Entering Again

Who would have thought that after hearing this, the Old Monk's expression would turn even more bitter?

"Benefactor, you probably don't know that each of those three routes is guarded by a vengeful ghost. They're all close relatives of that Liu Shang. I only found out later that the beast had personally skinned his own daughter alive, gouged out his son's eyes, and murdered his most loyal subordinate's entire family right in front of him... In the end, he chopped up the three families' bodies and buried them beneath the crossroads, using their resentment to nourish the ghosts and make them kill anyone who passed by."

He paused, his brow furrowing as he continued.

"Even at the height of my powers, I could barely have made it through all three routes. So don't waste your efforts, benefactor. In a few days, that Bodhisattva will break free completely. You should leave this place of trouble as soon as possible, then have my fellow monks evacuate the people... Sigh, we can save whoever we can."

Zhou You hadn't listened to the Old Monk's words after that. He had suddenly recalled the clues from earlier.

—Three routes, set apart from each other, yet all leading to the same destination.

—Three instant-death traps that he'd practically been forced to experience.

—Several items needed to clear the scenario that could never all be obtained through simple exchanges.

"Fuck, so this is where you were waiting for me!"

"Benefactor, what are you talking about?"

At the Old Monk's bewildered expression, Zhou You didn't answer. Instead, he slowly pulled two things from his robes.

A withered face and an incense stick bearing a talismanic seal.

"Master, if we add these... can we seal that Bodhisattva away?"

The Old Monk stared blankly at the two objects and instinctively reached out to pick them up. But he immediately realized that his hands were covered in grease. He hurriedly wiped them on his robes before carefully cradling the items.

"A corroded face, and a wealth-gathering incense stick mixed with powdered infant bones... These are wicked cursed objects, as wicked as they come. Benefactor, where did you get them?"

Zhou You only smiled.

"Take a guess."

The Old Monk froze for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter as well.

"Splendid, simply splendid! Who would've thought that Gui Po didn't trust Liu Shang either, and had left herself a few contingencies? In the end, they've fallen into my hands—then..."

The Old Monk set the two objects down.

Then, all of a sudden, he faced Zhou You and dropped to his knees with a thud. He even prostrated himself, bowing until his entire body lay flat on the ground.

"I, this old monk—no, I... I thank you on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people in this city."

By then, the way he referred to himself had quietly changed.

"With these two items, benefactor, you can save countless lives. Before, I could only buy us some time. But with these, I now have at least a thirty percent chance of suppressing that Bodhisattva again. And even if I fail, I can at least buy enough time for my fellow monks to evacuate the people."

The Old Monk was so agitated that he was panting. "Time is short. I still have preparations to make, so I can't stay with you. I'll send you out of here now. After that, you can go to Qingjing Temple on your own. I left some things there once; you may take all of them..."

Congratulations, player. You have met the hidden quest condition: Hui Pu the Monk's Gratitude. He has handed over all the relics at Qingjing Temple to you. You may inspect them after choosing to leave this instance.

You have completed the main storyline of this scenario and may leave at any time. Would you like to return now?

Zhou You didn't make a choice. Instead, he silently asked a question in his mind.

"What will happen if I don't choose to return?"

This time, the reply came very quickly.

"Esteemed player, if you do not choose to return, you will face the Sinister Object 'Jixiang Jimie Guimu Bodhisattva' alongside Hui Pu the Monk. Of course, you may also use your debt of gratitude to force Hui Pu the Monk to enter the three temples after you leave, then use that time to explore elsewhere. However, this action carries a very high chance of causing that character's death."

Hearing the reply, Zhou You suddenly smiled, then chose "Do not return" without hesitation.

Only then did he turn to the monk and say,

"Thirty percent... Master, don't you think that's a little low?"

The Old Monk understood what he meant.

But he said nothing. He fell silent for a moment, then firmly refused.

"Just call me a monk, benefactor. And I know what you're about to say, but you've already done more than enough. You got me out of there and gave me the key to resolving this crisis. I can't drag you down any further. I'll handle what comes next on my own, so please, benefactor..."

...He was a good man. Even in this situation, he wasn't trying to guilt-trip Zhou You.

But still...

Zhou You silently thought to himself.

—If you don't guilt-trip me, how am I supposed to meet that "Jixiang Jimiao Fumu Bodhisattva"?

Suddenly, he remembered something his grandfather had once said to him.

"You're good at everything. You're smart and quick-witted, but the problem is..."

"You're much too fond of taking risks."

—That's right. I've always been like this.

Zhou You suddenly laughed. He looked at the Old Monk and said earnestly,

"If you're willing to sacrifice yourself for everyone in the city, why can't I?"

The Old Monk stared at Zhou You for a while as if he didn't recognize him. Then he shook his head with a wry smile and said, "If that's how it is, I won't stand on ceremony. Please get ready, benefactor. Tonight, I'll meet you where you are, and then the two of us..."

"...will brave the Demon Realm together."

Player has given up returning.

Player has chosen to enter the Fourth Night together with Hui Pu the Monk.

This choice will lead, directly or indirectly, to a confrontation with the monster: "Jixiang Jimiao Guimu Bodhisattva."

If you successfully suppress "Jixiang Jimiao Guimu Bodhisattva," you will receive an extremely special reward.

This task may be too difficult for you. Please proceed according to your abilities.

Time flew by as Zhou You and the Old Monk made their plans.

—When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the familiar security booth.

To be honest, after spending so many days here, Zhou You had almost grown attached to the place.

Unfortunately, today he had to say goodbye.

He walked over and, out of habit, glanced at the newspaper.

There was only one new page this time. The rest was still blurry, but the headline was crystal clear.

Several lines of huge, bold print stood out starkly.

"The City's Richest Man, Liu Shang, Brutally Murdered; Body Mutilated, Head Missing."

"I was wondering how they'd explain the intestines scattered all over the place. So they just ruled it a murder... Well, I guess that makes sense. Who'd think of a failed sacrifice? And ordinary people probably couldn't see the head stuck to the back of the statue..."

Zhou You tossed the newspaper aside, then sat down and waited quietly.

A few minutes later, the door to the security room swung open. A pair of trembling hands reached inside, and the familiar bald head appeared right on time.

Zhou You smiled brightly at him. Before the terrified man could react, Zhou You lunged forward and drove a punch straight into his stomach!