Chapter 138: Your Scheme Has Been Seen Through

Wolf self-stabbing? Hiding in the police lineup? Faking a power role? Soft-aligning?

Chen Fan mentally parsed the logic behind questioning Kongming and realized it didn’t quite hold up. The opponent in the late position could have easily jumped as a power role to secure votes, yet Zhuge did not; he merely raised concerns about their speaking patterns.

Chen Fan then reviewed the voting patterns. Players 2, 7, and 8 had voted for 12 (Zhao Yun). Setting aside player 2, if these individuals were aligned with Zhao Yun, there would be three late-position wolves; they should have been able to swing the vote regardless. By that logic, at least 7 and 12 were not acquainted.

Guan Yu spoke up: "I am a player who judges based on testimony. The speech from player 3 (Second Brother) during the police phase was indeed poor, but his performance in the post-police phase met my expectations. I want to hear from player 9 next. Regardless, it is not my turn to be voted out, and I insist on a death match between the two seers. That is all. Pass."

"My reason for voting for 3 is simple: I just trust him more as the seer. What else is there to say? As a commoner, I am definitely tearing up the police badge this round. The water was muddy before, but now everything is exposed. I couldn't help but take a side; I am supporting player 3 this round."

Player 9, Mr. Phoenix Fledgling, stood in direct opposition to the Wolong camp, with the two sides clearly divided.

"Continuing to abstain. Pass," player 10, Fa Zheng, said dismissively.

"Huh? How is it my turn so quickly?" Player 11 was clearly unprepared and stumbled over their words.

"Why is it a girl's voice? Isn't this outfit supposed to be for a man?" Chen Fan was distracted by the sound of the indignant pout.

"Oh... oh, you all just pick your sides. I, this young lady, will continue to observe." Player 11, Sun Shangxiang, ended her turn abruptly.

"Let's start with the arrangements: vote out 3, and I will inspect 2 tonight. Players 4 and 9 are most likely the two wolves. If 2 is not a wolf, then either 7 or 8 must be a hook-wolf," player 12, Zhao Yun, said with clear logic, cutting straight to the core of the problem.

"In an idiot-variant game, it's easier to create a 'diamond wolf.' Since player 2 is so desperate for me to inspect him, I will oblige. The testimonies of 4 and 9 are completely unacceptable to me. Actually, it would have been better if your wolf team had sent them to backstab me to lower my credibility—at least the formation wouldn't have collapsed. If you believe I am the seer, vote out 3 today. I will take you all on a fast track to victory."

"Alright, that is all. Speaking concluded. Directing votes to player 3." Zhao Yun confidently held up three fingers.

"Is it really going to be this smooth? I hope we don't crash on this fast track."

Chen Fan paused. On the first day, someone had to be voted out between the two seers. Based on the logic and the alignments, Zhao Yun’s team did indeed appear cleaner.

While he was caught in his hesitation, Chen Fan accidentally missed the voting window. Players 1, 7, 8, and 12 voted for 3, while 2, 3, 4, and 9 voted for 12. Since 12 held the police badge, 3 was voted out by a margin of 0.5 votes.

"Why were you joining in the chaos, player 1? Wouldn't it have been better to play the peacemaker? Even player 2 aligned back, and you, player 1, played the fool at a critical moment. Now we are behind in turns; it’s all down to the witch now."

As Zhang Fei spoke, his face grew darker. After a moment of thought, he decided to add, "If the sheriff just randomly votes out another commoner during the day, those four wolves will have us locked in, and the good guys won't stand a chance."

"Oh my, did I vote for the wrong person? I can't be getting eliminated in the first round of the qualifiers, can I?" Chen Fan sat frozen, lost in thought.

...

"Man, this river is truly long. I got lost halfway through."

Mo Zhihang crawled onto the shore with difficulty, flopping onto his back like a salted fish to gaze at the stars.

"Alright, time's up. Let's go, time to continue the match." Chen Fan checked the sky; it was time for battle again. He hoped he wouldn't board the wrong vehicle this time.

When Kongming looked at Guan Yu beside him, he noticed his gear looked even more pathetic—not only was his blade gone, but his beautiful beard was missing too. He asked, "Yunchang, where is your beard?"

"Hahaha, the past is too painful to recall. I found it bothersome, so I had someone trim it short," Guan Yu said with a stiff smile. He had lost his Green Dragon Crescent Blade the night before, and in a desperate attempt to win it back, he had ended up wagering his beard as well.

Yunchang winked and whispered, "Strategist, do you have any star-calculating abilities? Could you help me out tonight?"

"I don't know, I've never used them. I'll accompany you to see tonight," Mo Zhihang replied, though he wasn't certain himself.

Chen Fan still held his poison. To be honest, he had considered trying to balance the game the previous night, but he hesitated. If they were truly on a "fast track," it wouldn't be great to secretly sabotage someone's backup plan.

"Oh, the tiger tally is in my hands, hehe." Guan Yu took the police badge with glee. The seat for player 12 was already empty.

"Player 9, speak." Guan Yu didn't even have to think; he had his plan.

"You... are you all trying to frame me as a wolf? I only aligned with player 3. Now that I look at it, player 12 must have been the true seer. Who can guarantee they never make a mistake? I’ve aligned back now. Whoever the sheriff says to vote out, I’ll follow."

The Phoenix Fledgling's tone was noticeably weaker; with his patron gone, his confidence had waned, and he was clearly trying to curry favor with the sheriff.

"Isn't it obvious who we should vote out? If you believe 12 is the seer, then vote out 2. He’s in the sheriff's investigation flow. It seems we can take the fast track this round; let's take out 2, then 4 and 9 in order. Pass, pass, pass."

"Hmm? I haven't quite figured out what's going on, but if you say vote out 2, then let's vote out 2." Sun Shangxiang was stunned again, simply following the crowd.

"Beep, fast-track card. Vote out 2. Pass," said player 1, Lu Su.

"This is Zhao Yun intentionally self-stabbing to smear me, you know? Ugh, how do I explain this to you? This Zhao Yun is full of tricks. He first claimed player 8 was a wolf-cleared, then aggressively took out the true seer, player 3, and then self-stabbed to solidify his 'diamond wolf' status. Do you understand? You can't vote me out this round! Player 9’s speech was so bad, why keep him? Vote him out!"

Player 2, Huang Zhong, said everything he could think of, but it was all just a desperate plea for his own innocence.

"I think voting out 9 is fine," player 4 said, offering only a single sentence before passing.

"This wolf team's configuration is truly pitiful. Let's vote out 2. Fast track, let's go. Pass."

Even Chen Fan wasn't fooled by player 2's defense. In an idiot-variant game, if the wolves were already ahead in kills, why would they need to self-stab to protect a diamond wolf? Jumping as a power role on the second day and slaughtering the power roles would be much more stable. Chen Fan gestured a "peace" sign and laughed it off.

"Witch, are you waiting for your poison to mold in your hand? You could splash either 4 or 9. Let's push another one out during the day. The game isn't over yet; don't be a coward until the end and let the poison go to waste."

Wolong pointed out the situation and laid his cards on the table: "I am the Hunter. I don't believe anyone would dare jump out to steal my role now. Take out 2, 4, and 9 as a package deal. We can find the stragglers slowly. The Hunter is here, and I strongly demand we vote out 2."

In contrast, Guan Yu appeared much calmer. He said lightly, "Directing votes to 2. Pass."

The situation swung heavily toward voting out 2. Huang Zhong was voted out without suspense. He looked dejected and muttered, "Ugh, nothing left to say. Nothing matters now. So be it."

"It seems this fast track wasn't the wrong choice. With a few experienced drivers leading the way, we're moving fast." Chen Fan stood up to leave but was suddenly stopped by someone.

"Lord Gongjin, I trust you have been well?" The person bowed and cupped their hands in a salute.

Chen Fan stopped and looked the man up and down. Sensing that familiar aura, he couldn't help but sigh, "Iron shoes are worn out in vain in the search, yet one finds it by chance."