I’m a Max-Level Taoist Master, and You’re Throwing Me Into a Rules-Based Horror Game?! - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Even a Second of Hesitation Would Be Disrespectful to Him!

In the world of Rule-Based Mysteries, there exists a special kind of supernatural entity.

Known as “Fierce Ghosts,” these entities possess immense combat power, a degree of self-awareness, and even emotions like joy and anger.

They don’t necessarily harm the Chosen Ones, but if a Chosen One violates their taboos, they will attack without mercy.

According to expert data analysis, the survival rate of those who provoke a Fierce Ghost is zero.

This is why the audience in Dragon Country turned deathly pale when they saw Zhang Yangqing offend a Fierce Ghost.

Even if Zhang Yangqing could handle ordinary supernatural beings, many believed he was merely relying on tricks or ambushes—striking before the entity could react.

But that only worked against weaker entities.

The world of Rule-Based Mysteries hides Fierce Ghosts, like the one encountered by the Chosen One from Sakura Country, who was effortlessly annihilated.

Everyone assumed Zhang Yangqing was doomed.

Yet, while easily evading the Fierce Ghost’s attacks, Zhang Yangqing shattered their expectations with his actions.

When the Fierce Ghost lunged again, Zhang Yangqing didn’t dodge. Instead, he threw a punch—his fist surging with energy, his body surrounded by a violent whirlwind of power. The sheer force behind his strike was enough to shatter mountains!

BOOM!

A deafening explosion echoed through the exhibition room.

The Fierce Ghost was sent flying over two meters, crashing into several cabinets before finally stopping.

The woman’s golden hair was disheveled, her wide black sun hat lost, her red dress torn to shreds.

Not just her arm—half her body had been obliterated by Zhang Yangqing’s strike.

Compared to her earlier terrifying, predatory aura, she now looked like a feeble insect.

Observant viewers noticed something chilling: fear in the Fierce Ghost’s eyes.

Since when do supernatural entities feel fear?

Yet, with just one casual strike, Zhang Yangqing had reduced her to a broken, helpless wreck.

This defied all logic.

Some viewers rubbed their eyes, wondering if they were hallucinating. Others even slapped themselves to confirm they weren’t dreaming.

[Did he get some kind of power-up? How can a normal human be this strong?!]
[This guy’s no ordinary person—he’s practically a god!]
[I get it now. If you make the ghosts afraid of you, then you don’t have to be afraid of them!]
[So that’s his plan! He scolded the kid on purpose to lure the Fierce Ghost into attacking him. It was all calculated!]

Those who had criticized Zhang Yangqing moments ago now sang his praises.

The Fierce Ghost had to be dealt with. As Zhang Yangqing stepped forward to finish her off, the ghostly little boy suddenly blocked his path, pleading for his mother’s life.

The sight was pitiful.

Despite his fear, the boy stood bravely before a terrifying enemy.

Watching this, the audience knew: a brutal choice was coming.

If Zhang Yangqing spared the Fierce Ghost, she might summon even stronger entities—or, just maybe, show gratitude.

But if he didn’t… what then?

This was a test no one could easily pass.

Viewers were already debating the pros and cons, preparing for heated discussions.

But what happened next left them stunned.

Zhang Yangqing didn’t hesitate for even a second.

With a single swing of his palm, he ended them both.

Broken wax limbs and body parts scattered across the exhibition room.

Just like that, the debate was over.

As Zhang Yangqing put it:

“This humble Daoist has a kind heart. I can’t bear to see families torn apart, so I’ll send you to reunite in the afterlife. Problem solved.”

Killing one was the same as killing two.

Besides, this was just a Rule-Based Mystery scenario.

“You’re all supernatural entities. If I don’t kill you, you’ll find a way to kill me. Why hesitate?”

That was Zhang Yangqing’s philosophy: “Destroy the roots, lest they regrow.”

Once he decided to act, there was no second-guessing.

Even if he was wrong—so what?

The live chat exploded. Even lurkers couldn’t stay silent.

[Damn, this guy’s ruthless! How can he act without hesitation? Isn’t this too cruel?]
[Compared to the Rule-Based Mystery, he’s the real horror here!]
[How could he do that? He could’ve just avoided the kid and killed the ghost! This is inhuman!]
[Oh, shut up, you hypocrites! If I had his skills, I’d wipe out every last one of them—men, women, children, doesn’t matter!]
[Exactly! This guy’s risking his life for us, and you’re criticizing him? If you don’t like it, go move to North Snow Country—plenty of saints there!]

Opinions were split. Some argued Zhang Yangqing was too brutal, that some things didn’t need to be taken to extremes.

What if sparing them led to gratitude later?

But most Dragon Country viewers supported him. Their lives depended on his success—they couldn’t afford for him to show mercy.

Among the Dragon Country’s expert panel, Hu Liuqi could barely contain his excitement.

His eyes locked onto Zhang Yangqing’s figure on the screen, filled with awe.

Unlike others, he saw something deeper.

Unmatched strength. Unshakable intellect. Ruthless decisiveness. Zero hesitation.

Hu Liuqi was stunned.

This… this is the perfect Rule-Based Mystery conqueror.

Kindness had no place in this world.

With a player like this, how could Dragon Country lose?

“If I ever doubt whether he can clear this stage—even for a second—it would be an insult to him.”

While other Chosen Ones struggled just to survive, Zhang Yangqing moved through the scenario with a smile—as if he wasn’t just clearing it, but playing with it.

Back on the screen, other Chosen Ones were sweating, exhausted from moving glass cabinets in Zone B.

They remained on high alert, fearing unexpected dangers.

Only Zhang Yangqing strolled casually through the wreckage, searching for the map.

Soon, everyone found the wax museum’s layout—hidden exactly where they’d guessed.

Just as they prepared to leave, another anomaly occurred.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The sound of something heavy hitting the floor echoed through the silent room.

A round, glassy object rolled to a stop at the Chosen Ones’ feet.

An eyeball.

It felt like a hammer pounding against their chests.

Had they broken another rule?

Most Chosen Ones, still drained, hunched over, gasping for breath—hoping to recover enough stamina for whatever came next.

But then, unnoticed, the wax figures in Zone C—once covered by white cloths—began to move.

The cloths had slipped off.

A slow, creaking sound filled the air as heads turned, their hollow gazes locking onto the Chosen Ones.

Then, a deep, resonant voice spoke:

“I can’t move well… Could you pick that up for me?”