chapter 58

Fu Zhixing nodded, lowering his voice: “With this offer, you have a chance to obtain an official position in the Strange Tales world. Players with official positions always have certain conveniences in Strange Tales. Some Weirds might treat you more politely because of your status. In short, if you really manage to get the position, your chances of surviving in the Strange Tales world will be much higher.”

“So, I must get this offer,” Tu Nan murmured to herself.

“What do you plan to do?” Jenny came over after finishing her meal and asked, “I think the afternoon game session will probably be canceled.”

She was right.

Soon, George walked in with a grim face and announced that the task originally meant to accompany Lilith in the afternoon had now become finding Xiao Bai.

“I regret to inform you all,” George said through gritted teeth, “Miss Lilith’s Cat just ran into the Maze. I suppose none of you want to know what appears in that Maze at night. I wish you luck in finding the Cat before evening.”

“If we find it, how do we get out?” Tu Nan frowned and asked.

“That’s your problem,” George’s cold gaze fell on her. “Miss Lita, I have some good news for you.”

“What is it?”

“Madam has specially permitted you not to enter the Maze, so please stay quietly in your room this afternoon and don’t go anywhere.”

“Why?” Jack’s eyes widened. “That’s not fair.”

“Shut up.” George’s voice was like a serpent’s hiss. “You have no right to object.”

He turned his head and suddenly smiled at Tu Nan, saying, “Miss Lita, I trust you must be very satisfied with this arrangement.”

Tu Nan looked at his smile and saw nothing but endless malice in it.

George was maliciously sowing discord among them, trying to make her companions doubt her, even ostracize her.

Jenny and Fu Zhixing weren’t that foolish, but Jack was different.

As soon as George left, Jack immediately walked up to Tu Nan, his face full of anger, demanding, “What did you do? Why don’t you have to go?”

“I don’t know.” Tu Nan looked at him coldly.

“It must be you. You made some deal with them, got yourself out of it, and left us to die.” Jack’s emotions grew increasingly uncontrollable.

“If it weren’t for me, you’d already be dead,” Tu Nan considered herself fairly even-tempered, but she was thoroughly impatient with the man before her. “Didn’t you say I made a deal with them? If you keep spouting nonsense in front of me, I’ll have them drag you out and slaughter you.”

A trace of panic flashed across Jack’s face.

Dealing with people like this, you really can’t use the usual methods.

“Why bother talking to him?” Jenny came over. “Let’s leave the Dining Room. Time’s almost up.”

The three of them walked out together.

“Why did you risk saving someone like him earlier?” Jenny said indignantly as they left. “He’s just an idiot.”

“I wasn’t trying to save him. I just wanted to verify something.”

Fu Zhixing looked at her.

“Do you remember the Rule at the start of this Instance?” Tu Nan asked.

Jenny thought for a moment and blurted out, “‘TA’s will is above all.'”

“You’re suspecting that the ‘TA’ in this Rule refers to Lilith?” Fu Zhixing asked.

“That’s right.” Tu Nan nodded. “Yesterday, when we returned after feeding the sheep, judging by George’s tone, it seemed we hadn’t done perfectly. But with just one word from Lilith, he immediately changed his original plan.”
Jenny showed a look of recollection. “It does seem that way…”

“So today, I deliberately tested it,” Tu Nan said calmly. “Knowing clearly that Jack had already broken the rules, I asked Lilith if she could let him go.”

“And as it turns out, Lilith really did let him go,” Fu Zhixing picked up her words, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“At first, I suspected that this ‘Ta’ might be the Lady, but now it seems that the core character of this Instance is Lilith. If we want to unravel the secrets of the Manor, we have to focus on Lilith.”

Jenny showed a pained expression. “This kind of thing isn’t my strong suit. Compared to that, I’m more concerned about what to do with the Maze.”

“Since you’re all going to the Maze, there’s no reason to leave me here alone,” Tu Nan said, feeling more and more of a headache. “Why would the Lady want me to stay in the Manor?”

“Could it be that there’s something special about you?” Jenny guessed.

“What’s special about me…” She lowered her head in thought. “What could it be…”

She vaguely felt that this might be a key point.

“If you can’t figure it out, don’t dwell on it for now,” Fu Zhixing said seriously. “There’s a more urgent task for you.”

“You mean…” Tu Nan instantly understood.

Fu Zhixing nodded.

“What on earth are you two talking about?” Jenny’s gaze swept over their faces, her tone on the verge of collapse. “Can you stop speaking in riddles?”

Tu Nan glanced at the top of the stairs and smiled slightly. “Well, let’s wait until you get back to tell you.”

Since Fu Zhixing was going to the Maze, he couldn’t go to the Lady’s room, and since she was assigned to stay in the Mansion, perhaps it was fate that she would have to visit the Lady’s room herself.

“It’s about time.” A Maid walked up to them. “Butler George asked me to remind you, it’s time to set out.”

The three nodded.

“We’ll be off, then.” Fu Zhixing looked at Tu Nan, hesitated, and reminded her, “Be careful above all else. Even if you can’t find anything, don’t push yourself. Your life is most important.”

Tu Nan nodded, then as if suddenly remembering something, stopped the two who were about to leave.

“Wait a moment.” She looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then pulled out a Card from somewhere.

“What’s that?” Jenny asked curiously.

A flash of white light, and a Glass Slipper appeared in Tu Nan’s hand.

She handed the Glass Slipper to Fu Zhixing. “Returning it to its rightful owner.”

“Isn’t this Cinderella’s Glass Slipper from the last Instance?” Jenny’s gaze shifted between the two of them. “I’ve been meaning to ask-did you two trade something behind my back?”

Tu Nan shrugged. “Even if we did, it’s been returned to him now.”

“With this Glass Slipper, no matter where you are, you can follow its guidance to find me. You won’t have to worry about getting lost in the Maze.”

Fu Zhixing wasn’t one to dawdle. He took the Glass Slipper and simply said, “Thanks.”

“You’re just giving him such a good item?” Jenny crossed her arms and said bluntly, “He’s got plenty of items on him. Don’t be polite with him.”

“Of course,” Tu Nan spread her hands and looked at Fu Zhixing. “The Lady’s room is definitely locked. I need an item that can open the Lock on her room.”

“Also, this only counts as a one-for-one trade. When we get out, you still owe me another item.”