In a multiplayer game, the players' audience was mobile and would generally flock to whoever performed best. Right now, Puppet Zhang's performance is the most outstanding. The audience showered him with rewards and likes, and it felt as if victory was already within reach.
Strangely, however, the number of viewers in the core promotion area of the multiplayer zone hadn't increased. Mu Sicheng and Du Sanying might have been losing their audience, but those viewers were all rushing toward the burial mound dancing area where Bai Liu was. They weren't going to watch Puppet Zhang's small TV.
But Bai Liu had just been controlled by Puppet Zhang. He was clearly the player performing the worst. He shouldn't have been able to attract the audience like this; he should have been losing viewers! Some spectators couldn't contain their curiosity and whispered among themselves.
"What is Bai Liu doing? Does he have some trick up his sleeve? He's completely tied up with puppet silk threads! There's no way he can turn this around!"
"…I think so too. Why don't we go take a look and then come back?"
"You go check. I don't want to leave. Puppet Zhang is amazing right now. Come back and tell us what Bai Liu is doing."
"Okay, I'll go take a look and come back. Don't worry. At most, Bai Liu is probably pulling off some flashy, eye-catching death scene. People must be watching for the spectacle!"
A small group of viewers from Puppet Zhang's small TV station went to watch Bai Liu. However, those who had promised to return and report on Bai Liu's "joke" never came back. The remaining audience grew even more uneasy.
"Fuck, does Bai Liu actually have a trick? No way! I've never heard of anyone breaking the puppet skill!"
"…Du Sanying and Mu Sicheng are also rushing toward Bai Liu like crazy. Did they plan something together? What the hell is going on?"
"I can't help wanting to look!"
"I'm curious too, but shit, I'm a die-hard Puppet Zhang fan… Forget it, I'll just take a quick look. I'll come right back!"
In this way, the audiences from all the players in Exploding Last Train gradually began to gather. They streamed from the small TVs of the other players to Bai Liu's small TV. The once cold and deserted burial mound dancing area grew increasingly crowded. It wasn't a large space to begin with, and this rarely visited place was now packed with audience traffic drawn in by Bai Liu.
Wang Shun glanced at the new viewers squeezing in behind him, then turned his gaze to Bai Liu on the small TV. His expression and tone were more complicated than ever before.
"You actually siphoned traffic from the other three great players…"
At the start of Exploding Last Train, almost all the audience Bai Liu had accumulated had been drawn away by the great gods, leaving only a handful behind to watch him. Now, Bai Liu was crazily pulling all that lost audience back. Judging by the viewer count, he had regained a massive number, and none of them were leaving.
It was the first time Wang Shun had ever seen someone draw traffic away from the small TVs of three great gods at once. Almost all the viewers of Exploding Last Train were being pulled toward Bai Liu.
Most of the audience couldn't take their eyes off Bai Liu on the screen. Their gazes were glued to it as if they were watching the climax of a thrilling movie. No one was willing to look away for even a second. Only a few viewers, unable to withstand the tension, averted their eyes and muttered nervously.
"Fuck, I can't look! Can Bai Liu really fool Puppet Zhang? Oh my god, that's Puppet Zhang! Ninety-three points in wisdom! He actually dares to scheme against him!"
"Hold on! Don't panic! I think Puppet Zhang has already taken the bait!"
Then Mu Sicheng was shoved forward and had his arms chopped off. The viewers of Bai Liu's small TV wailed, and many covered their eyes.
"Oh my god! God Mu is suffering so badly! Even though I know it's part of the plan, I still can't stand it. Bai Liu was smiling when he pushed him!"
"I think God Mu might really be done for this time… Bai Liu always prioritizes benefits. I don't think he'll save him."
"Same here…"
"God Mu!! Are you stupid? How could Bai Liu save you?! As your fan, I'm furious! You're doing this for nothing!"
"Bai Liu said he would save everyone, but I think that's impossible. He's probably just being hypocritical, coaxing Mu Sicheng and Du Sanying into cooperating with him. Bai Liu and Puppet Zhang are the same type of people. When it's time to abandon someone, they'll do it faster than anyone else."
"In the end, Bai Liu and Du Sanying might be the only ones who survive. The others will probably be discarded and killed depending on the situation."
"Mu Sicheng is pitiful… He was completely tricked by Bai Liu…"
Then Bai Liu seized complete control of Puppet Zhang, forcibly activated Puppet Zhang's skill to collapse his mental value, and snatched the unconscious Mu Sicheng back from the monster. The audience was stunned into silence as they watched Bai Liu and his group rest in the chaotic carriage.
In just dozens of seconds, he had reversed the situation, taken control of the entire field, driven back the monsters, and even stolen a person from their grasp. Most importantly, everything unfolded exactly as Bai Liu had planned. No one died, neither from Puppet Zhang's group nor from his own.
It took a long while before the dazed audience began speaking again, their voices filled with disbelief.
"…Bai Liu really made everyone survive…"
"I honestly thought Mu Sicheng would die when he was dragged out. I didn't expect Bai Liu to yank him back so fiercely and even take a punch for him…"
"Damn it, I actually cried when Bai Liu saved Mu Sicheng. I believe in love again! It's not just cooperation!"
"He's too strong. Bai Liu is insanely strong! Damn! Why can I only give one like?"
"I'm so excited, I want to tear off my clothes! Bai Liu and Mu Sicheng are so handsome! This kind of courage and brotherhood really moved me!"
"Wuwuwu, this is so sweet. Where can I find this kind of brotherhood? Wuwuwu, Bai Liu, would you like to cooperate with me too?"
"Bai Liu, you're a god! A god!!"
"Bai Liu, my eternal god!!!"
Wang Shun slowly took off his glasses and wiped away the drops of sweat. After cleaning them carefully, he put them back on and continued watching the small TV. On the screen, Bai Liu was resting with his eyes closed, his face covered in blood. Amid the deafening screams, Wang Shun smiled sincerely.
[41,776 new users liked Bai Liu's small TV. 41,107 new users bookmarked it. 10,401 users have tipped player Bai Liu, totaling 15,442 points.]
[60,004 new viewers are now watching Bai Liu's small TV. The player has received over 40,000 likes in one minute. Congratulations to Bai Liu for earning the achievement: "10,000 People Dancing Wildly on Your Grave."]
[Yo~ tens of thousands are gathered at your grave~ yo~ even the coffin lid can't hold you down~ yo~ you're breaking out of the earth and soaring into the sky in style~]
[Congratulations to player Bai Liu for leaving the Burial Mound Dancing Area. Unlocking Promotion Position Program. Recalculating player data.]
[Due to a drastic drop in Puppet Zhang's performance data, the system is very disappointed and has decided to swap the promotion positions of player Puppet Zhang and player Bai Liu.]
[Congratulations to player Bai Liu for obtaining the final promotion position and entering the core homepage of the central screen. View count rising rapidly…]
[Player Puppet Zhang has entered the Burial Mound Dancing Area.]
When the cheering audience heard the system notifications, they froze momentarily, then erupted into even louder cheers. Their voices rang out in unison.
"Bai Liu, go!!! Core promotion!"
After resting for a while, Bai Liu slowly opened his eyes.
Mu Sicheng was wrapping protective bandages around his hands and feet. These bandages reduced movement speed but increased defense and stopped bleeding. They were a commonly used item in the game.
Seeing that Bai Liu was awake, Mu Sicheng instinctively handed him a roll of bandages.
Bai Liu accepted it naturally. "Protective bandages are a good item. Thanks."
He began wrapping them around himself without any intention of paying Mu Sicheng. It was blatantly shameless.
Mu Sicheng was speechless. "…Did I say I was giving them to you for free?"
"I assumed you were," Bai Liu replied shamelessly. "Of course, you can take them back, but I only have 6 health points right now. One punch from you would be enough to kill me."
He spread out his freshly bandaged hands and looked at Mu Sicheng innocently, clearly implying: If you're not afraid of killing me, go ahead and take them back.
Mu Sicheng: "..."
He cursed under his breath and turned away.
Bai Liu's health was down to 6 points. When Mu Sicheng saw his hands and feet still bleeding, he handed over the bandages without thinking.
The problem was that Bai Liu had accepted them far too naturally. Worse, he had charged Mu Sicheng a handling fee earlier. Mu Sicheng had just paid him 1,870 points for physical strength supplements and mental bleach, 170 of which were "handling fees."
Now Bai Liu was taking his items without the slightest intention of paying.
Mu Sicheng hadn't really planned to charge him, but watching Bai Liu so happily take advantage still made him feel irritated. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do. He really couldn't bring himself to hit someone with only 6 health points left.
The others in the carriage were also wrapping themselves in bandages. Brother Thief's fierce attack had injured everyone to some degree, though Du Sanying remained relatively unharmed. He sat awkwardly in the corner, watching the others tend to their wounds.
Suddenly, Bai Liu called out, "Du Sanying."
Du Sanying turned reflexively and saw Bai Liu toss him the large, diamond-shaped mirror fragment they had worked so hard to collect.
"Bai Liu, why are you giving this to me?" Du Sanying asked, holding the broken lens.
"You have 100% luck," Bai Liu replied calmly. "You're the least likely to get injured or drop items. It's safest with you. If I die and a monster picks it up, that would be a waste."
He said it casually, but Mu Sicheng and Du Sanying both stiffened.
Du Sanying quickly put the fragment away. "Y-You won't die, Bai Liu! You calculated everything, we'll definitely survive, just like last time!"
Mu Sicheng cast Bai Liu a deep look.
Bai Liu spoke plainly. "I calculated my health, but there are always variables, right?"
"For example, the second monster is stronger than expected, and the third one hasn't appeared yet. No one knows what will happen." His tone remained calm, as if he weren't discussing his own possible death. "The probability of dying isn't low. So, Du Sanying, this is the safest arrangement. Even if I die, the lenses won't go to waste. Understand?"
After speaking, he coughed up another mouthful of blood, this time mixed with fragments of viscera. He wiped it away casually.
Silence fell over the carriage as everyone stared at the blood on his palm.
With health reduced to 6 points, the impact on the body was severe. Few players could remain conscious in that state. Bai Liu's words were realistic; his death in this game would not be surprising.
Du Sanying's eyes reddened.
"Okay!" he nodded vigorously, like a pecking chicken. "I'll protect it! When the game ends, I'll return it to you! I won't give it to anyone else!"
He even cast a wary glance at Puppet Zhang, as if afraid the man might snatch the fragment.
Bai Liu looked at him strangely. The real reason he had given Du Sanying the fragment was that monsters were likely to target whoever held it. Mu Sicheng had already suffered for that reason.
Du Sanying currently had the highest health and the least damage. With 100% luck, he was the most suitable bait to draw the monster's aggression, making things safer for everyone else.
Puppet Zhang looked at Du Sanying as if he were mentally deficient and sneered.
He said nothing. After all, he was now under Bai Liu's control. As long as Bai Liu lived, there was no need for him to worry. Objectively speaking, it was indeed safest for the fragment to remain with the lucky fool.
What Puppet Zhang couldn't understand was why Mu Sicheng and Du Sanying, both rising stars, would obey Bai Liu so unquestioningly.
In all his years of playing, this was the first time he had seen players willingly pay a controller and remain so cooperative. It was also the first time he had seen a controller determined to save his "puppets."
His gaze lingered on Bai Liu's pale face for a few seconds.
As if sensing it, Bai Liu turned and nodded politely at him like they weren't enemies who had just fought moments ago.
Damn it… Maybe I'm bewitched too, Puppet Zhang thought bitterly as he looked away. He didn't want Bai Liu to die.
He didn't want Bai Liu to live because of Du Sanying's idiotic sentimentality. It was purely from a practical standpoint.
Bai Liu had control of the entire field. This clever guy was exceptionally good at precisely calculating everyone's health and minimizing overall losses.
He could ensure that this game was cleared with the smallest possible sacrifice.
If Bai Liu died, Puppet Zhang wasn't confident he could control Du Sanying and Mu Sicheng the way Bai Liu did. Those two didn't trust him. Without establishing cooperation with them, Puppet Zhang had no confidence in clearing the game with just himself and his puppets.
This game was simply too difficult.
To put it bluntly, it required seven players working together to pass—but no one except Bai Liu could make that happen.
This man with only 6 health points was the key to the entire game.
Bai Liu glanced at the countdown timer. "The train is about to reach the next station. I'll make some rough arrangements."
"Mu Sicheng and Liu Huai will work together to steal the broken lenses from the passengers. Mu Sicheng will handle the stealing. Liu Huai will attract hate value. My health is too low—I can't help but attract attention this time. Can the two of you manage?"
Both Liu Huai and Mu Sicheng's expressions shifted.
It was awkward. These two former teammates, who had turned against each other, were now being assigned to cooperate.
Liu Huai didn't dare look at Mu Sicheng. With a guilty expression, he replied softly, "I have no problem."
Mu Sicheng remained silent.
Logically, he knew Bai Liu's arrangement was optimal. But emotionally, he couldn't suppress a subtle sense of disgust and resistance. That rejection showed in his body language—and in a high-risk battle, even a moment of hesitation could be fatal.
For someone like Mu Sicheng, whose movement speed exceeded 7,000, a single second of delay could mean death in this brutal Level 2 game.
Previously, he and Bai Liu had functioned smoothly because Bai Liu never faltered and could compensate for Mu Sicheng's occasional mistakes.
But Liu Huai wasn't a monster like Bai Liu. He couldn't cover for him.
Mu Sicheng wasn't someone who ignored reality. After a pause, he spoke honestly. "I'll do my best to cooperate with Liu Huai. There may be some subconscious resistance, but I'll try to control it."
"No." Bai Liu cut him off and looked at him steadily. "You're not cooperating with Liu Huai. You're working with me."
"He's just a puppet I'm manipulating through Puppet Zhang. If I say you're working with my puppet, does that remove your psychological resistance?"
Mu Sicheng stared at Bai Liu for a moment, then sneered. "Yes."
"Good."
Bai Liu turned to Du Sanying. "Du Sanying, can you hang the broken lens outside instead of keeping it in your system backpack?"
Du Sanying blinked in confusion. He didn't understand the reasoning, but he nodded anyway. "Y-Yes."
Bai Liu continued, "Li Gou and Fang Ke, assist Liu Huai and Mu Sicheng. Handle the attacking passengers and reduce their pressure. Don't let them get injured."
Li Gou and Fang Ke responded hesitantly, "…Understood."
Finally, Bai Liu looked at the last person.
"Puppet Zhang. Your task is to protect me."
Du Sanying and the others were stunned. Mu Sicheng immediately frowned.
"Bai Liu, Puppet Zhang is extremely cunning. Even if you're controlling him, you can't guarantee he won't break free and kill you. And you only have 6 health points. Staying with him is too dangerous."
"It's precisely because I only have 6 health left that he will protect me," Bai Liu replied calmly, cutting him off.
He didn't look at anyone else. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Puppet Zhang. His eyes were tranquil, unreadable. Then he suddenly changed his tone.
"Master," he said softly, "will you kill me?"
A faint smile curved Bai Liu's bloodless lips. The smile was cunning—almost provocative. A strange intensity flickered across his fragile face.
"I don't think you will, Master," he continued. "Because you've already missed your only chance to kill me."
"You can't kill me anymore."
"There's only one thing you can do now—"
His pale lips parted slightly.
"—save me, Master."
Though Bai Liu was technically still Puppet Zhang's puppet, being called "Master" made Puppet Zhang's skin crawl. Every time Bai Liu deliberately enunciated the word, slow and clear, it felt as if he were the one being toyed with.
The only chance…
Puppet Zhang remembered.
Eight minutes earlier, in a fit of anger, he had strangled Bai Liu and declared he would kill him. Bai Liu had looked at him with the exact same eyes and asked in the same tone:
"Master, will you kill me?"
He hadn't done it then. And because of that. He couldn't do it now.
[The train is about to arrive at Xinghai Lake Park. Passengers preparing to disembark, please sit firmly and stay away from the doors. Please allow boarding passengers to enter first before exiting in turn— zi zi zi—]
Before the announcement finished, the still-moving train door exploded inward under a blazing punch of fire.
Brother Thief boarded, roaring. His fists smashed against the already crumbling door frame. Though the monster couldn't speak, everyone could feel his fury at the stolen, broken lens.
"No!" Du Sanying grabbed his hair in despair. "Brother, why are you here again?!!!"
"Du Sanying," Bai Liu reminded him kindly, "I suggest you start running. The broken lens Brother Thief was holding is now on you. He'll definitely chase you."
"I didn't assign anyone to protect you. You're on your own."
Du Sanying froze for several seconds.
Then, tearfully, he summoned his go-kart and climbed in. While wiping his tears, he shouted at Bai Liu:
"You did this on purpose! You deliberately put the broken lens on me! Fuuuuuck!!!"
"Yes," Bai Liu admitted shamelessly. "I'm using you to draw Brother Thief's hate value. Lure him away while we take the opportunity to steal the other fragments."
"Just remember, run far away. Don't accidentally drag him back to us."
"I'll kill you, Bai Liu!" Du Sanying wailed, his face twisted from crying. "Wuwuwu—I actually believed you! You have no heart!"
Bai Liu casually raised a fist in encouragement as Du Sanying sped off.
"Believe in yourself, Du Sanying. You're the luckiest person here. You can definitely do it."
"I can't!!!!!" Du Sanying screamed until his voice cracked.
The carriage door slowly slid open.
Brother Thief charged in, his flaming fist roaring through the air. After entering, he paused and looked left and right, clearly searching for his missing fragment.
Bai Liu noticed the burnt-black skull at the back of Brother Thief's head. Inside it was a charred, shriveled brain. Suddenly, the brain twitched. An eye opened within it.
Then, just as quickly, the eye closed and vanished.
Eyes… inside the brain? Bai Liu raised an eyebrow.