Using a cell phone explosion to ignite the rhinoceros horn.
Having learned from the experience with the painting "Anthropology," the veteran members were emboldened.
"This is indeed a good idea," Shao Ling nodded, "but there are pros and cons."
"How so?" Liu Yanlei remained enthusiastic, but to those with ulterior motives, his behavior was merely a cover for his unease.
What was he unease about? Of course, it was related to the hallucination he'd experienced the previous night and his girlfriend.
"The advantage is that if whoever ignites the rhinoceros horn dies, this method at least prevents us from losing our lives," Shao Ling explained. "But the disadvantage is that if only the person who ignites the horn can see the ghosts or clues related to the seal, then we probably won't be able to see them using this method.
"So now the problem is, if we prioritize saving our lives, we might not be able to obtain clues to leaving the painting, while if we try to obtain clues whose existence is uncertain, we might very well sacrifice our lives.
"So whether or not to use this method, you all have to make a decision."
It had to be said, this was another dilemma.
"Anyway, I won't ignite the rhinoceros horn," Liu Yanlei said.
"I'm not going either," Yu Long said, glancing at his girlfriend Fang Fei. "We've already risked our lives going into this business; we can't do all the dangerous things."
"In that case, let's just ignite the rhinoceros horn tonight by exploding a cell phone," Shao Ling said. "At least we can get some clues about the rules of death. Now, let's discuss how to deal with the hallucinations that might appear tonight."
Unconsciously, Shao Ling seemed to have taken control of the entire "team's" discourse and direction. The newcomers accepted this quite naturally, and the veteran members didn't say much.
Ke Xun sat side by side with Mu Yiran on the ground, holding one of his hands and gently squeezing his slender fingers.
"Since we know that what appears tonight is all hallucinations, we just need to not believe them," Liu Yanlei said, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally glancing at Chen Xin'ai.
"But we also need to consider whether tonight's hallucinations will escalate. For example, if they are a mixture of reality and illusion, how will we distinguish them?" Qin Ci said.
"Then let's agree on a code. Whether it's real or fake, we can test it with the code," Luo Yu suggested.
"Don't forget, the illusions can read your memories. You've already agreed on a code, and the illusions can read them tonight," Liu Yanlei said.
"Then what do we do… In that case, I can't trust any of you, nor can I distrust anyone," Luo Cheng said sadly.
"The reasons for this situation are twofold: first, we ourselves want to use others to escape danger; second, we believe that we will be in danger," Shao Ling analyzed calmly. "Therefore, if we want to avoid being misled by the illusions, we must first ensure our own safety, and second, reassure each other. As long as we don't rely on our companions and can reassure them, we won't be easily manipulated by the illusions."
"That makes sense," Liu Yanlei nodded repeatedly. "I have an idea. Since falling into the sea at night will kill us, why don't we find a way to avoid falling in? We can tie a rope around our waists, and then tie the other end of the rope to the side of the boat or the mast, keeping it short. No matter what the people in the illusions tell us to do, we just shouldn't untie the rope, right?"
"Isn't that just digging your own grave?" Yu Long retorted. "Tying yourself up means you won't even have time to run if there's any danger! What a stupid move!"
Liu Yanlei sneered, "Please use your brain. If there were dangers other than falling into the sea, the illusion wouldn't need to go to so much trouble to bewitch us. It would be much simpler to just come up in the dark and stab us in the back, wouldn't it? Last night, from beginning to end, the illusion only bewitched us with sound, without touching us at all. So I have reason to believe that the force behind this painting kills us using illusions, and has no way to touch us with anything tangible."
"What if the method of killing has upgraded tonight?" Yu Long retorted.
Liu Yanlei choked for a moment, but quickly found a reason: "If it upgrades as you say, even if you don't tie yourself up in the dark, you'll still be killed. The probability is fifty-fifty. I'd rather have an extra layer of insurance!"
"Then do as you please!" Yu Long snorted.
Liu Yanlei looked at Shao Ling, hoping he could offer his opinion. Shao Ling pondered for a moment and said, "We don't need to force others' opinions. If we think something is useful, we might as well try it. After all, we can't predict whether tonight's rules of death will be the same as last night's. We can only try to think of more preventative measures.
"Tying ourselves up with ropes to prevent falling into the sea is one method. Everyone can brainstorm.
"I also have a suggestion. Although hiding in the cabin proves useless, we can try holding hands. As long as we don't encounter any unforeseen circumstances, we should try not to let go. Maybe this can reduce the chances of being manipulated by illusions. Does anyone have any other suggestions?"
"Pull up your ears?" Luo Yu said. "That way we won't hear the illusions imitating familiar voices."
Shao Ling nodded: "That's also a method. Anything else?"
"Let's make some simple anti-drowning tools." Fang Fei spoke. "Whether they're useful or not, it's better to be prepared."
"Then I'll trouble you two to help make them. I'll assist you." Shao Ling looked at her and Yu Long.
"I can help too," said Xuege.
"So, any other suggestions?" Shaoling looked at the veteran members.
Compared to the newcomers' enthusiastic participation, the veteran members seemed somewhat reserved.
Without hesitation, none of the veterans interrupted, and Mu Yiran spoke first: "My suggestion is, don't rely too much on tools; the important thing is to think flexibly." For example, *Shadow*.
"Never give up until the last second." For example, *Human Studies*. Ke Xun added.
"Try to maintain a calm and composed mindset." For example, *Funeral Affairs*. Qin Ci continued.
"Detailed and comprehensive observation." For example, *Breaking Ground*. Zhu Haowen.
"…" Wei Dong looked at everyone, then at Ke Xun, and finally concluded emphatically, "Trust your companions!" For example, *Faith*.
"Right!" Luo Yu mingled among the veteran members.
"Stop with the empty rhetoric; it all sounds nice." Liu Yanlei scoffed sarcastically.
"That's experience," Zhu Haowen replied coldly.
"Experience in giving others pep talks?" Liu Yanlei sneered.
"Experience in witnessing others die," Zhu Haowen said coldly.
Liu Yanlei was speechless again. Before he could argue further, he saw the veteran members stand up one after another: "We've discussed it enough, let's continue inspecting the hull." They filed out of the room.
In the afternoon, they continued to divide the work. Some went to sea, some made life-saving equipment, and some inspected the cabins.
Ke Xun and Mu Yiran were responsible for inspecting the hold below deck this time, and Luo Jin insisted on coming along.
"Brother, brother-in-law, what do you think, how about we hide in the hold tonight? That way we won't fall into the sea," Luo Jin said.
Ke Xun thought for a moment and looked at Mu Yiran: "I think that's a good idea. Anyway, if everyone is bound to fall into the illusion, it doesn't matter where we are. We tried it on deck last night, so let's try it in the hold today."
Mu Yiran nodded, meticulously examining the contents of the box. Ke Xun stood beside him, shining his phone light for him and occasionally massaging his back—anyone's back would ache from constantly bending over to rummage through things.
Luo Jin watched for a while, then clicked his tongue and sighed, "You two have such a good relationship. People say that couples are like birds in the same forest, flying away separately in times of trouble. It's so enviable that you two can stay together through something so terrible."
"There's nothing to envy," Ke Xun said expressionlessly. "Even we have our share of troubles."
"Huh? You have your share of troubles?" Luo Jin asked in surprise. "What are they?"
"There's always some unwitting third wheel around." Ke Xun looked at him coldly.
Luo Jin: "...Brother and sister-in-law, you two keep talking, I'm leaving now." He then ran away.
The entire afternoon passed without any results.
After dinner, Ke Xun and Mu Yiran were responsible for setting up the mechanism to detonate the phones. Ke Xun didn't contribute his own phone; instead, he took out his backpack, which had degenerated into a burden, and pulled out a cheap, domestically made phone worth a few hundred yuan.
The dozen or so cheap phones he had bought last time finally had a use. Ke Xun hadn't given up on this idea, and Ru Hua had brought all of them with her this time as well.
Luo Jin had mentioned the suggestion of hiding in the lower deck during dinner, and it was unanimously agreed upon.
After dinner, everything was arranged, and it was already dark. Everyone went into the lower deck and bolted the door leading to the lower deck from the inside.
A room was cleared out to store the items, and everyone went inside, locked the door, and put on makeshift life jackets. Liu Yanlei tied a rope around his waist and secured the other end to a beam in the ceiling. After his persuasion, Chen Xin'ai also tied herself to the beam with a rope.
There was still some time before midnight, and everyone sat in a circle on the floor.
"Although we can't predict whether tonight's hallucinations will escalate," Shao Ling spoke in the darkness, "please remember two things: Don't believe anyone you hear or see in the hallucinations, or what they say; and whatever happens that makes us want to leave, try your best to control yourself and don't move—of course, this is on the premise that the danger is fabricated by the hallucinations. If there is a real danger that must be avoided by leaving, please decide for yourselves."
Everyone agreed, and the dark room fell silent.
The feeling of waiting for death is never pleasant, and waiting for death in a dark and silent room is even more agonizing.
Liu Yanlei was the most restless. His mind had been in turmoil since this morning, due to the shock of death and the argument with his girlfriend, Chen Xin'ai.
He certainly couldn't admit that it wasn't her who had seduced him in last night's hallucinations.
While he had no ill intentions towards her, the person he loved and trusted most was indeed not her.
Liu Yanlei had always been unwilling to admit this, but last night's hallucinations mercilessly exposed his hypocrisy and self-deception.
Liu Yanlei's mind grew increasingly chaotic, his mind uncontrollably flooded with fragments of his past twenty-odd years: his student days, his working life, his first love, blind dates, the several girlfriends he'd had, the hardships of life, and the calculations, struggles, lies, and tears he'd shed for survival and advancement.
Unconsciously, time flew by, and he seemed to hear someone say, "It's almost time. Be careful and prepare."