Chapter 128: Happiness

In Lü Yang’s memory, when he saved Liu Hui from this place in the Real world, there was no light in this room. Since the construction site was abandoned and had no electricity, how could there be light?

But since this was the Mysterious Domain, things could not be judged by common sense. The light that was now on was probably the large Safe Point mentioned by the Electronic Voice when explaining the rules before the third round of the game started.

The wound on Li Ping’s injured shoulder, which had not yet healed, started to recover quickly under the light and soon returned to normal. The skin on her shoulder was smooth and new again, and not even a scar could be seen.

This third round of the game in the Mysterious Domain seemed to be a battle between light and darkness. The darkness sheltered these Dark Predators and gave them Black Fog Armor. Meanwhile, light could burn and destroy their armor and provide healing and safety for the players.

With the lights on, the group also found several Lighters and a large box of fireworks piled in the room. At first, Lü Yang did not pay much attention to these fireworks, but when Sun Haibo lit one and played with it in his hand, Lü Yang suddenly realized something. He quickly stopped the young reporter Li Ping, who was about to imitate Sun Haibo and light a firework.

These fireworks gave off very bright and dazzling light. According to Lü Yang’s guess, just like the light from a flashlight, they were the best tools to use against the Dark Predators. The Electronic Voice had said that large Safe Points provided healing and supplies. These fireworks were not randomly left there—they were weapons meant to be used against the Dark Predators!

After hearing Lü Yang’s words, everyone suddenly understood. Lü Yang took some fireworks, tied them together, and carried them on his back. He also told the others to each take some fireworks for themselves. Each person took one Lighter to light the fireworks when enemies approached.

Lü Yang gave the extra flashlight to Liu Hui and taught her how to use it when facing enemies.

…

“What did you throw away?” Lü Yang asked Liu Hui, who was following beside him, before they left the Safe Point to set off again. He saw her take something out of her pocket, look at it, and then throw it on the ground.

Lü Yang didn’t want to miss any clues. Liu Hui’s True Body from the Real world had also been dragged into the Mysterious Domain and was taking part in this third round of the game. He didn’t think it was just a random move by the Death Killer. She might be an important piece in the Death Killer’s confusing game.

“It’s the car key from before—the car we crashed into the valley. I don’t know how it ended up back with me… We changed cars, so this key is useless now.” Liu Hui picked up the car key from the ground and handed it to Lü Yang.

Lü Yang frowned. He hesitated for a moment but still told Liu Hui to keep the car key with her and not to throw away things she thought were useless without asking him first.

Liu Hui nodded obediently, appearing well-behaved as she always did.

The five of them set off again. Although Lü Yang had walked this mountain road once before with Liu Hui, it was like this time—late at night, so he couldn’t remember the way. This trip felt almost the same as the first time.

But they wouldn’t get lost. As they walked, if anyone strayed from the path, the Electronic Voice would warn them immediately, telling the player to return to the game area within five seconds. With the guidance system from the transparent map, they wouldn’t get lost as long as they followed the route step by step.

Lü Yang walked at the front to lead the way. Liu Hui held onto his arm and followed closely behind him. Behind them were Ji Zhen and Li Ping. Sun Haibo brought up the rear, holding a large Cleaver.

The second Task of safely escorting Liu Hui to Donkey Tail Town also had a time limit. Lü Yang guessed that the main goal of this third round of the game was to safely take Liu Hui to Donkey Tail Town. But for now, it was still unclear what the Death Killer’s purpose was in making this arrangement.

Based on Lü Yang’s experience in the Real world, it would be very tight to reach Donkey Tail Town and complete the second Task before the time limit.

Last time, there wasn’t much trouble on the road, but this time might be different. Lü Yang thought that the Death Killer definitely wouldn’t let them walk all the way to Donkey Tail Town easily. Rescuing Liu Hui from the Dark Kidnappers was only the first Task in this Mysterious Domain, and it was already very hard. With three players dead, he imagined that the Tasks ahead would only get more difficult.

Just as Lü Yang was thinking this, he suddenly heard some unusual noise behind him. When he looked back, he saw four Dark Kidnappers, appearing from nowhere, waving iron pipes and Cleavers as they chased and attacked Sun Haibo at the back of the group.

Without thinking, Lü Yang quickly pulled out a firework from his back, lit it, and threw it behind Sun Haibo. This special firework was much brighter than the ordinary ones Lü Yang had played with in the Real world. For a moment, an extremely dazzling light shone behind Sun Haibo. The four Dark Kidnappers covered their eyes and stopped in their tracks.

At the same time, everyone reacted. They turned around and turned on the strong light mode of their flashlights, shining them on the four Dark Kidnappers. With the bright light from the firework, they quickly broke the Black Fog Armor of the four Dark Kidnappers. Lü Yang quickly used his Handgun to take down two of them, and together with the others, they dealt with the remaining two using Cleavers.

“Always watch your back and sides. These Dark Kidnappers might be endless,” Lü Yang said seriously to everyone after defeating the four Dark Kidnappers that had suddenly appeared.

The people in this team now all followed Lü Yang’s lead. Equipped as they were, they also had some ability to fight. Without their help, Lü Yang would have found it very hard to deal with four or five Dark Kidnappers with Black Fog Armor on his own. So to keep himself safe and to complete the Task of safely escorting Liu Hui to the destination, he had to protect the whole team’s safety.

“Ah… I was too careless.” After the fight, Sun Haibo wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still shaken. If Lü Yang hadn’t reacted quickly and thrown that firework behind him, he might have been chopped into pieces by the Dark Kidnappers.

“That was terrifying!” Liu Hui held tightly onto Lü Yang’s arm, leaning close to him with a look of fear on her face.

Lü Yang glanced at Liu Hui. He felt that… he was getting a bit too close to her like this. But her gentle eyes made him hesitate when he thought about pushing her away.

Lü Yang knew this was not good. In the dangerous Mysterious Domain, he often struggled to protect himself. Now, having to protect Liu Hui made it even harder. But safely escorting Liu Hui to the next Safe Point was exactly the Task for this part of the game. So, whether from personal feelings or to complete the Task, he still had to protect Liu Hui.

So, he let her hold onto him like that.

…

“Boss, do you know this beauty?” Half an hour later, while the group rested under the light of a small Safe Point, Sun Haibo asked Lü Yang.

“Can’t you tell? She’s the boss’s Woman,” Ji Zhen said meaningfully, clearly trying to find out more about the relationship between Lü Yang and Liu Hui, probably because of his job.

Lü Yang looked at the two of them but didn’t reply. After hearing Ji Zhen’s words, Liu Hui blushed and secretly glanced at Lü Yang.

“Let’s go sit over there,” Sun Haibo said knowingly, patting Ji Zhen’s shoulder. He called Li Ping to join them as they moved a few meters away from Lü Yang and Liu Hui and sat with their backs to them, clearly wanting to give the boss and his Woman some private space.

“Are you new at being a Security Guard at the Jinda Hotel?” Li Ping asked Sun Haibo after they sat down.

“How did you know?”

“I guessed,” Li Ping smiled.

“Can you guess what I did before I became a Security Guard?” Sun Haibo rubbed his head.

“Were you in the army?”

“Heh.”

“Did I get it right?”

“Kind of…”

“If you got it right, you got it right. What do you mean ‘kind of’?” Li Ping said to Sun Haibo in a slightly teasing tone.

“I really was in the army before, just not in this country,” Sun Haibo shook his head.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were an American soldier?” Li Ping joked with Sun Haibo.

“If I wasn’t in the army here, does that mean I must be an American soldier?” Sun Haibo shook his head again.

“Then where did you serve?” Li Ping looked at Sun Haibo curiously. She always felt this man must have an interesting past.

“It might scare you if I tell you…” Sun Haibo smiled.

“I’m not that scared easily! Don’t be so mysterious…” Li Ping grew even more curious.

“I’m from the Wa ethnic group. I used to serve in the Wa State Army… I sold drugs, guarded casinos… killed people… did all kinds of bad things…” Sun Haibo narrowed his eyes, as if remembering some things from the past.

“The Wa? Like in Myanmar? Selling drugs… guarding casinos… But I think… you’re definitely not a bad person,” Li Ping said seriously, studying Sun Haibo.

“Really?” Sun Haibo looked back at Li Ping, a rare softness flashing in his eyes.

“Hehe, I think so,” Li Ping smiled again.

Ji Zhen listened bored to their conversation, unable to join in, so he got up and walked to the side. Looking at Sun Haibo and Li Ping, and Lü Yang and Liu Hui, Ji Zhen rubbed his head hard and felt as bright as the light bulb above.

…

“I didn’t expect to come back here. This place is scary, but after seeing you, I’m not afraid anymore,” Liu Hui said quietly to Lü Yang. The jokes from Ji Zhen and the others clearly made her a little shy, but a small happy look appeared on her face.

“Your stamina is much better than last time. You’re not tired after walking so long?” Lü Yang ignored her words and deliberately changed the subject.