Chapter 40: Just Relax While Playing Games at This Internet Cafe

The power dynamics within the Great Jin Dynasty were intricately tangled, tracing back to the nation's very founding. To carve out a kingdom upon a land teeming with formidable masters and dense with cultivators, the late Emperor Wu had subjugated numerous powerful warriors and cultivators, leaving a trail of solemn promises to various factions in his wake.

Following the founding of the empire, these warriors, cultivators, and diverse factions received titles and rewards, giving rise to what would later become the great aristocratic clans.

Coupled with Emperor Wu’s own lineage from a prominent clan, this network underwent prolonged development, long ago consolidating into a massive and powerful aristocratic bloc within the realm.

On the surface, the Great Jin Dynasty appeared tranquil, yet beneath it raged turbulent undercurrents.

…

The night grew deep. Having finished her session of Resident Evil, Nalan Mingxue sat by Fang Qi’s side, watching him play Diablo for the entire evening.

Driven by curiosity, she had tried this game for half an hour earlier today.

In its virtual reality adaptation, the map of Diablo had expanded significantly compared to the original version. Rogue Encampment was complete with taverns and civilian dwellings, everything functioning so indistinguishably from a real world that the heightened realism and freedom made the original game far more engaging.

As a role-playing game, it allowed her to embody any character at whim and immerse herself entirely within the world; even when interacting with commoners she would ordinarily never spare a glance, it felt entirely natural.

Only at moments like this could she completely shed the heavy burdens from her shoulders. It was a starkly different life, free from the encumbrances of her status, where she could converse freely with game characters in taverns, and find genuine joy in leveling up or obtaining equipment.

There was no need to meticulously scheme every move; she could wear her displeasure on her face when angered, and laugh aloud when happy, never worrying that someone was constantly trying to decipher her thoughts.

A sudden moment of bewilderment washed over her.

This game seemed even more interesting than Resident Evil. So, should she play the game? Or play the game? Or play the game?

"I have grown lax..." A faint sense of vigilance stirred within her as she stood up from her seat, experiencing a feeling she had never known in her entire life.

Turning her head to glance around the internet cafe, she realized the patrons had nearly all departed.

It was midnight.

"Has it already gotten this late?"

At that moment, Fang Qi also rose from his seat, stretching comfortably as he looked at the two women in surprise. "Hmm? You two haven't left yet?"

"We are leaving." Nalan Mingxue's face reverted to its usual icy composure.

As Nalan Mingxue pushed open the main door, a sudden chill struck her face.

She lifted her head toward the gloomy sky, her pristine white robes billowing against the fierce wind howling into the shop.

Stepping out of the internet cafe, she extended her hand, and a clear, transparent drop of cold liquid, carried by the gale, drifted into her palm.

"Is it raining?"

…

The moments preceding a summer rain are always suffocatingly hot. The clouds above pressed down like a heavy steamer, smothering the air and agitating the mind.

With Nalan Mingxue, the final customer of the internet cafe, now gone, Fang Qi walked forward to lock up the doors.

Right then, he suddenly detected an unusual aura outside the door, causing his brow to furrow instinctively.

The night was as dark as ink. In the pitch-black, rainy night, save for the faint glow emitting from Fang Qi's shop, not a sliver of light could be seen.

At this midnight hour, every household along the street had long since drifted to sleep.

Amidst the deep shroud of night over the street, Lanyan held an umbrella, walking alongside Nalan Mingxue as they gradually dissolved into the darkness deeper down the avenue.

At that exact moment, Nalan Mingxue’s footsteps suddenly halted.

"Miss Nalan has truly been terribly lax these past few days." A gentle sigh drifted down from the rooftops!

The voice came so abruptly that the group only now realized a row of uniform dark figures had suddenly materialized upon the roofs flanking the street, though none knew when they had arrived!

"Miss Nalan!" Lanyan’s delicate face darkened; without a second thought, she knew these people were coming for them!

"Did my eldest brother send you?" In contrast, Nalan Mingxue remained calm. "It is true that I have grown lax, failing to notice that we were being followed."

The shadow in the center let out a sneer and extended his right hand, giving a gentle wave. "Leave no survivors."

Like plunging eagles sweeping through the night sky, eight dark figures swooped straight down!

Arcs of saber qi, saturated with murderous intent, came hurtling through the air alongside the howling gale!

Warrior Qi manifestation! Ancestral Warriors!

All eight assassins were unexpectedly at or above the Ancestral Warrior realm, yet their target was merely a young woman who had only recently attained the True Warrior stage!

Combined with the final assassin who remained stationary on the rooftop, such a lineup was practically flawless!

Nalan Mingxue's expression turned grave as she was forced backward repeatedly. Within mere moments, she had been driven into a corner with no path of retreat left!

A massive shadow of a blade, pursuing her like a maggot in the bone, swept out viciously!

With Nalan Mingxue’s cultivation level, how could she possibly match an Ancestral Warrior?! A spiritual barrier suddenly flared around her body, and immediately after, she was violently sent flying backwards by the impact!

Boom!

The civilian house behind her collapsed with a resounding crash!

"Miss Nalan!" Lanyan cried out in alarm. Just as she was about to rush forward to check on Nalan Mingxue’s injuries, she suddenly caught the ear-piercing screech of the wind!

Boom!

A blade shadow slammed violently into the ground right before her!

Beneath her feet, a deep chasm tore through the earth!

A black-clothed man slowly barred her path, grinning coldly. "Distraction during battle is hardly a good habit, Miss Lanyan."

Having been hurled through the air by the blade shadow, the spiritual barrier around Nalan Mingxue flickered. It was evidently a high-quality defensive dharma treasure, excitable through Warrior Qi and highly effective in defense.

Yet under the tempestuous assault of several Ancestral Warriors, it rapidly lost its efficacy!

Subconsciously, Nalan Mingxue pinched the small, jade-like dagger hanging at her chest.

Faintly, an exceptionally perilous aura began to emanate from that small jade dagger!

The dark figure standing on the rooftop suddenly vanished!

The next instant it reappeared, a flash of cold steel pierced straight into her body!

"Miss Nalan, we know exactly how many hidden cards you possess. I advise you not to move recklessly!"

This strike avoided her vitals, yet it seemed to pierce a critical node within her body. Highly chaotic Warrior Qi erupted inside her, clashing wildly. Immediately following, the translucent, crystal-clear jade dagger she held shattered violently into pieces!

Nalan Mingxue spat out a heavy mouthful of blood, her complexion turning deathly pale in an instant!

This person's strength had reached at least the Grandmaster stage!

To deploy a Grandmaster and eight Ancestral Warriors just to assassinate her?

Nalan Mingxue smiled bitterly. Her eldest brother truly held her in high regard!

Seeing her strongest hidden card destroyed in an instant, and feeling the strength within her body draining away piece by piece, a trace of sorrow and despair finally surfaced within those eyes that always seemed frozen with an icy expression.

She was proud, intelligent, and immensely talented. She should have been the most brilliant pearl of the Nalan family, one of the select few standing at the absolute pinnacle of this nation's pyramid.

Yet today, she was to die here, silently and without a trace!

This was undeniable tragedy.

She faintly sensed that matters were not quite so simple, but she no longer possessed the strength to investigate further.

…

"Why does something feel a bit off?" Closing the door, Fang Qi shook his head in puzzlement.

"Whatever, I've been playing Diablo all day, it's time to rest..."

He stretched his body and was just about to go upstairs when, at that exact moment, he suddenly heard a system prompt.

"Emergency mission acquired!"

"An emergency mission?" Fang Qi found it incredibly strange. Why on earth was an emergency mission being issued in the middle of the night?

He subconsciously opened the system panel.

An attack by thugs on a customer of this internet cafe has been detected on their way home late at night. To ensure that every customer can play games in this internet cafe with peace of mind, a special mission has been issued.

New Mission: Ambush in the Rainy Night

Mission Item Obtained: Infinite Rocket Launcher (Please retrieve it from the wall cabinet)

Mission Reward: Permanent acquisition of the Infinite Rocket Launcher

Mission Description: You only need to feel at ease while playing games in this internet cafe.