With his limited strength, Lin Bai didn't muster the courage to rush into the house dominated by A'piao. He stuffed the flatbread into his mouth in a couple of bites, glanced at his shop, and then turned into the night.
If you can't gamble with your own life, then gamble with someone else's.
Lin Bai decided to find a Player to test A'piao's mettle; after all, their lives weren't worth much.
Jiamucheng did not impose a curfew, but due to the primitive living conditions, the city's nightlife was not vibrant.
Dusk was falling.
Most households still adhered to the traditional way of life, working from sunrise to sunset.
However, even the quietest city had its lively quarters.
Night markets and the Huayue venues where scholars and poets lingered, reluctant to leave, only truly began to bustle at this time.
To find a Player, go where the crowds are. That's always a safe bet.
…
"Sweet peaches! Freshly picked juicy peaches, two coins each! So sweet one bite could make your teeth fall out! If they're not sweet, you don't pay!"
"Steamed cakes! Steamed cakes!"
"Jujubes—and sliced sweet cakes!"
"Candied haws!"
"Sir! Come and play, won't you?"
…
Along the way, the air was filled with an unceasing chorus of hawkers' shouts and vendors' cries.
Lin Bai had no interest in reveling in the bustling ancient night market. His gaze scanned the crowd, searching for his target.
"You poor wretch! What are you doing wandering around the brothel without any money? Is this a place you can afford to be?"
Suddenly, a sharp reprimand reached Lin Bai's ears.
He turned to look.
A young man was being pushed and shoved out of the Happy Red Courtyard by several Tortoise slaves. He stumbled onto the street, and the surrounding crowd cast disdainful glances at him.
It was an effortless find; above the young man's head, a name shone brightly: Dragon Breath.
Looking at the Player, then up at the garishly realistic pleasure house, Lin Bai sighed inwardly. Look at this game! When they say 100% realistic, they mean 100% realistic. It even allows Players to come looking for this kind of 'fun'...
"Don't you look down on me now that you're throwing me out! In a few days, even if you came begging in an eight-bearer sedan chair, I might not deign to enter your beds!" the young man declared, not at all angered by being thrown out, but rather laughing cheerfully.
"Tone down the arrogance a bit!" Lin Bai said casually, standing behind the Player.
"What arrogance?" Dragon Breath retorted instinctively.
"As the saying goes, 'The river flows east for thirty years, then west for thirty years; never bully a young man for his poverty.' In a few days, it will be your honor to lick my very toes!" Lin Bai declared, looking at the brothel as he delivered the Happy Red Courtyard's version of the famous saying.
PFFT!
Upon hearing this, the glamorous courtesans giggled and spat in unison in the direction of the two men.
"Brilliant! That line is brilliant! It's mine now." Dragon Breath ignored the women's scorn, turned to Lin Bai, and clapped his hands with a laugh. "I never expected to find such an amusing fellow among the NPCs. Interesting!"
"N-what?" Lin Bai feigned ignorance.
"Nothing!" Dragon Breath said, shaking his head with a smile.
Can't even handle a simple interaction. How dull!
Lin Bai sighed inwardly, then smiled. "Bro, what's the point of hanging around the Happy Red Courtyard when there are better things to do? I know something far more thrilling. Interested?"
"What is it?" Dragon Breath asked.
"Let's talk as we walk," Lin Bai said.
"Okay." Dragon Breath agreed readily. Players feared nothing; he wasn't worried about being taken advantage of in the slightest.
"Young man, if I'm not mistaken, you must be one of The Chosen Ones, right?" After they had walked a few steps, Lin Bai sidled up to Dragon Breath, lowered his voice, and asked mysteriously.
"What Chosen One?" Dragon Breath asked, momentarily stunned.
"Stop pretending. I saw through you long ago." Lin Bai's gaze seemed to pierce through everything. "A few days ago, I met an old Immortal. He enlightened me, saying that recently, a group of The Chosen Ones would enter this world, destined to stir up heaven and earth and make a name for themselves. He said if I ever encountered one, I should treat them well, and I would receive boundless benefits."
"Holy crap! A quest NPC?" Dragon Breath's eyes suddenly lit up. He looked at Lin Bai with excitement and thumped his chest. "That's right! I am one of The Chosen Ones!"
"To be frank, what we're about to do is very important, so don't lie to me." Lin Bai glanced at Dragon Breath and said with utmost seriousness, "The old Immortal told me that The Chosen Ones treat the world as their playground, often seem mad, act erratically, and occasionally spout incomprehensible gibberish. However, they are exceptionally skilled and courageous, and always ready to help. Once they promise something, they will see it through, even if it means risking their lives..."
"That's right! The old Immortal was talking about me!" Dragon Breath stopped, suddenly ripped off his shirt, ignoring the gasps from the crowd around them, and then started to undo his pants...
"Enough, enough!" Lines of exasperation appeared on Lin Bai's forehead as he hurriedly stopped him. "I know you are! You don't need to debase yourself like this!"
"Sufficiently weird, right?" Dragon Breath chuckled, pulling his shirt back on. "Would a normal person dare to do what I just did?" he added smugly.
Damn pants-dropper!
Lin Bai was thoroughly exasperated and quite embarrassed.
It didn't seem like a big deal when playing the game, but this sudden stripping in public was truly an affront to public decency!
Dragon Breath, completely unfazed by the stares of the onlookers, leaned closer to Lin Bai and asked expectantly, "So, tell me, what is it? I'll get it done for you, even if I die trying!"
"Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease." To be honest, in this unfamiliar world, Lin Bai didn't really care what other people thought. Trying to maintain face in a world teeming with Players would be like spinning a cocoon around himself.
Looking at Dragon Breath, Lin Bai sighed and said bitterly, "It's a long story. I'm a cook, with cooking skills passed down in my family. Who would have thought disaster would strike my hometown, leaving me the sole survivor of my family? I gathered all my belongings and drifted to Jiamucheng. I spent all my savings to buy a shopfront, hoping to settle down and start a family here. But who knew I'd be tricked by that wretched Tooth Line..."
A genuine quest NPC! I've struck gold! I've struck gold! Dragon Breath gulped, his eyes shining brighter as he listened to Lin Bai's tale.
Lin Bai clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "That despicable Tooth Line! They sold me a shop, but... but that shop is actually a Dreadful Mansion! It's completely impossible to run a business there."
His expression suddenly turned mournful, and his voice dropped. "The Tooth Line are local tyrants. I'm new here, unfamiliar with the place and people. I don't even know where to seek justice. Helpless, I could only wander the streets, hoping to find a solution."
Then, Lin Bai's tone shifted. He looked at Dragon Breath, his voice trembling slightly. "Thankfully, Heaven never seals off all paths! I actually managed to find one of The Chosen Ones! The Immortals protect us..."
"Hahaha! I finally have a quest!" After hearing Lin Bai's story, Dragon Breath suddenly threw his head back and let out a maniacal laugh, once again drawing stares from everyone around.
Lin Bai flinched at the guy's startling outburst. Being with this fellow is a real test of one's nerves!
He forced a smile. "Young hero, are you truly willing to help me?"
"It is my bounden duty," Dragon Breath replied, cupping his fists.
"I've heard those A'piao are very powerful..." Lin Bai began.
"No matter how powerful they are, they've met their match in me!" Dragon Breath's face radiated confidence. "Stop dawdling! Take me to your shop. The sooner we resolve this, the sooner you can open for business."
A newbie Player, no Skills, no weapons, thinks he can fight an A'piao bare-handed? If he pulls that off, I'll eat my hat! Should I dedicate the song 'Courage' to you?
Lin Bai complained inwardly, but outwardly he looked thrilled. "The old Immortal was right! The Chosen Ones are indeed kind-hearted people."
"By the way," Dragon Breath stopped. "If I help you fight the A'piao, what's my reward afterward?"
Players aren't fools. A quest is a quest, but he still has to ask clearly about the rewards.
"You want a reward?" Lin Bai feigned astonishment, stopping in his tracks. He looked at Dragon Breath suspiciously. "Are you really one of The Chosen Ones? If not, I advise you not to pretend. Everyone's life is precious; it's not worth losing yours for a meager profit..."
"Haha! I was just joking with you! Why so serious?" Seeing the quest about to slip through his fingers, Dragon Breath quickly backpedaled. He lifted his head proudly. "The Chosen Ones are chivalrous and take pleasure in helping others as a fundamental principle! How could we possibly let fierce ghosts harm innocent people for some paltry reward? Rest assured, I'm taking care of your problem!"