Chapter 116

The Hunting Game

Every survival instance — all of them — forcibly closed?

Players across the infinite space flooded into the main hall, eyes fixed on the giant screen.

They were really gone.

Every last survival instance. Not one remained.

Players in the middle of clearing instances had been expelled too, landing in the hall in a daze, items still in hand.

"What the—" Tiger, ejected mid-instance, wiped blood off his face. He'd been seconds away from being torn in half by something horrible, and then in the blink of an eye he was back here. He looked up. Was it his eyes, or was the infinite space actually dimmer than before?

"Tiger?" Curly Hair found him suddenly at her feet and looked down at him sitting on the floor covered in blood. "The system pulled you into a survival instance?"

He grimaced and pushed himself up. "I'm fine — all surface wounds. What's happening? Is the Main God actually packing up and running?"

"Every survival instance has been forcibly closed. Players inside were expelled." She handed him medicine. "Get that on your injuries."

"Thanks, Xiao Juan." He applied it directly to his face. "Before I went in, I heard you'd been force-matched into an instance. Which one?"

"A survival instance." Her eyes moved across the hall. She recognized a number of familiar players.

"What did you do in there, Xiao Juan?" He lowered his voice. "You cleared out every survival instance that fast?"

"Nothing to do with me." She shook her head. If she had that kind of power, she wouldn't have needed to grind for money in Xiao Chao's world.

"Then what kind of deity could put the Main God in this kind of state?"

Beep — beep —

Urgent alarms suddenly rang through the player hall. The system's flat mechanical voice entered every player's mind simultaneously.

[EVIL GOD INVASION. Brave players — protect your skills and items.]

[If the Evil God successfully invades, all players will lose everything they currently possess.]

Evil God?

She laughed coldly. The biggest evil god here is the Main God itself.

"I worked this long and this hard to reach high-level status and get a long life — and now some evil god turns up out of nowhere?"

"The Main God is that powerful. Surely it can handle one evil god?"

Some players were angry. Others were frightened. Some were silent.

She stood listening to the noise around her, looking up at the dimming ceiling with an expressionless face.

Not every player wanted to go back to being ordinary.

They had power. Extended lives. The freedom to kill. They enjoyed dominating other players. For them, the disappearance of the infinite space would be a nightmare.

These players had long lost their humanity. They were monsters wearing human skin.

Beep — New instance opening. Instance name: THE HUNTING GAME.

She immediately tried to register — but the system gave no option for voluntary registration. It simply swept certain players in.

"Which players did it take?" Tiger looked around. Several of the most brutal players had vanished. He frowned hard. "Is the system putting players in there to be cultivated into something more powerful?"

Her heart hammered. The Hunting Game — who was the target?

*

"So tired. I can't believe how delayed that flight was." The class secretary yawned into her seat. "It was supposed to take off around seven and we barely got off the ground before midnight."

"That airport handles multiple carriers — on-time rate under seventy percent." Chao Musheng helped her stow her bag. "At least it flew."

Everyone had been pushing hard to meet deadlines for weeks, then sitting in the departure hall for hours on top of that. The moment the plane was in the air, they were asleep against their seatbacks.

The plane hit turbulence and shook. Chao Musheng didn't sleep soundly — in his dream he saw a long, fine thread stretching in through his window.

He followed it for a long time until he found the virus-ball crouching behind its clay pot.

Its many eyes, large and small, had gone dull. Its body had shrunk. The thread was coming from it.

"Back lurking around my window again?" He stepped on the thread. The listless virus-ball jolted awake and tried to dive into the pot.

"What's the use of hiding in there?" He kicked the pot over. A scatter of small mud pellets tumbled out, each dissolving into the ground the moment it landed.

"You're revolting and you play with mud." He shook the pot. "Not coming out?"

He grabbed the thread and pulled the virus-ball out like pulling up a root vegetable.

"Squeeg-squig-mweeh—"

So even its voice was horrible. Screeching away and none of it intelligible.

He pulled harder.

Suddenly the virus-ball poked its head out of the pot and snapped open a set of sharp teeth. He expected it to bite him — instead, without hesitation, it bit through the thread itself and launched clear of the pot.

"Don't run!" He stamped down on it. It writhed violently, finally tore free of every tentacle he'd pinned, and dragging the one remaining, wriggled into a crack in the ground like a tiny tadpole.

He stood holding the pot, looking around. He was dreaming again.

Why did he always run into this revolting thing in his dreams. What a cursed entanglement.

He shook the pot, emptied the remaining mud pellets onto the ground, and was about to set it down when it slipped. The pot hit the ground and shattered.

"I really didn't mean to." He looked around guiltily, then remembered it was his dream, straightened up, and kicked the fragments away.

The pot shattered more completely. Beyond any repair.

"Wake up, Chao Musheng. Wake up."

A classmate shook him. "What were you dreaming about? You were smiling."

"Are we there?" He opened his eyes.

"Not yet — the crew is serving meal boxes." The classmate looked at his face with undisguised envy. Everyone else looked wrung out and hollow. He'd slept for twenty minutes and come back looking exactly like himself. What kind of constitution was this?

"Still over an hour to go." The class secretary on his other side stretched her legs carefully, wincing at her stiff neck, and glanced at him. "Is Xu Chenzhu meeting you at the airport?"

He nodded.

No wonder he looked that good. This was the power of love.

*

Xu Chenzhu stood at the arrivals gate. Though he'd been there a long time, there wasn't a trace of impatience on his face.

When the figure he'd been thinking of appeared — his face, which had been perfectly still — changed like snow meeting a warm sun. He moved quickly forward, took the suitcase.

"Zhaozhao."

Professor Zhang chuckled at the sight and gestured to the students, nudging them all a step to the side.

"Good evening, Professor Zhang." He turned and gave a small nod. "I've arranged vehicles for everyone — please follow my assistant."

"Thank you, Xu Chenzhu. I'll leave you two to it." The professor smiled at Chao Musheng. "Xiao Chao — the university has given a two-day holiday to the students who participated in the project. Rest properly and come back Friday."

"Thank you, Professor." In full view of the professor, Chao Musheng took Xu Chenzhu's hand. "Then I won't be heading back with everyone else."

The students had been a little awed by Xu Chenzhu, but with Chao Musheng there their confidence grew.

"Thank you, Xu Chenzhu and Xiao Chao — enjoy the break!"

"Wishing you sweetness~"

They were cheerfully rowdy. The professor laughed and said, "Mr. Xu — forgive this lot. They have spirited personalities."

"Jinghua students are all exceptional — quick-minded and with good judgment." His voice was warm. "Thank you all for the good wishes."

"Of course!" Seeing his manner, the students understood that he genuinely cared for Chao Musheng — and stopped teasing, waved, and headed off with bright faces.

"I was a little worried about Xu Chenzhu at first—" A classmate paused at the exit and looked back. The two of them were walking through the crowd hand in hand, making no effort to conceal it.

The way Xu Chenzhu looked at Chao Musheng was brighter than she ever looked at money.

If that wasn't real love, what would be?

"Did you wait long?" Chao Musheng swung his hand, eyes and brows full of laughter.

"Not long." He shook his head. "Knowing you were coming back — even the waiting was pleasant."

Chao Musheng tilted his face up. "I've been pushing hard for weeks — do I have dark circles?"

"Still exactly as good-looking as before." He drew him into a one-armed embrace and let out a long breath. "Zhaozhao. I missed you."

"I missed you too." He hugged back. "How is Mo Tuan?"

"Very well — just missing its owner." A quiet laugh. "Can we go see it tonight?"

"Sure." He let go and looked up at him. "But you said something wrong just now — you're its owner too."

*

Mo Tuan was sprawled in its soft bed, lazily batting a ball. Footsteps outside. It didn't react.

Then its ears shot up. It dropped the ball and launched itself out like a gust of wind.

Human. You've finally had the nerve to come back. You were out gallivanting for that long.

"Miaow! Miaow! Miaow!"

"Mo Tuan!" He scooped it up and pressed his face into its fur. "Mo Tuan is even rounder than before."

"Miaow." Two soft paw-taps on Chao Musheng's face.

Human. Your servant has been serving me adequately.

"Mr. Chao — Mo Tuan's meals were all cooked personally by my employer while you were away." The housekeeper found it puzzling. Over twenty days gone. Why was Mo Tuan still closest to Chao Musheng?

"Really?" He looked at Xu Chenzhu over the cat's considerable weight. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm its owner too — looking after it is my responsibility." He glanced at the black cat settled in Chao Musheng's arms. Once upon a time, Zhaozhao had held him the same way.

"Miaow?" Mo Tuan looked up at Xu Chenzhu. Servant — you've been promoted?

"Fair enough." He stroked the toe pads of Mo Tuan's paw and transferred it into Xu Chenzhu's arms. "Mo Tuan — go keep your other owner company for a bit. I need to shower."

After he left, the cat and Xu Chenzhu regarded each other.

Mo Tuan made a small pawing gesture in the air. It would honestly prefer its cat bed.

"From today — Zhaozhao is your first owner, and I am your second." He held its wandering paw and spoke with full gravity. "Understood?"

"Miaow."

The servant really did get promoted.

"Good." He set it down. "Go play."

"Sir — this is Mr. Chao's suitcase." The housekeeper brought it over, uncertain how long he'd be staying. "Shall I have someone help with the unpacking?"

"No need — there are personal items inside. I'll handle it." He lifted the case. "Go and rest."

The housekeeper: ...

Personal items — not appropriate for others to touch. But appropriate for you?

"Zhaozhao is my boyfriend." He seemed to know exactly what she was thinking, his voice carrying unmistakable pleasure. "As a partner, unpacking one's boyfriend's suitcase is entirely appropriate."

She stared at him. Boyfriend?

"Please let all the villa staff know — Mr. Chao is also master of this house." He continued. "In all matters here, his preferences take priority."

"Understood, sir."

So this villa and everyone in it comes as a gift to Mr. Chao, along with the master himself.

Truly — who could have imagined the master would be such a hopeless romantic.

*

Chao Musheng slept past ten. Coming downstairs for breakfast, he found that the staff's form of address for him had changed.

"Sir — your breakfast is ready. Would you like it now?"

"Thank you." He picked up Mo Tuan and settled it on his knee. "Where is Xu Chenzhu?"

"The master has gone to the office for a meeting."

"I see." End of month — review meetings. As CEO, he had to be there. He finished breakfast, put the sleeping Mo Tuan back in its bed, and drove to the company.

"Consultant Chao — you're back!"

He closed the car door and turned to find Song Xu, arms full of correspondence, giving him a nod. "Just got back last night. How have things been with you?"

"Thanks to your support — very well." He was smiling broadly.

His public reputation had been improving quietly. Even longtime critics had softened, to the point where when another company's hired commenters had attacked him recently, some of his old detractors had come to his defense. The reasoning had been "this dog Song Xu is ours to criticize — who gave you the right to bully him?" — but he'd made his peace with that. Dog was fine, as long as the numbers were good.

His support?

"That's all your own work." Chao Musheng smiled and shook his head. "Nothing to do with me."

Song Xu looked at him with open gratitude. Consultant Chao was too good a person — the company had given him all these resources and he was crediting it to Song Xu's own effort.

Hmph. Everyone outside claimed Luo Yixuan would take his top spot. Those people simply didn't know anything.

"Are you here for the end-of-month review?" He checked his watch. The meeting should be nearly over.

"No — I brought Xu Chenzhu lunch." He held up the insulated container. "The meeting's almost done, so I'm heading up."

"Of course, please go ahead." Vigorous nodding.

He knew it.

People outside were spreading nonsense about Consultant Chao finding some wealthy businessman boyfriend — pure fiction. Consultant Chao and Xu Chenzhu were together.

Back in the film and television division, Song Xu opened his livestream setup, following a long-arranged plan. "A lot of people have been curious what our Kunlun film and TV division is like — let me take you on a tour."

[Song Xu, honestly we're more curious about where the Kunlun executives work.]

He ignored this entirely. The executive floors held enough confidential material that no one in film and TV leadership, however enthusiastic, would ever arrange a broadcast up there.

[Xu Ge — since you're at the company, can you find out if the ordinary person really got a rich boyfriend?]

Xu Ge. They only called him that when they wanted something.

"Don't believe those ridiculous rumors online. Consultant Chao is absolutely not someone who values wealth over character." He said. "His family background is excellent, and he is Kunlun's most highly skilled technical talent. He lacks for neither affection nor money."

[Milking the news cycle again, Song Xu. If you're going to do that, at least tell us whether the ordinary person is in a relationship and who it is.]

"Consultant Chao is not a public figure. Please respect his private life." He ignored the comment section and proceeded with the planned tour of the activity rooms.

One by one — not so curious. Show some respect for his benefactor.

*

Chao Musheng arrived at the meeting room to find the meeting still in progress. He left the lunch boxes in Xu Chenzhu's office, slipped in through the back door, and took a seat behind the R&D team leader.

Xu Chenzhu, mid-briefing, turned his head slightly and smiled at him.

One employee noticed the expression and quietly followed his gaze.

Ah — Consultant Chao is back.

The R&D team leader turned around and looked at Chao Musheng with an intensity that made him edge his chair back slightly. What had happened to the team leader?

The meeting ended. "Thank you all for your hard work." Xu Chenzhu stood — and without waiting for anyone to respond, walked straight out.

Everyone looked at each other. The boss seemed unusually eager to leave today.

"Consultant Chao—" The gaming division manager was about to ask for help, and found the seat behind him empty.

"Hmph." The R&D team leader rose and turned to him. "Don't go running to Consultant Chao with every little thing. He is the R&D group's senior consultant."

Day in, day out, they all come to Consultant Chao. Do they not realize it's lunchtime? Consultant Chao has a lunch to share with the boss.

Completely oblivious.

"What was that look about?" The gaming manager asked his assistant. "Consultant Chao is also the boss's assistant — what exactly is he being superior about?"

Crawling all over the boss's social posts with flattery is one thing, and now he wants to monopolize Consultant Chao too. Who does he think he is?

"Leave it, leave it." The assistant murmured. "The R&D people are always a bit unusual — don't let it get to you."

"Just because they got their budget approved recently." He was sour about it. "Let's go."

"Where?"

"To the CEO's office to find Consultant Chao!"

The CEO's office staff had been looking forward to welcoming him back and teasing him about the relationship — then Xu Chenzhu walked in ahead of them.

"Zhaozhao — why did you only bring one lunch?"

"I ate breakfast late. I'm not hungry yet." He was in the middle of distributing sweet potato chips brought back from Hanyue, and simply held a piece out to Xu Chenzhu's mouth as he came over. "Go eat first. I'll come find you in a bit."

"All right." He glanced at the assembled staff. "When you're hungry, I'll order for you."

Total silence across the room.

Something about the dynamic between the boss and Xiao Chao... wasn't normal, was it?

As if dissatisfied with the degree of shock, Xu Chenzhu reached out and closed his hand around Chao Musheng's wrist. "Don't chat with your colleagues too long — take a nap in the rest room after lunch."

"I know, go eat." Chao Musheng could see that his colleagues had completely lost control of their expressions, knew exactly what he was doing, and waved him off.

"Xiao Chao." After Xu Chenzhu returned to his office, one of the secretaries let a chip fall onto her desk. "You and the boss—"

"You've all guessed right." Secretary Liu reached over and took a handful of chips, smiling easily. "Xiao Chao is the boss's boyfriend."

The mysterious person who turned their stoic boss into a romantic — and it was Xiao Chao all along?!

Everyone simultaneously recalled what they'd been saying in the company gossip group — and remembered with dawning unease that if they thought about it, Xiao Chao was in that group.

"The boss is refined and accomplished, Xiao Chao is talented and striking — you're made for each other."

"Congratulations, congratulations."

They recovered quickly, surprise giving way to genuine warmth.

"Thank you, everyone." He dropped a large red envelope into the gossip group. "Have a coffee on me."

They claimed his red envelopes and found that the big boss had simultaneously sent a stream of his own into the CEO's office group. The excitement of unexpected money replaced any residual shock instantly.

This was the blessing of love. If the boss hadn't fallen in love, where would the red envelopes have come from?

*

"Where has the system even sent us?"

Eight players stood on an overpass looking out at a cityscape of high-rises and flowing traffic.

[Beep! Target is 2,780 metres from players. Mission time limit: 24 hours.]

A red arrow appeared before each of them, pointing toward their quarry.

Only twenty-four hours?

They oriented themselves and followed the arrow, charging down the overpass steps.

Beep! Beep!

A traffic officer blew his whistle and stepped in front of five of them trying to run into moving traffic through a red light. "All of you — stop. Do you know how dangerous it is to run a red light?"

This? A minor NPC dares to stop us?

Five players looked at the officer blocking them, and murder entered their eyes.

[WARNING! WARNING! Do not provoke hostility in other NPCs. If NPC hostility becomes too high, hunt difficulty will increase.]

They forced the impulse down. But wanting to kill someone is not something easily hidden from the face.

"Still not cooperating?" He kept them firmly in place. "Stand right there. We're going to review proper traffic safety."

He'd been working this intersection long enough. Something was wrong with these five. He kept his response careful and natural — and picked up his radio to quietly request backup in code.

The players: ...

They were in a kill-mission instance. What exactly were they supposed to be learning about traffic safety?

But the system warnings kept sounding, and they had no choice but to hold themselves back.

It sent us here to murder someone, but we're supposed to show patience with bystander NPCs.

Was this instance completely insane?!