INSIDER Chapter 143

Yuan Kejie asked Lu Chu excitedly, “Lu Xiaochu, which ‘game’ did you escape from?”

Lu Chu replied, “The city of lost senses.”

Yuan Kejie touched her chin thoughtfully, “The city of lost senses? I’ve never heard of it…”

She looked at the others.

Luo Qi denied, “I’ve never experienced it.”

Qian Zhen shook his head, “Me neither.”

Song Gui nodded calmly, “I have.”

Immediately, the other three turned their gaze to Song Gui.

Yuan Kejie was astonished, “You’ve been through that ‘game’?!”

“Yes,” Song Gui nodded and smiled, “So when I first saw Lu Xiaochu, I vaguely guessed his identity and kept inviting him to join me on missions.”

Lu Chu looked at Song Gui, “You were very enthusiastic back then, but also very hypocritical.”

Song Gui patted Lu Chu’s shoulder, “Don’t be like that, Lu Xiaochu. I even scare myself with how sincere I am now.”

Yuan Kejie exaggeratedly rubbed her arms, “I believe it.”

Luo Qi scoffed, “Hmph.”

Song Gui shook his head helplessly, “You all are targeting me.”

Sun Haoran, one hand restrained by Qian Zhen, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered, “I’m afraid I have to interrupt your dream. We’re still in this ‘game’ and haven’t escaped yet. It’s better to focus on the present. And even if we escape, how will you find multiplayer dungeon tasks related to the ‘city of lost senses’? As we all know, there are thousands of dungeon tasks, and the ‘rules’ hints and requirements are not always comprehensive or mention information related to the ‘lost senses’. Finding the specific ‘game’ you want would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

Song Gui raised an eyebrow.

Lu Chu looked at Sun Haoran, “So?”

“So—” Sun Haoran glanced at 7, “I was originally planning to negotiate terms for cooperation with you. As a ‘Cleaner,’ it would be much easier for me to help you find it.”

Yuan Kejie shrugged, “Sorry, but the premise of your proposal is invalid because we already have a Cleaner in our team, so we don’t need you.”

“Heh, yes, he is a ‘Cleaner’,” Sun Haoran chuckled, “But he is no longer a complete ‘Cleaner.’ He only has the corresponding ‘rules’ attached to him, just carrying the title. I bet this mighty ‘Cleaner’ hasn’t told you that every time he enters a ‘game’ with you and leaves afterward, he endures a day of skin-tearing, blood-soaked agony.”

Lu Chu frowned and immediately looked at 7.

7 had never mentioned this to him.

7 gently patted Lu Chu’s soft hair reassuringly, then coldly stared at Sun Haoran, “You’re meddling too much.”

Sun Haoran raised his hands in surrender, but the bloodied corner of his lips curled up even more, “I know you don’t care. From what I understand, your current condition means that every time you enter and leave a ‘game,’ you suffer excruciating pain. Yes, you’re strong and fearless, but Mr. Lu here would feel heartache seeing you in pain.”

Lu Chu felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He held 7’s hand and looked up at his sharp profile, “Is what he says true?”

7 looked back at him, never lying to Lu Chu, and chose to remain silent.

Lu Chu frowned, envisioning 7 standing there, waiting for him to turn away, then his skin tearing and bleeding, the agony of flesh and blood vividly clear.

“Why?” Lu Chu murmured, “Why does this happen?”

Sun Haoran interrupted, “Of course, to save you.”

The next second, 7 grabbed Sun Haoran by the collar and slammed him against the wall, delivering a heavy punch to his abdomen, making Sun Haoran vomit blood.

7 released him, and Sun Haoran collapsed, retching.

Looking down at him, 7 said, “I told you, you’re meddling too much.”

Sun Haoran laughed, kneeling and clutching his stomach.

At this moment, Lu Chu realized the extent of 7’s sacrifices to bring him out of the ‘game’ and what it cost—7, with his abilities, could enter and leave ‘games’ unscathed and as a Cleaner, he dominated everything within the ‘game’. Likely, before meeting Lu Chu, he hadn’t suffered any injuries or bled for a long time.

But because of him, all that changed.

Saving him meant 7 was always covered in wounds, enduring severe pain alone.

Thinking about this, Lu Chu’s eyes misted.

Seeing this, 7 held Lu Chu’s hand and said to the others, “I have some things to handle. Watch this guy on the ground.”

Then he led Lu Chu around the corner, disappearing from view.

Wang Heng and the others shifted from initial shock to silence. All this talk of Cleaners and ‘game’ inhabitants left them lost.

Seeing 7 and Lu Chu leave, Wang Heng, still stunned, asked Yuan Kejie, “What are they doing?”

Yuan Kejie sighed, “Domestic matters. Kids shouldn’t interfere.”

Wang Heng: “…”

Li Yiming, holding Wang Yiming’s arm, nervously asked Song Gui, “Are you exorcists from another world?”

Song Gui remained silent, then said, “You could say that.”

Yuan Kejie added dramatically, “Yes, we’re exorcists, embodiments of justice and courage! Once we deal with the demons here, we’ll leave!” Li Yiming pointed at Sun Haoran, “What about him?”

Yuan Kejie replied naturally, “He’s the demon king hiding among you. We’ll take him when we leave.”

Li Yiming nodded.

Yuan Kejie was just joking, but seeing the three believe her, she almost burst out laughing. She barely contained herself under Song Gui’s stern gaze, turning red as she faced the wall, shoulders shaking.

Song Gui approached Sun Haoran, bending down, “You want to cooperate with us?”

Sun Haoran, still lying down, didn’t move much and mockingly replied, “Of course.”

Song Gui raised an eyebrow, “Reason? If I remember correctly, you once incited an NPC to kill us.”

Sun Haoran scoffed, “I just wanted to test that NPC. If he was useful, I wouldn’t need to cooperate with you. Who knew he was a failure?”

Recalling the incident, Yuan Kejie got angry, “You almost killed me and still want to cooperate? Good thing teammates can revive on the spot…”

Sun Haoran remained nonchalant, “You can’t determine cooperation without real trials.”

“Then wait,” Song Gui smiled, “The most important and strongest people in our team don’t like you.”

.

Meanwhile, 7 led Lu Chu into a room in the middle of the “return” corridor.

Inside, Lu Chu was still dazed by the revelation.

His lover had endured so much pain and suffering because of him.

7 pressed Lu Chu against the door, looking down at him, then cupped his face, “Look at me.”

Lu Chu looked up, meeting 7’s gaze.

7 stared deeply at Lu Chu, his eyes filled with profound love. He looked at Lu Chu’s handsome face and clear eyes, then gently kissed his lips, softly caressing them. After a moment, he slightly pulled back, their breaths mingling, making Lu Chu feel warm and dizzy with affection.

7’s voice was low, “I never told you because I didn’t think it mattered.”

Lu Chu looked at him firmly, “It matters to me.”

7 sighed, embracing Lu Chu tightly, his voice filled with love, “I know you feel pain for my wounds and blame yourself. But to me, these wounds are nothing,”

Lu Chu frowned, “But you feel pain, don’t you?”

“Yes, it hurts,” 7 kissed his ear gently, “But it’s also proof that I’m alive, that my soul is alive.”

“The pain ‘rules’ inflict on me is like the light, warmth, and long-lost feelings you brought into my life. They are the same to me.”

Holding Lu Chu’s waist with one hand and caressing his neck with the other, 7 said, “Lu Chu, everything I do for you proves I’m alive.”

Lu Chu was silent for a long time, then buried his head in 7’s chest, “We can soon escape the ‘rules.’ I won’t let you suffer this pain forever.”

“Yes, we’ll escape soon.”