When Shen Mo returned to find Bai Youwei absent from home, and then noticed the dollhouse key sitting on the coffee table, he knew something had gone wrong.

Yan Qingwen and Zhu Shu had come back with him. As commoners, they could not re-enter the rest hall — even if they wanted to help, there was nothing they could do.

Yan Qingwen said to Shen Mo, “Bai Youwei clearly doesn’t want to see you get hurt, and doesn’t want anyone else getting hurt either. Shen Mo, I won’t stop you from going after her — but you need to think carefully about the consequences first.”

“What’s there to think about?” Tan Xiao burst out. “True brothers stand by each other no matter what. If you turn tail and run when it counts, what kind of loyalty is that?”

Teacher Cheng was also pacing anxiously. “Little Tan’s right! No matter what, we have to get Weiwei back first. How can we leave a girl to face that alone? Little Shen, let’s go right now!”

Shen Mo was already packing quickly, not looking up. “Anyone who’s coming, bring at least two days’ worth of food and water. We leave immediately.”

He shouldered his pack, gripped the golden key in his hand, then looked at Yan Qingwen. “There really is nothing to think about. No matter what, I can’t let her fight alone.”

Hurried footsteps came from the staircase.

Everyone turned to look. Pan Xiaoxin came running down, backpack on his shoulders.

The bag was stuffed full, pressing creases into his clothes, and he had forgotten to tie one of his shoelaces — flustered and rushing.

“Xiaoxin…” Zhu Shu’s expression softened with reluctance. “You’re going too?”

“I can go!” Pan Xiaoxin was afraid Shen Mo would refuse. He looked up at him anxiously. “Mo Ge, I’ve been training hard. Take me with you. I’m not a kid anymore.”

Bai Youwei had recruited Pan Xiaoxin once before, but had never formally brought him into battle.

Shen Mo was quiet for a moment, then nodded. “All right. Let’s go together.”

…

The four of them rushed to the rest hall.

The hall was now completely empty. A single glowing square stood in the center, radiating white light.

Shen Mo’s heart sank. Without thinking, he strode straight toward it.

Just before he reached the entrance, a figure stepped into their path.

The inspector.

“The decisive battle is about to begin. Unauthorized personnel are prohibited from entering,” Tu Shenshi said.

Shen Mo said directly, “We’re entering the decisive battle.”

“Entering requires a King’s lead.” Tu Shenshi remained where he stood, voice calm. “Please turn back, everyone.”

“Why can’t we enter? It’s not like we’re late!” Tan Xiao was indignant. “There’s still hours to go! What gives you the right to stop us!”

Teacher Cheng looked at Shen Mo in distress. “Little Shen, what do we do… Weiwei’s in there alone, oh, what do we do…”

Pan Xiaoxin stared at the glowing square and pressed his lips tightly together.

Shen Mo walked up to Tu Shenshi and looked directly into its eyes, his dark gaze unwavering. “You know perfectly well she’s in there alone. Hasn’t the inspector always prided itself on absolute fairness? Is this the kind of unfair contest you want to see?”

Tu Shenshi looked at Shen Mo for a long moment.

Shen Mo’s voice was resolute. “We are entering this battle.”

Tan Xiao immediately chimed in behind him. “That’s right! We’re entering! We’re entering!”

Teacher Cheng: “Inspector, please make an exception — a King cannot go to war without subjects.”

Pan Xiaoxin: “As long as the game hasn’t started yet, going in now doesn’t break any rules.”

Tu Shenshi was silent for a long while. Then it stepped aside, and sighed quietly. “I hope you won’t regret this.”

…

Inside the battle arena, Bai Youwei asked Villard, “If you win, what is your wish?”

“That…” Villard smiled. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It doesn’t matter?” Bai Youwei raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying you have no wish?”

“For me, this game itself has already been the greatest reward.” Villard spoke slowly. “I was originally incarcerated at Pelican Bay State Prison in California. At the very moment before my execution, the prison guards around me turned into puppets. So you see — the Doll Game itself has already fulfilled my wish.”

—