“Nothing, just worried about a young girl like you. I’m too old to be a target, so don’t go alone. Come find me if you need company.”

Qiu Ping smiled kindly, but Wen Renxi felt like she was being watched by a viper.

Zaoya’s brother and Li Jiayao’s fight continued, Li Jiayao’s mother joining in, while Professor Huang detailed the snow bride and snow wedding gown customs.

“These are unique local traditions, rooted in history.”

He sounded genuinely amazed.

“Yes, unique and ancient customs. With modernization, you won’t see such authentic traditions elsewhere,” Wu Feng added calmly.

But the players only saw horror in these so-called traditions.

It wasn’t their concern; the world wasn’t normal, just a nightmare realm.

They reached the village chief’s house. The chief, aware of their study, said they could only continue after the bride was found, and they could observe the ceremony.

He was cooperative, retrieving old records of the snow bride from the ancestral hall.

The hall held Shangyang’s history, detailing the snow bride, including the first one.

Huang was thrilled, engrossing the players in the records.

It took almost a day to sift through, with sunset nearing.

Wen Renxi, holding the notebook, reflected on the snow bride stories, the hidden pain and tears of countless girls, now a point of village pride.

Zaoya was still hidden; no news all day. The players, kept by Huang, were anxious.

It was the second day.

Failure in three days meant death.

Huang, as their professor, held their fate, preventing open rebellion.

So, they’d have to act at night?

Huang Pingyu and Jiang Ming hadn’t returned; likely dead. Combined with Shao Xiaofeng’s death, they’d lost three out of ten.

Back at the Hu’s, there was no news of Zaoya.

They’d avoid replacing Zaoya until the last moment; the Hu’s wouldn’t easily agree to a replacement. Zaoya was the village’s best, making a switch unappealing to Mr. Hu.

Han Jiao stayed in; knowing Zaoya’s location, she wanted to find a replacement and let Zaoya escape. Plus, she needed time to review the clock’s records.

She’d been distracted all day.

She had reset time before, but never like this.

She desperately wanted to know why she’d failed so many times.

She wanted to stay, but Wen Renxi left to stay near Zaoya.

To ensure her safety, Wen Renxi would remain nearby, especially since the players would likely search at night.

Their partnership was fragile. If Han Jiao stayed, Wen Renxi might bring Zaoya back to complete the mission.

Wen Renxi distrusted the players near Zaoya, and Han Jiao distrusted Wen Renxi with Zaoya.

Mutual suspicion.

Moreover, with the clock becoming black, Han Jiao trusted no one.

So, Han Jiao followed Wen Renxi.

Many village homes were lit, with people searching for Zaoya.

Wen Renxi even heard someone hoping their daughter would be chosen.

If Zaoya refused, their daughter wouldn’t.

Han Jiao could find Zaoya, so they headed towards the ancestral hall along village paths.

They were inconspicuous; everyone was searching, so their presence was unremarkable.

“Wen Ren, Han Jiao, you’re looking for the bride too? Let’s go together. It’s safer, you two young girls shouldn’t go alone at night.” Qiu Ping’s voice came from behind.

They stopped.

They couldn’t find Zaoya now.

Not with Qiu Ping.

“We’re checking outside. Zaoya’s clearly not in the village; no one found her all day. We’re short on time,” Han Jiao said, turning to Qiu Ping.

Her words suited Qiu Ping’s plan.

Wen Renxi remained silent.

She knew Qiu Ping was up to no good, planning something. Her look earlier wasn’t of someone viewing a person, but an item.

She knew Qiu Ping’s motives.

“Sure, let’s go. It’s safer together. We can talk after finding Zaoya,” Wen Renxi added.

They acted relieved by Qiu Ping’s presence, exchanging a knowing glance.

Han Jiao kept her distance.

Not since the clock went black, but since the cart ride. Intuition made her wary of the friendly woman.

Also, Wen Renxi’s hand had been behind her back since meeting Qiu Ping.

Even during the day.

Han Jiao would’ve missed it before, but was now hyper-alert.

They headed out, passing a hooded young man.

Huo Yu, the edgy youth, also searched last night. Not finding anyone, he was out again. Seeing the women, he changed direction, avoiding them.

Not wanting Qiu Ping to find Zaoya, Wen Renxi and Han Jiao led her away, leaving the village. The cold of the forest enveloped them, and silence returned, broken only by rustling sounds.

Wen Renxi noticed more creatures than last night, lurking in the shadows. But she showed little aggression.

Han Jiao noticed too, sticking close to Wen Renxi, like a nervous animal.

Qiu Ping seemed the most composed.

Elsewhere, Qin Guoan was also in danger. He used a tool to increase his chances of finding Zaoya, unlike Han Jiao’s, which gave a definite location.

He’d heard about last night’s events from Huo Yu, so he wasn’t surprised, being an ex-soldier helped.

The animals weren’t normal.

If Wen Renxi stayed longer after her fight last night, she’d see the beasts dissolve into black liquid. Qin Guoan, attacked, soon realized this.

He couldn’t continue.

His tool led him to Zaoya’s highest likelihood location, thus he met more creatures.

Wen Renxi’s group was different.

Wen Renxi and Han Jiao led Qiu Ping away from Zaoya, and Qiu Ping was targeting them, not Zaoya.

Qiu Ping didn’t believe in their alliance.

The dungeon was dangerous, and she assumed Han Jiao wouldn’t risk herself for Wen Renxi.

Zaoya was also likely a threat, and capturing one of them was easier than finding Zaoya.

Only one would survive, so she didn’t fear retribution.

“Stay close, it’s dangerous here,” Qiu Ping said, turning to them, acting concerned.

“Okay, thanks Qiu Jie.”

The younger women exchanged a look, moving closer, like frightened pups. Qiu Ping fended off occasional attacks as they walked.

“With these creatures, Zaoya must be nearby.”

Wen Renxi, unsure how Qiu Ping concluded this, just nodded.

They walked for over an hour, far from the village. Since Qiu Ping joined them, Han Jiao was tense. Qiu Ping assumed she was scared by the missing players. Wen Renxi seemed more relaxed.

Another beast lunged. Qiu Ping shoved Wen Renxi. “Careful!”

She preferred dealing with one, and Han Jiao had many items. Injuring Wen Renxi would force a retreat, and she could take her to Mr. Hu.

Wen Renxi was prettier than Zaoya and educated; Mr. Hu would surely approve.

Shoved, Wen Renxi drew her knife, parrying Qiu Ping’s hidden weapon. She landed near the beast and kicked it aside, dodging behind a tree, throwing her knife.

Too close, and Qiu Ping never expected Wen Renxi’s speed. It struck her neck.

Qiu Ping gasped, but Wen Renxi wasn’t finished. Han Jiao hid after the attack.

Wen Renxi pulled out a thin wire, hooking it to a high branch. She swung to Qiu Ping’s body, grabbing her knife and retracting the wire, swinging to another tree.

The wire was from a previous rescue.

Useful for Wen Renxi.

Landing, she heard movement in another tree.

Qiu Ping stood there, her legs shaking, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Han Jiao was equally amazed.

If not for the danger, she’d applaud.

So cool!

“What are you doing!”

She nearly died!

She just wanted to injure Wen Renxi, but Wen Renxi aimed to kill. If not for a substitute doll, she would’ve died.

She had misjudged Wen Renxi.

She assumed Wen Renxi’s level was due to luck or being carried, but was proven wrong.

Wen Renxi, expressionless, pulled out her knife, wiping the blood with a leaf.

Han Jiao, no longer scared, emerged and scoffed at Qiu Ping’s accusation. “What do you think you’re doing!”

Wen Renxi felt safer than Qiu Ping. She trusted her instincts.

“Do you think we’re stupid? You were suspicious from the start. We were prepared, or Wen Renxi would be hurt!”

As for Wen Renxi nearly killing Qiu Ping, Han Jiao didn’t care.

She had seen enough death.

Qiu Ping attacked first; Wen Renxi just retaliated.

In this world, mercy meant death.

Han Jiao argued, but Wen Renxi didn’t say a word. She leaped through the trees, agile and swift, heading towards Qiu Ping.

She wouldn’t let Qiu Ping escape.

Qiu Ping realized Wen Renxi’s intent and felt a surge of annoyance.

She wasn’t Huang Pingyu, nor as easy to deal with. She had more items, many dangerous and unpredictable.

Han Jiao couldn’t help physically, but her items could.

The fight was too fast-paced, though. Han Jiao feared hitting Wen Renxi by mistake.

Qiu Ping’s items were troublesome.

Without Wen Renxi’s vast combat experience, she’d have fallen prey to those items. Noticing Han Jiao’s actions, Wen Renxi retreated, creating distance. Qiu Ping, needing to eliminate them, followed.

Then, Han Jiao acted.

Qiu Ping stopped, a barrier appearing, blocking Han Jiao’s attack. But she didn’t notice Wen Renxi approaching.

Wen Renxi’s hand touched the barrier, her knife slicing through.

Qiu Ping’s eyes widened. She couldn’t understand how Wen Renxi bypassed her shield. She wanted to ask, but couldn’t.

A cold wind entered through the wound on her neck, chilling her to the bone. Her consciousness faded with her unwillingness.

The moon, hidden behind clouds, emerged as if sensing the end.

Wen Renxi turned to Han Jiao.

Though she’d dodged most of it, a drop of blood landed on her cheek, making her look even colder in Han Jiao’s eyes.

“Let’s go back.”

“…Oh, okay.”

Han Jiao, stunned, looked at Qiu Ping’s body, then followed Wen Renxi.