I’m a Max-Level Taoist Master, and You’re Throwing Me Into a Rules-Based Horror Game?! - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: “Don’t Say You’re Confused—Even I Can’t Figure It Out!”

After watching the replay of the Dragon Kingdom’s chosen participant’s footage, Rahman sighed in admiration but also gained some insights.

“So, ordinary supernatural entities can actually be dealt with to improve survival rates.”

Many chosen participants, when entering the strange world, wouldn’t think of killing supernatural beings unless it was a life-or-death situation.

Their mindset was simply to survive—avoiding trouble whenever possible.

Besides, who knew how powerful those entities were? If they ran into a tough one, they’d be out of luck.

Recalling his own experiences in the bizarre world, Rahman realized there were indeed many supernatural beings he could have taken down.

He never even used the police baton he had by the end of the challenge.

Admittedly, he had been too cautious—but this time, he gained plenty of experience and rewards.

The treasure challenge had been too difficult. Rahman thought that even if given another chance, he might not dare to attempt it. Still, he came up with an idea: using the Frost Specter to open the door and intimidate whatever was inside.

After all, the Frost Specter was the guardian.

The real problem, though, was how to convince it.

Aside from the national rewards, he also had personal rewards—but those were for him alone.

Naturally, no one would reveal their personal rewards.

Since no one else knew, he could just make something up.

The simplest approach? Claim there were no rewards. Believe it or not.

Someone as exceptional as Rahman, the Pyramid Kingdom’s chosen participant, was immediately invited to join the expert panel.

A few of his acquaintances were already there, so he settled in quickly.

Next, he shared the details he’d discovered, which the experts compiled into reports.

But the most comprehensive records were those of Zhang Yangqing’s run—the information there was invaluable.

Logically, someone as extraordinary as Zhang Yangqing should also be invited to join the expert panel.

The Dragon Kingdom’s experts were prepared to do just that. Hu Liuqi himself led the delegation, arriving in grand fashion to extend the invitation with the highest respect.

This was the only way to properly honor Zhang Yangqing.

But now, Zhang Yangqing had run into a problem.

From the study in the back courtyard of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, a pitiful voice cried out:

“Senior Brother, I was in the bizarre world bringing glory to our nation! How can you mark me as absent for eight hours?!”

Zhang Yangqing was complaining to his senior brother, Su Muyu.

Despite his overbearing, almost arrogant demeanor in the bizarre world, Zhang Yangqing held deep respect for this senior brother.

Su Muyu was no ordinary man. Dressed in an embroidered blue Daoist robe with a jade belt, his hair neatly tied under an exquisite crown, his face fair as jade, his brows sharp as swords, he held an account book with an air of stern elegance.

A few loose strands of hair framed his flawless profile.

Su Muyu managed the financial affairs of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, overseeing the livelihoods of dozens—training resources, food supplies, daily expenses, ticket revenue, and salary distribution—all handled with meticulous order.

Such tedious and complex tasks? If you forced Zhang Yangqing to do them, he’d rather die.

Zhang Yangqing had joined the sect later and was younger, so Su Muyu had always looked after him, allocating training resources generously—even giving up his own share at times.

This kindness was something Zhang Yangqing never forgot.

“These are the rules set by our master. If you have complaints, take them up with him.”

Seated at his desk, Su Muyu dipped his brush in ink and solemnly recorded Zhang Yangqing’s eight-hour absence in the ledger.

He had no choice. As much as he wanted to indulge his junior brother, their master had warned him before passing away:

“Zhang Yangqing’s talent is unparalleled. His rate of cultivation progress is unprecedented—beyond what any ordinary practitioner could achieve.”

In the nearly 2,000-year history of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, there had never been a disciple with greater innate ability or comprehension than Zhang Yangqing.

That was also why Zhang Yangqing had inherited the title of Celestial Master. His seniority and leadership skills might be debatable, but in terms of sheer strength, he was in a league of his own—enough to command respect.

After all, no matter where you were, power spoke loudest.

The late Celestial Master wasn’t doubting Zhang Yangqing’s character. He simply worried that his youth and impulsiveness might be exploited by ill-intentioned individuals, leading to irreversible consequences.

So, the late master entrusted Su Muyu with the task of keeping Zhang Yangqing grounded—ensuring he followed the sect’s rules.

Having witnessed Zhang Yangqing’s performance, Su Muyu had to admit his junior brother had been excessively bold in the challenge.

If he were praised too much afterward, who knew how inflated his ego might become?

So, a little reality check was part of Su Muyu’s job.

In this day and age, even the Celestial Master had responsibilities.

Zhang Yangqing had been in the middle of fortune-telling when he was suddenly dragged into the bizarre world. It wasn’t like he’d asked for it!

Marking him as absent for eight hours was technically correct, but he still wanted to complain.

As the two brothers chatted, the Rules Bizarre World descended again.

Zhang Yangqing was about to pull up the live broadcast to see which poor soul would be chosen next—

But before he could, the space around him warped, and that familiar sensation returned.

“What the—?!”

With those parting words, Zhang Yangqing vanished from Dragon-Tiger Mountain—right before Su Muyu’s eyes.

When the Dragon Kingdom’s expert delegation arrived in grand fashion, they found themselves greeted by… nothing.

The Rules Bizarre World’s arrival was met with cheers from the Sakura Kingdom’s audience.

This time, the randomly chosen participant was none other than the famed detective Mitaraishi Saburō.

A detective in the bizarre world? That was practically cheating!

For a detective, solving seemingly impossible puzzles was child’s play.

Before becoming a detective, Mitaraishi had been a police captain, a black belt in karate, and a three-time consecutive champion in martial arts tournaments. His accolades were endless.

His judgment, combat skills, and composure were all top-tier.

As a private detective, his experience and mental fortitude were unmatched.

Sakura Kingdom’s viewers knew: This run was in the bag. Their seven-loss streak was about to end.

Eager to gloat, they tuned into other nations’ broadcasts, ready to mock their misfortune.

After all, nothing was more satisfying than reveling in others’ misery.

But when they switched to the Dragon Kingdom’s feed, their smug grins froze.

Many rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.

[What the hell?! The Dragon Kingdom’s hacking, right? How is he back in there?!]
[Wait… isn’t that their supernatural participant?!]
[I need to move back to the Dragon Kingdom. I can’t stand this place anymore!]
[How is this fair?! Why does he get to go in twice—back-to-back?!]
[This is beyond unfair!]

Don’t say the Sakura Kingdom’s audience was confused—even Zhang Yangqing couldn’t figure it out.

Why me again?!