Chapter 26

Chapter 25: Shan Hai 3

Leaving He Zhen’s room, Shi Zong returned to his own and immediately went to sleep.

After roughly two hours of light sleep, he heard several familiar cawing sounds from a crow.

But unlike yesterday, the crow’s calls suddenly turned panicked, as if it had encountered something terrifying, its throat nearly hoarse from screaming.

Shi Zong sat up in bed and immediately heard an exasperated male voice. “This damn crow disturbs everyone’s sleep every day. I have to kill it today!”

Stepping out into the corridor, Shi Zong saw Zhou Lü holding a bow and arrow obtained from somewhere, aiming at Zuo Sanqiu in his crow form.

“Wuwuwu, help!”

Seeing Shi Zong arrive, Zuo Sanqiu, as if seeing a savior, shouted in terror and lunged toward him.

In Zuo Sanqiu’s eyes, Shi Zong was never trustworthy.

He had even sworn that if he ever trusted Shi Zong again, he would livestream eating feces while standing on his head.

Yet at the critical moment, the first person he instinctively turned to for help was still Shi Zong. Even he didn’t know why—probably because he trusted Shi Zong’s judgment and intelligence.

Shi Zong’s left shoulder had just been grabbed by Zuo Sanqiu when the second male character charged in front of him.

He was imposing, and in a furious tone said, “Scriptwriter, please step aside! This crow is annoying. If we kill it, everyone can finally get a good sleep!”

The second male was Zhou Lü, a refined business elite and a fund provider for the Changsheng Guild.

Of course, he wouldn’t deliberately target fellow guild member Zuo Sanqiu.

His actions were likely enforced by a mandatory red-line plot.

The system adjusted his body language and microexpressions, putting him in a state of intense anger.

Yet a trace of anxiety leaked from his eyes, which Shi Zong noticed.

It was clear he didn’t truly want to kill Zuo Sanqiu.

Now Shi Zong was forced into the red-line plot and had to use the characteristics of his persona to break the situation.

Moreover, since this was a script reading session arranged by the director, Shi Zong wanted to test him and said to the second male: “The movie’s about to start. Seeing blood at a time like this is unlucky.

“Second male, please calm down. I think your temper is too aggressive. If you continue with this violent emotion… it will stray far from your character. I think the director and I might consider replacing you.”

At this, Shi Zong glanced at the director standing in the corridor, observing his expression and tentatively asked: “Director, right? As a scriptwriter, I have the right to replace someone, correct?”

Hearing the words “replace someone,” the director’s eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of unusual emotion.

But his expression quickly returned to normal. He laughed and rubbed his hands as he walked over, patting the second male on the shoulder.

“Scriptwriter can be strict, but what he says makes sense.

“Why bother with a beast? Besides, the reading session is almost over; we’re about to leave. Come on, let’s go have breakfast!”

At the word “breakfast,” the second female’s eyes lit up. “Yay! Breakfast! Killing a crow is so boring! Let’s hurry downstairs!”

The second male impatiently pushed the director’s hand away, glared fiercely at him, Shi Zong, and the second female, then reluctantly stormed off in his fury.

This man had a fierce, ugly appearance, a violent and aggressive temperament, and even kicked the stair railing on his way downstairs.

The second female was never satisfied, the second male easily enraged, the female lead beautiful and seductive, the male lead dismembered himself every night and restored at dawn…

A certain suspicion in Shi Zong’s mind gradually took shape.

He just didn’t know the characteristics of the director.

Calmly scrutinizing the director, Shi Zong went downstairs as well.

After breakfast came a new round of script reading.

The director emphasized again that tonight everyone had to finalize the male lead’s ending.

“Regarding the ending, the scriptwriter’s idea yesterday was good. But I thought about it, and it’s too dark, probably wouldn’t pass review. The male lead must be punished for doing wrong, to align with positive values!

“Now the key question is, how should we punish him? Everyone think carefully!”

After the reading session came lunch.

The one who attracted attention was still the second female, always eating.

Her appetite seemed bottomless, never satisfied.

After the meal, He Zhen actively approached Shi Zong. “Any plans this afternoon? Let’s talk.”

Shi Zong agreed promptly. “Come to my room.”

1:30 p.m.

He Zhen carried coffee into Shi Zong’s room.

Shi Zong lifted his cup but didn’t drink immediately, only asked: “Did you get it from the two cooks in the kitchen?”

“Yes,” He Zhen nodded.

“Any clues from the kitchen?”

“Nothing. But those two cooks seem weird, not like real people.”

The chefs’ appearance—hair, eyes, skin—looked entirely real.

Yet they followed the director’s instructions too perfectly, their movements too precise, feeling like puppets without independent thought.

What exactly these two were remained unclear. Shi Zong looked at He Zhen. “Willing to talk about yesterday afternoon?”

“There’s nothing I can’t say,” He Zhen replied. “Yesterday afternoon, the female lead knocked on the door. She was supposed to…”

He paused, glanced at Shi Zong’s expression, then continued, “But when I opened the door, the moment our eyes met, she suddenly recalled something. She immediately became serious and insisted on talking to me alone.

“Through this conversation, I also remembered some things.”

“What did you remember?” Shi Zong asked.

He Zhen said, “I suddenly remembered I had a girlfriend named Liang Yuyan. You took her from me, and she disappeared shortly after. Later, I found out you killed her.

“Do you remember this person?”

Shi Zong said, “I know I took her from you. But I don’t remember killing anyone.”

He Zhen continued, “Yesterday afternoon, the female lead recognized me as Liang Yuyan’s ex-boyfriend. She also recalled that she was Liang Yuyan’s sister. In her understanding, you killed Liang Yuyan. So—

“Maybe this time, you’re the victim again. In the Shan Hai script, the male lead’s wife is named Yan Yan. The ‘Yan’ in Liang Yuyan sounds like Yan Yan. This is probably not a coincidence.”

Shi Zong asked, “The movie is fake, the reading session is fake. Do you think this was designed as a trap to kill me, to avenge Liang Yuyan?”

“That’s possible,” He Zhen said. “The director arranged this reading session, took our phones, and insisted that the male lead be punished in the ending. He wanted everyone to discuss the punishment today, then you, as the scriptwriter, to write it yourself…

“Perhaps he designed this to make you die according to your own script.

“Of course,” He Zhen added, “this castle might not exist in the real world. People can turn into crows, the second female can eat endlessly… these are all evidence.

“The male lead in Shan Hai, after killing his wife, friends, and sister, fell into hell. Perhaps this is symbolic. Symbolic that all of us are in hell.”

The male lead of Shan Hai killed his wife, friends, and sister, then fell into hell, tormented by these three.

This story parallels Shi Zong’s role, who killed Liang Yuyan while alive, possibly her ex-boyfriend and sister too. Now he too is in hell.

All the people he killed are also in hell, gathering together to fabricate the script reading session, with the true aim of discussing punishment for Shi Zong’s character.

This was He Zhen’s current theory.

But some doubts remained:

First, where is Liang Yuyan? Why isn’t she in hell?

Second, Shi Zong is the punished one. His memories were modified; like the male lead, he doesn’t know he’s in hell, thinking he’s still in reality. Reasonable.

But the others should know. They shouldn’t forget; they know their purpose here.

Yet the fact is otherwise.

Others have amnesia and truly believe they are the male lead, female lead, and other cast members. Why?

Third, the second female always hungry, and the talking crow… what exactly is going on?

These anomalies remain unexplained.

He Zhen looked at Shi Zong: “This is just a preliminary theory. What did you see last night? I think it’s crucial for finding the truth.”

Shi Zong said, “It’s possible we’re all in hell, but I’m not the only sinner. San San became a crow. The second female keeps eating. I think this is all punishment.

“San San is punished, turned into an animal. The second female is punished, so she’s never full. As for you—”

Here Shi Zong’s gaze toward He Zhen became strangely meaningful.

Sensing something, He Zhen leaned forward, staring into Shi Zong’s eyes. “What exactly did you see last

However, after arriving at the castle, she received a continuous supply of food, and the punishment effect on her lessened.

In the past, every night when He Zhen was being dismembered and his flesh regrew, it was excruciating.

After arriving at the castle, he still went through dismemberment and regeneration every night.

But he no longer felt pain; he didn’t even notice it.

The punishment effect on him was also reduced.

Then Shi Zong thought of the crow, San San.

In Zuo Sanqiu’s view, he was originally human, and perhaps because he offended someone capable of magic, he was turned into a crow.

Following the pattern seen with the second female and the male lead, it’s not hard to imagine what happened to him—

He was punished by being turned into a crow.

During the punishment, he was truly a crow, no different from other crows in nature.

It wasn’t until he arrived at the castle that he gained the ability to speak human language.

This meant that after arriving at the castle, the punishment effect on him also lessened.

Analyzing these three from before and after arriving at the castle makes everything understandable.

However, Shi Zong didn’t notice this trait in himself, the second male, or the female lead.

So, in this copy, the crow San San, the male lead, and the second female are one type of character.

They were all being punished before and had reduced punishment after arriving at the castle.

As for the scriptwriter, the seductive female lead, and the hot-tempered second male, they are another type of character.

They apparently were not punished.

Then what about the director?

What role does he play in orchestrating this situation?

Although Shi Zong had many doubts, one thing was certain—

Unlike the male lead in the movie, they were probably not in hell.

Shi Zong, as the scriptwriter, was not receiving punishment from others like the movie’s male lead.

Others, like the male lead, crow San San, etc., were kept in the dark.

There was only one person orchestrating this situation—the director.

For some purpose, the director gathered everyone in this castle.

He erased their original identities, making them believe they were all cast members of the movie Shan Hai.

Gradually, he let the male lead, female lead, second male, second female, and crow San San “recover” some memories, realizing they were Liang Yuyan’s friends, family, lovers, or fans, and developed a desire to kill the scriptwriter who killed Liang Yuyan.

The director’s likely purpose in orchestrating this situation was to have one of the remaining five kill the scriptwriter.

This is Shi Zong’s current hypothesis of the truth.

He was just unsure why the director did this, what the castle really was, and what the original identities of the male lead, female lead, and others were.

“No matter what—”

He Zhen interrupted Shi Zong’s thoughts. “The final script reading session is tonight. You need to find a solution before then.

“Otherwise, the story will follow the default plotline. The murder will soon occur, and the corresponding vote will quickly begin.

“At that point, the game will end quickly, and none of us will be able to explore the story deeply.

“I’ll go tell the others. At dinner, they’ll be willing to share the memories they’ve recovered over these two days without reservation. For the sake of completing the plot, they’ll agree to share.”

After He Zhen left, someone knocked on the door.

Opening it, Shi Zong saw a person both unfamiliar and familiar.

Unfamiliar, because Shi Zong had not seen this person in this copy.

Familiar, because his facial features resembled Zuo Sanqiu by about fifty percent.

—Hmm? San San turned human again?

Shi Zong stepped aside to let him in.

As expected, it was indeed Zuo Sanqiu.

He nervously swallowed and rubbed his hands. “I took a nap, and when I woke up, I had turned back into a human. But I have a feeling I could turn back at any time…

“Cough, besides this, I have something to tell you. I have a desire to kill you!”

The additional information Zuo Sanqiu provided confirmed Shi Zong’s deduction—

San San, punished into a crow, could speak after arriving at the castle and could transform back into a human. His punishment had lessened.

Shi Zong asked him: “What desire to kill me do you have?”

According to Zuo Sanqiu, he liked an actress very much, named Liang Yuyan.

Liang Yuyan was a new actress, very beautiful, not yet famous, but everyone believed she would become a shining star.

At least Zuo Sanqiu thought so.

In his eyes, Liang Yuyan was hardworking and promising; she would surely achieve great things.

Through capital recommendation, Liang Yuyan joined the Shan Hai project and got the female lead role.

Shan Hai was written by a famous scriptwriter.

Twenty years ago, he became famous with his debut film but did not immediately release more works, having no intention of making quick money in the entertainment industry.

The small income from his fame quickly ran out; he lived in poverty, often relying on friends in the film circle for support.

Yet he did not care about living poorly.

He only wanted to create a great work.

In this harsh environment, the scriptwriter devoted twenty years of effort, resulting in Shan Hai.

Everyone said that whoever starred in Shan Hai would become famous instantly and win every major film award.

Actors flocked to audition.

San San had previously been a core member of Liang Yuyan’s fan club.

When Liang Yuyan got the role, he was genuinely happy for her.

However, shortly after filming began, rumors emerged of Liang Yuyan and the scriptwriter being romantically involved.

San San waited on set, accompanying Liang Yuyan to and from work, and realized the rumor was true—they were indeed together.

Later, halfway through filming, the scriptwriter and Liang Yuyan suddenly disappeared.

No one knew their whereabouts.

San San couldn’t remember exactly how he investigated the truth,

But he knew the result— the scriptwriter had killed Liang Yuyan.

Hearing this story, Shi Zong again felt that familiar sense of unease.

Liang Yuyan was career-driven, aiming to become famous through this film.

The scriptwriter had painstakingly worked on this film for twenty years.

Under these circumstances, would they recklessly start a romance, or even leave the project abruptly?

“In short, last time I was Jiang Wan’er’s sycophant; this time I’m Liang Yuyan’s sycophant,”

Zuo Sanqiu said. “When I realized you killed Liang Yuyan, I developed a desire to kill you.

“So… could it be that you’re the victim this time too? Two and a half days have passed… your time is tight. Have you found a solution yet? We need to reverse the situation quickly!”

Feeling his tone sounded overly worried, Zuo Sanqiu awkwardly added, “Um, I’m not really that concerned about you. Mainly, if you die, no one will pay me.”

Shi Zong didn’t respond, only got paper and pen and slowly started drawing.

Zuo Sanqiu peeked and saw him draw a circular diagram, divided into twelve equal parts, labeling spaces with words like “scriptwriter” and “director.”

“Are you drawing a floor plan of the castle’s fifth floor? These twelve evenly spaced sections correspond to our twelve rooms? Did you find anything?”

Shi Zong didn’t explain for now. “It’s almost dinner time. Let’s eat first.”

Glancing at his expressionless face, Zuo Sanqiu was shocked. “You’re really not worried? Tonight you could die. I still don’t want to kill my boss with my own hands.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t die.”

As soon as Shi Zong said this, Zuo Sanqiu suddenly turned into a crow again.

He looked at Shi Zong helplessly, flapped his wings twice, and flew away.

After Zuo Sanqiu left, Shi Zong focused on the map.

Last time, Jiang Wan’er’s turning point in changing her fate was escaping the marriage.

This time?

Players who receive the default plotline’s victim card are unlucky.

But this system doesn’t cheat; it will provide a solution.

Knowing the plot regarding He Zhen and Zuo Sanqiu, the story gradually became clearer.

Regardless of what kind of world this castle is, the core of the story is Liang Yuyan. That’s indisputable.

Shi Zong, as the scriptwriter, is the one who killed her.

As for others, although the status of the director and the second female is unknown, it can be inferred they are also Liang Yuyan’s friends or family and harbor a desire to kill the scriptwriter.

This time, outside the script reading session, players have a lot of free exploration time. Although the system forbids going to other floors, visiting each other’s rooms and discussing freely is allowed.

Everyone knows each other in the real world, so despite temporary amnesia, through encounters, conversations, and eye contact, they can “suddenly recall a memory.”

Therefore, obtaining these stories is not difficult. Players can acquire them through sufficient communication

First are the traits of each character themselves, such as the hot-tempered second male, the gluttonous second female, and so on.

Besides that?

In Shi Zong’s view, the remaining clue lies precisely in the layout of the castle itself.

In these three days, the only accessible areas for players were the fifth and fourth floors of the castle.

The fourth floor, aside from the restroom, kitchen, and banquet hall, had nothing special.

So the solution was likely hidden within the fifth floor itself.

This was why Shi Zong drew the fifth-floor layout.

Starting from the director’s room and proceeding to his left, the arrangement of the twelve rooms on the fifth floor of the castle is as follows—

[Director] [Empty] [Scriptwriter] [Empty] [Second Female] [Empty] [Male Lead] [Empty] [Crow San San] [Empty] [Female Lead] [Second Male]

After mentally reviewing all known information and each character’s traits, Shi Zong looked at the floor map before him and found the answer.

Author’s note:

Did everyone guess it?

Little He: It seems like cheering up the wife is going to be difficult.