From the perspective of live broadcast impact, this is indeed the case. The shock and sense of reward from assembling the Ghost Mirror after killing Bai Liu face-to-face is far more intense, and the audience is much more receptive—much like the sensational effect when Miao Feichi devours his opponent before the crowd. If the goal is to generate buzz and rally support, this is precisely the strategy a carrion zombie would choose.
In previous years, some guilds have made a spectacle of killing promising newcomers to build momentum before the league's opening, a practice euphemistically called "sacrificing the dark horse to the banner, the guild is invincible." Such things happen every year, often targeting rookies with no guild backing but plenty of hype. This year, during the support season, Mu Sicheng thought he would be the one sacrificed, which is why he frantically collected escape items like the "Mermaid's Amulet."
He never expected that, midway through, an even more flamboyant and audacious Bai Liu would appear, defeating the top-ranked Zhang Kui and stealing the spotlight, thus sparing Mu Sicheng from being the sacrificial lamb.
Mu Sicheng recalled the guild announcement from the carrion zombies. Miao Feichi, with shackles on his mouth, had posted a short video in the guild's announcement section, animatedly declaring his intent to kill Bai Liu for a live eating show.
"I don't really like eating the elderly—young ones taste better," Miao Feichi joked. "It's standard practice, a ritual sacrifice. How much I eat depends on your support. For you, I can take a few extra bites. The current support data starts at three pounds without the organs, but it's no big deal if I can't finish."
He licked his lips and sneered, "His flesh is no great loss, wouldn't fetch much even if sold."
Bai Liu glanced at Mu Sicheng in puzzlement, noticing his expression had suddenly twisted into something ferocious, as if he were about to devour someone. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just thought of something unpleasant," Mu Sicheng ground his teeth, but quickly regained composure and looked at Bai Liu. "Let me go with you this time. Two of us together is better than you alone, right?"
Mu Sicheng had already tried to persuade Bai Liu to let him join the game, but Bai Liu was adamant, insisting he take care of the newcomers.
Mu Sicheng grew agitated. "If something happens to you, what's the point of me bringing these two rookies out?"
"Before anything happens, just assume I'll be fine." Bai Liu patted Mu Sicheng's shoulder, offering a practiced, reassuring smile.
Suddenly, Mu Sicheng turned his head, his gaze passing over Bai Liu's shoulder as he whispered, "They're here."
Following Mu Sicheng's line of sight, Bai Liu saw two players approaching—one tall, one short. The leader's stride was arrogant and domineering, causing the ordinary players near the entrance to quickly distance themselves, forming a vacuum around him.
The reason for their retreat wasn't that these two were a pair of flesh-eating zombies—no one could harm another in the lobby—but because of a system announcement:
[System kindly reminds players at the entrance: Red-named player (Miao Feichi) is present. Yesterday, this player killed 12 others in a fifty-person multiplayer dungeon. Please keep your distance and avoid entering the same game as him to ensure your safety.]
Miao Feichi heard the announcement and gave a wicked, indifferent smile, as if long accustomed to such notoriety. There was a smugness in his expression, the arrogance of one who holds others' lives in his hands and delights in their fear.
Miao Feichi was strikingly handsome, tall and long-limbed, with a youthful, almost cherubic appearance. The contrast of his good looks with the bloodthirsty act of eating human flesh evoked the image of a mysterious, elegant vampire, creating a visual impact that drove his fans wild. His support points remained high, and he consistently ranked among the top twenty in the "Pretty Face" section of the streaming platform.
Bai Liu gave him a quick, objective assessment—his bone structure and features were far inferior to Mu Ke's. To Bai Liu, Miao Feichi's style felt forced and ostentatious, with an air of deliberate self-indulgence and restlessness.
Trailing behind Miao Feichi was a silent, burly middle-aged man with dark skin, a string of prayer beads around his neck, and two tusk-like fangs protruding from his mouth. His eyes were sharp, his steps steady, and his presence exuded a formidable calm, making him seem far more dangerous than the flamboyant Miao Feichi.
This, it seemed, was Miao Feichi's partner—his father, Miao Gaojiang.
Miao Feichi swaggered up to the game wall at the entrance, followed by several others searching for someone. It was clear these were members of the carrion zombie guild, helping him hunt for Bai Liu. Even they seemed to fear Miao Feichi—a primal, instinctive terror, like that of prey before a predator.
No one liked the way Miao Feichi looked at people. Even when regarding his own subordinates, his eyes narrowed with a predatory hunger, as if sizing up which cut of meat would be most delicious.
As Bai Liu described it—it was like a herd of herbivores trembling behind a carnivore.
These sycophantic followers racked their brains to flatter Miao Feichi:
"Miao-ge, are you here to play with Bai Liu for fun? You really didn't need to come yourself—we could've handled it."
"It's those forum players stirring things up, saying Bai Liu and Mu Sicheng are the duo to watch in next year's doubles tournament. But even if they team up, you and Miao-dad could crush them with ease!"
Miao Feichi's eyes narrowed in feigned modesty as his lackeys nearly sang his praises to the heavens. "You're exaggerating, but I do hope he doesn't team up with Mu Sicheng. Two adults—I couldn't possibly finish them both in one sitting."
"Damn." Hidden in the crowd, Mu Sicheng cursed under his breath, ready to charge forward, but Bai Liu quickly grabbed his wrist and shot him a look, urging him to leave.
"Damn it," Mu Sicheng muttered, "Miao Feichi is the most petty player I've ever seen in the league. Just because people on the forum praised our teamwork, he's targeting you. He can't stand any newcomer duo outshining him."
Though the words of these sycophants were grating, they reflected the prevailing sentiment on the forums. Aside from Bai Liu and Mu Sicheng's own fans, most bystanders were pessimistic, convinced that the pair would stand no chance against Miao Feichi and Miao Gaojiang.
In "Explosive Last Bus," only Zhang Kui was a player of any real caliber, while Miao Feichi and Miao Gaojiang were professionals—on a completely different level. Many sarcastic players were already posting "R.I.P." threads for Bai Liu and Mu Sicheng, lamenting that these promising newcomers would not make it to next year's league.
This was hardly surprising. Bai Liu had made many enemies; the guild players and fans during support season were fanatical. He had killed Zhang Kui, a reserve player for the King's Guild, and earned the system's "Spade No. 2" title, offending the top two guilds' most powerful fans.
For the carrion zombie guild to use Bai Liu's death as a publicity stunt was, if not a cause for celebration, at least something many players applauded.
Bai Liu lowered his voice. "Go take care of the newcomers. Don't linger here."
Mu Sicheng shot him a resentful glare. "So you're really set on not letting me join you?"
"Yes," Bai Liu replied without hesitation. "Focus on guiding the newcomers—take Xiang Chunhua and the others through the level-one multiplayer dungeons."
Mu Sicheng protested, "I could take them with you! That's still guiding newcomers, isn't it?"
"The only new game on this wall is a level-two dungeon. With Miao Feichi watching, I can't go to an old game, so I have to choose this new one." Bai Liu's tone was calm. "I don't think you and I can handle three newcomers in a level-two dungeon. Even bringing Mu Ke is risky, but at least he's cleared two games and is obedient enough to try. You want to bring Xiang Chunhua and Liu Fu too? Are you all so eager to die for me?"
Mu Sicheng, agitated and anxious, seemed ready to leap up in anger. "But at least with me there, I could counter that bastard Miao Feichi! My personal skill is his nemesis! And with five Black Fingers equipped, I could at least put up a fight. How are you going to take on two S-rank players alone?"
"And what about Liu Fu, Xiang Chunhua, and Mu Ke?" Bai Liu stared at him. "If you force the newcomers into this dungeon to help me, can you guarantee their safety? If you leave them to practice on their own, how will you train your teamwork?"
Mu Sicheng pressed his lips together in sullen silence, tacitly admitting he cared little for the others' survival or cooperation.
"I have to object to your attitude toward your future league teammates, Mu Sicheng. You'll need to work with more than just me. I'm not only training Xiang Chunhua and Liu Fu, but you as well," Bai Liu said lightly, without reproach, meeting Mu Sicheng's gaze. "I won't die. I survived the Ghost Mirror alone last time, and I won't fall so easily now. You should have that much faith in me."
"I'll make it out. We'll compete in the league together." Bai Liu's voice was steady. "I keep my word. Have I ever lied to you, Mu Sicheng?"
Mu Sicheng ground his teeth, his voice hoarse and reluctant as he finally agreed. He truly couldn't win against Bai Liu.
Bai Liu sent Mu Sicheng away.
Taking advantage of his short stature, Bai Liu quickly searched the crowd and found Mu Ke in a corner near the entrance. Mu Ke froze at the sight of Bai Liu, but recognizing his voice—unmistakable even if appearances could be changed in this game—he was certain it was Bai Liu. After all, it was this voice that had saved him.
Bai Liu briefly explained the situation. "We'll still be hunted after entering. Are you sure you want to go with me? This is your last chance to back out. I just saw someone less attractive than you make it to the top of the 'Pretty Face' rankings with a freakshow eating stream. With your looks, you could do even better."
"…I'll go with you," Mu Ke replied firmly.
"Alright. Since we're being hunted, we can't enter an old game—they've played those before, and we'd have no advantage." Bai Liu spoke quickly. "The safest option would be a solo game, but the rewards are too meager, and all the solo games on the wall are full. We can only choose a new multiplayer dungeon, and I've only found one."
"We might have seen this dungeon before." Bai Liu looked up at Mu Ke. "It's called 'Loving Welfare Home.'"
Before entering, Mu Sicheng had once asked Bai Liu: if the "parallel universe" didn't exist, and everything was unique and predetermined, how could the "real world" make sense? Just as Bai Liu would not die in the welfare home if he never chose that game, leaving no trace behind.
But now, it felt as if an invisible hand was orchestrating everything—the bounty, the ambushes, the sudden appearance of top league players—all events strung together, forcing Bai Liu to walk the only, inevitable path he could see.
Now, the only choice before him was the game tied to the welfare home.
Lu Yizhan often said, "There is a destiny in the unseen." If the "heavens" of this game meant for him to participate, then he could not escape, nor did he intend to.
Bai Liu looked at Mu Ke. "We'll enter the game separately, one after the other."
————————
On the game wall, the icon of a lifeless orphanage gate suddenly lit up.
[Game Dungeon Name: "Loving Welfare Home"]
[Level: Two (Games with a player death rate between 50% and 80% are level two)]
[Mode: Multiplayer (0/6)]
[Description: This is a dual-line horror puzzle game. Players have two identity lines, each representing a part of your body. Protecting the children is protecting yourself; killing them is also protecting yourself. What will you choose? To become a child, or remain a tainted adult…]
["Loving Welfare Home" has two players. Four more needed to begin.]
[System prompt: The player Bai Liu, whom you follow, has entered the game! Come and watch!]
The prompt made Miao Feichi's eyes narrow as he chuckled darkly. "Did you think hiding in a game would keep me from finding you? There are only so many games you can enter."
Miao Gaojiang analyzed succinctly, "Bai Liu will choose a new game. He has no advantage in the old ones." His gaze swept the wall, finally settling on an obscure icon in the corner.
The icon was a dim orphanage gate, with a few children faintly visible at play. It was a new game, unfamiliar even to Miao Gaojiang.
"Loving Welfare Home?" Miao Feichi eyed the children on the icon, licking his itching gums, his gaze turning both hungry and bloodthirsty. "The name suits my taste."
"Miao-ge, aside from this game, all the others are either full or old. Only this one has just two players."
"Two?" Miao Feichi sneered. "So Mu Sicheng is with him. Fine, it's a level-two game. I don't want to bring anyone else—just me and my dad. The rest of you can go."
With that, Miao Feichi pulled the taciturn Miao Gaojiang into the game.
["Loving Welfare Home" now has four players. Two more needed.]
[System prompt: The players Miao Feichi and Miao Gaojiang, whom you follow, have entered the game! Come and watch!]
Players at the entrance watched as the father-son duo followed Bai Liu into the game. The sight of the "Loving Welfare Home" icon filled them with dread. Few dared to try new games, and with two notorious league players inside, they kept their distance.
But some players, after seeing Miao Feichi and Miao Gaojiang enter, kept their eyes fixed on the orphanage icon.
Liu Huai stared at the gate on the "Loving Welfare Home" icon. It was identical to the one at the orphanage where Liu Jiayi lived.
Liu Huai, a survivor of "Explosive Last Bus," knew about the Mirror City bombing, though he hadn't thought much of it before. But after Bai Liu's hints and now seeing a game seemingly modeled after a real place—his sister's orphanage—he couldn't help but wonder.
Liu Jiayi, blind, had no idea what had happened to her in the orphanage, but strange marks—like tiny mushroom spots—covered her pale, frail body. When asked, she seemed bewildered, unable to explain the bite-like wounds.
The real-world investigation concluded it was food poisoning, but Liu Huai doubted it, though he had no other leads. Perhaps this game, modeled after reality, would offer clues.
Gritting his teeth, Liu Huai equipped his skills, checked the points he'd borrowed, and entered the game.
["Loving Welfare Home" now has five players. One more needed.]
The moment Liu Huai entered, a little girl in a hospital gown appeared in a corner of the entrance. She seemed blind, her empty eyes searching the space. She touched her arm, puzzled, and softly called, "Brother," before being instantly drawn into the game.
["Loving Welfare Home" now has six players. The game will begin.]
As the system announced the start of the six-player game, five small TV screens lit up in the multiplayer area.
Spectators who rushed over at the prompt were puzzled. "Isn't this a six-player game? Why are only five screens on? Did a top player turn off their stream?"
Players ranked in the top 100 of the monthly total points leaderboard have the privilege to turn off their live stream once a month. The highest-ranked player in this game was Miao Feichi, at 107—not eligible. But if he paid enough, he could buy the privilege.
Yet, as a player who thrived on publicity, Miao Feichi would never turn off his stream, especially after orchestrating such a spectacle.
If not Miao Feichi, then who?
None of the others were ranked high enough to have the privilege…
Soon, in one of the lit-up screens, a Bai Liu fan recognized Liu Huai, who had survived the last round with Bai Liu.
Liu Huai, pale as death, stared at Liu Jiayi, who had suddenly appeared before him, and collapsed to his knees.
He slumped to the ground, gazing at the bewildered Liu Jiayi, his voice trembling with terror. "Jiayi, how did you end up in this game?!"
Liu Jiayi seemed lost, hugging her knees in fear, still in her hospital gown. She shook her head, tears welling in her misty eyes.
Liu Huai's reaction frightened her. Her voice quivered with sobs. "I don't know. I just fell asleep, and before I did, I wished so much to see you. Then a voice said it could grant my wish, that I could see you."
"I agreed." Liu Jiayi's voice trembled. "And then I was here."
"Brother, did I do something wrong? Did I agree to something I shouldn't have?"