Tokyo: The Player Behind the Scenes

Just as they were about to leave, Dongshan turned around as if he saw something, his face lit up with joy, and he quickly ran back to the station entrance.

Shinichi Higashiyama could see his younger brother approach the two girls, pat his chest, and forcefully hand the umbrella to one of them.

That must be his girlfriend.

She is indeed quite cute; she seems to be the kind of soft and adorable girl.

After all, even elementary school students are dating nowadays, so Shin Higashiyama has always been very open-minded about it, since the concept of early dating doesn't really exist in Japan anyway.

The girl also noticed Higashiyama Shin's gaze, and lowered her head shyly, her ears turning red.

A moment later, Dongshan Du came running back: "Brother, brother, squeeze me in."

Just as Higashiyama Shin was about to ask Ueda Yoshi to subtly enlarge the umbrella a little, Chiba Shion, as if she had been prepared, took a folding umbrella out of her bag and handed it directly to Higashiyama Doku.

“Use this,” she said.

"."

Higashiyama took the umbrella with a strange expression. Just now, she had said that she didn't bring an umbrella. Sure enough, the cold-faced woman's words were not to be trusted.

Higashiyama Shinichi stared straight ahead, looking serious, as if he were studying the relationship between the trajectory of falling rain and the theory of monism.

The three arrived at the school without incident, but the police tape was still in place. Several student council members, looking distressed, held up umbrellas to block the still curious students, preventing them from getting close.

The person leading the group was probably a student council disciplinary committee member. He had caught someone who almost sneaked in and was yelling at them in the rain.

"Bye-Bye."

Dongshan, itching to look around, glanced at them a few more times before saying goodbye to the two and heading towards the teaching building.

Upon entering the teaching building, Higashiyama Shin put his umbrella away. A cloudy day was a good time for Ueda Yoshi to expand his activities. He told Ueda to take a stroll around the old teaching building when he had time and see what new discoveries the detectives had made.

"Leave it to me, brother!" Ueda Yasushi was always happy to be able to help and seemed a little impatient.

He trusted the ghosts to do his job.

"Clubs start recruiting tomorrow, would you like to join another club?"

Arriving at his seat in the classroom, Higashiyama Shin looked outside at the drizzling rain and asked...

"No, I won't add it." Chiba said without hesitation. "What about you?"

"I plan to specialize in archery and video games next."

Chiba looked thoughtful upon hearing this.

Shin Higashiyama has always been very energetic, but now he has not only given up his class position, but his club activities have also started to slow down, in addition to not accepting her badminton invitation last night.

Chiba took out his notebook and wrote something on it.

Just before class started, Nobi Tomoyo hurriedly arrived at the classroom, panting and wearing glasses, with many wet patches on his clothes.

Higashiyama Shinichi glanced at him a few times.

Good, at least it's not a minor disaster today.

Ikeda arrived early today, but came right on time, and then started the morning meeting. The main purpose was to inform everyone that the club recruitment event would start tomorrow and to talk about things to pay attention to after becoming a high school student.

Below the podium, Nobi Tomoyoshi adjusted his worn-out glasses, a notebook sat on the table, and he scribbled on it intermittently.

"The biggest threats to the left platform are known to be poison gas and cultists. If this is the only way through, then we need a way to resist the poison gas or deal with the cultists."

"There is an unknown deadly threat on the right platform, but the train doors to the right platform will not close, so I probably need to find a tool on the right platform that can solve the problem on the left platform."

"Poison gas can be used with gas masks, and fanatics can use weapons and fire-fighting equipment boxes."

"According to the search, there is a chance that the fire equipment box is equipped with a gas mask and a safety hammer. If all else fails, you can use a fire extinguisher to smash or spray it."

Nobi Tomoyoshi endured the throbbing pain in his temples and carefully recalled the clues he had found last night, as well as the ideas he had come up with after searching.

Therefore, tonight's objective is to find the tools from the right-hand platform and successfully avoid the threats of poison gas and fanatics.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but tap on the small screen that had been following his gaze.

[Ranking List (Subway):]

1. Hao

2.Month

3. Wisdom

He's still at the bottom of the rankings.

If it ends like this, his reward will be a health-enhancing pill.

This thing is good, but it's not as good as increasing lifespan or having more game opportunities.

Moreover, there were only three players this time, which is why it was his turn. What if there are five or ten players next time? Wouldn't it be even harder for him to get the top three prize?

"Perhaps I can ask Fujimoto?" Nobi began to consider off-field assistance.

Chapter 35: The Fake Taoist Priest

Southeast University Affiliated Hospital.

Psychiatric

“They reacted very strongly when they arrived at the hospital. They had to be given sedatives last night to fall asleep. When they woke up this morning, they were yelling that there were dark shadows on the curtains and under the bed. It took a long time to calm them down.”

"The one in the best condition right now is Hosokawa, who is just overly frightened. The two injured people have been basically diagnosed with acute stress disorder, and the one with minor injuries has reactive psychosis."

“I recorded everything they said. They were mainly afraid of that charcoal-faced teacher and some incomprehensible gibberish. Now they get stressed whenever they see black. There's a Black communication doctor in the psychiatry department. One student almost jumped out of the window after seeing him, but luckily our people stopped him. It really scared the doctor.”

Shingo Nakajima was clearly kept awake all night by the students' antics. He was smoking in the smoking area with Ryuhei Taimori, and Kurosaki Chimei was also there. Kurosaki Chimei had been much quieter since leaving the house and was now just listening quietly.

Heisei Ryu patted Nakajima on the shoulder: "Go and rest. I'll keep an eye on things here."

“Okay, I won’t be polite.” Nakajima stubbed out his cigarette, rubbed his face, and pointed to a nurse’s room. “I’ll sleep there. Call me if you need anything.”

After Nakajima left, Taira no Ryu arranged for the remaining people to take over the shift, then looked at Kurosaki Chimei, who was stroking his chin and beard as if deep in thought: "Any ideas?"

"Just from his description, you can tell that the survivors were seriously traumatized. Heh, everyone's tolerance for fear is different. Even the scariest haunted house wouldn't dare say it terrifies everyone, but this charred teacher can cause mental breakdowns for those who experienced it. Section Chief Ping, do you still think there's any possibility that this was intentionally created?"

After the outsiders left and he confirmed that there were no surveillance cameras around, Kurosaki Chimei relaxed considerably.

Ping Shenglong shook his head: "Hard to say."

“It’s okay. At least you’re not the kind of stubborn old man who insists on believing in science no matter what happens and refuses to solve cases using scientific methods.”

For someone like Kurosaki Chimei, who firmly believes in the existence of ghost stories and has even spent most of his life pursuing them, it's quite normal for him to disagree with staunch scientific believers.

Ping Shenglong didn't say much.

He only cares about solving cases, whether it's science or metaphysics, as long as it helps solve the case, it's useful.

The reason he sought out Kurosaki was simply because he had no choice but to resort to this method after ruling out numerous scientific methods.

And a vague intuition.

He doesn't rely on intuition to solve cases, because intuition alone cannot provide evidence, but he cannot do without intuition, as it provides him with a sense of security that he won't go in the wrong direction.

"Next, can I meet with the only survivor who is still in good condition?" Kurosaki Chimei pointed to the ward.

Hei Mori Ryu naturally wouldn't refuse, which was why he brought Kurosaki Chimei along – to see if he could glean any unusual clues.

After receiving a nod from Heisei Ryu, Kurosaki rummaged through a tattered cloth bag and pulled out a strange blue robe with various bizarre patterns on it. Heisei Ryu could only make out the dragon patterns.

"This is a Taoist robe, a very precious and inherited set of blue robes."

Kurosaki carefully put on the clothes and tidied them up. He turned around and seemed to have a completely different spirit.

He then took out a bell that looked like a trident on the handle, muttered some incantations, shook it a few times, and made a few clear clanging sounds, as if he was entering some kind of state.

"Ah, may the Heavenly Venerable grant boundless blessings."

“I originally thought you were good at Yin-Yang arts.” Heisei Ryu spoke only after he was ready.

"I don't know Yin-Yang magic, nor have I ever seen it, but Master Zhen has encountered it before, what a pity." A hint of sadness flashed in Kurosaki's eyes as he touched his blue robe, quickly dispelling the emotion. "Can we go in now?"

Heisei Ryu didn't ask any further questions. He opened the door and led Kurosaki into Hosokawa's hospital room.

Hosokawa sat blankly on the bed, seemingly lost in thought. Even during the day, the room was brightly lit. The windows of the ward were locked to prevent him from jumping out.

Upon seeing the two enter, he trembled, fear quickly flashed across his face, and his mouth opened as if he were about to scream.

"Hey! What kind of monster dares to wreak havoc on the world?!"

Unexpectedly, Kurosaki Chimei shouted even faster than him, leaping out from behind Heiseiryuu, waving his blue robe, shaking the Three Pure Ones Bell in his hand, his eyes wide like copper bells, and pointing his finger at Hosokawa with a sword-like gesture, leaving Hosokawa stunned.

Fear got stuck halfway, only to be kicked away by bewilderment.

"My Taoist name is Lei Loumu. I sensed a strong evil aura in this place, and sure enough, as soon as I entered, I saw that your face was dark and your brows were filled with a lingering demonic energy. You must have encountered some unclean demon!"

To be honest, Kurosaki's disheveled face, his half-length hair, combined with his respectable blue robes and magical artifacts, gave him a rather mysterious air when he put on a serious face.

Hosokawa was dumbfounded, and it took him a few seconds to react.

"Master, save me!!"

Kurosaki circled him and examined him carefully from head to toe.

Are you feeling restless, experiencing double vision, or having some slurred speech?

"Yes, it really does seem like it!" Hosokawa said, sounding a little unsure.

"The eyes belong to the wood element of the liver, and the tongue belongs to the fire element of the heart. Fire ignites wood, which is extremely dangerous—let me do a quick calculation. That's right, the demon that harmed you must be related to fire!" Kurosaki said with certainty.

"Master fortune teller! Please, please save me!! Waaaaah, I don't want to be strangled to death like Boss Inoue!!"

Hosokawa was shocked to hear this and grabbed Kurosaki's hand, almost kneeling down to hug his leg.

Ping Shenglong silently closed the door tightly, fearing that his image among his subordinates would be tarnished.

“It’s a bit difficult, but not impossible. I need you to tell me everything exactly as it happened, without any deception. Otherwise, if the spell goes wrong, you will be dragged by that demon into an inescapable volcanic hell, where you will be roasted alive by the flames!”

"I'll talk, I'll talk!" Seeing how serious the consequences were, Hosokawa nodded frantically, his face filled with fear.

Kurosaki nodded in satisfaction, pulled out a plastic cup from somewhere, took a sip of water, casually placed the cup on the table, then closed his eyes, held a bell in his left hand above his eyebrows, and shook it from side to side, while his right thumb and forefinger were together and the other three fingers were upright.

He suddenly opened his eyes and sprayed the water he had just been holding onto Hosokawa's bewildered face.

"The immortal path values ​​life, and its boundless salvation brings immeasurable blessings. How does it feel? Don't you suddenly feel refreshed?" Kurosaki asked seriously.

Hosokawa wiped the water from his cheeks and nodded blankly, "Yeah, yeah, I don't know why, but I suddenly feel much more refreshed and less scared!"

Ping Shenglong remained silent, as if watching two mental patients discuss their conditions.

"We must not be careless; this is only a temporary suppression. Take advantage of this time to recount everything that happened that night." Kurosaki's expression remained serious.

Hosokawa didn't dare to be negligent. He quickly wiped the water off his face and then recounted the events of that day in detail.

From Inoue's plan, to the afternoon's arrangements, to the evening's gathering, and Sato's disappearance.

Chapter 36: Unraveling the Mystery (4k)

"That's it, Master, Master, look, is there any hope for me?"

Hosokawa finished speaking in one breath, his mouth dry but unwilling to drink water, and immediately asked Kurosaki Chimi expectantly.

Kurosaki Chimei stared at the phone that had finished converting speech to text, his brows furrowed, and he stroked his short beard, making Hosokawa almost stop breathing.

"Thank goodness." Kurosaki plucked a beard hair and stared at Hosokawa. "That demon was powerful, but it was confined to that school building. Think about it, after leaving that school building, you haven't encountered any danger. What you've encountered is basically just an illusion."

Hosokawa thought about it carefully, then nodded vigorously and hurriedly, faster than a pile driver.

"The reason you still have hallucinations is that the evil spirit of the demon has attached itself to your own evil thoughts, which is why you still have hallucinations, like a lingering ghost, disturbing your mind."

Kurosaki's words were full of confidence.

"Then, what should I do, Master?!" Hosokawa seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to understand, and quickly asked.

"Easy to handle."

Kurosaki rummaged around for a moment, took out a talisman, folded it, and flicked it. The talisman instantly burst into flames, and he threw it into the glass of water he had just been drinking. He pointed at it and said, "Drink it."

Hosokawa didn't ask why, picked up the water glass, closed his eyes, tilted his head back and gulped it down, then nervously continued to watch Kurosaki.

Kurosaki nodded in satisfaction: "This talisman can protect you from this calamity for now, but what about the days to come?"

"What will the days be like after that?!"

"From now on, you need to do good deeds and accumulate virtue, and stop doing bad things. In this way, the evil thoughts in your body will naturally dissipate, and the meager curse left by the demon will have no effect on you."