Yu Hanjiang and Shao Qingge went to the city today for two purposes. First, Shao Qingge was worried about power outages and internet disruptions, so he needed to get online as soon as possible to complete his short-selling operations. Second, Yu Hanjiang wanted to find the mole who was lurking in Challenger and stealing supplies.
The owner of Shanshui B&B said that Xu Zhengyang had checked out and left, but Yu Hanjiang, just to be on the safe side, still placed an eavesdropping device on the owner. The other two were placed in the corner on the second floor of Shanshui B&B and in the corridor of the hotel where Shao Qingge had previously stayed.
After leaving the guesthouse, the two found a quiet place and listened carefully to the sounds coming from the eavesdropping device.
About half an hour later, a soft female voice came from the eavesdropping device at Shanshui B&B: "Boss, we're out of cash. Could we pay for the room with milk or instant noodles?"
The shopkeeper laughed and said, "Sure! I'll take four cases of milk and four cases of instant noodles."
The girl said, "Can we discuss this further? We don't have much food left... How about three boxes?"
The shopkeeper said, "Prices double every day. Yesterday it was two boxes, today it's four boxes. I didn't miscalculate!"
The girl discussed with her friends, "We don't have that many supplies, why don't we go and stay somewhere else?"
Another person said, "Okay. I also think it's not worth it to exchange four boxes of milk and four boxes of instant noodles for a night's accommodation."
The two finally made a decision: "Let's check out. If the price keeps going up, the owner might want eight boxes of milk from us tomorrow."
The owner laughed and said, "Don't rush to check out. You two young girls look so pitiful. It's not safe for you to sleep on the streets. We'll do as you said, three suitcases. If you'd like, you can pay for a few more days at once."
The two girls were surprised by the boss's softened attitude and immediately agreed: "Then we'll use six boxes of milk and instant noodles to pay for two days' room fee."
Not long after, two more male Challengers came to the front desk to discuss with the owner about using supplies to pay for their rooms. As before, the owner initially asked for four boxes of milk and four boxes of instant noodles to offset one day's accommodation fee. The two were unwilling, so the owner smiled and gave them a discount.
At Shanshui B&B, only two Challengers insisted on checking out; the rest stayed by exchanging supplies for accommodation fees.
The hotel where Shao Qingge stayed was completely different. Several groups of Challengers went to the front desk to use supplies to pay for their accommodation, but the hotel staff ignored them. Moreover, the receptionist said coldly, "We're almost out of money to pay our salaries. We don't even know if this hotel can stay open anymore. Take it or leave it!"
The challengers had no choice but to check out and leave.
Yu Hanjiang frowned slightly: "Something's not right."
Shao Qingge thought for a moment and said, "I remember that Ye Qi and his group of Challengers left the guesthouse on the third day after a large amount of supplies were stolen on the second night. Led by a lawyer, they went to the Construction Site, gathered all the supplies, distributed them, and tried to survive together. If it weren't for that idiot who lit a fire to cook noodles in the middle of the night and attracted the group of prisoners, they probably could have made it through, right?"
Yu Hanjiang disagrees: "I think even if no one lights the fire, it would be difficult for them to pass the level as a group."
Shao Qingge was somewhat surprised: " Captain Yu, are you saying that there are more traps the Guardians have set for us?"
Yu Hanjiang nodded and analyzed carefully: "First of all, the reason Ye Qi and the others left the guesthouse was that 80% of the Challenger's supplies were stolen the next night, and everyone didn't have much food left. If we gather everything together, with each person having milk, bread, and chocolate, and distribute it according to need, then we'll have a chance to survive together, because there's strength in numbers."
Shao Qingge narrowed his eyes slightly: "But today, the supplies at Shanshui B&B's Challenger were not stolen."
Yu Hanjiang said, "Thanks to Professor Xiao and me, the mole was forced to leave last night when he came to steal things. He even killed his temporary teammate in order to escape, so he didn't have time to steal the supplies from the other Challengers at Shanshui B&B."
Yu Hanjiang and Xiao Lou, being overly vigilant, noticed the thief's presence and deliberately lured him out, forcing him to leave and altering the original storyline of the Spade 3 secret room. Since the supplies weren't stolen and the Challengers still had enough food for seven days, they didn't need to check out.
In addition, the owner of Shanshui B&B was very easy to talk to. If the price had doubled, the room rate for the third day should have been 4 boxes of milk and instant noodles, but he gave everyone a discount and only gave them 3 boxes, leaving most of the Challengers with the room.
Shao Qingge immediately realized: "Is there something wrong with the guesthouse owner?"
Yu Hanjiang nodded with a serious face: "There are two possibilities. First, the guesthouse owner is very shrewd. He knows that with the outbreak of the Financial Crisis, few locals will stay here. The house will be empty and he won't earn a penny. He might as well keep these ' outsiders ' and exchange supplies for room fees. He can earn whatever he can."
He paused slightly, then continued, "The second possibility is that he deliberately used a discounted price to retain Challenger."
Shao Qingge frowned: "You mean, because Xu Zhengyang failed to steal last night and the Challengers ' supplies are still there, he deliberately left everyone behind so that it would be convenient for Xu Zhengyang to continue stealing—the boss and that Xu guy are accomplices?!"
The eavesdropping device's 3-hour activation time has expired. Yu Hanjiang puts away the eavesdropping device and says coldly, "Otherwise, how could Xu Zhengyang move freely in and out of Shanshui B&B and clearly grasp all the Challenger's material information?"
Recalling the hotel owner's warm greetings to the guests, and the smile on his face when he helped them look up Xu Zhengyang's information, Shao Qing...
G felt a chill run down his spine: " The Spade Secret Room is such a trap! Is it deliberately leading all the Challengers into a wolf's den?"
Yu Hanjiang said with a grim expression, " When Challengers come here, they subconsciously look for the cheapest place to stay, but little do they know, this is actually a black market operation—the owner and Freelancers work together to steal all the ' outsiders ' information and their supplies, making huge profits from Financial Crisis!"
In fact, the secret room of Spade 3 from the very beginning determined that the Challengers would face a difficult journey.
Looking for expensive accommodations? You can't afford the rent. Looking for the cheapest accommodations? You'll find a trap laid out there.
When checking in, the owner will immediately recognize you as an " outsider "; when the Challengers bring supplies from the supermarket, the owner at the front desk will know exactly how much each person brought back.
Xu Zhengyang only needs to stay at Shanshui B&B as Challenger. Using the Invisibility Cloak and the two cards, he can steal Challenger's supplies at any time without anyone noticing and put them back in his own room.
Shao Qingge was puzzled: "According to Captain Yu, Invisibility Cloak and the Universal Key are rewards for completing the Red Heart 3 escape room. This Xu Zhengyang is a Freelancer, how come he has so many cards?"
Yu Hanjiang lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of a possibility: "He wants to impersonate a Challenger. There is a way—kill a Challenger and take his place."
This also explains why he has the Challenger card.
He kept a close eye on the city's movements, initially targeting lone " outsiders," killing them, taking their cards, and impersonating the deceased. He then infiltrated the Challengers to steal supplies.
—His name isn't Xu Zhengyang; it's the Challenger he replaced who was named Xu Zhengyang.
The real Xu Zhengyang has been killed by him, and the teammates Xu Zhengyang was matched with also died by his blade.
Shao Qingge felt a chill run down his spine: "Luckily, I didn't match with any teammates in this secret room. If I had been randomly matched, and he killed my teammates and impersonated them, I might have fallen for it too."
Back when we cleared Plum Blossom 2, the Guardian mentioned that for the C-level Secret Chamber, it's advisable to form a team in advance, as random matchmaking means you never know who you'll end up with.
People like Shao Qingge and Ye Qi who don't plan to team up can't be tricked in Spade 3's secret room because they don't have teammates to begin with, and it's impossible for a teammate to suddenly appear. People like Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang who have teamed up in advance will not give the Boss any chance to act together.
Only those who haven't found a fixed teammate after passing the second level might be matched with a terrible player in random matchmaking. If they lack vigilance, they might get killed and replaced by the Boss, and they'll be surrounded by wolves every day without even realizing it.
Shao Qingge felt some sympathy for this group of Challengers. One of them, Xu Zhengyang, was killed by the Boss at the very beginning; another teammate was killed by the Boss who was impersonating Xu Zhengyang. The two of them probably didn't even know how they died.
Yu Hanjiang said, "They are not bad in terms of ability to perfectly complete Heart 3, but they are too confident and too careless. They are not cautious enough when they encounter unfamiliar 'teammates', which is why the Boss took advantage of their weaknesses."
Shao Qingge pressed his temples, his head aching: " Spades 2 Secret Chamber has a Zombie Leader, Spades 3 secret room has a Boss who impersonates a Challenger to steal things, and the owner of Shanshui B&B is also an accomplice. If it weren't for your analysis, Captain Yu, I would never have imagined that Shanshui B&B is actually the biggest black shop!"
Yu Hanjiang said, " Someone died at Shanshui B&B last night, and the boss is still so calm today. There must be something wrong."
With the owner and a freelancer working together, Shanshui B&B has become a shady business that preys on outsiders.
The hotels across the street had fewer Challengers, so on the first night, "Xu Zhengyang" targeted less crowded areas. On the second day, he set his sights on the Shanshui B&B, where Challengers congregated. At this point, two outcomes were possible—
The first scenario is what Ye Qi experienced: the Challengers weren't vigilant enough, and most of their supplies were stolen. They had no choice but to move to the Construction Site as a group. Apart from those like Ye Qi who abandoned their teammates and left with supplies alone, and those who left their supplies elsewhere from the beginning, other Challengers gathered at the Construction Site, and there was a high chance of being wiped out.
The second scenario involves Challengers like Yu Hanjiang and Xiao Lou, who are alert enough to catch thieves. In this case, the Boss will escape using extreme measures, allowing the other Challengers to temporarily keep their supplies. However, the Boss will deliberately keep everyone behind using "preferential" methods, allowing "Xu Zhengyang" to continue stealing their things.
If nothing unexpected happens, "Xu Zhengyang" will return to Shanshui B&B tonight. Once most of the Challenger's supplies are stolen from the guesthouse, they will have to leave and regroup at the Construction Site.
Yu Hanjiang understood all of this and also felt that the layout of the Ace of Spades and Plum Blossom A was truly ingenious.
Most of the Challengers ' actions were planned by them.
In the Spade 3 secret room, only three types of people can survive: ruthless individuals who abandon their teammates and hoard supplies; bold individuals who choose to sleep on the streets instead of staying in guesthouses or hotels; and cautious individuals who are vigilant enough to store supplies in batches and move them at any time.
Other Challengers who honestly stockpile supplies and stay in guesthouses are almost destined to be eliminated.
Yu Hanjiang stood up: "We need to get back as soon as possible. I'm worried that the Challengers checking out of the hotel will flood the Construction Site, and Professor Xiao and the others will be in danger."
Shao Qingge also stood up alertly: "Let's go!"
***
It was exactly noon.
Under the scorching sun, the roads were almost melting, and the trees along the street were wilted.
The leaves drooped listlessly.
The city's main roads remained completely congested. Without traffic police directing traffic, cars couldn't move at all. Coupled with rear-end collisions and other accidents caused by vehicles cutting in line, and some drivers getting out of their cars to argue, the already congested situation became even more chaotic.
The exhaust fumes from numerous vehicles seemed to raise the surrounding temperature even further, and the blaring of car horns on the street was deafening.
As long as there's gas in the car, you can run the air conditioning, but with this much traffic, the gas will eventually run out, and besides, gas prices have risen to a level that most people can't afford. Many people are hiding in their cars with the air conditioning on, looking anxious and restless, and some can't even wait any longer and simply abandon their cars and run away.
On the street, some people smashed open roadside shops and went inside to loot.
Someone smashed the ATM, only to find it empty of coins. Cursing, they turned and ran away.
The bank was robbed and was forced to close.
At the Central Square supermarket, no one patiently queued to pay anymore. A large number of residents flooded into the supermarket, smashing, looting, and ransacking the place. The shelves were emptied. The supermarket manager tried to close the supermarket in a panic, but the crowd was too dense and the door could not be closed. Someone accidentally fell, and the people behind him could not stop and were trampled over. An elderly person lying on the ground was actually trampled to death.
The crowded people fell one after another like a domino effect. Yu Hanjiang heard cries and screams all around him. A very serious stampede had occurred in the chaotic supermarket!
Shao Qingge felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't bear to look any longer: "It's too terrifying, I wonder how many people will die..."
Once such a stampede occurs, the number of deaths and injuries will be countless!
Yu Hanjiang's face grew increasingly grim. Even if he went to the scene alone, he wouldn't be able to help. However, watching so many people being trampled to death was truly unbearable for him!
Xiao Lou is right... This world has gone mad.
Yu Hanjiang clenched his fists tightly, forcing himself to turn his head away from the gruesome scene. He activated the teleportation card and, with Shao Qingge, returned to the Construction Site at lightning speed.
Almost at the same time, Xiao Lou sent a text message: " Captain Yu, a lot of Challengers have suddenly arrived at the Construction Site."
Yu Hanjiang hurriedly asked, "Are you alright? Did they steal any supplies or hurt you?"
Xiao Lou: "..."
Does Captain Yu really think he has no ability to protect himself at all?
Perhaps in Captain Yu's eyes, Xiao Lou, as a university professor, is a gentle and refined person who never gets into fights and is not very strong physically. He can barely keep up with Yu Hanjiang's running speed even when he wears speed shoes.
But don't forget, this is Card World.
Even the gentlest person must force themselves to become stronger in this world; the weak can only wait to be eliminated.
If Xiao Lou needed someone else to protect him, then he wouldn't be Xiao Lou.
When Yu Hanjiang saw the ellipsis in his reply, he assumed that Shao Qingge was in trouble and unable to speak, so he immediately sped up and teleported back to the Construction Site with him.
However, what they saw before them left both Yu Hanjiang and Shao Qingge stunned.
In the room on the northwest corner of the third floor, Xiao Lou appeared calm and even had a slight smile on his face.
He lightly raised his finger, and several silver metal rings floated in front of him. Beside him, two men were trapped from head to toe by a dense array of rings and could not move; two girls' feet were chained together by rings and they could not stand steadily, and could only maintain their balance by leaning against the wall; and a man and a woman were hanging directly from the beam by rings, begging for mercy with their faces full of terror.
Yu Hanjiang: "......"
Professor Xiao is awesome.
It seems his worries were unnecessary.
Upon seeing Yu Hanjiang and Shao Qingge return, Xiao Lou immediately walked over with a smile and said, "These guys, seeing that there were only two of us, Ye Qi and me, and so many supplies in the room, actually dared to come in and try to steal things. I caught them all."
Ye Qi looked at Xiao Lou with admiration: " Professor Xiao was really prescient. After you left, he drew a lot of rings for backup. I didn't even see what he was doing just now. He tied up these bastards in no time, just like magic!"
The six people who were tied up: "..."
There was only a handsome young man and a seemingly gentle and refined man on the construction site. I thought they would be easy to deal with.
But they ended up walking into a Ring trap. It was a 6v2 situation, a complete defeat, and they were all captured and taken prisoner. It was incredibly humiliating!