It was just that as time went on and more people died, the resentment grew so immense that it could no longer be suppressed. It eventually backfired, becoming tainted by that very malice.
Otherwise, given the atrocities committed by the Zhou family and the sheer number of returning spirits, they should have been wiped out centuries ago.
Jiang Siyan's streaming task was already complete, having reached 3,000 in tips. He didn't avoid the audience and joined Nan Yue in her discussion.
"I just don't know exactly what the Zhou family did to cause so many deaths."
Nan Yue gave a cold smile. "The Zhou family is a classic case of being both greedy and terrified of death."
Multi-fortune Town had also created countless returning spirits, but it hadn't lasted as long as the Zhou family, and their killings were mostly internal.
The people of Multi-fortune Town knew they were committing sins that heaven and earth would not tolerate, so they didn't pray to Buddha. They simply continued their rituals with a numb indifference.
The Zhou residence was different. Although it had been a hundred years since the massacre, they were a powerful clan that had lasted through three dynasties before that. Their influence reached beyond Pingzhou, extending across the entire country.
The number of returning spirits who died at their hands far exceeded ten thousand.
What was laughable was that despite doing such heinous things, the Zhou family had the nerve to pray for divine protection.
Cowardly and afraid of death, they likely went to great lengths at the beginning to suppress the vengeful spirits so the family line could endure.
Jiang Siyan nodded slightly. "But we still don't know exactly why they did it or what methods they used."
While Nan Yue didn't know the specifics of what the Zhou family had done, she had an idea of what they were after.
"Don't you think it's inherently unreasonable that the Zhou family was rich enough to rival a nation yet never drew the suspicion or ire of the kings?"
Jiang Siyan's gaze sharpened. Though a smile remained on his face, it was as sharp as a blade.
"Then one would have to say they were quite capable. To kill so many people for wealth and yet live peacefully through three dynasties... they certainly weren't ordinary."
Nan Yue noticed that while the two of them were talking, the stream was very quiet. No one was even sending bullet comments, as if everyone was listening intently to their analysis.
"It's a pity the Zhou family is already dead. Otherwise, I would've really liked to ask for their advice."
Nan Yue spoke politely and courteously, but anyone could tell she didn't actually want to ask for advice.
As Nan Yue was discussing the mission details with Jiang Siyan, she suddenly heard a scream in the distance. They exchanged a look and immediately ran toward the source.
The scream came from the main entrance. When Nan Yue and the others arrived, they saw three or four people collapsed on the ground. The girls were crying, and the boys were shaking like leaves.
Nan Yue initially wondered if they had been attacked, but logically, things shouldn't have reached such a dangerous point yet.
Once she arrived, she understood why these people were screaming so piteously.
Four or five people were hanging from the vermilion door beams of the main entrance.
These people were all former streamers. They looked like they had died recently, their faces twisted in terror as they were literally scared to death.
They were suspended from the beams by red silk, their toes slowly tracing circles in the air.
It was likely that these four had tried to run. When they reached the main gate, they realized something was wrong. They looked up, saw the scene on the beams, and were scared out of their wits.
Nan Yue walked forward to check. She confirmed they were all NPCs who had entered the Zhou Family Compound together today; none of them were scavengers.
She took a close look at their faces. She didn't recognize some, but one was the streamer who had thrown his screen and fled earlier.
It seemed that everyone who tried to leave midway had died here.
Nan Yue remembered what Bai Qing had said about the fourth clause in the contract they signed with the Entertainment to Death Live Streaming Platform.
"Once the contract is signed, no matter what happens, there can be no breach. Entertainment to death, until death do us part."
This wasn't a joke or a line used to set the mood.
Until death do us part.
Wanting to leave midway?
Then the only way out was death.
Unfortunately, these NPCs didn't know that.
"Go back. It might be your turn to stream soon," Nan Yue said to the people collapsed on the ground. The boy in the middle had dark water stains on his pants; he had likely lost control of his bladder from fear.
"No, no! People are dead! Don't you realize how serious this is? People are dead!"
Due to extreme fear, the boy had become hyper-agitated and furious.
"Four people are dead! How is this company going to explain this to us? I'm going to call the police and have them all arrested!"
The NPCs who voluntarily joined this streaming platform were young, mostly students looking for a thrill. They never expected it would actually cost lives.
The boy pulled a phone from his pocket. His hands shook as he dialed, but he found there was no signal at all.
Once inside the Zhou Family Compound, all phone signals vanished.
The boy's eyes suddenly lit up. He saw that Jiang Siyan's stream was still active and rushed over, shoving his way into the frame.
He was quite handsome. He turned to the screen with a terrified and helpless expression.
"Someone died here! Four streamers are dead! Please, everyone, help us call the police! We can't get out, and we can't contact anyone outside!"
Nan Yue originally wanted to stop him. She didn't want anyone interrupting her teammate's stream.
However, she also understood that their fear and despair were normal reactions, and it was natural to seek help.
The boy's face, which had been full of hope, suddenly turned ashen the moment he saw the bullet comments.
【Entertainment to death, until death do us part】
【Entertainment to death, until death do us part】
【Entertainment to death, until death do us part】
【Entertainment to death, until death do us part】
Densely packed, uniform red bullet comments covered the screen. They looked like a silent curse, sending a chill through one's heart.
The boy backed away two steps, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"How... how can this be?"
Nan Yue looked at him with some sympathy. "Classmate, we've encountered ghosts."
"If you don't finish the stream, death is the only path."
The boy snapped his gaze toward Nan Yue, treating her as someone who knew the inside story.
"Then what do we do? There are over thirty of us left. We'll gather everyone and leave together!"
The more the boy thought about it, the more sense it made. "Right! I don't believe this streaming platform is powerful enough to kill thirty of us all at once!"
Nan Yue looked at him, speechless. "Did you forget the contract you signed? Only one person is supposed to remain."
The boy's face turned pale and then flushed with anger before he finally lashed out with harsh words.
"Are we just supposed to wait for death without trying anything? I know you. You have a lot of tips, so you're not worried about dying at all, are you? How can someone be so selfish!"
The boy ignored her after that. He helped his companions up. "Let's go. We'll find the others."
"When you're the only one left, I'll see if you still have time to cry."
The boy walked away. By now, Jiang Siyan's stream had ended. He walked over to Nan Yue and studied her reaction.
"Angry?"
Nan Yue shook her head.
"Sad?"
Nan Yue shook her head.
Jiang Siyan arched an eyebrow. "I'm a bit surprised. I thought you would feel somewhat uncomfortable."
Rate on N.U.
