Chapter 12: The Village Funeral
The teammates, who had been terrified by the reanimated corpse, finally realized what was happening and sprang away like frightened birds. But with danger ahead and behind, they glanced around frantically—nowhere felt safe. One by one, they ducked behind Li Jianxi, who stood at the courtyard gate.
Li Jianxi: "…………"
Only one person didn't move from the stone step where he was washing his shoes.
"Zhu Zhibo" remained hunched in his seat, now holding a pair of black cloth shoes instead of sneakers. He slowly bent over to put them on, his movements unnaturally slow, as if he were an elderly man rather than a young adult. Meanwhile, the village chief had climbed out of the coffin and was now moving stiffly toward him.
Li Zhi quietly backed toward the courtyard gate, signaling with her hand behind her back for the others to leave quickly.
Holding their breath, everyone retreated from the yard. Li Zhi gently pulled the gate shut behind them and said, “Alright, let them fight it out inside.”
Team members: "?!"
Audience: "?!?"
The live chat exploded with shock at her bold maneuver:
【Wait, is this even allowed???】
【She’s playing both sides!驱虎逐狼, using ghosts against ghosts. Li Zhi really knows her tactics.】
【How has this girl not gone viral yet with acting skills like that? Those two 'Dad's almost convinced me you were actually related!】
【Just calling 'Dad' gave her so many extra votes! Totally worth it!】
【Waaahhh… Is my big brother still alive? Did that ghost eat him?!】
...
Still stunned, the players looked at each other. Chi Yi now stared at Li Zhi like she was an idol: “Zhi Zhi, how did you know he wasn’t human?”
Li Zhi took down the mourning lantern hanging above the doorframe and started walking forward: “Let’s talk while we walk.”
They hesitated: “Where are we going? Back out again?”
Li Zhi looked into the dark night ahead: “Teacher Zhu might still be alive.”
Everyone’s expressions turned serious. Gao Shijun showed hesitation on his face, while Xu Shu paused thoughtfully, recalling how she’d risked herself to save someone back in the ancestral hall. Knowing she wouldn’t be persuaded, he nodded: “Then let’s go look for him.”
Guided by the mourning lantern, Li Zhi led the way, her steps faster than when they returned. Her voice remained steady: “When we called the soul, we burned paper along the way. Everyone’s shoes had ash stuck to the soles—except the fake Teacher Zhu’s.”
Realization dawned. Gao muttered, “Even so, you shouldn’t have woken up the village chief directly! What if he attacks us all indiscriminately?”
Chi Yi, now firmly a fan of Li Zhi, glared at him: “Well then, do you have a way to get rid of the ghost following us? And don’t question Li Zhi—she always has her reasons!”
Li Zhi didn’t respond, only glancing sideways at Xu Shu beside her.
Meeting her calm gaze, Xu suddenly understood—Gao’s doubt was about something Li Zhi already accounted for.
She knew he had protective items. And since he'd mentioned having entered replicas many times before, he must also have offensive tools. Even if the village chief attacked randomly, Xu could handle it.
After all, after so many days, they had figured out the conditions under which the village chief kills. Compared to dealing with an unknown wandering spirit, fighting the village chief was far more manageable.
Their footsteps quickened. Lian Qinglin, who was close with Zhu Zhibo, grew anxious: “Where could Teacher Zhu be? Could he have gotten trapped in a ghost wall and not made it out? Should we check the land god temple?”
Li Zhi simply replied with two words: “The pond.”
Xu Shu suddenly remembered: “You mean that creature we saw crouching by the pond on our way back?”
Back then, they’d only caught a glimpse in the dark—a shadowy figure crouched there, assumed to be some monster.
Li Zhi said, “That ghost’s shoe soles had black mud similar to what’s in the pond. It must have been there. I’m just guessing—we should check first.”
By the time they reached the pond, the kneeling figure was still there. Still digging through the mud with both hands, making heavy breathing sounds, though slower than before.
Lian Qinglin cautiously called out: “Zhu Ge? Teacher Zhu? Zhu Zhibo?”
No response.
They carefully approached, lit by the mourning lantern’s glow. Before them knelt a figure completely covered in mud. As he dug, he stuffed handfuls of the foul-smelling sludge into his mouth, smearing it all over his face and hair.
“It really is Teacher Zhu!”
Li Zhi handed the lantern to someone beside her and rushed forward, pulling Zhu back together with Lian.
His eyes were vacant, his face pale. Who knew how much mud he had swallowed—his stomach was bloated, barely breathing.
Li Zhi immediately ordered: “Lift him up!”
Xu Shu quickly stepped forward, helping Lian support Zhu on either side, while Li Zhi positioned herself behind him and began performing the Heimlich maneuver to force the mud out of his stomach.
Zhu immediately began vomiting violently.
The audience watched in horror:
【Without Li Zhi, the actor would’ve died from internal suffocation!】
【Thank you thank you thank you thank you, Li Zhi! Save my idol!】
【This death method is terrifying… but can he even survive after eating so much mud?!】
...
The viewers’ fears mirrored those of the players. After expelling a large amount of mud, Zhu passed out. Gao carried him back—they weren’t sure if he’d been poisoned, so they decided to ask the villagers if there was a doctor.
Approaching the courtyard, their steps slowed.
Who knew if the two ghosts inside had finished fighting—who won or lost? Worse, what if the two hadn’t fought at all and were waiting in ambush?
Xu Shu finally took the lead, bracing himself as he reached for the door—when it creaked open from the inside.
Li Jianxi walked out, stroking the black cat in his arms, expression indifferent, as if he hadn’t noticed them at all.
Inside the courtyard was peaceful—no wandering spirits, and the village chief was lying back in his coffin. Everyone exhaled in relief and hurried inside.
Li Zhi was the last to enter. She called softly: “Mr. Li.”
Li Jianxi paused, turning slowly. The cat purred in his arms. Li Zhi smiled sincerely: “Thank you earlier for the hint.”
Li Jianxi replied: “You figured it out yourself.”
He had only told them to wash their shoes—that was all.
Above, thick clouds parted. The moon peeked out, its light falling on Li Zhi’s eyes—so earnest, they seemed tender.
“Regardless, thank you. You’ve helped us many times.”
Li Jianxi looked away uncomfortably.
Moonlight outlined his features sharply, making him look too perfect to be real.
The live chat erupted again:
【Confirmed good guy! I’ll never doubt him again!】
【He really saved them multiple times! So this replica actually has friendly NPCs?!】
【So handsome so handsome so handsome—Swoon! More kind-hearted beautiful NPCs please!!】
【This pairing... these two... maybe ship-worthy? Let me think…】
【I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry—I’m shipping in a bloody horror show! Forgive me, but it’s too good not to!】
【Can’t help myself! Must ship! [NPC] x [Player] forever!】
...
Li Zhi stepped closer, her expression worried: “Mr. Li, does this village have a doctor? My friend ingested some mud and needs treatment.”
Li Jianxi returned to his usual detached self: “No.”
Seeing disappointment flicker in her eyes, he paused slightly, lips tightening briefly before turning: “Follow me.”
Minutes later, Li Zhi was led to a field path. Li Jianxi pointed at several green plants growing on the ground: “Boil these. They induce vomiting and have detoxifying effects.” As if sensing her skepticism, he added, “There’s no doctor here. Transportation is difficult. People rely on herbal remedies for common ailments.”
Li Zhi crouched down, pulling up a few plants and smiling gratefully.
On the way back, Xu Shu waited at the door: “How is it?”
Li Zhi replied, “It’s worth a try.”
They boiled water and made the herbal soup. Feeding it to Zhu caused another round of vomiting—but this time, the expelled contents were less horrifying. Gradually, his condition improved. Though still unconscious, he fell into a deep sleep.
Tomorrow was the burial day, and tonight still required vigil. The cat had gone with Li Jianxi. No major mishaps occurred during today’s mission—the village chief likely wouldn’t resurrect again. The team redistributed the night watch duties.
Li Zhi took the first shift. In the second half, she went to bed deeply exhausted. Upon waking the next morning, her first act was to check on Zhu Zhibo.
Whether due to the herbs or his own strong will to live, he had woken up—though still weak and pale, lying motionless in bed.
Gao, who had shared the room with him, had already explained the previous night’s events. Seeing Li Zhi enter, he expressed deep gratitude: “I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
Li Zhi smiled: “My little sister is your fan. If anything happened to you, she’d be heartbroken.”
The audience teared up:
【She really got me crying…妹控？】
【Even in life-threatening situations, she’s still protecting her sister’s idol to keep her happy. Actor, having her as a fan is your blessing!】
【While other replicas are full of betrayal and infighting, here they risk their lives to save teammates. Same genre, different worlds.】
【Li Zhi is faking kindness for votes. Fake saint act, ugh~】
【Whose fan is panicking? Scared her vote might surpass your favorite?】
...
Where there are fans, there's conflict—even in a horror variety show.
Today was the village chief’s funeral. Despite Zhu Zhibo’s weakness, he had to rise and continue the mission with the group.
At breakfast, Gao nervously asked: “Will we finish the level and leave today?”
Everyone exchanged uncertain looks, finally turning to Li Zhi.
Li Zhi chewed her steamed bun slowly. Under everyone’s anxious gazes, she finally spoke: “Pass me some pickled vegetables.”
Team members: "…………"