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墨書 Inktalez
The five people were frozen in place, shocked by the sudden turn of events. Before they could react, the enormous shadow loomed closer. In the darkness, they could vaguely see that it was a massive, menacing beast, exhaling a foul breath, with a pair of crimson eyes gleaming with ferocity. They realized that the real danger had just arrived, and the narrow cave had become their dead end.
"Run!" Lin Xuemin was the first to react, shouting as he grabbed Lin Lu and dashed back down the passage they had come from.
Yan Liming, along with Chen Xue and Li Xue, quickly followed suit. The five stumbled deeper into the cave, hoping to find another exit.
However, the beast was faster; it caught up to them in just a few strides and opened its gaping maw to bite at the last person, Li Xue.
Li Xue screamed in terror, closing her eyes and waiting for death to arrive.
In a critical moment, Yan Liming suddenly turned around and shoved Li Xue aside, only to be tackled to the ground by the beast.
"Yan Liming!" Lin Lu exclaimed in shock, wanting to rush forward to save him but was firmly held back by Lin Xuemin.
"Don't go over there; it's too dangerous!" Lin Xuemin shouted, his eyes filled with urgency and concern.
After knocking Yan Liming down, the beast did not immediately attack but let out a low growl as if warning him not to resist.
Yan Liming refused to give up; he pushed against the ground with his hands, trying to shove off the beast that pinned him down. However, the creature's strength was overwhelming, and he couldn't budge it at all.
Just when everyone thought Yan Liming was doomed, he suddenly pulled a dagger from his pocket and plunged it deep into the beast's abdomen.
The beast let out a painful howl and released its grip on Yan Liming, staggering back a few steps.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Liming scrambled to his feet. The dagger in his hand dripped with blood, making him look like a vengeful spirit emerging from hell, radiating an aura of lethal intent.
"Run!" Yan Liming shouted at everyone before charging back at the beast.
Lin Xuemin pulled Lin Lu along with Chen Xue and Li Xue as they quickly fled the cave while the beast's attention was drawn to Yan Liming.
Yan Liming collapsed on the ground, clutching his blood-soaked leg in agony. The beast's earlier strike had left several deep wounds, exposing bone. The creature, hurt, took a few steps back, its crimson eyes fixed intently on its prey, emitting a low growl from its throat, ready to launch another attack at any moment.
"Yan Liming!" Lin Lu exclaimed, wanting to rush forward but was pulled back by Lin Xuemin.
"Don't go over there! It's too dangerous!" Lin Xuemin shouted firmly, knowing that rushing in would only lead to certain death.
Yan Liming struggled to stand, using all his strength to throw the dagger in his hand at the beast. The dagger struck true, piercing the creature's eye. The beast let out a deafening scream and thrashed its head wildly.
"Run! Don't worry about me!" Yan Liming shouted hoarsely, blood pouring from his leg and staining the ground.
Tears streamed down Lin Lu's face; she didn't want to leave Yan Liming behind. However, Lin Xuemin understood that the cave's environment was treacherous. Escaping alone was already difficult enough; carrying an injured person would only hinder everyone.
"We have to go now, or no one will survive!" Lin Xuemin insisted, forcibly pulling Lin Lu along. Chen Xue and Li Xue followed closely behind as the four of them ran deeper into the cave without looking back.
Chen Xue glanced back at Yan Liming, still fighting the beast, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.
Deep within the cave, the light was dim and the rocks were jagged. Lin Lu and the others stumbled forward, filled with fear and anxiety.
"Brother, are we really just going to leave Yan Liming like this?" Lin Lu choked out, her voice heavy with guilt and regret.
Lin Xuemin stopped and gently wiped away Lin Lu's tears. He spoke solemnly, "Trust me, this is the best help we can give him. We must survive to find rescue and avenge Yan Liming!"
Lin Lu nodded. She knew Lin Xuemin was right, but thinking of Yan Liming's current situation made her heart ache as if it were being torn apart.
"Ah!" Li Xue suddenly exclaimed, falling to the ground.
"What happened?" Chen Xue asked.
"I think I twisted my ankle," Li Xue said painfully.
Chen Xue crouched down to examine Li Xue's injury and said, "It looks like you might have twisted it. Let me take a look."
As Chen Xue tended to Li Xue's injury, she discreetly observed the surroundings. Just then, she noticed what seemed to be some kind of pattern carved into the cave's rock wall.
Shining her flashlight over, she took a closer look and discovered it was a mural. The mural appeared very ancient and depicted some sort of ritual, with a creature in the center that looked exactly like the beast they had encountered earlier.
Chen Xue's heart skipped a beat as she realized this mural might hold secrets about the beast, possibly even relating to the truth behind the Reality Show. She glanced up at Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin, who were tending to Li Xue, a glint of determination flashing in her eyes.
This was an opportunity for a turnaround, Chen Xue thought; she could not let it slip away.
"Go ahead without me; I'll help Li Xue with her wound and catch up soon," Chen Xue said, feigning concern as she spoke to Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin, her gaze intentionally drifting toward the wall with the mural.
Lin Lu hesitated for a moment, feeling uneasy about leaving Chen Xue and Li Xue behind, but her brother's words echoed in her mind. She looked at Lin Xuemin, her eyes filled with conflict.
Lin Xuemin grasped Lin Lu's hand firmly and said, "Let's go; we need to find a safe place first." He understood Lin Lu's worries but was more concerned that staying could lead to greater danger.
Taking a deep breath to suppress her anxiety, Lin Lu followed Lin Xuemin as they continued onward.
Chen Xue watched their departing figures, a cold smile curling at the corners of her mouth. She helped Li Xue up and pretended to ask, "Can you walk?"
"Um, I can manage," Li Xue replied softly, her eyes flickering as if she sensed Chen Xue's intentions.
Chen Xue supported Li Xue and feigned a slow pace deeper into the cave while secretly observing whether Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin had gone far. Once she confirmed they had disappeared from sight, Chen Xue immediately dropped Li Xue and quickly approached the mural, beginning to study it closely.
Li Xue rubbed her ankle and limped after Chen Xue, quietly asking, "Sister Xue, what are you looking at?"
Chen Xue ignored Li Xue, her gaze fixed intently on the patterns of the mural as her mind raced. The content of the mural was obscure, but Chen Xue vaguely felt that it seemed to be some kind of indication, a guide to a certain place.
Chen Xue reached out and slowly traced her fingers along the lines of the mural, trying to find any clues. Suddenly, her finger touched a recessed area that felt like some sort of mechanism. A spark of realization hit her as she pressed down firmly.
"Boom—"
A dull rumble echoed from deep within the cave, followed by the slow opening of the rock wall behind Chen Xue, revealing a dark passageway.
"Sister Xue, look!" Li Xue exclaimed in surprise, pointing at the entrance of the passage with a mix of excitement and fear in her voice.
Chen Xue remained silent as she picked up a flashlight and shone it into the passage. It was deep and endless, with damp, cold walls exuding a musty odor.
Taking a deep breath, determination flashed in Chen Xue's eyes. She turned to Li Xue and said, "Let's go!" With that, she stepped into the passage first.
Li Xue hesitated for a moment but ultimately gritted her teeth and followed.
Meanwhile, Lin Lu, who had walked quite a distance away, couldn't shake off her concern for Yan Liming. She stopped and turned back toward the path they had come from, anxiously saying, "Brother, I just feel uneasy. Let's go back and check on Yan Liming."
Lin Xuemin also halted his steps. Seeing Lin Lu's anxious expression softened his heart. "Alright, let's go back and take a look."
Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin turned around and started walking back. After only a few steps, Lin Xuemin suddenly stopped and pointed at a stone on the ground. "Look, isn't this a mark left by Yan Liming?"
Following her brother's point direction, Lin Lu looked and indeed saw the character "Yan" carved into a stone with a dagger. The strokes were sharp, exactly in Yan Liming's style.
"Why did he leave a mark?" Lin Lu asked in confusion.
Lin Xuemin pondered for a moment and said, "He probably wanted to tell us which direction he went. If we follow it, we should be able to find him."
Lin Lu nodded, and the siblings continued along the path marked by Yan Liming.
As they walked, Lin Lu suddenly noticed that the passage ahead was becoming wider, and she could vaguely hear some strange sounds.
"Brother, listen!" Lin Lu tugged at Lin Xuemin's sleeve and whispered.
Lin Xuemin also heard the sounds. He signaled for Lin Lu to tread lightly, and the two cautiously moved toward the source of the noise.
Turning a corner, the sight before Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin left them both stunned.
In a spacious cave, various supplies were piled high—food, water, medicine, even tents and sleeping bags—it was like a small warehouse!
"How... how could there be so many things here?" Lin Lu asked in surprise, her eyes wide open.
Lin Xuemin remained silent. He walked over to the pile of supplies, picked up a pack of compressed biscuits to examine it, then opened a bottle of water to smell it. His expression gradually turned serious.
"These are supplies prepared by the production team," Lin Xuemin said solemnly. "It seems this show has been full of lies and deception from the very beginning!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Lu was taken aback. She recalled the strange occurrences in the forest and the production team's unusual behavior, suddenly understanding her brother's meaning.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed from deep within the cave: "You finally made it."
Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin turned toward the sound and saw Chen Xue emerging from deeper in the cave, wearing a smug and mocking smile on her face.
"Chen Xue, how did you end up here?" Lin Lu asked in surprise.
"I'm obviously here waiting for you," Chen Xue replied with a cold smile. "I knew all along that this production team was problematic, so I have been investigating them in secret. Now, I've finally found evidence of their manipulation of the competition!"
"What evidence?" Lin Xuemin asked, her tone laced with caution.
Chen Xue remained silent and pulled out a small camera from her pocket, tossing it to Lin Xuemin.
Lin Xuemin caught the camera and opened it, her face instantly turning pale.
The footage playing on the camera showed the production staff secretly manipulating the competition. They not only provided covert assistance to contestants but also deliberately created various accidents and conflicts to enhance the show's entertainment value.
Seeing this scene, Lin Lu was filled with righteous indignation. She never expected that the show she participated in was a complete scam!
"So, what do you think? Do you believe it now?" Chen Xue said triumphantly. "As long as I release this video, the show is finished, and I will be the biggest winner!"
Lin Lu looked at Chen Xue's smug expression with disgust. She coldly replied, "Do you really think that will make you win?"
Chen Xue scoffed and said, "Isn't it? I have your secrets in my hands; what right do you have to fight against me?"
"Is that so?"
A cold voice suddenly echoed at the entrance of the cave, causing Chen Xue's smile to freeze on her face.
She slowly turned her head and saw a man dressed in black standing at the cave entrance, holding a handgun aimed directly at Chen Xue.
Behind him stood several other men in black, all armed and coldly watching everyone inside the cave.
"You... who are you?" Chen Xue stammered, her voice filled with fear.
The man in black did not speak; he simply stared coldly at Chen Xue, a glimmer of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Chen Xue was instantly frightened, her face turning pale. She instinctively took a few steps back, only to bump into the stone wall behind her.
"What do you want?" Lin Lu shouted as she stepped in front of Chen Xue, her voice trembling slightly.
The man in black sneered and said, "Who we are is not important. What matters is that none of you will leave here today!"
With that, he raised his gun and aimed it at Lin Lu...
At the moment the man in black lifted his gun, Lin Xuemin suddenly lunged toward Lin Lu, shielding her behind him. Almost simultaneously, a gunshot echoed through the cave, deafening. Lin Lu felt a buzzing in her ears and had no time to comprehend what was happening before Lin Xuemin tightly embraced her, both of them falling to the ground.
"Brother!" Lin Lu exclaimed, her heart racing wildly.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here," Lin Xuemin's voice was steady and strong, providing Lin Lu with immense reassurance. He looked up at the man in black with a fierce gaze. "What do you want?"
The man in black smiled disdainfully. "I don't want anything; I just ask you all to change locations and continue the 'competition.'"
He waved his hand, and the men in black behind him immediately moved forward to surround Lin Lu and the others. Chen Xue and Li Xue trembled in fear, hiding behind the crowd and too scared to speak. Yan Liming furrowed his brow tightly, his gaze darting between the man in black and Lin Xuemin as if weighing something.
"Brother, what should we do?" Lin Lu anxiously grasped Lin Xuemin's arm and whispered. The atmosphere in the cave was tense, the air felt thick and suffocating.
"Act according to the situation," Lin Xuemin replied quietly, but his eyes were constantly scanning their surroundings for an escape opportunity. He knew that facing these trained men in black head-on would only put himself and his sister in greater danger.
The man in black seemed to see through Lin Xuemin's thoughts; he sneered again and said, "Don't bother trying; this place is already surrounded by us. You can't escape." He stepped closer to Lin Lu, looking down at her from above. "You must be Lin Lu, right? Our boss is very interested in you. I hope you can cooperate willingly; otherwise..."
He deliberately elongated his tone, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes, sending a chill down Lin Lu's spine.
"Who is your boss? Why are you capturing us?" Lin Lu forced herself to calm down and stared directly into the eyes of the man in black.
"Don't ask what you shouldn't!" The man in black impatiently interrupted her, "Just come with us quietly!"
As he spoke, he grabbed Lin Lu's arm and yanked her up from the ground.
"Let go of me!" Lin Lu struggled, but it was futile.
"Brother! Save me!" In desperation, Lin Lu could only call for Lin Xuemin.
Seeing this, Lin Xuemin's eyes widened with rage as he prepared to rush in to save her.
"Don't be impulsive!" At that moment, Yan Liming, who had been silent, suddenly grabbed his arm and whispered, "They are too many; fighting back will only lead to trouble!"
Lin Xuemin turned sharply, glaring at Yan Liming with bloodshot eyes, gritting his teeth as he said, "Are you just going to watch them take my sister away?!"
Yan Liming said nothing, merely locking eyes with Lin Xuemin, his expression complex and unreadable. After a moment, it seemed he made a decision. He took a deep breath and said, "I will save her, but not now and not in this way."
Yan Liming released Lin Xuemin's arm and stepped forward. Ignoring the fierce gaze of the man in black, he spoke calmly: "I will go with you."
The man in black looked Yan Liming up and down as if assessing his worth. After a moment, he snorted coldly and signaled to the people beside him. Two men in black immediately stepped forward and roughly cuffed Yan Liming's hands behind his back with handcuffs.
"Yan Liming, have you lost your mind?" Lin Lu looked at him in disbelief, not understanding why he would do such a thing.
Yan Liming ignored Lin Lu's question and simply turned to Lin Xuemin, giving a slight nod, his eyes filled with confidence and determination. Although Lin Xuemin was puzzled, he chose to trust Yan Liming; he knew that Yan Liming must have a plan.
The man in black pushed Yan Liming deeper into the cave. Before leaving, he turned back and coldly glanced at Lin Xuemin and the others, saying, "You better pray she comes back safe, or else..." His tone was chilling, and the unfinished words sent shivers down their spines.
Lin Xuemin watched them leave, his fists clenched tightly, filled with anger and worry. He didn't know what would happen next, but he vowed that no matter what, he would protect his sister.
The man in black led Lin Lu and the others out of the cave, walking along a rugged mountain path for a long time until they finally arrived at a hidden valley. In the valley, there was a dense forest, and deep within it, several buildings could be faintly seen.
"We're here." The man in black stopped and pointed towards the depths of the forest. "Our boss is waiting for you inside."
Lin Lu and the others were taken into the woods, crossing an open area until they reached a three-story building. The building looked quite old, with peeling walls and broken windows, as if it had been abandoned for a long time.
"Go inside." The man in black pushed open the door and gestured for Lin Lu and the others to enter.
Lin Lu hesitated for a moment but stepped inside. The interior of the building was even more dilapidated than it appeared from the outside; dust and cobwebs were everywhere, and a musty smell filled the air.
They were brought to a spacious room that contained only a table and a few chairs, making it feel empty. The man in black signaled for them to sit down before stepping aside to watch their surroundings warily.
Lin Lu and the others sat uneasily in their chairs, waiting for the mysterious "boss" to appear. Time passed slowly in silence; the room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, with only their anxious breaths and heartbeats breaking the stillness.
Suddenly, the lights in the room flickered, and the dim space was instantly illuminated. Lin Lu and the others squinted against the sudden brightness. Once they adjusted to the light, they noticed another person had appeared in the room.
"Welcome," a deep voice said.
Following the sound, Lin Lu and her companions saw a tall man standing by the window with his back to them. His silhouette appeared particularly upright under the light, but his face remained obscured.
"Are you their boss?" Lin Xuemin stood up and asked with an unfriendly tone.
The man slowly turned around, and under the dim light, his features gradually became clear.
"Is it really him?!" Upon recognizing the man's face, Lin Lu and the others exclaimed in shock.
"Dad?!" Lin Lu gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief. The man standing before them was, astonishingly, their father who had been missing for many years!
Lin Xuemin suddenly stood up, his gaze fixed on the man, filled with shock and confusion. His lips trembled slightly, but he couldn't find the words to speak. The air in the room seemed to freeze, and one could hear a pin drop.
"It's been a long time, children," the man finally spoke, his voice deep and hoarse, carrying a hint of weariness and hardship. He walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. His eyes swept over Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin before finally settling on Lin Lu. "Lu Lu, how have you been all these years?"
Lin Lu's eyes instantly turned red, tears welling up. All these years, she had missed her father every moment. Now that she saw him again, her heart was filled with mixed emotions, yet she didn't know what to say.
"You... you're still alive?" Lin Xuemin finally regained his voice, his tone trembling with disbelief. After that accident years ago, they all thought their father had...
"That accident was intentional," the man's expression darkened as a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "I was fortunate to survive, but I lost everything— including you..."
"Who? Who harmed our family?" Lin Xuemin suddenly rushed in front of the man, leaning on the table with both hands as he asked excitedly.
"It was..." The man began to speak but suddenly stopped. He raised his head and looked deeply at Lin Xuemin. "Now is not the time to tell you. I came to find you for something more important."
"What is it?" Lin Lu asked. She could sense her father's change; it seemed there was something heavy weighing on his heart.
"This Reality Show is just a facade," the man said gravely. "Its true purpose is to draw out the hidden mastermind among the contestants."
"What?!" Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin exclaimed simultaneously, their faces filled with disbelief. They never imagined that behind what seemed like an ordinary Reality Show lay such a shocking secret!
"For these years, I have been secretly investigating the truth behind that accident and establishing the current organization," the man continued. "I discovered that the accident was merely a part of their plan; their target is the entire family..."
"What is their purpose?" Lin Xuemin pressed.
"The goal is to control the entire industry and monopolize the market." A cold glint flashed in the man's eyes. "And you are the biggest obstacle in their plan."
Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin were stunned; they never expected to become targets in someone else's scheme.
"I came to find you because I want you to join my organization, to fight alongside me, expose their true nature, and avenge our family!" The man stood up, his gaze intense as he looked at Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin.
"I..." Lin Lu hesitated, unsure of what choice to make. On one side was the bond of blood, and on the other was justice and conscience; she found herself in a dilemma.
"Brother..." Lin Lu looked at Lin Xuemin for help.
Lin Xuemin fell silent, contemplating how to decide...
Taking a deep breath, Lin Xuemin's gaze gradually became resolute. He turned to Lin Lu, took her hand, offering her support and strength. "Dad, we will join."
Upon hearing Lin Xuemin's response, the man's tense lips finally revealed a hint of a relieved smile. He patted Lin Xuemin's shoulder and said earnestly, "Good kids, I know this is sudden for you, but I believe you will make the right choice." He paused before continuing, "Time is of the essence; I need to tell you some things quickly..."
Outside the window, shadows of trees swayed gently, while inside, the atmosphere was heavy. Lin Lu and Lin Xuemin listened intently as their father recounted stories of the family’s past, hidden enemies, and the truth behind this reality show...
Meanwhile, Yan Liming sat alone in the temporary lounge provided by the production team, holding his phone, with the screen displaying some photos and information. His brow was furrowed as his fingers swiped across the screen; the person in the photos was Lin Lu's father.
"The former chairman of the Lin Group, how did he suddenly appear here? And with Lin Lu and them..." Yan Liming murmured to himself, filled with confusion and unease. He felt that things were not as simple as they seemed.
"Ding ding ding—"
His phone received a new message. Yan Liming opened it to find an update from the investigator he had previously hired. He quickly skimmed through it, and his expression turned serious.
"Sure enough, there’s a problem..." Yan Liming's eyes sharpened as he stood up, grabbed his coat, and hurried out of the room.
---
"Bang!" Chen Xue angrily slammed her cup of water onto the table, splashing water everywhere. Li Xue flinched and timidly asked, "Sister Xue, what's wrong? Who made you angry?"
"Who else could it be? It's that Lin Lu!" Chen Xue gritted her teeth and said, "And that brother of hers just popped up out of nowhere, protecting her at every turn. Now look, even the director's team is starting to favor them!"
"Sister Xue, please don't be angry. We can think of another way," Li Xue cautiously comforted her.
Chen Xue took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and sneered, "Don't worry, I won't let them have it easy." Her eyes flickered as a plan formed in her mind. "Li Xue, come here..."
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