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Zhang Xiao expressed doubt about Xu Nuan's remarkably cooperative behavior. On one hand, he hoped to use Gu Ze to threaten Xu Nuan; on the other hand, he believed that Xu Nuan was not someone who would easily yield. He considered Gu Ze to be the most important presence for Xu Nuan at that moment, yet he also thought it was Qin Yaojie who had granted Xu Nuan her status in the game—Qin Yaojie was the truly special one.
He was a naturally suspicious person, and both Xu Nuan and Gu Ze had noticed this during their earlier confrontations. After spending time with various designers, all Players who had interacted with Zhang Xiao became convinced of this trait.
All distinct personalities could serve as both a badge of honor and a weakness, depending on how the opponent chose to exploit them.
Xu Nuan stood quietly, watching as Zhang Xiao anxiously glanced at the notebook. However, at that moment, he lacked the energy to carefully examine its contents.
The three of them were not foolish; none dared to let their guard down at this time, risking the loss of their advantage or turning a disadvantage into an advantage.
Zhang Xiao's hands did not tremble, but that did not mean his heart was unshaken. With Xu Nuan being exceedingly cooperative and Gu Ze not attempting to escape, the choice fell into Zhang Xiao's hands. Now that he had the power to choose, he had to make a corresponding decision—a difficult task for someone so inherently suspicious. He overthought everything and hesitated too much, making it hard for him to act decisively.
This was precisely the situation Xu Nuan wanted to see. Her gaze quickly swept over Zhang Xiao before landing on Gu Ze's expressionless face. Despite appearing somewhat disheveled, Gu Ze seemed to have everything under control; however, at that moment, Xu Nuan could not decipher the emotions hidden in his eyes.
No matter how well-planned a scheme might be, it could become skewed due to unforeseen changes. Xu Nuan had already set aside part of her plan without consulting Gu Ze, and now she had no opportunity to explain herself to him. The only thing she could rely on was the tacit understanding between them. She believed that after enduring so many conflicts and hardships together, she and Gu Ze had reached a point where nothing but death could separate them.
It was too quiet; only the sound of wind rustling through the papers broke the silence, each sheet brushing against another like hearts suspended in midair.
"Come here!"
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Xiao called out harshly to Xu Nuan. The command and disdain in his tone did not provoke her into action. Indeed, Xu Nuan was a person of great pride, but that did not mean she would not endure. When battling someone like Zhang Xiao, patience was essential.
Xu Nuan walked over step by step. Just as she reached two meters away, Zhang Xiao suddenly called out for her to stop.
"Stay there! Don't come any closer!"
Zhang Xiao's suspicious nature was fully manifested at this moment. He believed he had everything under control, yet he could not comprehend what this exposure would mean.
With victory in sight, he felt no restraint. Unfortunately, that was merely his one-sided perception.
Xu Nuan cooperated with Zhang Xiao, standing still with her hands raised, showing she had nothing. Her gaze quickly swept over Gu Ze once more. Gu Ze was already on the verge of collapse. The trap that Zhang Xiao had spent months setting for Gu Ze had worked exceptionally well. Gu Ze's combat ability was severely diminished, and without treatment, his life was in jeopardy. Xu Nuan worried about this but remained increasingly silent, playing along with Zhang Xiao.
Whoever could endure until the end would be the winner.
"Throw down all your weapons!"
Zhang Xiao shouted again, and with that command, Xu Nuan understood his decision. That decision was a perilous gamble for her, yet she had no choice but to take it. Awaiting Gu Ze was an even more terrifying existence than a den of tigers and dragons. They each had their own battlefield, worrying for each other while holding onto the belief that they would eventually reunite in victory.
Xu Nuan obediently tossed out two short knives and a well-hidden folding knife, then lightly shook her clothes to indicate she had nothing else concealed.
Zhang Xiao's gaze reflected his skepticism, but ultimately he nodded in response to Xu Nuan's increasingly calm demeanor.
"Come here!"
For some reason, Xu Nuan thought of the phrase "a show of strength concealing weakness." Although Zhang Xiao was a powerful individual, his heart was riddled with flaws; the anxiety within him flowed uncontrollably. Where were they planning to go?
As Xu Nuan approached Zhang Xiao, he restrained Gu Ze's hands. At that moment, Gu Ze struggled slightly, adding another scar to Zhang Xiao's hand.
Zhang Xiao nearly lost his grip on his weapon in anger and delivered a blow to Gu Ze's abdomen. He knew this man wouldn't remain docile; his earlier compliance was merely a pretense as he waited for the opportune moment. Fortunately, the trap he had set earlier had severely injured this man; otherwise, he would have certainly taken advantage of the situation.
"If you don't want to die, behave yourself!"
Zhang Xiao let out a low growl, knowing deep down that it was a blatant lie. Only he could leave this game; no one else would survive. That was his goal. For a brief moment, a fierce expression crossed Zhang Xiao's face, but it returned to normal as Xu Nuan approached.
"Go to the entrance of the secret passage!"
Zhang Xiao commanded Xu Nuan with an air of nonchalance. He was already well aware of the rules regarding the secret passage; however, the final method of entry could not be extracted from Xu Nuan. It would require her to manipulate it herself.
"Open the secret passage and stand there waiting for me. Otherwise, you know what will happen!"
Zhang Xiao waved the weapon in his hand, most of his attention focused on Gu Ze. Even when he saw Gu Ze's pale face, he felt no relief.
Xu Nuan remained silent, casting a deep glance at Gu Ze before turning toward the secret passage and activating the mechanism with the method she knew.
"You need to come within ten minutes."
After completing this series of actions, Xu Nuan calmly stated this, showing no signs of having just made a decision that could alter many lives.
Naturally, Zhang Xiao was suspicious of her calm demeanor. His gaze lingered on the entrance for quite some time without speaking, while Xu Nuan did not urge him.
The opportunity to open the secret passage was only available once; the entrance would remain open for just ten minutes. After that, it would close permanently, unyielding even to explosives. After all, this was a loophole left by Qin Yaojie, who had sacrificed his life in this game. Because of this loophole, he had been repeatedly targeted by Another Founder, dragging Xu Nuan and her parents into danger—even putting his own parents at risk in the outside world.
This was an extremely important matter, yet Xu Nuan remained unhurried and even showed a hint of indifference. This piqued Zhang Xiao's interest; he suspected that Xu Nuan was playing a psychological game with him while also believing that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity should not be missed.
He held in his hands the script that could make Another Founder plead for mercy; the secret passage leading out of the game was right before him. He was about to become the sole victor. Ultimately, such overwhelming emotions enveloped him, leading him to make exactly the choice Xu Nuan had anticipated.
With a rough shove, Zhang Xiao pushed Gu Ze aside and quickly walked toward the entrance of the secret passage. When Gu Ze tried to stop him again, he met with the weapon in Zhang Xiao's hand.
Gu Ze had no choice but to remain in place, forced to watch as Zhang Xiao entered the secret passage, dragging Xu Nuan along with her.
The intent to kill and silence was glaringly obvious.
Gu Ze rushed toward the entrance of the secret passage, but at that moment, Zhang Xiao, who had promised Xu Nuan that she wouldn’t kill Gu Ze, aimed her weapon at him just as her figure completely vanished from his sight. In a split second, Xu Nuan lunged at Zhang Xiao, successfully causing her last shot to miss.
Gu Ze had no idea how Zhang Xiao would react afterward; he only saw Xu Nuan silently say two words to him.
Wait for me.
Wait for me.
This was also what Gu Ze wanted to say to Xu Nuan.
In that instant, the entrance to the secret passage closed permanently. Gu Ze took a deep look at the place where Xu Nuan and Zhang Xiao had disappeared before he left the area, stepping cautiously. After he departed, the trees around suddenly shifted, transforming within minutes into a completely new appearance. No one would suspect this was the location of the secret passage where one could escape.
"You crazy woman!"
Meanwhile, inside the secret passage, another scene unfolded.
Unable to eliminate Gu Ze at that moment, an enraged Zhang Xiao punched Xu Nuan. Due to her foot injury and the previous fall, Xu Nuan couldn’t maintain her balance and was knocked down to the ground.
Zhang Xiao was still not satisfied; she didn’t see her contradictory actions as shameful. She lunged again, aiming a punch at Xu Nuan’s face.
Initially caught off guard, Xu Nuan quickly recalled Gu Ze’s injuries after being struck by Zhang Xiao. If she dared to follow Zhang Xiao into this dark secret passage, how could she possibly fear her? Whatever powerful weapons or Chairman Rao’s illegitimate child meant nothing to her; they were all just clouds in her eyes. She retaliated fiercely, pushing beyond life and death. This version of Xu Nuan was something Zhang Xiao found difficult to contend with.
Zhang Xiao found it hard to believe that he was actually fighting with a woman, using every means possible, and yet he was at a disadvantage.
"Crazy woman!"
That was the only way Zhang Xiao could define Xu Nuan. He had no idea about the immense anger and murderous intent that surged within Xu Nuan when she saw Gu Ze in that state. It had nothing to do with the notion that men should protect women, nor was it related to Gu Ze's plan; she simply could not bear to see the person she loved get hurt right in front of her.
She could easily discard Qin Yaojie's belongings, open secret passages at will, and fight Zhang Xiao without regard for her own life. Xu Nuan did not like her feelings; she would only prove her emotions through her actions.
This was something Zhang Xiao could never understand. As he realized he was losing ground, he wiped the blood from his lips and aimed his weapon at Xu Nuan, threatening her fiercely.
"If you don't stop, just wait to die!"
Xu Nuan smiled, a hint of madness in her expression, but upon closer inspection, there was also a sense of pride.
"Well, you better be ready to act if you dare to make a move."
"What's wrong? Aren't you going to check the contents of that notebook?"
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