TDU Chapter 31: Mouse Category Game

Chapter 31 Mouse Category Game

After departing the initial room, this marked the first occasion they deliberately engaged in a game, heightening everyone's anxiety.

"Qi Xia," Lin Qin called softly.

"What is it?"

"You once mentioned that different animals symbolize distinct types of games, correct?"

"It seems so." 

With this in mind, Lin Qin glanced at the Mortal Mouse before them and whispered, "What do you suppose the {Mouse Category} games entail?"

Qi Xia pondered over this question. Without prior knowledge of the game type, Tian Tian could find herself in a disadvantageous position.

But what could {mice} symbolize?

"It appears that this game aligns closely with the traits commonly associated with {mice}—finding something specific amidst clutter," Qi Xia speculated. "Could 'mice' signify games focused on {searching}?"

……

Tian Tian surveyed the room, noticing numerous shelves stocked with cardboard boxes, both large and small, numbering in the hundreds. 

She randomly selected one and inspected its contents, finding an assortment of odds and ends inside.

She realized that searching through each cardboard box one by one within the five-minute time limit would be impractical, given their sheer number. 

Glancing around, she noted the warehouse was illuminated by a single incandescent lamp, with its switch located on the wall beside her.

Tian Tian pondered for a moment, then a plan struck her.

She pushed down a shelf with force, creating a loud crash that startled everyone outside the room.

"Hey, Leng-mui zai, you doing okay?" Qiao Jiajin shouted.

"I'm fine," Tian Tian replied loudly. "I just thought of a way."

Qi Xia paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, it is indeed a good idea."

"Huh?" Qiao Jiajin was stunned, "How do you know what she’s doing? Do you two have the skill {Sound Conveyance(传音入密)} like in those wuxia novels?"

Inside the building, the clamor intensified as Tian Tian toppled over the shelves, sending cardboard boxes crashing down in a chaotic cascade. Plastic plates and bowls spilled out of some boxes, while others disgorged old clothes and papers in disarray.

Stepping forcefully onto several intact boxes, she quickly transformed the once orderly warehouse into a scene of utter chaos.

Tian Tian caught her breath and surveyed the now disordered space. Confirming everything was set, she approached the wall and switched off the incandescent light. 

The room plunged into darkness, leaving only the sound of her own breathing echoing in the quiet.

"How can this be.." Tian Tian muttered, furrowing her brow as she surveyed the surroundings.

In her memory, the small orb known as {Dào} emitted a faint glow. With the miscellaneous items strewn across the floor, there was a good chance that {Dào} could be located in the darkness.

However, as soon as she switched off the light, the entire room plunged into pitch-black darkness, devoid of any glimmer.

Determined, she pressed forward, bravely advancing through the shadows, kicking at cardboard boxes with her feet to widen her search area.

How could a small orb that emits light completely vanish in a dark room?

After kicking at boxes for what felt like an eternity, Tian Tian realized she had opened every cardboard box, yet found nothing glowing.

At that moment, the Mortal Mouse knocked on the door from outside and said, "Ten seconds left."

Tian Tian shook her head in frustration and switched the light back on. 

In the sudden illumination, she discovered a box of canned food beneath her feet. It had been packaged in a cardboard box before, but now its contents were scattered across the floor.

She extended her hand, grasped a can, and scrutinized its label, discovering it contained {beans}.

Tian Tian shook the can, confirming a {rustling} sound within.

"I feel like a guā-sǒng[1]..." Tian Tian gritted her teeth, "Could it be in these cans?!"

{Squeak—}

Mortal Mouse turned the handle from the outside and pushed the door open. "Time's up, challenge failed."

Tian Tian was startled. She lifted her head and found herself gazing into the eerie mask of Mortal Mouse.

The three individuals outside immediately approached, and Qiao Jiajin asked, "How is it? Leng-mui zai, did you find it?"

"No..." Tian Tian threw the can away and stood up with a crestfallen expression. "I suspect that the {Dào} is in these cans, but it's not easy to open dozens of them with bare hands within five minutes."

Qi Xia glanced downward and observed that the cans contained broad beans. It was plausible to surmise that a {Dào} could be hidden among them.

But he sensed that something was still amiss.

Tian Tian exited the room resentfully, casting a panicked glance at Mortal Mouse.

However, Mortal Mouse made no further moves. She simply closed the door and remained stationed there.

"So it's really just the loss of a {Dào}?" Tian Tian asked in a low voice, "She doesn’t seem to want to take our lives..."

Mortal Mouse giggled and responded, "When did I ever say I wanted your lives?"

Qiao Jiajin, observing the scene, caught on quickly. "I see... Swindler Lad, if that's the case... can we try again?"

"Again?" Qi Xia furrowed his brows.

"We already know that the {Dào} is most likely in those cans. We can open the cans directly this time. She won't kill us anyway."

Qi Xia glanced at his pocket. There was only a single {Dào} remaining.

{Mortal Dragon} had mentioned that these {Dào} were both their reward and their {stake}.

It seems that participating in these games necessitates wagering a certain amount of {Dào} before engaging with the opponent. If they deplete too much {Dào} here, they might be unable to partake in other games in the future.

"Leng-mui zai, you sure you’ve looked in all the other boxes?" Qiao Jiajin asked for confirmation.

"I didn't look carefully. I just opened all the boxes and turned off the lights," Tian Tian shook her head. "But I didn't find any area lighting up, so... the {Dào} should be in a sealed container."

"Very well, then I'll go in and give it a try!" Qiao Jiajin nodded.

At this moment, Qi Xia suddenly reached out to stop him.

"Wait."

"Hmm?"

Qi Xia looked at Mortal Mouse and asked, "Can I hear the rules of the game once more?"

"Of course!"

Mortal Mouse smiled and turned to open the door of the warehouse.

At that moment, everyone noticed that the inside of the warehouse had reverted to its original clean state. The shelves were neatly arranged, and the boxes were back in their places.

"Damn!" Qiao Jiajin exclaimed, stunned.

Lin Qin and Tian Tian were equally as surprised.

Mortal Mouse walked in slowly, glanced around, and asked, "What do you think? My {game} is quite magical, right?"

Qi Xia nodded.

Mortal Mouse continued, "My game is called {Warehouse Dào Seeking}. Each attempt costs one {Dào}. There is currently one {Dào} hidden in this room. If you find the {Dào} within five minutes, you win, and the {Dào} will be yours."

She giggled enthusiastically once more.

After hearing this, Qi Xia nodded thoughtfully.

"I wish to partake again," he stated.

"Okay, no problem," Mortal Mouse nodded. "You can play as many times as you want."

"This time, I want to stake my life," Qi Xia declared.