Chapter 144: The Role of the Phone
Auntie Zhang frowned unhappily. “Old Wang, what nonsense are you spouting? The one who said the black mist might come back was me! Who are you trying to insult by beating around the bush?”
The old man called Old Wang retorted, “You’re too sensitive. What I mean is, that young fellow’s words are too careless, no sense of propriety at all! There are so many elderly people in our community—what if he scares someone into getting sick?”
Xu Huazhang stood up, shielding Mu Lantu behind him. His calm voice carried a chilling edge. “Sir, you were eavesdropping on our private conversation with Auntie Zhang? We were talking in private, how is it that you’re accusing us of spreading panic? The one shouting is you. May I ask, what is your true intention?”
The people in the community all pointed fingers at Old Wang.
A young girl ran over, bowing repeatedly in apology. “Sorry, sorry everyone. My grandpa didn’t mean any harm! He—he’s just scared. He’s the same age as Grandma Zhao. Please forgive him, please forgive him!”
Old Wang didn’t appreciate it at all. He flung her hand away. “You wretched girl, are you cursing me? Even if you die, I’ll live just fine!”
The girl’s eyes filled with tears. “Grandpa, I didn’t—”
“Still talking back?” Old Wang roared, furious. “You said I’m the same age as Old Lady Zhao—what’s that supposed to mean? Isn’t that a curse? I always knew you were a worthless burden, raising you is worse than raising a dog! Why don’t you just drop dead?”
The girl was humiliated and aggrieved, tears streaming down her face.
Several old women couldn’t bear to watch.
“Old Wang! It’s the New Year, how can you say such unlucky things?”
“That’s right, that’s right, stop talking. Lingling is already a grown girl—how can you scold her like that?”
Some aunties hurriedly urged the girl to leave, and she ran away covering her face.
Old Wang was still cursing under his breath.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang steered clear of him and walked out of the community.
Better not provoke him.
The streets were nearly empty; yesterday’s lively bustle felt like nothing but a dream.
At the gates of several housing complexes, police cars were parked. Many people had died last night.
That was why everyone stayed indoors.
Those daring to wander about, apart from the truly fearless, were all players.
Players were easy to spot—their entire posture radiated tension, as if expecting an assassin to jump out at any moment.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang were exceptions. Dressed in brand-new clothes, carrying cigarettes and wine, they looked exactly like locals heading out to visit relatives for the New Year.
They blended into one neighborhood after another where deaths had occurred, mingling with groups of gossiping elders. When asked, they explained that their parents had sent them to visit relatives, but they’d mixed up the community name or the building number.
The elders didn’t suspect a thing. In their minds, young people these days were simply unreliable.
Through this method, Mu Lantu did uncover a clue.
The dead from last night—men and women, old and young—all shared one trait: they were all hot-tempered.
But to think that was the sole reason the black mist targeted them seemed far-fetched.
Mu Lantu glanced at the net of lanterns above. Even in daylight, the lanterns were powered on, and nearly every second one would go out.
“Baby, let’s go ask if any other players found something.”
They stowed their goods into their game backpacks, wandering the streets empty-handed. Soon, they drew the attention of other players. But before they could approach, those people avoided their gaze and slipped away.
Mu Lantu raised his voice. “Everyone, we’re not in competition. We can exchange information.”
A few hesitated, stopping briefly.
A long-haired young man sneered. “Who says we’re not in competition? The better you perform, the more bonus rewards you get! Those two clearly aren’t simple. Be careful they don’t trick you! I have a classmate who got robbed by other players in a dungeon!”
At that, all the players scattered in silence.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang didn’t give chase.
Mu Lantu said lightly, “I was going to tell them about the red envelopes.”
If fate offered them an opportunity and they didn’t take it, it only meant luck wasn’t on their side.
Xu Huazhang ruffled Mu Lantu’s hair. “Don’t mind them. They judge a gentleman’s heart with petty suspicion. We can complete the mission ourselves.”
Mu Lantu nodded. “Let’s go home and eat.”
They enjoyed a lavish feast, watched TV dramas and movies, living in comfort.
But at sunset, the black mist rose again!
Curses of despair echoed from the apartments.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang sealed every door and window.
Screams and cries for help grew louder, two of them coming from their own building.
But who dared go out to help?
Not even Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang dared.
It wasn’t even certain if the black mist counted as “evil spirits.” Even if they had items, they wouldn’t risk going out.
At dawn, the mist faded.
When they went downstairs, unlike yesterday, the courtyard was empty. No police, no security staff.
Residents peeked from balconies and windows.
After a while, seeing no one else come down, Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang were about to leave when a middle-aged man and a young man carried out a table from the building, a body covered with a white sheet laid on top. Behind them followed sobbing family members.
Mu Lantu recognized the girl—yesterday’s “Lingling.”
Exchanging a glance with Xu Huazhang, the two approached.
“My condolences,” Mu Lantu said solemnly, looking at the shrouded figure. “He…”
The middle-aged man’s eyes reddened. “Thank you… The old man was attacked by the black mist…”
It was Lingling’s grandfather—Old Wang.
“Take care of yourselves.”
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang stepped aside, watching them leave.
Perhaps seeing them unharmed reassured others, and soon more residents came downstairs, gathering in the courtyard again.
“Old Wang’s gone? But I just saw him yesterday!”
“So sudden—he was in good health too!”
“Damn this black mist!”
“Are we sure it was the mist?”
“Of course! Our whole family heard it last night, but no one dared go out!”
“My daughter said they called the police, but the police were overwhelmed. Too many died last night, they couldn’t keep up!”
“What on earth is happening? This is terrifying!”
As people muttered, another grieving family emerged from Building 3, Unit 1—the same unit as Mu Lantu.
“Oh heavens, it’s the He family’s new bride!”
“No way? That couple’s only been married two months. Too pitiful!”
“Isn’t it?”
“Forget it, let’s go home.”
Saddened, the residents dispersed quickly.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang roamed the streets, but saw no one except funeral processions. The other players also seemed to be hiding.
They wanted to ask neighbors about Old Wang and the He family’s daughter-in-law, but the Yangs, Chens, and Zhangs all refused to open their doors.
“Huazhang, let’s not wander around. Just stay home.”
Back inside, Mu Lantu stared at the phone on the coffee table.
“Huazhang, why do you think Infinite University gave us these phones?”
They had checked them when first received: no contacts, no photos, no money. Surely not just to let players call each other.
Xu Huazhang picked up the phone, his gaze lingering on the camera. He opened the camera app and aimed it at the lantern array outside. His handsome brows arched.
“Baby, we were careless.”
Mu Lantu leaned closer and clearly saw—the black mist existed during the day too! Just not as dense as at night.
Thin wisps rose from unknown depths below, seeping into the lanterns. Each time a lantern went out, mist spilled from it again, drifting down to the ground and into the air.
“The urgent task is to find the source of the black mist,” Mu Lantu said.
“Let’s go,” Xu Huazhang replied.
Back on the street, they scanned the area with their phone cameras. Soon they discovered—the mist was emerging from inside the apartment buildings!
Some homes produced it, some didn’t. Some only a faint wisp, others thick clouds.
They went to the back of Leye Community, locating the Mu, Yang, Chen, and Zhang households.
None of those four produced black mist.
But the apartment above the Yangs did.
They went upstairs and knocked.
“Who’s there?”
“Hello, we’re from downstairs, here to wish you a Happy New Year.”
“No need, thank you.”
“Could you open the door?”
“No! Who knows if you’re monsters in disguise? Get lost!”
Mu Lantu: “…”
Xu Huazhang turned, a smile tugging at his lips. The little one, usually so unbeatable in social encounters, had finally hit a wall.
He gently drew the sulking boy into the elevator.
“It’s fine, baby. Since our home doesn’t produce mist, as long as we don’t do anything we haven’t done these past days, we should be safe.”
“I want that gold coin bonus.” Mu Lantu’s eyes sparkled at him.
Xu Huazhang indulged him. “Shall we go out tonight then?”
When night finally fell, Mu Lantu kept urging Xu Huazhang.
But at the thought of thick black fog possibly forcing its way into his mouth, Xu Huazhang’s stomach churned with nausea.
“Baby, wear masks. Put on a few more.”
What good were ordinary masks?
Mu Lantu thought so, but obediently pulled out six masks, three for each of them. Somehow, it felt a lot safer.
“Also take out the red envelopes,” Xu Huazhang instructed.
Mu Lantu complied, clutching one disposable item in his hand.
Xu Huazhang opened the door—and yanked Mu Lantu back sharply.
The black mist had entered the hallway, nearly brushing against his face!
“Huazhang!” Mu Lantu cried, rushing forward.
“I’m fine!” Xu Huazhang held him back and stepped ahead. The mist recoiled, as if afraid of him.
It was the red envelope at work!
A faint golden barrier enveloped Xu Huazhang. Mu Lantu glanced at himself and saw the same.
Together they stepped into the corridor and shut the door.
The mist clung tightly to the barrier, as if the two of them were standing inside an upright oval-shaped cocoon of black.
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