Chapter Thirteen: Zhang Yuanyuan’s Mission

Chen Hao's combat stats were exceptionally high, making him a formidable presence in the early stages of leveling, and the reason Pale Monster agreed to help was that he wanted Chen Hao to take him along for leveling. Not every player who entered the game "War" aspired to be a leader; in real life, Pale Monster was a gifted conversationalist, a legendary spammer on major online forums and message boards, so he naturally chose the diplomatic path in the game according to his own preferences.

All twenty of Pale Monster's political attribute points were allocated to diplomacy, and when he drew his political specialty, he happened to acquire a diplomatic skill called "Silver Tongue," which increased his chance of persuading NPCs by 5%. It was thanks to his high diplomacy and the "Silver Tongue" ability that he was able to convince the madam of the Spring Fragrance Brothel.

Pale Monster had no interest in close combat; he distributed his twenty free military points to stealth and marksmanship. After entering the game, he tried teaming up to level, but his combat stats were too low and no one wanted him. Left with no choice, he decided to earn some money at the brothel first, planning to save up enough to pay someone to carry him through leveling later.

Chen Hao readily agreed to Pale Monster's proposal. While other players might see carrying a combat-zero player as a burden, Chen Hao thought differently. Players with high diplomacy could still help in battles; for example, they could lure monsters, gathering them together to make it easier for teammates to fight.

With his superior combat stats, Chen Hao could handle ten monsters of the same level at once. Most of his leveling time was spent searching for monsters and chasing them down. If Pale Monster could successfully lure monsters, Chen Hao would no longer have to roam around looking for them, and the monsters under Pale Monster's spell wouldn't flee so easily, greatly improving leveling efficiency.

After reaching an agreement, Chen Hao waited at the foot of the stairs while Pale Monster went upstairs to find Zhang Yuanyuan. Soon, he returned, gave Chen Hao an OK gesture, and said to the brothel's attendant at the stairs, "Miss Zhang Yuanyuan asked me to bring this outsider to see her."

They walked down a carpeted corridor, arriving at a room at the corner. Chen Hao pushed open the door and entered. Zhang Yuanyuan wore a red gauze dress, her delicate features tinged with a pitiful beauty, though there was an unmistakable sharpness in her brow. She spoke impatiently, "Say what you came to say, quickly! I'm very busy."

Chen Hao took a bronze bracelet from his pouch and handed it to her. "I met an opium addict outside the city by chance. Before he died, he asked me to deliver this bracelet to Miss Zhang, hoping you could forgive him."

At the mention of the addict, Zhang Yuanyuan's slender form trembled slightly. With a wave of her hand, she knocked the bracelet to the floor, her face contorted with emotion. "Don't mention that man to me! I will never forgive him."

After striking the bracelet away, Zhang Yuanyuan collapsed onto the table, weeping softly. Chen Hao could only wait patiently. After a long while, she lifted her head, sighed deeply, and asked in a faint voice, "You said earlier that he asked you to bring me the bracelet before he died—he's dead, then?"

Chen Hao nodded in confirmation. Zhang Yuanyuan picked up the bronze bracelet from the floor, wiped it clean with a handkerchief, and placed it in her dressing box. With a haggard expression, she said, "It's just as well he's dead. Living would only bring more suffering."

Composing herself, Zhang Yuanyuan took out a silver dollar. "Outsider Chen Hao, thank you for delivering this bracelet. Please accept this silver dollar as your reward."

A silver dollar was worth a hundred copper coins—not a small sum—but Chen Hao was somewhat disappointed. Unique item quests always came with exclusive tasks; even the worst rewards for these were monetary, but with luck, one could get special items, additional stat points, or even a special skill.

Chen Hao did not accept the offered silver dollar. Unwilling to give up so easily, he replied, "It was nothing, Miss Zhang, no need for thanks. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Zhang Yuanyuan hesitated. "Today I'm unable to leave. There's something I need help with, but it's dangerous—I don't want to put you in harm's way..."

"There's hope after all," Chen Hao rejoiced inwardly. He patted his chest and declared, "As a man of honor, how could I fear danger? If you need anything, Miss Zhang, just say the word. I will give it my all."

Seeing his sincere expression, Zhang Yuanyuan finally nodded. "Very well. I have a friend recovering from injuries at the Earth God Temple in the western part of the city. I bring him food every day, but today Madam Lin has asked me to accompany Young Master Zhao, so I can't go. Could you deliver the food for me?"

"No problem!" Chen Hao agreed readily. "What's your friend's name?"

"His name is Wang Zhengyi. He likes roast duck and braised lion’s head. Buy those and deliver them to the Earth God Temple, then leave immediately. Don't mention this to anyone," Zhang Yuanyuan instructed sternly.

"Player Chen Hao, NPC Zhang Yuanyuan has given you the quest 'Deliver the Meal.' Quest objectives: Buy roast duck and braised lion’s head and deliver them to Wang Zhengyi, who is recovering at the Earth God Temple in the west of the city. Quest reward: Unknown."

Chen Hao accepted the quest, then looked expectantly at Zhang Yuanyuan, waiting for her to give him money for the food. But she seemed to have forgotten this detail, instead rising to urge him, "Master Chen, hurry and buy the food for Brother Wang! He must be starving by now."

Chen Hao could only leave Zhang Yuanyuan’s room in frustration. Roast duck and braised lion’s head together might cost more than a silver dollar; originally, he would have received a silver dollar for completing the quest, but now not only was there no reward, he would have to spend a silver dollar himself. He could only comfort himself with the thought that the greater the investment, the greater the reward.

When Chen Hao came downstairs, Pale Monster hurried over. "Brother Chen, what’s the quest reward?"

Chen Hao forced a smile. "It was supposed to be a silver dollar, but I thought that was boring and refused it, then asked if there was anything else I could help with. Now she wants me to deliver food, and the food has to be roast duck and braised lion’s head..."

"Haha! What a fine day—such beautiful weather," Pale Monster laughed, clutching his pouch warily. "Looks like it’s a chain quest. Brother Chen, your luck is really something. Go buy the food and deliver it to that NPC!"

Pale Monster was shrewd. The drop rate in "War" was notoriously low; most players spent all their time grinding levels, and just earning enough to stay fed was an achievement. A silver dollar was a fortune at this stage—not everyone could spare it. He’d already invested fifty copper coins in a certain someone; if he had to spend another silver dollar, half his assets would be gone.

Chen Hao laughed awkwardly. "This quest should have quite a reward, but I’m short on money. Looks like I’ll have to ask you, the wealthy one, for a loan. Once I finish the quest, I’ll pay you back."

"I knew you’d come to borrow money," Pale Monster muttered. "But Brother Chen, what if this quest is a loss? Zhang Yuanyuan asked you to deliver food to Wang Zhengyi—I’ve never even heard of that name, he’s not a famous NPC, so the reward probably won’t be much. Maybe we should just give up on this quest?"