Chapter 71: Boss Is Away, Collective Strike?

For Fang Qi, his perception of this world still lingered on the words exchanged between the original owner of this body and the internet cafe's patrons.

In truth, during the few years following his translocation, except for going to Lingyun Academy to take the examinations and visiting the city's martial arts halls to cultivate, Fang Qi had rarely left the confines of this street.

Before opening the internet cafe, it was due to a sense of crisis—a feeling that surviving in an alternate world was utterly impossible without strength or talent.

After opening the internet cafe, it was simply because he had no time.

Last time, he had finally managed to plan an outing, only to rush back in a hurry after a quick meal, so one could well imagine his mood.

Thus, early this morning, Fang Qi's mood was actually quite splendid as he slung the rocket launcher onto his back and stepped right out the door.

The closer one drew to the central district of Jiuhua City, the more prosperous it became; the street where Fang Qi currently stood was named the Tianfu Market, a renowned commercial trading hub in Jiuhua City.

Those carrying weapons like him out on the streets were by no means rare, for after all, this world belonged to martial artists and cultivators.

"There really are quite a lot of people..." Looking around, elegantly dressed nobles and cultivators with an immortal demeanor could be seen everywhere; having translocated for so long, this was the first time Fang Qi had witnessed such a grand spectacle of an alternate world.

Rows of two-story shops lined the streets, featuring glazed roof tiles, flying eaves, and painted rafters, each decorated with utmost elegance; Fang Qi was even slightly dazzled, pausing for a long moment before picking one to enter.

The Golden Rain Pavilion.

"Why isn't it called the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion?" Fang Qi murmured as he looked at the antique pavilion before him and walked inside, "You'll do!"

This was an artifact shop of considerable scale; upon entering the doors, one could see various artifacts displayed in cabinets against the wall, each accompanied by a clear price tag and a brief description.

"Hey... look! Look at that!" Just as Fang Qi was feeling dazzled by the array of artifacts, several customers pointed at the rocket launcher on his back and whispered, "Doesn't that weapon look like something from Resident Evil?"

"It really does seem like it..." A young master clad in yellow said, "Though I don't know what model it is, only weapons from Resident Evil possess this kind of style..."

"A mechanical style! He plays Resident Evil too?"

"Let's go ask!"

"..." Fang Qi's hearing was exceptionally keen; even though the others spoke in hushed tones, it did not prevent him from hearing their conversation clearly.

Fang Qi's face couldn't help but twitch: "Even this can be recognized?"

"Hey! Brother!" The young master in yellow stepped forward, cupping his hands, "Does brother play Resident Evil too?"

Fang Qi's face twitched once more: You play Resident Evil and yet you don't even recognize me, the owner?

But this was hardly surprising; over the past few days, Jiang Xiaoyue had been sitting at the counter while he sat in the corner playing Diablo.

This young master in yellow was quite familiar, slapping Fang Qi on the shoulder as he said, "Friend, what act are you on? Do you want this young master to teach you a few tricks? I guarantee a smooth clear!"

Fang Qi's face twitched yet again: "No need... I'm just looking at artifacts first."

"Looking at artifacts!" The young master in yellow beat his chest and said, "Easy, easy! This shop is opened by my uncle. If you fancy anything, just give me the word and I'll tell him!"

"Can I say that I'm actually playing Diablo right now?" Fang Qi thought to himself.

...

Meanwhile, inside Fang Qi's internet cafe.

"Hmm?! Where did the owner go today?" A crowd of people peered repeatedly into the shop, eventually gathering in front of the counter, "Little girl, where is your owner?"

"Aren't you all playing games? Why are you looking for the owner?" Jiang Xiaoyue looked bewilderedly at Ye Songtao, who had brought a large group of young talents with him.

"This seat has a major business proposition to discuss with him." Ye Songtao pointed to the ten or so aloof or arrogant young disciples behind him, saying, "See them? These are all genius disciples of our sect. This seat has important matters to discuss with the owner!"

Ye Songtao tapped on the desk, saying, "Where did your owner go? Tell him to hurry back!"

"Discuss what? Isn't it just playing a game?" Jiang Xiaoyue said disdainfully, "Leave the money, and can't you just teach them how to play yourself?"

Ye Songtao: "..."

"That absolutely won't do! How could he suddenly go out today?!" An Huwei looked utterly depressed, "This seat thought up several skill-point allocation plans over the last two nights and intended to ask him today which one holds the advantage. How could he suddenly vanish?!"

"..." Jiang Xiaoyue was stunned; someone would actually ask about that?

"Where on earth did this kid go?" Nalan Hongwu slammed the table, saying, "This old master intended to watch him pull off a few more Paladin moves. Why isn't he playing today?!"

"Exactly! We came specifically to watch the owner play!" Lin Luo and the other Paladin players had been utterly amazed yesterday by Fang Qi's aura-switching and instant-teleportation staff mechanics. However, Fang Qi had only played for a short while yesterday, leaving them far from satisfied.

Who would have thought that today, rushing over during the brief moment before their academy classes just to watch him for a bit, Fang Qi had actually gone out?!

Several people complained in dissatisfaction, "We rushed here early this morning just to watch the owner play Paladin for a bit. How could he just vanish?! If we wait any longer, we'll all have to go to class!"

To them, watching Fang Qi play games every day had already become an additional routine, not a single bit inferior to playing themselves. But now, Fang Qi had actually gone out?!

Didn't this mean returning to the days when they could only play for six hours a day, relying entirely on boredom to pass the rest of the time?!

Jiang Xiaoyue: "...Is it really necessary to care so much about watching a game?"

"Where did he go?" An Huwei said, "Have him come back immediately!"

Previously, Fang Qi was always in the shop anyway, so any questions could be asked directly, and they hadn't felt the sting. But now that Fang Qi was out, An Huwei's obsessive-compulsive disorder flared up, leaving him instantly trapped in deep agony!

Without perfect skill point distribution, how was he supposed to play?!

"Precisely!" Ye Songtao pulled up a stool and sat in front of the counter, "Just tell him that this seat has a major business deal here. If he doesn't return immediately, there's no need to talk, and we won't come here in the future either!"

"Well said!" An Huwei remarked in dissatisfaction, "If I don't get this matter cleared up today, my monster-killing efficiency won't keep up. Wouldn't that waste this seat's gaming time?! If he doesn't return, I shall strike and refuse to play!"

Ye Songtao added, "Tell him directly: if he doesn't come back, we will collectively strike! We won't give him any business!"

The little girl instantly grew displeased, planting her hands on her hips as she said, "The owner gave instructions before he left. Suit yourselves; play or don't play!"

"What?!"

Those who had just threatened to strike were instantly dumbfounded!

Everyone looked at one another, completely dazed!

The owner is this arrogant?!

But thinking about it, such words could probably only come out of Fang Qi's mouth!

Therefore, the moment Jiang Xiaoyue spoke, everyone was plunged into extreme embarrassment.

"This seat..." An Huwei originally wanted to say "This seat shall leave right now," but as the words reached his lips, his face twitched violently, "This seat won't bicker with a young girl like you. I'll wait a few more hours!"

"Father! I'm going to play Diablo first, you guys talk!" Ye Xiaoye giggled and quickly went to play Diablo.

"...I say, you girl!" Ye Songtao's face darkened. I just said we were going to strike! How can you undermine your own father like this?!

"..." Ye Songtao said with a dark expression, "Contact the owner and have him return! This matter must be discussed clearly!"

"The owner doesn't have a communication jade, so I can't contact him either!" The little girl said with her hands on her hips, "If you want him back, go find him yourselves!"

"..." Everyone felt like cursing upon hearing this!

...

PS: Since quite a few students have mentioned some large-scale games, such as PUBG, LOL, etc., the author will answer here: those games will definitely have to wait until branch stores open. Right now, the number of players is not enough to create that kind of atmosphere.