Three-Person Couple Ticket

In the morning, upon waking, Chen Shang found a nearby eatery for breakfast.

Not long after, Ya Shuangyi Chiyo sat gracefully across from him, crossing one leg over the other.

“Morning. Not following me in secret today?” Chen Shang greeted her, pushing a plate of steamed buns towards Chiyo.

“Since you’ve already caught me, I might as well just follow you openly.” Chiyo grabbed a bun, turned her head, and took a bite. “I want to see how you’re going to pull off what you claimed yesterday.”

“The first step of the plan is to form a partnership with the Midnight Headsman.” Chen Shang stuffed half a bun into his mouth and chased it with a sip of thin porridge.

“I’ve heard of the Midnight Headsman—a criminal known for his brutality.” Chiyo leaned back slightly, swinging her legs. “I didn’t expect that man yesterday to really be him. But how can you be sure he’ll agree to work with you?”

Before Chiyo finished speaking, Chen Shang’s phone began to ring.

Seeing the unknown number on the screen, a faint smile curled on his lips. “Hello? Have you made up your mind?”

A deep, hoarse voice came from the other end. “The Daoist Order has sealed off all of Immortal Peak. All disciples have been confined to their quarters and are forbidden to leave.”

Immediately, the voice asked, “How did you foresee all of this?”

“I told you, there’s a lot more I know.” Chen Shang chuckled. “All you need to tell me is whether you want to work with me.”

A brief silence. “I still can’t trust you.”

“But you have no other choice.” Chen Shang narrowed his eyes, his voice softening. “Work with me, and I’ll help you realize your improbable revenge. Otherwise, within two weeks, you’ll drown in your own pathetic obsession beneath a hail of fire.”

Another pause, then the voice seemed to steel itself. “Fine. I’ll work with you. What do I need to do?”

“Nothing at all. Just stay quietly in the disciples’ quarters.” Chen Shang instructed, “I’ll let you know the exact time of the plan, but it will definitely be within two weeks.”

With that, Chen Shang ended the call.

A new system notification appeared before his eyes:

[Character Unlocked: “Midnight Headsman” ???]

[Affection: 1/???]

Seeing such a glaring system error, Chen Shang wasn’t particularly surprised.

In the original game, the “Midnight Headsman” was a pure quest antagonist, and supposedly a man, so the developers hadn’t even given him an affection system.

Yet, the world Chen Shang had traversed into seemed to differ subtly from the original game. For instance, Black Calyce’s affection cap had somehow reached 100, putting her on par with other romanceable characters.

Still, these variables remained within his calculations, and for now, nothing threatened his plans.

Chiyo folded her arms and asked, “Who called you?”

“My old flame,” Chen Shang replied.

Bang!

A minute later, Chen Shang was rubbing his aching head as he slowly got up from the floor.

Chiyo, meanwhile, cracked her knuckles menacingly, her gaze sharp enough to kill. “I really should lock you up in Tokugawa Society’s basement.”

“Ahem…” Chen Shang glanced at Chiyo’s affection score—an impressive fifty-five—reassured that her punch hadn’t been meant to kill. “It was the Midnight Headsman. He’s agreed to cooperate.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.” Chen Shang stood, scanning a QR code on the table to pay. “Let’s get to work!”

…

“So, what exactly is the Midnight Headsman’s goal?” Along the way, Chiyo couldn’t help but ask, “You said he wants revenge, but against whom?”

Chen Shang slowed and stopped.

“He seeks vengeance on the Three Major Sects—on the entire Kunlun District,” he replied, his voice suddenly hoarse and low. “As for the reason, I’m not in the mood to tell you right now. If you’re interested, go investigate yourself.”

Chiyo frowned but asked nothing more.

They walked together to Confucius Mountain, home of the Confucian Sect.

Like the other sects, some parts of the Confucian grounds were open to visitors, making the mountain a must-see spot in the Kunlun District.

Yet, after last night’s gruesome murder, far fewer tourists had come today.

Even so, the ticket counter still boasted a long, snaking line.

Not only that, but when Chen Shang checked the Confucian Sect’s official website, he found that all tickets for today were sold out.

Frowning, he dialed a number.

“Long time no see, Miss Four-Leaf.”

“Don’t call me that, you jerk!” Black Calyce swore on the other end. “What do you want, contacting me out of the blue?”

Chen Shang took a deep breath. “You’ve arrived in the Kunlun District by now, haven’t you?”

“Of course I have!” Suddenly, Black Calyce remotely activated the speaker on Chen Shang’s phone, shouting with a hint of wounded pride, “You heartless scoundrel! You dragged me to the Kunlun District and never contacted me again!”

“Huh?” The volume startled Chen Shang. “This is a public place—why are you yelling?”

The phone’s loudness drew odd looks from the surrounding tourists.

Then, slender, icy fingers lightly traced Chen Shang’s throat, sending a chill down his spine.

“The woman on the phone called you a heartless scoundrel? Hmm… Care to explain, Junior Chen?” Chiyo’s voice came from behind him.

At that moment, Chen Shang felt as though Death itself was closing its grip around his neck, Chiyo’s murderous aura stabbing into his back like the tip of a blade.

After a deep breath, he forced a nonchalant expression and joked, resigned, “Why should I explain to you? Are you my girlfriend?”

“That… hmph!” Chiyo could find no retort, so she merely snorted, her fingers slowly releasing his neck.

Quickly, Chen Shang turned off the speaker and hurried to a secluded corner. From the phone came a piercing laugh.

“Zihahaha! I’ve been watching your every move for days, and who would’ve thought you had another woman with you? Zihahaha! Am I interrupting something?”

—Am I seriously being tailed by two women at once?

Chen Shang sighed and laughed, “No, your timing is perfect. It’s time to get to work.”

“Oh? Something new and exciting?” Black Calyce was intrigued.

“I’ve already sent the details to your email,” Chen Shang nodded. “This time, we’re staging a classic tale of vengeance and retribution.”

“A revenge plot, huh?” Black Calyce’s keyboard clattered in the background. “You’re helping that so-called ‘Midnight Headsman’ get revenge?”

“Interested?” Chen Shang asked with a grin.

“So, who’s the ultimate target?” Black Calyce countered.

Chen Shang considered for a moment, then replied seriously, “Blow the entire Kunlun District sky-high.”

“…”

A brief silence on the other end.

“You really don’t do things by halves. You’re a lunatic,” Black Calyce muttered, then burst into wild laughter again. “Zihahaha! But I love your plan. Don’t let me down!”

“Of course. Wasn’t the Jin Yuchuang incident last time a blast?” Chen Shang grinned. “Come meet us at the ticket counter at Confucius Mountain. And while you’re at it, hack their website and get me three tickets.”

“What do you need the tickets for?” Black Calyce asked.

“To scout the grounds, of course.”

Ding—

Five seconds later, a notification popped up on Chen Shang’s phone.

“You have successfully purchased a [Confucius Mountain One-Day Couple’s Ticket for Three]. Please use it today.”

“Huh? A three-person couple’s ticket?” Chen Shang frowned, looking existentially perplexed.