The Days I Clear Escape Games Pretending to be an NPCCh40 - Spring Banquet (6)
Ren Yifei glanced at the steaming broth in the earthward pot. There seemed to be a human thigh surrounded by mushrooms, bamboo shoots and other condiments soaking in a clear soup with yellow blobs of fat floating on top.
It would've looked delicious if no one knew the ingredients. d4eGm0
But the thought of what the ingredients were made his stomach roll.
Originally, he wasn't sure whether the meat placed in front of him was a mistake or not, but now, he didn't have to continue guessing. With the other person naming names like this, it could only mean that it was done deliberately.
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"If you know it was me, why did you insult my eyes with such filthy things?"
Ren Yifei looked towards the side of the stage at the hostess who had provoked him, "How many heads do you own for you to have the nerve to provoke me?" FlqjXK
His anger was not due to the meat, but because his pride as a big demon was challenged. This matter was of the same nature as when the little demon had previously acted up against him— only this time, it was much worse.
Of course, the best response was not to make threats but to express your displeasure through action.
Early that day, he saw all of the other demons deal with their disputes like this. They never push back and forth unnecessarily, they just kill and be done with it.
It was evident that the best method of persuasion was through force and power.
xHFkRg
However... as a combat scum, his heart aches.
"Why is He Jun angry?" The hostess on the side widened her eyes exaggeratedly.
Did you just ask why? All the demons looked at the broth: He Jun doesn't eat red meat so isn't this deliberately provoking him? Who gave her the confidence if not Qing Hong? It's hard to believe that these pair of martial brothers...
On Ren Yifei's wrist, the red string that was invisible to ordinary people was flashing a red glow rhythmically like a heartbeat. fVCxbq
This was left by the thing that had previously brought him to experience hell. He didn't know whether to call it a gift or a legacy.
He had locked it away along with his extreme emotions, thinking that he would never use them for the rest of his life— until now.
"You need me after all," in his subconscious, a white-haired red-eyed 'him' laughed softly. His eyes were full of temptation, "You are me and I am you, so what are you afraid of?"
Ren Yifei closed his eyes, "Power, let me borrow it for a while." UxHWOY
"As proud as you are, you're actually asking me for help now? Can't handle the problem?" The white-haired demon stretched out his hand, their fingertips lightly touched before all ten fingers were pressed together.
"It's so weak... forget it."
The red string glowed brightly.
The previously prosperous spring banquet was suddenly enveloped by the chilling and bleak atmosphere of autumn. C5X na
The autumn wind was like flying blades that cut down all kinds of vegetation.
The first to suffer are the musicians and dancers. They clung to their bodies in pain but still were not able to prevent their fate of being turned into smoke and dissipating.
Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.
The scroll trembled, sucked up the blue smoke and retracted back into its original owner's sleeve. Even the peacock's croaking crested myna was so frightened, that it shut its mouth and pretended to be dead.
The sudden explosion of a high-level demon's aura overwhelmed everyone at the banquet and caused the performances and drinking to come to a halt. The other demons looked at the person on the stage and waited for the outcome. WfPx1X
The maid who had served him the dish was even more eager to make herself scarce.
"What's going on? Why is there meat on senior brother's table?" Junior brother Qing Hong frowned as he looked at the beauty on the right.
She should only be a concubine, but it looks like she was the one in charge of organising this banquet.
It seems that she was the favoured one. fhuczF
Sure enough, although she was held accountable, there was no fear shown on her face. She still looked at Ren Yifei and smiled despite this terrifying atmosphere, "Demons are born to eat humans and they love to eat humans. I had served He Jun with the best meat, so why is He Jun dissatisfied instead?"
As she spoke, she picked up a piece of human meat on the plate. She opened her mouth to reveal sharp fangs and tore a chunk off; the rouge on her lips resembled blood.
"En, it tastes delicious."
She continued provocatively, "Since this concubine was born, I have never heard of a demon that does not like to eat humans. Could it be that the rumours were true- that He Jun is not a demon like us?"
Before she could finish her words, a gust of demonic wind blew up and a cloud of smoke enveloped the entire banquet, obscuring the figures of the other demons.
The concubine was shocked and hurriedly stood up to wave away the white fog.
"He Jun, what did you do to me?"
The sound of laughter, singing and dancing as well as the sound of people breathing around her... all of them had faded out. She waved away the white fog as she stumbled down the steps, everything in front of her was completely different. DljhOX
The scene just a moment ago had been a banquet full of guests, but now, the scene in front of her eyes was of weed-infested ruins with mosquitoes and flies flying everywhere.
This was no doubt still Ting Yun Pavilion, however, the splendour was no longer there. There were some poorly maintained cracks along the wooden pillars on either side and countless weeds growing between the cracks on the ground, while only faint traces of the past could still be found on the walls.
Sksss, there was no wind blowing through the knee-high grass and a long snake could vaguely be seen slithering around.
Red, black, blue— all kinds of poisonous snakes emerged from the grass, hissing and flicking their tongue at her. yDZJSr
"He Jun!" She looked around but can't find the way out and finally panicked, "If you hurt me, Qing Hong will never let you go even if you're still his senior martial brother!"
The voice echoed through this barren place but no one responded.
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Her heart froze, "He Jun! Let me go!"
The concubine on the stage suddenly shouted like crazy, causing all of the demons present to be startled. They knew that it was He Jun's doing, but no one knew what he did. wvn3 i
The concubine was by no means weak, but they didn't even see her resist.
The demons all looked at Ren Yifei even more fervently. The demons liked to look at the beautiful, worship the powerful and can't reject the beautiful and powerful.
In just a few seconds, all the energy in his body was almost drained, causing Ren Yifei to feel exhausted and dizzy. However, he still maintained a strong appearance through gritted teeth.
The white-haired demon clasped his hand and said temptingly, "Doesn't it feel good to have power? How about it? Want to release the seal?" QTgNYV
Ren Yifei stretched out and pressed down his dark side, "You can go now."
"You don't want to kill her?" The white-haired demon was laughing happily despite being pinned to the ground, "Look at her, it's so funny how she trembles with fear from just a few snakes. Why don't you take a bite out of her?"
The illusion was false, but the pain and despair were real.
"She is with child." AYKGko
Ren Yifei detached himself from his subconscious, "You should be glad that I don't eat meat. If I did, how can human meat be better than demon meat that has more essence?"
He stood up. His long hair which had been scattered on the floor fell behind him while a few strands hooked up at his chest. The lights in the banquet chased him as the shadows outlined his features.
He was ready to leave.
"Senior brother, wait," Qing Hong stopped him, "This was my fault." 8W7cya
"Of course, it's your fault," Ren Yifei was not polite to him, "Even if it wasn't directly because of you, it could at least be considered as negligence."
"Senior brother is right, Hua Li acted out on her own accord was also because of me. I am here to apologise to senior brother."
He got off the stage, bowed and once again apologised to Ren Yifei.
"Get out of the way." vLdQDU
"Senior brother, don't be angry."
Ren Yifei couldn't walk for a while. He wanted to hide his current poor health from other people, but if he exerted himself any further, he would vomit a mouthful of blood.
Chrysanthemum Garden.
"Qing Hong..." the concubine had just come back and was seeking comfort. But when she looked up, she saw that her husband was flirting with the other man and hot tears welled up in her angry eyes.
"Hua Li, are you still not coming to apologise to senior brother?" The host of the banquet had no pity for the fairer sex. His eyes looked at Ren Yifei while his mouth scold his wife— he was simply a scumbag. eFMijk
The concubine looked at Ren Yifei, her heart still had lingering hopeless despair from just a moment ago. She was both frightened and alarmed. With a mixture of fear and resentment, she gritted her teeth, "He Jun, this was my fault."
"There will be no next time," Ren Yifei warned. He was in a hurry to leave but couldn't get away so his expression became colder.
The concubine only felt that she had lost and her face was ashen.
The other lady on the left, who was also watching her husband flirt with another man, had a particularly good mentality, "Senior brother has always been magnanimous and doesn't take mundane matters to heart. However, there are always people trying to provoke him. Senior brother, you want tranquillity but this place has a foul atmosphere. You aren't supposed to be here." a3jX46
The first wife's words sounded like insults, but Ren Yifei heard another voice clearly in his ears, "Senior brother, you shouldn't have come."
The legendary cryptic voice transmission?
Ren Yifei didn't know this skill, so he glanced at the first wife, "You're right."
Senior brother? So the junior brother's wife is also their junior sister? vEG7Sc
Ren Yifei's face was calm, but he was shocked internally: That's not right, what's going on inside your sect? Could harbouring secret affection towards your senior brother be a conventional skill?
"Senior brother," Qing Hong wanted to keep him but Ren Yifei avoided the other party and walked towards the door.
He wanted to leave and no one dared to stop him. The maids serving food directly made way for him.
As he walked towards the door, among the disgusting smells of meat, wine and cosmetics, there was a distinctive burnt and bitter aroma that slowly drifted towards him, causing him to stop. mYncTG
Dessert player?
What a coincidence.
He subconsciously glanced at the tall and strong-looking male demon sitting in the corner. Just as he did, the other party also looked at him and the two pairs of eyes met. Both of them were stunned.
Retracting his gaze, Ren Yifei continued to walk: It's okay, my status is quite awkward. It's better to not cause more trouble for other people. Just let him see if he could get another perfect ending without relying on others. 4n5eAC
As he walked out the door, the hem of his robe brushed against the polished floor and a cold fragrance wafted by. The demons closed their eyes as they inhaled deeply.
Qing Hong looked at the handsome back, and then at the crowd of admirers. His eye became colder but a smile still hung on his lips, "Senior brother is in a bad mood so I'll go talk to him. You guys can eat first."
Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.
After saying that, he left.
The host of the banquet also left, leaving behind two wives who had a strange relationship. h1OlZw
"Little sister is very talented, you were able to anger senior brother, who doesn't get angry easily, to this extent," the first wife smiled peevishly.
The concubine, Hua Li, touched her stomach. She had recovered and was too lazy to pretend to be cute and soft. She looked at her sister disdainfully, "Sister, we are family, you won't fight against your own family for an outsider, right?"
"We're family... heh."
She looked at the arrogant concubine and then at the round stomach before tilting her head back to take a sip of wine. She then smashed the cup, "I advise you not to go too far." DEh4mT
"Sister, don't be angry," the angrier she became, the more the concubine smiled, "Are you that angry because of Qing Hong, or because of He Jun?"
Write that down! The players below were taking notes.
The host's love-hate relationship was also one of the clues. Especially in this messy love square, there were many secrets that could be unearthed.
Very often, the crucial clues are hidden in such conversations. o05eg2
Sitting among the players, Saman still had those pair of eyes on his mind.
How strange, was that NPC looking at him?
Was it because of his character, or because of him?
Saman has an intuition that the NPC was looking at him and not the character 'Da Peng'. DPN2aM
He reached out and pinched the skin between his brows, it was not his style to judge solely on feeling and without any proof. Saman has always rejected 'intuition' and 'six sense' that does not have data to support them.
Putting aside the 'intuition' that could be considered heresy for the moment, Saman began to analyse the previous sequence of events.
The lady on the left was saying something to the demon in white below while hiding some other emotions. Her face displayed some kind of jealously towards the other woman, but those subtle fleeting expressions told a different story.
The focus of the passage she had said seemed to be the first half, where she was ridiculing the lady on the right. However, she was actually saying 'you shouldn't have come' to the other party. PbuZ3F
This banquet was not as simple as the host of the banquet had claimed. It has a purpose and its purpose might not be anything good for the white-robed demon or even the other demons. That was why there was such a euphemistic warning.
As the first wife, she could only give a euphemistic warning that there was a big problem with the banquet and the host of the banquet.
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The players would likely be able to take advantage of the confrontational relationship between the NPCs and obtain effective information.
Saman, who was sitting in the farthest corner, retreated into the darkness. His silhouette slowly disappeared like ripples of water. VEs6xK
One of the NPCs in the banquet noticed his departure for the first time and snickered: Another eccentric demon.
Ren Yifei's footsteps were steady, but the more he walked, the faster he became. The saying of being 'strong on the outside while weak on the inside' was exactly how he was at that moment.
This was what happens when he forcefully borrows the power that was sealed.
He can only be a hero for a minute. tYe jG
The other players have strong skills that enabled them to put up a front, as for him, he only has acting skills to allow him to see through to the end of the game. He was like a scary paper tiger.
The host of the banquet looked like he was itching to swallow him. If the other party were to find out that he was not the original owner, or that his health was not good at that moment, hehe... it would result in either an R-rated horror movie or an 18+ film.
After a short while, there were unhurried regular footsteps behind him. It was full of mischief, like a cat playing with a mouse.
Ren Yifei's heart beat like a drum: Don't be him, don't be him. o6z3cf
"Senior brother."
Fuc-
"What are you here for?"
Ren Yifei turned around and saw the original owner's junior brother coming over with a worried expression.
"You and I haven't seen each other for a hundred years, so why is senior brother in such a hurry?" Qing Hong caught up with him in just a few steps. He reached out his hand but Ren Yifei took half a step back to avoid him. yDpnem
He shouted, "What's the matter with you?"
"When did senior brother learn that illusion technique? I didn't even know," Qing Hong smiled as he stared at him, "This matter was my negligence. However, I also thought that with senior brother's temper, Hua Li should have been squashed into the ground and never to see the sun again."
This guy... was using his pregnant concubine as bait? They still shared the same bed in the end, isn't this too cruel?
"... for the child's sake," Ren Yifei said. RjzCAT
"I lied to you," Qing Hong's smile disappeared and his face sank, "Who are you? With my senior brother's temper, he would've flung his sleeve and left at the first sight of the meat dish. When has he ever stayed to say so many words?"
He took a step closer to Ren Yifei and pushed him into the corner, "Who the hell are you?"
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