A Psychiatrist's Bizarre Game Journey / Dream of the Mist

## Chapter 298, Section 293: The Grand Imperial Examination (Part 8)

"Bah!"

The burly man never expected Zhou Ke'er to suddenly launch an attack. In addition, the speed of the Flying Swallow Feather was extremely fast. He only had time to subconsciously raise his right hand to block in front of his throat.

A sound of flesh being pierced was heard as the Flying Swallow Feather pierced his arm and, with undiminished force, emerged from the back of his arm and plunged into his throat.

"You...Flying Swallow..."

The burly man seemed to recognize who Zhou Ke'er was, but he only managed to utter a few words before his eyes widened, he breathed his last, and his body slumped backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Tsk... I've gotten my hands dirty."

Zhou Ke'er pursed her lips, stepped forward, and pulled the swallow feather piercing the burly man's throat. She shook off the blood—well, it seemed she couldn't get it all off. The swallow feather's material was unknown; it was originally very soft, like a feather, but once stained with blood, it immediately became incredibly hard. It looked like it couldn't be recycled.

Zhou Ke'er had initially heard Wei Mingquan say that this burly man was a second-rate fighter, and she thought that this sneak attack would at most seriously injure him, or even miss, leaving her with a difficult battle or a chance to escape... She never expected him to finish the fight so easily. Was a second-rate fighter in this context too weak, or was Zhou Ke'er's character too overpowered?

Judging from the standards of the Grand Competition in the capital, top masters would disdain to participate, and first-rate masters should be holding the Heaven-level token. Therefore, Zhou Ke'er, who held the Earth-level token, should not have reached that level yet.

Is it because the technique of using hidden weapons gave them an advantage?

"Thank you so much, heroine... I will repay your kindness in the future!"

Just as Zhou Ke'er was lost in thought, Wei Mingquan struggled to his feet, glanced at the burly man lying dead with his eyes wide open, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, and he quickly bowed deeply to Zhou Ke'er in gratitude.

"You'll surely repay me handsomely someday? So you don't intend to thank me at all?"

Zhou Ke'er casually tossed the blood-stained swallow feather on the ground, turned around and sat back in her chair. She casually tidied her hair, picked up a comb and gently styled it. Then she turned her head and looked at Wei Mingquan while combing her hair, a smile on her lips.

"A single glance back, a smile, and all the beauties of the imperial harem pale in comparison..."

When Wei Mingquan heard Zhou Ke'er's teasing words, he wanted to explain, but in a daze, he suddenly saw Zhou Ke'er combing her hair and turning around to look back. He was struck dumb and stood there, muttering unconsciously.

"Ha, what a smooth-talking brat."

Zhou Ke'er raised the corners of her mouth slightly, "Even if you try to please me, it won't work. However, I don't need you to repay me in the future, since there won't be a future. You can do me a favor now."

"W-what kind of help? If it's within my power, I'll go through fire and water for you!"

Looking at Zhou Ke'er's smiling face, Wei Mingquan's delicate features flushed slightly, making Zhou Ke'er wonder if she had secretly practiced some kind of seductive technique, but the system showed that she hadn't.

To be honest, while Zhou Ke'er in her female form is indeed quite beautiful, she's not so beautiful that she could bewitch someone at first glance. That's just not right. If she really had that kind of power, wouldn't she just be a minor character in the Prince of Yan's guards? Forget it, I won't figure it out by just overthinking it now. Let's leave that aside for now.

"It's very simple. I just need you to do me a very, very simple favor."

Zhou Ke'er stretched out her delicate, boneless hand and pointed through the window to the sealed-off group of tombs. Her fair wrist, as smooth as jade, reflected the sunlight and looked like melting frost and snow. "I want to go into those ancient tombs. You can help me do that, right?"

That's right, Zhou Ke'er hadn't planned to participate in that Capital Grand Competition from the start. Seriously, the rewards were too low. Even if she made it into the top three and eliminated all the other players, she'd only get 70 sanity points, and there was a high probability she wouldn't get the full prize.

On the other hand, the later tasks involve causing a disturbance and disrupting the capital's grand competition, which will earn you 50 sanity points. Then you can go to an ancient tomb and not only try to complete the tomb exploration task, but you might also trigger some hidden tasks or get special rewards. Wouldn't that be more profitable than the main quest?

More importantly, this is tantamount to directly rebelling against the imperial court! Isn't it better to be free from the constraints of the court? Although Zhou Ke'er can become a lackey of any power when forced by circumstances, she does whatever makes her feel good when things aren't so urgent.

"!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Mingquan's dazed eyes cleared instantly, and he seemed much more awake. He appeared shocked by Zhou Ke'er's words, "You... what are you going there for?! Could it be that you're also...?"

"...Do you recognize this?"

Zhou Ke'er casually grabbed a small token from the table and threw it at Wei Mingquan.

"This is..."

Wei Mingquan hurriedly took the token, and upon closer inspection, he was shocked again: "This is the Prince of Yan's token?! You...you attacked the Prince of Yan's guards?"

"?"

Zhou Ke'er was amused by him. What was wrong with this silly boy's thought process? She couldn't help but look at Wei Mingquan with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot. She pointed to the bed on the side and said, "This Yan King's token belongs to me. The Yan King's Guard's clothes are still neatly placed there. Didn't you see? I am originally a member of the Yan King's Guard. This time I received a secret mission, which is why I need to disguise myself... My purpose is to enter the ancient tomb."

"Why...why is that?! Since you belong to the Yan King's Guard, you should know very well that entering that ancient tomb is absolutely forbidden!"

Wei Mingquan glanced at the neatly folded Yanwang Guard uniform on the bed, seemingly believing Zhou Ke'er's words, but still asked with puzzlement, "And... if it's a Yanwang Guard mission, why do you need my help to get in?"

"...Are you sure you want to know? Once you know something like this, you'll never be able to get away from it."

Zhou Ke'er narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone revealing a hint of coldness. She stood up and slowly walked to Wei Mingquan. "If you know all this but do not intend to help me, then... it seems you have no reason to continue living in this world. Spying on court secrets is a crime punishable by death."

"...My Wei family has guarded the imperial tombs for generations. Now that I know about this matter, I cannot pretend that I know nothing!"

Wei Mingquan shook his head firmly, tightening his grip on his sword. "Please speak!"

"it is good."

Zhou Ke'er gave him a perfunctory clapping: "Many foreigners have infiltrated the capital for this competition. They entered the capital by stealing the competition tokens. According to secret messages, some foreigners with special abilities have even taken this opportunity to forcibly enter the ancient tomb, attempting to cause riots in the capital. In order to avoid causing panic among the people and anger among the officials, we had no choice but to send our Yanwang Guards to secretly sneak into the ancient tomb to resolve this matter."

## Chapter 299, Section 294: The Grand Imperial Examination (Part 9)

That's right, Zhou Ke'er didn't hesitate to use Dio, whom she had just met, as an excuse. In this way, the lie was mixed with truth. Even if Wei Mingquan became suspicious later, as long as she found a way to let him see Dio and let him know that there really were foreigners entering the capital, the credibility would still be very high.

"this..."

Upon hearing this, Wei Mingquan looked surprised and uncertain, as if he was hesitating about something.

"Oh? It seems... you really want to die, don't you? You're unwilling to die at the hands of that guy, and instead want to try out my Flying Swallow Feather?"

Zhou Ke'er looked at Wei Mingquan's hesitant expression, constantly playing with a brand-new, smooth and soft swallow feather in her hand. She smiled at Wei Mingquan, but there was no real smile in her eyes. Her narrowed eyes revealed a dangerous aura that sent chills down one's spine.

"No, I just want to ask a question!"

Wei Mingquan seemed to have gone all out, staring intently at Zhou Ke'er, and asked, word by word, "When your Yanwang Guard does something, you must prepare all the necessary measures beforehand. So... if you hadn't happened to encounter me being chased here today, you should have had a reliable way to enter the ancient tomb."

Or is it... that my being chased here wasn't a coincidence, but rather a backup plan prepared by your Prince Yan's Guard for your entry into the ancient tomb?! Taking advantage of my adoptive father's meeting with the Emperor, you slaughtered sixteen members of my Wei family's concubines, forcing me to flee to this place... Could this all be part of your Prince Yan's Guard's plan?!

Zhou Ke'er slightly raised her phoenix eyes, and with a few quick steps, she instantly appeared in front of Wei Mingquan. She raised a finger and pointed it at his throat, secretly channeling her inner energy, and said coldly, "Do you know what you're saying?! The Prince of Yan's guards are the Emperor's personal troops. Without the Emperor's decree, how could they possibly lay a hand on the current officials and their families? Are you implying that the Emperor wants you dead? You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want! Watch your head!"

"!"

Wei Mingquan was shocked that Zhou Ke'er would actually make a move. His pupils contracted sharply, and he didn't even dare to swallow, fearing that the slightest movement of his throat would cause him to be injured by the force of Zhou Ke'er's fingertips.

"Hmph, do you think you can question the work of the Prince of Yan's Guard?! Of course we had some methods prepared, but why should I tell you? Just because you have a powerful adoptive father, you really think you're someone important?"

Zhou Ke'er snorted coldly, a disdainful look on her lips. Her expression was vicious and arrogant, perfectly matching her current villainous female character. "Now you only have two choices. First, stop talking nonsense and take me into the ancient tomb. You can leave alive. Second, you must leave your life here. You originally owed me your life, and now I want to take it back. Do you have any objections?"

"..."

Wei Mingquan looked alarmed and embarrassed, as if he wanted to refute something, but since his life was still in Zhou Ke'er's hands, he couldn't say anything.

"Ha, the Longquan Sword? It's just borrowing your godfather's reputation. You really think you're something special."

Zhou Ke'er gave a mocking laugh, gently withdrew her hand, and perfectly embodied the arrogant and vicious female villain who was trying to suppress the protagonist.

"Squeak..."

Just then, the sound of a wooden door being slowly pushed open came from inside. Zhou Ke'er subconsciously turned her head to look at the doorway.

"Ah...it seems I've arrived at an inopportune time. But, I wonder if I could be taken along on this journey into the ancient tomb?"

A familiar, flippant voice came from outside the door; it was none other than Zhang Buyan, who had just angered that prince to the point of amnesia (not really).

He leaned against the door, casually laughing with a nonchalant air. It was clearly a very important matter, but he gave off the impression of being glib and frivolous.

"...You were following me?!"

Zhou Ke'er subtly picked up a few swallow feathers in her hand, her phoenix eyes narrowed, and she looked at Zhang Buyan with a sharp gaze, coldly demanding an answer.

"Hey, no, no, how could I dare to follow the Prince of Yan's guards?"

Zhang Buyan seemed completely oblivious to Zhou Ke'er's icy expression, and continued with a grin, "I was just following this Longquan Swordsman. Now that Lord Wei has lost power, who wouldn't want to kick him a few times? If we can't beat him in person, we still have this soft persimmon to squeeze, right? Don't you think so?"

"you!"

Upon hearing Zhang Buyan's words, Wei Mingquan flew into a rage. Ignoring his severely injured body, he immediately drew his sword and charged at Zhang Buyan.

"They're really courting death. Wouldn't it have been better to just stay behind the Prince of Yan's guards and be a dog? Why did they have to come here to die?"

Zhang Buyan raised an eyebrow, his tone extremely arrogant. He slightly turned to the side, reached behind him, and the spear on his back instantly thrust out. After a flash of cold light, Wei Mingquan had no choice but to stop in his tracks with a look of horror—because the spear tip was already pointing at his brow. If it went any further, he might see his own brains.

"..."

Unable to figure out what Zhang Buyan was up to, and unsure which of his words were true, Zhou Ke'er pursed her lips. There was no need to waste time arguing with someone like him.

People who lack logic are just as difficult to communicate with as those who are logically incompetent. Zhang Buyan belongs to the former, and Zhou Ke'er belongs to the latter; there's nothing between them that they can discuss.

Therefore, Zhou Ke'er chose to take direct action.

"call out!"

A barely audible whooshing sound rang out, and several flying swallow feathers flew towards Zhang Buyan from various tricky angles.

Zhang Buyan didn't react at first, and it wasn't until the flying swallow feathers on the tree branch were already very close that he realized Zhou Ke'er had already made her move. Immediately, his pupils shrank sharply. Now, he didn't even have time to parry with his gun. Zhang Buyan could only slam the gun into the ground for the time being, using the force to propel himself out of the door. He took a step and suddenly turned to the side, quickly turning to the side.

"呲呲!"

Several swallow feathers pierced the wooden wall, but all missed their mark.

When her first attack failed, Zhou Ke'er picked up several more Flying Swallow Feathers in her hand, her eyes narrowing slightly. The burly man, who was only a second-rate fighter, was killed before he could even react. Although Zhang Buyan hadn't noticed the Flying Swallow Feathers at first, he was still able to dodge them at such close range. Although he had taken advantage of the terrain, as the wall between them prevented Zhou Ke'er from predicting the landing point and continuing her attack, it was clear that he was quite strong.

It seems... all the players were randomly assigned to roughly the same strength level—don't be fooled by Zhou Ke'er's current advantage; if she gets close and engages in melee combat...

"go!"

Zhou Ke'er's expression wasn't very good, mainly because she didn't want to continue entangled with Zhang Buyan. So she suddenly grabbed Wei Mingquan by the back of his collar, like picking up a puppy, and pushed open the window. She jumped down from the third floor, using her agile footwork to leap across the walls and rooftops. Ignoring the shocked looks of the other people on the street, she quickly ran towards the location of the ancient tomb.

## Chapter 300, Section 295: The Grand Imperial Examination (Part 10)

"Clang!"

A sound of a sword swinging suddenly rang out.

Zhou Ke'er had no choice but to stop, casually tossing Wei Mingquan to the ground behind her, and warily eyeing the person blocking her path... Damn! Judging by their attire, aren't these the Prince of Yan's guards?!

Is it really true that the current emperor intends to exterminate a certain minister and his family? Is serving a ruler truly like walking on thin ice?

Such a brazen act in the street suggests that they are completely unconcerned about public opinion... In other words, even if everyone knows that the Prince of Yan's guards forcibly killed Wei Mingquan in the street, it doesn't matter—then Wei Mingquan's so-called powerful adoptive father was probably not just summoned for a talk by the emperor, but was secretly killed!

This puts Zhou Ke'er in a very passive position. If she were to confront the guards of the Prince of Yan, then pulling out the Flying Swallow Feather would likely reveal her identity—even that second-rate expert quickly recognized her as a member of the Prince of Yan's Guard upon seeing the Flying Swallow Feather, which means it's highly recognizable...

If the watch were still usable, at least we could escape... But in this ancient-themed mod, the watch has turned into a tattoo-like pattern, making it completely unusable!

Well, there's no other way... I can only leave Wei Mingquan behind. Better to die for a friend than for myself! Besides, I never intended to save him in the first place anyway, and saving him wouldn't benefit Zhou Ke'er at all, and would only bring so much trouble. So why keep him around?

"I am here on orders to kill Longquan Sword. Please do me a favor, young lady. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite..."