Chapter Twenty-Three: Transferring Wang Wu

The Stone of Three Lives was not one to linger indecisively. Since his opponent had resolved to annihilate them, he would not sit and await his fate. Weighing the situation for a moment, he decided on retreat, sacrificing some of the players at the rear to block the enemy and cover the withdrawal of others.

Watching as the Stone of Three Lives led his people out of the temple gate, Chen Hao could not help but admire his decisiveness—it was, after all, the best choice. With a confident face, Chen Hao claimed that Stone and his followers would not escape; in truth, he was bluffing. If Stone was willing to abandon pawns to protect his king, at least half could make it back to Penglai County.

When Stone was left with only a dozen men, Chen Hao brandished his Wild Goose Feather Blade and charged, attacking the ten players remaining in the Earth God Temple with ferocity. These ten knew that Stone had left them to die, yet none shrank back. They fought desperately, entangling Chen Hao to buy time for Stone’s escape.

Chen Hao had to admire Stone’s ability to command his subordinates. With ten players risking their lives, it was too late for him to pursue Stone. Just as he began to feel frustrated, a commotion broke out in front of the temple. The Stone of Three Lives, his face grim, returned.

Soon, the other players followed, flooding in, more than twenty caught in chaos. As Chen Hao wondered at this turn, a woman appeared at the temple entrance. She was Zhang Yuanyuan from the Fragrant Spring Pavilion, dressed in black, wielding a pair of willow leaf blades, her face fierce as she declared, "Imperial lackeys, none of you will escape today."

After speaking, Zhang Yuanyuan turned to Chen Hao, her expression gentle: "Outlander Chen Baxian, you performed admirably. We owe much to you this time."

Stone, looking somewhat haggard, cast a cold glance at Chen Hao and said, "Very well! I shall remember the name Chen Baxian."

"Remembering is a good thing," Chen Hao retorted. "That way you won’t find yourself inexplicably dying at my hands again." In truth, he was secretly uneasy. He knew Stone’s abilities well, and now, with his own foundation still weak, being marked by Stone boded ill.

Since the situation could not be reversed, Chen Hao ceased to dwell on it. He swung his Wild Goose Feather Blade, cutting down a nearby player and said, "Miss Zhang, killing these trash will only dirty your hands. Why not guard the door and let me practice the blade technique imparted by Master Wang Wu?"

In Chen Hao’s eyes, Stone’s people were valuable experience points. If Zhang Yuanyuan killed them, he would gain nothing. By having her guard the entrance, he ensured no enemies could escape, and he could earn both experience and wealth from their deaths. Should danger arise, Zhang Yuanyuan would not stand idly by.

More than twenty players attacked Chen Hao simultaneously. Even with his high combat attributes, he struggled. Whenever he faced peril, Zhang Yuanyuan would throw a plum blossom dart, taking down one or two players for him. Five minutes later, all of Stone’s men had been slain by Chen Hao, leaving only Stone himself.

Stone’s individual attributes were poor; he survived only thanks to the sacrifice of his men. When Chen Hao approached him, he appeared calm, saying, "Whether in games or reality, one must respect the rules. There are some people you cannot afford to offend."

Chen Hao lifted his Wild Goose Feather Blade and replied coolly, "Rules are made by men. Right now, the rule is that I am stronger than you, so you will die by my hand."

With a single stroke, the blade severed Stone’s head, and more than ten silver dollars spilled out—a fortune for Chen Hao. He gathered the loot dropped by Stone’s followers, his pouch now holding twenty-four silver dollars and some copper coins.

After the battle, Chen Hao’s level rose to five, not far from six, reaching the status of a first-rate player. The Wild Goose Feather Blade had played a pivotal role; he had not had time to check its attributes before. Now, as the fight ended, he hurried to inspect it.

Item Name: Wild Goose Feather Blade
Description: A broadsword forged from refined steel, capable of slicing through iron like mud.
Attributes: Combat +6, Skill — Sever: 30% chance to cut through weapons of lesser quality.
Requirements: Combat 25, mastery of Basic Blade Technique.

This blade was far superior to his Horse-Cutting Saber, but it was only lent by Master Wang Wu; unless he completed the requisite task, it would not truly belong to him.

After tidying the battlefield, Chen Hao opened the trapdoor to the cellar and entered with Zhang Yuanyuan.

"Senior Brother, are you alright?" Zhang Yuanyuan asked with concern.

Wang Wu shook his head, replying, "I’m fine. This time, I owe much to young Baxian. Without him, I might not have escaped disaster today."

In his youth, Wang Wu studied under the twin-bladed Li Fenggang, a martial artist of Cangzhou. Zhang Yuanyuan’s master was Li Fenggang’s junior sister, so there was a connection between their schools. Wang Wu had escaped from northern Ji to Penglai County, where Zhang Yuanyuan had settled him in the Earth God Temple, not expecting it would attract players like Stone.

Realizing the temple was no longer safe, Zhang Yuanyuan said, "Senior Brother, the imperial hounds have discovered this place. We should move quickly; the authorities will soon arrive in force."

Wang Wu shook his head: "I’ll find my own way out. You needn’t worry about me, junior sister."

"How can you say that?" Zhang Yuanyuan protested angrily. "We are fellow disciples. The altar master ordered me to care for you; if anything happened, how could I explain it to her?"

Wang Wu sighed, "Yuanyuan, if you stay too close to me, you risk exposing your identity. You might not be able to remain in Penglai."

Chen Hao listened intently to their exchange. His blade skills had not yet reached advanced level; consulting Wang Wu would accelerate his progress. Hearing their dispute, he interjected, "Miss Zhang, outlanders can be resurrected. If these outlanders report to the authorities, you will be investigated, and Master Wang Wu will be in danger too. Why not let me find a place to settle him?"

Zhang Yuanyuan asked, "Where do you plan to place my senior brother?"

Chen Hao shook his pouch and smiled, "I’ve earned a good sum this time. I can rent a house in Penglai County and settle Master Wang Wu there. Outlander houses differ from native ones; unless the authorities have solid evidence or someone reports it, they won’t search them. That way, Master Wang Wu will be much safer."

Zhang Yuanyuan nodded. "That would be best. Chen Baxian, if you harm my senior brother, I won’t let you off..."

Wang Wu interrupted her, "I trust young Baxian. Let it be so. I’ll go with him; Yuanyuan, you return first. You were seen by the imperial hounds today, so be especially cautious when you go back."

After Zhang Yuanyuan left, Chen Hao carried Wang Wu on his back, leaving the cellar and heading toward Penglai County. Since Wang Wu was wanted at the city gate, Chen Hao dared not take him directly into town, so he first headed near the carriage depot outside the city. After settling Wang Wu in a concealed spot, he went to the depot to rent a carriage to bring Wang Wu into the county.

(P.S.: I had something last night and couldn’t upload; today there will be three chapters.)