CHAPTER 1374: CHAPTER 1374: AS LONG AS ZHAO’ER IS REAL, THAT’S ENOUGH

When you first arrived with Zhao’er, you did find that Pig Field Village is a good place. The village is established in a valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides. To attack there, you must pass through this narrow mountain path.

The man’s answer was exactly what you thought. You listened and nodded with a smile, saying, "Yes, you’re right, but you’ve forgotten one thing."

"What?"

"You shouldn’t let the villagers go. These villagers are very familiar with the surrounding environment. If one day an enemy attacks you, just getting some information from the villagers would be enough to pose a deadly threat to you."

"Boss, what do you mean?"

"There is only one kind of person in this world who won’t disclose secrets." You said with a smile.

"Yun." Zhao’er hurriedly held your hand. She didn’t want you to become someone who would do anything to achieve your goals.

You gave Zhao’er a reassuring smile: "Do you think I’m that kind of person?"

You continued to the man: "Letting the villagers go is not a wise decision. Even if you want to let them go, you should get some information about the nearby paths from their mouths. These hidden paths in the mountains and forests are secret weapons to defend against enemy invasion."

"Brother, can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead." You smiled and said.

"Being with you, does it make us more dangerous?" The man asked cautiously.

"You could say that, because my enemies are the first big guild in the world and the Kiran Empire, known in the North for its military might." You said, "Have you decided not to take this risk?"

"We..."

"Boss, we still want to live! I haven’t gotten married or experienced the taste of a woman yet!"

"Boss, I still have an old mother and father to support. I’m the only son in the family; I can’t die."

...

At this time, many people around stood up, and the expression on the man’s face became more complicated.

You patted his shoulder and said, "I understand how you feel. I do have too many enemies. I can’t have my own power right now, and even if I had it, it would instantly be crushed by my enemies."

Zhao’er couldn’t see through your thoughts. She simply didn’t ask and stood quietly beside you. You said to the man: "Find a place to settle first, and when you think I’m worth following one day, come find me."

You turned to Zhao’er, smiled, and said, "Zhao’er, let’s go."

"Mm."

"Boss!" The man handed you the heavy sword in his hand. "This thing weighs one hundred and seventy-three pounds, made of cold iron. Consider it a meeting gift for Boss. I believe in Boss’s ability to rise above others. We will be waiting in Pig Field Village for your news!"

You didn’t refuse since you needed a handy weapon anyway.

When you held the heavy sword in your hand, you immediately felt a weight.

You were surprised as you looked at the heavy sword in your hand. At this moment, the gentle voice of the system echoed in your ear: "Congratulations, player Mu Yun, you have obtained the Cold Iron Heavy Sword, reputation increased by ten points."

Looking at the attributes of the Cold Iron Heavy Sword:

Attack: 15-45, speed -2, all combat skills increased by two points. Enhances water magic by thirty percent, special skill: Ice Sealing Technique.

You turned to Zhao’er and smiled: "It’s been a long time since I’ve heard this system’s voice. When I got Ming Ye, the system didn’t send any messages, so it seems Ming Ye truly doesn’t belong to me."

"This game is so ambiguous; it’s hard to tell which part is real and which part is fake."

"As long as Zhao’er is real, that’s enough." You pulled Zhao’er into your arms and said goodbye to everyone.

You waved to everyone, and with Zhao’er, continued toward Zhulu City.

On the road, you kept your brow furrowed. Zhao’er saw this and was anxious in her heart. She knew that the situation for both you and her was very dangerous now.

On the surface, you appeared very calm, as if you looked down on the troubles in front of you, but Zhao’er knew that this was your turning point. If you found a foothold again, you could establish your own power on this vast Luofu Avenue, maybe even dominate the continent; but if you lost yourself at this critical juncture, everything would be over.

"Yun, can you tell me your thoughts?"

You slowly exhaled and smiled, "Zhao’er, without you, I’d even doubt if I’m the main character of this story."

"Yun, why do you say that?"

"In typical novel stories, the protagonist is always the focus of the game. They establish the first big guild, surrounded by beauties, with wives and concubines in great numbers. But for me, without you by my side, I would doubt that Eastern Cloud Dragon is the main character and I’m just a villain."

"Is Yun discouraged?"

"No, I can never be discouraged. The word ’failure’ has never been in my dictionary; I don’t acknowledge failure, and I’ve never lost. Eastern Cloud Dragon and Ximen Shenggu may be at their peak now, but as long as I don’t give in, no one can ride over me forever."

"So Yun has come up with a plan?"

"Heh." You sneered, "No matter how big Eastern Cloud Dragon’s power is, he can’t gather all the people’s hearts, right? In this world, strength brings luck. Since this is a game, let’s play by the game rules."

"Is Yun going to level up?"

"Yes." You nodded, "First, level up. Second, gather equipment. Third, get to know some strong but unlucky people."

Zhao’er seemed to see through your heart. She nodded and said with a smile, "I understand Yun’s meaning."

You laughed out loud and said, "Let’s go. There’s a high-level leveling area near Zhulu City. Let’s check it out."

As you said, there is indeed a high-level leveling area near Zhulu City called the Gate of Despair. It is said that the Gate of Despair leads to the Undying Realm, a new space in the game that, like the Netherworld, belongs to the alternate dimension.

When you and Zhao’er arrived, there were already lots of people outside the gate. A row of high-level samurai blocked the entrance, not allowing other players to enter.

"What gives you the right to not let us in?"

"Yeah, this is a public leveling area. Your Red Mansion has no right to monopolize it!"

You and Zhao’er exchanged a glance. Then you asked a guy named "The name is so long": "Brother, what’s going on here?"

"Ah, how unjust the heavens are; when someone becomes a master, even the dogs rely on their power to bite!"

The name is so long spoke loudly enough that those samurai heard it. One of them pointed at The name is so long and shouted, "Boy, if you’ve got guts, come out and say it. Don’t shrink like a turtle!"

"Say it? Sure, do you think I’m afraid of you?"

Only then did you notice that The name is so long has reached level 54, but unfortunately, his equipment is poor, all in tatters, which explains why others look down on him.

"Punk, do you know who our boss is?"