Chapter 461: Bet

The older man and the obedient man were already pale, and after seeing the short-haired woman's result, they completely lost any will to resist, their gaze falling on the circle with a hint of "might as well die now."

Cheng Shuili's expression remained unchanged, she said calmly, "If you want to die, you can go in at any time. If you don't want to die, just stay obedient."

Qing Qing stepped forward and said, "If you stay obedient, there might still be a sliver of hope; if you act recklessly, you'll truly lose your lives."

When her words fell, the three short-haired women's gazes suddenly lit up!

Their last flicker of rebellious thought was completely snuffed out, like three stone statues, rigidly seated, not daring to even shift their pupils.

Juchang fell silent again, only the scarlet countdown numbers pulsed silently at the edge of sight, like a guillotine blade hanging overhead, inch by inch descending.

"So, Wuya Lao Da," she turned back to Cheng Shuili, her tone carrying a clear choice, "For this round, shall we test your theory?"

"Hmm." Cheng Shuili nodded, her gaze sweeping over the remaining three, "The rules are simple: before this round ends, no one may step into the Blood Ring. Whoever is randomly selected, I will order the Gray Puppet to halt the execution."

Qing Qing licked her slightly dry lips, excitement and tension intertwining in her eyes.

"Betting."

She said briefly, the dagger spinning a crisp circle in her palm, then gripping it in reverse; her posture seemed relaxed, yet her muscles were taut, ready to spring at any moment.

The three short-haired women felt a chill run through their bodies.

If, by chance, the selected person were one of the three of them…

The short-haired woman inhaled deeply, clenching her fists tightly.

But would they dare to oppose?

They wouldn't.

Either Cheng Shuili or Qing Qing could easily crush them.

The fate of the burly man just moments ago was still vivid: resist, and you die now.

If you don't resist, there might still be a faint glimmer of hope.

What if the randomly chosen one isn't yourself?

Or even, what if Wu Ya's command truly can interfere with the Gray Puppet?

Though this hope is as tenuous as a candle in the wind, it remains hope.

In the face of absolute despair, even a single glimmer is enough for one to cling to.

Time ticked away second by second.

The Juchang was terrifyingly silent, only the scarlet countdown numbers pulsed silently; each decrement felt like a hammer striking everyone's heart.

【00:03:49】

【00:02:11】

The short-haired woman bit her lower lip hard, almost drawing blood.

She curled up in the chair, her body trembling uncontrollably, eyes fixed on the floor, daring not to look at anyone, nor at the Blood Ring.

The older man's face was ashen, his gaze hollow, as if he had already resigned to fate.

And the obedient man who had helped move a corpse, the damp spot in his crotch had spread a bit, his throat emitting an uneven "ho ho" sound; even if he survives, this ordeal will likely scar him for life.

Cheng Shuili stood upright, her gaze calmly fixed on the Gray Puppet, seemingly observing and contemplating.

Qing Qing leaned against the back of the adjacent chair, the dagger's blade reflecting the dim stage light; her eyes darted among Cheng Shuili, the puppet, and the three, her body still tense, clearly ready for combat.

She trusts Wu Ya, but some matters remain beyond Wu Ya's full effort.

If the person chosen by the puppet were truly her, and Wu Ya's command were useless…

Qing Qing knew clearly that awaiting her was a 100% death rate.

Not because of the Gray Puppet, but because of Wu Ya.

If Wu Ya cannot command the Gray Puppet, then… killing her together with the Gray Puppet would be Wu Ya's best choice.

Thinking this, Qing Qing couldn't help glancing at Cheng Shuili standing nearby; Cheng Shuili's expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn't thought of anything.

When her gaze met hers, the other even cast a puzzled look.

Qing Qing let out a dry laugh.

She hasn't had much contact with Wu Ya, but each encounter makes her feel a step closer to that person.

It's like two magnetic fields aligning, drawing nearer unconsciously.

The reason she is willing to gamble is that, compared to a mutually destructive duel with Wu Ya, she would rather survive together with Wu Ya.

【00:00:59】

The final sixty seconds.

The air was as thick as congealed plasma, each breath carrying a rusted, metallic stench.

Fear solidified, pressing on everyone's chest.

The short-haired woman closed her eyes, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind. The older man stared at his shaking hand as if it weren't his own. The obedient man's ho ho sound ceased, replaced by the faint clack of his teeth grinding.

Qing Qing gripped the dagger tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She held her breath, all her attention focused on the countdown and the Gray Puppet.

Cheng Shuili, however, stepped forward, standing closer to the Gray Puppet, turning sideways toward it, her gaze calmly resting on it.

【00:00:10】

【00:00:09】

……

The countdown entered the final ten seconds.

The Gray Puppet's head, extremely slowly, began to turn.

Its dry neck joints emitted a light "Ka… Ka…" click, the eyeless sockets sweeping over everyone present, as if making a final check, yet silently selecting.

Anyone whose gaze was swept by those hollow eyes felt a piercing chill.

【00:00:05】

【00:00:04】

Cheng Shuili drew a deep breath, her voice steady and clear; she faced the Gray Puppet and spoke in her usual commanding tone:

"Listen, no matter who the puppeteer's will randomly selects, I command you to stop the execution action."

The moment her words fell, the countdown reached zero.

【00:00:00】

Hum!

The Blood Ring at the center of the stage suddenly burst into a blinding red light!

The red light surged and spread like a blood tide, instantly dyeing the entire stage and even the front-row seats with an ominous crimson hue.

The Gray Puppet's head jerked to a halt, then turned toward a direction.

Everyone's hearts leapt to their throats.

Its gaze fell on… the older man.

The older man shuddered violently, the color draining from his face instantly; his lips trembled, but he could make no sound.

He seemed nailed to his chair by an invisible force, unable to move a finger.

Immediately after, the lights suddenly went out; in the bloody red glow cast by the Blood Ring, the Gray Puppet's stiff body moved.

It stepped forward, moving toward the older man, step by step, slowly and heavily.

Its wooden feet struck the floor with a muffled "thud… thud…", each step feeling like it trod on everyone's heartbeat.

"No… no… don't come over!!" the older man finally screamed; he wanted to flee, but his body wouldn't obey, and he could only watch helplessly as the shadow of death closed in.