Welcome to the Bizarre Games

Chapter 439 Determination
Zhou You can now be completely certain that this is not a trap.

However, to be honest, this is more terrifying than a trap.

Outside, pedestrians still thronged the streets.

However, at this moment, all the heads turned to the side, staring intently at Zhou You and the others.

How to describe it? It's as if you're looking at some rare animal, or an alien species that shouldn't exist in this world.

However, Zhou You ignored him and continued to ask questions.

Where is the so-called "stabilizing the territory and securing the country"?

The waiter answered with a stiff smile.

"Subdue the barbarians, pacify the land, and establish a stable and secure nation."

"What about then, and the harvest?"

This time, it was a customer next to him who answered smugly.

"With granaries full and no one suffering from hunger or cold, the year is naturally peaceful and bountiful."

"What about national peace and prosperity?"

The answer to this question comes from the actors on stage.

"If no one picks up lost items on the road and doors are left unlocked at night, then the country will be prosperous and the people at peace."

"All nations come to pay tribute?"

This time, it was everyone speaking in unison.

"Barbarians submit, our Celestial Empire stands proudly above the world, and all nations come to pay homage!"

All their eyes shone with a light, as if they truly believed it.

However, it was completely empty.

Zhou You sighed, and then finally drew his sword.

"I think I know what that old lady wants."

He looked around and shook his head.

"What she wants are people like clay sculptures, puppets who only know how to sing praises, wooden puppets without any self-awareness, who only know how to repeat themselves like a broken record."

In the end, it all turned into a soft sigh.

"Yuan Da Nao is right about this one point: you are indeed a cancer in this world. If you are not eradicated, you will never be reborn."

The moment those words were spoken.

The waiter suddenly revealed a strange smile.

Then, it was as if a curtain had been suddenly drawn back.

The entire room was transformed—

The beams and pillars were rotten, covered in mud, and countless branches hanging down like arms.

Look again at the joyful crowd from just now.

It has transformed into hundreds and thousands of ugly yet enchanting flowers, blooming in full glory throughout the city!

As for the entrance to that alley...
All that remained was a large mouth that looked like a lump of flesh.

Cang Le broke out in a cold sweat instantly.

If, if I had actually gone in as he said.
That's beyond the description of a lamb entering a tiger's den; it's like food being forcibly delivered into the other side's mouth!

"How can this be an illusion?"

However, Zhou You shook his head in denial.

"No, no, it's more like the kind of mental pollution we experienced when we were clearing out enemy positions—we've all been infected since we entered Beijing."

"So what should we do now?"

"It's alright." Zhou You flicked his longsword, and without turning around, asked.

How far is it from here to Chongwen Gate?

"We should be near Guangqumen now, not quite Chongwenmen. I haven't been here many times, how would I know?"

Just as Cang Le was scratching his head, someone behind him answered.

"About seven or eight li."

"That's it."

Zhou You nodded, and then, a murderous aura suddenly swept over him.

"—Let's use the simplest method, all the way."

"Let's fight our way out."

Yuan Chengwen gazed at the sky.

Although the snow had not yet fallen, it remained dark and heavy, as if it might fall at any moment.

Beside him, a guard was respectfully reporting the news with a stack of official documents.

"My lord, news has come from the Eight Great Families."

"How to say?"

"They said they were too busy to help themselves. A group of evil spirits seemed to be manipulated and accurately located each of their main stores. They simply couldn't spare any manpower to help, and besides, the journey was too long, so it was impossible for them to arrive in a short time."

Yuan Chengwen kept his head up, but his voice was extremely cold.

"Tell them that the old lady has now revealed her final trump card. If they don't want their whole family to be wiped out, they'd better send people here at all costs!"

He took a deep breath, and what followed was almost a roar.

"Also, don't tell me about the long journey. Don't think I don't know they all have their own secret routes. Rather than running away like a dog, we might as well do the hell out here—at least we can die with some guts!"

The guard nodded in agreement, then instructed another person to relay the message before continuing to ask calmly.

"Then, sir, is there anything else you need to instruct me to do?"

Yuan Chengwen calmed himself down and continued.

"Any news about those guys at Mabian Pass?"

"They had been adamant about not surrendering before, but after this indiscriminate black snow, those guys have said they would surrender to the revolutionaries unconditionally, and they can even be counted as part of the attack on Kyoto."

"No need. Just let them stay put. I don't want to get stabbed in the ass at a crucial moment."

Yuan Chengwen finally withdrew his gaze and looked ahead.

—This place is outside Beijing, and was considered a prosperous suburb back then.

Now, there is no one in sight, only thick black snow and countless bizarre and ugly monsters.

My own side
There were only a few thousand elite soldiers, and some people from all walks of life who came to help.

The difference in strength was so great that it was utterly hopeless.

"The original plan was to defeat them one by one, but I never expected it to end up like this."

However, there was no fear in his words.

For decades, he fawned and flattered, changed his name to escape the humiliation of being purged, and trembled with fear every time he saw the Empress Dowager.
All emotions are summed up in one sentence.

He drew his sword and flicked his finger forward.

"This is the final battle; it's all or nothing."

"But destiny is in my hands—"

In this icy and snowy landscape, everyone began their march.

Pudong.

Feng Zhengye, wrapped in a thick coat, was also looking at the same sky.

After an unknown amount of time, a subordinate came to report.

"uncle."

"Yes, I'm listening. What's wrong?"

"The ship is ready."

"Didn't they say the port was sealed off? And that all the ships had been requisitioned by the foreign devils, and that no amount of money could buy them? So where did they get these ships from?"

"Second Master had a good relationship with a foreign officer. After hearing your name, he urgently transferred a search party from the warship. Although we had to share a cabin with those sailors, at least we had a way out."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhengye suddenly laughed.

"I never expected that even though the person is dead, I would still be able to benefit from the second son's influence."

His subordinates remained silent. Feng Zhengye suddenly spoke up.

"You know what? Even though I'm the head of the family, I've always been quite jealous of my younger brother."

"Sir, time."

"listen to me."

".Yes."

Feng Zhengye looked up at the sky, but his eyes seemed to be looking at some unknown place.

After a while, he spoke again.

"Where were we talking about before? Right, you probably don't know about jealousy. My younger brother has been exceptionally talented since he was a child. Although he doesn't compete or fight, he can easily get several times, even dozens of times, more love from our parents than I do, no matter what he wants."

"The exam questions I racked my brains over for days and nights without finding the answer, he could write down the answer in a few minutes. The position of head of the family that I painstakingly obtained was nothing more than trash that he discarded like worn-out shoes."

The subordinate didn't know how to respond, and could only say one thing in the end.

"But sir, the Feng family has prospered under your leadership, and its assets have increased several times over compared to when it was under your command."

Feng Zhengye shook his head.

"—I'm saying if the second brother takes over, then it's not just a matter of several times, it could be dozens or even hundreds of times more. Do you believe me?"

His subordinates fell silent again.

And so, only Feng Zhengye's lonely voice remained.

"Most people in this world only care about the present moment, but my second brother is different. He is so talented that the world is like a huge lantern festival to him. Once he has had his fill of playing and watching, he leaves in a grand and spectacular way."

A soft sigh, full of emotion.

"To be honest, I still don't know why he made that decision, and I'm just as jealous as I want to die—he pulled this stunt, and now the world only knows the name of Master Feng, while I, the eldest master of the Feng family, am just a foil."

However, his words slowly turned into a firm resolve.

"But he is still my brother."

“He is my younger brother, Feng Zhengye, who is my flesh and blood, and my closest relative by blood.”

“I watched him grow up, but in the end, I couldn’t even see him one last time.”

"I just want to ask one question—why?"

Feng Zhengye lowered his head and said expressionlessly.

“I don’t really understand his so-called revolution, nor do I know why he has to sacrifice for those peasants, but at least I know that my Feng family has its own ancestral precepts.”

"A debt of gratitude must be repaid, and a debt of vengeance must be avenged."

"—Besides, how could I possibly watch the Empress Dowager act willfully and destroy this Han land where our Feng family is rooted?"

The subordinate whispered.

"Then, Uncle Feng, what do you mean?"

"I'm not leaving. Send a message to Yuan Da Nao and tell him."

Feng Zhengye took a deep breath and then spoke.

"My Feng family will use the full strength of our clan to help him conquer Beijing!"

On the other side, inside the city.

Old Li wiped the blood off his face and spat forcefully.

"This Empress Dowager Cixi is truly inhuman. That guy was dressed like a member of the Plain Yellow Banner, right? She even dressed her own banner like that. Has she gone mad?"

No one answered.

They had heard this phrase many times before, especially after entering the city, so everyone was squatting on the ground, taking a short but precious rest.

Their group wasn't large, but their main fighting force was the most complete—Old Man Li, Lady Hua, Hanlu, and a dozen or so disciples known for their martial prowess—so they quickly recognized that something was amiss in the city.

Then came the continuous fighting.

until now.

"Damn it, how far are we from Andingmen?"

Still no one answered.

Logically speaking, it should have been Lady Hua, the local strongman, who gave directions. However, when Old Man Li looked up, he only saw Lady Hua beside Hanlu, whispering something to her.

"Forget about flowers, I'll ask someone else."

Old Li stood up shakily, intending to ask someone nearby for a map.

As for Lady Hua's side...
Hidden behind the perfumed powder, a secret technique used in brothels, she whispered to Hanlu.

"Once you're here, can you sense where that thing is?"

Hanlu held a finger bone in her hand, remained silent for a long time, and then spoke.

"I can only make a rough estimate, but it is definitely within this Dharma realm."

Hua Niangzi looked at her and then said with a hint of pity.

"You've all suffered so much over the years, all for this one goal, and now even the remnants are almost gone. Was it worth it?"

Hanlu smiled faintly.

“There’s no question of whether it’s worth it or not. The Wing King gave everyone hope, so everyone is willing to repay that kindness with their lives. As for me, you know my identity, so there’s no need to say more.”

Hua Niangzi sighed softly.

"Well, I can't really say anything, but the key is still in that young lad's hands. I hope nothing goes wrong with him."

Hanlu answered softly.

"I believe in him."

"Is it because he is the chosen one?"

He shook his head, but his words became increasingly firm.

“Not only that, I’ve been watching him all along. He’s very much like the Wing King, but he’s completely different from the Wing King. Others may have failed, but he will definitely succeed.”

Hua Niangzi seemed to want to say something, but just then, a greeting suddenly came from Li Laotou's side.

"Damn it, we've gone astray! Oh well, it's time. Everyone get ready and continue heading towards the imperial palace!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Hua had no choice but to withdraw her secret technique. However, as she stood up, she seemed to suddenly remember something extremely important and looked at Han Lu in astonishment.

"Can't you wait a minute? Your clan is... Hey, listen to me!"

However, Hanlu did not provide her with an answer.

The other person simply stood up, a firm smile on their face, a folding fan in their hand, and continued walking down the gloomy road ahead.

the other side.

Wan Ren swung his sword, splitting the grotesque body in two—yet even so, the creature was not dead for the time being, and even struggled to stand up, trying to tear at the body with its mouthful of sharp teeth.

But the next second, a large copper hammer smashed down on his head, completely crushing him into a pile of mud.

Cang Le stopped singing his lyrics, panting and covered in mud, but still beaming with joy.

"As expected of the Yuan family's treasured hide, the donkey hide mixed with the blood of the demon horse has extraordinary effects. Even if we don't care about anything else, these few hides alone are worth the risk!"

You're not nervous at all!

Zhou You glanced at him and then continued.

“How many people are there now?”

"Since we set off, three people have already died, but fortunately, their bodies have all been recovered, and after cremation, they won't have been mixed into this demon city."

Zhou You's face was somewhat gloomy.

Those who came with him were all renowned experts, yet even so, they still perished.
The perilous nature of this city is thus evident.

But he didn't say much, just wiped his face and continued to ask.

"How far is it from Chongwen Gate?"

"It shouldn't be far now, no, we've already arrived!"

Zhou You looked up and realized that the curtain in front of him had shattered as if it had been ripped open.

then.

A tall, vermilion, and imposing gate, yet seemingly stained with blood, was already in sight.

same.

They are far removed from the culprits who brought about the downfall of the world.
It's so close!

(End of this chapter)