Chapter 293: What Do You Mean! Aren’t I Putting My Life on the Line?
Now that we know the main objective, we should predict and fill in the details.
The Chosen Ones need to search for valuable items along the way to trade with residents and passersby, until they’ve gathered enough raincoats and umbrellas to clear the level.
At this stage, some Chosen Ones have already figured out certain key points one by one, they just haven’t been able to connect them all together.
Take the two Chosen Ones who messed around earlier—they realized they needed to trade, which is why they planned to head back to the villa.
That decision led to one of them dying and the other getting injured.
Their idea was sound, but they couldn’t go against the hidden information within the rules.
This is exactly why Zhang Yangqing always stays calm—because he has a goal and a direction. He plans ahead.
But here’s the problem: this level only has four hours left, and time is tight.
Four hours might not seem short back on Blue Star.
But right now, all the Chosen Ones feel like it’s not enough. Danger could strike at any moment along the way, and dealing with threats while making progress—both take time.
So with that in mind, most of the Chosen Ones quicken their pace.
An ominous aura keeps spreading along the road. Even though the Chosen Ones have grown bolder, the moment their guide dogs stop, they know—what’s coming has finally arrived.
According to the A-rank demon, two paths lie ahead.
This is where the Chosen Ones start falling one after another.
The trees lining the left path are tall and dense, making it look deeply eerie and terrifying.
As the Chosen Ones draw near, they can feel a chill in the air, along with faint sounds coming from afar.
There’s also a battered wooden signpost by the roadside, but the words on it have faded beyond recognition due to age. When the A-rank demon went up to inspect it, he noticed some large footprints on the ground.
According to him, they looked like tracks left by some kind of bizarre creature—not human, nor any ordinary animal.
The right path, on the other hand, is much muddier—almost like a swamp. Stand too long and you’d start sinking.
When the A-rank demon checked it out, he said he spotted wheel ruts on this road, as if a carriage had passed through recently.
But here’s the twist—after walking a short distance further, the A-rank demon added that he seemed to have found the wreckage of a carriage on the right path, with half of it already sunken into the mud.
Most importantly, the moon hangs right between the two roads, not leaning toward either side. So which path to choose—that’s up to the Chosen Ones themselves to decide.
In theory, danger lurks on both sides. Ramirez, the Chosen One from Argentina, is weighing his options—which side is more dangerous?
Is there anyone nearby he could sacrifice to scout ahead for him?
But waiting around won’t solve anything. He decides to step forward and feel the ground himself, hoping to find some clues.
Are there any smells on those footprints? Are they fresh or old? How deep are the wheel ruts? How did that carriage overturn?
He needs to think all of this through carefully.
Sidney, the holy knight from Ramen Country, has some experience, but not enough. He’s been lingering here for quite a while too.
And it’s not just him—many Chosen Ones are stuck at this spot. It’s just a small choice, really.
But they all know that choosing wrong means death.
Yet when the audience looks at Dragon Country’s screen, they see that this one didn’t hesitate at all—he strode straight toward the muddy right path.
The viewers just can’t understand it. How did Celestial Master Zhang determine which way was correct?
But since he chose that path, it must be the right one.
As for those Chosen Ones who took the wrong turn—well, the audience can hardly bear to watch.
The truth is, Zhang Yangqing didn’t even need to go inspect anything. The moment the loli girl finished explaining the situation, he already knew the right path was the one on the right.
Because the other Chosen Ones haven’t noticed the hint hidden in the rules yet—but Zhang Yangqing has.
On the left, aren’t both sides of the road lined with tall, dense trees?
And isn’t it dark and sinister?
If the trees are tall and thick, that means anyone walking that road won’t be able to see the moon.
【Rule 2: The end of the night road lies in the direction of the moon. Please get out as soon as possible.】
If you can’t even see the moon, then that road is obviously not the right one.
Taking that path will definitely get you attacked by a bizarre creature.
But the creature won’t strike immediately—it’ll wait until you’ve gone a fair distance down the wrong path before attacking.
That gives the Chosen Ones a bit of time to react. If they don’t catch on in time, not even the gods could save them.
So the swampy path on the right is the correct one.
But then the next scene left the audience stunned. At this stage, screen after screen went dark—a full 30 Chosen Ones were killed by bizarre creatures, and even the supernaturals among them weren’t spared.
The first 11 Chosen Ones chose the wrong path—the audience could understand that.
But why were the next 19 also attacked? That made no sense to the viewers—they had all chosen the right path too.
And how did the ones who survived manage to dodge the attacks?
This made the audience feel like the Weird World was starting to rely on sheer luck.
At this stage, the surviving Chosen Ones were too busy progressing to explain anything to the audience.
Since the viewers were watching through the screens, and the Chosen Ones’ displays were quite dim—making even the road conditions hard to see—it was seasoned off-site “expert” Rahman, a veteran from Pyramid Country, who stepped in to clarify.
He explained: “The left path doesn’t show the moon, so it’s a dead end. The right path works the same way. Didn’t you notice that when the Chosen Ones stopped, their screens dimmed for a moment? That’s when clouds blocked the moon—and that’s also the wrong time to move forward. You can only proceed once the clouds clear.”
“Also, look at those who made it through—when the sky darkens, they quickly move onto the carriage wreckage, stepping on it to avoid sinking into the mud. They wait there until the moon reappears, and then they continue.”
Even after hearing Rahman’s analysis, the audience felt like their heads were about to explode.
Keep in mind, most of the Chosen Ones are blind—they can’t see the moonlight at all.
That means if they can’t pick up on the hint from the left path—the hidden clue about leaves blocking the moonlight—they won’t think to have their A-rank demon constantly remind them whether the moon is obscured.
After all, the Chosen Ones can’t see—and that’s the real challenge of the Weird World.
The trap hinted at on the left also exists on the right.
Knowing which way to go isn’t enough—if you can’t predict the dangers that lie ahead on the right, you’re still dead.
The carriage wreckage here is actually the second hidden clue, warning Chosen Ones that danger awaits at this spot and reminding them to stay alert.
After all, a carriage got wrecked here—doesn’t that mean someone broke the rules and got attacked?
If a Chosen One misses both of the Weird World’s hidden hints, then death is the only outcome.
Even if they missed the clue on the left but only realize the danger when they reach this point, they might still have a chance to save themselves.
From here on, the Chosen Ones become even more cautious.
Watching the surviving Chosen Ones tread carefully, the audience couldn’t help but sigh.
“The Weird World is getting harder and harder. If I had to go through this level, I’d die no matter which path I chose.”
“You’re still better off—if it were me, I probably wouldn’t even get past the first eating segment. Anyone who makes it this far has real skill. I truly admire them. Salute to every clearer!”
“I can’t even understand how the Chosen Ones can pick the right direction from all that intel and rules. If I went in, I wouldn’t even know what to do.”
“It’s all about experience. The more you watch, the more you pick up. And after surviving in the Weird World, your experience grows. Look at Dragon Country’s Celestial Master—his judgment speed is inhuman. He only takes a few seconds to decide.”
“But here’s the thing—it’s like when I go to a job interview and the boss says I lack experience. But if he won’t give me the job, how am I supposed to gain any?”
This is a common problem for many supernaturals. Are they incompetent? Definitely not.
A few of them actually performed quite well this time.
Watching from the outside only gives you a rough idea of what to do. You only truly know the specifics once you’re inside.
Many supernaturals have the ability to clear the level—they just lack the experience, which is why they fall in the Weird World.
But experience is something you can only get by going in.
Experience is earned with your life—there’s no doubt about that.
Those who survive will only grow stronger.
Of course, most viewers think Dragon Country’s representative is the exception.
If Zhang Yangqing knew that, he’d definitely say: What do you mean! Aren’t I putting my life on the line?
And if Rahman heard him say that, he’d definitely reply: Yeah, yeah, you’re putting other people’s lives on the line, aren’t you!
Ever since the very first trial, when Rahman and Zhang Yangqing went in together, Rahman knew—once this guy gets used to the Weird World, he becomes absolutely terrifying.
Others are still figuring out how not to get toyed with by the Weird World’s horrors—and this guy is thinking about how to toy with them instead.
Rahman is envious of Dragon Country’s Celestial Master and his unparalleled strength. He fantasizes about having that kind of power—clearing levels would be a piece of cake!
But here’s the thing—what Rahman finds truly terrifying is that even if Zhang Yangqing had no power at all, even if he were just an ordinary person, Rahman still believes he could clear the level—and even score a perfect run.
Because only those in the know realize that Zhang Yangqing has probably already figured out most of the choices—he just can’t be bothered to play along and chooses to bulldoze through with brute force instead.
What can you do? The guy’s got that kind of power.
If he hadn’t figured things out and just relied on force after making a wrong call—like Gregori often does—a lot of clearers would call him out for it.
But with Zhang Yangqing, even other clearers have nothing to say.
Most people only see the arrogant side of him in the Weird World—but only a few notice the details.
That’s what Rahman admires. A true six-sided warrior, in every sense.
Inside the Weird World, the Chosen Ones who barely scraped through this stage were drenched in sweat, feeling like they’d just walked back from the gates of hell.
“I should’ve summoned more demons earlier. I shouldn’t have tried to save my lifespan.”
Kim Jeong-ki grumbled under his breath, but he kept moving forward.
The moon had come back out, but time had already passed.
Having spent so long in a blind state, many Chosen Ones had developed a decent sense of time.
It was probably around 2:20 AM now—roughly twenty minutes since leaving the villa.
There’s no turning back once you’ve shot the arrow. Even knowing the dangers ahead, retreat is no longer an option.
Kim Jeong-ki both hopes to run into other passersby and fears it.
He hopes to, because he wants to take them out and boost his combat power.
He fears it, because he’s afraid he might lose and die on the spot.
These conflicting emotions swirled in his mind.
All of this stems from a lack of power. If he had one or two S-rank or higher demons by his side, this level would be a sure thing.
Because S-rank and above demons don’t just have immense combat strength—they can also make independent judgments to help the Chosen One get through.
For those lucky enough to pull an S-rank, this trial is relatively easier.
But fate works that way—the ones who need it don’t have any, while the one who doesn’t has two.
Though the price Zhang Yangqing paid for his two S-rank demons was also a bit “heavy.”
Along the way, the loli girl just wouldn’t stop talking.
“Where are we going?”
“Why is this road so hard to walk on?”
“It’s late and I’m hungry. Did you bring any food?”
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Hearing her babble on, the S-rank demon walking behind—the one with independent judgment—really wanted to tell his master to shut up.
Can’t you see that big shot isn’t even acknowledging you? If you keep running your mouth, what if he gets annoyed and chops all three of us down?
If he makes a move, don’t expect us to be of any use.
With five “people” in his group, Zhang Yangqing’s side was definitely the liveliest.
Good thing it was him who brought her along—anyone else would’ve been driven insane by her chatter.
But since he chose to bring her, he had to bear the cost.
After all, three tools—why not use them?
If any other Chosen One knew what he was thinking, they’d be begging him to swap.
In their eyes, two S-rank demons and one powerful native already made up a god-tier lineup!
Especially those who drew D-rank demons—they wouldn’t even dare to dream of an S-rank, let alone two.
To be able to complain about that? You’re probably the only one in the entire Weird World.
Zhang Yangqing had been walking for about ten minutes when his guide dog began to bark.
Ahead, by the roadside, they spotted a house. It sat a short distance from the road, partially hidden behind a thick patch of bushes, with faint light spilling onto the street.
The night wind swept through the shrubs, whistling past the house with a mournful howl.
Calling it ghastly wouldn’t be an exaggeration—just hearing the sound sent chills down your spine.
The noise carried an indescribable terror that made goosebumps rise all over your skin.
Suddenly, a strange rustling came from the bushes—as if something was moving in the darkness.
Fear instantly filled the air, so thick it was suffocating.
Even though they couldn’t see, the Chosen Ones felt, the very moment they approached, that countless eyes were fixed on them—waiting for them to step inside.
No one would forget the rules regarding the arrival of the bizarre.
【Rule 4: The night road is long. If you encounter a resident’s house along the way and the lights are on inside, leave immediately. If the lights are off, “they” will not harm you.】
Kim Jeong-ki from the Stick Nation chose to avoid it decisively. The road ahead was wide enough—he could just go around from the other side, keeping his distance from the house and staying out of the light’s reach. He figured that if he stepped into the illuminated area, the bizarre creature could attack him.
Ramirez from Argentina also chose to speed past on the opposite side, not daring to linger for even a second.
The other Chosen Ones did the same—even seasoned ones like Sidney chose to steer clear. No need to fight head-on.
Zhang Yangqing, on the other hand, led his group straight toward it. Not because he had numbers on his side.
The moment he sensed the killing intent descend, his silver-white eyes shot a glance toward the lit-up house.
And then—something miraculous happened.
Chaotic sounds erupted from the bushes, as if something was scrambling frantically back into the house.
Then the lights went out. The doors and windows slammed shut in an instant.
It was like watching a predator ready to pounce—only to realize it had been spotted by an even bigger beast, and now fled in panic. The scene was almost laughable.
In the eyes of other passersby, the bizarre beings lurking in those roadside houses were terrifying.
But perhaps, in the eyes of those very beings, Zhang Yangqing was the truly fearsome one.
Even if he didn’t raise a finger, the lineup behind him was already more than enough to break through any ordinary obstacle.
The audience was stunned. They all thought: Are the bizarre creatures in the Weird World really this spineless?
Just to avoid a beating, they turned off the lights!
Isn’t that basically waving a white flag?
It was an absurd scene no one had expected.
But what came next was even more mind-boggling.
After walking along this road for a while, the Chosen Ones began encountering groups of passersby—some in threes or fours.
Some were squatting by the roadside smoking, others were asking for help, and a few were just hurrying along.
Most of them were in groups, and they all looked strong—so many Chosen Ones didn’t dare make a move.
The bolder ones naturally approached to gather information—about the road ahead or possible items.
When these passersby invited the Chosen Ones to join them, the Chosen Ones all refused.
But Zhang Yangqing’s approach was something else entirely. Not only did he strike up conversations—he actually took the initiative to invite others to travel with him.
The audience was shocked, and even the natives he invited were baffled.
How does this guy look scarier than me? So they all turned him down.
The audience felt like Zhang Yangqing was deliberately breaking the rules this time, just to bulldoze through and teach the Weird World’s natives a lesson about who’s tougher.
But that wasn’t it at all. Zhang Yangqing was actually using a high-difficulty strategy—and the most optimal one at that. Most people just thought he was showing off and missed the point entirely.
His invitation to others to travel together was actually based on solid reasoning.
【Rule 6: If you encounter any group that claims to be travelers on the road, remember—do not accept their request to travel together, but you may engage in appropriate conversation.】
The rule only says not to accept their request to travel together. It doesn’t say you can’t invite them.
Maybe after inviting them, they’d actually be useful?
And why would the bizarre creatures attack me? Zhang Yangqing didn’t break any rules.
Because the clearing conditions hadn’t appeared yet, he had never deliberately violated any rule.
People just didn’t notice—they thought his actions were over the top.
Whether Chosen Ones or audience, most people only think on the surface level. Even the smarter ones might dive two or three layers deep, thinking Zhang Yangqing is at layer four or five—when in reality, he’s already in the stratosphere.
Some Chosen Ones might have thought of this strategy in the moment but didn’t dare to try it.
Only after the trial ended and they saw how it could be done did they start regretting not attempting such a bold move.
So they’d go back into the Weird World—but when faced with the same dangers, they’d still play it safe.
There were just too many uncertain factors—they didn’t dare take the risk.
After another twenty minutes of walking, the Chosen Ones were confronted with yet another epic-level dilemma.
Two paths lay ahead. They’d encountered several forks along the way, but those were all distinguishable in some way.
These two, though—they felt off.
The left path sloped upward, with open views on both sides.
The right path sloped downward, also with clear visibility on both sides.
Aside from the incline, they looked exactly the same. The moonlight was visible on both, and both surfaces seemed safe.
While the others were still thinking it over or sending their A-rank demons to scout, Zhang Yangqing strode confidently to the left.
The audience couldn’t figure out how he made that call—and the loli girl asked the very question on everyone’s mind.
“Why this way? Can’t we go the other way?”
“Weren’t you just saying to follow the moon? I feel like the moon’s visible from both sides—and it’s right in the middle!”
Hearing her question, Zhang Yangqing casually replied: “Following the moon is right—and the moon is up above, isn’t it?”
The loli girl froze. Wait—that actually works?
