46: Chapter 46 Xiao Zhenghong, sudden

Hidden Plot Rule: [Plot Rule E: From the beginning of the second phase of this Game of National Destiny, whether it is an initial death or a subsequent sacrifice, all the deceased cannot be resurrected unless they ultimately claim the crown!]

The second phase gave those in a 'soul state' the opportunity to participate in the plot, but from the moment they began participating, resurrection became stringent.

It was no longer the case that countries in the top third or those squeezing into the top ten could resurrect the dead after the Game of National Destiny concluded; instead, it was changed so that only the first-place winner of this Game of National Destiny could resurrect them.

This was a hidden rule—one that Fan Ling had discovered on the first day, yet he had not informed Chen Aoyun of it.

"Fan Ling did the right thing. Telling the Strategist about this rule might have affected his judgment and made him hesitant.

In any case, the Strategist does not really need to take risks during the plot.

Because he must summon spirits at the end, he will protect himself to the greatest extent possible.

You and I can both be sacrificed, but Chen Aoyun must not die!

I'm leaving. Tell that brat that if he can leave this Game of National Destiny alive, the future of the Dragon Country rests on him. Tell him to carry on for me as well, and if he fails... I won't forgive him!"

Xiao Zhenghong said, his breath weak as he fell into Zhao Hongxiu's arms.

To clear the bandit camp and gather ten [glory fragments], Xiao Zhenghong and Zhao Hongxiu, even working together, were no match for the fourth-stage bandit leader.

Although they constantly interrupted the opponent's group damage-buffing skill, the buff wasn't even released; at stage three versus stage four, the two were still being miserably suppressed.

Retreat? Absolutely impossible.

They had to collect the ten [glory fragments]; only then would the Dragon Country have even a sliver of hope of completing the plot mission.

For this, Xiao Zhenghong sacrificed himself.

Within the [Military Official] path that Xiao Zhenghong had comprehended, there existed the [Martyr] profession ability.

Ordinary costs would not allow Zhao Hongxiu to defeat the bandit leader.

Only by sacrificing himself—using his own life as the cost—could he utilize [Martyrdom] to grant Zhao Hongxiu the maximum level of enhancement.

Ultimately, Zhao Hongxiu, empowered by [Martyrdom], defeated the bandit leader. The leaderless bandit army was nothing but a disorganized mob and was quickly annihilated, but the cost was Xiao Zhenghong falling weakly into Zhao Hongxiu's arms.

Xiao Zhenghong knew about [Plot Rule E], and he also knew that even if they completed the plot, without the tree of eternity, the Dragon Country would at best reach the top eight level; there was no possibility for the Dragon Country to take first place, which allowed for the resurrection of the dead.

Yet, Xiao Zhenghong still chose to face death heroically. His body was dissipating bit by bit. As Zhao Hongxiu held him, his body slowly faded away like fine, flowing sand slipping through her fingers.

"He said he would stop the Dragon Country from sinking further..." Xiao Zhenghong's final words echoed in Zhao Hongxiu's ears.

"Rest assured, I will supervise him."

...

Night fell.

The final 'Dream Space'.

Zhao Hongxiu handed the three [glory fragments] obtained from subduing the bandits to Chen Aoyun.

"Where is Xiao Zhenghong?" Chen Aoyun felt a bit strange not seeing Xiao Zhenghong in the Dream Space.

"He died."

Zhao Hongxiu's tone was very calm, yet mixed with a trace of sorrow and unwillingness.

Upon hearing the news of Xiao Zhenghong's death, Fan Ling's eyes dimmed.

Taking the three [glory fragments], Chen Aoyun was no fool; he sensed that the atmosphere was wrong.

"What is going on?" Chen Aoyun asked.

If they failed the plot, they would all die together; logically speaking, Zhao Hongxiu should not have such strange emotions, and Fan Ling should not need to act so oddly.

"It is [Plot Rule E]..."

Fan Ling confessed everything. The three-day plot strategy had already ended; after this night, everything would be settled, so there was no longer any need to conceal the rule.

Chen Aoyun was slightly stunned, his eyes turning red.

It was not because Xiao Zhenghong could not return, but simply because he was moved by his actions.

"So that is it. Xiao Zhenghong gave up the possibility of leaving the Game of National Destiny alive for the sake of these three fragments.

As expected, regardless of the passage of time, regardless of how the years flow, whether it is the old era or the current new era, the Dragon Country—Huaxia—never lacks warriors willing to face death heroically in times of crisis!"

After a pause, Chen Aoyun puffed out his chest.

"Complete the plot!

Believe me, as long as we get past this disgusting plot, the Dragon Country's goal in this Game of National Destiny is not just the top eight!

Xiao Zhenghong will return!

He was the first comrade I had after becoming a [Strategist]; how could he die so easily!

Wasn't he going to witness my promise?

Then he should live and come witness it himself!"

Fan Ling and Zhao Hongxiu stood side by side. Adjusting his emotions, Fan Ling gave Chen Aoyun a light punch to the chest.

"I know you're talking big—first place? Right now, we can only rely on luck to even complete the plot... but I love hearing your boasts!"

Zhao Hongxiu remained as cold as ever, though there was now a greater sense of expectation in her eyes.

"Don't waste time!

The [glory fragments] are enough to summon one spirit. We will use the spirit to settle the plot mission here at the West Mountain Camp. Now, tell us about your situation; in the palace plot you are in, how many have you narrowed the 'weird' suspects down to?"

When 'weird' was mentioned, Fan Ling, who was usually lively, was actually full of shame. Zhao Hongxiu's heart tightened. As expected, Fan Ling's answer was disappointing.

"I'm sorry everyone. The number of suspects didn't shrink; it actually increased from ten to twelve. I used the [Manifestation Mirror] in my hand to eliminate two, so ten remain."

Any complaints were meaningless, and besides, this was not Fan Ling's fault. Fan Ling was on the [Path of the Artist], and the [Manifestation Mirror] he held was limited; it was already quite good that he could identify the suspects.

"Ten suspects, a ten percent probability of killing the 'weird'—are you sure the 'weird' is among these ten suspects?"

Just as Fan Ling was about to answer, he was interrupted by Chen Aoyun.

"No need to ask!

It doesn't matter how many suspects there are, and it doesn't matter whether the 'weird' is among those Fan Ling suspects...

Because I have decided.

I am going to change how we gamble!

I'm not gambling on probability; I'm going to gamble on my understanding of spirits and rules!"

Fan Ling did not understand what Chen Aoyun meant for a moment. As usual, Zhao Hongxiu was one step ahead; she habitually stared into the eyes of the person she was talking to.

In Chen Aoyun's eyes, Zhao Hongxiu did not see the decadence of someone giving up, nor the madness of a desperate gamble; instead, she saw something called 'confidence'!

"Have you thought of a way to exploit a bug?"

Using one spirit to solve two tasks was a topic they had discussed during their first time entering the dream. However, in that previous discussion, Fan Ling had cited several hidden rules that shattered Chen Aoyun's delusions.

Now Chen Aoyun was bringing it up again. He called it a gamble, but judging by the aura he was radiating, it wasn't so much a gamble as it was a final, calculated strike.

"No, brother, I explained those four hidden rules clearly. Those four rules are absolute. Not to mention that Huaxia spirits are inherently difficult to summon, even if they were easy to summon and you could do it, I doubt that even the powerful countries in the Game of National Destiny, with their abundance of spirits, could use a single spirit to solve two tasks!"

Chen Aoyun clutched the [glory fragments] in his hand. Whenever the Dragon Country's spirits were mentioned, the corner of his mouth would quirk up. This time was no different; with the same quirk of his mouth, Chen Aoyun's eyes were determined.

"Powerful countries?

There might be so-called powerful countries in the Game of National Destiny. Powerful countries have [Roleplayers] and [Strategists] of higher rank, deeper foundations, and an abundance of magical off-field items at their disposal.

There are many meanings to the strength of a powerful country, but it certainly does not include their [spirit/wonder].

In my eyes, at the level of [spirit/wonder], there is only one powerful country—the Dragon Country!"

Although they were somewhat accustomed to Chen Aoyun's self-importance, Zhao Hongxiu and Fan Ling were still filled with shock upon hearing this.

When it came to the level of [spirit] and [wonder], the Dragon Country was the only powerful country!

His self-importance was invested in the nation and the inherited Huaxia Civilization, yet he himself could not be chosen. This led the two of them to realize that calling Chen Aoyun arrogant was wrong, but not calling him self-important was also wrong!

5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1

The countdown in the Dream Space reached zero for the third time.

With this return to zero, the three-day deadline for the plot strategy had completely ended.

The three of them 'woke up from the dream.' They did not separate but instead gathered together. The plot world continued to advance; 'General Zhao,' 'Supervisor Chen,' and 'Minister Fan' were still in the plot, but they were no longer being played by Zhao Hongxiu, Chen Aoyun, and Fan Ling.

Now, these three had become 'invisible observers' and could no longer interfere with the plot in any way...

Except for summoning spirits!