“Huh…?” Chen Junnan pondered for a moment before suddenly realizing the answer.
When the iron ball was about to fall, if the answer wasn’t “Yes” but “No,” then the ball would shift one space to the right.
The target of death would also switch between “Even” and “Odd.”
“Big star… I never knew you were this good at studying before.”
Yun Yao sighed. “I just didn’t expect you to be this bad at it.”
Chen Junnan felt fortunate to have Yun Yao by his side. Their minds complemented each other almost perfectly—he provided the ideas, while she refined the details. Through their combined efforts, the full picture of the game had emerged.
Until the next “No” answer to the “Falling Question,” all “Odd” numbers would remain under the looming threat of death, while all “Even” numbers would be absolutely safe.
“So that’s how it is… That’s great,” Chen Junnan said.
“Great…?” Yun Yao was stunned. “Chen Junnan, did I not explain it clearly? You’re an ‘Odd’ number right now—you’re going to die.”
“I’m going to die?” Chen Junnan feigned surprise but replied dismissively, “Oh… thanks for the heads-up.”
“You…?”
“Big star, there are a lot of things I’m afraid of, but death isn’t one of them,” Chen Junnan said. “In this ‘Land of the End,’ I can die anytime.”
“But you’re ‘gambling with your life’!” Yun Yao exclaimed. “If we die, it’s just death, but if you die, you’ll disappear completely.”
“It’s fine,” Chen Junnan yawned. “Same difference. If I lose a life gamble against a ‘Land-level’ opponent, I’ll just exist in another form. I’m still part of the ‘Land of the End.'”
“You even know about that?” Yun Yao asked, puzzled.
“Little Master knows a lot more than you think,” Chen Junnan chuckled. “Let’s not get sidetracked—what’s the question this time?”
“Just like you said, it’s another random string of words with no meaning,” Yun Yao replied helplessly.
“Got it,” Chen Junnan said. “Leave the rest to me.”
“Do you want to choose ‘Yes’ or ‘No’?” Yun Yao asked.
“How… do you want me to choose?” Chen Junnan countered.
“I don’t know,” Yun Yao admitted. “For my own safety, I’d prefer the answer to be ‘Yes’ this time. That way, the girl to my right would die, but I’d be safe for the next few rounds.”
“Yeah, that’s the right choice.”
“I won’t interfere with your decision either,” Yun Yao said. “After all, you’re the one who initiated the ‘life gamble’ this time. Having the iron ball hanging over ‘Odd’ numbers puts you in great danger. If you want to switch the answer to ‘No’ to toggle between ‘Odd’ and ‘Even,’ I think that’s perfectly reasonable.”
“Is that so…?” Chen Junnan smirked. “Then I understand.”
“Mmm…” Yun Yao should have hung up, but she kept holding the receiver, unwilling to let go.
“What’s up, big star?”
“Chen… Chen Junnan,” Yun Yao whispered, “the girl next to me isn’t someone I know well. I don’t really care if she lives or dies, but I have a feeling… next time, it’s probably going to be you…”
“Stop, stop…” Chen Junnan quickly shook his head. “Sis, are you just asking for trouble here? Can’t you say something nice?”
“But… I really feel that way.”
“Nope, nope.” Chen Junnan shook his head like a rattle drum. “How can words so cold come from a mouth that’s 36 degrees? Would I really not change the answer just to save you? You’re too naive—just hang up already.”
Chen Junnan hung up, then turned around and chose “No” before immediately picking up the phone to call Xu Qian, completing the entire sequence in one smooth motion.
That’s right—he couldn’t choose “Yes” this time. Even if choosing “Yes” would keep Yun Yao safe, he absolutely could not choose it.
The call connected.
“Qian-jie.”
“I’m here. Go ahead.”
“Someone’s about to go on a killing spree. If we choose ‘Yes’ this time, people will start dying uncontrollably.” Chen Junnan paused for a few seconds before adding, “This time, you come up with the question. The goal is to make the person after you choose ‘No.'”
“Uncontrollable deaths…?”
“Yeah.” Chen Junnan nodded. “I won’t say anything more. Just remember—choose ‘No.'”
“I… got it.” Xu Qian’s voice was hesitant as she hung up.
Though Chen Junnan had done everything he could to steer the answer toward “No,” he knew the odds weren’t great.
A few minutes later, the screen lit up as usual.
“The final answer to this question is—’Yes.'”
*BOOM—!!*
The sound was close, as if right in front of him.
“1” had died—the impatient girl.
This was the twelfth question, but it seemed like everyone already understood the rules. Though it was only the second day, there were an unusual number of clever players in this round, and three people had already died before the game was even halfway over.
Now, “Odd” and “Even” had split into two factions. If the “Even” numbers worked together in the upcoming rounds, they could eliminate all the “Odd” numbers.
“Things are really about to get…”
Before Chen Junnan could finish, a flash of insight shot through his mind.
Now he finally understood where Qi Xia’s brilliant ideas came from. It seemed that ever since he chose to “gamble with his life,” his intelligence had noticeably improved.
“Old Qi… it’s because you don’t have an ‘Echo’ that every death feels like a true ‘end’ to you. That’s why you’ve always been treading on thin ice…”
Chen Junnan grinned. He had finally figured out Earth Snake’s true position.
The answer was simple—why were the “Even” numbers so strong right now?
Every answer had gone their way, which meant there were more “Even” numbers than “Odd” ones.
In the previous two rounds, “-2” and “3” had died. Logically, that should’ve reduced both factions by one, keeping the numbers balanced.
But ever since Earth Snake joined the game, the numbers had shifted.
The “Even” faction had grown stronger.
With that, Earth Snake’s position was completely determined.
Chen Junnan stood up, facing the wall to his left, a wicked smile spreading across his face.
“You… were this close to me all along?” He slowly placed his hand on the wall, his excitement growing. “Between the two of us… who do you think will stay here forever?”
On the other side of the wall, Earth Snake turned to face his right. Though he hadn’t answered any calls or revealed his position since entering the room, he could still feel an icy killing intent emanating from the wall beside him.
He, too, placed his palm against the wall. The two of them stood there, separated only by the barrier.
“Young man…” Earth Snake gritted his teeth. “You’re far too dangerous. I can’t let you live.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage