Chapter 28: The 1924 Train Murder Case (1)

When someone poked her wound, Tang Mu felt inexplicably irritable. Naturally, her attitude toward Joseph was far from cordial.

"Whatever the case, it’s my business," Tang Mu’s expression chilled. "As for you and your brother, I doubt we’ll meet again. There’s no need for any deep acquaintance."

"Miss Tang Mu."

Tang Mu didn’t speak softly to Joseph; Qiao Yuan heard every word clearly. Having weathered many storms, Qiao Yuan exuded an unspoken aura of authority—a pressure that ordinary people could not match. Facing Tang Mu, his presence was imposing.

"Managing such a large association takes considerable effort. I know Miss Tang Mu killed my most prized creation—it must have been unintentional. But the loss you caused to Ah Yu is unquestionable. I’d like to let you off, but this association isn’t mine alone. I must answer to my boss."

"So, Miss Tang Mu, you won’t make things difficult for us, will you?"

That made Tang Mu laugh.

But her laughter faded into a smile that reached only her lips, not her eyes.

"First, 'Extreme Escape' has clear written rules from the moment you enter. Life and death are fate, wealth is in the hands of heaven. Whether you’re killed by a player or a minor boss, you must accept your destiny."

"Second, An Xiao Yue tried to kill me first. Was I wrong to fight back?"

"Third, if your people lack ability, don’t let them bark recklessly. Not only does it strip your association of dignity, it makes you look like sore losers. It’s disgraceful."

Tang Mu’s words darkened the faces of several people present.

She ignored them.

Casually, she went to the game hall’s cafeteria, got a bowl of boxed rice, and ate slowly.

All supplies in the game hall could be exchanged for points. In the last round, she’d earned over two thousand points. A basic boxed meal cost only five points. Which meant her earnings would let her stay in the game hall for more than a month.

That was a generous income.

Ah Yu’s association members didn’t leave. They watched Tang Mu with complicated eyes, never looking away until she finished eating.

"I’m done," Tang Mu wiped her lips, took out a bean-colored lip gloss, and calmly applied it.

"Are you going to keep playing? If not, I’ll go in first." She pulled out her game card and chose to re-select a script.

She completely ignored the complex expressions of everyone around her.

The scene went dark.

After a long while, light returned to her vision.

"Welcome, player, to the B-level dungeon: ‘The 1924 Train Murder Case.’ This is your second entry, with less than one day between sessions, which will cause some mental impairment. It’s recommended you exit, but a withdrawal fee of fifty thousand points will be charged. Please choose carefully."

Tang Mu chose not to exit.

"‘The 1924 Train Murder Case’ has begun. Congratulations, player, enjoy your game~"

The scene sharpened.

Before her was a very old steam train in the British style, something from the nineteenth or twentieth century. The body was painted in alternating black and red, and it looked well-used.

Busy crowds carried all sorts of British-style suitcases, weaving through the station. Everyone wore suits and bowler hats, carried umbrellas or newspapers. Their expressions, hurried or calm, made it seem like just another ordinary, peaceful day.

Tang Mu appeared at the train platform.

The platform matched the British style of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: long eaves, old brick buildings, and ancient train tracks.

The players hadn’t arrived yet; Tang Mu was alone.

What displeased her was that she was in the body of a minor.

She found the station restroom and examined her appearance.

In the mirror, she saw a small figure—her build and stature were much more youthful than her fully matured self.

Her face was unmistakably young, lacking any mature woman’s allure.

But her outfit was a British-style girl’s ensemble: a chestnut trench coat, a scarf striped chestnut and ivory, a retro plaid skirt, shiny black patent leather shoes, and nude stockings—a look that was both fashionable and stylish.

"Miss Tang Mu, your letter," said her bound maid, Dale. Dale was close in age to Tang Mu and had served her since she was five.

This trip away from home was to visit a distant relative and to study in London.

To care for Tang Mu, Dale brought plenty of luggage, while Tang Mu herself needed only to look beautiful.

Tang Mu took the letter Dale handed her.

It was sealed with crimson wax, stamped with a rose and some English letters. Using the game’s translator, the letters spelled 'Baron John Joseph.'

Her adoptive father.

Tang Mu opened the letter.

The game’s translator rendered the English as follows:

"Dearest Tang Mu,

I imagine you’ve already embarked on your journey to London. Your uncle must be eagerly awaiting you, though please forgive him for often forgetting to cook for you as a child—he was usually drunk.

I suspect he regrets it often these past ten years. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep writing to me, urging me to update him on your well-being every so often.

Though he’s your mother’s brother, he truly lacks the talent for caring for infants.

He often made you potato salad black mush...

Oh, for heaven’s sake, it must be the worst food I’ve ever seen. Even coal miners manage to keep their coal tidy, unlike your uncle James’s creations—black, sticky lumps...

But I digress.

Little Tang Mu, you’ve spent enough time with this old baron. Thank God, you are a gift from heaven. But now, I must return you to your true family.

Still, I’ll always cherish you as a daughter, so long as you accept this old fool as your father.

By the way, in Dale’s green-gray suitcase, there are three very ordinary envelopes. Each contains five thousand pounds sterling—your tuition and living expenses for the coming years.

Don’t let your drunken uncle know about this money.

Otherwise, he’ll surely take some to buy more drink.

Finally, I wish you a wonderful journey.

Your adoptive father,

John Joseph

...

What Tang Mu liked best about this game was its remarkable attention to detail—so vivid, so immersive.

This time was no exception.

Even a foreign letter, with its retro atmosphere, exuded a rich, evocative fragrance.