Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing plans to wear down his body to qualify for the Absurd Deduction game, then regain strength to confront the Lingren while investigating Single Prism's operations.
• The Lingren seeks Yu Xing secretly, unable to confront him directly.
• Yu Xing decides to complete one differentiation level deduction before deciding about joining a guild.
• Han Xinyi is discharged from the hospital and meets with her university classmates.
• Gao Chang'an invites Yu Xing to participate in the investigation due to his keen observations and potential knowledge about the throat-slitting killer.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing remains focused on his revenge plan against the Lingren, showing strategic thinking and patience.
• Han Xinyi recovers from her injuries and enjoys a meal with her university classmates, showing resilience and a return to normal life.
• Gao Chang'an, concerned about Yu Jiaming's workload and the case's progress, decides to invite Yu Xing to help with the investigation, demonstrating his resourcefulness and care for his captain.

Significant Themes

• Patience and strategic planning in achieving long-term goals (Yu Xing's revenge against the Lingren).
• The importance of teamwork and collaboration in solving complex problems (Gao Chang'an inviting Yu Xing to help with the investigation).
• Resilience and the ability to bounce back from traumatic experiences (Han Xinyi's recovery and return to normal life).

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Qu Xuanqing discuss Yu Xing's plans and the upcoming deduction game.
• Han Xinyi and her university classmates catch up and enjoy a meal together, reminiscing about their university days.
• Gao Chang'an and Yu Jiaming discuss the case's progress and Yu Jiaming's workload, leading Gao Chang'an to invite Yu Xing to help with the investigation.
• Yu Xing and Gao Chang'an arrange a meeting at the police station to discuss Yu Xing's involvement in the investigation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing agrees to assist Gao Chang'an in the investigation, starting with interrogating Liu Ping.
• Liu Ping remains uncooperative during the initial interrogation, leading to Yu Xing's involvement.
• Yu Xing uses unconventional questioning methods, focusing on Liu Ping's behavior and knowledge of surveillance cameras.
• Liu Ping shows a crack in his demeanor, hinting at possible lies.
• Yu Xing decides to question Han Xinyi next.
• Han Xinyi waits for Yu Xing outside the Public Security Bureau, inviting him to a bookstore for bubble tea.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows his intelligence and unconventional interrogation methods, successfully rattling Liu Ping.
• Liu Ping: Maintains his uncooperative stance initially but shows signs of cracking under Yu Xing's questioning.
• Han Xinyi: Shows gratitude towards Yu Xing, inviting him to the bookstore where she was attacked.

Significant Themes

• Unconventional Investigation Methods: Yu Xing's approach to interrogation, focusing on psychological pressure and unexpected questions.
• Perseverance vs. Cracking Under Pressure: Liu Ping's determination to maintain his story versus his eventual show of weakness.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Liu Ping: Yu Xing's unconventional questioning methods clash with Liu Ping's uncooperative stance, leading to a breakthrough.
• Yu Xing and Han Xinyi: Han Xinyi's gratitude and Yu Xing's willingness to help lead to a friendly interaction, with Han Xinyi inviting Yu Xing to the bookstore.
• Zhang Yu and the Substitute Clerk: Zhang Yu sees the substitute clerk leaving the store, hinting at her involvement in the threats against him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Han Xinyi and Yu Xing visit the library, where they encounter Zhang Yu, the librarian who had seen Ranran before.
• Yu Xing reveals to Han Xinyi that Liu Ping, her colleague, is the one who tried to kill her.
• Yu Xing interrogates Liu Ping, using psychological tactics to make him confess. He deduces that Liu Ping was manipulated by the throat-slitting murderer, who is likely Han Xinyi's uncle, Han Zhiyong.

Character Developments

• Zhang Yu: He is still affected by Ranran's disappearance and feels manipulated by unseen forces.
• Han Xinyi: She shows resilience and quick thinking when learning about Liu Ping's identity.
• Liu Ping: He becomes increasingly nervous and defensive under Yu Xing's interrogation, eventually showing signs of breaking.
• Yu Xing: He demonstrates exceptional psychological insight and interrogation skills, making significant progress in the case.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Control: Zhang Yu feels manipulated by events, and Liu Ping is manipulated by the throat-slitting murderer.
• Appearance vs. Reality: Han Xinyi's cheerful demeanor contrasts with the dark truth of her situation, while Liu Ping's ordinary appearance belies his sinister intentions.
• The Power of Words and Perception: Yu Xing uses his words to manipulate Liu Ping's emotions and perceptions, leading him to reveal crucial information.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Yu and Han Xinyi/Yu Xing: Zhang Yu feels a connection to Han Xinyi and Yu Xing due to their shared experience with Ranran.
• Han Xinyi and Yu Xing: They bond over their shared love for books and Yu Xing's revelation about Liu Ping.
• Yu Xing and Liu Ping: Yu Xing uses psychological tactics to make Liu Ping confess, playing on his emotions and insecurities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing deduces that Han Zhiyong wanted to use Liu Ping to kill Han Xinyi, leading to Liu Ping's confession.
• The police investigate Han Zhiyong's recent movements to arrest him.
• Yu Xing and Yu Jiaming discuss the case, with Yu Xing raising doubts about Han Zhiyong's involvement based on the surveillance footage.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates his exceptional deductive skills, manipulating Liu Ping into confessing.
• Yu Jiaming shows his determination and quick thinking as a police captain, ready to arrest Han Zhiyong.
• Liu Ping is revealed to be more afraid of Han Zhiyong than the police, indicating Han Zhiyong's influence over him.

Significant Themes

• The power of deduction and manipulation in solving cases.
• The fear and influence of the unknown, as seen in Liu Ping's terror of Han Zhiyong.
• The importance of thorough investigation and consideration of all possibilities, as highlighted by Yu Xing's doubts about Han Zhiyong's involvement.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Liu Ping: Yu Xing manipulates Liu Ping into confessing through psychological pressure and manipulation.
• Yu Xing and Yu Jiaming: They discuss the case, with Yu Xing sharing his doubts about Han Zhiyong's involvement, and Yu Jiaming showing respect for Yu Xing's insights.
• Gao Chang'an is mentioned but not present in this chapter, having been assigned to record Liu Ping's confession.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The story takes place in Fuhua City, which has a dark side hidden beneath its modern facade.
• Zhang Yu receives a series of messages from "Ran Ran" claiming she's been kidnapped by the throat-slitting killer and is being held in the old district.
• The messages are actually sent by the killer, who threatens to harm Ran Ran if Zhang Yu doesn't come alone to the old district.
• Zhang Yu decides to go, driven by a desire to understand why Ran Ran is involved with the killer.
• He arrives at the location and sees Ran Ran, who confirms she wasn't kidnapped. The killer then appears, and Zhang Yu asks to speak with Ran Ran before he's knocked unconscious.

Character Developments

• Zhang Yu: He's intelligent, analytical, and willing to take risks to uncover the truth. Despite knowing the danger, he goes to the old district to confront the killer and understand Ran Ran's involvement.
• Ran Ran: She's revealed to be an accomplice of the killer, not a victim. Her motives remain unclear.
• The Killer: She's manipulative, calculating, and enjoys playing games with her targets. She's also the throat-slitting killer.

Significant Themes

• Appearance vs. Reality: The city's facade hides its dark secrets, and Ran Ran's apparent victimhood is a facade for her involvement with the killer.
• Manipulation and Control: The killer manipulates both Zhang Yu and Ran Ran, playing them against each other.
• Desire for Truth: Zhang Yu's strong desire to understand the truth drives him to confront the killer, even at great personal risk.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Yu and Ran Ran: Their relationship is complex. Zhang Yu is drawn to Ran Ran, but she's involved with the killer, leading to a tense confrontation.
• Zhang Yu and the Killer: They have a cat-and-mouse relationship. The killer manipulates Zhang Yu, while he tries to outsmart her.
• Yu Jiaming and Yu Xing: Yu Xing provides crucial information to Yu Jiaming, helping him solve the case. Their relationship is one of mutual respect and understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The police, led by Gao Chang'an and Yu Jiaming, track Zhang Yu to an old city district in the rain, suspecting him of being the throat-slitting murderer.
• Han Xinyi, the true murderer, plans to kill Zhang Yu in front of Yu Xing, revealing her identity and hoping to win Yu Xing's affection.
• Han Zhiyong, Han Xinyi's uncle, accompanies her and is puzzled by Zhang Yu's sudden appearance in the old city district.

Character Developments

• Han Xinyi: Reveals her true colors as the throat-slitting murderer, driven by a desire to impress Yu Xing and win his affection. She's manipulative, cunning, and shows no remorse for her actions.
• Yu Xing: Maintains his calm and collected demeanor even when faced with Han Xinyi's revelations. His true intentions remain unclear, but he seems to be playing along with Han Xinyi's delusions.
• Han Zhiyong: Shows concern for Han Xinyi's well-being but also seems to be plotting against her. He's aware of her manipulations but chooses to keep silent.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Control: Han Xinyi's actions are driven by her desire to control and manipulate those around her, particularly Yu Xing.
• Revelation of True Self: Both Han Xinyi and Yu Xing reveal their true selves to each other, with Han Xinyi exposing her murderous nature and Yu Xing showing his acceptance of it.
• Love and Obsession: Han Xinyi's feelings for Yu Xing border on obsession, leading her to commit crimes and reveal her secrets to him.

Character Interactions

• Han Xinyi and Yu Xing: Their interaction is tense yet intimate, with Han Xinyi trying to win Yu Xing's affection and Yu Xing playing along with her delusions.
• Han Xinyi and Han Zhiyong: Their relationship is complex, with Han Zhiyong showing concern for Han Xinyi while also plotting against her.
• Yu Xing, Gao Chang'an, and Yu Jiaming: The three police officers work together to track down the murderer, with Yu Xing maintaining a calm demeanor despite the bizarre situation.

Plot Points and Events

• Han Xinyi reveals her knowledge of the Absurd World and tries to recruit Yu Xing.
• Yu Xing buys time for the detectives to approach, while Han Xinyi prepares to kill Zhang Yu.
• Zhang Yu is revealed to be unharmed and free, with Ranran explaining the situation.
• Yu Xing triggers "Alice's Hell" deduction game to confront Han Xinyi.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows his determination to protect the detectives and his understanding of Han Xinyi's intentions.
• Han Xinyi: Reveals her obsession with Yu Xing and her desire to drag him into her world.
• Zhang Yu: Shows his concern for Ranran and his willingness to help, despite the strange circumstances.
• Ranran: Reveals her connection to the throat-slitting case and her cooperation with Qu Xuanqing.

Significant Themes

• The Absurd World and its influence on those involved.
• The struggle between good and evil, and the consequences of giving in to darkness.
• The power of understanding and acceptance in facing the unknown.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Han Xinyi: Their conversation reveals Han Xinyi's obsession and Yu Xing's determination to protect others.
• Zhang Yu and Ranran: Their conversation clarifies the situation and reveals Ranran's connection to the case.
• Yu Xing and the detectives: Yu Xing's actions show his willingness to protect the detectives, even at the risk of his own life.

Summary of Alice's Hell (1) - Gathering

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing and seven others are summoned to Alice's Hell, a differentiation level deduction game.
• The game is set in a castle, with a guide promised at the entrance.
• The deducers gather outside the castle gate, with some revealing their identities.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing assumes the role of a newly advanced mutated line deducer, hiding his undying characteristic.
• Han Xinyi and Han Zhiyong, veteran struggling level deducers, are present.
• Huang Bai, a lively and relaxed deducer, reveals her identity and acknowledges Huai, a celebrity deducer.
• Huai, a confident differentiation level deducer, is revealed to be among the participants.
• Zeng Lai, the Gambler, is also present and speaks with a Northeastern accent.

Significant Themes

• The reveal of identities despite the use of masks, indicating trust or disregard for others.
• The mention of difficulty and the presence of strong deducers, hinting at the challenge ahead.

Character Interactions

• Huang Bai acknowledges and interacts with Huai, showing familiarity with his deduction style.
• Huai recognizes Zeng Lai, the Gambler, and comments on the interesting nature of the summoning.
• Hysteria, frustrated with the reveal of strong deducers, suggests starting the deduction mission.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The deducers arrive at Alice's castle for a differentiation level deduction.
• The nun guide explains the castle's structure, activities, and rules.
• There are eight dangerous entities (monsters) corresponding to the deducers' past crimes.
• Props to resist monsters are hidden in the castle.
• Each deducer has a unique monster they cannot resist.
• Alice joins the monsters at night, and encounters with her are unsolvable.
• Malicious attacks on other deducers trigger their corresponding monster's hunt.
• Dead deducers' corresponding monsters disappear.

Character Developments

• The Gambler (Zeng Lai) is introduced as a thrill-seeking deducer with a significant following.
• Yu Xing realizes he has an informational advantage due to his experience and expects the deduction system to impose restrictions on him.

Significant Themes

• Competition and survival among deducers.
• The deducers' past crimes manifesting as monsters.
• The deduction system's rules encouraging strategic decision-making and risk-taking.

Character Interactions

• The Gambler and Huai show familiarity, suggesting prior interaction.
• Yu Xing keeps his distance from Han Xinyi and Han Zhiyong to avoid potential harassment.
• The deducers listen attentively to the nun's explanation of the castle's rules and dangers.

Summary

Plot Points and Events

• The deducers arrive at Alice's Castle and are given a tour by a nun.
• Yu Xing receives a new deduction prompt, the "Ghost Notification Letter," detailing nine ghosts.
• The deducers choose their rooms; Yu Xing chooses the third room.
• Yu Xing feels watched while looking at sculptures in the garden and suspects a ghost's presence.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows caution and alertness, decides to use Yi Qing's help.
• Yi Qing: Released from the [Sheqing Dreamscape], eager to explore and assist.

Significant Themes

• The complexity of Alice's Castle and the challenge of navigating it.
• The presence of ghosts and their potential danger.
• The importance of caution and preparedness in differentiation level deductions.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Yi Qing: Yu Xing decides to use Yi Qing's help against an unknown threat.
• Yu Xing and the other deducers: Yu Xing introduces himself and expresses his lack of experience, receiving encouragement and offers of help from others.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing encounters the Crier, a ghostly creature with a sewn mouth, knocking on doors.
• The Crier's appearance and behavior are recorded in the updated Ghost Notification.
• Yu Xing and the Gambler explore the castle together, aiming to find the bathroom before dinner.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates caution and strategic thinking, trying to deduce the nature of the Crier and the castle's ghostly creatures.
• The Gambler shows confidence and initiative in exploring the castle, but expresses dislike for Hysteria.

Significant Themes

• The theme of appearance and perception, both literal (the Crier's appearance) and figurative (Yi Qing's perception of ghosts).
• The theme of exploration and discovery, as Yu Xing and the Gambler venture into unknown areas of the castle.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Yi Qing engage in banter, with Yi Qing revealing his unique perspective on ghosts and Yu Xing teasing him about his honesty.
• Yu Xing and the Gambler form a temporary alliance, exploring the castle together and sharing their thoughts on the Crier and the castle's layout.
• The Gambler expresses his dislike for Hysteria, hinting at potential tension between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing and the Gambler encounter the Corpse Researcher, Yu Xing's corresponding ghost, on the third floor.
• The Corpse Researcher is a massive, muscular zombie with a pipe growing from its back, wearing a white lab coat. It has no sight or hearing and relies solely on smell to move.
• Yu Xing stands up and shouts at the Corpse Researcher, testing its reaction, and learns that it has no sight or hearing.
• The Gambler and Yu Xing decide to check the bathroom first, finding a bathing pool and wooden cabinets with blood inside.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates bravery and quick thinking by testing the Corpse Researcher's senses. He also shows strategic thinking by mapping out the castle's layout in his mind.
• The Gambler shows confidence and experience in deduction, appreciating Yu Xing's actions and encouraging him.

Significant Themes

• The theme of facing one's past is reinforced as Yu Xing encounters his corresponding ghost, the Corpse Researcher.
• The theme of choices and their consequences is highlighted as Yu Xing considers the implications of obtaining his corresponding item.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and the Gambler work together to deduce the Corpse Researcher's abilities and navigate the castle.
• Yu Xing and the Gambler share a moment of understanding as they decide to check the bathroom together.
• Yu Xing and the Gambler encounter other deducers as they leave the bathroom.

Chapter Summary: Alice’s Hell (6) – Fifth-Floor Corridor

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing and the Gambler reach the corridor outside the bathroom, where they encounter Huang Bai and Huai. The other two are investigating the strange crying entity and are told that the bathroom contains something unusual.
• Huang Bai warns them to be cautious of anyone following the Fallen Path, while more Deduction participants approach from behind.
• Wanting to avoid traveling with the larger group, Yu Xing follows the Gambler to a staircase leading to the second and fifth floors. Defying the usual assumption that higher floors are more dangerous, they choose to explore the fifth floor.
• The fifth floor is dark, grimy, and divided into three unlit corridors. At first, the tall shapes in the corridors appear to be monsters, but Yu Xing and the Gambler determine that they are decorative suits of armor—though the darkness makes it impossible to rule out hidden threats.
• The pair search cabinets and tables for a flashlight or another light source. Their rooms contained no such tools, suggesting that useful equipment may need to be discovered elsewhere in the castle.
• During the search, the Gambler reveals that he knows of Yu Xing from the Rookie Tournament and has heard positive comments about him from Ren Yi.
• The Gambler also identifies Yu Xing as belonging to the Mutation Path. He discusses Qu Xuanqing’s reputation, explaining that his guild’s Research Institute studies her appearances and has even created a survival guide for dealing with her.
• Yu Xing presents Qu Xuanqing as a responsible senior who has taught him, shocking the Gambler, who views her as extremely dangerous. The Gambler suspects she may be cultivating Yu Xing as a teammate and considers whether recruiting him would provoke her retaliation.
• The conversation shifts to major guilds, especially Midnight. The Gambler praises its resources but warns that its strict hierarchy, dangerous president Medusa, and exploitative structure make it risky to join.
• He compares Medusa, a Despair-Tier powerhouse, with Qu Xuanqing, who is at the Mourning Tier but reportedly close to advancing. Yu Xing realizes that Despair Tier currently appears to be the highest known level among active Deduction participants.
• The Gambler finally introduces himself as Zeng Lai. He adopts the nickname “Little Xing” for Yu Xing, making his interest in recruiting him increasingly obvious.
• Near a suit of armor, Yu Xing finally discovers a palm-sized wooden box in a drawer. His sudden change in expression suggests that the box is significant or dangerous.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Continues pretending to be an inexperienced, dependent newcomer while quietly assessing the castle, the game’s power structure, and Zeng Lai’s motives. He deliberately uses his connection to Qu Xuanqing to gain protection and influence. His discovery of the wooden box creates a new point of suspense.
• Zeng Lai/the Gambler: Shows himself to be observant, sociable, and opportunistic. He recognizes Yu Xing’s potential and attempts to build rapport, possibly with the intention of recruiting him into a guild. Despite his casual boasting, he has useful knowledge of guild politics, power tiers, and prominent Deduction participants.
• Qu Xuanqing: Although absent, her influence is central. She is portrayed as terrifying and ruthless, yet protective of Yu Xing, revealing the unusual importance of their relationship.
• Huang Bai and Huai: Their brief appearance establishes that the participants are beginning to converge and investigate different supernatural phenomena throughout the castle.

Significant Themes

• Danger concealed by appearances: The apparent monsters on the fifth floor turn out to be armor, but the darkness prevents certainty, reinforcing the castle’s atmosphere of suspicion and uncertainty.
• Information as power: Knowledge about floors, entities, guilds, Path alignments, and combat tiers is essential for survival. Yu Xing and Zeng Lai exchange information while each remains cautious about revealing too much.
• Reputation and influence: Yu Xing benefits from his association with Qu Xuanqing, showing how connections to powerful figures can shape others’ attitudes and create both protection and danger.
• Trust and manipulation: Zeng Lai’s friendliness may be genuine, but his interest in recruiting Yu Xing suggests that their conversation is also a negotiation. Yu Xing’s “newbie” act similarly masks his true abilities and intentions.
• Guild politics and hierarchy: The discussion of Midnight and the Research Institute highlights the advantages of collective strength, as well as the exploitation, strict control, and personal risks that come with joining powerful organizations.
• Limits of power: The apparent absence of Reality-Tier participants raises questions about the extreme difficulty of reaching the next level beyond Despair Tier.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zeng Lai: Their partnership becomes more personal as they search together and exchange information. Zeng Lai probes Yu Xing’s background and tries to recruit him, while Yu Xing answers selectively and maintains his false persona.
• Yu Xing and Qu Xuanqing: Though they do not meet directly, Yu Xing’s comments reveal mutual trust and affection. He views her more favorably than most others do and knowingly uses her reputation to his advantage.
• Zeng Lai and Qu Xuanqing: Zeng Lai fears her, studies her abilities, and worries that recruiting Yu Xing could make him a target. His reaction to Yu Xing calling her “responsible” emphasizes how differently they perceive her.
• Huang Bai and Huai: Their brief exchange shows their contrasting personalities—Huang Bai is lively and teasing, while Huai is blunt and emotionally detached. Their encounter also signals that the group’s investigations are beginning to overlap.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing and Zeng Lai discover a locked wooden box on the fifth floor, which they believe contains a powerful prop.
• They find a blood array on the ceiling, which awakens and drips blood when they approach, prompting them to leave quickly.
• They return to their rooms and decide to hide the box in Yu Xing's room for now.
• They observe the kitchen on the second floor, where three obese chefs are cooking. The chefs appear deformed and monstrous.
• Yu Xing and Zeng Lai decide to explore the first floor again before dinner.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows curiosity and caution when discovering the box and the blood array. He also demonstrates strategic thinking by hiding the box in his room.
• Zeng Lai: Shows concern for Yu Xing's well-being, suspecting he might have a physical illness. He also displays knowledge of horror movie tropes and deductive reasoning.
• Yi Qing: Shows amusement at Yu Xing's physical weakness and agrees to help him hide the box in Zeng Lai's room.

Significant Themes

• Curiosity and caution: Yu Xing and Zeng Lai exhibit a balance between curiosity and caution when exploring the castle and its secrets.
• Trust and cooperation: Yu Xing and Zeng Lai work together to explore the castle and hide the box, demonstrating a level of trust and cooperation.
• Appearance vs. reality: The obese chefs in the kitchen appear grotesque and monstrous, challenging the deducers' initial assumptions about the castle's inhabitants.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zeng Lai: They work together to explore the castle, share their findings, and make decisions based on their observations.
• Yu Xing and Yi Qing: Yu Xing asks Yi Qing for help in hiding the box, and Yi Qing agrees, showing a level of camaraderie between them.
• Huai and Huang Bai: They are mentioned briefly as having finished investigating the bathroom on the fifth floor. Their interaction with Yu Xing and Zeng Lai is not detailed in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing gives Yi Qing a small wooden box to hide in Zeng Lai's room.
• Yu Xing and Zeng Lai explore the castle, finding the first-floor hall connects to the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors.
• Dinner is about to begin, and the hall lights dim. The golden bell chimes at 18:30, plunging the hall into darkness.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: He continues to investigate the castle, showing curiosity and cunning. He also displays a growing animosity towards Han Xinyi and Han Zhiyong.
• Zeng Lai: He demonstrates his experience and strategic thinking in exploring the castle and interacting with the butler.
• Hysteria: He shows a desire to work with Yu Xing and Zeng Lai, but Zeng Lai subtly expresses hostility towards him.
• Han Xinyi: She sits next to Yu Xing at dinner, showing a friendly demeanor, but Yu Xing suspects her of being the murderer in the throat-slitting case.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Betrayal: Yu Xing's suspicion of Han Xinyi and her seemingly friendly behavior towards him highlight the theme of trust and betrayal in the deduction game.
• Darkness and Uncertainty: The dimming of the lights and the chime of the golden bell emphasize the theme of darkness and uncertainty, reflecting the dangerous and absurd nature of the game.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zeng Lai: They work together to explore the castle, with Zeng Lai guiding Yu Xing and Yu Xing subtly manipulating the situation.
• Yu Xing and Hysteria: Hysteria tries to befriend Yu Xing, but Zeng Lai's hostility towards Hysteria creates tension.
• Yu Xing and Han Xinyi: Han Xinyi sits next to Yu Xing at dinner, but Yu Xing suspects her of being the murderer, creating a tense dynamic between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Alice appears at the dining table, revealing her new, human-like form but retaining her oppressive aura.
• She announces a new rule: each deducer must enter at least ten sealed rooms alone by breakfast the next day. There are seventy rooms in total.
• Alice warns that those who don't meet the requirement will face their monsters and die.
• After dinner, deducers rush to claim rooms, with Hysteria, Han Xinyi, and Huang Bai leading the way.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing remains calm and unhurried, revealing his confidence in completing the task.
• Alice's appearance and behavior show her desire to create a memorable experience for the deducers, hinting at her enjoyment of fear and tension.
• Hysteria, Han Xinyi, and Huang Bai display their urgency and determination to secure rooms.

Significant Themes

• Competition and survival: The deducers must now compete for rooms, creating a tense atmosphere.
• Fear and tension: Alice's presence and the new rule heighten the deducers' anxiety.
• Uncertainty: The deducers must navigate the castle's unknown spaces and dangers while trying to meet Alice's requirements.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing, Zeng Lai, and Huai remain at the dining table, hinting at potential alliances.
• Huai and Zeng Lai try to understand Yu Xing's reasons for being calm, with Huai extending an olive branch.
• Yu Xing shares his thoughts on the room-claiming task, revealing his strategic mindset.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai, Zeng Lai, and Yu Xing form an alliance to share information and support each other during the deduction.
• They discuss their findings, including the Corpse Researcher, the Crier, the Abyssal Blood Array, and the 'good friend' ghostly creature in the bathroom mirror.
• They agree to be open about any new props they find to help each other resist ghostly creatures.

Character Developments

• Huai: Shows his calm and analytical nature, sharing his findings without hesitation. He's also observant, noticing the old butler's silent protest.
• Zeng Lai: Reveals his cleverness and quick thinking, understanding Yu Xing's intentions and deciding to support him.
• Yu Xing: Maintains his harmless facade but shows his intelligence and strategic thinking, deciding to check the mirrors in his room.

Significant Themes

• Trust and alliance: The three deducers form an alliance based on trust, sharing information to increase their chances of survival.
• Ghostly creatures and their behaviors: The discussion about the different ghostly creatures and their potential attack methods highlights the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the Absurd Deduction game.

Character Interactions

• Huai and Zeng Lai: They interact cordially, sharing information and discussing strategies. Huai is more reserved, while Zeng Lai is more straightforward.
• Huai and Yu Xing: They maintain a respectful distance, with Yu Xing showing deference to Huai's intelligence and deduction skills. Huai is cautious around Yu Xing, aware of his potential danger.
• Zeng Lai and Yu Xing: They have a friendly rapport, with Zeng Lai understanding Yu Xing's intentions and supporting him. Yu Xing appreciates Zeng Lai's cleverness and quick thinking.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group arrives at the bathroom, finding it filled with steam and a large bathtub full of blood.
• They decide to shower quickly and claim rooms to avoid unexpected situations.
• While showering, they discuss cooperation, but Han Zhiyong refuses.
• A ghostly creature approaches, and Huang Bai warns them to hide from its sight.
• Yu Xing warns the group not to hide in the lockers, as they might contain a trap.
• The group hides behind bathtubs, while Han Zhiyong and White Face hide in lockers.
• Yu Xing locks Han Zhiyong in his locker.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing shows his cunning and strategic thinking by locking Han Zhiyong in the locker.
• Han Zhiyong's distrust leads him to hide in the locker, despite Yu Xing's warning.
• Zeng Lai shows concern for Huai's safety and pulls him away from the lockers.
• Huang Bai warns the group about the ghostly creature's ability, showing knowledge about the creature.

Significant Themes

• Distrust and its consequences (Han Zhiyong's decision to hide in the locker).
• Teamwork and cooperation (the group's initial discussion about working together).
• The dangers of assumptions and misjudgments (Yu Xing's warning about the lockers).

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Han Zhiyong's tense relationship escalates as Yu Xing locks Han Zhiyong in the locker.
• Zeng Lai shows concern for Huai's safety, pulling him away from the lockers.
• Huang Bai warns the group about the ghostly creature, showing knowledge about the creature's abilities.
• The group discusses cooperation while showering, but Han Zhiyong refuses.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• A headless ghost, "Headless Man," enters the bathroom, searching for living people.
• Yu Xing hides behind a bathtub, observing the ghost.
• Zeng Lai, Huai, and Yì attempt to escape but are nearly discovered. They successfully leave, with the Headless Man chasing after them.
• Yu Xing notices the wardrobe has changed, forming a human face with bloodstains, but he ignores it.
• Han Zhiyong is locked in a wardrobe. A skin-peeling ghost attacks him, causing him pain and damaging his Sacrifice bead.
• Han Zhiyong escapes the wardrobe, vowing revenge on Yu Xing.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing shows cunning and calculation, locking Han Zhiyong in the wardrobe to trigger a ghostly attack and using the Headless Man to chase the others.
• Han Zhiyong's Sacrifice bead is damaged, limiting his ghost-summoning abilities for the rest of the trial.
• Zeng Lai, Huai, and Yì work together to escape the bathroom, demonstrating teamwork.

Significant Themes

• The theme of deception and manipulation is evident in Yu Xing's actions, as he uses the Headless Man to chase the others and locks Han Zhiyong in the wardrobe.
• The power of Sacrifices and their limitations is shown through Han Zhiyong's damaged Sacrifice bead.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Han Zhiyong's rivalry intensifies as Han Zhiyong vows revenge after being tricked by Yu Xing.
• Zeng Lai, Huai, and Yì work together to escape the bathroom, showing a level of cooperation and trust among them.
• White Face remains hidden and silent in the closet, with no significant interaction with other characters in this chapter.

Summary

Plot Points and Events

• White Face, terrified, is tormented by a voice in the cabinet.
• He tries to escape but is stopped by a ghostly creature.
• His face is peeled off, revealing a horrifying visage.
• He recalls a past encounter with a person who took his tongue and left him with a laurel flower.
• Zeng Lai, Huai, and Yu Xing escape the headless figure and return to the bathroom.
• They find White Face's corpse with his face peeled off and a laurel flower imprint on his neck.

Character Developments

• White Face's past is revealed, showing his weakness and fear.
• Zeng Lai, Huai, and Yu Xing work together to escape the headless figure.
• Yu Xing shows knowledge about Sacrifices and notices the laurel flower imprint.

Significant Themes

• Fear and weakness (White Face).
• Teamwork and cooperation (Zeng Lai, Huai, and Yu Xing).
• The consequences of past actions (White Face's past encounter).

Character Interactions

• White Face interacts with the voice in the cabinet.
• Zeng Lai, Huai, and Yu Xing work together to escape the headless figure.
• Yu Xing examines White Face's corpse and notices the laurel flower imprint.