Chapter Nineteen: Mutual Assignment

San Shengshi was very wealthy in real life, and when he entered the game, he brought along a group of affluent followers. Although, in the early stages of the game, one silver dollar fetched a high price of 500 RMB, money was never an issue for him. In reality, San Shengshi was already the leader of a group, so naturally, he became the boss in the game as well. He had plenty of people to help him level up, allowing him to invest all his political attribute points into Machiavellian schemes, and all his military points into Strategic Analysis.

Because of his high political attributes and his willingness to spend money, he quickly won the favor of Liu Shengkui, the county constable of Penglai. Liu Shengkui was currently at his wits’ end—not only was it difficult enough to deal with the local bandits, but just a few days ago, the military commissioner at Denglai reported that the broadsword-wielding Wang Wu, who had burned down a foreign church in northern Ji, had escaped to Penglai. Liu Shengkui was under orders to apprehend Wang Wu within a set deadline.

After searching for clues with his constables for some time and coming up empty, Liu Shengkui issued a quest to San Shengshi to find Wang Wu. If San Shengshi succeeded, he would be admitted into the county yamen as a constable—a position of official standing in the early game, which was crucial for his development.

Despite his many followers, San Shengshi found no leads after scouring Penglai County. He searched online for information and discovered connections between Wang Wu and the Boxer Rebellion. According to Liu Shengkui, Wang Wu had joined forces with the Boxers to attack the church, was injured, and fled to Penglai. San Shengshi deduced that Wang Wu must have received shelter from the local Boxers, and decided to pursue that angle.

In the game, San Shengshi inquired and learned that the Huadengzhao—Flower Lantern Society—was quite renowned in Penglai. So he went to the Chunxiang Brothel. Among the Boxer women's organizations, there were the Red Lantern Society, the Black Lantern Society, and the Flower Lantern Society: the Red Lanterns were composed of young girls, the Black Lanterns were widows, and the Flower Lanterns were prostitutes.

Having learned that the Flower Lantern Society was active in Penglai, San Shengshi spent generously at the Chunxiang Brothel and finally obtained the clue he wanted. He carefully questioned when Zhang Yuanyuan began delivering meals to the west side of town, and found that her food deliveries coincided with Wang Wu's arrival in Penglai. He thus concluded that Wang Wu was hiding in the Earth God Temple on the western outskirts.

With the answer in hand, San Shengshi rewarded the girl in red with another silver dollar and swiftly left the Chunxiang Brothel. He did not go to report Wang Wu’s whereabouts to Liu Shengkui, but instead summoned over twenty subordinates via QQ to gather at the west gate, intending to capture Broadsword Wang Wu himself and thus secure a higher position.

When Liu Shengkui issued the quest, he had said that if San Shengshi found Wang Wu’s whereabouts, he would make him a county constable. If he could capture Wang Wu alive or bring back his head, he would be promoted to inspector.

During the Qing dynasty, inspectors were stationed at key checkpoints and ferries, responsible for capturing bandits and the like—a role akin to a modern precinct chief. Constables in the county office were minor figures who might occasionally extort a little profit, but that meant little to San Shengshi. Inspector, however, was a true ninth-rank official post, with real authority.

Aiming to become an inspector, San Shengshi resolved to take the risk and lead his men to capture Wang Wu himself. He dared only because Liu Shengkui had told him Wang Wu was injured—a tiger brought low. Even so, San Shengshi was careful; after his men had assembled, he messaged several friends known for their solo combat prowess to help with the mission.

While San Shengshi was leading more than forty men to the Earth God Temple, Chen Hao was practicing swordplay under Wang Wu’s instruction, and his Basic Saber Technique proficiency had just increased by another twelve points. At this rate, after delivering meals to Wang Wu for three days, his Basic Saber Technique would reach the intermediate level.

After three rounds of practice, Chen Hao sheathed his broadsword and bid farewell to Wang Wu. "Thank you, master, for your guidance. I’ll return to the county now and visit you again tomorrow morning..."

Wang Wu motioned for Chen Hao to be silent, and whispered in his ear, "There are a lot of people coming above."

When San Shengshi and his men entered the Earth God Temple, they immediately began searching everywhere. The temple was a small place, hardly suitable for hiding. San Shengshi was convinced there must be a secret mechanism, so he ordered his men not to overlook a single suspicious spot. Before long, a player cried out excitedly, "Boss Zhou, there’s no dust under the statue’s feet—something’s up here."

San Shengshi reached under the statue and found a knob that opened the cellar. He turned it once, but nothing happened. Frowning, he twisted it to the end—still nothing. Undeterred, he tried turning it twice. Since he was certain the knob was the switch for the secret door, he didn’t believe he couldn’t open it. When two turns yielded no result, he turned it a third time. This time, a creaking sound came from behind the statue, and a player standing at the back shouted in excitement, "Boss Zhou, there’s a cellar here!"

A cold smile appeared on San Shengshi’s face as he approached the cellar entrance. "Wang Bing, Li Yunfei, you two get ready—go down first and check things out."

In the cellar, Wang Wu plugged the small light shaft above with a lump of earth, plunging the space into pitch darkness. In a low voice, he said to Chen Hao, "Brother Baxian, the dozens above are surely the government’s lackeys. I’m injured and unable to fight; I don’t want to drag you down. The lack of light here will help you escape. When they come down, slip out in the chaos!"

"Master, how can you say that? I am not one to abandon you out of fear for my life. If I were to leave you alone and escape, I’d have no face to show anyone. Even if I die today, I must protect you."

Chen Hao did not know that all those entering the Earth God Temple were players. Had they been county yamen NPCs, their individual combat ability would far surpass his, and protecting Wang Wu would almost certainly mean death. Yet, once he had received Wang Wu’s quest, he was determined that, no matter what happened—even if there was only the slightest chance—he would not abandon Wang Wu.

Though Chen Hao was a typical homebody and not especially virtuous, he was risking his life for Wang Wu because he had already calculated the pros and cons. If he succeeded in protecting Wang Wu, their relationship would deepen after the battle, and the rewards would be substantial. Even if both of them were killed in the cellar, after resurrection he could win a good reputation among the Penglai Boxer NPCs, losing only a single level’s worth of experience and a bit of money.

Wang Wu, gratified, said, "Good brother, I knew I was right about you. If we survive this calamity, I will take you as my last disciple and teach you everything I know."

"Player Chen Hao, congratulations on triggering the mutual quest ‘Wang Wu’s Fate.’ Quest completion condition: protect Wang Wu from being killed by players. Quest reward: Become Wang Wu’s personal disciple. Do you accept?"

At the same time, San Shengshi received a system notification in the Earth God Temple: "Player San Shengshi, since the wounded Wang Wu is being protected by a player, your quest ‘Find Wang Wu’ has been upgraded to the mutual quest ‘Wang Wu’s Fate.’ Quest completion condition: defeat the player protecting Wang Wu and kill Wang Wu. Quest reward: Become the inspector of Qingshuihe Village."

(P.S.: I failed the second part of my driving test twice today, both times at the final step—feeling a bit down, so this chapter is coming out late. So as not to affect my writing, I’ve decided to retake the test in a few months—the novel comes first. By the way, the contract arrived today. Brothers, do click, recommend, bookmark, and send tips to comfort my wounded soul!)