Chapter 202: Hints About the Underworld Live Show

The Granny walking slowly toward me from a distance was the same crazy old woman who had warned me about ghosts in the house during my first visit to No-Lights Road.

I hadn't seen her in over half a month, yet she hadn't changed at all. She was just as ancient.

"Do you still remember me?" I walked right up to her. She didn't speak, just clutched a tattered rag doll and grabbed my arm with hands as thin and withered as rotting wood.

"Granny? Where are you taking me?"

Without a word of explanation, the old woman dragged me back the way I'd come. She looked decrepit, but her grip was surprisingly strong. Her fingers dug painfully into my flesh.

Seeing how resolute she was, I didn't dare resist. I let her drag me deep into the dark alley.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but as we walked, it felt as if a massive dark cloud had parted overhead, letting the moonlight shine down on me once more.

"Go back," the old woman said, stopping at the alley's entrance and releasing my arm. Her ancient face was so lined with wrinkles that I couldn't read her expression.

"Granny, coming here today was a carefully considered decision. I won't leave until I get what I came for." In less than a month, I had gone through six live streams, each one a narrow escape of nine deaths and one life. The physical trauma and the lingering mental pressure from constant tension had stretched my nerves like a coiled spring pushed to its absolute limit, ready to snap at any moment.

That was why I was here today. I needed to learn more about the Underworld Live Show to leave myself a way out.

The Old Granny seemed to have known all along that I wouldn't leave easily. She pointed toward the depths of No-Lights Road. "I have already told you what you wish to know."

"You already told me? But I haven't even said why I'm here, you..." I trailed off, suddenly realizing something. Just before Granny appeared, several women of varying ages had approached me one after another. They all shared a subtle resemblance around the eyes and brows, looking exactly like the same person appearing before me at different stages of life.

'The same person constantly aging, passing away, and replacing themselves with a new face?' I recalled the examiners during the Underworld Live Show interview. The three of them had nearly identical builds and heights; the only differences were their voices and the varying wear and tear on the Paper Doll Masks they wore. 'Is Granny hinting that those three are actually the same person? Or does the Underworld Live Show drain its viewers' lifespans to keep itself running?'

The answer remained like viewing flowers through mist, blurry and ambiguous.

In the distance, just outside No-Lights Road, a pair of headlights suddenly flared, piercing the tranquil night. The Balding Uncle, his shirt stained with grease, saw me standing at the alley's entrance and ran over without a second thought. "Streamer! Are you done?"

"Why haven't you left yet?" I frowned the moment I saw him. Over an hour had passed since I first entered No-Lights Road, yet he was still here. This abnormality instantly put me on edge.

"The car broke down. It just won't start, no matter what I try. All I can do now is wait for the tow truck." He rubbed his slightly drowsy face and spread his hands in resignation.

"Hey, don't come any closer. This alley isn't safe." The Balding Uncle was only a few steps away from the entrance. He completely ignored my well-intentioned warning and strode right toward me. "So this is the famous No-Lights Road? I'll have to go in and see it for myself."

Not caring in the least, he kept walking. Just as his raised foot was about to touch the ground, a sudden gust of wind blew past.

The wind was incredibly eerie. It perfectly caught the Disaster-Averting Talisman he had casually stuffed into his shirt pocket and blew it right out.

The Talisman Paper fluttered and drifted behind him. The Balding Uncle froze, his stepping foot hovering in midair.

Crash!

Almost at the exact same moment, a large pane of glass detached from the window of the long-abandoned two-story building next to us, smashing into the ground just inches away from the Balding Uncle!

Sharp shards of glass flew in all directions, shattering across the entrance to No-Lights Road.

The Balding Uncle swallowed hard and hunched his shoulders. It took him a long while to process what had just happened before he stumbled backward several steps.

I had seen the whole thing clearly. If the Talisman Paper hadn't blown away in the wind just then, the Balding Uncle's foot would have definitely landed, placing his body squarely in the glass's impact zone.

With a piece the size of a bowl and edges that sharp, it would have been enough to slice his head right off.

"Didn't I tell you not to come over?" My tone must have sounded like the Grim Reaper to him. Not a trace of his previous nonchalance remained on his face; his eyelids twitched wildly, and his calves spasmed.

Being just one step away from death would leave anyone trembling in retrospect.

It seemed impossible to continue my investigation today. I walked over to the Balding Uncle. "Are you alright?"

"I'm okay, my legs are just a little shaky."

"It'd be best if you watch less of my live streams from now on. And that talisman I gave you, make sure you keep it safe." I still didn't know what the Underworld Live Show used to attract viewers, nor did I know the price they paid for watching, but there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Karma always came full circle; it was best to avoid provoking certain things.

I helped the Balding Uncle up and was just about to leave when, to my surprise, the Old Granny walked over as well.

She passed by me and went straight to the taxi with its hood popped open.

"Who is this old lady? What is she doing?" The Balding Uncle, afraid she might damage his car, ran over to stop her. But just then, the old woman pulled a filthy, tattered rag doll out from under the hood.

The doll was incredibly ugly; it barely even resembled a human shape.

"Why is this thing under my hood? Which little punk pulled this prank?" The Balding Uncle stamped his feet in anger beside the taxi. I patted his shoulder lightly, signaling him to keep quiet.

The old woman hugged both of the dolls to her chest. Then, leaning on her cane and singing that eerie nursery rhyme, she walked back into the dim No-Lights Road.

The Balding Uncle still hadn't grasped the situation. "That's weird. I checked under the hood over and over again and never saw that doll. I can't believe that old lady has better eyes than me."

"Did that young couple forget something in your car after their abortion?"

"No!"

The Balding Uncle looked completely bewildered. I found it amusing, but I didn't want to explain it too clearly. Bending down, I picked up the Disaster-Averting Talisman and stuffed it back into his hand. "Keep it safe. The talismans you buy at temples only bring peace of mind, but the one I gave you can save your life."

We got into the taxi. This time, the engine started smoothly without a hitch.

It was past two in the morning by the time the Balding Uncle dropped me off at Ting Tang Road. Exhaustion crushed me like a tidal wave. After paying the fare, I returned to the shop and collapsed face-first onto my bed. I didn't even try to cultivate; all I wanted was a good night's sleep.

Early the next morning, I took out the Underworld Live Show Phone and chose to redeem three items: a Fate Ghost Monument, a United Heart Jade, and a One-Day Fortune Lot.

"Points deducted. Remaining points: 43." After receiving the confirmation text from the Underworld Live Show, I threw on my jacket and prepared to head out.

When I went downstairs and opened the shop door, I saw a gorgeous, fashionably dressed woman with a hot figure pacing back and forth outside.

"Jiang Fei?"

The once fiercely arrogant jewel of the Jiang family had mellowed out a lot, which was evident just from her clothing.

She wore a simple, elegant white fitted T-shirt paired with light blue jeans, giving off a quiet, pure vibe.

Dressed like this, I almost didn't recognize Jiang Fei. Peeking through the half-open door at the sexy beauty pacing outside, fretting over who-knows-what, my first instinct was to shut the door and slip out through the window.

I had absolutely no interest in this woman. The waters of the Jiang family ran far too deep, and I had no intention of wading in.

"Gao Jian!"

I was a step too slow. Just as the rolling shutter clicked shut, Jiang Fei's voice rang out.

Resigned, I opened the door again and stood at the entrance. "Can I help you? The shop is closed for the day."

"I want to treat you to a meal. You saved my life, after all, and I haven't properly thanked you yet." Jiang Fei's tone was entirely sincere. "It won't take up too much of your time."

"Keeping my secret is the greatest thanks you could give me. Forget about the meal. Please, head back." Catching her strange expression, I grew suspicious. 'The Red Cord of Marriage has already been severed, so why is she still pestering me? Did she collude with Jiang Chen?'

"Actually, I have something I need to discuss with you." Jiang Fei hesitated, her pale fingers gripping her phone tightly.

"Discuss with me? What could a wealthy young miss like you possibly need to discuss with a shady Adult Shop owner like me?"

"You're the only one I can come to for this." Biting her lip, Jiang Fei unlocked her phone. Sitting plainly among her home screen apps was an inconspicuous icon—a black-and-white photograph of Jiang Fei herself!

"I saw your live stream..."