Chapter Sixty-Four: The Prison Cart Ambush

In the early hours of January 12th in the game, thirty or forty players had gathered outside the north gate of Penglai County. None of them knew each other, but all were waiting expectantly for something.

Situ Feng stood idly in the gatehouse, a hint of boredom in his expression. Beside him was a girl dressed in sleek black attire, petite in stature, her pale face like a shard of eternal ice. She spoke coldly, “Situ Feng, didn’t you say the hidden quest required three people? What are all these others here for?”

Situ Feng managed a wry smile. “Liu Yishou went to find out, didn’t he? Let’s wait for him to come back.”

A burly player approached, shrugging his shoulders. “I asked a few people, but none would say what they’re here for. Instead, they turned it around and asked what I was doing.”

The girl in black snorted. “The others must have been invited, just like us. He said he needed three, but thirty or forty showed up. I’m curious to see how he’ll handle this.”

Situ Feng shook his head. “Chen Baxian isn’t the kind to idle away his time, gathering people to stand guard at the north gate. Let’s just be patient.”

Liu Yishou grinned. “Maybe your so-called expert has a twisted sense of humor and wants to stage a competition, picking three helpers out of all these people.”

A fevered gleam flashed in the black-clad girl’s eyes. “If that’s the case, I’ve got no complaints. It’s been ages since I’ve had a proper PK—might as well use these people for practice.”

Situ Feng laughed bitterly. “Night Rain, why are you so morbid for a woman? Cold as ice most days, wild in battle—aren’t you worried no one will marry you?”

Night Rain shot him a frosty glance. “I hear you’re doing well in ‘War,’ your dual guns are impressive. Keep mouthing off and I’ll visit you every night for some fun—how about it?”

Situ Feng immediately fell silent. Night Rain’s idea of “fun” had nothing to do with romance; when she went wild, she was terrifying. Even those in their circle had suffered under her relentless attacks. If he faced her head-on, his odds were better, but if Night Rain ambushed him every night, his chances of winning were less than ten percent.

Elsewhere outside the north gate, Lin Xiaofeng and his three companions waited patiently. Occasionally, other players tried to get information from Rain Butterfly and Chen Feng, noticing their young age. Chen Feng remained tight-lipped, while Rain Butterfly spoke softly and carefully, managing to glean useful tidbits in return.

Players who had participated in the assault on the Qinghe Cathedral gathered together, familiar with each other, discussing the mysterious quest. Each wondered if, with so many players present, they would have a chance if it truly was a hidden quest.

In the game, one day equaled six hours in reality. When Chen Hao had his character rest, it was 11 p.m. in-game, meaning he could only rest less than two hours in real life. He didn’t return to his dorm; instead, he went to the night market for a late meal, then back to the internet café. Setting an alarm on his phone, he dozed in his chair until it woke him, then logged in right on time.

Game time was now seven in the morning. His companion, the pale and devilish Monster, was online as well, looking frustrated. “Brother Chen, it’s one thing for you to crash in my room, but you kicked me out of bed and my character barely got any rest.”

“I have a big battle to lead today, so I need to take care of myself first. Don’t sulk, Monster—get ready, we’re heading out.”

After speaking, Chen Hao went to knock on his own room door. When there was no response after a while, he pushed it open and found Lin Hei’er and Lady Cuiyun gone. On the table lay a note, written in delicate script: “Take the others out the north gate and head west. We’ll wait for you on the road.”

“Damn, those two women don’t even trust me.” Chen Hao muttered, feeling a bit disgruntled. Luckily, Lady Cuiyun had some conscience—she’d prepared food before leaving. After replenishing their hunger meter with Monster, the two hurried toward the north gate.

Upon arrival, Chen Hao counted from a distance, made sure everyone was present, then approached, smiling. “You’re all early! Follow me; the quest NPC is not far from here.”

The waiting players were filled with questions, but seeing that Chen Hao wasn’t about to explain, most remained silent. The black-clad beauty beside Situ Feng shot Chen Hao a cold look. “A quest for three, yet thirty-plus show up. Aren’t you going to explain?”

“If you want the quest, follow me. If not, leave. No whining.” With that, Chen Hao strode out the gate. Most players followed. Having wasted so much time already, no one wanted to leave without knowing what the quest was.

Seeing only the three of them left behind, Situ Feng gave a bitter smile. “Night Rain, let’s go too. We can’t have come all this way for nothing.”

Night Rain watched Chen Hao’s retreating figure, a chill glint in her eyes. “If he doesn’t give an explanation today, he won’t have a moment’s peace in this game.”

After walking five hundred meters north, Chen Hao abruptly turned west. With Night Rain’s lesson fresh in their minds, no one dared question him again. They marched two kilometers west, but Lin Hei’er and Lady Cuiyun were nowhere to be seen. The players’ faces began to darken.

Chen Hao felt uneasy—if Lin Hei’er and Lady Cuiyun never appeared, not only would his reputation be ruined, but none of the players present would let him off.

As he passed a large tree, his vision suddenly blurred, and Lin Hei’er and Lady Cuiyun leapt down from the branches to stand before him.

Both women were strikingly beautiful. Their distinctive, historical attire signaled their NPC status, excitement gleaming in the players’ eyes.

Lin Hei’er, accustomed to playing the big sister, strode to a large stone and waved her hand. “Fellow Outsiders, I am Lin Hei’er of the Red Lanterns. I’m in trouble and need your help.”

“Isn’t that the Holy Mother of Yellow Lotus, Lin Hei’er!”

“Who’s Lin Hei’er?”

“One of the major bosses of the Boxer Rebellion, leader of the Red Lanterns. Not only beautiful, but extremely skilled.”

“Tch, playing ‘War’ and not knowing history? The woman beside Lin Hei’er, Lady Cuiyun, is even more famous!”

Excitement lit up the eyes of every player. Lin Hei’er and Lady Cuiyun were renowned NPCs, with quest privileges far greater than ordinary NPCs; completing their quests meant richer rewards.

Lin Hei’er pressed her hands down, signaling for quiet, and spoke loudly, “Some of my close sisters have been captured by the authorities. Today, they will be escorted to Laizhou Prefecture. I intend to ambush the convoy and rescue them. Will you help me?”

“Player XXX, NPC Lin Hei’er offers you the quest ‘Seize the Prison Wagon.’ Quest objectives: Assist Lin Hei’er in eliminating the guards and players escorting the prisoners, and rescue the Red Lanterns from the wagon. Quest reward: Unknown. Note: Completing this quest carries a high risk of being wanted by the authorities.”