whispering, “He left so decisively… Be careful—it might be a trick.”

“A trick?”

Yan Zhichun nodded. “I played a ‘Land Snake’ game with Chen Junnan once. He’s reckless, but he also hides schemes within schemes. Better stay alert.”

Wen Qiaoyun fell silent for a few seconds. Normally, anyone in this situation would’ve tried to explain—either proving he was the “Cannon” or arguing that Qi Xia and the others weren’t. But Chen Junnan had left as if he’d accomplished something.

This was Chen Junnan—why was he suddenly so tight-lipped?

“Sis…” Jin Yuanxun hesitantly asked, “Should I still go tell Brother Chu?”

“…Go ahead,” Wen Qiaoyun said after a pause, though her confidence had visibly wavered.

“Got it.” Jin Yuanxun nodded and headed toward their “preparation zone.”

“Dr. Zhao,” Yan Zhichun called out. “You and Zhang Shan return to our ‘battle zone’ to protect Tianqiu. Xu Liunian and Wen Qiaoyun, come with me to infiltrate their side.”

“Inf… infiltrate?” Xu Liunian blinked.

“Standing around won’t help,” Yan Zhichun said. “Chen Junnan’s already made his move. We should at least see what they’re up to.”

Xu Liunian felt like she’d been dragged into a clash of monsters again. Her, Wen Qiaoyun, and Yan Zhichun infiltrating together?

Were they even on the same level?

“Wait… the three of us?” she stammered. “You mean we’re splitting up to enter their rooms?”

“What’s the issue?” Yan Zhichun asked.

“You two… are overestimating me,” Xu Liunian said weakly. “You can rely on your ‘echoes,’ but I can’t.”

“My ‘echo’ is useless too,” Wen Qiaoyun said. “Tianqiu told me mine can’t protect me or subdue enemies, so I don’t count on it—I have to rely on myself.”

“But I…” Xu Liunian trailed off, realizing they still didn’t get it. Even without “echoes,” she was nowhere near their level.

“I’ve been wondering something,” Yan Zhichun said.

“What?”

“I heard you’re a ‘shapeshifter.’ Can’t you turn into Chen Junnan?”

“Into Chen Junnan?”

“He seems to be their vanguard,” Yan Zhichun said coolly. “We could intercept him, then have you take his form and disrupt their strategy.”

“In theory, yes, but it’s too risky,” Xu Liunian said. “First, I’d have to fully believe I *am* Chen Junnan. Second, I’d need to fool their side—but I’m nothing like him in any way.”

“Their side doesn’t have many smart players,” Yan Zhichun countered. “They rely too much on Qi Xia’s brain. As long as you avoid him, their ten rooms are your playground.”

After a long pause, Xu Liunian finally nodded. “Fine… but I’ll need time to observe them.”

“No problem. Wen Qiaoyun and I will stay close to your room,” Yan Zhichun said. “We’ll coordinate when the time comes.”