Chapter 123: Jigu
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At first glance, Li Gou Dan's appearance and the Elder Sign tattoo on the back of his right hand were strikingly identical to Wu Lei's, which baffled Liu Xing the most. Even twins wouldn't resemble each other so closely, as there are no two identical leaves in this world.
However, considering Li Gou Dan's accent, his demeanor towards Liu Xing, and Wu Lei's alibi during this period, it was clear that Li Gou Dan wasn't Wu Lei. Furthermore, Li Gou Dan was an NPC in this promotion game, not a player! Besides, Liu Xing wasn't even sure if Wu Lei had joined this Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall.
Thus, Liu Xing began to suspect that the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall was monitoring his every move in the real world. From his initial identity as a doctor to his current involvement in a 'battle royale' game, Liu Xing always felt scrutinized by the Game Hall.
Moreover, Liu Xing hadn't forgotten what KP Cao and others had told him. He had gained some fame in the Ghoul district's KP circle, indicating that the Game Hall wasn't just cold programming but included 'internal employees' capable of emotional and social interactions. This led Liu Xing to fear that he might have attracted the attention of a high-ranking individual within the Game Hall.
But Liu Xing quickly dismissed this thought. He didn't see himself as a chosen one or a main character of any sort. Why would a significant figure from the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall go out of their way to target him? It must be a coincidence.
Liu Xing tried to convince himself of this.
"Liu Xing, how did it go?" asked Ai Mei and others, who had returned after seeing Liu Xing finish his conversation with Li Gou Dan.
Liu Xing shook his head and sighed helplessly, "Well, even though Li Gou Dan looks like my friend and even has the same tattoo on his right hand, rationally speaking, he can't be my friend."
Ai Mei and the others nodded in understanding, aware that without opening a Private Room, Liu Xing couldn't explain everything clearly.
Just then, Silvia loudly suggested, "Alright, since everyone's here, let's have dinner first and then go find Jigu."
When the 'big sister' spoke, the 'younger brothers' naturally followed. After a hearty dinner, the group headed to the Graveyard.
The Graveyard was located on the eastern side of Blood Howl Town. Liu Xing and his group passed through the town center and the three-story stone building that issued Missions.
Liu Xing noticed that on the second floor of the houses controlled by Sikong Yangbing's team, next to the stone building, NPCs with weapons were vigilantly watching them from the windows. Liu Xing also spotted a Gatling gun capable of shooting blue flames mounted on the rooftop of a house facing the entrance of the stone building.
"We don't need to worry about Sikong's dogs; they just dare to watch from above. As long as we don't strike first, they won't dare to do anything. Sikong still doesn't have the power to act recklessly in Blood Howl Town and can't afford to provoke public anger," Luo Cong said dismissively.
Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, a curious tone in his voice, "So, Old Dog Sikong, this means Sikong Yangbing is quite old, huh?"
"Of course," Luo Cong nodded and replied. "Old Dog Sikong must be in his forties or fifties by now. He can barely hold a spear steady. If it weren't for his past knack for socializing and his eloquent speech, he probably would have met his end long ago."
As Liu Xing was about to probe Luo Cong for more details, Luo Luo, walking ahead, suddenly interjected, "Be mindful of your words and actions."
Liu Xing and Luo Cong fell silent.
After a while, Liu Xing finally saw the Graveyard.
The Graveyard of Blood Howl Town was surrounded by a two-meter-high stone wall topped with barbed wire. According to Luo Cong, this wall was upgraded jointly by NPC players using points; originally, it was merely a half-meter-high hedge, which couldn't prevent Ghouls in the Graveyard from rampaging out.
At the entrance of the Graveyard, several NPC players armed with weapons stood guard. Among them, one dressed as an ancient Roman soldier, wielding a short sword, caught Liu Xing's eye.
"That cosplaying guy is Caesar. He's Italian, and his name led him to frequently cosplay like this. But Caesar is also Jigu's trusted lieutenant, the second-in-command of the team," Luo Cong continued to explain.
"You seem ready for business. Here to discuss a collaboration with Jigu?" Caesar approached them and said.
Silvia nodded, about to speak, when Caesar shook his head and pointed to a large tent, "Jigu is in there. Go right in."
Thus, Liu Xing and his group entered the tent to find Jigu, who seemed to be in a daze.
Jigu appeared to be in his early twenties, pale with a frail figure and sparse hair, but his eyes were bright and alert.
"Silvia, and Second Auntie?" Jigu's voice was somewhat sharp.
Silvia nodded with a smile, "I didn't expect Mr. Jigu to know our names."
Jigu shook his head seriously, "In the teams of Blood Howl Town, there are only two female leaders – you and Second Auntie. I didn't expect you both to accept my commission together."
While speaking, Jigu pulled out a map from a box behind him.
"This is a rough map of the Graveyard. I have marked the potential locations of the item I seek in this exploration of the Graveyard," Jigu handed the map to Silvia.
As Silvia took the map, she suddenly exclaimed in surprise. Jigu's hand had turned into a claw! True enough, Jigu was beginning to transform into a Ghoul.
"Hehe, I might as well tell you the truth. I've been cursed by the Elder Ghoul. In three days, I'll completely become a Ghoul. I must find something in the Graveyard to break the Elder Ghoul's curse," Jigu said calmly.
However, Liu Xing noticed that Luo Cong, standing beside him, had a very odd expression.
"What's wrong, Luo Cong?" Liu Xing asked curiously.
Luo Cong glanced at Jigu and then whispered, "There's a rumor in Blood Howl Town that Jigu is not only gay but also only attracted to corpses!"
Suddenly, Liu Xing regretted his curiosity, feeling utterly unsettled.
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