Chapter 27

Chapter 26: Mountain and Sea 4

While Shi Zong was chatting with Zuo Sanqiu, He Zhen called Zhu Shuangyun, who was playing the Second Female, and Zhou Lü, who was playing the Second Male, into his room to find out what memories they had “recalled” during this time.

He Zhen’s first words were: “You two also have murderous intent toward the scriptwriter?”

He deliberately opened with this question.

Sure enough, before the two could admit it, their reactions upon hearing the question were enough to confirm it.

He Zhen said, “As expected, it seems the current deceased is indeed the scriptwriter. The Female Lead and I also have murderous intent toward him.

“Then, would you be willing to share the specific details of your side of the story?”

Zhou Lü countered, “What is the purpose of you asking this?”

He Zhen said, “It’s to help the scriptwriter find a solution, and also to help all of us restore the story, so everyone can get higher points.

“If the scriptwriter dies, the murder case immediately begins. But if we don’t know the background, who can say they’re truly safe?

“At that time, we would have to solve the case quickly. We cannot perfectly restore the plot.”

Zhou Lü thought for a moment and said, “In that case, those who draw the deceased card from the default plotline don’t need to be afraid at all. Now that we all know this rule, to restore the story and earn high points, everyone will help him.”

He Zhen shook his head. “This is only the newbie stage of the scenario. Who knows how it will be in future scenarios.

“Besides, at the moment, everyone is only sharing their own stories. How to solve the situation may still depend on the ‘deceased’ themselves.”

Zhou Lü and Zhu Shuangyun hesitated a bit.

It was mainly because Shi Zong’s previous manipulation of everyone had left a deep impression, making them wary.

Additionally, they worried that if Shi Zong was no longer the deceased, and the deceased card of another plotline fell to them, what would they do?

He Zhen noticed this and said, “Actually, whether you speak or not makes little difference. The story’s structure, Shi Zong and I both know. You two are also familiar with Liang Yuyan, and because the scriptwriter killed her, you have murderous intent toward him, right?

“Your memories can supplement story details, but the key to solving the situation isn’t here.”

Zhou Lü couldn’t help but ask, “We can only go to the fourth and fifth floors, and there are no clues there. These memories are the only clues we have.

“If the key to solving it isn’t in these memories, where is it?”

Before He Zhen could answer, the door knocked.

Shi Zong was at the door.

When He Zhen opened it, Shi Zong smiled faintly and asked, “How’s your discussion going? Am I still on schedule?”

The only member outside the guild, Zhang Qijun, wasn’t here. After He Zhen closed the door, Zhou Lü said to Shi Zong, “Of course, I don’t want to see any guild member die.

“Also, although we haven’t met in the real world, I’ve always admired you and believe you can lead the guild forward.

“But now I am a bit worried about my own safety. Let me think—”

Shi Zong interrupted him, speaking to both Zhou Lü and Zhu Shuangyun: “You don’t need to think about it at all.”

Zhou Lü, Zhu Shuangyun: “?”

Shi Zong said lightly, “I’ve already figured out the solution to get rid of the deceased. No amount of thinking on your part will change that.”

Zhou Lü, Zhu Shuangyun: “……”

After chatting briefly with He Zhen and knowing where they had left off, Shi Zong looked at Zhou Lü and said, “Apart from everyone’s ‘memories,’ the system also provides clues—the layout of the fifth floor.”

Zhu Shuangyun asked, “The fifth-floor layout? What do you mean?”

Shi Zong didn’t look back as he walked toward the door. “Dinner is at six. Once everyone gathers in the dining room, I’ll explain.”

By this point, Zhu Shuangyun and Zhou Lü had nothing to hide, and on the way to the dining room, they revealed all their memories.

Combining these with the memories of the Male Lead and others, the overall story became clearer—

Everyone believed that the scriptwriter had taken Liang Yuyan from the Male Lead and had killed her.

Among them, the Male Lead was Liang Yuyan’s ex-boyfriend, San San was her fan, the Female Lead was her sister, and the Second Male and Second Female were her brother and close friend, respectively.

From the perspectives of the brother and close friend, Liang Yuyan and the scriptwriter were deeply in love. They had seen Liang Yuyan invite the scriptwriter home.

Liang Yuyan and the Male Lead had once been a couple. Both were new actors, once considered a perfect pair.

Even so, Liang Yuyan never introduced the Male Lead to her family.

The beautiful and glamorous Liang Yuyan grew up admired by everyone and had dated many boys, but only the scriptwriter met her family.

In her family’s eyes, despite her flirtatious nature, she was serious only about the scriptwriter.

They were likely planning to get married.

“Yes, I know the scriptwriter is much older than me. But so what?

“The men I’ve dated before… they were handsome, but none had the talent of the scriptwriter.

“In my view, lasting love can’t rely on temporary passion or looks alone. Intelligence is the sexiest thing. The scriptwriter fascinates me; I really admire him.

“He likes me too, calls me his muse, and says I give him creative inspiration!”

They were very affectionate. Despite the age gap, many considered them a perfect match.

It is said the real director of the Mountain and Sea project in the real world considered announcing their romance during the film release to boost attention.

Because of this, when the scriptwriter and Liang Yuyan disappeared midway through filming, everyone was shocked.

The director, investors, other actors, and Liang Yuyan’s family and friends searched frantically, but never found them. Filming could not continue.

The final news they got was—the Female Lead was dead, the scriptwriter went mad.

No one knew what had happened.

The Mountain and Sea project even gained a reputation for misfortune.

Second Female Zhu Shuangyun added a detail: “I heard Liang Yuyan say that although the scriptwriter loved her, he didn’t think she was suitable for the Female Lead role.

“He said her image and temperament didn’t match the character, and her acting was slightly lacking.

“She complained a little, saying she would work on her acting. They may have argued over this, but the scriptwriter wouldn’t kill her over that, right?”

After a pause, Second Male Zhou Lü spoke:

“As far as I know, initially the director and scriptwriter had chosen another actress. She had joined the project, but Liang Yuyan replaced her. Mainly because… uh…

“At that time, Liang Yuyan was the Male Lead’s girlfriend. But he was also a newcomer and couldn’t help her career, so she secretly found an investor.

“That investor was the Mountain and Sea project’s financier. At his request, Liang Yuyan replaced the former Female Lead. She didn’t expect to fall deeply in love with the scriptwriter afterward. Once together, she cut ties with other men.

“Could it be that the scriptwriter knew her past, thought her personal life was chaotic, and acted violently, leading to murder?

“Or maybe the scriptwriter’s true love was the former Female Lead. That actress was replaced by Liang Yuyan, so he killed Liang Yuyan? No, that doesn’t fit…

“The scriptwriter’s character is that of an ascetic, devoted entirely to crafting the script. He wouldn’t be love-struck, wouldn’t fall for someone easily, and wouldn’t kill for such a reason.”

Six o’clock, Fourth Floor Banquet Hall, the castle.

Without giving the director a chance to speak, Shi Zong said: “We’re about to begin the final script reading. As the scriptwriter, I have a few words to say.”

The director, who had raised a glass to speak, put it down and looked at Shi Zong expectantly: “What insight does the scriptwriter have?”

Shi Zong glanced at him, then unexpectedly asked the others: “In your memories, what is your profession?”

Except for He Zhen answering “Actor,” the others froze, unable to say a word.

The director’s face changed instantly. He raised his hand as if to interrupt, but then reluctantly put it down.

He frowned deeply, as if troubled by an unsolvable worry.

Finally, he sighed and buried his face in his hands, as if unwilling to face what was about to happen.

Looking at the director again, Shi Zong said: “Now, everyone basically acknowledges that we are not in the real world, right? The castle is like an illusion, separate from reality.

“Meanwhile, the script reading is fake, and the Mountain and Sea project doesn’t exist in this castle world.

“However, based on everyone’s memories, the project exists in the real world.

“In my memory, I am also the scriptwriter in

Shi Zong took out the fifth-floor floor plan he had drawn in the afternoon and showed it to everyone.

There were twelve rooms in total, evenly arranged in a circle.

Except that the Female Lead, Second Male, and Director’s rooms were adjacent, the other rooms each had an empty room on either side, creating a very even distribution.

Shi Zong picked up a pen and divided the twelve rooms evenly into six sections, each containing two rooms.

The irritable Second Male and the seductive Female Lead shared one section.

The Director, Scriptwriter, insatiable Second Female, Male Lead who was executed every night, and Crow San San each occupied one section.

In the six sections, the topmost room was the Director’s.

In the two sections to the Director’s left were the Scriptwriter and the insatiable Second Female.

In the two sections to his right, the Female Lead and Second Male shared a section, while Crow San San occupied a section alone.

As for the section directly opposite the Director, at the bottom of the circle, it was where the Male Lead stayed.

Crow San San flapped his wings. “Th-this map looks familiar. Let me think… where have I seen it before…”

He Zhen spoke next.

He gave Shi Zong a meaningful glance and said, “This is the Six Realms of Reincarnation diagram.”

“That’s right. It’s exactly the Six Realms of Reincarnation diagram.”

Shi Zong said, “The room distribution on the fifth floor of the castle is a hint from the system. My temporary guess is that we are the same person existing in different reincarnations.”

The Six Realms of Reincarnation is a concept in Buddhism.

In the diagram, the topmost realm is the Deva Realm.

Adjacent to the Deva Realm on the left and right are the Asura Realm and the Human Realm.

Below the Asura Realm is the Animal Realm, below the Human Realm is the Hungry Ghost Realm, and at the very bottom, opposite the Deva Realm, is the Hell Realm.

The Deva Realm is pleasant, with little conflict. People there possess great supernatural powers and live very happily.

Moreover, their lifespans are very long and they rarely suffer misfortune.

“The beings of the Deva Realm reside at the top of all realms, endowed with virtue and supernatural powers,” so beings in the other five realms aspire to reach the Deva Realm through cultivation.

The Director’s room corresponds to the Deva Realm, meaning he comes from the Deva Realm.

Shi Zong, playing the Scriptwriter, occupies the room corresponding to the Human Realm, signifying he comes from the Human Realm.

Humans in the Human Realm have limited lifespans, suffer the Eight Pains, and must strive in cultivation to have a chance of reaching the Deva Realm.

Zhou Lü, playing the Second Male, and Zhang Qijun, playing the Female Lead, are both from the Asura Realm.

In the Asura Realm, women are extremely beautiful and seductive, even tempting beings from the Deva Realm, sometimes sparking wars with them.

Men in the Asura Realm are mostly ugly and naturally combative. This is the origin of the term “Asura Field.”

The Female Lead and Second Male perfectly match the characters of Female Asura and Male Asura.

Crow San San is undoubtedly from the Animal Realm.

The Deva Realm, Asura Realm, and Human Realm are considered the Three Good Realms.

The Animal Realm, Hell Realm, and Hungry Ghost Realm are classified as the Three Evil Realms.

He Zhen, playing the Male Lead, comes from the Hell Realm.

Among the Six Realms, the Hell Realm is the most suffering.

Every night being executed and reassembled at dawn symbolizes that He Zhen’s character suffered extreme torture in Hell.

Zhu Shuangyun, playing the Second Female, comes from the Hungry Ghost Realm.

Beings in the Hungry Ghost Realm are tormented by hunger.

Hence, after coming to the castle, she is insatiable with food.

All the characters’ traits correspond perfectly with the Six Realms of Reincarnation.

The rooms they occupy also form the Six Realms diagram.

When Shi Zong said the words “Six Realms of Reincarnation” in front of everyone, Zuo Sanqiu received a system notification—

【Reminder from the scriptwriter: You notice that the actual situation differs from your memory; you may not have murderous intent toward the scriptwriter】

【Therefore, you decide to abandon killing the scriptwriter and resolve to uncover the truth, no longer acting according to your memory】

【[Storyline 2] has been activated…】

Shi Zong received the following notification—

【You have successfully discovered the truth of the castle and revealed it publicly, making everyone aware of the inconsistencies in their memories, so they will no longer kill you】

【At this moment, you suddenly recall your name and some of your experiences】

【You are called Cen Qianshan, a scriptwriter. “Puzzle” is your debut work and also your breakthrough piece】

【One day, standing on a mountaintop looking at the distant sea, you were inspired to write a script called “Mountain and Sea”】

【After drafting the outline, you showed it to many directors, but none approved. You didn’t care, as long as you believed in it yourself】

【You resolved that no matter the cost, even poverty or a lifetime, you would complete it】

The system’s information ended here.

Shi Zong did not know what happened afterward, nor did he yet know why he killed Liang Yuyan.

He picked up the red tea on the table and drank a sip, then faced everyone and said, “I remember now. My name is Cen Qianshan. Each of us is Cen Qianshan, yet not entirely, because we exist in different reincarnations with our own experiences.

“This castle world was created by the Cen Qianshan with great supernatural power from the Deva Realm—the one we thought was the Director.

“In my view, the castle world seems outside the Six Realms, yet not completely detached.

“Crow San San can sometimes transform into a human and speak, meaning it has partially escaped the Animal Realm. Yet it remains in the crow form, so it hasn’t completely left.”

Looking at the Second Female and He Zhen, Shi Zong continued: “The Male Lead is still executed nightly but no longer feels pain; the Female Lead still suffers hunger but, unlike the pure Hungry Ghost Realm, she can enjoy food in the castle.

“These two have partially left the Six Realms but not entirely.”

Zuo Sanqiu flapped his wings a few times and said, “I understand! The Director gave us false identities, making us believe we are Liang Yuyan’s family and friends, thus giving us murderous intent toward the scriptwriter… Our intent was imposed by the Director. But! The Director didn’t fabricate the story itself.

“I mean, he only made up our identities; the story remained unchanged!”

Cen Qianshan is a scriptwriter who, after his debut work, won awards and didn’t get lost in the superficial entertainment industry. In poverty, he secluded himself for twenty years and created “Mountain and Sea.”

The Mountain and Sea project drew massive attention. Many actors hoped to become famous through it. Liang Yuyan was one of them.

Cen Qianshan and the original Director had chosen a Female Lead, but due to investor demands, the role went to Liang Yuyan.

Liang Yuyan and the Male Lead actor were a couple and had a secret investor, the project’s financier.

During filming, Cen Qianshan and Liang Yuyan fell in love.

Liang Yuyan even introduced Cen Qianshan to her close friend and brother. Beautiful and having dated many, she had never brought a boyfriend home before. She genuinely liked Cen Qianshan.

Cen Qianshan thought she didn’t quite fit the Female Lead’s appearance and temperament, and her acting was slightly lacking.

Yet this did not affect their love.

They remained deeply in love, at least in the eyes of outsiders.

Unexpectedly, halfway through filming, Cen Qianshan and Liang Yuyan disappeared.

When news came later, Liang Yuyan was dead, and Cen Qianshan was the killer.

Zuo Sanqiu summarized the story and added, “This story should be true. So, is it because Cen Qianshan killed Liang Yuyan, committing a killing sin, that he entered the Hell Realm after death and began reincarnation in the Six Realms?

“Other possibilities are hard to guess. From the information we have, we can only infer that Cen Qianshan killing Liang Yuyan is the start of the cycle. We just don’t know the order of our Cen Qianshan reincarnations. Also—”

Zuo Sanqiu looked at the Female Asura and Male Asura. “Why are there two Cen Qianshans from the Asura Realm?”

“We seven are all Cen Qianshan. If that’s correct, where is the start and end of this cycle? Why would the Cen Qianshan from the Deva Realm set up to kill the Cen Qianshan from the Human Realm…”

Shi Zong looked at the Director and said lightly, “You can explain these doubts to us.”

Everyone turned their gaze to the Director.

In the luxurious banquet hall, the warm yellow light illuminated the Director’s somewhat melancholic face. He sighed heavily and after a long pause said, “That’s right… We are all Cen Qianshan. But since we have gone into

In that lifetime, Cen Qianshan of the Deva Realm lived painfully for twenty thousand years and then committed suicide.

After his suicide, he immediately entered the Hell Realm and went through the Six Realms again.

When he came to the Deva Realm a second time and recalled all past experiences, familiar pain and fear swept over Cen Qianshan once more.

This time he swore that he must escape the Six Realms.

Later, following guidance from others, he thought of a solution—

The root of his suffering in the Six Realms was that, when he was still Cen Qianshan, he had killed Liang Yuyan.

That incident was the root of his inner demon and the starting point of his killing sin.

If he killed the Cen Qianshan from the Human Realm, this act could demonstrate that he hated his past self and had completely reformed.

In this way, Heaven might recognize that he had deeply acknowledged his past mistakes and grant him true liberation.

Therefore, Cen Qianshan of the Deva Realm decided to kill Cen Qianshan of the Human Realm to show Heaven that he despised the errors he had committed and had thoroughly reformed.

But on the other hand, he feared that if he personally carried out the act, it might still be considered tainted by killing karma.

In that case, he might still be trapped in the Six Realms, unable to be freed.

Thus, Cen Qianshan of the Deva Realm faced a dilemma—

He needed to kill his past self to demonstrate his resolve to Heaven, but he dared not stain his own hands with blood. What should he do?

Finally, he thought of a solution: let the other versions of himself from different reincarnations kill the Cen Qianshan of the Human Realm.

So he created this castle, used his great supernatural power to pull the other versions of himself into it, wiped their memories, and reassigned their identities.

Using the “Mountain and Sea” script he created while in the Human Realm as a blueprint, he assigned different identities such as Scriptwriter, Male Lead, Second Male, and so on, to his various reincarnations.

Additionally, he assigned the Male Lead and Second Male the roles of Liang Yuyan’s ex-boyfriend and brother, so that all of them would develop murderous intent toward the Scriptwriter due to Liang Yuyan’s death.

He did not care who ultimately killed the Scriptwriter, or rather, Cen Qianshan of the Human Realm.

As long as Cen Qianshan died at the hands of any of them, his goal was achieved.

After finishing this story, the Director lifted his head, his expression complex, and said to everyone: “I suppose today’s final script reading cannot proceed…

“Since you’ve discovered the truth, you obviously will not kill the Scriptwriter.

“Looking at you now, it’s hard to describe my feelings. Because I am your future. Or rather… I am your origin.

“We were originally the same person, all called Cen Qianshan. Now we are trapped in these Six Realms, and if we don’t figure out a way, we will never escape for all eternity.”

The Director stood, stepped up to Shi Zong, and spoke with sorrow and melancholy: “I am you, and you are me. I kill you to save myself, actually to save us both, to help us escape the Six Realms, to break free from the prison!”

Facing the others, the Director continued: “It seems the method I had in mind won’t work… So let’s all brainstorm together to figure out how to escape the Six Realms.”

“What escape from the Six Realms? I just want to leave the castle!”

Spoke the Female Asura.

Not long ago she thought she was the soon-to-be-famous Female Lead; now, having regained some memory, she glared angrily at the Director: “The past cycles, I had long forgotten!

“I remember now, I am indeed an Asura. My life in the Asura Realm was good, with fine wine, food, and countless men vying for me. I just want to return to the Asura Realm. Let us go back immediately!”

Her words quickly drew a rebuttal from Crow San San: “If you want to go back, go yourself. I’m not going back to suffer! Here, at least I can occasionally become human again and keep speaking.

“If I return to the Animal Realm, I’ll only be a crow, constantly worried about hunters in the human world shooting me. That’s terrifying!”

The Second Female quickly agreed: “Yes, yes, yes. I don’t remember things from other cycles. I only regained the memories of this current lifetime. I remember now, I am not a female actor, nor did I participate in any so-called ‘Mountain and Sea’ project…

“I really am a Hungry Ghost. I endured hunger every day, surrounded by nothing… I was so hungry I wished to smash my head against something. Here, I have endless food. I refuse to go back!

“Mm… of course, if escaping the Six Realms can free me from this suffering, I am willing to follow Cen Qianshan of the Deva Realm to break the cycle!

“I am willing to stay and discuss how to escape the Six Realms!”

The three of them spoke this way because they had received the red-line storyline.

Shi Zong glanced at the back of his left hand, but for now, made no move.

The Director sighed deeply and heavily, looking at everyone: “Let’s vote. Those willing to stay and work with me on escaping the Six Realms, raise your hand. Those wanting to leave and return to the Six Realms, no need to raise your hand.

“You don’t remember past events… but trust me, all beings in the Six Realms suffer. Even I, in the Deva Realm, cannot escape this suffering. Only by finding a way out of the Six Realms can all suffering end.”

【Player Shi Zong, please make your choice】

【Hint: Your choice may determine the ending】

This was the prompt in Shi Zong’s mind.

He first looked at the other players—

Crow San San, the Second Female from the Hungry Ghost Realm, and He Zhen from the Hell Realm, the three from the Three Evil Realms, all raised their hands.

They wished to stay rather than return to their reincarnations to suffer.

As for the Second Male and Female Lead, both from the Asura Realm, they chose to leave.

They did not raise their hands.

All eyes turned to Shi Zong. His gaze passed over everyone and finally rested on He Zhen.

He smiled faintly: “If I choose to help you escape the Six Realms and avoid Hell’s suffering, you owe me a favor again.”

Author’s note:

Note: For the sake of the script-killing reasoning, the concept of the Six Realms of Reincarnation in this dungeon may include some private settings and does not have to fully correspond to reality.

Thumbs up to everyone who guessed in the comments!

Also, those guessing the Seven Deadly Sins, your creativity is excellent and brilliant!!!