Twilight had quickly set in by five or six in the evening.
It wasn't long before Ye Ming started to look better, and Jiang Xiuxiu noticed that the surroundings were getting darker. The sun was slowly sinking behind the mountains, leaving half of the sky still bright while the other half plunged into a murky twilight.
Before leaving, Jiang Xiuxiu picked a tree on the mountain. She broke off two sturdy branches to use as weapons one for herself and the other for Ye Ming. Then, she led him to the edge of the village, first stopping by the homes of the Wang family and Wang Xiaoyue’s grandfather.
They hadn’t eaten much at lunch, so they hoped to scrounge up some food. However, when they arrived, Jiang Xiuxiu noticed that villagers were already there. The people whose homes had been burned down had nowhere to go. They couldn’t stay with relatives for long, so they’d set their sights on these now-abandoned houses.
Although finding shelter solved one problem, the years of savings, clothing, food, and appliances that were lost could never be replaced. Losing their home isn't the biggest problem.
Meanwhile, to prevent another similar disaster, the villagers started searching for the players. Jiang Xiuxiu and Ye Ming watched for a while and saw that three players had already been captured by the villagers. The villagers didn’t dare harm them but locked them in a room, delivering meals to them regularly. There was still one player hiding somewhere, though they had no idea where.
Jiang Xiuxiu noticed that most of the villagers were either searching for players or helping the families who had lost their homes to reorganize. The remaining women had returned to their own homes to start cooking. Exchanging a glance, Jiang Xiuxiu and Ye Ming avoided the commotion and headed toward the black robe's house.
The village chief’s house was a bit nicer than the others, but it was more secluded. The village chief’s home was on the west side of the village, far from the others but much closer to the sinister temple on the mountain. As they walked, everything seemed unnaturally calm. The villagers were all busy with their tasks, so by the time Jiang Xiuxiu reached the area near the village chief’s house, there was hardly anyone around, and they didn’t need to hide much.
When Jiang Xiuxiu arrived at the house, she was surprised to see that the village chief hadn't closed the door. In the growing darkness, his room was unlit, without a trace of light. The house was cold and empty, with no sign of fire or cooking like the other villagers.
He was kneeling quietly in the main hall, alone. In front of him was an altar with some incense and food offerings. He was devoutly praying to a small statue of a god. His back was straight, his figure hidden in the shadows. From afar, he looked lonely and eerie.
“Let’s go in,” Jiang Xiuxiu said without hesitation. She and Ye Ming quickly leaped down from the mountain and ran toward the village chief’s house. As soon as they entered, they shut the door behind them, sealing off the outside world.
The sharp sound of the wooden door closing broke the silence in the house. The village chief seemed to sense something and slowly stopped his prayer, turning his head.
“It’s you,” he said, seeing Jiang Xiuxiu and Ye Ming behind him. His eyes fell on the branches in their hands. But unlike most people, he didn’t show any fear or panic. His wrinkled face remained calm.
The moment he turned his head, Jiang Xiuxiu shouted, “Do it!” She didn’t plan to give him a chance to react. They couldn’t risk alarming anyone. Ye Ming followed her command and swung the branch at the village chief’s neck before he could react. Ye Ming was quick, and it wasn’t long before the village chief was struck and knocked out cold. For all his previous cold arrogance, he was just a frail, withered village chief now.
Once they were sure he wouldn’t wake up, Jiang Xiuxiu propped him up while Ye Ming hoisted him onto his back. Then, the two quietly slipped out through the back door of the house.
Before leaving, Jiang Xiuxiu hesitated, then told Ye Ming to go on ahead. She stayed behind to search for candles in the village chief’s house. After lighting a candle, she tossed it into the straw in the courtyard, hoping the fire would draw some of the villagers’ attention.
But as Jiang Xiuxiu rummaged for the candle, a growing sense of unease took hold of her. Everything had gone too smoothly. She knew she shouldn’t overthink things, but her heart was pounding as if something dangerous was lurking nearby, watching her, while she remained clueless.
What was wrong?
As she threw the lit candle into the straw, Jiang Xiuxiu couldn’t figure it out. But she trusted her instincts. Even if it seemed paranoid, caution wouldn’t hurt.
From the beginning, their plan to sow discord between the villagers and the village chief and then throw him under the bus had been guided by Wang Xiaoyun's instructions in her dream. Wang Xiaoyun and Wang Xiaoyue had been killed by the villagers, and Wang Xiaoyun seemed friendly and unlikely to deceive the players.
Later, she was caught by Xu Bai in her dream and found herself dressed by the villagers and carried to the river in reality. Ye Ming had risked his life, enduring the aftereffects of his previous injuries, to save her. Afterward, they returned to the Wang family home, rested, and then began their plan to burn down houses and incite the villagers.
Everything had gone smoothly, with no major risks. So where did it go wrong?
Jiang Xiuxiu stood on the mountain, watching the village chief’s house go up in flames. She watched as the fire spread from a small spark to a raging inferno, thick black smoke billowing into the air, drawing the villagers’ attention.
“The village chief’s house is on fire!”
“Quick, put out the fire!”
“Where’s the village chief? Is he inside?”
As she watched the villagers gather around the village chief’s burning house in panic, some believed Jiang Xiuxiu’s words and were already crying in regret, while others worried about the village chief’s safety.
“Will the River God get angry if the village chief dies?” one villager asked anxiously. “What will we do without the village chief?”
Hearing this, Jiang Xiuxiu froze for a moment. Then, a sudden chill ran through her body. She finally understood what was wrong.
Just now, when the village chief saw them enter his house, he had been too calm, as if he had been expecting them. Facing Jiang Xiuxiu and Ye Ming, who were clearly a threat, he hadn't screamed or shown much fear. He had turned off the lights, sent the other villagers away, and left the door open, all signs that he was waiting for them.
And most unsettling of all, before the village chief was attacked, he had been praying to the small statue of the god.
To Xu Bai, that statue was like an extension of himself, or perhaps an eye. Because the village chief had worshiped and made offerings to it, the statue should have contained some of Xu Bai’s power. If he saw his only loyal follower in danger, why didn’t he save him? He didn’t even warn him.
As Jiang Xiuxiu watched the house burn to ashes, her heart sank. She didn’t believe Xu Bai would show mercy. He was the kind of person who hid all his true intentions behind a facade of kindness, always planning to trap her in the game. When he started to comply with her wishes, it didn’t bring her joy, only fear.
Reflecting on everything that had happened, she came to a grim realization. What if all her actions had been part of Xu Bai’s plan?
The source of her actions had been Wang Xiaoyun, who told her how to deal with the River God. But what else had Wang Xiaoyun said?
“I don’t know why, but the River God noticed me after I appeared last time.”
Jiang Xiuxiu had dismissed this as an excuse for why Wang Xiaoyun, an important ghost, had so little time to manifest. But now, thinking back, she realized something was wrong. If Xu Bai knew about Wang Xiaoyun’s existence and movements, how could she have escaped to warn Jiang Xiuxiu? Unless Xu Bai had allowed it. Wang Xiaoyun might not have meant to harm the players, but Xu Bai needed to use her, and through her, use Jiang Xiuxiu to achieve some goal.
Jiang Xiuxiu didn’t know what that goal was, but she knew it was aimed at her. And all this time, she had been unwittingly playing into his hands.
Jiang Xiuxiu’s hands and feet went cold as she realized the truth. The more she thought about it, the more flaws she saw. Why did the players suddenly start burning houses? And why, when questioned by the villagers, could they say they knew how to deal with the River God?
Were these their actions, or had someone guided them?
Jiang Xiuxiu desperately wanted to find out, but as she thought about the other players, she realized she didn’t know them well. It was Ye Ming who had spent the most time with them. To understand what was happening with the players, she needed to ask him.
But Ye Ming was already on his way to the river with the village chief. Panic surged in Jiang Xiuxiu’s heart. No, she couldn’t let this continue.
Without hesitation, she ran toward the riverbank as fast as she could. She had to stop Ye Ming.
Jiang Xiuxiu had hardly taken a few steps when she heard someone behind her scream, “Fire! The mountain’s on fire!”
She turned her head and saw the flames from the village chief’s house spread to the mountain. The mountain was now burning. The villagers at the base of the mountain had noticed the flames and were rushing toward it to try to put it out.
But the fire quickly devoured the dry straw and leaves, spreading up the mountain. Jiang Xiuxiu watched as the fire’s intense heat made the trees snap and the smoke rise to the sky.
A massive fire was sweeping through the mountain, and the villagers could no longer contain it.
Jiang Xiuxiu saw the mountain burning. The flames were so fierce that they turned the evening sky into a burning red. She remembered that the forest had been burning in the dream too, so it wasn’t a hallucination.
This was reality. This fire was real.
And soon, everything would be reduced to ashes.
It was then that Jiang Xiuxiu heard a voice behind her.
“What do you think of my mountain?”
She froze, feeling a chill go down her spine. Slowly, she turned her head.
Xu Bai was standing there, bathed in the glow of the fire.
He had appeared without making a sound, as if he had been there all along, watching her. His usually warm eyes were cold as he smiled at her, the fire reflecting in his pupils. He looked like a god overseeing the destruction of his kingdom, calm and unaffected.
Jiang Xiuxiu’s mind was spinning. She hadn’t even heard his footsteps.
“What do you think of my mountain?” Xu Bai repeated, smiling at her.
Jiang Xiuxiu didn’t know how to respond. She was still processing everything that had just happened. All she could do was stare at him.
Xu Bai’s smile widened. He didn’t seem to mind her silence. Instead, he took a step closer.
The firelight flickered across his face, casting eerie shadows that made him look both ethereal and terrifying.
“Don’t you think it’s beautiful?” he asked, his voice soft and almost affectionate. “The way the fire consumes everything… It’s a work of art.”
Jiang Xiuxiu felt a cold sweat break out on her back. She wanted to back away, to put some distance between them, but her legs wouldn’t move.
Xu Bai took another step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “You’ve done well, Jiang Xiuxiu. Better than I expected. But you’re right… Everything you’ve done has been part of my plan.”
Jiang Xiuxiu’s breath caught in her throat. She had suspected as much, but hearing him say it out loud sent a wave of terror through her.
“You see,” Xu Bai continued, his voice calm and measured, “I needed someone like you. Someone who could stir things up, create chaos, and set the stage for the final act. And you’ve played your part perfectly.”
Jiang Xiuxiu clenched her fists, trying to steady herself. “Why are you telling me this now?” she managed to ask, her voice trembling.
“Because,” Xu Bai said, his smile fading slightly, “the game is almost over. There’s no need to hide anything anymore.”
Jiang Xiuxiu felt a surge of anger. “So all of this… the players, the villagers, the fire… it was all just a game to you?”
Xu Bai tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words. “In a way, yes. But it’s more than just a game. It’s a test… and you’ve passed.”
Jiang Xiuxiu’s heart was pounding. “What happens now?”
Xu Bai’s smile returned, but it was colder, more sinister. “Now, you get to see the truth. The truth about this village, about the River God… and about yourself.”
Before Jiang Xiuxiu could react, Xu Bai raised his hand. The air around them grew heavy, and the flames on the mountain seemed to intensify, roaring louder and higher.
“Welcome to the end, Jiang Xiuxiu,” Xu Bai said softly. “I hope you enjoy the show.”
As the fire raged around her, Jiang Xiuxiu realized that she was no longer just a player in this twisted game. She was the centerpiece of Xu Bai’s grand design, and the final act was about to begin.
Jiang Xiuxiu felt a chill spread through her body as she realized something was very wrong.
The more she thought about it, the more flaws she noticed.
For example, why did the players suddenly start burning houses? And even more suspicious, when confronted by the villagers, how were they able to claim that they knew how to deal with the River God?
Were their actions spontaneous, or was someone deliberately guiding them?
Jiang Xiuxiu desperately wanted to figure it out, but when she tried to think about the other players' odd behaviors, she realized she didn't actually know them well at all.
The person who spent the most time with the players was Ye Ming, not her.
If she wanted to understand what was happening with the players, she had to ask Ye Ming.
As soon as she realized that Ye Ming was already heading to the riverbank with the village chief, panic gripped her heart.
No, this couldn’t go on any longer.
Without any hesitation, once she understood the situation, she immediately ran towards the riverbank.
She had to hurry and stop Ye Ming.
Jiang Xiuxiu ran as fast as she could, putting all her strength into it.
She could feel her breath slowing, and her legs growing heavier, making it hard to move.
But she had wasted too much time earlier.
By the time she reached the riverbank, Ye Ming was already standing there with the village chief on his back.
Seeing Jiang Xiuxiu rushing towards them, Ye Ming smiled at her and waved.
But Jiang Xiuxiu noticed that the old man on Ye Ming’s back, who had been lying there with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes.
He hadn't been knocked out—he was only pretending.
Seeing this, Jiang Xiuxiu's heart sank, and a sense of dread washed over her.
In the next moment, village chief jumped down from Ye Ming’s back.
"Quick, stop him!" Jiang Xiuxiu shouted.
But it was already too late.
"River God, I am willing to sacrifice my life for you," the old man rasped, then laughed twice before resolutely throwing himself into the river.
No…
In her despair, Jiang Xiuxiu faintly heard a light chuckle from the churning river.
“Don't worry,” a voice, tinged with a strange allure, said calmly. “I’ve always recognized your sacrifice.”
It was Xu Bai’s voice.
With a sudden wave, the village chief was swept into the cold river.
What caught Jiang Xiuxiu off guard was that when Ye Ming heard her shout, he turned around in a panic.
Seeing the village chief about to jump into the water, Ye Ming instinctively reached out to grab him.
But before he could pull the old man back, he too was swept into the river by the rushing water.
“Ye Ming!”
Jiang Xiuxiu saw only a small bubble rise to the surface, and then the entire river fell silent.
Both the old man and Ye Ming had sunk into the river.
Jiang Xiuxiu stared blankly at the now calm river, unable to comprehend how it had just surged so high, churning with such violent waves.
A cold, damp wind blew across the surface of the river, covering everything around in a hazy mist.
Beneath the dark waters, it seemed something was still stirring, something Jiang Xiuxiu couldn’t see.