CHAPTER 86: 086 LIN BAI’S FAIRNESS

Lin Bai just went ahead constructing his tale.

He was not worried about the consequences this could result in.

Players are bold and curious, filled with a keen sense of exploration towards the game world. They were bound to stir up incidents; hoping they could simply beg for meals was surely wishful thinking.

If they really went to West Mountain to search for Demon Beasts, finding one would be due to their own competence, whereas not finding anything would be due to a lack of luck.

Lin Bai wouldn’t lose anything. On the contrary, he might even get some basic information about the Monsters from them.

「Within an hour.」

Players arrived one after another, mostly sorted by their Level.

At this stage, all they had learned were basic skills.

Their Cultivation Level was strictly related to the amount of time they put into the game.

Without any high-level Martial Arts introducing discrepancies, naturally, those who started the game earlier would have higher Cultivation Levels.

...

"Lin, the Storekeeper, this isn’t fair," Lumberjack No.1 protested. "Such a method of selection clearly gives those who joined the game earlier an advantage. Operating a gang doesn’t rely solely on Martial Power, but also requires brains and personal prestige. Furthermore, Mad Man and the others have to serve as Hidden Guards for the City Lord’s Mansion; they basically don’t have the energy or time to participate in the gang’s affairs..."

Hidden Guards like Mad Man glared at him angrily.

Lonely Old Man remained silent, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.

Crispy Rice and Sticky Rice, who felt isolated, glanced at the players and then at Lin Bai, feeling apprehensive, afraid they wouldn’t be able to keep their Gang Leader positions.

Both of them had learned the basic Martial Arts of the City Lord’s Mansion, but they left the mansion early and didn’t master any further Martial Arts.

In this drill race, despite giving it their all, they managed only an average score. In terms of personal prestige and Martial Power, they were at a clear disadvantage...

The only advantage Crispy Rice had was his connection with Lin Bai, but the ’Big Brother’ Lin Bai acknowledged back then now seems like a joke...

"You’re right." Lin Bai glanced at him. "Indeed, running a gang can’t just rely on Martial Power, but..." He paused, looked around at everyone present, his expression filled with disappointment. "However, among all of you, not a single person rode a horse. Even if you had pooled your money to hire a horse-drawn carriage, that would have shown some wisdom!"

A gust of wind blew past, leaving all the players stunned. What? They had thought Lin Bai would retort, but they never expected to hear such an answer.

[Resentment from Lonely Old Man, Mad Man, Bitter Melon Vine, Silver, Lumberjack No.1, I’m Not an Alt Account +1+1+1+1]

Damn!

Lonely Old Man wanted to puke from annoyance. Why the hell didn’t you say earlier the competition had no rules!? With all the money I’ve spent, do I care about the cost of a horse-drawn carriage?

"Bribing the soldiers opening the city gates, tripping your own comrades... None of you made any moves to secure your ranking. Now, you’re talking to me about talent and wisdom?" Lin Bai looked at everyone with contempt. "Do you even possess such things?"

[Resentment from Lonely Old Man, Mad Man, Bitter Melon Vine, Silver, Lumberjack No.1, I’m Not an Alt Account +1+1+1+1]

All the players were dumbfounded. Out of more than a hundred people, not a single one could offer a retort.

...

"Confirmed. The Righteous Door is definitely not what they claim to be."

"He’s insane! Who encourages their own Righteous Gang to trip up their comrades?"

"He never said it was a race with no restrictions!"

"I thought it was just a foot race too!"

"I think this is revenge for us attacking him last night."

"This probably isn’t revenge. Lin, the Storekeeper’s methods have always been like this. Don’t forget Dumbelldore, and don’t forget how he runs the Chef’s Divine Food Stall."

"The longer I interact with Lin, the Storekeeper, the more I feel our defeat wasn’t unjust. He’s just not a good person."

"The fifteenth Sect Leader of the Righteous Door must have been blind to accept such a vicious disciple into their Sect..."

"Right now, I just want to swear..."

...

"Survival of the fittest." Lin Bai heard all their whispered complaints. He stood against the wind and declared, "Gentlemen, our Beggar Gang is just starting. If you don’t know how to be flexible and adapt, we might not even make a ripple before being crushed by others. Where did your cleverness from yesterday’s ambush go? You are my Righteous Gang. Do you expect me to clean up all your messes? You need to understand clearly: who is protecting whom here?"

The players responded with Silence, collectively offering Lin Bai their resentment. He really didn’t leave them any dignity!

At this moment, they finally understood Dumbelldore’s frustration. It was the crushing feeling of being overwhelmed by both intelligence and power.

They had just been ridiculed by an AI, and they were speechless. This is so frustrating!

In Lin Bai’s arms, Little Fox’s eyes widened. As expected, he’s such a bad person!

"The Righteous Gang, as the name implies, means that when I want to bully others, you help me out. When others bully me, you help me get even." Lin Bai stood on a treetop, looking down at the crowd. "To paraphrase what I taught Dumbelldore: the martial world isn’t about fighting and killing; it’s about human connections and understanding. When you can’t beat someone, do you just sit there and wait to die? Every one of you, engrave this in your minds. Otherwise, even if you have excellent talent, you might not be able to develop."

"Yes."

"Thank you, Lin, the Storekeeper, for your guidance."

"Understood."

The scattered responses merged into a chorus, each player having gained some enlightenment from Lin Bai’s teachings.

"Lin, the Storekeeper, I will contribute 3,000 taels of Silver to the Beggar Gang. Can I be the Gang Leader?" Lonely Old Man’s voice cut through the others.

Crispy Rice’s eyes widened, and he held his breath in shock.

"A teachable lad." Lin Bai looked approvingly at Lonely Old Man. "See? This is someone who shows wisdom and flexibility. However, becoming the Gang Leader is unlikely. A vice-leader position should be fine, though. Congratulations, you are temporarily in the lead."

"But Lin, the Storekeeper, we were the first to arrive!" Mad Man said anxiously.

"Impossible. I clearly saw Lonely Old Man reach the foot of the mountain first." Lin Bai, his expression unchanging, pointed to a nearby tree. "He was hiding behind that tree then, probably relieving himself..."

WHAT THE HELL!

So there’s no fairness at all, huh!

As long as you pay, they even make up excuses for you!

The Hidden Guards from the City Lord’s Mansion, who barely won first place, almost coughed up blood. Has the game company completely abandoned its shame?!

Which damn planner designed Lin Bai? If I ever find out who, I’ll track them down at the game company and challenge them to a real-life PK!

[Resentment from Mad Man, Bitter Melon Vine, Just For Now +1+1+1]

"Anyone else want to compete for first place?" Lin Bai ignored the mournful gazes of Mad Man and the others, smiling as he said, "I’ll count to three. If there’s no one, the position of Left Vice-Leader will go to Lonely Old Man."

Lonely Old Man looked down on them all. No one responded. They all knew the assassination attempt on Lin Bai was his scheme, and he had spent an unknown amount of money; he was undoubtedly a true tycoon.

Besides, during yesterday’s live stream, he was the main focus and received an unknown amount of gifts. Competing with him in terms of financial strength? Only an idiot whose head had been kicked by a donkey would do that.

"Alright, Lonely Old Man is first." Lin Bai smiled. "Now, who will compete for the Right Vice-Leader position?"

"I’ll offer one thousand taels," said Lumberjack No.1.

"Good." Lin Bai looked at Crispy Rice. "Big Brother, later, record how much each person contributes. Collect the money to serve as the activity fund for the Beggar Gang."

Having sold a Dan Fang to the City Lord for 300,000 taels, Lin Bai’s need for Silver Coins wasn’t that critical anymore.

The reason for orchestrating this whole affair was simply to completely break apart this group of players who had previously been united.

The gang he established had to be under his control. He was using this method to tell everyone that in the gang he founded, he was the one who made the rules.

Hearing Lin Bai call him "Big Brother" moved Crispy Rice to tears. He immediately discarded the idea of trying to overthrow Lin Bai after achieving success and fame.

With Lin, the Storekeeper’s wisdom, I’m afraid I’d be the one kneeling in the end.

Calming himself, Crispy Rice said respectfully, "Yes, Boss."

You call me Big Brother, I call you Boss. Perfectly fine. Am I really after this little brother status? No. What I cherish is this bond of friendship...

"Lin, the Storekeeper, how much Silver needs to be donated to the Beggar Gang to become the Gang Leader?" Lonely Old Man asked.

One good trick works every time! Since money talks, I’ll use it to the fullest. Isn’t gaming all about having fun? What are a few expenses? If I can buy a position from Lin Bai now, I can buy Skills later... Has gaming ever been fair anyway?

"What kind of person do you take me for? Someone who only sees money?" Lin Bai’s expression suddenly turned grim. "I appointed the Gang Leader. Crispy Rice is the Big Brother I acknowledged through a sworn ceremony; how could I replace him for a mere sum of Silver Coins? Everyone, remember this: I, Lin Bai, value loyalty and friendship. The day I acknowledge someone as my Big Brother, he remains my Big Brother for life! You can marginalize him, even secretly plot against him, but you absolutely cannot replace him. Furthermore, you must respect him in front of outsiders. Understand?"

[Resentment from Crispy Rice, Sticky Rice +1+1+1+1]

[Joy from Lonely Old Man +1+1+1+1]

"Thank you for your teachings, Lin, the Storekeeper." Lonely Old Man bowed to Lin Bai, then turned to Crispy Rice. "Gang Leader, I was wrong. Please forgive your subordinate’s transgression."

Crispy Rice ignored Lonely Old Man. At this moment, his earlier joy had turned into bitter resentment. He looked up at Lin Bai, speechless.

Right now, my heart is filled with endless resentment. I really want to go have a drink with Dumbelldore. Our lives are too bitter!

Or maybe I should think about how to kill Lin Bai in the future! If I don’t get rid of him, I’ll never be able to think straight...