“It makes no sense for III-9 to use a prop to block his codename after the tour ends.”
This was the first thing Bai Xiaosheng said after returning to his tour party’s base, “If he wanted to use it, he should have used it when he had started on the tour.”
Moments ago, Wang Pengpai and the others had just returned to the Travel Services and settled Miao Fangfei and others in his tour party’s base. Mao Xiaole had interrogated them, while Bai Xiaosheng had interrogated Wang Pengpai.
During the tour, III-9’s livestream screen had been blocked most of the time. Even if Bai Xiaosheng could infer the general actions III-9 had taken from the actions of others, when he heard what had happened from Wang Pengpai, Bai Xiaosheng was able to have a clearer picture of what occurred.
Wang Pengpai hadn’t managed to catch III-9, and hadn’t brought back Yu Hehui either. He had even lost the climbing rope. Hence, his heart was filled with guilt, and worked hard to wash himself of the feeling of guilt by racking his brain to explain what had happened from the moment he had gotten on the tour bus. He spoke in extra detail, and he had even described the clothes “III-9” had worn in a clear and detailed manner.
After all, Wang Pengpai once sat with him.
“White hair, sunglasses, hat, mask, windbreaker, fingerless gloves, his clothes basically covered all of his skin. He was dressed like a vampire from the Blood Church Alliance.”
Wang Pengpai felt depressed as he recalled what happened. “It’s very strange. When I first got on the bus, I had thought that something was wrong with this boy. I had subconsciously thought that he must be III-9.”
“Since when did you think that he was III-9?”
“I began to feel this when he wore the bronze mask.”
Wang Pengpai shook his head. “Even Lin Xi hadn’t acknowledged that he was III-9 before that.”
“Didn’t he wear a mask when he had first gotten on the bus?”
“No.”
Wang Pengpai touched his chin and added, “But before wearing the mask, he showed characteristics people with the ‘Analgesic’ title would have, which frightened Lin Xi.”
Then Wang Pengpai told Bai Xiaosheng everything that had happened on the bus in detail. After all, the livestream had started after they had arrived at Wuluo mountain. Before that, no one knew what had happened except the tourists.
“He must have used a prop that could change his codename.”
Bai Xiaosheng said, “The title of the livestream room showed that the tour guide was III-9, and the tour information listing that ‘Tour Guide III-9’ led the tour has not changed.”
Codename changing props belonged to a special type of prop that could hide a tour guide’s identity. Such props that could shield the tour guides’ identities could be used to hide the tour guide’s codename on the tour information. Some could change their own codename to another tour guide’s codename, and even modify the title of the livestream room.
But they were usually used by tour guides above Gold-rank.
This was because, firstly, the props used for hiding codenames were very rare and expensive, and the financial resources of ordinary tour guides were sufficient for them to purchase these props. Secondly, after shielding your codename, if you used a title everyone associated with your true identity, others could recognize your identity with just a glance. Essentially, this meant it would be meaningless for you to use the prop.
Therefore, the tour guides who often hid their codenames basically had a second set of titles, or even a third set of titles they used when they used such a prop to hide their identity.
Titles were more rare and precious than points. Many tour guides couldn’t even collect one title, let alone a set of titles, so this method was almost only used by veteran tour guides.
Bai Xiaosheng had two guesses.
First, III-9 was still III-9. This guess was accepted by many people. As Bai Xiaosheng said in his post, a codename was the “ID card” of a tour guide. In addition, Lin Xi, who had travelled with III-9 for many times, firmly believed in III-9 and could confirm III-9’s identity.
However, everyone in the Return tour party knew that III-9 had been killed by An Xuefeng. This was a very confidential matter, so only a few elites in the team knew about it.
Therefore, the first guess was not possible.
Thus, only the second guess was possible. Someone had pretended to be III-9.
And the identity of this person was very important.
From Wang Pengpai’s description, Bai Xiaosheng could confirm that this person had used the prop sometime between when he had a conflict with Lin Xi and when he had said, “Hello, tourists. I’m the Tour Guide of this tour, III-9.”
And the truth was that this person wasn’t III-9, as everyone had assumed. Furthermore, this person hadn’t hiddn his codename when he had completed the task of opening the new scenic spot.
“He made full preparations.”
Bai Xiaosheng said, “The captain killed III-9 before the start of the tour. This person must have known that III-9 died. He had the ability to insert himself into the tour, prepared props to hide his identity in advance, and even prepared props that held similar functions to III-9’s titles.”
Fatty Wang said sadly, “In fact, I felt that something was wrong several times during the tour, but I didn’t know what was wrong. I constantly felt that this person was III-9.”
Bai Xiaosheng shook his head. “He should have had props that hold the ability to alter the rules. I tried to record the appearance of ‘III-9,’ but what was recorded was the real III-9’s appearance.”
“Motherfucker,” Fatty Wang was stunned and said, “I’ve never heard of such props. This, this, isn’t the Travel Services…”
Halfway through, he shut his mouth and dared not go on.
“I have never heard of such a prop.”
But Bai Xiaosheng said, “The first guess is impossible, and the probability of the second guess is also very low. If the second guess is the truth, ‘III-9’ is definitely closely related to that person or is that person’s puppet.”
“If III-9 is that person’s puppet, only he would know that his puppet had been killed by the captain instantly. With his ability, he may have had time to arrange all this.”
III-9 was dead. Although that man was busy with that matter, Bai Xiaosheng is sure that he would definitely stir up some trouble again soon.
Everyone in the Return tour party unanimously agreed with this fact. Besides that, it was also the main reason why Wang Pengpai’s strength had been sealed when he had snuck into the Intoxicating Xiangxi tour.
It was about three months or so before the year-end celebration, but there had been no news of a 30th parallel north tour opening this year. In particular, this sub-region did not have a 30th parallel north tour. This had made the vast majority of powerful veterans speculate that the location of the tour this year would be in this sub-region.
The task of opening up a 30th parallel north tour would only appear on super difficult level tours, such as Intoxicating Xiangxi or the tomb in Japan’s devil sea, the Bermuda Triangle. Therefore, all the super difficult tours in the Asia region had received the attention of many people. This was also the reason why An Xuefeng had personally killed III-9 after confirming that III-9 would lead a tour in Intoxicating Xiangxi.
The right to open up a 30th parallel north tour must not fall into the hands of the Slaughterer Alliance. Otherwise, they would not have dealt with III-9 so quickly. After all, III-9 was the only confirmed puppet who had close contact with that man. Only by laying a long line could they catch a big fish.
After An Xuefeng killed III-9, a new “III-9” appeared in the tour group, and this person had basically inherited all the titles of the original III-9. One could only think that it was that man who had added a new puppet in time, in order to seize the right to open up a 30th parallel north tour.
In particular, the personality traits and the behavior of this “puppet” seemed rather bizarre. He had recognized Wang Pengpai and was able to completely deceive Wang Pengpai. However, that was reasonable because Wang Pengpai’s intelligence was not his strength. He had subdued Yu Hehui’s remnant soul and seized the climbing rope by taking advantage of Wang Pengpai’s carelessness, which was what bothered Bai Xiaosheng the most.
If he was really a new puppet, his real strength was definitely not low. When the real III-9 died, their tour party had used some methods to block the Travel Services from announcing this news. Despite all the measures they had adopted, the moves of “III-9” were like a cicada casting off its skin. It was as if he was a drop of water in the sea. No one was able to find any traces of him now.
This guess was currently the likeliest. That person must have a prediction related title and great strength. He could predict that a 30th parallel north tour would be opened up in advance, and he may have foreseen that a 30th parallel north could be opened up in an Intoxicating Xiangxi tour.
“He had curved horns growing out of his head, like a goat. Yes, his eyes were red and his hands and feet had black nails. His back was somewhat hunching? Or rather, there was something protruding out from his back. Yes, it was indeed so. Red demonic marks covered his abdomen. Arms, it seemed that he had some of these marks on his arms as well? He also had a tail. It was black in color, and there seemed to be spikes growing on it. His tail should be quite flexible because it could be wound around his leg.”
Fatty Wang was the only person who had seen the final mutated form of “III-9.” Oh, Miao Fangfei would probably have seen his final form too, but the disparity in strength between Miao Fangfei and “III-9” was too wide. Miao Fangfei hadn’t reached the level where she could look directly at the “monster.” “III-9’s” final form would only leave a vague general impression on her, and she would be unable to describe “III-9’s” appearance in detail like Fatty Wang did.
“Is that so?”
Bai Xiaosheng quickly sketched on the parchment. Soon, a demon-like human figure popped out on the paper, and the portrait was lifelike. The person in the portrait appeared demonically attractive. It made the person viewing the portrait feel like they wanted to unmask his face and look at his true appearance.
“Yes, that’s how he looked.”
Fatty Wang nodded violently and gave a thumbs up to Bai Xiaosheng. “Younger bro Bai, you are really excellent!”
“Is there really nothing missing?”
“Nothing, nothing.”
“Think again, are you sure?”
“This…”
Wang Pengpai hesitated and said uncertainly, “There seemed to be a golden sugar bean-like thing on his shoulder. It should be able to fly. It was alive and looked like a bee.”
“Left shoulder or right shoulder?”
“Left shoulder.”
Bai Xiaosheng added a yellow bean-like circle on the devil’s left shoulder.
“It should be an abyssal type mutation, leaning towards demonic mutation. And he has not fully mutated yet.”
Bai Xiaosheng put down his pen and mused, “This person should share the same origin as that man’s mutation type.”
“Maybe this person is not a puppet, but a believer assimilated by him.”
“I don’t think he’s a puppet,” Wang Pengpai exclaimed, “This was a tour that could open up a 30th parallel north tour. That man shouldn’t just send a puppet. And in the end, III-9 was not controlled by the leg bone prop, and the control was transferred to Miao Fangfei.”
The leg bone came from a tour guide whose strength was close to I-rank. It should work for all tour guides who were less powerful than I-rank. Unless the actual strength of “III-9” was higher, or he had a prop that could help him endure the effects of the leg bone prop.
Props that could endure the effects of the leg bone prop were basically as precious as the climbing rope. The number of tour guides with such props in the world could be counted with one’s hands.
“I’ll continue to watch the Andean Civilization’s Gate of the Sun. You give this to the captain.”
Bai Xiaosheng made a clear record of everything he speculated. He paused, added a few strokes at the end, then rolled up the parchment and handed it to Wang Pengpai.
Then Wang Pengpai returned to the temporary stronghold, found Mao Xiaole, and handed it over to him. Afterwards, Mao Xiaole handed it to An Xuefeng together with the information Mao Xiaole obtained after interrogating Lin Xi and the others.
After Wang Pengpai obediently received a beating, he had to pinch his nose and bring some men to clear the mess caused by the Slaughterer Alliance. However Wang Pengpai also agreed that he should be punished for doing something wrong.
There were even some people who thought that Wang Pengpai’s punishment task was something easy and fun to accomplish.
“Why didn’t the captain send me to kill them?”
As soon as he left the stronghold, Mao Xiaole complained, “My hands have been really itchy recently. Even Master Of Reaping Lives With Poison was robbed from me by the captain. They didn’t leave a single brat from the Slaughterer Alliance for me to kill.”
“Why do I have to stare at the Rising Star Tour Guide leaderboard? Our tour party hasn’t had an exclusive tour guide in 180 years, or does the captain mean that ‘III-9’ will be on the rising star leaderboard? Only tour guides who have completed a task will appear on this leaderboard.”
“But it is possible that ‘III-9’ will appear on the leaderboard.” Wang Pengpai’s face was swollen, so he kept stuttering. He said unclearly, “Bai Xiaosheng named this possibility.”
“Has he gone nuts after watching the R’lyeh tour?”
Mao Xiaole felt that this possibility should be impossible and even wanted to laugh. “Could a new tour guide be able to lead a super dangerous level tour? Could he lead a tour where all members of the tour group survive, opening up a new scenic spot and even a new tour?!
“Do you think that he seemed like a novice tour guide?!”
“I don’t think he seemed like one,” Wang Pengpai muttered, “Bai Xiaosheng is too cautious and listed all the possibilities.”
Just now, Wang Pengpai had read the letter Bai Xiaosheng wrote to An Xuefeng. Hence, he was very clear on what Bai Xiaosheng had written. Bai Xiaosheng was very meticulous. His way of thinking was very flexible, and he had a logical reasoning ability. Even if a guess seemed impossible, he would list any incredulous speculation as long as there was a possibility of it happening.
Wang Pengpai could still remember what Bai Xiaosheng wrote:
[If all possible assumptions are eliminated and the developer’s codename is not displayed when the final broadcast from the Travel Services is announced, there is another possibility.]
[He is a novice tour guide and has not bound his identity with the Travel Services.]
[He would be the first person in history who activated the special identity of a class X tourist after being selected by the Travel Services, and he is a highly talented tour guide, like the tour guide “Dream Chaser” who is ranked I-3.]
[Thus, let us hypothesize. Is it possible that “III-9” was selected into the Travel Services, and in his first tour, he was selected for a super dangerous tour? Furthermore, he also happened to obtain the identity of “III-9.” This person made a series of judgments that far exceeded the strength of III-9 on an Intoxicating Xiangxi tour. His strength is comparable to II-ranked tour guides, and in the end he even completed the prior tasks and became a developer of a 30th parallel north tour?]
[The probability is basically zero.]
[If the incident on the bus hadn’t happened, the assumption that “III-9” is a newcomer would not appear on this parchment. III-9 had not prepared luggage, clothes, or shoes, so his clothing was unsuitable for him to embark on a tour. The most important thing is that at the beginning, for what reason did he allow Lin Xi to provoke and even scheme against him, and thus allow this incident to occurr?]
[Based on his performance in the whole tour, we can judge that he is not the type to do meaningless things. He had a motive behind all of his actions. However, did the incident happen for him to intimidate the tourists and allow the tourists to see how powerful he was? If he was “III-9,” there was no need for him to do so, and he should not “harm” Lin Xi who was absolutely loyal to him.]
[After Lin Xi had a mental breakdown, he took out the bronze mask and became “III-9.” From this, we can probably tell that he had completed a task and obtained rewards.]
[Even so, the probability of “III-9” being a novice tour guide is still very low. I suggest you consider it in combination with Mao Xiaole’s interrogation results.]
[If “III-9” was the last person to appear on the bus, this assumption is invalid, otherwise——]