I discovered a world bug.

Chapter 118 Viewing the World

The meeting ended, and all plans were basically finalized.

Although no one knows how to enter that so-called "realm," or the Taoist temple that was built by the "earth immortals" and does not exist in this world, the candidates to enter the temple have already been determined.

Chen Zhu — she was particularly proactive in this matter.

Lin Shu didn't really understand, and even thought the whole thing was a bit unusual.

Although I haven't known Chen Zhu for long, in my impression, she is actually a relatively... low-key person.

It's not simply caution, it's just keeping a low profile.

Often, she prefers to hide behind others.

Even when forced to stand in the spotlight, they always put on a mask.

So what happened this time?

Eager to make a name for himself?

It doesn't seem like it either.

However, no matter what, the plan has already been set, so the work that needs to be done must be done.

"Next, we will conduct two divination sessions."

Leading Chen Zhu into the prepared conference room, Lin Shu began, "For the first session, we'll conduct a directional divination, which involves using the 24 categories of deities and the yarrow stalk and tortoise shell divination ritual to determine potential problems that may arise in your work."

"In the second round, we will conduct a death divination to determine whether you will encounter any danger of death during this mission."

"If there is a confirmed risk of death, then we must replace the person no matter what."

"So, do you agree?"

"I agree."

Chen Zhu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the strange items.

"Perfectly reasonable."

"But... what if I can't extract any useful information from the divination results?"

"That depends on you."

Lin Shu replied, "You said it yourself, your observation skills are stronger than others, so interpreting signs shouldn't be difficult..."

No.

Chen Zhu sighed.

"Actually, these two are not the same thing at all—connecting signs to reality and deducing from reality in reverse places completely opposite demands on human logical thinking."

"Although they all look like 'Lenovo,' actually... well, give it a try anyway."

"Let me make this clear first: if I don't get a clear answer, I'll still go."

Why be so persistent?

Lin Shu finally asked the question.

He handed Chen Zhu the incense paper, tortoise shell, and yarrow stalks needed for the yarrow stalk divination ritual. Chen Zhu took them one by one and placed them on the ground.

It's not about being persistent...

She lowered her head, carefully manipulating the yarrow stalks on the ground.

He exuded a strange kind of piety.

—It's not the kind of piety that's related to "religion".

It's more like...

A firm belief in what is about to happen.

"I know this is indeed difficult to understand."

Chen Zhu raised his head.

"I don't actually have much of an advantage in this task."

"In terms of adaptability and mental fortitude, I am definitely not as good as Jin Yue and his group."

"In terms of understanding of rituals, I am no match for Lu Ran, or the other religious personnel in the group."

"Not to mention you... you're already capable of carrying the burden on your own."

"No matter how you look at it, this job shouldn't have been my turn."

"But the good thing is that it really does carry some risks."

"In the face of risks, my value is less than yours, which is why I got this opportunity."

After Chen Zhu finished speaking, Lin Shu fell silent.

Very explicit.

It even reveals a touch of coldness and meticulousness.

But that's the reality.

What truly gave Chen Zhu this opportunity was not entirely her "ability," but also the "risk control indicators" meticulously designed by the organization.

Letting her go is actually a relatively good choice in terms of risk and reward.

This is the reason.

Of course, these are things that are best left unsaid; it's best to keep them to yourself.

Seeing Lin Shu's hesitant expression, Chen Zhu chuckled.

"Didn't I tell you?"

...You're absolutely right.

Lin Shu was both amused and exasperated.

"But what's there to be proud of?"

"No, I'm just simply happy."

Chen Zhu paused for a moment, then continued, "Let's get back to the original topic, about why I wanted to go so much."

"Actually, the answer is quite simple... because it's a 'questioning of the heart'."

"According to Liu Jian—although he didn't reveal the true nature of the so-called 'Questioning the Heart,' we can infer that it's a kind of...illusionary realm capable of judging a person's true heart, right?"

"That's roughly it."

Lin Shu nodded.

"It's similar to a certain ritual—the Yinshan ritual can also produce a similar effect, but it's much weaker and has significant side effects."

"understand."

Chen Zhu continued, "That's why I'm going to give it a try."

"Because from my childhood until now, I have never truly known myself."

...What do you mean by that?

Lin Shu looked at Chen Zhu with a puzzled expression.

What does it mean to not recognize oneself?

"It's hard to explain—but you can imagine my abilities."

"Profiling... is a special talent."

"This thing is very useful in the field of criminal investigation."

"But in real life, it's completely different..."

Chen Zhu picked up the lighter and started clicking it repeatedly in his hand.

"Imagine a child who has been exceptionally sensitive since childhood."

"She can see and feel many things that ordinary people cannot."

"She has a natural talent for reading micro-expressions; all lies fall apart in front of her."

"She has a special sensitivity to her environment and can read the meaning behind all the traces in it."

"She can reconstruct the actions of the person who left the traces based on these environments, and even deduce their thoughts at the time."

Do you know what this means?

"This means that the child lives in a transparent world."

"There's a little story—when I was in junior high, I went to a classmate's house to play."

"Their family was very welcoming to me. They offered me fruit and let me watch TV, and they even gave me a red envelope."

"But I only stayed at her house for half an hour and then left, and I never went back after that. My relationship with that classmate also became distant."

Do you know why?

"Forehead..

Lin Shu pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Because their family doesn't actually welcome you?"

"Yes."

Chen Zhu nodded.

"To be precise, it's not that welcome."

Her mother still had chili peppers on her hands from accidentally cutting vegetables, but there were no vegetables or food in the kitchen.

Traces.

"The Coke bottle she gave me was soaked with water, and the classmate's desk was also wet."

"She invited me, but when I messaged her, she didn't reply for 20 minutes."

"And that's when I realized she was just saying it as a polite remark."

"...Maybe she was busy with something else and forgot to reply?"

Lin Shu shrugged.

"This can't be considered an act of unwelcoming you, can it?"

"yes."

Chen Zhu looked at Lin Shu.

"A normal person would think that way, so even though I felt something was off, I still went."

"But after I went there, I realized I was right."

"Normally, when classmates come over to play, no one will hide the food they are cooking, nor will anyone take the drinks out of the refrigerator so far in advance."

"Mom, her parents stopped what they were doing to come and greet me."

"But they didn't want me to stay for dinner, so they made it seem like they weren't planning on cooking."

"The drink was on her desk, but she didn't have time to drink it, so she gave it to me."

"Hearing that, doesn't it feel kind of...uncomfortable?"

"It's quite uncomfortable."

Lin Shu nodded slowly.

"But sometimes people don't need to be so sensitive—they are at least outwardly very friendly to you."

"That's the crux of the problem."

Chen Zhu's tone became somewhat low.

"Many things start from the surface—on the surface, there is enthusiasm, sincerity, and affection."

"Slowly, as time goes by, the surface will become the substance."

"To become genuine passion, genuine sincerity, and genuine love."

"But I can never go through this process, neither for me nor for others."

"So, that's the crux of the matter."

"Because of this talent, I can see the world very clearly."

"But at the same time, the so-called 'real' world that I encountered also isolated me from this world."

"I'm slowly becoming...unable to see myself clearly."

"That's why I'm entering this 'Questioning the Mind' game."

"Because I feel that this could be an opportunity for me."

"Understood."

Lin Shu said no more.

He could vaguely imagine that scene.

A little girl, holding a bottle of soda that was no longer cold, walked out of her classmate's house and politely said "Goodbye Auntie, goodbye Uncle" to the people inside the door, and then walked down the stairs alone.

No one saw her off; her footsteps sounded lonely.

No wonder...

He sighed.

"Alright, let's do it your way."

I will do everything I can to support you.

"So... I hope this divination will have a good result."

"Um!"

Chen Zhu nodded emphatically.

"Do you want to stay here, or leave?"

"I'll be watching over you, don't worry."

Chen Zhu nodded again.

Then she turned around and picked up the yarrow stalks.