Chapter Eighteen: The Player’s Stone of Three Lives

While Chen Hao continued to unleash basic blade techniques, he kept the corner of his eye fixed on the Pig-Slaughter Knife. Noticing it drawing closer, he feigned an inability to withstand the assault and fled in its direction. The Pig-Slaughter Knife grinned wickedly and swung his wooden club, convinced that Chen Hao was spent and ripe for revenge. As the club descended, Chen Hao’s broadsword flicked upward, snapping the club with a sharp crack. In the instant the Pig-Slaughter Knife was stunned, Chen Hao’s blade swept across his neck.

When there’s a vast disparity in combat attributes, the likelihood of a fatal blow in close quarters rises sharply, especially when striking a vital spot. The Pig-Slaughter Knife, with barely fifteen points in combat, had no chance to dodge; Chen Hao killed him instantly with a single stroke.

Chen Hao chose to eliminate the Pig-Slaughter Knife first to prevent the players who had come seeking trouble from escaping. With his temperament, if he were killed and his subordinates failed to avenge him, choosing flight instead, he would never forgive them. By dispatching him first, Chen Hao ensured his henchmen would fight desperately to avoid punishment upon returning.

Just as Chen Hao predicted, after he slew the Pig-Slaughter Knife, the other players, though shocked by his prowess, didn’t flee. No longer needing to feign weakness, Chen Hao wielded his broadsword left and right, harvesting player lives with relentless efficiency.

Once the last player had fallen, Chen Hao sheathed his blade and checked his satiety—only seventy points remained. Before the battle, both he and the fair-skinned Demon had replenished their satiety above ninety, yet this fight had depleted it again, forcing them to seek food anew.

“Brother Chen, we’ve struck it rich! With all this money, we won’t have to worry for a while,” the fair-skinned Demon exclaimed, running over with a handful of copper coins.

After cleaning up the battlefield, they tallied their haul: seventy-four players yielded four silver dollars and over five hundred copper coins. Of the four silver dollars, three were dropped by the Pig-Slaughter Knife—he’d likely cough up blood in rage over this loss. Chen Hao had acted in self-defense, while the Pig-Slaughter Knife initiated the attack, which explained the generous loot.

Chen Hao kept the four silver dollars, handing the five hundred-plus copper coins to the Demon. “I spent all your money, so here’s repayment. I’ll keep four silver dollars for delivering meals to Wang Wu.”

The fair-skinned Demon waved his hands. “Brother Chen, we’re brothers—what’s mine is yours. You’ll be taking me along for leveling anyway, and you always cover meals. I have no use for the money.”

Chen Hao had borrowed a fair sum from the Demon. If he didn’t repay him now, it would seem as though the Demon was paying him for leveling assistance. The Demon’s refusal to accept repayment put Chen Hao in a quandary, so he asked, “How many of your free attribute points did you allocate to marksmanship?”

“Ten,” the Demon replied.

Chen Hao considered this. “You’re level three now, with thirteen points in marksmanship. That’s decent enough to be useful.”

The Demon was puzzled. “Even if I max out marksmanship, it doesn’t matter! Without a gun, I can’t put it to use. Even if you can find me a gun, bullets cost twenty copper coins apiece—we can’t afford that.”

Lu Xiaoqi shook his head. “It’s not about guns. Who said marksmanship is only for firearms? In-game, bows, blowguns, throwing darts and knives—all these depend on marksmanship, don't they?”

The Demon’s face lit up with realization. “So you’re suggesting I use bows or throwing knives to level up?”

Chen Hao nodded. “Five hundred copper coins can buy a solid bow. Arrows cost ten coins each, but they’re reusable. So, you need to accept this money: buy yourself a bow and arrows, and our leveling speed will soar. We’ll reach level ten much faster.”

The Demon was greatly tempted. He had chosen to allocate ten points to marksmanship, aiming for a ranged attack build. Like many players, he fell into habitual thinking, believing marksmanship required firearms, never considering bows or thrown weapons. That’s why he worried about slow leveling early on.

If a bow could be put to use, he’d have no more worries about leveling. He accepted the copper coins. “Then I’ll use this money to buy a bow and arrows. When you’re not around, I’ll work at Spring Fragrance House for extra cash. If you need money, just ask.”

“Good, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Chen Hao smiled. “There’s a commander named Zhong Yuanshan at the county’s patrol camp. He sells military-grade bows and arrows: the price is about the same as the shops, but they’re much more powerful. Go buy your equipment; after I deliver Wang Wu’s meal, we’ll meet up at the south of town.”

After the Demon departed, Chen Hao ate a bowl of pork rib noodles to restore his satiety, then bought food for Wang Wu at a restaurant. As he left, he saw a player in novice attire heading toward Spring Fragrance House. Curious how the two bouncers would handle this newcomer, Chen Hao followed at a distance.

This player was far more generous than Chen Hao. He pulled two silver dollars from his pouch, giving one to each bouncer. The intimidating men who had scowled at Chen Hao were now exceptionally polite to this player, having heard the jingle of silver dollars in his pouch. No matter how shabby his clothes, Madam Lin would never rebuke someone so wealthy.

“Damn, that guy’s loaded! The game’s just started and he’s already collected so many silver dollars. Is his family running a bank?” Chen Hao muttered enviously, turning westward.

The wealthy player Chen Hao envied entered Spring Fragrance House and quickly had the brothel master summon over a dozen girls to drink with him. He tipped each girl a silver dollar and smiled, “Ladies, I’ve heard Spring Fragrance House boasts skilled women—strong enough that even burly men can’t get near. Is that true?”

A voluptuous girl in red laughed, “Young Master Three-Lives Stone, it’s true! For example, Sister Zhang Yuanyuan is not only talented in bed, but her fists are fierce too!”

Three-Lives Stone replied with admiration, “Such a heroine would be a shame not to meet. Could you introduce me to her?”

The red-clad girl threw him a flirtatious glance. “Young master, I’m quite skilled myself! You’re here for pleasure, not to hire a bodyguard—why not let me serve you? Besides, Zhang Yuanyuan has been acting oddly lately. Every mealtime, she buys food and heads westward. It’s mealtime now, so she’s probably gone out again.”

Hearing this, Three-Lives Stone’s eyes gleamed. He placed another silver dollar on the red-clad girl’s ample chest and smiled, “Why would a delicate girl head to the west of town?”

The girl giggled, “Who knows! Isn’t there an Earth God Temple in the west? Maybe she’s keeping a secret lover there.”