Chapter 405: The Bookworm

Yun Yao looked at Zhang Chenze for a long while before finally nodding.

“I understand. The paths we’re taking are different,” Yun Yao said. “Those who walk different paths cannot plan together. I can only wish you the best.”

“Yun Yao… right?” Zhang Chenze confirmed.

“That’s me.”

“Though I don’t know the specifics of your plan, I participated in the game with Lin Qin, Qin Dingdong, and Su Shan. I believe they’re trustworthy people,” Zhang Chenze said earnestly. “You haven’t played the game with Lin Qin before, have you? So you shouldn’t dictate how she acts.”

Yun Yao’s eyes dimmed slightly as she replied, “You’re right. I apologize. But this is a hurdle I can’t get past. Because of ‘Extremists,’ I’ve lost teammates time and time again. That pain is unbearable.”

“It’s alright…” Lin Qin nodded. “The ‘Extremists’ today are nothing like the original ones. My way of doing things is different from theirs.”

After speaking, she glanced melancholically at Su Shan’s corpse before turning back to Yun Yao. “Have you decided where you’re going?”

“Yeah…” Yun Yao nodded. “When we played ‘Earth Snake’s’ game before, I noticed his arena was huge and divided into many small rooms. I was thinking of making it our first stop.”

Just then, Tian Tian stepped forward, examining their injuries. “You all seem hurt… Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”

Li Xiangling, standing behind, looked at Lin Qin’s injured leg and added, “Sis, I… know a bit about bone-setting. I can help patch you up.”

Lin Qin and Qin Dingdong exchanged glances. Neither had a particularly favorable impression of Yun Yao, but dragging their battered bodies back to “Paradise Port” would be troublesome either way.

“Even if we don’t look for Dr. Zhao…” Lin Qin said, “We still need to go back and find Qi Xia first. There’s something we need his input on.”

“Qi Xia?” Yun Yao shook her head silently. “If I’m not mistaken, Qi Xia didn’t return to ‘Paradise Port’ last night. He, Qiao Jiajin, and Officer Li went to ‘Cats.’ Later, Chen Junnan followed. They’re probably still there.”

“What?! That bastard Chen Junnan went too?!” Qin Dingdong exclaimed. “Is this guy seriously avoiding me? The moment I show up, he disappears. Un-fucking-believable.”

“So… what’s the plan?” Li Xiangling asked. “Sister Lin Qin’s injury is serious. Walking back would be risky…”

“If Qi Xia isn’t at ‘Paradise Port,’ there’s no point in going back,” Lin Qin said, then turned to Li Xiangling. “Can you stabilize my leg? I’ll go find Qi Xia at ‘Cats’ later.”

“Of course, Sister Lin Qin,” Li Xiangling nodded.

“Then, can we go with you to that ‘Earth Snake’ arena first?” Lin Qin asked Yun Yao.

“Y-yes, that’s fine,” Yun Yao replied. “Don’t take my earlier words to heart. I just…”

“It’s fine,” Lin Qin smiled. “Your micro-expressions tell me what you’re thinking. You’ve just been deceived too many times.”

Yun Yao gave a bitter smile and nodded.

Just as the six of them agreed to leave, they turned around and abruptly saw a strange man standing before them.

His presence didn’t seem sudden—as if he’d been standing there all along, staring blankly at the screen.

Pale-faced with messy hair, he wore thick black-framed glasses.

In his left hand, he clutched a copy of *Game Theory*, while his slightly wrinkled white shirt was tucked into his pants despite his young age.

“Excuse me… terribly sorry…” the man stammered. “I overheard you mention ‘Earth Snake,’ right? Do you… have any information about him? I know it’s intrusive, but…”

At the sight of him, Qin Dingdong inhaled sharply and subtly retreated half a step.

*This week has been absolutely insane.*

“It’s like a parade of ghosts…”

She muttered under her breath, scanning the surroundings for an escape route.

Yun Yao frowned slightly. Anyone who could appear so quietly was no ordinary person—even the naturally alert Li Xiangling hadn’t noticed him. Caution was warranted.

“We… did mention ‘Earth Snake.’ We were planning to participate in his game,” Yun Yao said. “Do you want to join us?”

“Oh, yes… right…” The man nodded, adjusting his glasses. “You ladies… all of you should go. Earth Snake does have games. Logically sound.”

From that brief exchange, Yun Yao sensed he might be a “native.” His thinking seemed erratic, but he bore no “echo.”

“So, are you coming?” Yun Yao pressed.

“Me? Should I?” The man floundered, stammering again. “Ah, no… I’d be useless there. I need to find someone.”

“Who… are you looking for?” Yun Yao asked.

“Who… who am I looking for?” The man seemed baffled by his own question. “Who was it again? I don’t even know them… How can I find someone I don’t know…?”

“Then why are you searching?” Lin Qin chimed in.

The man’s expression darkened. “My research materials… my test subjects are running out. Without Earth Snake, I can’t continue… What do I do…?”

He raised a hand, gripping his already disheveled hair and making it even messier.

“What do I do?! How many Earth Snakes are left?! The experiments can’t stop!”

*How many Earth Snakes are left…?*

The women exchanged uneasy glances. Had this man made deals with multiple Earth Snakes?

“Let’s ignore him…” Lin Qin whispered. “He’s too strange. Let’s go.”

“Right.” Yun Yao nodded, signaling Tian Tian and Li Xiangling with a glance.

Just as they prepared to leave, they noticed Qin Dingdong had already retreated several steps.

“Hey…” The man turned toward Qin Dingdong, squinting as he studied her. “Excuse me… why are you so far away?”

“Huh?!” Qin Dingdong stiffened. “I… I’m not! I’ve been standing here the whole time…”

“Wait…” He adjusted his glasses, scrutinizing her. “Sorry, what… did you just say?”

“I said I’ve been standing here the whole time…” Qin Dingdong repeated.

“You said you met me eight years ago?!” The man’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you lying to me?!”

“What the hell—” Qin Dingdong realized the danger and bolted.

With a slight wave of his hand, vines sprouted from the ground, entangling her feet and sending her crashing to the floor.