Chapter 229: Zero-Return Game

"This... this is impossible!" Lin Yu's voice changed, and he subconsciously took half a step back, nearly sticking to the wall.

He stared fixedly at the entrance of the alley.

Standing there was clearly the leader of the men in black who had been dealt with by Qin Tianluo, or rather, "another Lin Yu."

But wasn't he already dead?

The "corpse" moved, accompanied by a skin-crawling "click-clack" sound.

That body twisted at an eerie angle, like a broken toy.

Finally, it turned into a pool of blue liquid, slowly seeping into the ground, then rapidly evaporating, disappearing without a trace.

Xuanyuan Qing was also stunned, grabbing Lin Yu's arm so hard her nails nearly dug into his flesh.

Qin Tianluo, however, was surprisingly calm, as if he had long expected such a thing to happen.

"Let's go, no time to delay." He said lightly and walked forward first.

Lin Yu and Xuanyuan Qing followed quickly.

A stifling atmosphere permeated the three of them.

"What the hell was that just now?" Lin Yu couldn't help asking, feeling his voice was a bit dry.

Qin Tianluo didn't answer immediately, but was silent for a few seconds, as if organizing his language.

"I say, Old Qin, is your nose that of a dog? How did you smell it out?" Lin Yu lowered his voice, his tone carrying three parts teasing and seven parts nervousness, his hand unconsciously touching the surgical scalpel in his pocket.

Qin Tianluo ignored him, just staring at the rows of display cabinets in the darkness ahead.

"I say, you professor, the place you hide things is really well-concealed." Lin Yu turned his target to Xiao Chengzhou, trying to use banter to get something out of this "old acquaintance."

Xuanyuan Qing shook the silver bell in her hand gently, the crisp sound echoing in the empty space, making one's heart crawl.

"Don't waste your effort, little girl; this place isn't something your little trinkets can handle." Xiao Chengzhou's voice came from all directions, like a ghost, making it impossible to distinguish the direction.

Suddenly, a "click-clack" sound arose, like old gears turning.

The neatly arranged display cabinets began to move, like a group of giant beasts enchanted by magic, slowly changing their positions.

"Damn, are we playing escape room?" Lin Yu couldn't help but curse.

"No nonsense, follow me closely!" Qin Tianluo shouted in a low voice and walked forward first.

Xuanyuan Qing followed closely, Lin Yu brought up the rear, and the three carefully navigated between the constantly changing display cabinets.

In the air, the scent of mildew and metal intertwined, becoming increasingly thick, making it difficult to breathe.

Lin Yu's gaze was drawn to a pitch-black stone tablet, on which were carved what looked like ancient characters.

Driven by an impulse, he reached out, wanting to touch the stone tablet.

"Don't move!" Qin Tianluo's voice arrived almost at the same time as his hand.

But it was too late.

Lin Yu's fingertips had already touched the cold surface of the stone tablet.

In an instant, countless images flooded into his mind like a tide: black mist, hideous monsters, and those heart-wrenching screams...

"What... what the hell is this?" Lin Yu felt his head was about to explode.

"Memory fragments of the Void war." Qin Tianluo said in a deep voice, his tone carrying an undisguised solemnity.

"Xiao Chengzhou, this old guy, is really a 'collector'." Lin Yu tried to use a joke to cover up his inner unease.

Xuanyuan Qing shook the silver bell, the sound more urgent than before, as if urging something.

"Something is coming." She said softly.

"Welcome to my 'private museum'." Xiao Chengzhou's voice sounded again, only this time, it carried a bit more triumph.

With a "pop," all the lights around suddenly turned on, stinging their eyes painfully.

Lin Yu subconsciously squinted, and when he opened them again, he saw Xiao Chengzhou standing in the depths of the museum.

Only, at this moment, Xiao Chengzhou was no longer that refined history professor.

He wore a black robe, with a silver emblem hanging on his chest, on which was carved an eye pattern.

"Memory Guardian?" Lin Yu blurted out.

"It seems you know quite a bit." Xiao Chengzhou's mouth curled slightly, revealing a chilling smile.

"However, the more you know, the faster you die."

"Less nonsense, Xiao, you led us here—what exactly do you want to do?" Lin Yu stepped forward and questioned.

"What exactly is this 'Zero-Return Game'?" Qin Tianluo also spoke, his voice very calm, but carrying an unquestionable pressure.

"A screening mechanism." Xiao Chengzhou said lightly. "The Zero-Returner needs new 'containers,' and you are the 'lucky ones' chosen."

"Screw your 'lucky ones'!" Lin Yu couldn't help but curse. "I don't care for it at all!"

"Remember what I said before? This world might be a game."

Lin Yu and Xuanyuan Qing looked at each other, both remembering Qin Tianluo's shocking words from before.

"You mean, that one just now... was an NPC?" Lin Yu asked.

Qin Tianluo nodded.

"NPCs respawn after death?" Xuanyuan Qing blurted out; as a veteran gamer, she immediately thought of this.

Qin Tianluo gave a hum.

"Damn, doesn't that mean we can never kill them?" Lin Yu was a bit broken.

"That's not necessarily true; it depends on what the game mechanics are like." Xuanyuan Qing was experienced after all, and she analyzed calmly, "If it follows conventional game settings, although NPCs can respawn, there should be certain limitations, such as respawn time, respawn location, or specific trigger conditions."

"Don't forget, we are 'variables' now, we are bugs." Qin Tianluo suddenly interjected. "Maybe we can use this identity to find the game's loopholes."

"We have to find Xiao Chengzhou first; he might know more about the history of this 'game'." Qin Tianluo quickened his pace.

"By the way, Old Qin, how did you suddenly become so powerful just now?" Lin Yu suddenly remembered this.

"Yeah, those moves of yours don't look like a doctor's." Xuanyuan Qing agreed.

Back in the hospital, the scene of Qin Tianluo dealing with those men in black cleanly and efficiently was still fresh in their minds.

Qin Tianluo paused, as if recalling.

"I... remembered some things."

"Some combat techniques."

Lin Yu wanted to pursue the question, but Qin Tianluo had already changed the subject.

"We have to be quick; Xiao Chengzhou might have encountered trouble on his side too."

"He's a history professor, what trouble could he have?" Lin Yu asked.

"Who knows, this broken game—who can say for sure?" Qin Tianluo's voice carried a hint of anxiety. "I always feel things aren't that simple."

"Old Qin, did you remember anything else?" Xuanyuan Qing observed Qin Tianluo and pursued the question.

"Don't ask anymore, find Xiao Chengzhou first," Qin Tianluo waved his hand impatiently. "What time is it now?" ===== CHAPTER 230 =====