The impact of the game wasn't as profound as imagined. Hake Island carried on as usual.
During the day, the mark on the back of her hand had faded a bit. Guests gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing. Occasionally, Tong Yang was mentioned; while there was resentment, it hadn't reached the point of furious humiliation.
Admittedly, the gene medicine held great allure for the guests, but it wasn't worth them taking action personally. They would likely have their accompanying personnel handle things discreetly. Moreover, since no weapons could be brought onto Hake Island and contact with the outside world was impossible, the guests saw no need to take risks themselves.
It was better to follow Mr. Maynard's advice and simply enjoy the island's hospitality.
Two plainly dressed young women walked into the open-air garden restaurant, one after the other.
The mark on one's hand identified her as an NPC, while the other was a player.
A neighboring guest nodded politely and asked, "Excuse me, are you Tong Yang?"
The girl marked as an NPC had calm eyes behind her mask and replied flatly, "No."
"My apologies. Enjoy your meal."
The two didn't engage further, finding a table in a corner where they sat down to order.
To create a quiet dining environment, each table was in its own secluded spot, spaced several meters apart.
"Very well, please wait a moment."
The server took the menu, gave a slight bow, and left.
After they were gone, Xu Junyue looked around. There were only meticulously trimmed greenery and flowers nearby.
"We did it!" Xu Junyue exclaimed in amazement.
Tong Yang gave her a casual glance and said, "Didn't we already test it?"
"I thought something might go wrong!"
Tong Yang took a sip of water. "Exploiting loopholes is my specialty."
"I can see that, it really is your specialty."
Xu Junyue sat in a rather unladylike posture, tapping the table with her knuckles. "Having me give you the command in advance—from now until the game ends, if anyone asks if you're the traitor or if you're Tong Yang, you can only answer 'no'—what if it fails?"
Tong Yang explained, "When we first entered, after Tang Li gave her command, any subsequent instructions from you, another player, became ineffective. That's probably the priority hierarchy. Only after her command's effect ends can you accept others' commands."
Xu Junyue nodded, not fully understanding. "The command I gave you will only expire the moment the game ends. So, during that time, any instruction from anyone regarding those two questions, you'll only answer 'no'."
"You could also issue a command to only obey one person, but that would be overdoing it and could easily backfire."
Xu Junyue gave a thumbs-up. "You are the god of loophole exploitation."
Tong Yang said with a faint smile, "Even the most precise machines have vulnerabilities, let alone programs devised by humans. Besides, using the game to control us isn't the real goal. It's that we can never truly clear the game; we must find the energy terminal to edit it."
"I don't get it. Why so much beating around the bush?"
"Who knows."
"How's your injury?"
"It's okay, not a big problem."
"If only we had a few grenades, we could blow up everyone in Maynard's villa."
Surprisingly, Tong Yang found herself quite agreeing. "Not a bad idea."
"Aren't you top students supposed to be able to make bombs yourselves? Why not give it a try?"
Tong Yang rested her chin on her hand, considering the feasibility of Xu Junyue's suggestion.
Making a bomb herself was certainly possible. However, conditions on Hake Island were limited. Creating a bomb with large-scale destructive power would be difficult, but a simple one might be doable.
"If there's really no other way, we'll do as you say."
Finding some gasoline on Hake Island definitely wouldn't be a problem.
The immediate priority was to find Ye Huai and the other three, as well as the person who helped them clean up the bloodstains last night.
After last night, the broadcast hadn't sounded again, and there were no other commands. It seemed it was only meant to push Tong Yang closer to the energy terminal.
"So how do we find them?"
"Let's eat first."
After waking up in the morning, the two sneaked back to the villa, found some clothes, washed off the blood, re-bandaged their wounds, and then found the restaurant.
From last night until now, they hadn't eaten a single grain of rice and were utterly famished.
As for how to find Ye Huai's group of four and the person secretly helping them, Tong Yang actually had no leads.
The whereabouts of the former group were unknown, their fate unclear, making it impossible to search openly. The latter was even more of a mystery; they didn't even know their name or gender. They could only wait for that person to notice Tong Yang and Xu Junyue and approach them proactively.
The two were starving and devoured all the food like a whirlwind.
Satisfied with food and drink, they rested for a moment before getting up to head elsewhere.
Along the way, they encountered several people inquiring about Tong Yang's identity. With Xu Junyue's command overriding them, no mistakes occurred.
They entered a relaxed club. The atmosphere was soothing and quiet, with the occasional clink of glasses.
The club had many private rooms with excellent soundproofing.
Tong Yang and Xu Junyue sat down in the main hall, observing the others around them.
"Good day, ladies."
Almost as soon as they sat down, a masked man approached them.
Tong Yang and Xu Junyue exchanged a glance.
"Hello." Tong Yang nodded at him.
"Might I ask, where is the young lady who was with you?" the man asked with a smile.
Tong Yang looked at him suspiciously. The outline beneath the mask seemed somewhat familiar, as if she'd seen him somewhere before, but with different clothes and a mask, she couldn't place him immediately.
"Are you asking about my sister?" Tong Yang said.
The translation device was in the destroyed room, so Xu Junyue couldn't understand their conversation and could only watch the man warily.
"Exactly. May I ask where she is? Why are there only the two of you?"
Tong Yang replied, "We got separated from my sister. We can't contact her and have been looking for her too."
"I see. That's unfortunate. May I ask, what is that young lady's role?"
"Player."
"That's good then." The man glanced at the back of Tong Yang's hand, saw the NPC mark, smiled slightly, didn't ask about her identity, and bowed slightly. "Farewell."
"Alright."
The man turned and left. Tong Yang watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.
"What did he say?" Xu Junyue asked.
Tong Yang said, "He asked about Tang Li."
"Could it be him..."
Before she could finish, Tong Yang shook her head slightly. "Doesn't seem like it."
"That's true too. What reason would he have to help us? Could it be that a couple of kisses made him secretly fall for our sister?"
Tong Yang glanced at her. "Well-chosen words."
"Even if he likes Tang Li, what does that have to do with us?"
Xu Junyue thought for a moment and nodded. "Makes sense."
They sat in the club for a while. The coming and going guests showed no signs of anything unusual.
After leaving the club, they headed to the next location: the golf course.
Tong Yang checked the time. It was almost noon. In a few more hours, the defective virus should start taking effect. If they remained in the parallel world until then, how would they deal with the aftermath?
The golf course also showed nothing unusual. No one displayed any peculiar behavior towards them. After looking around, they had gained nothing.
Walking out of the golf course, Xu Junyue let out a long sigh. "What do we do?"
"We can't get into Maynard's villa, and we can't find any other leads. Should we just go back to the real world?"
Tong Yang pressed her lips together. "No."
"Right. One trainee soldier was so hard to deal with. Going back to the real world would just make us targets."
"It's not just that."
"Ah? What else is there?"
Tong Yang's gaze was heavy. "The Black Storm members were infected with a defective virus. If left untreated for several hours, they will succumb. Wu Pingxue chose this method, likely having a countermeasure, but it's useless in the parallel world."
Xu Junyue frowned. "You mean..."
Tong Yang continued, "If we return to the parallel world and manage to escape by luck, the guests on Harker Island cannot clear the level and return to the real world with us. When does the parallel world plan to release them? Two days later, when the gathering ends? But the poison will take effect before two days are up."
Xu Junyue said, "The parallel world can't just ignore them, can it?"
"What do you think?"
Xu Junyue rested her chin on her hand. "Probably will ignore them."
"Then let's not bother either."
Tong Yang stated, "If all the Black Storm members die here, the global economy will collapse. Their enterprises aren't just in the black market."
"So we can't just go back by ourselves?"
"Not only can we not go back by ourselves, but we also have to re-edit the energy terminal to clear the level and return to the real world together before they die from the poison."
Xu Junyue's face looked like she had swallowed a fly. "No way, we have to save them?"
"Not save. Infecting them with poison and then detoxifying them is part of Wu Pingxue's plan. The appearance of the 'Forerunners' was clearly unexpected by him."
Previously, Tong Yang had contacted Wu Pingxue and explained the situation.
Wu Pingxue didn't give a direct answer, only saying he would cooperate with them from the outside. As for how to cooperate and what they should do, that guy didn't mention a word, throwing all the problems back at them.
However, Tong Yang didn't like having everything arranged by others. Compared to Wu Pingxue meticulously planning every detail for her, Tong Yang preferred to think and ponder herself, untangling the knotted ropes step by step towards victory.
The reason she fully cooperated with Wu Pingxue's actions was precisely because he gave Tong Yang enough intellectual freedom.
Even if he left her with heavy mysteries, letting her unravel them gradually was better.
"Not only must we leave, but we must also leave together with the 'Black Storm' members. The only way is to edit the energy terminal and modify the rules," Xu Junyue said.
"That's about right."
"And..." Tong Yang narrowed her eyes, thoughtful. "If my identity is exposed, the Z government's interference in the black market will also be exposed. The hatred will shift to the Z government."
"Do you have an idea?"
"Not yet."
"Then let's go."
"Mm."
Walking outside a cafe, a server pushed the door open and said to the seated guests, "Respected guests, at noon, Mr. Maynard will host a luncheon in 1101. Go if you wish, don't go if you don't."
Tong Yang and Xu Junyue exchanged glances, mentally translating the server's words.
Maynard?
Which Maynard?
Ye Tianlin? Ye Huai? The parallel world's Ye Huai? What's the purpose?
Not just this cafe, many servers were running around Harker Island informing guests of this news.
In no time, everyone knew.
"1101... what do you think?" Xu Junyue asked.
Tong Yang gathered her gaze. "No matter who Maynard is, whether it's a trap or not, we need to investigate."
Except for Tang Li, all three of their phones were turned off, likely unable to contact them, and they couldn't search for them openly. If Tang Li and the others were still alive and in the parallel world, regardless of Maynard's purpose for the banquet, this was an excellent opportunity to regroup. They would definitely go.
It was already noon. Tong Yang and the other immediately headed for 1101.
After a ten-minute walk, the two stopped at the entrance of 1101, which was a restaurant.
"Mr. Maynard will receive guests on the third floor."
A server stood at the door reminding latecomers.
Taking the elevator to the third floor, the hall already had some guests. Maynard's figure was not seen.
Tong Yang and the other found a seat and discreetly observed if any familiar faces appeared around.
"Miss Margaret, good afternoon."
"Good afternoon."
"Miss Margaret, hello."
"Hello."
"Greetings, Miss Margaret."
"Hello."
Xu Jingya walked into the hall, and guests greeted her one after another.
Her gaze swept across the hall, spotting Tong Yang and the other in the corner.
Her eyes lingered briefly before moving away.
Xu Junyue shrugged. "What does she mean?"
"Don't know."
More and more guests arrived, almost filling the hall.
They wore various formal attire and masks covering most of their faces. Accurately finding others in such a situation was hardly possible.
"Miss Ali, where is Mr. Maynard?"
Ali Buckley walked in front of everyone, smiling slightly and saying, "Mr. Maynard is feeling slightly unwell and won't be joining for now. Please, everyone, enjoy the food and drinks."
"What?"
"Mr. Maynard is unwell?"
"How could this be?"
"Is he alright? Does he need a doctor?"
"Mr. Maynard must not be in trouble!"
"My family doctor is also on the island; he can examine Mr. Maynard."
...
The guests were very tense about Mr. Maynard's discomfort.
Maynard held considerable weight in their hearts.
Ali Buckley said, "Please don't worry. Mr. Maynard just didn't sleep well last night."
"How could that be?"
"Could it be related to the game?"
"We loved the game Mr. Maynard prepared!"
"Extremely interesting!"
Ali Buckley sighed. "Not exactly. What happened last night was not within Mr. Maynard's expectations."
"What does that mean?"
"Ali, could you please explain more clearly?"
Ali Buckley said, "To be frank, Mr. Maynard was attacked last night."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
"Is Mr. Maynard seriously hurt?"
"Heavens! Who attacked Mr. Maynard? Could it be Tong Yang from Z country and the other traitors?"
"Outrageous! So it is the Z government sabotaging our transactions!"
"After returning, we should reconsider all cooperation with Z enterprises."
"The traitors are connected to Z country! We must not let the traitors off easily!"
Tong Yang frowned. It wouldn't do for all the hatred to be directed at Z country.
"Not necessarily. Have you forgotten? Those traitors are from the First World." Tong Yang attempted to divert attention.
"But the broadcast said Tong Yang is one of the traitors."
"Miss Ali said the game has nothing to do with Mr. Maynard, and he was attacked last night. We can't fully believe everything in the broadcast," Tong Yang said solemnly.
Immediately after, Tong Yang looked at Ali Buckley and inquired, "Miss Ali, who does Mr. Maynard suspect attacked him?"
Ali Buckley glanced at her and said, "Mr. Maynard suspects it is related to the First World."
"What..."
"Heavens!"
"It was actually the First World?"
"Why would they want to harm Mr. Maynard?"
Tong Yang sat in her seat, almost certain that the person who had instructed Ali Buckley to do this was Ye Huai. He was still alive.
Tong Yang spoke up to defend Country Z, not only to divert the hatred but also, in part, to draw attention.
There were too many guests coming and going; with faces obscured, it was difficult to locate Tang Li and the others. As long as she drew the attention of the guests present, if Tang Li and her companions were here, they would surely notice her.
However, since Ye Huai was still in the parallel world, Tang Li and the other two were likely here as well.
"Does Mr. Maynard know who the person on the broadcast is?"
A familiar voice rang out in the hall. Tong Yang turned her head and met the gaze of the eyes behind that person's mask.
He Jingjing.
They were indeed still in the parallel world.
Ali Buckley said, "Mr. Maynard does not know who is behind the broadcast, nor has he organized any game."
"The person on the broadcast claims to represent the Maynard family. Could it be..."
Ali Buckley stated firmly, "On this island, only Mr. Maynard can represent the Maynard family."
"So, someone is impersonating the Maynard family and attempting to harm Mr. Maynard?"
"Not only that! They deliberately revealed Tong Yang's information to confuse everyone, dragging the Country Z government into this. The ones who have been sabotaging the transactions are clearly from the First World!"
"Have we been deceived?"
"Not necessarily. We cannot prove the traitor's identity as being from the First World, nor can we prove that Tong Yang is not on the island, that she is not the traitor."
Ali Buckley announced, "We have already captured one of the traitors."
Tong Yang's eyes darkened slightly as she looked towards He Jingjing not far away.
She was alone, with no sign of Tang Li or the Chu Shiyu from World A beside her.
"Heavens!"
"Where is this person?"
"Who is she really? Where is she from?"
Ali Buckley clapped her hands behind her. Two waiters carried a chair to the very front, onto the stage.
A woman with a black hood over her head sat on the chair.
"This is the traitor we captured."
"Who? Who is she?"
"Finally caught her!"
"The mark on her hand is NPC!"
"Could she be Tong Yang?"
"I find it very strange, but it seems that being marked as an NPC means having to unconditionally obey a player's commands. I've tried it, and that's indeed the case."
"That's right. My identity is a player. After receiving a command, I become uncontrollable."
"In that case, we just need someone with a player identity to ask her!"
"I am a player. Let me do it."
From the back of the hall, a figure slowly walked in.
Tang Li, wearing a golden cheongsam and high heels, walked into the center of the hall.
Behind her mask, her eyes were moist as she explained, "The traitor killed two of my sisters. I will absolutely not let her go."
"So, may I be the one to ask?"
Tang Li's eyes were dewy and pitiful.
"No problem."
"Please go ahead, miss."
Ali Buckley nodded to her, making a gesture of invitation.
Seeing her appear, Tong Yang relaxed.
As expected, the person on the stage with the black hood was likely Chu Shiyu from World A.
The invitation to 1101 was not a trap, but a "family dinner."
Xu Junyue couldn't understand what they were saying. Ordered by Tong Yang not to speak, her face was full of question marks, but she held back from making a sound.
Tang Li walked to the front of the stage. Ali Buckley reminded her, "Please do not directly ask her if she is the traitor, otherwise she might be locked in as stated in the broadcast. Since we are unsure what would happen, she has been temporarily handed over to the Maynard family for handling."
Tang Li nodded. "I understand."
She walked up to the hooded girl and asked, "Are you Tong Yang?"
"N-no, I'm not," the girl said.
"She's indeed not Tong Yang!"
"Have we been deceived then?"
Tang Li continued asking, "Who do you work for?"
"For Dr. Wu."
"Who is Dr. Wu?"
"Wu Pingxue, a professor from the First World's research institute."
"Heavens... she really is from the First World?"
"Why is the First World doing this to us?"
The crowd erupted in an uproar, unable to believe it.
"Are you a member of 'Black Tempest'?"
"No."
"Are you the one sabotaging 'Black Tempest's transactions?"
"Yes."
"She really is the traitor!"
"She is the traitor!"
"Mr. Maynard has caught the traitor!"
Tang Li pressed on, "Was it the First World that attacked Mr. Maynard?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Maynard was right, the First World attacked him!"
"Why would the First World do this? Why harm Mr. Maynard?"
"Have we and Mr. Maynard been deceived by the First World?"
"What should we do?"
The questions Tang Li asked were very pointed. Everything Chu Shiyu from World A said was factually correct, yet it concealed all information unfavorable to them and Country Z, creating the false impression that it was all the doing of the parallel world.
Tang Li asked again, "Do you know who the people on the broadcast are?"
Chu Shiyu from World A answered, "Yes."
"Who are they?"
"The First World."
"So it's true!"
"They're all from the First World!"
"Could everything happening on Harker Island be a First World conspiracy?"
"Why? Why would they do this? Aren't we partners?"
"Exactly! Why is the First World treating us like this?"
"Mr. Maynard has helped us so much..."
Brilliant.
Tong Yang was full of praise.
Whether it was Ye Huai's or Tang Li's idea, it was brilliant.
All the blame was shifted to the parallel world, and even the people on the broadcast were placed in the enemy camp. From now on, no matter what the broadcast said, the members of "Black Tempest" would have to think deeply and weigh their words carefully before believing anything.
Tang Li closed her eyes and sighed, "To think it was all the First World. What is their ultimate goal?"
"Exactly!"
"What do they really want?"
"Players and NPCs... the game rules are strange. NPCs need to unconditionally obey commands. Doesn't that mean they can do whatever they want?"
Tang Li pondered for a moment, then said, "What is the difference between the guests who became NPCs and ordinary people?"
"Difference..."
"What difference?"
Everyone looked at each other, unclear.
Tang Li sighed, "I suspect there must be some pattern to it."
"I... I've had surgery. I had a kidney replaced."
"I've also had surgery..."
"Heavens! Me too!"
Tang Li appeared very surprised. "Could it be that all the organs inside your bodies were provided by the First World?"
"That is indeed the case..."
"Could it be... that using organs they provided... means we must let them do as they please?"
"This is simply too terrifying! What exactly is the First World trying to do?"
"Have we all been deceived?"
Tang Li's words stirred panic among the guests.
If the circumstances allowed, Tong Yang would have truly applauded them.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
This montage of lies was executed with masterful skill.
"Clap, clap, clap—"
As if sharing a telepathic link with Tong Yang, a crisp sound of clapping rang out from the center of the hall.
The sudden noise drew everyone's attention.
Tong Yang was no exception.
Following the crowd's gaze to the center of the hall, she saw a woman in a black leather jacket lazily lift her head. Her long legs were crossed, her black boots gleaming. Propping her head up with her right hand, her eyes behind the mask held a look of utter nonchalance.
"What a splendid maneuver," the woman said, her voice husky and languid. Her eyes skimmed over Tang Li and the A-World's Chu Shiyu on the stage before settling lightly on Tong Yang.
Tong Yang's breath hitched. A sense of unprecedented danger washed over her, making her body go rigid instantly, her fingers tightening around the weapon hidden in her sleeve.
It was just a casual glance, but Tong Yang's beast-like intuition put her on immediate high alert.
This woman was extremely dangerous!
Tong Yang wasn't the only one who felt it.
Xu Junyue pressed her lips into a tight line, her eyes locking onto the woman like a predator sighting its prey.
On the stage, Tang Li's expression also turned grave.
Guests seated near the woman instinctively shifted their positions away from her.
The aura she exuded was lethally dangerous. Even while doing nothing, she felt like a gleaming blade held against everyone's throat.
Oblivious to this, the woman's lips curved into a slight smile. "May I ask a few questions?"
Though phrased as a request, it brooked no refusal.
Somehow, refusing her felt like it would lead to unbearable consequences.
Ali Buckley paled slightly and bowed. "Please."
Tong Yang held her breath, her tense body not relaxing in the slightest.
She was absolutely certain she had never seen this woman before! If she had, even with the mask, Tong Yang would have recognized her.
"Tell me, is Tong Yang here?"
Tang Li's face darkened a shade.
The A-World's Chu Shiyu answered, "Yes."
"Tong Yang is here?"
"Tong Yang is on this island?"
"So she really is the traitor?"
"What's going on? I thought the traitor was from the parallel world?"
Discussions erupted from the crowd.
"Tell me, is Tong Yang your accomplice?"
"Yes."
The woman paused briefly, her gaze lowering, her smile inscrutable.
Tong Yang stared fixedly at the woman, gripped by a powerful intuition that she had seen through everything. Her next question might just finish them all off!
The woman seemed to sense her stare, looking up to meet her eyes with a mocking glint.
"One final question. Who is Tong Yang working for?"
The A-World's Chu Shiyu said, "Dr. Wu."
"Dr. Wu? Isn't that someone from the First World?"
"What's happening? Is Tong Yang working for the First World?"
"My God! Could it be that she was from the First World all along?"
"In that case, the earlier destruction of the organ harvesting base was also the First World's doing?"
"Fuck!"
"The First World deceived us?"
"How despicable! The First World wants to control us?"
"Unbelievable..."
The woman's appearance had already made Tang Li and the others break out in a cold sweat. They had thought the final question would be crucial, but it turned out to be surprisingly inconsequential.
Tang Li and He Jingjing breathed a sigh of relief, but the expression on Tong Yang's face remained grim.
What does she want?
Who is she?
The woman was definitely not from the real world, and she likely understood the purpose of their mission perfectly. So why didn't she expose them?
She only revealed Tong Yang's presence, using Tang Li's setup to place Tong Yang in the First World's camp. Yet, the blame still fell on the parallel world, even pushing the credit for the first organ base raid onto them.
What is her goal?
Tong Yang was certain: the woman was an enemy, not a friend.
Why didn't she expose them? Instead, she went along with their story and singled out Tong Yang?
Why...
Why...
Tong Yang's hand gripping the knife hilt was stained with blood.
The intense sense of crisis kept her nerves stretched taut.
The woman sat up straight and pushed back her chair. "A most spectacular performance. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your meal."
She turned, her black boots clicking against the polished floor. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she walked out of the hall at an unhurried pace.
"Who is she?" Xu Junyue gripped Tong Yang's arm, asking in a low voice.
Her eyes remained fixed on the direction the woman had left.
With her departure, the oppressive pressure that had weighed on everyone vanished.
Tong Yang's expression was solemn. "I'm not sure."
"Before she spoke, I hadn't noticed her at all." Xu Junyue took a deep breath. "She's strong. Very strong."
"I know." Tong Yang released the knife hilt, her palm marked with bloody crescents.
When the woman appeared, when she took her seat—Tong Yang hadn't noticed.
Not just Tong Yang and Xu Junyue, but probably everyone present hadn't noticed her existence until she made a sound.
It wasn't teleportation. She was just exceptionally skilled at concealing her presence.
Xu Junyue was right. That woman was formidable.
No one had ever made Tong Yang feel this way before.
What frustrated her even more was the woman's unfathomable attitude.
Ali Buckley didn't allow for further questions, instructing two servers to carry the A-World's Chu Shiyu away.
The situation was settled. All blame was shifted onto the parallel world.
The only complication was that Tong Yang was now placed in the parallel world's camp.
Could this be the "betrayal" that Police Officer Lin from 2026 mentioned?
Tang Li returned to the floor and found a seat.
Their eyes met across the room, confirming each other's safety.
Even so, no one let their guard down.
The sudden appearance of the woman had dealt them a heavy blow.
Even though she had done nothing.
They picked at their lunch without tasting it. Meinard did not appear.
After the meal, the guests did not leave immediately. They asked Ali Buckley, "How does Mr. Meinard intend to handle this matter?"
Ali Buckley replied, "In two hours, Mr. Meinard will meet everyone in the banquet hall. Please make your way there a little earlier."
"Understood, Miss Ali."
"Please urge Mr. Meinard to take good care of his health."
"We will wait for Mr. Meinard in the banquet hall."
"Please ask Mr. Meinard to continue guiding us."
The guests relocated, leaving the main hall.
Soon, only Tong Yang and her three companions remained.
Ali Buckley nodded. "Please follow me."
In silence, the four of them followed Ali Buckley out of the hall.
They walked through a long corridor and stopped before a closed door.
"Please." Ali Buckley bowed slightly.
Tong Yang grasped the doorknob. As she opened the door, she turned her head and asked, "Miss Ali, did you clean up the bloodstains for us?"
Ali Buckley shook her head. "I don't know anything about it."
Tong Yang frowned. If it wasn't Ali Buckley, then who could it have been?
Without further hesitation, Tong Yang pushed the door open and entered.
Upon opening the door, her eyes fell on a spacious room dominated by a large bed.
Ye Huai lay on the bed, his body covered by a blanket, his exposed face deathly pale.
Entering the room, Tong Yang stepped forward to check on him and asked, "How is he?"
Tang Li said, "His condition isn't optimistic."
Tong Yang took out his medicine box. "His medicine, is it still useful?"
Tang Li was momentarily taken aback. "Yes, give it to me. My family has practiced medicine for generations."
"Alright, thank you."
Tong Yang sat down by the bed and looked at the others in the room. "What happened to you all after that?"
He Jingjing said with a complicated expression, "The Ye Huai from the parallel world and his companion drugged us and threw us into the sea."
"Fortunately, Tang Li wasn't completely unconscious and saved us. We just didn't know where you had gone, and our phones were waterlogged, so we couldn't contact anyone."
"What about him?" Tong Yang glanced at the person on the bed.
He Jingjing sighed. "He made contact with the 'Forerunner.' He was no match in a fight and barely managed to escape. Unfortunately, he had a heart attack halfway, and his medicine was snatched. Luckily, he had a few spare pills hidden on him, which saved his life. When we found him, he had collapsed in a hidden spot. Ali Buckley also found us and brought him here."
Tang Li added, "Ye Huai is tenacious. He held on by sheer will, or he would have died last night."
"Did he wake up at all during that time?" Tong Yang asked.
"He did. He told us to organize this grand banquet and put on this whole act." At this point, He Jingjing's voice faltered. "If it weren't for that woman, it would have been foolproof."
Tong Yang said, "She knew everything. She deliberately didn't expose us and even fanned the flames."
He Jingjing asked, "An ally?"
"Impossible."
Tang Li also stated firmly, "Absolutely impossible."
"A person from the parallel world? Why didn't she expose it? Wasn't the Black Market a scheme the parallel world has been meticulously planning for a long time?"
"I can't figure out her intentions." Tong Yang pressed her lips together. "Most likely, it has something to do with me."
"I have a guess about who she is related to," Tong Yang said.
"Who?" He Jingjing asked.
Tang Li simply looked at her without speaking.
Tong Yang and Xu Junyue beside her spoke almost simultaneously:
"The me from the First World."
"Tong Yang of the First World."
"One of the three 'Forerunners' injected with the premium genetic serum."
Ali Buckley suddenly spoke up: "That esteemed lady is the youngest officer among the 'Forerunners,' quite renowned in the Main World."
Everyone turned their gaze to her in unison, surprised that she could speak Chinese.
"That lady's actions are unpredictable and inscrutable. She makes decisions based on her whims. Even Mr. Maynard must show her some respect."
Ali Buckley sighed. "Before she arrived at Harker Island, no one expected her to take on such a minor assignment."
The Maynard she mentioned was likely the parallel world's Ye Tianlin.
"Why are you helping us?"
Ali Buckley replied, "I am merely following Mr. Maynard's instructions."
"She really is a major complication."
Ali Buckley warned, "The fortunate thing is, that lady doesn't seem inclined to interfere in this matter. You must avoid her at all costs. Otherwise, not even Mr. Maynard could protect you."
Tong Yang had to admit that the First World's Tong Yang was formidable. The current her was completely unqualified to contend with her.
Wu Pingxue was right. She needed to grow, urgently and desperately needed to grow.
"What about you? Did you gain anything?" Tang Li asked.
Just as Tong Yang was about to answer, there was a slight movement from the bed.
Ye Huai had woken up!
