Chapter 258: The Bunker Changes Skies

The Bunker, eighth level.

A new legend of the Bunker: the news that Wen Xishu was assassinated and the culprit was a student of the Three Towers Academy spread quickly.

Although some speculated it had to do with the Five Elders, after all, so many eyes had seen the student, Na Gu, equipped with a sophisticated modified telescope.

Na Gu was soon interrogated.

There was not much to say about the interrogation process, because the real Na Gu had been knocked unconscious at the time and stuffed under his dormitory bed.

Na Gu was indeed very unlucky; he was accused of assassinating the Bunker legend Wen Xishu as soon as he woke up.

Although Na Gu was also a genius, and although he was already considered a top talent in the eyes of the Bunker Security Bureau and many organizations, such as the Stone Gambling Association...

...it was still too absurd that Na Gu could kill the number one person of the Weird Tower.

Na Gu’s reaction was just that:

"Kill who? Me? Kill Wen Xishu?"

Even though it was so outrageous, Na Gu was still severely tortured. Then he was imprisoned.

Because the Security Bureau needed to figure out who was imitating Na Gu and why they wanted to imitate him.

The only result of the interrogation was that Na Gu was a tech-head who liked to tinker with very concealed weapons.

For example, turning a gun into a suitcase, dismantling the suitcase, and then assembling it in different ways to turn it into a firearm. Or turning a gun into something like a telescope.

Na Gu was the kind of skilled craftsman who was very good at making such things.

The Security Bureau could only helplessly conclude that Na Gu’s technology had been targeted, which was why the criminal imitated him.

They had originally intended to use Na Gu’s technology to kill Dean Wen directly and then frame Na Gu for it.

But they did not expect Dean Wen to make such a powerful counterattack.

The investigation could only go this far.

As backbone members and elites of the Bunker Security Bureau, the interrogators knew a little bit that the culprit had subsequently become one of the Five Elders, Luo Feng.

But they dared not interrogate Luo Feng.

The Security Bureau indeed dared not interrogate Luo Feng.

Luo Feng did not need to prove his innocence, but he did so anyway.

That night, Luo Feng went to the Weird Tower Academy, and he and Wen Xishu had a frank exchange.

In the "Reminiscence" facility, Luo Feng felt many powerful auras.

"So this is your safe house. Remarkable."

Countless powerful monsters gathered in the safe house, listening to Wen Xishu’s commands.

Wen Xishu said:

"I only just realized now how strong the Five Elders really are; you are equally remarkable."

Luo Feng looked around, then looked back at Wen Xishu, and said sincerely:

"I was thinking at first that the imitator had limited ability; if it were really me, no matter how devious your methods were, you could not have survived."

"But now, I realize that even if it were me, I am afraid it would be very difficult to kill you in the Bunker. Wen Xishu, I have no affection for you. But I admit, you are the most talented one since Albert."

Wen Xishu also understood that the other party was certainly not complimenting him; these words were actually meant to indicate: I don't like you, but you are important, and I am not the culprit.

Of course, it also indicated that everyone could cooperate in the future.

"Who do you think could possibly have access to you and imitate you?"

Luo Feng shook his head, avoiding Wen Xishu’s question, and instead raised a new one:

"I am wondering, why didn't the other party imitate Albert? What do you think?"

Wen Xishu had also thought about this question. If they had imitated Albert, with one punch, he would probably have had to rely on a phoenix feather to survive.

However, this question was actually easy to answer: since there was a better choice but they didn't choose it, it could only mean—they couldn't afford it.

Wen Xishu said:

"It is also possible that they cannot imitate such a powerful existence."

Luo Feng nodded:

"Yes, Albert is very strong, beyond imagination. So the assassin’s ability cap is not high, or rather, the assassin is also limited by the Bunker."

"Limited by the Bunker, yet still able to observe me and imitate me. I don't know if the Bunker has such a person; I came here to tell you that I am not the assassin, and there is no blood feud between us."

"At the same time, I also need to tell you that the real culprit’s identity must be very special and very noble."

Wen Xishu sighed:

"Thank you, Elder Luo."

His sigh carried a hint of pity.

Luo Feng also captured some information from the sigh; Wen Xishu likely already had an answer.

Wen Xishu did indeed have an answer.

In fact, after "Luo Feng" failed the assassination and left in such a brazen manner, Wen Xishu felt something was wrong.

Combined with the fact that the other party had already changed their face once, Wen Xishu could almost be certain it was not Luo Feng.

And turning into someone else... it just so happened to be Wen Xishu’s experience during his last climb up the tower.

In the "Soul Concentration Camp" of the Demon City, he had experienced transformation.

He could turn into Britney, turn into Zhou Fei, turn into Chris.

He had also obtained the Heart of Fusion during that time and learned that the Heart of Fusion came from a person named Jin Shan.

Being able to have contact with the Five Elders and imitate the Five Elders, the person must be high-ranking and powerful, or have a noble status.

And the other party’s social circle also involved students of the Three Towers Academy.

With these deductions combined, Wen Xishu almost arrived at the answer.

Little Jin.

He had also arranged for people to look for Little Jin in the afternoon.

But Little Jin had disappeared.

Wen Xishu said:

"You should go back; with your status, you really didn't need to come and explain in person. It should have been me calling on you to understand the situation."

Luo Feng was surprised to find that Wen Xishu had actually become polite.

During the Great Devouring, Wen Xishu hadn't given the Five Elders a single good look, and at that time, he had even kicked the Elder directly out of the safe house.

At this moment, Wen Xishu had achieved success and fame; his reputation and status could actually count as the Sixth Elder, yet he had become polite and humble.

Luo Feng had lived for decades, and at his age, he naturally knew what was going on.

On one hand, their interests were aligned; on the other hand, Wen Xishu was just the type of person who responded to soft tactics but not hard ones.

Luo Feng said:

"Does all of this have anything to do with Mr. Jin?"

Wen Xishu said:

"I am not sure yet. But I believe the old principal will successfully return to the Bunker, and we will know soon."

Luo Feng nodded:

"How are your injuries? My Piercing Hand is considered a lethal move."

Wen Xishu said:

"I don't dare leave this room now, so naturally I can't go to the hospital, but fortunately, my partners have their ways."

Looking at the room full of red houses, Luo Feng cupped his hands and said:

"Very well, I will take my leave."

After Luo Feng left, Wen Xishu checked his wounds.

Although they had been treated, indeed, as Luo Feng said, it was a lethal move. Wen Xishu was certainly not recovering that quickly.

"I was still thinking about climbing the tower tonight; it seems my physical condition cannot recover that fast."

Climbing the tower was naturally out of the question.

Wen Xishu also really wanted to know the outcome of some things now.

"If the culprit is really Little Jin... there are also many suspicious points. Why does Mr. Jin’s departure give me the feeling that chaos is about to ensue?"

He closed his eyes, thinking about many things, as if falling asleep.

The Bunker these past few days did not seem very peaceful.

The next morning, the Academy Spirit entered the facility and saw Wen Xishu.

After a night, Wen Xishu’s injuries had healed quite a bit, and he could have climbed the tower, but he did not. Because the Academy Spirit brought news:

"Dean, the old principal says he wants to see you; he has returned. It looks... it doesn't seem very good."

Wen Xishu became nervous immediately:

"Is he injured?"

"That’s not it. Sigh, for the specifics, you should go and talk to him yourself. I told the principal about your situation, that it is not convenient for you to go out, but the principal indicated that he is waiting for you in the forbidden garden of the Desire Tower department, and guarantees that you will not have any safety concerns," the Academy Spirit said sincerely.

Wen Xishu could hear that the Academy Spirit’s tone was somewhat sorrowful.

"Alright."

He said no more; having stayed in this Reminiscence for a day, he also longed to go out for a walk.

With Albert’s promise, Wen Xishu had no fear of any risks within the bunker.

……

……

Desire Tower Academy, the forbidden garden.

When Wen Xishu arrived, William, Ma Xiu, Luo Feng, and Evelyn, among the five elders, were already there.

Albert was seated, as was Evelyn, while the other three stood.

As soon as Wen Xishu arrived, Albert gestured for him to sit down.

The old headmaster did not let out his usual hearty, booming laughter.

Albert simply beckoned with his hand.

Although Wen Xishu had begun to be polite to the elders, he was not *that* polite; he dared to take a seat while the elders were standing, and he nodded to the other three elders quite naturally.

Several of the elders, including Evelyn who was also seated, looked rather grim.

Luo Feng, in particular, had slightly reddened eye sockets.

William and Ma Xiu also appeared dejected.

Wen Xishu had guessed the answer.

But he still waited for the headmaster to state the definitive result.

Albert had truly grown old.

At this moment, Wen Xishu looked at Albert and discovered that not only was his smile gone, but that spirited, high-spirited energy was also being suppressed by sorrow.

He still gave off an extremely strong sense of security, and his body still contained unimaginable power, yet he appeared exceptionally lonely.

Wen Xishu had never felt this way before. In his eyes, Albert was always a lone traveler who feared no loneliness.

But at this very moment, Albert’s sorrow and loneliness were as thick as the fragrance of flowers in the forbidden ground.

"Old Jin is dead."

Albert spoke, giving that answer.

Wen Xishu was stunned on the spot.

He had guessed it. One could even say that a long time ago, he had spoken with Old Jin and knew that such a thing would happen.

But Wen Xishu had not thought that the plot would truly move in this direction.

At this moment, his various conspiracy theories regarding Mr. Jin also dissipated along with his death.

The number one person in the bunker, Mr. Jin, had actually died?

This was truly too shocking.

Although in Albert’s memory, and in the memories of all the elders, they had spent decades with Mr. Jin, in Wen Xishu’s eyes, it felt as if the other party had only just made a grand entrance during the last tower climb.

He recalled an ill-timed joke.

He thought of a certain chief helmsman, and those people in movies who had exaggerated and imposing entrances, only to be written out of the story in an instant.

Could Mr. Jin really die so carelessly?

Wen Xishu was not sure; he felt that such a figure, someone whose traces he had explored in several different Trick Towers... how could he die like this?

"Are you... certain?" Wen Xishu couldn't help but ask.

Albert said:

"You should know that the Slaughter Tower is different from the Trick Tower; the Slaughter Tower is a vast world, while the Trick Tower is like many levels divided according to timelines."

"But the levels of the Slaughter Tower are divided according to geographical space."

"I was on the ninety-seventh floor, and Old Jin was on the ninety-third. There was a great distance between us, but after I entered the Slaughter Tower, I began to head toward Old Jin."

"I... I couldn't make it in time; I am so useless."

Albert lowered his head slightly, broken words leaking from between his teeth. His fists were clenched tight, but he could find no direction to strike.

Wen Xishu knew this was not the time for sadness, so he asked:

"How exactly did Mr. Jin die?"

Albert said:

"It was Sagittarius."

Everything was as Wen Xishu knew; Sagittarius had ultimately set its sights on Mr. Jin. Mr. Jin had not lied to Wen Xishu.

He had climbed the tower truly aiming to end the threat of Sagittarius.

"I felt the power of that arrow; it was like an arrow filled with the aura of death. When that arrow locked onto Old Jin, I realized... he knew all of this."

Albert gritted his teeth: "He knew everything!"

"He lied to me! He wasn't planning to forge a future with me at all! He just wanted to die!"

"I risked my life trying to close the distance between us, but it was useless! I was too late; the distance between him and me was too great."

"Even though I sensed him and that arrow, it was very difficult for me to rescue him."

"When I arrived, I only saw a massive arrow crater, like an abyss. Old Jin’s life aura had completely vanished."

"He is dead."

Albert’s spine was slightly hunched, as if an invisible burden were pressing down on him.

Wen Xishu had once wondered, if the old headmaster knew that Mr. Jin had climbed the tower to meet his death... if he knew that he himself also knew all of this, would the old headmaster forgive him?

Should he speak up about Mr. Jin’s arrangements?

Wen Xishu remained silent, ultimately not speaking those words.

Albert said:

"Actually, over these past few decades, I have witnessed many deaths... I know that climbing the tower is a life-and-death struggle; living is luck, and death is the norm."

"But the more deaths I see, the more grateful I am that Old Jin was still alive."

"I kept thinking that he and I were destined, and that if we joined forces, we could surely break through the hundredth floor. So I waited for him for a long time, for decades!"

"But I never thought that a figure like him would actually die! How could he die like this?"

The grief and indignation in his heart seemed to turn into a tangible storm at this moment; in an environment that should have been windless, everyone felt a strong wind blowing.

Luo Feng also shed tears at this moment. This old man had never expected that the words spoken yesterday would become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Mr. Jin had actually met with disaster.

Evelyn was slightly stunned; she hadn't been this composed in a long time. Beside her, William and Ma Xiu also hadn't expected that the legend who had once led them would just die like this.

Wen Xishu didn't know how to respond.

After a long while, Albert said:

"I heard that some bad things have also happened in the bunker these past two days."

Wen Xishu nodded:

"I was assassinated, and the culprit has not yet been found."

Albert shook his head slightly.

He was grieving the loss of his close friend, but he was ultimately able to bear this sorrow because he carried too many burdens on his shoulders.

He quickly adjusted his sorrowful expression:

"Do you have any leads?"

(End of chapter)