RoleplayNovel #601 - Chapter 601
#601 - Chapter 601
"Uncle, are you Old Gao's tail-chaser?" Tong Xiaoliang had a mocking smile on the corner of his lips, and a dangerous light flashed in his narrow eyes. The flame of the oil lamp cast a strange shadow on his face, making the smile appear particularly cold.
"I just did what I thought was right! Alright, let's begin!" Qian Jin slammed the table and stood up abruptly, his dark face even more gloomy with anger.
"You're clearly someone chosen to be executed, why are you so eager?" Wang Lina frowned, her bright eyes filled with incomprehension and disgust.
"The Wolf God must be hanged." Granny Rong's voice was hoarse and firm, her wrinkled face bearing a fanatical look. The cold wind howled outside the window, as if lamenting the fate that was about to come.
"...This is too strange... This is simply a crime!" Xia Hui's voice trembled, her delicate face filled with horror and unease. Tang Yin watched Xia Hui, a sense of goodwill rising in his heart. In this crazy world, her mind still maintained the rationality of a normal person. However, such thinking would probably make it difficult for her to survive here.
"Old man, who do you choose?" Gao Zhijie turned to Grandpa Wolf, his voice echoing in the dim assembly hall.
"...Ah... Ah..." Grandpa Wolf's cloudy eyes slowly turned, and although he didn't seem to understand the current situation very well, he still tremblingly extended a skinny finger, pointing directly at Tang Yin.
"What?" Tang Yin's heart jolted, and he could feel everyone's eyes focused on him.
"Are you a wolf? Hehehehehe." Grandpa Wolf let out a spine-chilling laugh, a strange smile appearing on his wrinkled face.
"Hua Lu, one vote for Tang Yin." Qian Jin's voice was calm and mechanical.
"...Mm..." Hua Lu lowered her head, slender fingers writing the first record on the paper. The light of the oil lamp flickered on her pale face, reflecting a hint of imperceptible sadness.
"...It's really too weird! Why does everyone get to have the same decision-making power so casually!" Xia Hui couldn't help but speak again, her voice filled with anger and unwillingness.
"Shut up if you don't understand!" Gao Zhijie snapped, a hint of anger flashing in his cloudy eyes.
"What! Then explain it!" Xia Hui retorted stubbornly, her hands clenched tightly into fists.
"...Xia Hui, we each have to have a vote," Qin Ming suddenly said, his voice low and steady. "If the right to vote is taken away, there's a possibility of being used by the wolves. If someone's right to vote can be taken away based on certain reasons, how much room for secret manipulation would that leave for the wolves? And in the end, it could very likely put you at a disadvantage."
"After all, there are quite a few people here who don't want to give outsiders the right to vote..." Wang Lina muttered softly, her words causing obvious displeasure on the faces of some present. The atmosphere in the assembly hall suddenly became more tense, and even the air seemed to freeze.
"...Although I'm very sorry, in order to protect Hidden Mist Village in this anomaly, we have to bet our lives," Qin Ming's voice carried a hint of apology, but more of determination. The thick fog outside the window seemed to deepen, completely isolating the entire assembly hall from the outside world, as if this place had become an independent courtroom. Everyone's fate hung on this cruel vote, and the scythe of the Grim Reaper was poised to strike in the shadows.
"You naturally want to live, but that's also what the wolves want," Qin Ming's voice was calm and collected, his deep eyes fixed on Xia Hui. "If you're human, you must not resist being hanged... unless you're a Guardian." The light of the oil lamp cast shadows on his angular face, making these words seem particularly cold.
"...I'll confirm immediately after the banquet today," Xia Hui said, biting her lip, her delicate face filled with unease and determination.
"Alright, next," Qian Jin waved impatiently, breaking the tense atmosphere.
"I vote for Hua Lu." Gao Zhijie's voice was devoid of any emotion, as if he was simply stating a matter of fact. Tang Yin narrowed his eyes. Was this the old man's way of voting?
"Can I ask for a reason?" Hua Lu asked softly, a hint of confusion flashing in her gentle eyes.
"No reason." Gao Zhijie's answer was short and direct, plunging the entire assembly hall into an eerie silence.
"Uh..." Qian Jin opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something but not knowing where to start.
"...Actually, there's nothing strange about it. For Grandpa Gao Zhijie, everyone is a suspect now. He just needs someone to sacrifice," Qin Ming's voice broke the silence, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces. "If we exclude Tang Yin and Xia Hui, then for the people of Hidden Mist Village, the easiest person here to choose to hang is either Hua Lu or you, Qian Jin."
"...You people..." Qian Jin's face turned gloomy, his rough hands clenched tightly into fists.
"...I understand. I accept this vote," Hua Lu lowered her head, her voice almost inaudible. The wind howled outside the window, as if lamenting this cruel fate.
"Oh dear, oh dear... It's your turn, Granny Rong," Zhao Gang said, pretending to be relaxed, but the tense muscles on his face betrayed his inner unease.
"...I haven't quite figured it out, but since Little Gao said not to vote for those two young people, I'll do as he says," Granny Rong's wrinkled face showed a confused expression. "Gao Zhijie and Qin Ming aren't Wolf Gods, right?"
"I think we can trust them." Qian Jin nodded, his voice carrying a hint of certainty.
"...Then I'll vote for Xiao Yi." As soon as Granny Rong spoke, the atmosphere in the entire assembly hall became tense.
"Huh!? Why, you old hag!" Qin Yi suddenly stood up, his young face distorted with anger. The flame of the oil lamp flickered violently with his sudden movement, casting swaying shadows on the wall.
"You're too violent, and you don't listen to your mother. It must be because of you that the pollution was brought here!" Granny Rong's voice carried a hint of reproach, yet inexplicably conveyed a strange aura.
"...Just that reason? I see. You're a wolf. You just want to kill everyone you don't like, you stinking wolf..." Qin Yi said through gritted teeth, his hands trembling with anger.
"Alright, it's my turn, right?" Zhao Gang interrupted the argument in a timely manner, his burly figure casting a huge shadow in the dim light. "I vote for Xiao Mie." His voice was steady and firm, as if he had carefully considered this decision. The atmosphere in the assembly hall became even more solemn, and everyone could feel the footsteps of the Grim Reaper approaching step by step. The heavy darkness enveloped the ancient building, as if to bury all the secrets here forever.
"...Zhao Gang!" Hua Lu suddenly stood up, her delicate face losing color in shock. Her slender figure looked particularly thin in the dim light, as if she would be crushed by the heavy atmosphere at any moment.
"...She came to Hidden Mist Village at this time, and we don't even know her background. It's too suspicious." Zhao Gang's weathered face was filled with vigilance, and the veins on his thick arms bulged, obviously suppressing the anger in his heart.
Gao Zhijie sat in the main seat, his wrinkled face appearing even older in the light of the oil lamp. "But... she's still a child..." His voice carried some hesitation and reluctance.
"I know, so what! What if she's really a wolf!" Zhao Gang suddenly slammed the table and stood up, looking like a wild beast about to go berserk. His roar echoed in the assembly hall, shaking the flame of the oil lamp violently.
Tang Yin stood in the corner, silently observing everything. He had to admit that Zhao Gang's doubts were valid, but was such a reason really enough for a young girl to pay with her life?
Zhao Gang seemed to realize his gaffe, took a deep breath, and continued: "...Let me say this first, I don't believe in the existence of monsters, but if you violate the rules, you might really die." His gaze swept over everyone present. "...Don't worry, you don't have to participate in the execution. I'll take care of it."
"Alright, it's Sister Chen Xiang's turn." Zhao Gang changed the subject, but the tension in the air did not diminish at all.
Chen Xiang sat by the window, the moonlight shining on her slightly haggard face. "...Qin Ming, can't you abstain?" Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's, but it was particularly clear in the quiet night.
"Mom, it's better not to do that. For the human camp, it's the only way to fight the wolves," Qin Ming's voice was gentle but firm. "People who deliberately abstain might be considered to be secretly supporting the wolves."
"Then who are you going to vote for?" Chen Xiang's fingers twisted together unconsciously, obviously feeling deeply uneasy about the choice she was about to make.
"...Can I say it in advance?" Qin Ming looked at Gao Zhijie, who simply waved his hand casually: "Whatever."
"I'm going to vote for Qian Jin." As soon as these words came out, the entire assembly hall fell into dead silence.
"--Wh-What!?" Qian Jin stood up abruptly, the chair he knocked over making a harsh sound. His dark face was twisted with rage, and his hands were clenched tightly into fists.
"I agree with Old Gao's opinion. There are no suspicious people at the moment, and the elders must be hiding something from us. Qian Jin, that alone makes you worthy of suspicion," Qin Ming's voice was still calm, as if discussing the weather today. "...Although Hua Lu is also suspicious, she moved to Hidden Mist Village three years ago, while you only moved here recently, right? You probably knew about this banquet. That's enough reason to suspect you. That's all. I don't mean to target you."
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Qian Jin stood there, his chest heaving violently. After a long time, he slowly sat back in his chair, and a meaningful smile suddenly appeared on the corner of his mouth: "...I see. It seems that Hidden Mist Village hates Baifeng Village to the bone. I also need to adjust my understanding."
The atmosphere in the assembly hall became even more oppressive, and the light of the oil lamp seemed particularly glaring in the darkness. Chen Xiang lowered her head, as if she was overwhelmed by some invisible burden. "...Then I'll also vote for Qian Jin." Her voice was barely audible, but it stirred a ripple in the silent space.
Qian Jin sneered, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "I knew it would be like this. Of course, I also understand your family well enough." His voice was full of sarcasm. "But even if you hang me, you'll just be wasting today's opportunity! You should think carefully about it."
"...It's my turn, then I'll..." Qian Jin crossed his arms in front of his chest, then suddenly changed his tone, "Vote for one of the newcomers."
This unexpected choice plunged the entire assembly hall into silence. Tang Yin clenched his fists, cold sweat dripping down his forehead. No way, he thought to himself.
"Uncle, aren't you Grandpa Gao's tail-chaser anymore?" Tong Xiaoliang blinked his cunning eyes, a meaningful smile hanging on the corner of his lips.
"I never was from the beginning!" Qian Jin turned around abruptly. "I just think his words and actions are just to live without having to lie. Although I'm not entirely sure, the most suspicious person must be him, who even vaguely states his reason for having to live."
Wang Lina frowned, her beautiful face filled with confusion: "...Doesn't everyone want to live?"
"Mr. Tang Yin only moved here a day ago. Don't you think it's too much to demand so much from him?" Hua Lu spoke up to defend Tang Yin, a firm light flashing in her clear eyes.
"Say what you want, I've said my piece!" Qian Jin waved his hand, his attitude firm. The flame of the oil lamp flickered violently with his movement, casting strange shadows on the wall. Tang Yin remained silent. Unfortunately, Qian Jin's words did make sense.
"I've already said it, it's Little Liang's turn." Qin Ming's voice broke the heavy atmosphere.
"I vote for Uncle Qian Jin." Tong Xiaoliang's voice was as light as if he was talking about something ordinary.
"Even you are voting for me, Little Liang!!" Qian Jin's face changed drastically, staring at the young man in disbelief.
"Well~ After all, the next vote will either be Sister Hua Lu's, or yours, Uncle," Tong Xiaoliang said, his eyes narrowed into slits. "Sister Hua Lu is a girl, so Uncle, you'll have to suffer a bit~"
"...Little Liang." Hua Lu called softly, her voice carrying some complex emotions.
Qian Jin took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart: "...I have no objection to protecting Hua Lu, but that's a different thing from voting for me!"
"Then, next up is the person who wants to vote for Uncle Qian the most~ Qin Yi~" Tong Xiaoliang deliberately drew out his tone, as if watching an interesting drama.
"I vote for Hua Lu." Qin Yi's answer was unexpected.
"Oh?" The smile on Tong Xiaoliang's face froze.
"Compared to this stupid, bitter-faced guy, I think that woman is more suspicious, so I'll vote for her." Qin Yi glanced at Qian Jin, a contemptuous smile on the corner of his mouth. "Actually, I wanted to vote for that old woman the most, but right now, the most important thing is to execute someone in a substantial way."
Granny Rong sat in the corner, saying nothing, but a cold light flashed in her cloudy eyes.
"...Sister Lina, you should vote for her too." Qin Yi turned to Wang Lina, his tone carrying some expectation.
"...I vote for Qin Yi." Wang Lina said softly.
"Hah!? W-Wait! Why, hah!?" Qin Yi jumped three feet high, his face twisted into a comical expression.
"Xiao Yi, if you're not a wolf, it's best not to be so hostile to your elders," Wang Lina's voice was gentle yet firm, like an older sister teaching a wayward younger brother. The wind outside the window was still howling, mixed with the cries of unknown nocturnal birds, adding a touch of eeriness to this absurd vote.