"A lot is going on, but you're just an audience, mere spectators. You wouldn't understand even if I explained it. So, just enjoy the live broadcast and nothing else."
"Oh, by the way, from today onwards, expect plenty of surprises like the one earlier. I've noticed that this show feels a bit fake and dull, so I've put in extra effort to turn it into the ultimate survival show—where lives are on the line.
My standards are slightly different from Director Han's. That's why, by the end of this show, there will be "zero survivors".
"Hahahahaha! Aaaaahahaha!"
"Boss is the best director ever!"
"Yeah, hahaha!"
"Come on…"
"Zero survivors? Haha, Boss is as brilliant as ever!"
Liam's face was full of smiles, and behind him, some of his subordinates laughed maniacally in the background.
Suddenly, the image of those people disappeared, replaced by the live broadcast of the participants.
Sian, who had rested enough, approached Lan Qisheng and Kim Hyun, who had gathered the others to discuss a plan. Of course, two or three participants were still in shock, sitting silently off to the side.
Lan Qisheng and five of his companions sat together, exuding a similar aura. Sian thought deeply about something as he watched them.
Kim Hyun, Marco, Tong Xiao, Ben Wang, Aaron Wang, Michael Cheng, and even Liang Zhou were also grouped with Lan Qisheng's team.
When Lan Qisheng saw Sian approaching, he nudged one of his subordinates aside and motioned for Sian to sit next to him. Once seated, Sian asked calmly, "Have you been able to contact the filming crew or Director Han?"
"Unfortunately, no. The wireless device isn't working—it seems like there's no signal." Kim Hyun, who was in charge of the communication device, replied.
"Let me take a look," Sian said, extending his hand toward Kim Hyun.
"Give it to me," he repeated, frowning when Kim Hyun hesitated.
"Just hand it over. Maybe he'll figure something out," Lan Qisheng interjected, his sharp, enigmatic gaze fixed on Sian.
Reluctantly, Kim Hyun passed the device to Sian, who began inspecting it carefully.
"There's interference," Sian muttered audibly. The people sitting next to Lan Qisheng exchanged glances before turning to him for guidance. Lan Qisheng responded with a subtle nod, silently instructing them to stay quiet and not act rashly.
Sian adjusted the frequency manually, switching channels with steady precision to test something. In his previous world, a device like this was child's play for him and his team. The lack of resources and specialists had forced them to learn everything themselves, making Sian an expert at decoding such basic signals.
After a few minutes, faint static emerged from the device.
"Biz—yes, boss, the fo—..."
Kim Hyun and the others were startled, and Kim Hyun instinctively reached to grab the device to call for help. However, Sian evaded his hand and pressed a finger to his lips, signaling him to stay silent.
Lan Qisheng had heard the fragmented words as well, his expression darkening.
"Sir, we've secured the forest and set up the traps. Everything is ready, sir."
"Yes, yes, I understand. We won't leave anyone alive. As soon as we secure the package, we'll kill everyone."
This time, the voice was crystal clear, plunging the area into silence.
"My God… isn't that the man who appeared earlier on the live broadcast?"
"What is this? A terrorist attack? What package are they talking about?"
"Is Sian some kind of expert in this stuff too?"
"Focus! Is this the time to idolize your hero? Didn't you hear what that guy said? They're going to kill everyone!"
"Where are the police? The military? How is there a terrorist attack during a live broadcast, and no one's intervened yet?"
Sian stared at the device in his hand before suddenly standing. He yanked the camera off his clothing and stomped it into pieces.
"Remove your cameras—now! And we'll destroy every drone as well. Move!"
The others were bewildered and struggled to understand the gravity of the situation. They hadn't connected the dots, unable to fathom such an attack in their peaceful country. After all, their police carried batons more often than guns.
Michael Cheng, a former soldier, quickly stood and followed Sian's lead. He urged his friend Aaron Wang to do the same. Meanwhile, Lan Qisheng and his group of five remained seated, unnervingly composed.
Suddenly, a voice crackled through the communication device still in Sian's hand.
"You scum, stop what you're doing immediately! If you continue destroying the cameras, I'll kill everyone!"
The unexpected threat shocked the group. Lan Qisheng tried to take the device from Sian, but Sian fixed him with a deadly glare.
"Don't you dare come near me right now," he said, his tone icy as his gaze bore into Lan Qisheng.
Then, raising the device to his mouth, Sian spoke in a calm, sweet voice, tinged with provocation.
"Oh, hello there, servant. Isn't it polite to introduce yourself before trying to give orders? Or are you trying to look like your boss?"
"You brat! Do you think you'll get away with this? I saw you, you were the one tampering with the signal. You bastard, I'll kill you!"
"Oh? Did your boss scold you, I presume? Poor lackey…"
"Shut up! I'm warning you—if you destroy the drones, I'll execute your precious director and his crew as well!"
"Oh, that's no problem. I don't even know those people."
The sheer audacity of the exchange left everyone stunned—not just the participants, but also the live broadcast audience, police, and military tracking the situation.
Even Lan Qisheng was momentarily taken aback, though he didn't appreciate Sian's reckless remarks. He moved to forcibly take the device, but Sian's quiet laugh stopped him.
"Old man," Sian said in a low, cold mocking tone, "do you think I'm stupid enough to let you monitor my every move? Hmm?."
"Well, since you're threatening me with lives, I suppose I have no choice but to comply. No more destroying cameras."
As soon as he finished speaking, Sian cut off the connection.
"Damn it!" he cursed, throwing the device against a tree where it shattered into pieces.
Sian was seething with rage. To think that he'd end up in a peaceful world, only to face such chaos. Blue veins pulsed visibly against his pale skin as he bit his lip hard enough to taste blood, forcing himself to calm down.
Looking up, he saw everyone staring at him with varying degrees of shock, fear, and concern.
Pointing to Lan Qisheng and his five companions, Sian said coldly, "You and you...I'm not in a good mood right now. You'd better answer me honestly, without any lies. Otherwise, I'll kill every last one of you."
The deadly weight of his gaze instinctively drove the five men into defensive stances, drawing their knives.
"Stand down," Lan Qisheng ordered sharply. Turning to face Sian, he asked, "What do you want to know?"
"First, are you with those bastards? Or another criminal faction? Or perhaps the military?"
"And how did you come to such a conclusion?"
"I told you—I'm not in the mood for word games," Sian replied, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"From your demeanor alone, it's clear you're not just athletes. And you're certainly not police officers; your habits and auras are completely different. That leaves two possibilities—you're either professional criminals or members of the military."
"Hahahaha!" Lan Qisheng laughed hysterically.