Chapitre 61: Chapter 61: Playing as Su Xianjun
Chu Ge carefully read through the description of the golden talent.
"It seems this is a special talent that any unique character role can potentially unlock, almost like a specific game mechanism.
"After all, while the trials in Dark Sands draw inspiration from real history, much of the content is actually not recorded in historical texts.
"And even what's written in history books isn't always the whole truth.
"So if the demons' alterations are added into these scenarios, the events become shrouded in mystery. With so many variables, even the smartest players would struggle to grasp the full truth.
"In this case, even if players try to guide the scenario according to the recorded history, it's very likely they'll miss the mark. That would clearly conflict with Dark Sands' core objective.
"In the game, players are 'Restorers,' and according to the official setting, they are meant to re-enact history as it originally unfolded, not rewrite it.
"If the battle between Restorers and demons simply boiled down to who's stronger, and whichever side wins gets to decide how history is shaped, that would distort the identity of the Restorers. History would truly become something that anyone can dress up as they please, which clearly isn't the game's intent.
"So, after introducing the demon's history-altering mechanic, Dark Sands also added this new mechanism—this golden talent.
"According to the skill description, this talent provides players with something that absolutely cannot be altered: memory fragments of the current character about others.
"While these memory fragments won't entirely reveal who's good or bad, they offer a valuable point of reference. As players gradually collect memory fragments of various characters, the full picture of the events will emerge.
"When that happens, the chances of players successfully recreating the real history will naturally increase greatly!"
With this in mind, Chu Ge didn't hesitate to select the Memory Fragments talent.
No matter how he analyzed it, this talent seemed essential for solving the mystery correctly.
Of course, this meant he could no longer select Theater Expertise.
Not choosing Theater Expertise would make it nearly impossible for him to perform on stage as Su Xianjun, but that didn't matter. Chu Ge was still in the puzzle-solving phase, and whether or not he performed didn't impact the mystery.
After confirming his character and talent, the trial scenario began to take shape again.
…
Backstage in the theater.
Chu Ge looked into the copper mirror in front of him and saw his own reflection.
The stage makeup wasn't fully cleaned off, leaving traces of his previous costume, but the face in the mirror was unmistakably that of Su Xianjun.
This celebrated actor had started performing at a young age, playing the "dan" (female) roles, and so his every gesture carried an inherent, delicate femininity.
As Chu Ge assumed the role of Su Xianjun, he also inherited this body's muscle memory, so his movements and voice naturally aligned with the original Su Xianjun.
"Xianjun, the Eastern bandits have occupied the theater. The scholar leading them demands we perform for them. If we agree, the people in the city may have a slim chance of survival. But if we refuse, by morning, none will be spared!
"Xianjun, I've rarely asked you for anything, but if not for me, then at least for the brothers in the troupe, or for the sake of all the people in the city.
"Consider this my plea on behalf of the townsfolk!"
Chu Ge was looking at the dressing mirror, then turned to see Yang Xinyan.
Yang Xinyan, a large, imposing man, bowed low in submission, his inner panic evident.
Chu Ge quickly oriented himself to the timing of this scene in the trial.
"This must be after the Eastern bandits had seized the town and occupied the theater. Yang Xinyan, this 'Overlord,' was the first to show cowardice.
"But when I saw this scene as a member of the theater troupe, Yang Xinyan was pleading outside the door, while Su Xianjun's reaction was quite intense.
"So, Yang Xinyan must have approached Su Xianjun more than once. The first time was likely a private conversation in the room, which ended with Su Xianjun angrily sending him away. After that, he could only plead from outside, getting cursed at in response.
"Then later, Wang Jinghui stepped in to try persuading him.
"This scene must be the first time Yang Xinyan approached Su Xianjun. He hasn't fully grasped Su Xianjun's stance, though he has some guesses.
"Of course, Su Xianjun will refuse and send him away this time as well."
After roughly establishing the scene's context, Chu Ge planned his next steps.
If he gave Yang Xinyan a scolding and drove him out, rejecting his pleas repeatedly, the story would progress smoothly up until the point where he performed on stage.
But Chu Ge didn't intend to follow the script exactly, as his goal was to solve the mystery, which required some experimentation.
He quickly came up with an idea.
Taking on the role of Su Xianjun, he turned and looked Yang Xinyan in the eye, asking, "The bandits have stormed the town, and Magistrate Tang has died defending it. Don't you feel anything?"
Yang Xinyan looked startled. "Xianjun, what are you talking about? Of course, I mourn Magistrate Tang's death. But we're just a theater troupe, not soldiers or militiamen. What can we possibly do?"
Chu Ge lowered his voice, though his expression grew more resolute. "The bandits want to watch a play, don't they? They're all here in the theater, and this is a rare opportunity.
"The city still has barrels of oil. Secretly lead a few people to retrieve them and surround the theater with the oil while I distract the bandits with a performance.
"When I shout 'fire,' set the theater ablaze and burn them all inside!"
Yang Xinyan looked horrified. "Xianjun, this is madness!
"Your plan may sound brave, but it's nothing short of suicide.
"Even if the bandits are drunk and tired, and even if you capture their full attention on stage, the smell of the oil is strong, and splashing it around the theater would make too much noise. The slightest sign of alarm, and it'll all fall apart.
"If that happens, we won't just be killed; the bandits' rage would doom the entire town!
"Xianjun, forget this reckless idea. While performing for the bandits may be humiliating, if it can save the townsfolk, we are but performers. A little disgrace is a small price to pay."
For a moment, Chu Ge almost felt persuaded by Yang Xinyan.
While Yang Xinyan appeared cowardly, his reasoning against the "burning theater" plan was surprisingly logical.
Chu Ge hadn't given it much thought earlier, but now, upon reflection, it seemed true—the plan, while heroic, had a low chance of success.
Setting the theater on fire required a significant number of people to bring and spread oil around the building.
The Eastern bandits may seem careless, but they are alert enough that a large group pouring oil around the theater wouldn't go unnoticed. Someone would hear, see, or smell something.
Wouldn't that be excessively simplistic?
And even though the theater was largely wooden, the oil in this era didn't burn as ferociously as modern fuel. While historical records mention strong military-grade oils, it's unlikely such material would be available in a small town.
Even in a best-case scenario, the fire wouldn't immediately trap the bandits in a blazing inferno. If they realized the danger and bolted, the flames probably wouldn't stop them.
How could they all be conveniently burned to death inside?
Chu Ge felt lost.
He hadn't questioned this before, assuming that Su Xianjun's plan must have succeeded somehow. But now, after hearing Yang Xinyan's arguments, he realized that setting the theater on fire wasn't as straightforward as it seemed.
And if there was never a plan to burn down the theater, then defeating all the bandits seemed even less plausible.
For a moment, Chu Ge was completely at a loss.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone