Qin Guoan and the others were genuinely shocked.

They had considered the possibility that Qiu Ping, who was missing, or Han Jiao had captured Zaoya and completed the mission. They had also thought that one of them had persuaded Mr. Hu to choose another girl from Shangyang Village to fulfill the task. They just hadn’t imagined that Han Jiao, trapped in the coffin and nearly suffocated, would be the one rescued.

This sent a chill down Lu Lu’s spine, and her expression turned grim.

Players could also be imprisoned in there.

Lu Lu hadn’t considered this possibility before. Seeing Han Jiao’s brush with death filled her with dread—she had always acted alone.

Wen Renxi had Han Jiao clinging to her arm, Han Jiao practically trying to shrink into her embrace. However, Wen Renxi was much smaller than Han Jiao, making the scene look quite awkward.

Wen Renxi gently patted Han Jiao’s back to comfort her. With her other hand, she fired the hidden blade, which wrapped around the handle of her butcher knife. She yanked, pulling the knife back from the villager’s body.

Since the sheath was on her right side, it was awkward for Wen Renxi to return the knife with her left hand, making her movements a bit clumsy.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“Waaah…”

Being trapped in the coffin had been utterly despairing. Even after being rescued, Han Jiao couldn’t calm down. All her terror poured out, and besides her arms clinging to Wen Renxi, the rest of her body felt weak, and her head was spinning.

It was the lingering fear of being rescued from the brink of death.

Wen Renxi’s gaze swept over Han Jiao’s side, then quickly returned, continuing to comfort the terrified girl.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hu finally let out an even more piercing wail, more intense than when Wen Renxi had split the coffin and pried off the lid. The shrill sound made everyone’s eardrums ache.

Qin Guoan, having finally shaken off the villagers trying to rush inside, was startled by the sound. He looked towards Wen Renxi and the others and was equally shocked.

Not just him, but the other three players were startled too.

Next to Han Jiao, there was a dust-covered head.

It was Hu Jizu’s.

The head, which had been moving around in the coffin, was now still, just like an ordinary dead man’s head, emitting the stench of decay.

This had nothing to do with Wen Renxi; Han Jiao had brought it out.

Wen Renxi had pulled her out when she was barely conscious, and Han Jiao had been clutching something tightly. Wen Renxi hadn’t paid attention.

It was the middle of the night, and even with the Hu family’s lights, some areas were still dim. Besides, saving someone was the priority. Why would she care what Han Jiao was holding? Now that Han Jiao was safe and fully conscious, she had dropped the object. Naturally, Wen Renxi looked over.

Hmm.

She couldn’t help but pat Han Jiao’s head.

As expected of a player.

“Okay, okay, it’s all right. Let’s get out of here first, okay?” Knowing Han Jiao was terrified, Wen Renxi softened her voice and prepared to stand up.

The aggressively hostile villagers around them were still a problem. Judging by their fierce looks and what they had done to Han Jiao, they couldn’t leave peacefully today.

With no contact with the outside world, she couldn’t call the police. And by causing this commotion, she had ruined her internship. Wen Renxi was ready to deal with the trouble ahead. First, she had to handle the immediate conflict.

Heh.

Conflict.

Han Jiao’s mind was a bit muddled, but she quickly realized the situation. She released Wen Renxi so she could stand, while she herself was too weak to even crawl.

Her limbs were useless.

Her clothes were disgusting, stained with rotting flesh, and the smell was unbearable.

Wen Renxi noticed Han Jiao’s condition. She pulled out her blood-stained knife with one hand and extended the other, wiggling her fingers, signaling Han Jiao to grab her hand. She then pulled her up.

“Do you know murder is illegal?” Professor Huang, suddenly finding the strength, pushed through the confronting villagers and yelled at Wen Renxi.

“Oh, really? Do you know murder is illegal? You watched Han Jiao, a living person, be sealed in a coffin to suffocate, and you did nothing?” Wen Renxi, who hadn’t even looked at Professor Huang, immediately turned her attention to him, sneering.

They could kill without consequence, but her killing was illegal?

Wen Renxi was now prepared to kill those who deserved it and then run.

After killing several people, she might as well pack up and prepare to flee.

“Professor, would you like to test my knife?”

She had already gone this far; what was there to fear?

She hadn’t killed anyone innocent. From the moment she arrived in this world, everyone she killed deserved to die.

Her conscience was clear.

Professor Huang: “…It’s their custom here.”

Professor Huang hesitated, then said.

He was afraid.

Wen Renxi sneered inwardly.

Because it wasn’t him dying, because he was a man, he wouldn’t be implicated. Of course, he could remain indifferent.

Lu Lu had run over to Han Jiao, trying to support her. But Han Jiao clearly preferred clinging to Wen Renxi.

Lu Lu wanted to warn Han Jiao about Wen Renxi, but with Wen Renxi right beside her, she didn’t dare say a word. She also didn’t know if Han Jiao was aware of Wen Renxi’s true identity.

On the other side, Qin Guoan, Qiu Yuanzhi, and Huo Yu had gathered, facing the villagers.

With Han Jiao here, Qiu Ping must have cleared the dungeon.

Danger would soon be upon them. They had to cooperate.

If they were going to die, they might as well do some good before they did.

“Wen Renxi isn’t a player.”

Huo Yu whispered. Qin Guoan and Qiu Yuanzhi heard him and were shocked.

Huo Yu didn’t dare move much, his hood obscuring most of his face. “She’s not a player; she’s an awakened NPC. Be careful.”

Qin Guoan and Qiu Yuanzhi, experienced players, couldn’t stay calm. They recalled Wen Renxi’s strange behavior, which they hadn’t paid much attention to before.

Before entering Shangyang Village, the ox cart was safe, but the village was not. Wen Renxi’s behavior was unlike that of an NPC, and she interacted with them perfectly.

“…I remember, players wake up in a dungeon in a certain order. The stronger their spirit or soul, the sooner they wake up. Wen Renxi woke up first. When I woke up, the others were still unconscious, but Wen Renxi was already awake.”

Qin Guoan had been sitting next to Wen Renxi and remembered it clearly. He had thought Wen Renxi was hiding her true strength, but what if that wasn’t the case?

Don’t forget, the two drivers on the ox cart were also awake.

This dungeon was too dangerous, and they couldn’t pinpoint the danger. Hearing that Wen Renxi was a disguised NPC, they wondered if the danger was her.

But Wen Renxi’s actions in saving Han Jiao puzzled Qin Guoan.

It didn’t seem likely.

Even if Wen Renxi was an NPC, she seemed like a normal one.

“Regardless, Qiu Ping has cleared the dungeon and left. I want to see why this dungeon has only had one survivor until now.”

Qin Guoan took a deep breath and stood next to Wen Renxi.

Qiu Yuanzhi hesitated, deciding to observe.

Lu Lu was already with Han Jiao.

Huo Yu, frustrated, scratched his head, pulled his hood lower, and stood beside Qin Guoan.

They were near the coffin, and Huo Yu finally saw what was inside.

He was shocked.

Han Jiao was famous, but not for her strength, but for her flamboyant style and endless items. She was a pay-to-win player.

Huo Yu saw her as a pampered young lady with little skill.

A young lady who survived in the nightmare world was no ordinary young lady.

The red coffin was a mess. Hu Jizu’s corpse had been torn apart, with only the torso remaining. His limbs were scattered around. The arms were mostly intact, but the legs were in four pieces, and the head… was on the ground.

Huo Yu guessed the limbs had been ripped off.

It was obvious who did it.

He glanced at the trembling Han Jiao, who still looked fragile and helpless, trying to hide behind Wen Renxi. But after seeing the coffin, Huo Yu couldn’t see her the same way.

And… did Han Jiao really not know Wen Renxi was an NPC? Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so dependent on her.

Mr. Hu had rushed over, picking up the head. Seeing Hu Jizu’s state, he glared at Han Jiao, as if wanting to devour her.

Wen Renxi sneered, turning her knife to point at Mr. Hu, her gaze like she was looking at a dead object.

Come on.

If you move, I’ll cut off your head.

Wen Renxi’s eyes clearly conveyed those words.

Mr. Hu hesitated.

“You outsiders, get out of Shangyang Village!”

Mr. Hu’s voice was hoarse, but he wasn’t deterred by Wen Renxi. However, he clearly didn’t want them staying any longer.

In Shangyang Village, Mr. Hu’s words were more effective than the village chief’s.

The surrounding villagers watched intently, and the players tensed. Han Jiao trembled, hiding behind Wen Renxi, pulling Lu Lu with her.

“Wen Renxi…”

“Mm, I’m here.”

Wen Renxi responded softly, looking at Mr. Hu. She plunged her knife into the coffin, leaving only the handle visible. “What if I don’t leave? We made a deal for a week; are you trying to break it?”

Mr. Hu was furious seeing the already damaged coffin receive another blow.

But Wen Renxi was too fierce, as if her previous shyness and meekness had vanished, replaced by a monster who had shed its disguise.

The people of Shangyang Village had always been sinister and wary of outsiders. But now, with Wen Renxi’s aggressive stance, they cowered.

Wen Renxi wasn’t surprised.

After all, several villagers lay dead on the ground. If they still refused to back down… heh, she wouldn’t mind a bloodbath before running away with Zaoya.

Wen Renxi’s eyes were still red and swollen from crying. She couldn’t help it. And Han Jiao was traumatized and needed rest.

Realizing this, Wen Renxi pulled her knife out and held it in one hand, taking Han Jiao’s hand with the other. Her sharp, cold gaze swept over the surrounding people. Though she smiled, everyone knew she would strike down anyone who blocked her path.

Mr. Hu, supporting the coffin, watched with a livid face as the villagers parted to let Wen Renxi through. Though they wanted to kill her, they didn’t dare.

They were afraid of death.

Han Jiao, head down, followed Wen Renxi, while the other players walked behind them, their expressions odd.

A demon king.

Leaving the crowd, Wen Renxi glanced back at the villagers, scoffed, and led Han Jiao out of the Hu’s residence.

Towards the ancestral hall.

Han Jiao would be scared if she stayed at the Hu’s. The girl had terrible luck; she shouldn’t stay in this unlucky place. The ancestral hall would be better for now.

Qin Guoan and the others exchanged glances and followed.

The darkness that had almost swallowed Shangyang Village stopped at its entrance and quickly retreated.

“Qiu Ping has completed the mission and left. We don’t know what will happen next; let’s stay together.”

They should at least try to survive.

Wen Renxi still held Han Jiao’s hand, not responding. Han Jiao hesitated and said carefully,

“…Qiu Ping didn’t complete the mission; she’s dead.”

The others: “…”

?????

They thought Qiu Ping had completed the mission and left, so they were all going to die. But Qiu Ping hadn’t left; she was dead. Meaning… they could still find Zaoya and complete the mission?

And how did Qiu Ping die…

“Qiu Ping tried to capture me and Wen Renxi to replace the bride.”

So she died.

Hearing Han Jiao’s explanation, the others weren’t surprised.

Even if no one had completed the mission, Wen Renxi was indeed not a player.

Zaoya…

Zaoya, wearing a torn white wedding dress, was hiding in the ancestral hall. Seeing Wen Renxi and Han Jiao arrive, she ran out. “Are you alright?”

Qin Guoan and Qiu Yuanzhi, unaware that Wen Renxi and Zaoya already knew each other: “?!?!”

What was going on?

How was Zaoya, whom they couldn’t find, here?

“We’re fine, it’s safe here.”

Wen Renxi’s attitude softened upon seeing Zaoya, her meaningful gaze sweeping over Qin Guoan and the others.

The players: “…”

They understood what Wen Renxi meant.

This was a warning.

She wasn’t pretending anymore. If they tried anything with Zaoya, they could try their luck.

Anyway, she knew everything she wanted to know, and she had shown her hand. Why pretend? Now was the time to be strong.

Come on, face her head-on, and see who dies first.

Wen Renxi released Han Jiao’s hand, walked to Zaoya’s side, and looked at the players—I’m protecting her; try me.