Xiao Lou assumed that the person making the announcement over the airport must be a friend of Yu Hanjiang from the real world.
However, just as the three turned to walk towards the airport, they heard the announcer's gentle voice again: "Announcement for someone, Mr. Xiao Lou, a tourist from out of town. Mr. Xiao Lou, please go to the airport information desk immediately. A friend is waiting for you."
The three of them stopped at the same time and looked at each other in bewilderment.
Yu Hanjiang frowned: "Do you also have friends looking for you?"
Xiao Lou shook his head: "Probably not. None of my friends in the real world have died unexpectedly in recent years. If the accident happened after me, they wouldn't have passed the fourth level so quickly."
Liu Qiao suddenly thought of a possibility and asked, "Could it be because you two broke the escape room record before, so the Challenger organization contacted you? I saw the message in the floating window above my head. Among this batch of newcomers, you are the most famous Challenger."
Liu Qiao's point is valid. Regardless of the situation, since the other party specifically requested them at the airport, the two couldn't simply ignore it. They'd find out who it was once they went to investigate.
Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang exchanged a glance, then turned and continued walking towards the information desk.
The three approached the information desk, where a woman wearing sunglasses was quietly waiting. She was over 1.75 meters tall, slender, with a classic oval face, fair skin, and long, sexy curls. Upon seeing the three, she approached them and asked, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Yu and Mr. Xiao from out of town?"
Yu Hanjiang nodded, and the woman then took off her sunglasses and extended her hand: "Hello, my name is Xue Mingyue."
Xiao Lou didn't remember this person and looked at Yu Hanjiang with a puzzled expression. Yu Hanjiang didn't reach out to shake her hand, but said directly, "Sorry, I don't know you."
Xue Mingyue smiled slightly: "Knowing you is enough for me." She glanced at the surrounding passengers and said, "Let's talk in private."
The three followed her to a quiet corner of the airport. Xue Mingyue glanced around warily before saying, "There were a lot of locals at the information desk, so it wasn't convenient to talk." She lowered her voice, "I'm also a Challenger. The president sent me to pick you up. You two broke the world record for the Heart Room and are the strongest Challengers among this batch of newcomers."
Realizing the other party meant no harm, Xiao Lou breathed a sigh of relief and asked with a smile, "President? What president?"
Xue Mingyue said, " Challenger Alliance [Far Away Guild], one of the largest guilds in Moon City, has only one principle—to do everything possible to go back. We all know that our home is far away, not here."
This guild's goal coincides with that of Yu Hanjiang and Xiao Lou.
The two exchanged a glance and continued listening.
Seeing their serious expressions, Xue Mingyue continued, "We will select some very strong Challengers from each batch of new recruits and invite them to join the guild. The guild will form an elite team to handle the World Weekly Routine and subsequent high-difficulty levels. You two performed exceptionally well in the Heart Room, breaking many world records, so our guild leader, 'Old Ghost,' has been keeping an eye on you for a long time."
She spoke at length, and Yu Hanjiang gleaned the key information from it, frowning as he asked, "World Weekly Routine? What does that mean?"
Xue Mingyue said, "The airport is crowded and noisy, please..." She noticed that there was a girl with a cold expression following behind the two of them, so she awkwardly changed her words, "Please come with me to the guild headquarters. Our guild leader would like to have a talk with you personally."
Xiao Lou was worried it might be a trap, but the main city seemed peaceful, so he figured they wouldn't openly resort to force. With Captain Yu's gun license, he wasn't afraid even if force came. But he remained cautious and looked at Yu Hanjiang, saying, " Captain Yu, could you please wait a few minutes? I need to use the restroom."
Yu Hanjiang nodded readily: "Okay, I'll wait for you here."
Before leaving, Xiao Lou secretly activated Qin Guan's "If Love Lasts Forever" skill with Yu Hanjiang. The Telepathic Connection was established, and his thoughts could be instantly transmitted to Yu Hanjiang's mind.
A few seconds later, Xiao Lou's voice rang in Yu Hanjiang's mind: " Captain Yu, we've been working on closed-door challenges, but we didn't expect our names to appear in the Challenger's floating announcement multiple times. Now, almost everyone in Card World knows about us. This is both a good thing and a bad thing."
Yu Hanjiang understood what he meant: "I understand. Xue Mingyue's background is unknown, and we can't be sure how credible the Challenger Alliance she mentioned is. I plan to go with her to find out more, but we must be cautious and be prepared to retreat at any time."
Xiao Lou said, "That's what I think too. I'll first drive Tao Yuanming's Peach Blossom Spring out in a secluded spot. If things go wrong within 30 minutes, we'll teleport back to the airport immediately."
Yu Hanjiang greatly appreciated Professor Xiao's caution and immediately agreed, saying, "Okay, let's do it your way."
Xue Mingyue noticed that ever since Xiao Lou went to the restroom, the handsome man in front of her had fallen silent. His gaze was fixed on the ground, his long fingers stroking his chin, as if he were deep in thought. As for the girl who was a head shorter than her, she hadn't said a word the entire time, acting like a barely noticeable follower.
Xue Mingyue didn't make a sound to disturb them; she had no idea that Yu Hanjiang and Xiao Lou were having a "spiritual communion" at that moment.
Xiao Lou returned quickly, her hands still wet, clearly having just washed them.
" If you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way, " Xiao Lou said with a smile. "Let's go."
Xue Mingyue
She led the three to the parking lot in a red sedan with a license plate that appeared to be Card World's, one she had never seen before. Liu Qiao sat in the passenger seat, leaving the back for Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang, who then got into the car.
The rear seats were extremely spacious. Xiao Lou asked, "This car is great. How much does it cost at Card World?"
Xue Mingyue smiled and said, "Converted to RMB, it's about ten or twenty thousand." Seeing Xiao Lou's surprised look in the rearview mirror, she shrugged and said, "The prices in this world are really low. Buying a car and a house is very easy. So, many Challengers stay here for a long time and are attracted by the super low prices, so they don't want to go back."
Xiao Lou had expected this, but hearing her say it herself still made her feel indescribably sad.
The vehicle started, and Xue Mingyue drove onto the airport expressway. Moon City's roads are well-connected, with multiple levels of elevated highways, so traffic jams are practically nonexistent. The scenery along the roads is stunning; streetlights hang from the trees, and tall trees along the roadside create natural shade, with cascading vines that, from a distance, resemble vast green waterfalls, stretching endlessly.
The car drove on the highway as if it were traveling through a jungle.
Looking out the window at the beautiful scenery and the boundless starry sky, Xiao Lou chatted casually with Xue Mingyue.
From Xue Mingyue, he learned that the ratio of natives to Challengers in Moon City was roughly 6:4. The city had about 40 million Challengers and 60 million natives, with a total population of over 100 million, much larger than Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in Earth's time.
Xue Mingyue said, "The only difference between the indigenous people and the Challengers is that they work from Monday to Friday and rest on Saturday and Sunday. However, Challengers need to complete the challenge at fixed times on Saturdays and Sundays, and they may not be able to return."
Xiao Lou guessed, "The challenges every weekend, could they be the World Weekly Routine you mentioned?"
Xue Mingyue nodded: "The Weekly Routine forces all Challengers to go there. A mysterious force will suck us directly into a large Secret Room World, where life and death are in the hands of fate. That's why many locals wonder why we outsiders always disappear after a while... Actually, it's not that we disappear, but that we die in the Secret Room World."
Her eyes were fixed straight ahead, a hint of disappointment flashing in them: "So, even if I live a normal life in this world, it's still precarious... Nobody knows if they'll be able to come back alive from the next Weekly Routine."
Sitting in the passenger seat, Liu Qiao glanced at her and spoke her first words since meeting her: " Is the Weekly Secret Chamber random?"
Xue Mingyue said, "Yes, it could be any of the following: hearts, diamonds, spade, or plum blossom."
Xiao Lou frowned and said, "I remember there are tens of millions of Challengers entering the main city. How can so many people be sucked into the same Secret Room World? With tens of millions of people participating in the Hearts Mystery Room, how chaotic would the plot be?"
Xue Mingyue smiled and explained, "Tens of millions of people will be dispersed into different instances of the same secret room. Each secret room can only hold a maximum of about a hundred people, and if it's a heart room, it might only have a dozen or so." She glanced at Xiao Lou in the rearview mirror and said, "Actually, this is very similar to a game world. We are game players, forced to do weekend tasks. And the natives are NPCs who don't need to do tasks."
Silence fell inside the car.
Xiao Lou looked out the window thoughtfully—she hadn't expected that, in addition to the fixed challenges, the Challengers would also have a random weekly routine.
Weekly Routine missions will pull tens of millions of Challengers into the Secret Room World, which could be a complex murder case, a huge maze, an extremely harsh survival room, or even the Plum Blossom Secret Chamber where two opposing factions are eliminated.
Every week, the Challengers experience a thrilling, life-or-death game for the entire nation.
The person who was talking to you yesterday might never come back after this weekend...
Therefore, no matter how good the material conditions are in this world, Challengers don't actually have a sense of "security". No one knows if they will survive the weekend. Even if they survive this week, what about next week?
If you want to live a truly peaceful life, there is only one way—clear the SS-level secret room and return to the real world.
Xiao Lou took a deep breath and looked at Yu Hanjiang sitting beside him. Captain Yu seemed to sense this as well and turned to look at him. The two exchanged a glance and continued to communicate telepathically.
Yu Hanjiang said, "The World Weekly Routine should be a randomly selected room every week, unlike the fixed room with 52 playing cards. Moreover, all Challengers have to do the Weekly Routine, so this task is definitely not easy."
Xiao Lou said, "If we do the World Weekly Routine on the weekend, then the other escape rooms can only be completed on Monday through Friday?"
Yu Hanjiang agreed: "For us, taking on escape room challenges is like going to work."
The two communicated telepathically all the way, and soon, Xue Mingyue's voice rang in their ears: "We've arrived."
She parked her car in front of a beautifully designed building.
This is a three-story villa, built entirely of solid wood, and warm yellow lights are shining inside.
There is a small river ahead. You can cross the river by following the wooden boardwalk to reach the front of the villa. The front of the villa is full of flowers and surrounded by tall trees. There is also a swimming pool the size of a basketball court. It is clear that the owner of this place knows how to enjoy life.
Xue Mingyue led everyone to the door and gently knocked: "President, the person you're looking for has arrived."
A deep voice came from inside the room: "Bring them in."
The three of them entered the villa.
A man around forty years old sat on the sofa. He sat upright, wearing a gray Zhongshan suit, and gave the first impression of being very cultured. The entire villa was decorated in a purely Chinese style.
The style, with a complete set of solid wood furniture, looks extremely grand.
A set of exquisite tea utensils was laid out on the coffee table, and he was brewing tea in the teapot.
The man looked up at the three of them, his expression exuding an air of authority without anger. He said calmly, "Please sit down, gentlemen. I've made some tea. Let's chat while we drink."
The three of them had no choice but to walk over and sit down opposite him.
The man introduced himself: "My name is Gui Yuanzhang, and I am a calligrapher in the real world."
Xiao Lou took the teacup from him and said in surprise, "Mr. Gui? I've heard of you."
Gui Yuanzhang turned to look at him: "Really?"
Xiao Lou said, "My father loves calligraphy and has collected some of your works."
Gui Yuanzhang smiled and said, "That would be an honor."
He handed the three of them delicate, small purple clay teacups filled with tea and said, "Xiao Xue should have told you already. I'm paying attention to you two because you broke the world record for heart room. I checked with the Intelligence Bureau. Captain Yu is a real-life police officer, and Professor Xiao is a Forensic Doctor. With these two working together, heart room is going to be a breeze, right?"
Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang were shocked—they hadn't expected him to be able to find out their background.
Yu Hanjiang frowned and asked, " The Intelligence Bureau can find out our real-world identities?"
Gui Yuanzhang smiled slightly: "Yes, the Intelligence Bureau is also a Challenger organization. They have collected a lot of intelligence from Challengers and indigenous people. As long as you can afford the price, they can answer any question you want to ask."
Upon hearing this, Liu Qiao clenched her fist slightly—there was actually an organization called the Intelligence Bureau? Could she find out her sister's whereabouts through the Intelligence Bureau?
Gui Yuanzhang glanced at her: "Young lady, you seem to have something on your mind?"
Liu Qiao didn't mention her sister. Perhaps it was a woman's intuition, but she felt something was off about this Mr. Gui, and she didn't dare reveal her vulnerabilities to a stranger. What if he knew she had a sister and used her sister to blackmail her?
Thinking of this, Liu Qiao immediately said calmly, "It's nothing, I just find the Intelligence Bureau a bit mysterious." She quickly changed the subject, "Mr. Gui, Ms. Xue just said that your association's ultimate goal is to return to reality, is that right?"
Gui Yuanzhang nodded: "Yes."
Liu Qiao asked, "How many people are in your association?"
Gui Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Our [Yuanfang Guild] is one of the largest associations in Card World, with over ten thousand members."
Liu Qiao asked pointedly, "Then why did the Guardian tell me that no one has succeeded in passing the test so far?"
Gui Yuanzhang suddenly fell silent.
Xiao Lou hadn't expected Liu Qiao to be so sharp-tongued. He was genuinely worried that the girl might blurt out about her sister in her excitement, which could give someone leverage and cause serious trouble. Luckily, Liu Qiao was cautious enough not to reveal too much to strangers. Knowing about the Intelligence Bureau meant she could find her sister herself, which was the wisest course of action.
Her question was crucial, and all three of them awaited Mr. Gui's answer.
After a moment, Gui Yuanzhang said, "Because the later secret chambers were too difficult, we organized an elite team of 10 people. Among them were mystery writers, sports school athletes, dance teachers, math Olympiad champions, singers, painters... almost a gathering of the most cutting-edge talents from various industries. In the end, they only made it to the S-level secret chamber." Hearts J has completely disappeared.
He picked up his purple clay teacup, took a sip of tea, sighed softly, and said in a low voice, "Even the Intelligence Bureau can't find their whereabouts. They must have all died in Hearts J's secret room."
Xiao Lou was filled with shock.
The analytical skills of the mystery writer should be no worse than his and Captain Yu's; the math champion might be even better at solving calculation problems than him; the athletes are physically strong, the dance teacher is agile, and the singers, painters and other professionals can be surprisingly effective at certain levels—how could such a strong team fail to pass the level?
Gui Yuanzhang said, "Since then, many people have been afraid to challenge escape rooms above level J. Currently, the average level of escape room progress in the world is level 7, and the highest level is only at the tenth stage."
A hint of sadness flashed in his eyes: "Although we insist on going back, the guild has already suffered heavy losses in assembling such an elite team, and it will be difficult to replicate it." He looked up at the two of them, "Your appearance has given me a little confidence."
Xue Mingyue smiled and said, "Ever since Captain Yu entered Card World and broke the record for Red Heart 2 [ Rose Funeral ], the guild leader has been paying attention to you. Our guild has many experts. If you want to go back, you might as well consider joining us."
Gui Yuanzhang said, "The subsequent secret rooms will become increasingly difficult. Only by gathering a large number of experts can we hope to pass them."
Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang were somewhat tempted, but neither of them made a hasty decision.
Yu Hanjiang said in a low voice, "Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Gui. We cannot give you an answer immediately because we have a few friends who got separated when we entered the main city. We will discuss it with you and let you know our decision after they arrive."
Gui Yuanzhang was taken aback: "You weren't doing the obstacle course as a duo? I remember the world record only has the two of your names on it."
Xiao Lou explained with a smile, "They are friends I met at Spade Secret Room. We share the same interests and agreed to team up beforehand. We can't go back on our word."
Gui Yuanzhang asked, "I can help you find them. What are the names of those friends?"
Xiao Lou shook his head: "No need to trouble you. We've already arranged a meeting place, and it's almost time. Let's go back and meet up with some friends."
Gui Yuanzhang enthusiastically said, "Why don't we do it tonight?"
Staying overnight at my house?
Xiao Lou stood up: "No need to trouble yourself. We will visit you in person after we have thought it through."
The other party smiled and didn't press them any further, letting Xue Mingyue take them back.
Xiao Lou said he had arranged to meet his friends at the city center square, so Xue Mingyue dropped the three of them off at the central square. Then, Xiao Lou led Yu Hanjiang and Liu Qiao to a deserted corner, activated Tao Yuanming's skill, and instantly teleported back to Peach Blossom Spring at the airport.
Seeing the familiar peach blossoms, Xiao Lou finally breathed a sigh of relief.
—One should always be wary of others.
Joining such a Challenger organization rashly might get you into a lot of trouble.
Let's wait until we find CEO Shao and Ye Qi before making any decisions. It's currently Monday in this world, and there are still four days until the so-called "World Weekly Routine." They need to investigate thoroughly and gather enough intelligence before making a decision.