Chapter 56: The 1924 Train Murder Case (29)

“In our country, in the past, we invented the concept of the ‘Eighteen Levels of Hell’ to restrain people’s behavior.”
“The Eighteen Levels of Hell?”
“Yes.”
“For example, those who slander and harm others are sent to the Hell of Tongue Extraction; those who sow discord among kin, to the Iron Tree Hell; those who escape punishment for their crimes, to the Hell of the Sin Mirror; those who spread malicious rumors, frame, slander, or insult others, to the Steaming Basket Hell; those who cruelly kill animals, to the Mountain of Knives Hell; those who drown or abandon infants, to the Crushing Stone Hell; those who are disrespectful, unfilial, dishonest, or walk crooked paths, to the Blood Pool Hell; those who commit suicide, to the Unjust Death Hell; those who desecrate graves, to the Dismemberment Hell...”
“There are many more, but the basic meaning remains unchanged. By using such mystical and mysterious methods, people instilled a sense of fear in others about their own actions and words, seeking to suppress evil thoughts at their very root.”
“But I think that’s still not enough.”
Tang Mu recalled Augustine from the story and felt that when the evil in human nature is awakened, it is almost endless and utterly without limit.
Against such people, if they are not made to suffer punishment equal to or even more painful and terrifying, how could these mystical and otherworldly tales truly make them fear? Those already steeped in sin are so deep in debt that they feel no more anxiety; why would they ever truly stop?
“Tooth for tooth, evil for evil. That is the key to restraining wickedness.”
Bang! Bang!
Dale had not given up yet.
This time, she seemed to have found a suitcase heavy enough to crash against the compartment door.
She lifted the suitcase and smashed it heavily against the door of the chief attendant’s room.
Seeing Dale so crazed, Tang Mu felt a sense of relief at having survived. She was fortunate that Dale’s target was clear, and she came straight for Eli.
If, instead, Dale had chosen a random carriage without a lock to hide in—
Tang Mu might already have reached her game over.
“I’m scared, Eli.”
Tang Mu took the opportunity to show Eli her frail and timid side. She clung to his strong arm, looking as if she might die of fright at any moment.
Men, by nature, have a protective instinct towards the weak.
When they see a fragile girl, their desire to protect her overflows.
For Tang Mu, perceiving and manipulating others’ emotions was almost second nature—hardly a challenge at all.
Sure enough, once Eli’s protective instincts were aroused, even his tone softened.
“It’s all right, don’t be afraid. Every scenario has its own set of rules.”
“No one can kill outside those rules. Any other way of killing is useless.”
Page 1/3

Listening to Eli’s gentle explanation, Tang Mu, though not truly afraid, felt her emotions settle, no longer as disturbed as before.
She was, in fact, comforted.
Tang Mu moved closer to Eli, hinting for him to shield her with his strong arms and chest, to protect her under his wing.
Eli did not refuse Tang Mu’s “fragile” reliance.
After all, given Eli’s character, he had no reason to refuse.
“So, in the game scenario of ‘The 1924 Train Murder Case,’ unless the number of ballots with my name exceeds half of all votes... even if Dale stabs me with a knife, she can’t kill me, right?”
That was what she said, but Tang Mu still appeared fragile and cautious.
“And the anthrax?”
“Just a little disgusting trick,” Eli said kindly, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat. “It won’t actually kill you in the game, but it will weaken your stamina.”
But if it were a chase-and-escape type game, and a player was unfortunate enough to be infected by this stamina-weakening bacterium—the blow would be nearly fatal.
But for now, Tang Mu was not aware of this.
“Then I understand how to eliminate Dale.”
Tang Mu tugged on Eli’s sleeve, still playing the part of a pitiful girl entirely dependent on him, as if she’d be finished without Eli.
But what she actually said was completely at odds with her vulnerable demeanor.
“Where’s the ballot box?”
“In the dining car,” Eli replied, frowning as he watched Tang Mu. “Voting is only valid at eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Any ballots placed beforehand will be voided.”
“So we can make some predictions in advance,” Tang Mu continued, still clinging tightly to Eli’s arm, deliberately moving closer to him.
The way Tang Mu acted always made people want to spoil her—though in truth, she didn’t really need it. She was intentionally drawing closer, giving men a strange sense of pride and pleasure—but you could never find any proof that she was deliberately flirting with you... until you found your emotions completely disrupted, all your time and energy spent wondering if you had a chance with her.
In the seesaw of confusion and delight, your emotions roiled, a complex mix of sweetness, anxiety, apprehension, and joy...
She could occupy your entire mind.
Leaving you no strength to think of anyone or anything else.
Heh.
Page 2/3

The little fox’s tricks for beguiling men were becoming ever more masterful.
Tang Mu watched Eli, caught in a whirlpool of emotions, and gave him a mischievous wink.
Still with that same innocent and naive look.
It made Eli a little angry, but he had to hold it in.
“Dale, Hert Arnold, and Adela will definitely vote for me. So that’s three votes. Besides them, there are nine others who can cast valid votes. If the NPCs cooperate well, they’ll split the votes among the other players.”
“Dale three votes, Hert Arnold three votes, Adela three votes, me three votes.”
“All the players tie.”
“So, at eight o’clock tomorrow morning, if everyone plays their cards right, ‘The 1924 Train Murder Case’ could wipe out all the players at once. Isn’t that right, Eli?”
Looking at the “fragile and naive” Tang Mu before him, Eli found it both laughable and exasperating.
This girl was constantly testing him.
But even if she found out, what then?
An invisible chasm still lay between them.
As impossible to cross as a great gorge.
“You want to pull my vote?”
“Yes,” Tang Mu blinked, “will you help me?”
Eli took a deep breath, rebuking Tang Mu for being too bold. “Have you considered that if I cast one more vote for you, you’ll die?”
“I have,” Tang Mu replied confidently. “Of course I have. But if I die, the players win. Do you want the players to win, Mr. Eli?”
Eli pursed his lips and said nothing.
“Then you don’t want the players to win.” A sly arc curled at Tang Mu’s lips. “So, happy cooperation?”
Eli: “...”
Bang! Bang!
But outside, Dale was still pounding on the door.
The noise was starting to give Tang Mu a headache.

Page 3/3