CHAPTER 81: 081 YOU CHOSE, YOU CHOSE

"For real?"

"There really is a Righteous Door?"

"It seems Lin Bai is a plot NPC. As long as his storyline continues, he won’t be eliminated..."

"A globetrotting member of the Righteous Door... it seems Dumbelldore has really hit the jackpot."

"So, the true way out for Jiamucheng players isn’t to oust Lin Bai, but to follow him?"

"But joining an affiliated gang still feels a step below Dumbelldore and Crispy Rice."

"Every game has one or two incredibly lucky players. Who makes it to the end depends on future developments. Besides, Lin Bai never said he’d only take one disciple. Furthermore, once in the Beggar Gang, if the Gang Leader isn’t capable enough, it’s normal for them to step down and make way for someone more worthy..."

...

"Everyone, turn off your streams! Anyone who streams will be the public enemy of Jiamucheng!" Lonely Old Man was the first to react, hastily shouting to everyone in his party.

He wasn’t a stubborn man.

The way out Lin Bai provided had shown him a new direction. The game couldn’t possibly have started with such a hellish Novice Village.

Even though I made some mistakes at the beginning, my judgment was correct...

Lin Bai possessed many skills and might even hold the title of a globetrotting member of the Righteous Door.

For such a dominant NPC to recruit them was equivalent to players from other Novice Villages joining a high-level Sect early.

If you can’t beat them, join them.

What deep grudges could players possibly have against NPCs?

If they could learn Advanced Skills, they’d readily accept tasks from an NPC with a smile, even if they’d just backstabbed that NPC.

A player’s competitors have always been other players.

To fight for rankings and resources, players were capable of anything.

Therefore, Lin Bai’s arrangements for them couldn’t be widely publicized. This game’s mechanics were different from others; it was better to be cautious.

If those watching the streams found out, all sorts of snipers might show up.

The current situation was just right. Lin Bai had pointed the Jiamucheng players in a direction that could attract new players without revealing too many of their secrets.

...

Crispy Rice looked at Lin Bai, whose identity kept changing. He had been a struggling fortune teller, the Shopkeeper of Chef’s Divine Food Stall, a manipulator secretly challenging the City Lord, and now, a globetrotting member of the Righteous Door...

His identity and Martial Arts were shrouded in layers of mist. New facets could emerge at any moment, and I can’t discern the truth. Perhaps Lin Bai is a genuine plot NPC! The day Lin Bai’s mysteries are unveiled, his true nature—whether good or villainous—will become crystal clear. That day will be when the players have to make their choices! Subconsciously, I hope Lin Bai isn’t some globetrotting member of the Righteous Door, but a cunning and venomous major boss. That way, once the Beggar Gang grows strong, I, as the Gang Leader, could issue a call to arms, gather all the players, and uphold justice for the world...

Crispy Rice even imagined the destined scenario: Surrounded by hostile figures, the sword in his hand would pierce Lin Bai’s chest, fresh blood dripping from its tip. Lin Bai would kneel before him, covered in blood, looking at him with despairing and conflicted eyes, "Why? Why you?" And he would look back with equally conflicted but resolute eyes, "I’m sorry, I didn’t want to. It’s all for the people, all for justice..." To be backstabbed by the puppet one had propped up—that would be a true, timeless classic, perhaps even made into a promotional video by the game company... Hahaha!

Thinking of these exciting possibilities, Crispy Rice grinned, almost drooling.

Seeing Crispy Rice suddenly acting like an idiot, Sticky Rice nudged him with her elbow and sent him a private message, "What are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re this happy just because Lin Bai dumped so many players on us! Do you really think you can control them?"

Crispy Rice snapped back to his senses and glanced at Sticky Rice. "I think I’ve figured out the plot. I’ll tell you when we’re alone..."

...

As expected. Everyone in Jiamucheng connected to Lin Bai had struck gold!

What a pity that those favored by Lin Bai all seemed a bit dimwitted. NPCs indeed have flaws.

Lonely Old Man glanced disdainfully at Crispy Rice and Sticky Rice, then said, "Shopkeeper Lin, as far as I know, the Beggar Gang is currently just an empty shell with only a few members, and it doesn’t even have exclusive Martial Arts, right?"

Realizing the terrifying potential of the AI, Lonely Old Man decided to treat Lin Bai as a real person. If Lin Bai was setting a trap for them to join the Beggar Gang, he naturally had to fight for his own interests.

...

Dumbelldore, having returned from the Resurrection Point, saw Lin Bai’s arrangements and realized his poisoning scheme had been exposed from the start.

His face burned as he thought about how Lin Bai had played him like a monkey. But right now, he couldn’t care less. He looked at Lin Bai anxiously, terrified Lin Bai would say he was passing his Martial Arts to the Beggar Gang.

As long as Lin Bai isn’t personally teaching the Martial Arts, it’s fine.

...

"You can rest assured on this point; I’ve already made arrangements for you," Lin Bai said with a smile. "An age of chaos is approaching, and one cannot establish oneself without Martial Power. I have already signed agreements with several hall masters. They will dispatch instructors to the Beggar Gang to teach you Martial Arts..."

Dumbelldore sighed in relief.

Seeing the slightly disappointed look in Lonely Old Man’s eyes, Lin Bai continued, "Of course, as a Righteous Gang affiliated with the Righteous Door, you naturally can’t always rely on others’ Martial Arts. After observing you for some time, I will teach you some of the Righteous Door’s skills based on your contributions to the gang and your loyalty."

WOW!

The players erupted.

Iron-Headed Immortal tore off his mask, stepped out from the crowd, and said excitedly, "Shopkeeper Lin, do you remember me? Earlier today, you said you would take me as your disciple. You even said my aptitude was far better than that foolish disciple of yours. I wonder if I still have that chance?"

Dumbelldore glared angrily at both of them.

"Shopkeeper Lin, me too!" I’m Not an Alt Account stepped forward as well.

Only a fool would pass up such an opportunity. Everyone is about to join the Beggar Gang, so why can’t we aim higher? Who needs face when playing a game? Didn’t even an idiot like Dumbelldore become Lin Bai’s disciple?

Lonely Old Man turned to look at his two underlings, vaguely understanding how their plan to take down the boss had been leaked. There were too many incompetent teammates.

"There is a chance." Lin Bai, sensing Dumbelldore’s resentment, decided to put some pressure on him. He glanced at the two who had stepped forward and smiled. "The Righteous Door is all-inclusive. Talented individuals have often emerged from the Righteous Gangs to become official disciples of the Sect. Of course, the prerequisite is that they are sufficiently outstanding. I’ve always admired the aptitude of you Sky-Born, which is why I went to such lengths to draw you into the Beggar Gang, even disregarding your hostility towards me. However, to be honest, your assassination attempt this time was riddled with flaws. In my eyes, it was a joke. When you’ve matured, I will naturally consider accepting you as disciples!"

"Dumbelldore isn’t outstanding either!" I’m Not an Alt Account said resentfully. "He also tried to poison you today."

Dumbelldore was speechless. He had indeed tried to poison Lin Bai. Even if Lin Bai knew beforehand, the act itself was undeniable. There was no excusing it.

"Regarding Little Deng, it was my misjudgment." Lin Bai fell silent for a moment, then, to give Dumbelldore an out, said, "However, the Righteous Door does not abandon its disciples. Once accepted, even the worst disciple cannot be expelled. This is a sect rule. You can beat him, scold him, torture him, but you cannot kick him out. Furthermore, you must fulfill your duties as a master: teach him Martial Arts when the time comes, and protect him when necessary..."

"Why?" asked I’m Not an Alt Account.

Lin Bai turned to look at Dumbelldore and shook his head. "Excellent disciples are for promoting the Sect’s reputation and bringing it glory. Inferior disciples serve as a warning to oneself. Everyone makes mistakes. When you take on an inferior disciple, seeing him will inevitably trigger a voice in your heart: ’This was your choice, your choice, your choice.’ Once the bow is drawn, the arrow cannot be recalled. No matter how foolish the disciple you’ve chosen, you must continue to teach him. Over time, your ability to judge character will become increasingly accurate, because you will undoubtedly strive to avoid repeating similar mistakes..."

The players were in an uproar again.

Even the NPCs present cast sympathetic glances towards Dumbelldore.

...

DAMN IT! That’s not what you said to my face!

Dumbelldore trembled, his face instantly flushing crimson. So this is how he truly sees me?

The mental fortitude he had painstakingly built up crumbled in that instant.

I should just delete my account! This game is unplayable!

[Resentment from Dumbelldore +1+1+1]

"..." I’m Not an Alt Account glanced at Dumbelldore and suddenly no longer felt jealous of him.

Lin Bai looked at the dejected Dumbelldore and consoled him, "Little Deng, don’t be too disheartened. For millennia, there have been many like you in the Righteous Door. Some, upon learning the truth, suffer a collapse of their Dao heart and never recover. Others, however, turn over a new leaf and start anew. Braving numerous hardships, they regain their master’s approval and eventually become luminaries of their generation. My own master, the fifteenth-generation patriarch of the Righteous Door, was once a wicked disciple unfavored by his own master. But this didn’t prevent him from becoming a Sect Leader. A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold; a sharp sword is forged through constant grinding. If masters are allowed to err, then disciples must also be allowed to err. Everyone has the opportunity to grow. The Righteous Door never rashly decides anyone’s fate."

[Confidence from Dumbelldore +1+1+1]

Dumbelldore’s eyes lit up again. He bowed to Lin Bai, fists clasped, and said, "Thank you, Master. I will not make such mistakes again."

Lin Bai smiled, then looked at the other players and announced loudly, "These are the Righteous Door’s rules for accepting disciples. If any of you are fortunate enough to join the Righteous Door in the future, you must also adhere to this sect rule. Only in this way can the Righteous Door continue to grow stronger."

...

"Damn, this Sect is awesome..."

"He really is a plot NPC! I love it, I love it!"

"No wonder he was able to disregard past grievances and incorporate us into the Beggar Gang; it turns out he has the confidence to back it up!"

"Vision, that’s what you call true vision!"

"I swear, I will become Lin Bai’s disciple and an official disciple of the Righteous Door!"

...