Forbidden Zone of Deception

Chapter 177 Amber Liquid

The text message that popped up from the reincarnation system shocked Zhou Chen.

A mysterious lawyer?
Hidden profession?

Globally, information about reincarnators is complex and varied, and there are indeed various claims about hidden professions. However, most of these are just rumors and there are no officially recognized hidden professions.

Now, the reincarnation system itself has verified that there really are hidden professions?
He had used the [Rules Code] in the past, but had never detected the so-called "deceptive lawyer".

Since it's described as a hidden profession, the Cunning Lawyer must be a Reincarnator!
Therefore, this so-called "trick lawyer" is most likely within the Nirvana team!

Of course, there is another possibility: Han Wei! After all, this is Han Wei's first time entering as a temporary member of the Crimson Team, and he has never used the [Rule Codex] when he was in the same instance as Han Wei in the past.

At the same time, the [Rules Code] also analyzed the rules he photographed, allowing him to fully understand the truth behind the rules.

"Commander Zhou?"

Han Wei suddenly smiled at Zhou Chen and said, "Have you come up with a strategy?"

To be honest, Han Wei is also feeling frustrated right now.

The Gu worms alone killed seven people by puncturing the balloons, and then two more were killed by the Self-Defense Forces.

Now, it seems Zhou Chen still has a way?

"Commander, tell me your plan!" Ruan Hong was also feeling extremely aggrieved. "I must kill Yu Tianlun with my own hands!"

Yu Tianlun...

Zhou Chen felt that if this so-called "deceptive lawyer" was indeed part of the Nirvana team, Yu Tianlun was highly suspicious.

But then again, what exactly are the professional skills required for a "mysterious lawyer"? The reincarnation system hadn't provided any information on this. How could he ascertain this, and how could he report it?
The reincarnation system quickly sent another notification.

"Zhou Chen, you only have one chance to report your identity as a reincarnated lawyer to the Reincarnation System. If the report fails, your [Rule Code] ability will be stripped. Regardless of whether the report is successful or not, the Reincarnation System will erase your memories of the lawyer."

Hint: The profession of the "trickster lawyer" is related to the rules themselves.

Upon seeing this text, Zhou Chen's expression immediately turned ugly again.

Deprive [the Code of Rules] of its authority?
The price was considerable!

He was able to obtain it by relying on Wu Zhiping's reminder and figuring out the truth behind the rules in the "Note Left by Mom" ​​dungeon world.

Wu Zhiping is dead. Nowadays, there are probably only a handful of people in the entire Muxu City who have the same abilities as him.

He survived to this day, becoming a Level 3 Reincarnator at the young age of 18, earning him the title of a genius Reincarnator. The Codex of Rules can be said to have played a crucial role in this achievement.

However, the reward is just too tempting!
With the [Undying Pardon Token], entering the quarantine zone will be absolutely safe from now on, and he will no longer need to consider which terrifying dungeons to enter. The ten Resentment Crystal Shards are also enough for him to enhance rule-based items or comprehend rule-based class skills.

Most importantly, he can advance to LV4!

It's worth the gamble!
He needs to rescue Qin Mei, and at the same time find this so-called charlatan lawyer!
The reincarnation system seems to be very wary of this eccentric lawyer, and even wants to completely erase his memories?
A profession related to rules...

Does this profession involve interpreting rules, or... granting exemption from the negative consequences of violating rules?

It can't be...

Can't we just modify the rules directly?
Upon realizing this, he immediately dismissed the idea.

Rules are sacred. Almost every career guidance NPC will say this.

Currently, the Concealment Array can hide them, and even balloons cannot find them for the time being.

However, this formation cannot be maintained indefinitely.

Zhou Chen looked at the six team members sitting around him, each of them with varying degrees of anxiety on their faces.

After all, everyone thought that this time, he would easily defeat them, except for Yu Tianlun, who might be a bit troublesome. However, with the two captains, Zhou Chen and Qin Mei, joining forces, defeating him would be almost no problem.

"Don't look so gloomy. We still have an overwhelming advantage over Nirvana. Have you forgotten who I am?"

Zhou Chen looked at Han Wei and said, "Han Wei, confirm Jiang Jin's location again."

Han Wei continued sensing: "Northwest direction, 1.2 kilometers away, almost no movement. They really are fearless, knowing I'm here, yet they dare to stay there motionless?"

“It’s precisely because you’re here,” Zhou Chen said, “that going anywhere is the same. It’s better to stay in a fixed location, set up traps, and wait for us to arrive so you can turn the tables on us.”

Zhou Chen knows Yu Tianlun very well. If he hadn't encountered the Hundred Ghosts Parade instance back then, he would probably be a LV4 peak reincarnator now, and there might even be a glimmer of hope that he could become a LV5!

Duan She took out a ghost-raising jar from his Reincarnator watch, from which came sounds like a baby crying. "That bitch Shirakawa Rin, I'm going to stuff her into my jar!"

Ruan Hong suddenly plunged her dagger into the floor: "Commander Zhou, can't we just charge in? My 'Blood Infant Curse' is already—"

“No.” Zhou Chen interrupted her. “Yu Tianlun dares to stay there without moving, so he must have enough leverage. Besides, Qin Mei is in their hands, so it would be best if they could rescue her.”

At this moment, team member Lu Cun suddenly coughed violently. The gaunt sorcerer spat out a rusty talisman: "Team leader, I used the 'Yin Coin Asking the Way' method to check. There is a Bagua formation interfering with the Nirvana team. A strong attack will trigger a backlash."

“As expected, Yu Tianlun is truly worthy of the name. In that case… let’s use a remote curse to kill them.” Zhou Chen looked at Ruan Hong and Lu Cun, “You two work together to plant a ‘trigger’ for them. Don’t make it too obvious, after all, they have hostages.”

Ruan Hong grinned, revealing her black teeth.

She had dreadlocks and seven ordination scars on her head—each scar containing a human tooth!
Ruan Hong grinned maliciously and said, "A few months ago in the Thai [Evil Curse] instance, I happened to collect the resentment of seven dead infants."

She caressed the human skin drum at her waist and said, "When combined with Lu Cun's exorcism technique, it can make black lines slowly grow in their internal organs, but they won't be able to sense it."

“Not enough.” Zhou Chen shook his head. “Yu Tianlun’s Taoist robe can block curse attacks. What I need is one that can bypass the defenses…”

"How about using this?" Tang Min suddenly asked.

The healer, wearing a medical mask, took out a glass jar from the Reincarnator's watch. Inside were three lung lobe specimens floating in it. "Radiation-damaged organs brought out last week from the [Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl] instance. When used with the 'decay rune,' they can induce malignant proliferation of the organs."

"Good idea. But... Han Wei, are you sure the hunting mark you placed won't be removed?"

Zhou Chen wasn't sure what abilities the mysterious lawyer possessed, so he felt somewhat uneasy.

Han Wei revealed a confident smile: "The mark is planted on his left shoulder. It cannot be removed unless I die. Rest assured, I have used this move to track down seventeen reincarnators in the [Hill of Silence] instance before, and I have never failed."

"【Silent Hill】? Isn't that Silent Hill?" Tang Min exclaimed, "You've been to that instance? I've always wanted to buy the syringe from the Faceless Nurse in that instance from the market."

"Luckily, I didn't die. I only entered the [Hill of Silence] in the mysterious layer, and didn't dare to go any deeper." Han Wei felt goosebumps all over his body when he recalled that instance. Silent Hill was a place that was more terrifying than hell.

“Alright,” Zhou Chen decided. “Ruan Hong, prepare the ‘Blood Infant Descent’; Lu Cun, inscribe the Victory Array; Tang Min, create the Decay Talisman. Remember, only plant the catalyst, do not trigger it. Do not cause a significant drop in SAN value, and do not let them discover it.”

A muffled thud suddenly came from the sky.

Everyone instantly went into battle mode until they realized it was a crow that had crashed into a tree branch.

"Phew...what a scare."

After observing the on-the-spot reactions of his temporary team members, Han Wei couldn't help but sigh: the Blood Lord's team was indeed composed of elites.

Ruan Hong thrives in Thai-style horror dungeons and is known as the "Ghost Witch." She once used black magic to kill an entire team. Lu Cun's curse spell caused NPCs in three dungeons to hang themselves. Duan She, a soul-refining master, can be considered a direct descendant of the Blood Lord.

Suddenly, through the demon bone's vision, Han Wei learned that a human head balloon was approaching, and then the steel cable got tangled around the branch that the crow had just hit!
Then... several Self-Defense Force members came over, and actually picked up flamethrowers and started burning the balloon!

Of course, even at such a close distance, the Self-Defense Force members could not see the members of the Scarlet Team.

But then, a large amount of amber liquid spilled from the burning balloon!
"Close your eyes!" Zhou Chen shouted, activating the Hidden Breath Array at the same time. The array unfolded to form a light screen, keeping the liquid outside.

The liquid made a corrosive "sizzling" sound when it came into contact with the light screen.

After the Self-Defense Force members left, looking at the balloons that had been burned to ashes, Zhou Chen suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable on his face.

Before long, everyone began to feel something was wrong with their skin.

"It's memetic contamination!" Ruan Hong ripped open her collar. "The feel of my skin..." "Quiet!" Zhou Chen suddenly raised his hand. "Don't be afraid! You'll recover once you leave the instance!"

Zhou Chen had already deciphered all the rules through the [Codex of Rules], and knew that this meant their skin was beginning to turn into nylon.

Then, Zhou Chen looked at Ruan Hong, "What is the maximum casting range of your 'Blood Infant Descent'? We need to be prepared for the possibility of it moving after Nirvana."

Blood Infant Curse is a new curse technique that Ruan Hong recently obtained through the [Evil Curse] dungeon, and it has been used in actual combat relatively few times.

Ruan Hongzheng pricked her fingertip with a silver needle and dripped blood into a skull she had retrieved from a watch: "Three kilometers in a straight line. Don't worry."

Lu Cun suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a clump of sticky fluid tangled in his hair: "Commander, the Victory Formation is complete."

He pointed to the ground—the eerie runes drawn with black dog blood had taken shape, and seven scarecrows were placed in the center.

"With the help of Ruan Hong's black magic, this time we'll definitely show the Nirvana team how powerful we are!"

“That’s not enough,” Tang Min said coldly as she drew symbols on the radioactive lung lobes. “My ‘decay symbol’ will subject their organs to the horrors of Chernobyl nuclear radiation within a week.”

Zhou Chen looked at the monitor screen. More and more balloons descended from the sky, and the sky over Black Crow Town was almost completely covered by a giant human face.

"Ruan Hong immediately administers the 'Blood Catalyst' to the Nirvana team, while Lu Cun and Tang Min prepare a combined curse attack. Han Wei continues to monitor Jiang Jin, and Meng Chang uses 'Soul Communication Technique' to investigate the balloon's anomaly." He paused, "Duan She, after the last enhancement with the resentment crystal fragments, how many spirits can your 'Ghost-Raising Jar' hold?"

Duan She revealed a cruel smile: "I just took to the air, so it can easily hold twenty vengeful ghosts."

“Very good.” Zhou Chen pointed to the northwest. “That’s enough.”

Ruan Hong has completed the black magic ritual. The small skull floats in the center of the magic array, and the seven human teeth on its head emit a faint green light.

She slit her wrist, letting the blood drip onto the skull: "Blood as the catalyst, resentment as the medium... I've found him!" She suddenly widened her eyes, "Yu Tianlun's soul fluctuations... I see him, he's in the abandoned textile factory in the northwest!"

Lu Cun immediately turned the scarecrow around.

Tang Min then took out three talismans and affixed them to the radioactive lung lobe: "The decay talismans are ready, and can be used at any time."

A deafening explosion suddenly erupted outside the woods.

A self-defense force squad is bombarding a swarm of balloons in the sky with rocket launchers. The hit balloons burst, spewing out waterfalls of amber liquid!
"Ignore them!" Zhou Chen ordered. "Ruan Hong uses Bloodlust, Lu Cun activates the Suppressive Victory Formation! Target Yu Tianlun first!"

"Is this only targeting Yu Tianlun?"

"Hmm. I'd like to test the waters first..."

Let's test him to see if he's a charlatan lawyer!
As Ruan Hong recited the last incantation, the little skull suddenly split open, and seven lines of blood shot towards the northwest.

Lu Cun then bit off his own little finger, which turned into black smoke within the divination array. Then, a new little finger grew back!
Tang Min's decay symbol spontaneously combusted without a flame, and the radioactive lung lobe was instantly carbonized.

"It's done!" Ruan Hong screamed excitedly, "The blood infant has been implanted into Yu Tianlun's body!"

Tang Min also said, "Next, Yu Tianlun's organs will continue to be exposed to nuclear radiation!"

After a while, the medium Meng Chang said to Zhou Chen, "I found an abandoned izakaya, which is perfect for us to stay in temporarily!"

"it is good……"

……

"boom!"

Duan She kicked open the back door of the izakaya, and the infant spirit in the ghost-raising jar immediately rushed out, hovering and guarding the dim space.

"Safe." Duan She turned around and reported, the black magic tattoo on his neck glowing dark red.

Zhou Chen was the last to enter, and he immediately stuck three talismans on the door to seal the cracks.

The cinnabar runes on the talisman paper came to life the moment they touched the wooden door, wriggling and burrowing in like earthworms.

This is a "talisman to ward off evil spirits," which can also temporarily deceive the balloon's senses.

Inside the izakaya, a half-empty glass of moldy sake sat on the bar, an overturned stool stood in the corner, and even a small blackboard with "Today's Recommendation" hanging by the kitchen door—the words "Salt-grilled mackerel" had faded.

A body lay on the ground, its head shriveled like a deflated balloon, clearly indicating that the person had died after the balloon had burst.

Han Wei leaned against the faded ukiyo-e wallpaper and said, "Jiang Jin's location hasn't changed yet. As expected, the Nirvana team is unaware of our curse."

Lu Cun used lucky charms to set up an array on the tatami mat. Hearing this, he looked up and said, "Haha, I'm really looking forward to seeing Yu Tianlun's expression then!"

Zhou Chen walked to the bar and took out an unopened bottle of Dassai from the dusty glass cabinet. It was a high-end Japanese sake.

"Tang Min, examine the body."

The masked sorcerer knelt in the corner of the izakaya, examining the corpse.

The corpse's head was completely shriveled, like nylon fibers, as if something had sucked the blood and flesh dry from the inside.

“There are no bones, nerve tissue, or brain tissue inside the skull anymore…” Tang Min used her medical scissors to pick up the nylon fibers, then punctured them with the tip of the scissors, and amber-colored viscous fluid flowed out, “just like the liquid that comes out of those balloons that were burned outside.”

Meng Chang's medium's eye observed: "This kind of meme contamination is really terrifying. Are we... starting to become like this now?"

The air inside the izakaya froze instantly.

Lu Cun's lucky charm floated in mid-air, Ruan Hong gripped the human skin drum tightly, and Han Wei silently placed his hand on his hunting rifle.

Zhou Chen slowly poured himself a glass of sake.

The eighteen-year-old's face, though showing signs of age in the dim light, revealed a hint of weariness: "Han Wei, you continue to monitor Jiang Jin, the rest of you..."

He tapped the rim of his glass lightly with his fingertips and said, "Let's rest for two hours first."

After everyone dispersed, Zhou Chen walked alone to the second floor of the izakaya. A row of employee photos hung on the wall in the stairwell, and the last one caught his attention—the young waitress in an apron had a bright smile, but there was a noticeable ring-shaped bruise on her neck.

The photo is captioned in the corner: "Miyoko, intern."

The sliding door to the private room on the second floor was wide open, with playing cards and empty beer cans scattered all over the floor.

Zhou Chen's gaze was drawn to the decoration in the niche: a crudely made teru teru bozu (Japanese teru bozu doll), hanging from a wooden frame with a hemp rope, and a strange smile drawn on the doll's face in red pen.

Downstairs, Han Wei was checking the expiration dates of canned goods in the kitchen.

At that moment, he suddenly felt pain in his left shoulder, so he pulled open his clothes—on his left scapula, a tattoo of the number "29" was clearly visible.

"I heard this is a side effect of the memetic contamination you suffered in the [Fox Stairs] instance?" Zhou Chen narrowed his eyes.

Han Wei's expression instantly darkened, quickly masking his unease: "Commander Zhou is very interested in my affairs?"

"Just checking the risks," Zhou Chen said. "The curse on the twenty-ninth step will attract certain 'things,' making it especially dangerous in this instance."

Han Wei suddenly laughed and said, "Don't worry, I can still control it for now."

Then, he opened a can of mackerel. "Commander, did you just use the [Codex of Rules]?"

Zhou Chen did not answer.

He looked out the window and saw two huge human-shaped balloons slowly floating over the convenience store roof, their hanging ropes swaying gently in the wind, as if searching for something.

Suddenly, Lu Cun's exclamation came from downstairs. When the two rushed down, they saw a crowd surrounding Tang Min—her mask had somehow slipped down, revealing the lower half of her face.

Amber liquid was constantly seeping from her cheeks!
"When did this happen?" Zhou Chen asked sternly.

Tang Min was terrified and said, "When I was dealing with that body..."

Her trembling finger pointed to her medical kit: "My treatment was completely ineffective!"

(End of this chapter)