"The Troublemaker is the mastermind behind everything; it's an inherently unstable title," Fan Daoyi kindly explained to them. "So whoever is pulling the strings behind the scenes will be the one who gets that title."
Otherwise, why do you think those strategy guides always feature people with different identities as Troublemakers?
Chu Yue lowered her head. "This point was never mentioned in the guide..."
That's because once someone knows the rules, going back into the same game to "bomb fish" is much more fun than the first time.
It felt like having a god's-eye view, watching others grope in the fog while you were in complete control. Naturally, everyone would tacitly keep these things a secret; after all, who wouldn't want to enjoy this unique pleasure all to themselves?
As Fan Daoyi spoke, his skill level suggested he wasn't a first-timer in the game. These words caused everyone present to overlook what the butler had said earlier: Fan Daoyi had not received an invitation to the Duke's birthday celebration.
"Is your goal just to fry fish?" Sun Ruijie asked.
Fan Daoyi smiled and said, "No, it's just that only I get the reward if the Troublemaker succeeds, and the reward is particularly generous. I think I'm being selfish."
Clark covered his mouth and chuckled, "Selfish yet honest, that sounds like you're deliberately teasing us."
Chen Yang murmured, "Even though the choices guiding us were only made by NPCs and didn't harm any players, you were still able to leave the game so peacefully. You're really kind-hearted."
Fan Daoyi nodded in satisfaction with Chen Yang's statement. "Perhaps, after all, he wasn't unassigned the title of 'savior,' even if it was just a joke."
The blue exit has opened; everyone can now leave the game.
The group slowly walked towards the exit, with Chen Yang, Clark, Mo Chengyuan, and others walking in front, while Fan Daoyi leisurely chose to walk at the very back.
Just as Chen Yang, who was in the lead, lifted his foot and was about to step into the exit, Fan Daoyi's voice suddenly rang out behind them. "Actually, you can also experience the joy of entering this place a second time."
He once again confirmed his identity as a "fish fryer".
"We'll try if we get the chance. After all, these kinds of games aren't easy to find; they open doors randomly, and even after you enter, it's not guaranteed to be this one," they replied.
Clark walked lightly to the exit, then suddenly seemed to remember something, turned around and blew a kiss towards Fan Daoyi, his face beaming with a bright smile, "I'm very interested in you, and I really hope we can meet in real life."
After making that joking remark, she quickly turned around, her skirt billowing in the wind, and strode into the exit.
Next up was Mo Chengyuan, who was completely dazed, his mind still asking himself three questions.
Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?
As they left, they didn't notice a translucent, light green sprout on their wrists—a flower seed planted by the Flower Tender at Fan Daoyi's request.
Some things are best kept to yourself. It's also a layer of insurance to prevent them from spreading rumors.
He stumbled into the game by mistake; he's not some bloodthirsty Butcher. Fear is about exploitation, not a single kill, and there's no need to chase after them and wipe them out.
Humming a little tune, I walked towards the flower field and happened to run into the little gardener again.
The young gardener spoke in familiar words, repeating the stammering greeting she had given when she first entered, Fan Daoyi flicked her forehead.
"Ouch!" The little gardener let out a scream, her chubby little hands quickly covering her head, and her previously confused eyes gradually regained their clarity. She blinked, coming to her senses.
"Eh, Dao Yi?" The little gardener asked, tilting his head, still somewhat puzzled. "I think I was a little dizzy just now, and I forgot that I met you not long ago. Have you finished your business?"
"Hmm," Fan Daoyi responded simply.
The little gardener pouted, muttering complaints about the Flower Tender: "Did you give the Flower Tender a beating? I'm going to sue you; she's practically exploiting child labor."
"Hmm?" Fan Daoyi raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious about this statement.
The young gardener said angrily, "She actually erased my memory, so I don't even feel the fatigue of work, and she just keeps me working non-stop. Tell me, isn't this exploitation?"
Fan Daoyi subconsciously rubbed his chin, carefully considering the little gardener's words, then smiled faintly. He thought to himself: This approach seems pretty good? I'll do it this way next time!
"My lord, Dao Yi?" the little gardener called out to the dazed Fan Daoyi.
Fan Daoyi snapped out of his daze and put his hand on the young gardener's head again, "Open the door, I'm leaving now."
"Okay, sure."
The flower opened its petals, Fan Daoyi stepped forward, connecting with the Present World and re-entering the passage that connects the two realms.
This time, Fan Daoyi with a scrutinizing gaze.
To open the entrance between the Guixu and the Present World, allowing creatures from the Guixu to descend into the Present World —that's quite a bold idea.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the ward, and the potted plant by my bedside had completely withered.
As she lifted the covers and left the room, she bumped into He Piaojian, who was wearing a hospital gown and being chased by a doctor.
?
Fan Daoyi rubbed his eyes, confirming that he wasn't seeing things. He Piaojian's illness had finally been diagnosed?
Upon seeing Fan Daoyi's figure, He Piaojian's eyes lit up, and he sprinted towards his location.
"Waaaaah, Dao Yi Yi--"
Watching that exaggerated performance of snot and tears, Fan Daoyi turned his body to the side without changing his expression.
He Piaojian couldn't stop in time and ran forward dozens of steps. He stumbled a few steps before being caught by the doctor who arrived at the scene.
The group of doctors were panting heavily. One of them, between breaths, said, "Hey, you've got some nerve, haven't you!"
Fan Daoyi was somewhat speechless. He stepped forward and said to the group of doctors, "This... um, young man, are you here to visit my friend?"
Fan Daoyi spoke briefly with the doctor, and then they released He Piaojian.
He Piaojian circled Fan Daoyi again and again, scrutinizing him with a suspicious look. "Are you alright?"
"We have a lead, but it might be difficult to handle. Let's talk outside."
In the dean's office, the chief physician informed the dean of everything.
The dean sprinkled water on the flowers on the table without even looking up. "Allow him to leave. Detaining him here will only alert the enemy."
As soon as I stepped out of the hospital, the other members of the Eight Trigrams group were there.
Seeing that Fan Daoyi was unharmed, they were relieved and had the leisure to tease He Piaojian: "Hey, Little Cheapie, you're really something else!"
"I thought my disguise was flawless, and I even specially got this outfit, but who knew those doctors could tell I wasn't a patient at a glance."
They looked up to confirm the hospital's name again, then looked down at the words "First Psychiatric Hospital" on He Piaojian's clothes.
He said to him, "Is it possible that this hospital doesn't have a psychiatric department?"