Zhu Shu’s mind worked fast — she understood Bai Youwei’s meaning immediately, and said thoughtfully: “A’s target is B, B’s target is C, C’s target is A.

In this cycle — assuming we’re C, our mission is to expose killer A. But our true enemy is actually B, who is working behind the scenes to take us all down…”

Bai Youwei nodded. “Think about it: this is a fifteen-player game with players divided into groups of five. Given the current situation, which group has the biggest advantage?”

Zhu Shu thought it over, her expression growing increasingly grave. “…Group B — because Group B has already eliminated four of our players. They only need to eliminate one more to win!”

“Exactly.” Bai Youwei said. “We’ve all had our attention pulled toward Group A. But even at their most ruthless, Group A is only killing one person per day — whereas Group B’s elimination rules don’t seem to have any limit on numbers.”

Zhu Shu’s face went pale. “Group A has killed two people, Group B has gotten four of us eliminated, and we… we still haven’t managed to eliminate a single person from Group A.”

“Interesting~” Bai Youwei smiled. “So this is a race — whoever completes their elimination task first wins.”

Zhu Shu looked worried when she heard this. “What do we do? On Yan Ge’s side, I’m the only one left — if I’m eliminated once more, we lose…”

“Don’t worry — we won’t lose.” Bai Youwei curved her lips. “Group B’s people are clever, yes — but don’t forget: Group B can only make their move after there’s been a death in the inn.”

For them to frame Zhu Shu, a new victim would have to appear in the inn first.

At that thought, Zhu Shu steadied somewhat.

“Let’s go down and see.” Bai Youwei cast a meaningful glance toward the doorway. “The next death notice should already have appeared.”

—

The death notice this time was posted in the dining room.

A sheet of white paper, on which someone had written in pencil:

【園-四囝囤囤-囨囫回-固団囲回-図回困囲-口囨-囡囝園園団囲】

The Inspector had naturally noticed it too, and was incensed. “These scoundrels! The nerve of them — they’re planning to strike again! I’m going to question every last one of you!”

With that, he strode toward the staircase to summon people.

Bai Youwei, as always, took out paper and pen and silently copied down the text.

After copying it, she studied the paper for a moment — and somehow, a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Zhu Shu asked, “You can read it?”

“Mm~” Bai Youwei turned and gave Zhu Shu a light pat on the shoulder, leaning in with a smile to whisper something in her ear. “There’s a good show coming. Just wait and see~”

“…A good show?” Zhu Shu didn’t understand. “Will there be danger?”

Bai Youwei narrowed her eyes. “Of course — but the ones in danger won’t be us. It’ll be… them.”

People were being brought downstairs one by one by the Inspector from the upper floors.

Bai Youwei spotted Robert.

“Zhu Shu — you know what? The anxious one isn’t just you. There’s someone who’s far more anxious than you right now… because he thought he had everything in the palm of his hand, but now he’s lost his advantage, and if he doesn’t do something soon, he’s truly going to lose…”

Zhu Shu gently creased her brow, and also looked toward Robert as he walked their way.

Yes…

Robert had been in an advantageous position. He could take out these guests without anyone noticing. But then certain people’s framing strategies had proven far more efficient and precise — and the gap between the two sides had been widening.

If scores and letters could capture it:

Group A: 2 points.

Group B: 4 points.

Group C: 0 points.

If Group A continued acting the way they had been and eliminated one more person, their score would become 3. Group B would then eliminate one more afterward and reach 5, winning the game.

So if Group A still wanted to stay in the competition, they would have to reconsider their strategy.

—