Chapter 180
Common interests were a prerequisite for cooperation but if there was a compet.i.tive relations.h.i.+p then this cooperation was thinner than paper. Therefore, on the first day of Xu Yusheng’s challenge, Chen Shanshan started to find a true ally. They thought about the Earth survivors and returnees before finally setting their sights on Ning Zheng.
There were four named Earth survivors in Beijing but only two returnees.
It was impossible for Tang Mo to cooperate with Ruan w.a.n.gshu but Ning Zheng could work with them.
Three days ago, Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo took the opportunity to lay a trap and caught Ning Zheng. Originally, Tang Mo wanted to kill this person directly but Ning Zheng’s ability was very weird. Tang Mo had tied him up with the rubber rope. The effect of the rubber rope ability was that tied objects couldn’t be unbound for one minute under the effect of causality.
However, Ning Zhengu managed to run away.
Fortunately, Fu Wenduo s.n.a.t.c.hed the red apple from Ning Zheng’s hand. Tang Mo checked and found that it was Eve’s Reward.
[Prop: Eve’s Reward]
[Owner: Ning Zheng]
[Quality: Rare]
[Level: None]
[Attack: None]
[Functions: Hidden]
[Restrictions: The reward can’t be destroyed before it is opened.]
[Note: There are many Eve’s Rewards but only one Eve.]
Thanks to this apple, Ning Zheng was forced to cooperate with Tang Mo’s group. That’s how today’s situation came about.
Tang Mo didn’t expect that after that day, Ruan w.a.n.gshu also found Ning Zheng and cooperated with him.
“Threats are always more effective than benefits.” Tang Mo’s tone was calm.
Ruan w.a.n.gshu, “...”
Xu Yusheng, “...”
Ruan w.a.n.gshu stared coldly at Tang Mo and then Ning Zheng standing beside him. Ruan w.a.n.gshu’s voice was cold. “Tang Mo, are you trying to steal her head now?” There was no name but everyone knew he was talking about Xu Yusheng. The next second, Ruan w.a.n.gshu’s expression didn’t change but he started to stir up discord. “What about Ning Zheng?”
Ruan w.a.n.gshu pointed to Ning Zheng standing to the side but his eyes were on Tang Mo. “You are teammates but Tian Xuan is different. We are an organization and I am their leader. They will abide by any decision I make. This time, I didn’t intend to kill Ning Zheng. I chose to let Lian Yuzheng get Eve’s Reward by allowing her to kill Xu Yusheng. However, you and Fu Wenduo are two people... Tang Mo, is Xu Yusheng enough for you?”
Tang Mo asked, “What are you trying to say?”
Ruan w.a.n.gshu directly looked at NIng Zheng. “Is Eve’s Reward important or is your life important?”
Ning Zheng’s eyes narrowed.
The pale teenager looked at Tang Mo again and smiled. “You and Fu Wenduo, have you discussed who will take Xu Yusheng’s head and who will take Ning Zheng’s head? Xu Yusheng’s ability is bizarre but there is a way to defeat it. She is already dead. I’m not going to fight with you and give her a chance to escape. I will stand by and watch you kill Xu Yusheng. Then watch as Fu Wenduo kills Ning Zheng.”
Tang Mo’s expression sank as he stared coldly at this thin teenager.
Ruan w.a.n.gshu’s words were more sinister than directly attacking.
His guess also wasn’t bad.
Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo had no intention of letting NIng Zheng go. There were two of them but only one Xu Yusheng. Ning Zheng had always been another target. However, Ruan w.a.n.gshu said these words. Ning Zheng was forced to cooperate with Tang Mo but once Ruan w.a.n.gshu gave up partic.i.p.ation, Ning Zheng’s situation would be dangerous.
There was no Ruan w.a.n.gshu and Lian Yuzheng, only Tang Mo, Fu Wenduo, Ning Zheng and Xu Yusheng.
It would be very easy if Tang Mo’s group wanted to take this opportunity to kill Ning Zheng.
Ning Zheng’s expression didn’t change but he didn’t say anything to refute Ruan w.a.n.gshu’s words, which was a sign of his att.i.tude.
The three sides stood on the ruined and chaotic elevated road.
Tang Mo was silently as he stared at the black tower in the distance. On the huge black tower, the b.l.o.o.d.y numbers were counting down the last 20 minutes. There were only 20 minutes left of Eve’s Game. He was very patient and kept counting down the numbers.
The time was almost up and Chen Shanshan and Fu Wensheng should be in the vicinity.
“I don’t intend to kill Ning Zheng.” Tang Mo raised his head. He made a decision in just a few seconds. “Ruan w.a.n.gshu, you aren’t going to intervene in the matter with Xu Yusheng?”
Ruan w.a.n.gshu didn’t answer and instead asked Ning Zheng, “Do you believe him?”
Tang Mo interrupted Ruan w.a.n.gshu’s words. “Xu Yusheng’s life, you really won’t interfere?” He raised the small parasol and aimed the tip at Xu Yusheng.
Ruan w.a.n.gshu was silent for a moment before taking two steps back, conceding a path. His deep eyes stared at Tang Mo as he watched Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo take a step closer to Xu Yusheng. The small girl was leaning against the raised acoustic boards, staring at the two powerful Earth players with a strange smile.
Xu Yusheng’s hand was pressed against her chest and her body was already covered in wounds. She looked straight at the approaching Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo before turning her head. “This brat, are you really giving me head to them?”
Ruan w.a.n.gshu replied, “I like to sow discord but I don’t like to be provoked by others.”
“You!”
Xu Yusheng originally intended to incite Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo, making the situation more chaotic so that she could escape. She didn’t expect Ruan w.a.n.gshu to choose not to provoke Tang Mo and Ning Zheng and directly give up on killing her. This caused her plan to collapse.
Tang Mo came up to her and looked at Fu Wenduo. “Me or you?”
Fu Wenduo replied, “You do it.”
It took only two seconds for them to speak but it was determined who would get Eve’s Reward. Tang Mo said he wouldn’t kill Ning Zheng so he wouldn’t kill. Xu Yusheng was the only reward they could get.
Tang Mo stared at Fu Wenduo, not saying anything. The next moment, he turned his head and raised the small parasol towards Xu Yusheng. The small parasol was just about to stab Xu Yusheng when something came flying from the distance at a very fast speed.
An unknown foreboding filled Tang Mo’s heart. “No!”
Tang Mo moved sideways to avoid it. He just moved to the side when a red ball flew past his head and slammed into the ground. Xu Yusheng moved as she jumped into the air using her right foot, grabbing the dodgeball with both hands. She hugged the dodgeball and laughed at the startled players. “Bunch of idiots, this is my dodgeball game!”
Xu Yusheng smashed the ball towards Ning Zheng.
“You d.a.m.n Ning Zheng, die for me!”
Ning Zheng was very fast and successfully dodged the ball with his strange ability. However, the ball didn’t stop. The small red ball kept flying around the elevated road, so that everyone could only continue to dodge. The speed of the ball was too fast and once the terrain was limited to a very small area, it changed directions very quickly, making it hard for the group to catch it.
Tang Mo’s sharp eyes found that Xu Yusheng was also avoiding the ball. His brain worked quickly and he suddenly said, “No, who threw the ball just then?”
Xu Yusheng rolled across the ground and smiled at Tang Mo. “You found it...”
Tang Mo’s heart tightened. His hands pressed against the ground and he was aware of a faint vibration in the ground. Tang Mo turned and looked behind him. He saw that more than 30 players were struggling to run this way and his heart became cold. Still, it was too late by the time he discovered it.
Xu Yusheng’s eyes were red as she laughed angrily. “You did really well, really well. Ruan w.a.n.gshu, Lian Yuzheng, Tang Mo! Fu Wenduo!” She gritted her teeth. “You pigs are unexpected strong. It wasn’t a waste for me to use the dodgeball this time. You have already lost. This is my most powerful prop. It is a one-time consumable item. You should be honoured to die under this dodgeball.”
Xu Yusheng kicked the dodgeball towards Fu Wenduo.
Fu Wenduo moved sideways and the ball returned to Xu Yusheng.
Li Miaomiao roared, “I will show you honour!” She found that the players running here were strange. “What are those people doing? Why are they running over here? Do they want to do?” As she finished speaking, more of the 30 people had come closer. Li Miaomiao found that these players were running stiffly and their expressions were dull, just like the players who had previously been controlled by Xu Yusheng. She instantly understood. “You can control so many people at the same time?!”
Xu Yusheng laughed wildly.
Yes, the four Earth players on the leaderboards didn’t expect that Xu Yusheng could control so many people at once.
The red dodgeball was already beyond Tang Mo’s expectations and now Xu Yusheng could control so many people. The two things apart didn’t seem that bad. Once they were combined, the situation instantly reversed.
Xu Yusheng shouted, “These are my pigs!”
On the crowded elevated road, Xu Yusheng controlled the players and had them collectively attack the four people. She manipulated the players to attack and even had them block the dodgeball for her.
In this game, personal strength wasn’t stronger than collective strength.
Xu Yusheng’s side had over 30 teammates and they all attacked Tang Mo’s group. Tang Mo could only dodge with no way of fighting back. Tang Mo had originally been planning to send a signal to have Chen Shanshan and Fu Wensheng appear. Now he couldn’t resist and had to think of ways to solve the current problem.
Ruan w.a.n.gshu suddenly cried out, “Being hit by the dodgeball won’t cause death!”
Tang Mo heard his words and quickly turned to look.
Sure enough, a young man had been hit by the red dodgeball. He was originally controlled by Xu Yusheng and now Xu Yusheng let go of her control. The clarity in the man’s eyes returned but he didn’t have control of his body for long. His eyes widened as he suddenly squatted and held his head with his hands. Then he started to frog jump.
“What is going on?”
The young man cried out in horror as he jumped away from the elevated road.
The frog jump behaviour wasn’t controlled by the player!
Tang Mo realized this. He dodged the ball while watching the player completely jump outside the elevated road. Once the man left the road, he stopped jumping. He wanted to come back but he was locked out by the red barrier and could no longer enter. He hit the red light film angrily but it stayed still.
-Third, those who are hit in other parts by this dodgeball have failed and need to use a frog jump to leave the field in one minute.
Tang Mo quickly said, “Being hit by this ball won’t kill you but you will be forced to leave the field in one minute.”
Fu Wenduo looked at Tang Mo.
Tang Mo dodged the ball and glanced back.
The two of them wondered in unison, “What is her purpose?”
They soon discovered Xu Yusheng’s purpose.
Ruan w.a.n.gshu had the worst physical fitness of the four people. Despite his gravity suppression, the area was too chaotic and he was inevitably hit by the ball. Ruan w.a.n.gshu crouched down and started jumping off the field. Xu Yusheng discovered this and smiled with surprise. Then she quickly rushed towards Ruan w.a.n.gshu.
She manipulated the players so that they would block Lian Yuzheng. She slowed down when using her ability but she was still getting closer to Ruan w.a.n.gshu who was frog jumping. Ruan w.a.n.gshu couldn’t dodge. He held his head with his hands and coldly watched Xu Yusheng approaching. Just as Xu Yusheng raised her knife to slash at Ruan w.a.n.gshu, a sharp dart flew past her face.
Xu Yusheng looked up and Fu Wenduo immediately engaged with her.
The knife collided with the dagger and Xu Yusheng took two steps back. By this time, Ruan w.a.n.gshu had safely jumped out of the field. He stood outside the red barrier and watched Fu Wenduo and Xu Yusheng fighting with an expressionless face. He turned his head towards Tang Mo and mouthed, ‘Thank you.’
Tang Mo’s lips curved. “It wasn’t to save you. If she killed you then she would’ve opened Eve’s Reward and would no longer need to stay here. She would escape. It will be hard for us to catch her again.”
Ruan w.a.n.gshu spoke aloud this time. “Thank you.”
Tang Mo didn’t answer.
In a one on one fight, Xu Yusheng wasn’t Fu Wenduo’s opponent. She knew that she had to take the opportunity to have the ball hit Fu Wenduo to get away smoothly. Minutes pa.s.sed and the strength of the three people remaining far surpa.s.sed Xu Yusheng’s thoughts. The one who least good at fighting, Tang Mo could still avoid the ball and didn’t frog jump off the field.
10 minutes later, Ning Zheng also jumped out of the field. He didn’t stop once he left the elevated road. He gave up on the reward and left this dangerous place.
Xu Yusheng became more irritated.
Suddenly, she found a chance. Tang Mo was almost hit by the ball and in order to protect him, Fu Wenduo revealed a gap.
“Now!”
Xu Yusheng controlled a middle-aged player who punched the ball towards Fu Wenduo. Fu Wenduo was directly hit in the chest by the ball. His eyes narrowed and he stared coldly at Xu Yusheng as he started to jump with his hands on his head. Xu Yusheng was pleasantly surprised. There were five minutes left until Eve’s Game ended and she could no longer miss this opportunity.
She manipulated 15 players to stop Lian Yuzheng and Tang Mo and rushed towards Fu Wenduo.
On the dark elevated road, a thin girl was seen frantically chasing after a man in black who was frog jumping. Despite the knife getting closer and closer, Fu Wenduo kept calmly jumping off the field. At thsi time, Xu Yusheng became aware of something her. Her knife slashed at Fu Wenduo’s head but there was an unexpectedly metallic sound.
Xu Yusheng’s eyes slowly widened as she saw Fu Wenduo’s head turn a dark colour.
Xu Yusheng was shocked. “My prop is an excellent quality. How can...” Her voice stopped as a pink parasol pierced Xu Yusheng’s chest from behind. She lowered her head and saw the parasol tip emerging from her chest. Then she slowly turned and saw Tang Mo gasping, his fingers slightly trembling.
Behind Tang Mo, Lian Yuzheng was tangled up with 15 people.
Xu Yusheng couldn’t understand it. “Why...”
Lian Yuzheng wasn’t Tang Mo’s teammate. Why did she help him block the enemy?
Why was it that she found a gap but they looked long prepared for it?
Blood emerged from Xu Yusheng’s mouth as Tang Mo pulled out the small parasol. She covered her chest but the bleeding didn’t stop. On the handle of the red parasol, the red gem glowed brightly. Xu Yusheng was seriously injured and near death. She fell to the ground. She could no longer control the players. The players glanced at Tang Mo’s group before turning away with fear.
Lian Yuzheng’s body was covered with blood. She wiped the blood off her face and stared coldly at the gloomy girl on the ground. “I’d rather have someone take away your reward then have you run away. Thus, you’re going to die.” After saying this, Lian Yuzheng took the initiative to be hit by the dodgeball and frog jumped off the field, standing together with Ruan w.a.n.gshu.
Fu Wenduo also stood on the sidelines, his hands in his pocket as he watched the situation on the elevated road.
Tang Mo waved the small parasol and blood fell to the ground.
Tang Mo stated, “This frog jump thing is too simple for him. I believed in him. Even if he is frog jumping, he can still kill you. As for avoiding that ball, you underestimate the world’s best stowaway Fu Wenduo. No matter the situation, he will always been able to avoid that ball.”
Xu Yusheng immediately understood. “You did it on purpose!”
Yes, once it was discovered that being hit by the dodgeball wouldn’t kill them, Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo thought of this countermeasure.
One person deliberately pretended to be hit by the ball while the other person took the opportunity to kill when Xu Yusheng attacked.
Who was the person who should be hit by the ball?
When was the best time?
Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo waited patiently until the end when Xu Yusheng became xious.
As for the person who would be hit by the ball, Fu Wenduo was the best option. Before the earth had gone online, frog jumping was the same was walking to Fu Wenduo. These things didn’t need verbal communication at all. They understood each other’s meaning and cooperated to deceive Xu Yusheng.
Lian Yuzheng’s help wasn’t in Tang Mo’s plan. The thing they planned was for Tang Mo to pull out as much as he could to kill Xu Yusheng. Fu Wenduo would also look for opportunities while frog jumping to kill Xu Yusheng. No matter how killed Xu Yusheng, their plan would be successful.
In the end, Tang Mo won the victory.
In the heart of Beijing, the blood red number counted down to the last minutes.
Xu Yusheng’s blood flowed from her chest as she looked at Tang Mo, Fu Wenduo and the others outside the field. She suddenly laughed and blood trickled from the corners of her mouth. Then she smiled and fell to the ground without breathing. At this point, the number on the black tower was counting down to the last 10 seconds.
A clear child’s voice was heard.
“Ding dong! The large multiplayer instance ‘Schrodinger’s Dodgeball’ has officially ended. Player Tang Mo has successfully cleared the game, eliminating 14 opponents and winning ‘Schrodinger’s...”
“Ding dong! The data is revised. Schrodinger won’t give any rewards to the human who loves to play ball.”
“All humans who love to play ball are stupid—said Lord Schrodinger.”
The rules for this dodgeball game were very strange. There was no punishment for failure and no reward for victory. Tang Mo wasn’t too surprised. Once the red barrier disappeared, Tang Mo put away his small parasol and headed towards Fu Wenduo. At this time, the black tower in the distance was showing the number ‘1’.
Once the last number fell to ‘0’, something red fell from the sky towards Tang Mo’s head.
Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo discovered it at the same time and acted to block it. However, it pa.s.sed straight through the small parasol and Fu Wenduo’s hand towards Tang Mo’s head.
Tang Mo felt something in his brain and he slowly raised his eyes to look at Fu Wenduo.
The red apple rolled from Tang Mo’s head and fell to the ground.
The voice of the black tower was heard in Tang Mo’s ears along with Fu Wenduo’s cry of horror.
“Tang Mo!”
“Ding dong! China District 1 official player Tang Mo has successfully opened Eve’s Reward.”
The next second, countless images and information flooded into Tang Mo’s consciousness. He fell back unconscious and Fu Wenduo caught his body. Fu Wenduo instantly picked up Tang Mo and rushed to Li Miaomiao.
Li Miaomiao also reacted. Before the earth went online, she was a doctor. She examined Tang Mo’s body and said, “There should be no problem. He just pa.s.sed out. With his present physical fitness, he wouldn’t die from being shot through the head with a bullet, let alone being hit by an apple.”
Fu Wenduo calmed down and nodded. “Thank you.” He held Tang Mo and left the elevated road.
Fu Wenduo rushed towards the place where he promised to meet Chen Shanshan at the fastest speed. Tang Mo’s face lay on Fu Wenduo’s chest and he seemed to be in great shock. His expression was ugly and he was short of breath. Fu Wenduo looked down at him, silently held him tighter and walked into a building.
Added a ko-fi for the people asking for an alternative to Patreon:
You can also join my discord channel to chat with fellow readers about the novels;