I’m a Max-Level Taoist Master, and You’re Throwing Me Into a Rules-Based Horror Game?! - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: They’re Not Even on the Same Level!

The staff member in red walked over with a syringe, making the same demand as he had with other chosen ones: Zhang Yangqing needed to provide a blood sample.

If the blood drawn wasn’t enough, the toll gate wouldn’t open to let him leave.

This was the red-clad staff member’s rule.

Like the audience, the red-clad staff member had assumed Zhang Yangqing would kick some passengers off the bus after hearing the rule.

But instead, Zhang Yangqing nodded understandingly, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

This left everyone utterly baffled.

There were nearly 40 people on the bus.

Even if it were just 35, that would mean drawing 1,750 milliliters of blood.

An adult’s total blood volume is around 4,000 milliliters. Losing 1,000 milliliters would cause discomfort, and 2,000 milliliters would lead to shock.

This was only the beginning of the journey—no sane chosen one would draw that much blood.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t even have the strength to evade attacks later.

Even the viewers from the Dragon Kingdom thought: “Master Zhang, there’s no need to go this hard… Unless he’s planning to take the driver’s blood?”

Others might not dare to touch the driver, but that didn’t mean this guy wouldn’t.

While the outside world was busy debating, Zhang Yangqing walked toward the staff in white, syringe in hand.

The smile on his face made the white-clad staff member shudder.

“Is he… coming for me?”

Clearly, Zhang Yangqing had interpreted the rules within the scope of his own understanding.

“You only told me not to take blood from the citizens. But you guys aren’t citizens, so why can’t I take yours?”

One of the white-clad staff tried to resist—but to no avail.

Zhang Yangqing kicked him to the ground so fast it was like an invisible force had struck him.

The staff member struggled to get up, but Zhang Yangqing stepped on his back and plunged the syringe into him without hesitation.

The whole sequence was terrifyingly smooth.

Another white-clad staff member moved to stop him—or perhaps kill him.

But with a flick of his wrist, Zhang Yangqing unleashed a “Palm Thunder” technique.

A surge of lightning erupted like a volcanic explosion, blasting the three white-clad staff members into smoldering wrecks.

Their bodies crackled with residual electricity as they entered a two-minute recovery phase.

Now they knew what it felt like to be utterly powerless—just as they had made the citizens feel.

The deafening thunderclap even startled the viewers.

[Commentary from the audience]

• “That’s not ‘Palm Thunder’—that’s a damn railgun!”

• “I admit I underestimated Master Zhang. He really knows how to interpret the rules.”

• “No wonder he didn’t care how much blood was needed—he wasn’t the one donating!”

• “Obviously. Nobody cares when it’s not their own blood.”

The red-clad staff member was stunned, nearly falling back from the sheer force of the attack.

“Okay, okay… So you’re playing it like this?”

Though furious, he instinctively took a step back when Zhang Yangqing approached with a full syringe.

“This… this isn’t fair!”

“Who cares? Just tell me if it’s enough.”

Zhang Yangqing shoved the syringe into his hands.

“The moment you start talking about fairness, you should realize—I don’t play fair.”

If you say it’s not enough, I’ll take yours too. Believe me.

The only reason he hadn’t already was because he needed someone to operate the toll gate.

Otherwise, would the red-clad staff member even be standing right now?

Seeing the syringe and his four incapacitated colleagues, the red-clad staff had no choice but to let the bus through.

It was like watching a plague depart—he couldn’t wait for Zhang Yangqing to leave.

In the world of anomalies, every entity had its own judgment.

Their attitude toward you?

That depended entirely on your strength.

So far in this anomaly, Zhang Yangqing and Mitarashi Saburō had provided two completely different answers.

One added passengers—the other subtracted them.

While other chosen ones were still hesitating at the toll gate…

[Meanwhile, in Kangaroo Country’s chosen one’s perspective…]

Jones, Kangaroo Country’s chosen one, watched the slaughter outside the bus with dread.

When the red-clad staff appeared, his country’s experts sent him a message:

[Analysis complete. The detective from Cherry Blossom Country chose to reduce blood volume by removing passengers—lowering difficulty. Best to take the vest-wearing passenger’s money before selling him out. We recommend this approach, as his judgment has always been accurate. However, Dragon Kingdom’s transcendent chose to maximize passenger count at all costs. We do NOT recommend this.]

Reading this, Jones fell deep into thought.

First, he was shocked that Dragon Kingdom’s transcendent had entered the anomaly twice.

Cherry Blossom Country’s detective was skilled—but the other was a transcendent.

“Do you really think someone who’s reached that level is stupid?”

“Obviously not.”

As Jones leaned toward Zhang Yangqing’s approach, something clicked in his mind.

He recalled an ancient Dragon Kingdom military text:

“Han Xin counts his troops—the more, the better.”

In that moment, he understood.

*”I have to increase passenger numbers. Rule 12 says: ‘When arriving at the destination, ensure no passengers remain on the bus—they may be of help.’ If passengers can help me, then more = better, right?”*

By analyzing Zhang Yangqing’s decision alongside the rules, Jones began to grasp his reasoning.

Many clues and rules could be cross-referenced.

Most rules were vague—but with enough information, their true meaning could be deduced.

Jones even suspected that the Dragon Kingdom transcendent had already figured out:

Passenger count was the key metric for final evaluation.

The detective’s approach reduced travel risks—which wasn’t wrong.

But they were tour guides. The real challenge might begin only after arrival.

From this angle, Jones felt a sudden clarity.

Though they’d never met, he deeply respected the Dragon Kingdom transcendent for indirectly teaching him how to clear the stage.

Jones theorized:

• Cherry Blossom Country’s detective lowered travel risks—but increased post-arrival danger because he lacked passengers to test scenarios.

• He also needed to ensure enough passengers survived the journey.

“Oh damn… I get it now! So that’s what the detective was thinking!”

Kangaroo Country’s experts had no idea what epiphany Jones had just experienced.

Jones believed the detective had identified eight anomalies on the bus:

• Four strong ones (aggressive spirits)

• Four weaker ones (manageable for normal humans)

Two of the aggressive spirits had already completed their tasks, making them friendly toward the guide.

Thus, to maintain control, the detective removed two uncooperative ones.

This way, he’d have authority on the bus—and their cooperation upon arrival.

A solid strategy.

But…

Saving the aggressive spirits from slaughter could also boost their favorability.

Each rescue meant an extra ally.

In other words, staying calm amid the bloodshed turned this into a beneficial opportunity.

“No wonder Dragon Kingdom has thousands of years of wisdom. Their transcendent’s foresight is beyond what small-minded people can comprehend.”

Jones resolved to follow Zhang Yangqing’s method.

“Why pick the detective’s approach when a transcendent’s answer is right there?”

They’re not even on the same level!