Chapter 98: Working Together
"Let me see, let me see...why is this potion green? Is it especially effective?" Wang Chaoqing looked envious and eager.
"You dare use a potion of unknown origin?" Xu Huo took the item back. "I'll keep it for now."
Wang Chaoqing fell silent, glancing at the others, but this time even Lin Pei didn't say anything.
"Prepare for the worst," Xu Huo said. "Maybe my prop won't work on the wall."
Whether the prop would be useful was still unknown. Killing each other before confirming that was pointless.
After resting for a night, early the next morning, except for Shen Yi and Nian Hong'an, who stayed behind to drive, everyone else got out of the car.
"This time, you guys go block the ground cages," Shen Xin said to Wu Qiuyi and the others.
"We have no problem going, but sealing the black metal still needs Gu Yu's help," Lin Pei said.
Gu Yu cursed under her breath, then turned to Xu Huo. "Anyway, we have plenty of time today. You better choose carefully before answering questions. I don't want to be kept in the dark and end up dead."
There weren't many puzzles near the town mayor's office building, so Xu Huo and the others had to split up to search. They still went in pairs to guard against unexpected situations.
Xu Huo focused on the irregular chiming of bells nearby, repeatedly taking out the black gem watch and the pocket watch to compare with the time on several clocks around him. "None of them match."
"The clocks in this town all have wrong times. Even if some chime at the same time, there's always a slight difference," Shen Xin said, walking over to look, then turning outward. "It looks like Wang Chaoqing and the others found something."
Just then, a clock not far from them also began to chime:
"Twelve o'clock, twelve o'clock! Happy lunchtime has arrived. Let's solve puzzles and enjoy our lunch together."
"Today's question is: How many clocks did Master Nicer, the clock enthusiast, make in his lifetime?"
That question again.
Xu Huo, who was about to leave, turned back. He stopped in front of the clock. "If I answer wrong, will there be a penalty?"
"Happy puzzle time! Master Nicer's game rules absolutely forbid any harm to puzzle enthusiasts."
Without needing Xu Huo to say anything, Shen Xin went out to notify Gu Yu's group.
As usual, Xu Huo asked a few irrelevant questions and had the clock repeat the question twice before giving the answer.
"20,001."
"Beep beep! Correct answer!"
"The puzzle solver has given the right answer. Master Nicer rewards you with a little red flower."
After Xu Huo received the prize, the clock didn't announce the end of the puzzle. Instead, it continued: "Now, it's clock learning time."
"Master Nicer made countless clocks in his life, but only 20,001 were acknowledged by him."
"The 20,001st clock was the 1,001st clock he completed after arriving in this town, and also his last. It has a magnificent, massive appearance, records the passage of time in this town, and matches the precision of the clock tower in Zone 01 of the C9 Wormhole Point—the so-called most accurate time. It is a perfect final work."
"It's done over there," Shen Xin said excitedly, pushing the door open and coming in.
Xu Huo nodded, pocketed the note, and walked onto the street.
After they regrouped, Gu Yu spoke first: "Following what you did yesterday, I also set up two mechanisms in the house."
"Even if it's useless, trying doesn't hurt."
Xu Huo smiled, and they began discussing how to deal with the mutant at the east gate.
"There might be three conditions to lure out that mutant," Lin Pei analyzed. "First, making a sound over 80 decibels. Second, three people walking in a public place at the same time. Third, attacking the gate. Attacking the gate would also create noise over 80 decibels, but we need to test which one it actually is."
"No matter which method we use, luring it out isn't hard. The key is how to kill it," Ke Liang asked. "With that kind of combat power, it's probably very difficult."
"Actually, I have an idea," Gu Yu said. "We can kill it while keeping ourselves as safe as possible."
She pointed to the gas station on the map. "The gas station is near the east gate. If we can lure the mutant into the gas station, a fire will solve the problem. At the very least, even if the explosion doesn't kill it, it will severely wound it."
"That's a viable plan," Shen Yi mused. "But I'm worried the explosion might damage the underground circuits. Don't forget, there are still a few mutants underground."
"Let's keep it as a backup plan," Lin Pei said. "Prepare the gas station in advance. If we can't handle the mutant, we'll lure it there immediately."
"Anyway, the other three mutants haven't been out for long. As long as we survive the most dangerous moment, we'll have a chance."
"What do you think?" Wu Qiuyi clearly agreed with having two plans ready, so he asked Xu Huo and the others.
Gu Yu and the Shen siblings had nothing to add, and the three of them turned to Xu Huo.
"Is there enough gasoline at the station?" Xu Huo asked. "Each person grab a can, find some cloth, soak it in oil, and set it up on the town's paths. Let's start a fire first."
"Great idea!" Gu Yu clapped her hands. "Let's get to work. Let's finish before dark!"
No one objected. They left one person to drive and split up again.
Lin Pei and Ke Liang went to the gas station. Wu Qiuyi, Shen Xin, and Gu Yu collected curtains, carpets, and other items. Wang Chaoqing and Shen Yi were responsible for transporting the gasoline. Xu Huo selected the streets and alleyways to be used as traps. Together, they tied the cut-up curtains and carpets to doors and windows, then attached a string of bells and a bunch of dolls, clearing a path wide enough for one person to pass through.
Past this block was the gas station. Xu Huo also cleared the main street of dolls, leaving a wide avenue.
"Let's find something to eat," Gu Yu said, hunched over and holding her stomach. "Even evolvers can't handle hunger."
"Do you think any evolver has evolved a trait where one meal lasts three days?" Shen Xin suddenly wondered.
"What a great trait that would be," Gu Yu sighed.
Wu Qiuyi pursed his lips. "That's unlikely. Normally, evolvers need more energy than ordinary people, which is why you're so weak."
Gu Yu and Shen Xin exchanged a glance and silently stopped talking.
Wu Qiuyi's face darkened. "What do they mean by that? Are they targeting me?"
"They're not targeting you. They're targeting people who are too serious," Xu Huo said, turning to Gu Yu. "Answering questions should be safe now. Go find some food yourselves."
Gu Yu and Shen Xin left together. Wu Qiuyi said, "Isn't this something we should take seriously?"
"You're right."
Wu Qiuyi frowned. "You're brushing me off."
Xu Huo stopped fiddling with the clock hands, closed the glass door, and said, "Yes."
"Why?" Wu Qiuyi suddenly grew angry. "So many people have died, and you can still laugh and joke like nothing's wrong. Today it's the people around us. Tomorrow it might be us!"