Chapter 122: Horses Thundering Down the Long Street

Chen Hao enjoyed a wonderful sleep. The nutrition pod had sleep-enhancing functions; a mere three hours of high-quality rest within it was enough to keep one’s physical condition in the real world at a perfect state. Not being in a hurry to enter the game this time, Chen Hao set the pod for four hours. After waking up, he logged into the trading platform and discovered that the price for the Command Post construction blueprint had soared to 28 million, with over a dozen parties still competing for it.

After washing up and spending some time window-shopping with Ban Qianqian, Chen Hao returned to his room and drifted into the game. Though he had spent six hours in reality—an entire day in game time—everyone else had also logged back in by the time he stepped out of his guest room.

Lin Xiaofeng was the first to arrive. Even though they had agreed to reunite after six hours, he had been eager to exchange culinary techniques with the wealthy Master Xu’s chef.

As captain of the cavalry unit, Chen Hao was recognized by Master Xu as the leader, and the man treated him with great courtesy. Upon seeing Chen Hao, Master Xu smiled slightly and asked, "Captain Chen, did you rest well last night?"

Chen Hao cupped his hands in a salute. "Many thanks for your hospitality, Master Xu; I rested very well. If there is anything our brothers can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask."

Master Xu sighed. "There is indeed a matter that requires your assistance, Captain Chen, and I truly hope you can help."

Chen Hao waved his hand. "Master Xu is a man of great integrity, and we brothers admire you deeply. Simply give your orders."

With a face full of grief and indignation, Master Xu said, "My eldest son, Xu Qian, returned from studying in France only to encounter Li Wencai, the leader of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists in Sanyuan Village. He was captured and subjected to the 'Heavenly Lamp' torture. I yearn for vengeance every day, but Li Wencai is protected by the local magistrate, leaving me with no path for justice. If you, Captain Chen, can kill Li Wencai for me, I shall reward you handsomely."

"Someone, bring me that Snow-Hoofed Black Stallion," Master Xu commanded his servant.

Before long, a groom led over a magnificent, towering horse. It stood ten feet high, its coat as black as ink, save for its four snow-white hooves. Taking the reins, Master Xu said, "My family has long traded horses beyond the Great Wall. While this Snow-Hoofed Black does not travel a thousand miles a day like the steeds in 'Water Margin,' it is a rare find, capable of eight hundred miles daily. Today, I present it to you, Captain Chen."

"I have observed that the mounts of your men are quite ordinary. If you can bring me Li Wencai’s head to honor my son, I will gift a fine steed from beyond the borders to each of you."

"Player Chen Baxian, NPC Xu Wenju has issued the revenge quest 'Kill Li Wencai.' Completion requirements: Kill the Righteous and Harmonious Fists leader of Sanyuan Village, Li Wencai, and retrieve his head. Reward: Snow-Hoofed Black Stallion."

The others received the quest notification as well. Their rewards were also horses—slightly inferior to the Snow-Hoofed Black, yet still rare and exceptional steeds. Surprised by the quest, the others looked to Chen Hao. Having been through the recent battle, they held him in high esteem and clearly expected him to make the call.

Chen Hao spoke with righteous fury: "Those boxers are truly lawless. How can the heavens allow Li Wencai to live? We shall certainly avenge you, Master Xu. However, we cannot accept rewards without merit. How about we accept your gifts only after I have slain Li Wencai?"

Xu Wenju was overjoyed. "Captain Chen is truly a hero! As the saying goes, a fine horse for a hero; I insist on giving you this Snow-Hoofed Black now. Whether or not you succeed in killing Li Wencai, it is yours."

Though Xu said this, Chen Hao knew that if they failed the quest and kept the horses, their reputation would suffer. After he accepted the mission, the others followed suit. The butler opened the back gate, and after ensuring the coast was clear, the twelve riders galloped out of the Xu estate.

Guhuai Town was bustling. Because the "dastardly" twelve riders had slaughtered many villages, players had gathered in Guhuai Town, which possessed simple defensive walls. A faction of a hundred players stationed there had specifically assigned scouts to the watchtowers; should the twelve riders appear, they planned to lure them into the town and annihilate them.

The twelve riders had vanished for an entire day, and with no word of their whereabouts, the players in Guhuai Town had lowered their guard. Since the cavalry unit specialized in targeting players who accepted railway-sabotage quests, many had stopped taking those missions. Once the riders disappeared, however, they had become active again.

The Righteous and Harmonious Fists NPC in charge of issuing quests in Guhuai Town was named Li Ergou. Originally a hooligan, he was a distant cousin of Li Wencai from Sanyuan Village. Thanks to this connection, he had become a minor leader within the group. He was currently boasting and preening while handing out quests when a sudden commotion broke out.

Li Ergou looked up to see the twelve riders charging through the main street like a whirlwind. The three hulking men in the lead swung heavy sabers, cutting down any residents or players who blocked their path. Those behind wielded pistols, firing indiscriminately and felling players with every shot.

Li Ergou was nimble; he dove to the side of the road. He feared the steel blades, but he had no fear of Western "demon weapons." His body was covered in protective charms, and he believed the Mother of the Unborn protected him from blade and bullet alike—surely, these demon weapons could not kill him.

The appearance of the cavalry took everyone by surprise. The twelve riders cut a bloody path down the long street, slaughtering players before they could even react. As the unit passed by, Yu Die, who had long since spotted the minor Righteous and Harmonious Fists leader, pulled her trigger. Two consecutive shots struck Li Ergou in the head, and he collapsed, his eyes wide with shock.

Because the attack was so sudden, the players in town failed to organize any defense. The twelve killers carved their way through the long street, taking down over 80 players and 8 Righteous and Harmonious Fists NPCs. Regrettably, they had no time to loot the dropped equipment.

There were simply too many players in the town. Their surprise charge had been effective, but had they stopped to loot, they would have been swallowed by the vast sea of enemies. Amidst the curses of countless players, the twelve riders reached the town gate. Yu Die leveled her rifle from afar and shot down the player guarding the watchtower.

With the threat of the tower removed, the twelve horses surged out of the gate and vanished from the players' sight.

The footage of the twelve riders charging down the street was quickly uploaded to the forums. Many players had assumed the riders had bypassed the area, so their appearance in Guhuai Town caught everyone off guard again. Once the post went live, players who had been killed in the confusion began posting cynical comments, mocking the high-level players who had joined the Righteous and Harmonious Fists.

"Haha! The twelve riders are mighty. I admit defeat in my death. Even though there are more players in the Righteous and Harmonious Fists, they are all trash. Look at those who joined the government side—they’re all elite experts."

"Damn, those big factions were acting all high and mighty, yet twelve enemy players are running rampant across Langfang, Baoding, and Cangzhou. What a slap in the face!"

"I’m canceling my quest. I’m done with the Righteous and Harmonious Fists. I’m going to support Nie Shicheng in protecting the railway."

"Count me in. Small fries like us can only pin our hopes on the experts, but once the twelve riders appeared, the experts vanished and the big factions wilted. I guess we have no choice but to side with the government..."