Meanwhile, in the top-level conference room of the Dragon Country Strange Tales Department.
The people gathered there had also begun to disagree.
"Elder Qin, the latest computer analysis is ready, based on the other countries' contestants and the information sent by the intelligence department."
"Since we don't have enough samples, this calculation still uses the previous logic, making only a rough comparison across three main categories."
"The probability that the blue text contains the correct rules is 71.31%. The probability that the black text contains the correct rules is 23.63%. The probability that both contain the correct rules is 5.06%."
"With figures like these, should we notify Su Chen right away?"
The young man in glasses asked as he looked at Elder Qin's back.
Elder Qin said nothing, his cloudy eyes fixed on Su Chen's eyes.
He saw something familiar in them.
It was a look found only on the battlefield.
Steadfast and brave, yet sharp as a fox.
How could this Su Chen be a fool?
He must have his own considerations.
"Elder Qin, we need to make a decision!"
The young man urged him again.
Elder Qin let out a long breath and turned around.
"Wait a little longer. There's more to Su Chen than meets the eye," he said firmly.
"Look at the map clenched in his hand. That proves he didn't blindly believe Kim Xiba. He saw through the deception long ago."
"In that case, why didn't he choose the blue rules? I believe he must have his reasons."
At Elder Qin's words.
Everyone in the conference room instinctively turned their gaze toward Su Chen's right hand.
Earlier, when Su Chen had torn up the map, Kim Xiba had happened to be undergoing his transformation.
So the broadcast had temporarily switched to Pickle Country's feed.
No one had seen what Su Chen did.
Only now, after Elder Qin pointed it out, did they notice something was off.
Su Chen had kept his right hand clenched into a fist.
And they could indeed make out traces of paper between his fingers.
Everyone was stunned.
After all, according to the investigation report.
Su Chen was a dropout, and a dim-witted one at that.
Yet his current behavior clearly contradicted the report.
While everyone was still reeling.
Elder Qin spoke again.
"Contact the other departments and have them regulate the language in the livestream chat."
"Discussion and analysis are fine. Abuse is not!"
"Su Chen is risking his life for our Dragon Country, after all! We can't let our heroes shed tears as well as blood."
"And activate the firewall. Don't let anyone from other countries watch!"
Elder Qin narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
The young man in glasses hurriedly acknowledged his orders.
Then he turned and left the conference room.
Soon afterward, an announcement appeared at the top of Dragon Country's livestream.
[Su Chen is a hero risking his life for the country. Citizens of Dragon Country must not hurl abuse at him.]
"That idiot Su Chen must have connections. Look, they're already trying to silence the public."
"Hey, friend above, I'm a viewer from the northern part of the continent. Could you elaborate on that?"
"This announcement is absolutely right! Whatever else you think, he's risking his life for this country. What have you done besides hammer away at your keyboards?"
"Exactly. Instead of trashing him, try using your brains to study the underlying logic of this strange tales world. You might even help the country!"
"Holy shit, why is Su Chen taking the left path? We're screwed! Something's definitely going to happen!"
As soon as that comment appeared, everyone's attention returned to Su Chen.
He walked toward the path on the left without the slightest hesitation.
His figure soon vanished into the mist, leaving no trace.
At the same time that Su Chen stepped onto the left fork.
The chosen contestants from most countries had also reached the Ape Area.
About half of them had rabbit ears growing from their heads and held rabbits in their arms.
Clearly, they had all followed the blue rules.
As for why the other half hadn't grown ears.
There hadn't been enough rabbits to go around.
The two most conspicuous among them were the contestants from Ugly Country and Sakura Country.
Lamb held his rabbit with an air of smug arrogance.
Beside him, Yamashita Kenichiro had a bruised right eye and no ears on his head.
His eyes kept darting toward Lamb's back, filled with venom.
The group moved slowly forward, and soon noticed the ape dressed in black on the artificial hill.
Everyone was startled.
They hurriedly quickened their pace to leave.
But before they had taken more than a few steps, a fork suddenly appeared in the path ahead.
Now they were at a loss.
Because the rule related to this situation was written in black.
As far as they knew, all the black text was false.
That left them with no idea what to do.
At that moment, Kim Xiba stepped forward again.
He smiled, then turned and entered the right fork.
As his figure gradually disappeared into the mist.
Many of those with rabbit ears suddenly snapped out of their confusion.
Since the black rule said to go left, wouldn't doing the opposite be the right answer?
Having figured that out.
Everyone with rabbit ears set off down the right path.
Watching Lamb stride away, Yamashita Kenichiro was about to follow.
Then he suddenly grew wary.
If the black text was false, and he interpreted it in reverse.
Then he should stay where he was.
Yamashita Kenichiro quickly stopped.
He smiled as he watched Lamb's retreating back.
"Baka, what an idiot. If you're so eager to get yourself killed, go right ahead."
He muttered under his breath.
Before you continue