Tangning quickly replied, "No, I'm not that powerful at all."
The one who could come up with this method was truly amazing. With just these simple words, he was able to hit the heart of the polluted person, making him realize many abnormalities all at once.
For example, when Tang Ning first heard those words, before "he" could explain, he was already immersed in the huge destructive power of those words. Countless negative emotions emerged, many of which were directed at "him", such as "ghosts are ghosts", "only ghosts can say such cruel words", etc.
Tangning looked towards Lin Yun, looking forward to the effect of the talk therapy.
The effect was extremely significant. After Lin Yun's painful expression, he suddenly looked at Tang Ning firmly.
Tang Ning and Lin Yun looked at each other, and he saw a familiar feeling in each other's eyes.
No more suspicion.
Although he still doubted Tang Ning's identity, he now understood how important Tang Ning was to him. No matter how deeply Tang Ning was corrupted, he had to save her.
Tang Ning raised the corners of her lips and gave Lin Yun a faint smile.
Okay, next.
Tang Ning came to Zhou Kang's side. During the time that he hadn't met Zhou Kang, Zhou Kang had lost a lot of weight, from a fat man to a slightly plump young man.
What should he say to Zhou Kang? In fact, Tangning and Zhou Kang were not familiar with each other. They had only experienced one vice together.
But it was the Gui family's deputy who made Tang Ning see Zhou Kang's inner vulnerability. Tang Ning did not mention Zhou Kang's fragile past, but there was no doubt that revealing the scars would hurt the other party in a short period of time.
"You are no longer the same person you were when you were little. Why can't you tell what is harmful to your friends? Do you still let your cat die from eating chocolate like before?"
Zhou Kang's face turned ugly as he stared at Tangning unhappily.
You shouldn't say that, it's superficial. "He" said.
What should I say then? Tangning asked.
His real pain when he was young was that he was too weak to resist his parents' control. Now that he has finally grown up, he finally seems to have become the person who controls his own life. You should tell him...
The tone of the voice changed from a sexual analysis to a gentle and cruel compassion: How pitiful! Even today, you still can't decide your own life. Can you really trust or doubt anyone every day? No, you can't even eat vegetarian food to lose weight or indulge in your desires, because the thing that pollutes you has always been deciding for you.
Tang Ning blinked as she repeated "his" words. So while everyone was eating this morning, "he" had been observing what everyone was eating
Why didn't he come
Tang Ning walked past Zhou Kang, whose body suddenly stiffened, and came to Jiang Mianmian. Looking at Jiang Mianmian, who had only one eye left, he didn't need "him" to remind him at this moment because he knew in his heart what was the weak spot in Jiang Mianmian's heart that was easily broken.
Tang Ning couldn't speak.
"What did you say to me?" Jiang Mianmian said as she looked at Lin Yun and Zhou Kang. "The words you said now sounded like a curse. Tangning, when did you become so eloquent?"
He didn't speak.
"He" said word by word in his mind: Tell me, it would be better if the first person to die was you, not Bai Wuliang.
Such cruel words, like a knife, “he” really knows how to poke a person’s sore spot.
"He" said to Tang Ning: Your unnecessary weakness is sharper than a knife.
Tang Ning's breath was choked. He raised his eyes and looked into Jiang Mianmian's only eye. Both eyes were bloodshot. Jiang Mianmian must have stayed up all night again, right
"It would be better if the person who died first... was you, not Bai Wuliang."
Tang Ning saw that the blood had completely drained from Jiang Mianmian's face, leaving her as pale as a piece of paper, and her hands clenched tightly around her legs.
Bai Wuliang will never make such a stupid mistake as you did. He will firmly choose me. Have you forgotten the investment he chose at the beginning? "He" said.
As Tang Ning repeated "his" words, he came to the point where Bai Wuliang once said that he saw something priceless in him.
Bai Wuliang should have said something similar to Jiang Mianmian.
How could you forget Bai Wuliang's words? "He" asked.
Jiang Mianmian loosened her clenched hands for a moment, then clenched them tightly again. Her only remaining eye looked like it was about to cry, and even the lens could not hide it.
After Tangning finished saying those cruel words, he reached out his hand and carefully touched the corners of Jiang Mianmian's wet eyes. He whispered, "I know you will never forget this, right?"
This sentence was not given by "him".
But Jiang Mianmian's eyes could no longer be restrained and tears welled up in her eyes.
Tang Ning was like the little bad boy in kindergarten who lifted up a little girl's skirt and made her cry. He turned his head to look at Lin Yun and Zhou Kang, who he had just provoked. After their eyes turned red, their cold temperaments faded a lot. They all realized that there were some strange things they had done in the past two days and agreed with what Tang Ning said about the hidden pollution.
Tangning then looked at Christine and Stewart, who had not been provoked by him yet. The two men's eyes were filled with awe for Tangning.
Should I say something to Christine? Tangning asked.
Not familiar. "He" said coldly.
yes.
Tang Ning continued to ask: What should we do now
Now you can go talk to them, he said.
Tangning almost forgot his original intention, which was to make his teammates believe him. Looking at their faces, Tangning said softly, "Each of us has been polluted to some degree since the moment we stepped into the castle."
This time, no one remained silent.
"Indeed... I have been more impetuous these past two days." Zhou Kang said, "There is something wrong with Lin Yun. He has hardly ever taken the initiative to communicate with you."
Lin Yun admitted, "Every time I went to talk to Tangning, I would think that Tangning might have been contaminated."
Jiang Mianmian pushed up her glasses and said, "If every one of us is contaminated, what should we do now? Tangning, do you have any ideas?"
"I'm going to go out and take a look tonight." Tangning said her guess: "Card games don't give unsolvable problems. Maybe there is a solution to our mild pollution outside the castle."
"Yes." Jiang Mianmian nodded and glanced at Si Tai with some regret: "I can't go outside the castle with you tonight."
"I can go with Mr. Tang." Jikong volunteered.
I won't care if he dies. He immediately informed Tangning.
Si Tai said: "I can protect someone and go with you, Dad."
"I'll go." Lin Yun said.
Tang Ning suspected that Lin Yun had suddenly become brave after being contaminated.
Don't. "He" rejected it directly: It's not time for me to save the burden you have in your heart.
Tang Ning: “…” Indeed, if Lin Yun was really in danger, he would definitely ask “him” to save him.
"I'll go." Zhou Kang said.
He is a burden.
Tangning: “…”
Christine remained silent and looked reluctant.
If you're looking for cannon fodder, bring that light bulb with you.
Tangning said to Si Tai, "You go and protect Christine tonight."
Christine: “… ?”
Christine said weakly: "Actually, I'm not..."
"Okay, Dad." Si Tai agreed immediately.
Jiang Mianmian nodded, "You are the only Western player in our field, and you are indeed more suitable for this role."
The monk supported him and said, "I admire Donor Ding's strength."
Now that Tangning had the final say in the entire team, Christine had no choice but to nod.
Tangning talked to everyone about Li Haoyuan again. Li Haoyuan's survival was of vital importance. Jiang Mianmian said, "Leave Li Haoyuan to the four of us. Si Tai's skill is to draw circles, right?"
Si Tai hesitated and said, "My skills can't trap him for a whole night."
"A round-robin battle." Jiang Mianmian said: "Si Tai's ability can delay some time, Lin Yun's skills can be used to fly a kite, Zhou Kang..." They quickly arranged a complete plan to delay Li Haoyuan's time, and the problem that was bothering Tang Ning was solved through teamwork.
"Tangning, do you think this is okay?" Jiang Mianmian asked.
Tangning quickly said yes.
"Tangning, do you have any ideas for this deputy?" Jiang Mianmian asked.
Tang Ning was a little uncomfortable with being asked for his opinion like this, but he had no choice but to follow "him" out to see the world at night and watch how "he" solved the problems.
But everyone was waiting for his opinion, including "him" who said: If you don't have any ideas, we will go to the kitchen to direct lunch later.
"I think..." Tang Ning whispered, "We can ask for information in the castle and see if we can get more information about this deputy from other NPCs. Then we can go outside the castle to have a look. It shouldn't be dangerous outside the castle during the day, right?"
Everyone said it was good.
Tang Ning once again found that he could indeed lead the direction of the entire team. Everyone would listen to his opinions and arrangements, and would ask for his opinion when they raised an opinion.
None of his cats had ever been so obedient.
"Then... shall we set off now?" Tangning asked.
Everyone stood up, with Tang Ning leading the way out of the room. After Tang Ning left, he stopped a servant and asked him directly, "Do you know the curse of the castle?"
Normally, he wouldn't be so brave, but after knowing "him", Tang Ning started to act more directly.
The servant who was questioned by him immediately knelt on the ground and said in fear: "Priest, I, I..."
The steward who was not far away saw this scene and rushed over immediately, "Did this lowly person offend the priest?"
"No, no, I just wanted to get some information about the castle." Tangning explained quickly.
"I can answer these questions for you."
The butler looked at the slave kneeling on the ground and said, "Get out of here now, and don't taint the eyes of the priest."
The servant ran away in panic.
The housekeeper asked, "What does the priest know?"
"Oh, about the curse of the castle." Tang Ning said.
The butler looked sad when he heard this. He said, "I don't know since when, a group of monsters started to attack the castle at night. People who stayed overnight in the castle often died unexpectedly."
Monster outside the castle
Was the undead horse that Jiang Mianmian encountered when she went out last night that monster
"Is there an undead horse among the monsters you mentioned?" Tang Ning asked.
The butler nodded, "We have seen hoof prints left by undead horses in the dense forest. These creatures only dare to act recklessly at night and dare not come out to see us during the day."
"The Duke tried to guard the castle, but those monsters were so cunning that they secretly killed everyone in the castle right before the Duke's eyes." The butler looked extremely angry when he said this. He was the butler of the castle, and for him, the Duke's dignity being offended was more painful than killing him.
Tangning nodded slightly.
"Later, we asked for help from the previous priest, who brought four holy artifacts to suppress the castle. The priest did not tell anyone the location of these holy artifacts. He also placed restrictions on the doors of the castle so that the monsters could not open the doors easily. If they opened the doors recklessly, they would be locked in."
The housekeeper sighed and said, "Although the restrictions left by the priest can seal the door, we don't know which door holds the monster. Some people will be possessed by the monster as soon as they open the door. We have tried many methods, but we can't get rid of the monster on them."
"It is said that the holy artifact left by the previous priest can dispel these monsters. Unfortunately, there is no one in our castle who can use the holy artifact. We don't even know where the holy artifact is placed."
"So we just had to take these people outside and let the monster kill them."
The housekeeper said: "But in most cases, as long as the people who stay in the castle at night don't enter a room with monsters and stay in their rooms without going out, most of them can survive."
I see.
"Even so, the Duke still takes me to patrol outside the castle every night to find those who attacked the castle as soon as possible." The butler said indignantly: "Because we have been searching for decades and have not been able to catch those guys, the outside world has rumored that the castle is cursed..."
After Tangning finished listening to the butler's story, he couldn't help but ask, "Is the curse only related to the strange attack?"
The butler stopped and looked at Tang Ning in confusion.
Tang Ning said, "... That is, wouldn't the temperament of people who have lived in this castle for a long time change drastically?"
"You are joking, Master Priest." The butler added, "But some servants are indeed too timid and have become like frightened birds."
Tangning blinked blankly.
The curse the butler said was different from the curse the system rules told him. The system often lies, but it will never lie when introducing the rules.
There was no need for the butler to lie to him. Could it be that this castle had two curses
"In fact, when the curse of the castle is mentioned recently, these servants are not afraid anymore." The butler said, "The previous priest left behind restrictions and holy artifacts, and the Duke patrols every night, so those monsters dare not come to the castle anymore."
"Oh?" Why did the servant who was questioned just now look so terrified
"But last night a monster sneaked into the castle and killed a servant." The butler said, "That's why they were so surprised and made the priest laugh."
A monster that sneaked into the castle
Tang Ning arrived at the monster that almost killed Jiang Mianmian last night and was chased away by "him".
He originally thought that everything would be fine as long as "he" drove the monster away, but the monster actually went on to harm other NPCs.
"Does Your Excellency the Priest have any other questions?" the butler asked respectfully.
"Nothing." Tangning said, "I'm going to go take a look outside the castle."
Upon hearing this, the butler quickly apologized: "I'm very sorry, Master Priest, the unicorn was injured by the monster last night and is now unable to move. We have prepared another foal for you."
The unicorn was hurt by a monster
Tangning's right eyelid twitched, "Can I see your injury?"
The butler took Tang Ning to the hall and asked Tang Ning to wait for a moment. Then he led the injured unicorn to Tang Ning.
Tang Ning saw that the unicorn's right hoof was wrapped in a bandage, and its sapphire-like eyes were filled with anthropomorphic melancholy. The sound of the bell hanging on its spiral horn shaking as it walked seemed to be even more sorrowful and heavy.
The butler stroked the unicorn's head. "The dark creature that attacked used a method I have never seen before. It left a small hole in the metal body. The hole penetrated the bones..."
What
This is a very familiar description of the attack.
Jiang Mianmian, who was standing behind Tangning, took a step forward and whispered to Tangning, "Last night... I shot the undead horse in the right hoof..."
Tangning couldn't believe what he heard.
"I heard the ringing sound yesterday. It was urgent and harsh. For a moment I couldn't connect the ringing sound of that time with the beautiful ringing sound now."
The butler stroked the horse's hoof with pity, and said with disgust: "It was that monster who broke into the castle and killed the servants."
Jiang Mianmian raised her eyes and looked at the bell hanging on the spiral horn. "It's dark now. I don't see any bells. But I think if the bell on the unicorn's horn is shaken quickly, it should be... the sound I heard last night."
Tang Ning's thoughts were a little confused. If what Jiang Mianmian said was true, then the undead horse at night was the unicorn during the day
But the housekeeper also said that a servant NPC was killed by this monster. Did Jiang Mianmian kill an innocent NPC
Could it be that...
No, let's first confirm whether the unicorn is an undead horse.
"Can I remove the bandage and take a look at the wound?" Tang Ning asked with difficulty.
The butler squatted down and helped Tang Ning untie the bandage.
As the layers of blood-stained bandages faded away, a wound that had not yet healed was exposed to everyone's eyes.
The expressions of the players all changed subtly. In fact, when the butler described the metal penetrating the bones, most of the players on the field realized that something was wrong.
Jiang Mianmian held up his glasses and looked at it for a few seconds before he said to Tangning softly and firmly, "It was a gunshot wound."
This is a Western fantasy, and there is no such thing as a gun in this world.
Among all the players, only Jiang Mianmian brought a precious prop gun. This gun was obtained from the home of the S-level deputy ghost. Ordinary guns cannot be brought into the deputy from reality, and only one gunshot was heard outside the castle last night.
If nothing unexpected happens, the monster that the housekeeper mentioned attacking the unicorn is Jiang Mianmian, and the monster that Jiang Mianmian mentioned actively attacking is the unicorn.
Jiang Mianmian couldn't possibly tell a lie because Si Tai was guarding her last night. Even if she was slightly sexually contaminated, it was impossible for her to be contaminated to the point where her temperament changed drastically within a day, to the extent of telling such a big lie to deceive her teammates.
Tangning looked at the butler again. The butler's expression did not seem like he was lying. So was it possible that the butler was not lying, but was just... heavily polluted.
The pollution was so severe that even his memory was distorted, so he blamed Jiang Mianmian for shooting him.
So what about the innocent servant who was shot to death
Jiang Mianmian did fire a gun in the castle yesterday, at something that looked like a mummy.
Tangning's mind was in a mess, and he tried hard to start over.
One thing must be made clear, that is, the rules introduced at the beginning of each system will never be wrong.
The system said that the curse of the castle is that anyone who enters the castle will eventually lose themselves, so they will definitely lose themselves.
Since players can lose themselves, why can't NPCs lose themselves
The Duke, the butler, the unicorn and the servants had no idea how long they had stayed in the castle. In terms of the severity of the pollution, they were definitely more deeply and seriously polluted.
Tangning put his hand on his forehead and tried to think.
The butler said that the Duke once took the initiative to guard the castle, but everyone still died.
If we follow the logic that the Duke is contaminated, then it is easy to understand. The contaminated Duke is the dangerous monster in the entire castle. If he stays in the castle, everyone in the castle will die...
Later, after the previous Priest of Light placed restrictions on every door of the castle, fewer people died. It should be that the Duke could not see where those people hid.
Later, the Duke patrolled outside every night, and everyone else hid in their rooms, so it became even more difficult for people to die.
The servants who hide in the room may transform into polluted ghosts at night.
There was a servant named Xu who had not spent much time in this castle. He was seriously polluted and turned into a ghost at night to attack the players. Jiang Mianmian shot him. Maybe these gunshot wounds were nothing to the ghost at night, but once he turned from a ghost into a human, these gunshot wounds would be fatal.
So he died.
But there are still many questions. Among so many servants, which one turned into a ghost and attacked the player? What does the mummy hanging on the spire mean? How to solve the pollution? Does he need to tell the housekeepers that they are the weird ones
"Master Priest, are you going out again now?" the butler stood up and asked.
Tang Ning looked at the butler with a somewhat subtle mood. He nodded, and the butler immediately went out and brought back a beautiful pony.
The sun was shining brightly outside. Tang Ning mounted his horse and put on his hood to block out the sunlight that was a little too glaring.
The other players followed Tang Ning.
The butler led Tang Ning out of the castle on horseback. The sound of horse hooves clattering on the ground was heard. After the foal had walked for some distance, Tang Ning raised his head. The angle allowed him to see the eight spires of the castle.
He stretched out his hand and lifted the brim of his hat slightly. The sunlight shone into Tangning's eyes, causing tears to quickly appear in his eyes. In his blurred vision, he saw the body hanging on the top of the tower...
Only five were left.