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Chapitre 21

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [34]: "Huh?" Zhao Xuejun asked in surprise, "You're not dead?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized it was inappropriate and blushed with embarrassment.

Red. Although no one asked, those around were also full of questions. They had almost certainly assumed that Long Yingshui and Zhu Huan were...

He was the mastermind behind everything, but now Yang Tianwen and Xu Sen are still alive, which clearly doesn't make sense: because if he were...

The two men were responsible, and Yang Tianwen and Xu Sen should have been the first targets of retaliation. Now that they're still alive, their deductions...

This seemed untenable. This left them quite bewildered, unsure of the truth.

Therefore, they were quite disappointed.

Seeing their emotions, the taller Yang Tianwen burst into laughter: "Could it be that you really want to hear us..."

"The news of his death?"

Several students, having their secrets exposed, were somewhat embarrassed. Only Leng Xin, due to the demands of his profession, remained composed.

He displayed his ability to remain calm and collected: "Principal, what's going on?"

After breaking up with Leng Xin, the principal didn't rest but immediately started looking up information about Yang Tianwen and Xu Sen.

The initial purpose of searching for this information was to confirm that both of them were dead, in order to verify that Lung Ying-shui and Zhu Huan were the perpetrators.

The creator. He went to find them using the contact information provided in their student files from back then, and after several twists and turns, he finally got in touch with both of them.

People. It turns out that after leaving the Third Normal School, the two traveled together and are now both somewhat well-known writers, just using...

It was a pseudonym, so the principal didn't know. The principal told them what had happened at school over the phone, and they immediately...

They arrived immediately.

“Xu Sen and I have been living well and haven’t encountered anything strange,” Yang Tianwen told them.

"Does this mean our guess was wrong?" Jiang Shichao asked blankly.

Xu Sen shook his head: "Everything else is negotiable, but what Uncle He saw on TV was indeed similar to what we experienced back then."

Their experiences were exactly the same, and, as you just said, the victims of both accidents died after playing chess.

And my game of chess with Tianwen also ended in a draw!

"But at present, the only things that can be connected to Long Yingshui and his group are what Uncle He saw and this draw."

Many other questions remained unanswered. Lin Ding was also at a loss.

Yang Tianwen laughed and said, "So we just came up with a solution."

Yang Tianwen's method is actually very simple.

Since there are indications that the death is related to a draw, the simplest and most direct way to verify this is to have someone else play.

A draw.

Yang Tianwen and Xu Sen then decided to deliberately draw the game.

His proposal was met with unanimous opposition. Leng Xin used a vivid analogy to illustrate the reason for the opposition.

"How is this any different from personally testing a glass of water to see if it's poisonous?"

Xu Sen and his group argued that this matter concerned them, and that they were the ones who truly deserved to die. This was what they said.

At that moment, both of them looked very somber, as if they were recalling what happened back then.

“Wrong,” Jiang Shichao said. “This experiment can only prove the relationship between deaths and draws in chess, not prove…”

It's unclear whether these matters are related to Lung Ying-shui and his group; therefore, the whole affair may have nothing to do with you.

"So what do you think we should do? Wait? Wait for the next accident to happen?" Yang Tian asked them.

.

Everyone remained silent; this was precisely the problem they had been unable to solve.

Xu Sen's slow voice broke the silence: "Tianwen and I, 23 years ago, stood by and watched someone die without offering help, though it was unintentional."

Yet there is no reason to be easily forgiven. For so many years, we have been searching for an opportunity for atonement. He…

Looking earnestly at everyone, he said, "We already owe two lives. Even if we lose our lives here today, it will only be as repayment."

This settles a score from 23 years ago.

Having said that, before anyone could speak, they had already set up the chessboard. Xu Sen picked up a black piece and was about to place it...

Jiang Shichao stopped him: "I just want to say that you don't owe anyone a life, because you didn't kill anyone."

Yang Tianwen smiled faintly: "Is there a difference between failing to help someone in distress and intentional homicide?"

Jiang Shichao was stunned by the question and couldn't answer, looking to the principal for help. The principal looked at them with a strange expression.

He walked over and bowed deeply three times to the two of them: "I have no better way. If anything happens to you,..."

"He should atone with his death."

The three exchanged a smile, and without further ado, the game began.

Jiang Shichao and the others knew that saying anything more was useless, and besides, this might be the best way to minimize the number of fatalities.

The best way. They looked respectfully at the two chess players, and the principal, who was staring intently at the game. The dean quietly walked over.

Behind Leng Xin, someone patted his shoulder and whispered, "No matter what happens, someone has to find out the truth to maintain order."

Upholding the integrity of the school.

Even though Leng Xin was used to keeping his emotions hidden deep inside, he couldn't help but choke up at this moment. He knew the dean...

This was practically his last words. He couldn't say anything, he just nodded vigorously.

A somber atmosphere permeated the office; even Zhao Xuejun's cat had a solemn expression.

This may be the most dangerous game of chess in history.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [35]: The sun shines brightly outside the window, and the sound of students laughing can be heard from afar. It's a wonderful world. People outside

How could anyone have imagined what was happening in this ordinary room? Jiang Shichao squinted at the sunlight, his mind racing.

A strange thought came to mind: how could so many bizarre events occur under such bright light?

He glanced again at the chess master and the chess fanatic, who were engrossed in their game, and couldn't help but imagine how they would die. He seemed...

He could almost see their bodies slowly getting soaked, and green water plants covered them completely. He could almost smell the lake water.

The fishy smell... What's wrong with me? Nothing so terrible can happen, he tried to reassure himself, but he couldn't control himself.

Create your own imagination.

His back was soaked with sweat.

Zhao Xuejun suddenly reached out and grasped his hand. He could feel her hand trembling slightly. Both of them...

They noticed that the other person's hands were wet and cold. They looked at each other and saw their own reflection in the other person's pale face.

Everyone's face was almost pale, except for Yang Tianwen and Xu Sen, who maintained a normal expression.

Whatever mistakes they made in the past, their actions today are enough to make up for them.

“I just remembered something,” Duan Yun said softly.

Everyone except the chess players was watching him, waiting for him to continue.

He swallowed hard several times before stammering, "Why do they have to play chess? Just find someone..."

"Can't a person be a servant?"

"Oh?" Leng Xin's gaze turned cold. "Who do you think we should talk to?" Everyone looked at him reproachfully.

Lin Ding even snorted dismissively.

"You've misunderstood," Duan Yun's face flushed red. "I'm not saying other people's lives are worthless, what I mean is..."

"In other words, I've already died once, and I don't even know if I'm alive or dead now, so let me play this game!"

People then understood what he meant. Lin Ding changed his gaze to one of admiration and patted him on the shoulder: "Old Duan,"

For the first time, I feel you are greater than me!

“Your idea is good,” Leng Xin smiled, “but playing chess requires a worthy opponent, especially one who is a worthy opponent.”

Chess requires two players of similar skill levels to play well; otherwise, a draw is hard to guarantee.

Duan Yun gave a regretful "Oh" and then fell silent.

"I just hope our speculation is wrong," Zhao Xuejun said.

Indeed, if their reasoning was wrong, Yang Tianwen and Xu Sen wouldn't have died because of a draw. But...

This also means that they are once again stuck in an unknown impasse regarding everything, making it difficult for them to find clues and...

It is impossible to predict when the next accident will occur.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [36]: Jiang Shichao suddenly remembered the thing he had thought of at the beginning, and broke out in a cold sweat. His face turned...