At this point, based on the known information, Xing Ye speculated that there were two causes of his brother Xing Shuo's death.
The first one is that he most likely chose the fate-obeying camp. Xing Ye believed that with his brother's ability, he could definitely reach the final level with an overwhelming force, and then become a prop like a mirror, fall into someone's hands, and be destroyed.
The second type is like the city lord's son, who becomes a victim of a special item, and this special item may also be the incarnation of a player who obeys his fate.
As a player who obeys fate, even if you actively clear the level, in the end you will only become a prop.
If you are lucky enough, you can follow him like a small mirror and meet a conscientious player who will not use him to kill people or hurt him.
If one is a little less lucky, that pocket watch will become the tool of murder.
The game system is full of malice towards players, but it has its own order and will not harm players' lives. The only ones who can kill are humans themselves.
Of course, all of this could just be Xing Ye's random guesses. The facts are not like that. The pocket watch is really just a special prop, and the city lord's son is not really dead.
If we want to verify it, we need to get the answer from Randy.
However, based on Xing Ye's understanding of the existing clues, his previous guess is 80% correct, unless new clues emerge.
Xing Ye thought, he must keep pondering and searching for evidence, seeking the only hope amidst despair. But the more he pondered, the clearer he became, and the more rationally he could perceive the cruel truth.
He is too smart, too smart to pretend to be stupid.
Mirror simply opened his arms and held the fragile-looking little puppet in his arms. This was the only thing he could do now.
It's great to have a body in this world. At least he doesn't have to watch Xing Ye sad and be unable to comfort him.
I don't know how long I stayed in this position. The little wooden puppet, who had been silent in the darkness, suddenly said, "During this time participating in the game, I gradually discovered a hidden rule of challenging fate. That is, no matter how harsh the conditions, the game will never actively kill the player. It gives players despair, but always leaves a glimmer of hope in despair. So I believe that as long as you are still alive, there will definitely be a way to leave the game and return to your body.
I don't know how to do that yet, but as long as I keep participating and as long as I keep winning, I'll get the answer one day."
"I..." Little Mirror wanted to say, why are you so good to me? You've never forced me to do anything, protected me from harm to the best of your ability, helped me visit my family and check on my health in the real world, and now you're helping me get out of the game and back to my body.
Although Jingzi didn't ask, Xing Ye guessed what he didn't say and responded proactively, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I'm doing this not just for you, but for myself as well. Not only do you have to leave this game, but I have to too. I can't let myself be restricted by the game and be trapped in this world forever."
On the way to the final stage, we'll get more information, which will surely lead to a way to recovery. This is a bonus, like additional questions on an exam, and challenging difficult tasks is my passion."
Also, Xing Shuo died in the game without Xing Ye's knowledge. It had already happened, and Xing Ye couldn't turn back time. He was powerless. But at least, the mirror was still alive.
In such a difficult and harsh situation, the mirror still maintains itself and lives with strength and optimism.
If Lu Mingze didn't give up on himself, then Xing Ye wouldn't give up on him either.
At least, let him save one person.
Xing Ye felt as if something was gripping his chest tightly, causing him to throb with pain. It was a dull pain, so dull that he couldn't feel it unless he thought deeply about it.
He put his hand on his chest, but did not feel his heart beating; he put his hand under his eyes, but did not touch the cold tears.
Puppets don't have tears. There is no water in their bodies, so they can't shed tears even if they are sad.
In such a world, Xing Ye can be vulnerable without worry. Even his expression won't change, and no one can notice his helplessness.
There was only a mirror with true eyes. In such a dark night, even though it was unable to protect itself, it still held him firmly.
As the sky gradually brightened, Xing Ye stood up in the sunlight and said to the mirror, "Let's go to the repair shop. After paying off the debt today, I'll take good care of you. You will become the most beautiful mirror in all of Puppet City."
"Okay!" The mirror held Xing Ye's hand tightly, as if it had never experienced the darkness of this night.
Two puppets, one tall and one short, carrying sacks for collecting waste and covered with sackcloth, walked towards Old Nick's repair shop under the sunlight.
Xing Ye turned his head to look at the mirror. At this time, the sunlight shone on the mirror, and the bright light reflected into Xing Ye's eyes, which was a little dazzling for a moment.
The mirror is so bright, Xing Ye thought to himself.
The repair shop was closed today, so Little Nick Guan Ling let Xing Ye and Jingzi in through the back door. Old Nick was waiting for them.
As soon as he saw Xing Ye, Old Nick immediately said, "What did you see in the mine? This brat said he was too scared to go in, and you were the only one who brought back a bag of raw ore. Did you...see something different?"
Guan Ling was afraid that he couldn't guess Old Nick's real purpose, so he didn't dare to say anything and waited for Xing Ye to solve it.
Xing Ye calmly placed the sack on the table and opened it. He counted out five large chunks of raw ore and said to Old Nick, "This should be enough to pay off the debt that Stickman and I owe you."
"The debt is not important. What's important is what you saw in the mine!" Old Nick was so angry that steam began to come out of the pores under his nose, blowing his beard up.
Xing Ye sat leisurely on the chair and said to Guan Ling, "Wound up your father. His energy is being consumed too quickly."
Guan Ling held back his laughter and found the spring on Old Nick's back and started winding it up.
Old Nick was so angry that he pushed him away, picked up a musket, pointed it at Xing Ye and said, "Are you kidding me?"
He thought he could threaten Xing Ye, but a short figure flashed in front of Old Nick, and the musket disappeared, appearing in the hands of the stickman with welded iron sheets.
"A stick figure actually managed to snatch the weapon from me! I examined you yesterday. You can't be that strong, nor that fast. Did someone help you transform yesterday?" Old Nick turned his attention to Cao Qian, staring at her intently. "Who did you meet in the mine?"
Cao Qian didn't say anything, and Xing Ye didn't say anything either. They were waiting to see Old Nick's attitude.
"Who else besides Master Benedict could have the technology to allow a stick figure to break through the limitations of his body's materials?" Old Nick excitedly hugged Cao Qian's two thin arms. "Tell me, did you see the master? Did the master help you transform your body?"
His attitude did not seem to be hostile towards Benedict.
Old Nick's name comes from half of Benedict. He has been serving everyone in Puppet City according to the identity set for him by the master, and it has never changed over the years.
Xing Ye thought for a moment and said, "We saw a group of people with such badges on them."
He asked Old Nick for a pen and drew the badge on the puppet corpse he saw in the mine.
Those puppets were sent by the city lord.