Chapter 327: 327 Puzzling
"Why didn’t you force me out of the game?" Lin Bai asked.
"I dare not." Zheng Tong looked at the shadow on the French window, voicing his frustration. "If I’d forced you out of the game, who knows what you would do with my body?"
"Little Zheng, since I possessed you, your IQ has obviously improved a lot!" Lin Bai laughed. "You’re even starting to consider the bigger picture."
"Bullshit about the bigger picture; I just don’t trust you," Zheng Tong retorted irritably. "By staying in my body, even if you’re possessing me, at least I know what I’m doing. It’s better than being ruined by you for no reason. Just moments ago, I was desperately wishing you’d stay in the game and never come out. The mere thought of a man living inside me makes me feel sick..."
Under the Truth-telling Technique.
Zheng Tong didn’t bother to lie; he simply said what he thought without considering Lin Bai’s feelings.
"Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it," Lin Bai said. "I’m a very charming person. You’ll enjoy many things you couldn’t before when I’m in control of your body.
We’re both young; I know what you’re worried about. You know how outstanding the women I have in the game are. So, I’m not interested in the things you’ll do when you’re dating and getting married. If you feel like it, you can tell me in advance. I’ll enter the game early to avoid it, ensuring it won’t be awkward for either of us."
Zheng Tong seemed to think of something and suddenly said, "Don’t mess around with my body..."
Lin Bai didn’t want to waste any more time; he used his Mind Reading Ability to directly articulate his plan: "I have decided to play the game in your stead..."
After hearing Lin Bai’s plan, Zheng Tong was furious.
Not only was his body occupied, but he had now also lost his freedom to play games.
"If you use my body to play the game, what will I do?" Zheng Tong shouted at his own shadow. That was the only way he could feel like he was having a conversation with someone else and not like a lunatic talking to himself.
"When I’m gaming, you can watch my live broadcast offline. This way, you can directly understand what I’m doing, which is most beneficial for both of us. After all, you’re running around all over this world, shuttling between the game and reality. If someone discovers this, your cover would easily be blown," Lin Bai said. "Of course, I realize this isn’t fair to you. So, once we’re sure it’s safe, you can move freely in the real world. Whenever I need to be in reality, you can return to the game to unwind."
"So, I’m just your puppet, is that it!" Zheng Tong said gloomily.
"Zheng Tong, don’t undervalue yourself," Lin Bai countered. "You know what my puppets look like. They don’t even have consciousness. But you not only have your own consciousness but also freedom of movement. To be precise, we are partners. Moreover, I’m the one doing the work, and you’re the one enjoying it..."
"Enjoy my ass! I used to find joy in playing games, but now I have nothing left," Zheng Tong lamented, thinking about how miserable his life would be.
"Zheng Tong, think about my capabilities. When I rise to the pinnacle of power, I can’t be shuttling between two worlds all the time. You’ve seen my style long enough; it shouldn’t be hard to mimic, right?" Lin Bai said. "Don’t belittle the role of a substitute; they can also hold great power."
"You’re highly capable, but you’re equally capable of stirring up trouble!" Zheng Tong, who could only tell the truth now, was a perfect contrarian.
"Once we’re in high positions, you’ll have more resources at your disposal. At that time, wouldn’t it be more convenient for you to attempt to overthrow me or, borrowing my authority, scheme against me?" Lin Bai presented his trump card. "After all, I carry out all my duties under your name. In the eyes of others, you are the capable one. One must endure hardship to rise above others. What’s a little temporary endurance and humiliation?"
Holy shit!
Zheng Tong was suddenly unable to utter a word. He couldn’t have imagined that Lin Bai would offer such a justification.
He suddenly remembered what Lin Bai had quoted from *Das Kapital*: "Capital comes dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and dirt..." Lin Bai was no less than capital! To gain his support, he would even betray himself and then guide him on how to resist? Was this guy even human? He’s truly an Evil Spirit descended upon the world! In other words, was he truly qualified to be an enemy of someone like that?
Zheng Tong was sweating profusely, hurriedly saying, "No, Alliance Hierarch Lin, I will absolutely never betray you."
Under the Truth-telling Technique, he spoke from the bottom of his heart.
At least at that moment, Lin Bai had scared him stiff.
[Fear from Zheng Tong; +1+1+1...]
"Don’t be scared. Everything I’ve done has been out in the open. I’m best at turning enemies into friends, and I’ve never harmed my own people." Lin Bai assumed a saintly aura, reassuring Zheng Tong’s trembling heart with a beaming smile. "Come, come, come, tell me all about your social connections in reality and in the game..."
...
After clarifying Zheng Tong’s social connections, Lin Bai returned to the Blood Sect with Luo Xue and the others.
「The main gate of the Blood Sect.」
[Silver], [Black Sheep], [Deepdiving Fish], [Wilderness Wolf], and the others came forward to welcome them, vigilantly watching He Qin and his group while silently mobilizing Players to surround them.
"Old Shock, what’s going on?" [Black Sheep] asked in a private chat. "Why no messages for so long? What about Lin Bai’s Divided God? What’s this about Body Snatching?"
"Old Horse, it’s a long story. Let’s just say I’ve been successfully possessed!" Lin Bai replied. "I pretended to be successfully body-snatched by Lin Bai. Now Luo Xue and the others all think I am Lin Bai, returned to the Justice League to seize power."
"So are you Lin Bai or Old Shock?" [Silver] asked suspiciously. Lin Bai’s invincible reputation was too profound, making him extra cautious about anything related to Lin Bai.
"Nonsense! If Players can be body-snatched by NPCs, what’s the point of playing the game!" Lin Bai scolded. "Old Horse, Old Fish, have everyone cooperate with me. From now on, I am Lin Bai, who has successfully performed the Body Snatching. Under Lin Bai’s identity, we can temporarily intimidate the Seven Orthodox Sects and Five Demon Sects, buying us more time to develop."
It was a long, tongue-twisting explanation.
"So, you are Sky Falcon now, but you have to pretend to be Lin Bai?" [Black Sheep] asked.
"Yes." Lin Bai nodded.
"How did you make them believe you?" [Deepdiving Fish] suddenly asked.
"After being possessed by Lin Bai’s Divided God, I mastered some of Lin Bai’s Law Skills. Coupled with the memory loss that occurs after Divine Soul Possession, they believed me immediately." Lin Bai looked at the people present and added them to a group chat.
"What?"
"You’ve mastered Laws?"
"Really?"
Several voices chimed in at once. [Silver] and the others looked at Lin Bai in shock.
SNAP!
Lin Bai snapped his fingers.
The belts of [Silver], [Wilderness Wolf], [Black Sheep], and others automatically flew out, suspending them in midair. Lin Bai glared coldly at the crowd and said, "Is this how you welcome your Alliance Hierarch?"
Luo Xue and the others suddenly froze.
What’s happening? Wasn’t he supposed to return as a Descended from the Heavens? Why the self-reveal at the doorway!
But recalling Lin Bai’s usual behavior, they fell silent, quietly observing. With Alliance Hierarch Lin, sudden changes of orders were perfectly normal.
...
Bind the Immortal suddenly appeared.
Players who hadn’t overheard the conversation stood frozen, staring bewilderedly at Sky Falcon at the Sect’s entrance, utterly shocked.
"What’s going on?"
"Was the Body Snatching successful?"
"Can NPCs really take over Players?"
"If Lin Bai has control over a Player’s body, can he overhear our private chats?"
"Wouldn’t that make Lin Bai immortal too?"
...
The natives from Hundred Flower Valley and Spirit Artifact Pavilion, who were cornered and cut off by numerous Players, were immensely excited.
"Alliance Hierarch, you’ve finally returned!"
"These Descended from the Heavens have been behaving atrociously! Many Disciples have been brutally slain by them! You must avenge us!"
...
Members of the Supporting Group frowned deeply as they watched the body-snatched Lin Bai, in Sky Falcon’s guise, use Bind the Immortal.
"Is this guy Lin Bai?"
"Suddenly, I’m so disappointed. He’s not handsome at all."
"If he is Lin Bai, I might stop being a fan."
"What Lin Bai? It’s just an avatar taken over by our Alliance Hierarch’s Body Snatching. Our Alliance Hierarch is still in the Heavenly Tribulation!"
"Exactly! We’re fans of Lin Bai, not his avatar."
"But it’s so annoying that he’s impersonating Alliance Hierarch Lin!"
...
"Damn, it’s actually real!"
"Is this the correct way to obtain a hidden Skill?"
"Son of a bitch, why wasn’t I the one who got possessed!"
"A Player’s Undying Body, combined with Lin Bai’s Laws! Sky Falcon, you’re freaking awesome!"
"What other Laws do you know?"
"Can you do Lin Bai’s taunt?"
"Can you use Metamorphosis Butterfly?"
"What about Magpie Bridge?"
...
[Black Sheep] and the others, still hanging in the air, chattered excitedly.
"I can do most of them," Lin Bai replied, "but there are flaws; they work inconsistently. I explained to Luo Xue and the others that it’s a side effect of the Body Snatching."
He had to make some preparations for Zheng Tong to take over the body. After all, Zheng Tong wouldn’t possess these Laws when he logged in.
"What do you mean by ’inconsistently’?" [Black Sheep] asked.
"Exactly what it sounds like," Lin Bai replied. "Maybe the game developers don’t want Players to master such powerful Skills. Otherwise, another Lin Bai would appear, and it would be too unfair to the NPCs."
"That’s a possibility." [Black Sheep] looked intently at Lin Bai. "So, how should we proceed with the act?"
"Treat me as Lin Bai," Lin Bai said, looking around at everyone. "Given Lin Bai’s personality, he would never be subordinate to anyone. So, on the surface, you’ll all have to treat me as your superior."
"If you’ve really mastered Lin Bai’s Skills, the Players’ strategy in the game might need to change. It’s highly likely we’ll have to strategize around you. I need to consult with the higher-ups," [Deepdiving Fish] said.
"As you should." Lin Bai nodded. "Then tonight, let me improvise. The king has returned; Lin Bai can’t just do nothing! You all need to play along with me in a show."
"No problem." They exchanged glances and agreed.
[Black Sheep] looked at Lin Bai and said to [Deepdiving Fish], "Fish, create a group chat for all our people and tell them to cooperate with Sky Falcon."
...
Lin Bai glanced at everyone and walked through the crowd. Wherever he passed, regardless of gender, all Players’ belts automatically flew out, binding them and hoisting them into the air.
Luo Xue and the others followed him, suddenly feeling that this Lin Bai was the normal one; being Undercover was utterly unsuitable for him.
"Members of the Supporting Group, form one unit! Original members of the Beggar Gang, form another unit! All Cultivators, excluding those Descended from the Heavens, gather and form a third unit! From now on, I don’t want to see any more fighting." Lin Bai flashed into the air, looking down from above. "Anyone who dares to make a move again will be killed without mercy!"
Everyone scrambled to obey.
Lin Bai looked down.
All the fallen members of the Justice League transformed into butterflies. These butterflies fluttered around and voluntarily joined the ranks of the native Cultivators.
"Assign some people to clean up the Sect. All high-ranking members of the Justice League, follow me to the main hall for a meeting. I was only in the Heavenly Tribulation for a few days, and the Justice League no longer seems to be mine?" Lin Bai reprimanded, then flashed again, appearing at the entrance to the main hall. He strode inside.
He Qin and the others followed closely.
...
"Could he really have been body-snatched by Lin Bai?" [Deepdiving Fish] muttered. "Does Sky Falcon possess such an imposing aura?"
"Not only does he lack this aura, but he also lacks such eloquence," [Black Sheep] frowned. "His thoughts are too clear, and he seized the initiative in just a few words."
"Are you saying Lin Bai has returned in the guise of a Player?" [Wilderness Wolf] asked. "But he was clearly talking to us through private chat just now. If NPCs could hear our private chats, that would be terrifying. Besides, he clearly knows we are Players."
"Can NPCs really take over Players?" [Silver] asked.
"What if this is a real world?" [Black Sheep] said. "I feel something isn’t quite right. Report what just happened to Yuan Zong and see what he says. And back in reality, have someone investigate Sky Falcon. Ask him directly what’s going on. A person can’t change this drastically..."
"Old Horse, have you ever considered what would happen if Old Shock really was taken over by Lin Bai?" [Deepdiving Fish] said. "The ultraviolet light is already useless, and Lin Bai still has his Way of Laws. We have no way to deal with him."
"Let’s investigate thoroughly first. We need to figure out Old Shock’s actual situation," [Black Sheep] said. "He can’t perform Body Snatching in reality, can he? Even if the one inside is really Lin Bai, if he’s willing to play with us as a Player, we’ll play along. As Players, we should always fight for Players’ benefits, right?"
"Old Horse, subconsciously, you’ve already accepted that the one inside is the real Lin Bai," [Deepdiving Fish] shook his head and said. "If a Player is truly body-snatched by an NPC, forget about playing along. The severity of this incident is enough to disrupt our entire strategy in the game world."
...
「The real world.」
Zheng Tong watched the awe-inspiring Lin Bai on the video feed, a bitter smile on his face. "Big brother, are you kidding me? I’m just a minor director; how could I possibly be so impressive? You’re just trying to get me killed, aren’t you!"