First, play the part of someone well.

In this city, the statement truly sounded like a novel idea.

The old man, having had his life saved by someone, said no more.

Those with such stubborn tempers would be taught a lesson by the city’s rules and would ultimately understand the consequences of not heeding the advice of the elders.

Wu Jiu didn’t care about these matters.

He had already noticed that the people of the city seemed rather rigid.

They all emphasized the matter of identity.

As if once they received a certain identity, it represented that they must act according to the traditional impression people have of that identity.

Just like how he was a chef, he should stay in the kitchen, obeying the commands of the rather stern head chef.

About that head chef, Wu Jiu always felt he had seen her somewhere before.

He was not a lecherous man who would claim to recognize every beautiful woman saying, "I have seen this sister before."

But upon seeing the head chef, Wu Jiu truly felt... that he had indeed seen her before.

He stepped outside for a breath of fresh air and quickly returned to the kitchen.

The name of the restaurant was Ghost Grinding.

Truly a haunting name, yet the business was quite good.

The owner who was also the head chef was named Ruan Qingyun.

In terms of scale, the restaurant was not within the top ten in Baichuan City, but it was definitely not a small establishment either.

The signature dish involved handling various kinds of offal—beef and pork entrails—with a very spicy and savory flavor. Although there were no highly sophisticated dishes, the customers were never few.

However, most people were there because of the boss’s beauty.

The kitchen was large, and even though it used various animal organs as ingredients, the smell of blood in the kitchen was actually very faint.

"Blind man, where did you go?"

Obviously, if Bai Wu were here, he would without doubt mess with the captain, especially with a domineering female boss like Ruan Qingyun—without a second word, he would just embrace her and kiss her.

But it seemed that Wu Jiu really didn’t have Bai Wu’s terrifying spiritual power, and it was Bai Wu, not Wu Jiu, who had earned the approval of Hong Yin.

So the erosion of the rules on Wu Jiu, and on everyone in this city, was much deeper than on Bai Wu.

Therefore, in this world, Wu Jiu didn’t recognize this tall woman, only feeling vaguely... that he had seen her before.

"I stepped out for some air," Wu Jiu said in an even tone.

Ruan Qingyun snapped,

"Do you realize the customers are still waiting!"

"Don’t worry, I’m very fast."

Indeed, Wu Jiu was very fast; when others flipped pots at a normal pace, he could flip a pot dozens of times in a second.

"Do not leave your position without permission again," Ruan Qingyun said, seemingly unable to get angry at the nonchalant Wu Jiu.

It was not that she was angry, but now the countdown was less than two days away.

Who knows what might happen in two days?

She might become a wealthy woman, a beggar, a driver, or continue being a chef, or maybe an old lady with a sidewalk stall?

Her heart was actually filled with fear, although she had tried her best to run the restaurant well, theoretically only earning a better identity.

And history had indeed proven that she had continuously received better identities by doing her part well.

This was a difficult achievement.

The Evil Fallen and humans blindly follow the rules, yet due to various mismatches with their identities, the rules became chaotic.

In such a city, to play an identity convincingly is exceedingly difficult, let alone to be oneself.

Yet Ruan Qingyun had succeeded.

Now, with only two days left, she was on the brink of success, soon to lead a better life.

It was just that each time she changed identities, she was reluctant to let go of the memories.

Unlike others, Ruan Qingyun didn’t rely on acting; she truly took every temporary identity as if it were her own permanent one.

Ruan Qingyun was well aware that once a new identity emerged, it meant that social memories related to the old identity would be erased.

However, some professional memories would be retained.

That’s why some people thrived in this city while others continually switched to worse identities.

She felt that this not-so-tall man in front of her was very diligent; even though his height was not her preference, she somehow found him appealing.

The fifth layer of the Well World actually doesn’t have a definitive structure.

Different people enter the fifth layer and see different things.

When Bai Wu and Wu Jiu entered the fifth layer, what they encountered was closely related to their experiences.

In this world, the Hong Yin that Bai Wu met, although tormented by a severely distorted world, was still inherently Hong Yin.

In this city, the Ruan Qingyun that Wu Jiu met may have already lost her memories, but the two were still drawn to each other.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that this world, based on the memories of Bai Wu and Wu Jiu... lacks a corresponding history.

Just as in this world, Baichuan City has existed for many years.

As long as it has been in Bai Wu’s memory.

So Ruan Qingyun couldn’t quite understand this feeling, out of her many past identities, even if she wanted to fall in love...

She wouldn’t choose a short person, would she?

She can’t remember, all the memories related to her many past identities are beyond recall.

With less than two days left, there’s no need for her to create unnecessary complications.

Ruan Qingyun thought this way, but somehow she found herself saying:

"By the way, I’ll take you home after work, okay?"

Wu Jiu furrowed his brows:

"Is this something you should be doing given your identity?"

"I’m the owner of this shop, can’t I take my employee home?"

Wu Jiu thought about it and then nodded.

This inexplicable sense of familiarity made Wu Jiu wonder if he had forgotten someone very important, could it be the person before his eyes?

...

Time passed by the minute, and the business at Ghost Grinding was going well; until four in the afternoon, there were still many customers, and it was unclear whether they were there for lunch or dinner.

Wu Jiu had thought that today would pass by peacefully, until two things occurred.

The first was the news program starting on the central TV in the restaurant.

"As usual, a major traffic accident occurred today at the Central Overpass, resulting in one hundred twenty-two injuries and sixteen fatalities."

The newscaster spoke in a calm tone, and although Wu Jiu found it inconceivable, this was an everyday occurrence for the people of this city.

He suddenly realized that perhaps he really should accompany this female boss back, otherwise she might have an accident.

The scene of the crime shown on screen was gruesome, in the footage, Wu Jiu saw someone walking out of a deformed vehicle standing in the center of the exaggerated accident site, facing the vast surrounding crowd.

It was a silhouette, and in the instant he saw it, many memories flashed by.

He felt like he was on the verge of recalling something, but ultimately he did not remember.

"Seeing this person... I should be able to remember everything... seeing this person..."

Wu Jiu felt an inexplicable sensation that by seeing this person, many puzzles would be solved.

The news switched quickly because car accidents were common in this city.

Not just car accidents, all sorts of disasters and man-made calamities were happening everywhere.

Even though it’s a city where everyone has to live by their identities, it seems that hardly anyone can play their part well.

"The Ghoul with an Odd Face has appeared again. We remind all citizens, please do not make friends carelessly."

This was the second piece of news.

Wu Jiu frowned:

"What does this news mean? Ghoul with an Odd Face?"

"A creature that eats people, specifically targeting others’ friends, very mysterious, you’re better off pretending you didn’t hear about it. In this city, the fewer attachments you have, the less likely you are to encounter them."

Wu Jiu remained skeptical, silently making a mental note of the Ghoul with an Odd Face.

The third piece of news was also strange.

"Today, the number of people injured by pets has increased by two hundred forty-five. Many of the injured are calling for all pets to be killed, all pets to be killed!"

Another odd message.

Could a city really have over two hundred people bitten by pets every day?

What kind of absurdity is this?

Wu Jiu felt that something was amiss, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Ruan Qingyun looked at Wu Jiu and sighed:

"You have a nose for other people’s business."

She, much like the old man Wu Jiu had rescued that morning, fundamentally believed that Wu Jiu shouldn’t have meddled.

Although she actually had always cared about her subordinates, caring for everyone at Ghost Grinding, Ruan Qingyun always restrained herself.

Living in this city for an extended period, one would understand that destiny did not belong to oneself, whatever identity had been allotted, that was the identity to assume.

Those who tried to overstep often ended up with nothing but troubles and ultimately fell into even more difficult circumstances.

Thus, later, Ruan Qingyun planned to talk to Wu Jiu on their way home, to advise him on how to survive in this city while her memories were still intact and while she still took a liking to this rather intriguing young man.

She planned it this way, unaware that an unexpected turn of events had already approached.

The second incident that shattered the afternoon’s calm happened just then.

After Wu Jiu and Ruan Qingyun had finished listening to various strange news, they returned to the kitchen to prepare for the dinner rush.

But at that moment, the sound of tables being overturned came from the dining area.

Bang! Crash!

The sound of shattering porcelain accompanied the patrons’ exclamations.

In that instant, Ruan Qingyun, who was obviously still in the kitchen, suddenly shivered.

Fear filled her eyes in an instant.

"What’s going on, is someone causing trouble outside?"

Wu Jiu’s expression was very grim. Although he felt he shouldn’t be a chef, believing he had something more important to do, he was still happy being with Ruan Qingyun.

The sudden disruption of their peaceful moment made Wu Jiu quite displeased.

He stepped out of the kitchen and saw a group of people wearing white robes and demon masks gathered in the dining area.

These people carried weapons; hammers, chainsaws, knives, steel pipes, and baseball bats.

The one leading them even held a gun.

The word "freedom" was inscribed on their white robes.

Ruan Qingyun walked out of the kitchen, and upon seeing this group, the fear in her eyes intensified.

Not just Ruan Qingyun, the restaurant staff were equally terrified.

"It’s... the Free People... damn it, I was only two days away from getting through, how could I encounter the Free People..."

The waiter was mumbling to himself in fright, his voice very low, but it was still caught by Wu Jiu’s exceptional eyesight.

Although Wu Jiu couldn’t see the details of the group, Heart Net allowed him to feel their outlines.

"What are the Free People?"

Ruan Qingyun was already so frightened that her legs seemed weak, and she was trembling against the wall as if she could barely stand.

She couldn’t explain what the Free People were, as she was too scared to speak.

But Wu Jiu’s question was overheard by the Free People.

"Who would have thought there’s someone who doesn’t know what the Free People are?"

"Hahahaha, that’s just too good. We must make sure he thoroughly understands what we mean to this city!"

A Free Person wearing a demon mask swung his meteor hammer and leaped seven or eight meters in a single bound, landing directly in front of Wu Jiu.

Though his face was masked, Wu Jiu could sense his boastful attitude, and... pride, through Heart Net.

"Listen well, we can kill as we please in this city, we can rob whenever we want, and we do whatever we like! With just one command from us, an identity holder can be forced to abandon their identity!"

"We are the masters of this city! By continuously changing identities and accomplishing promotions, we have obtained the ultimate identity— Free People!"

"Everything we do is allowed and encouraged by this city!"

"In this city, everyone tries hard to live under the constraints of their identities; father, daughter, boss, subordinate, driver, chef, husband, even a street thug, everyone is tied down by their identity."

"Just like you, Little Dwarf, you’re a chef, right? Oh, and this morning you had a temporary identity... a passerby who couldn’t stand by in the face of injustice. Hahahahaha, come everyone, take a look at this meddler!"

All the Free People in white robes laughed loudly.

These Free People seemed to be able to directly access others’ identities.

As perfect performers of various identities who eventually ascended to become Free People, they had gained privileges far beyond those of most people.

They could do whatever they wanted, pillage whatever they desired, destroy anything they chose.

All things were permissible, without taboo.

Wealth and power were meaningless to them, for they could have anything they desired at any moment, with the only rule being that Free People must stay united, with no other constraints.

Such a group had long forgotten their original intentions within their respective identities. In an era where everyone was constrained by identity, a group without any identities had become monsters of indulgence.

And there was one more point: in this world, everyone defaulted to accepting whatever the Free People did to them.

They could even stage a scenario where a husband or wife is unfaithful in front of the other at any time.

In short, they were the rulers of this city.

They were too bored, having experienced many pleasures, and now their greatest delight lay in destroying the lives of others.

Just like Ruan Qingyun, she was about to achieve enlightenment and perfectly complete her identity.

But at this moment... she encountered the Free People.

Being murdered or humiliated, or even having her restaurant burned down, would all lead to the failure of her roleplay.

Wu Jiu probably understood the background of these people and nodded:

"Yes, I am a chef, you smashed our boss’s crockery and chairs, and scared away our guests. Free People, could you settle the bill?"

As soon as these words came out, they stunned everyone for a second.

Subsequently, even more brazen laughter erupted.

Ruan Qingyun even wanted to scold Wu Jiu for talking like this.

Didn’t this person fear bringing trouble upon himself?

Although she was afraid, deep inside, she was already thinking about how to please this group of people.

"I really haven’t had this much fun in a long time. Everyone else is frightened and fawning when they see us, but you, you actually dare to ask us for money?"

The maniacal laughter, the lunatic words, and the fear of the people around, all made Wu Jiu frown:

"You’ve broken things and scared away guests, this loss can’t be borne by us alone, right? There’s no such freedom in the world."

In fact, when he stepped out of the kitchen this morning to get some air, he felt he shouldn’t have.

A cook should stay in the kitchen.

He didn’t know where this stereotype came from, but it existed nonetheless.

However, this notion was quickly rejected by Wu Jiu’s own will.

Like everyone else in the city, he was living within a certain identity, but unlike everyone else, he was not bound by it.

That powerful will allowed him to overcome some "rules."

Seeing Wu Jiu still having the audacity to look unafraid, the Free Man wielding the chain suddenly felt irked. He wanted to torment this Little Dwarf, to see him show the same expression everyone else had when facing them!

"Alright, alright, alright, I’m going to teach you now what freedom is!"

He swung the chain in his hand, intending to lash the man who’d annoyed him!

But the moment he thought so, he caught sight of the eyes of the person shorter than him by half a head.

Those were incredibly sharp eyes.

The Free Man, as if pierced through the soul by a sword.

Eyes with a trace of anger, like the gaze of Medusa, paralyzing him.

His hand, in fact, lacked the courage to swing the chain.

Instead, it was Wu Jiu, walking steadily up to him, without looking up, but slightly raising his eyes, and saying word by word:

"Settle the bill, Free Man."

Fear spread in the heart of the Free Man. The eyes behind the mask began to waver.

What’s going on?

Why could this person defy him? According to the rules... shouldn’t everyone in the city be at their mercy?

One must not harbor malice toward the Free People, one must not attack the Free People, one must not act disrespectfully in front of the Free People.

These were supposed to be the iron decrees of the city.

The other Free People also realized something was amiss at this moment, and instantly drew various weapons.

The city had many individuals with powerful Innate Forces, and also many terrifying Evil Fallen.

But all were suppressed by the rules, so the Free People didn’t need to exercise any military power.

They could bully whomever they wanted.

The current situation was indeed shocking for all the Free People.

Ruan Qingyun looked at Wu Jiu, and logically, she should be perplexed by Wu Jiu’s reaction and immediately demand that he apologize.

Showing off wasn’t done like this; even if one desired to display a man’s strength, timing was crucial.

She should have stopped Wu Jiu immediately.

But a feeling of trust that surged within her caused her to hesitate...

As if this person could truly resolve the crisis at hand.