Chapter 81: Since You're in the Pit, How Can You Be the Only One Trapped?

When everyone walked out of the internet cafe, at least more than half of them had rimmed, red eyes.

And even Nalan Hongwu clicked his tongue in lingering afterthought; though it was merely a story, in his long life, it was a rare thing worthy of being savored.

Consequently, his anticipation for the continuation of Legend of Sword and Fairy grew all the more profound.

By comparison, such emotions fermented with particular intensity among some of the youths.

Even though they had left the internet cafe long ago, their hearts and minds remained fixed upon the various plotlines within Legend of Sword and Fairy.

It was as though the scenes were unfolding right before their eyes, vivid and striking.

The indolent yet responsible Xiaoyao, the willful and fierce-tongued yet soft-hearted Yueru, the sweet and considerate Ling'er with her touch of girlish innocence, and the tale of Liu Jinyuan and the butterfly demon...

Perhaps they had never imagined there would come a moment like this, where they would rejoice for the joys of characters in a story, and likewise grieve for their sorrows.

"Such beautiful souls should not be allowed to fade silently into a mere story!"

"Why not let more people know about it!" A voice rang out within Chen Yang's heart, and his eyes suddenly lit up. "Yes! More people ought to know about them!"

"Let more people know about them?" The few friends who had accompanied Chen Yang also had their eyes light up in unison!

What they were thinking at this moment was precisely the shared sentiment of most people present!

Upon returning to the academy, Chen Yang immediately gathered a few familiar classmates together: "Let me tell you... yesterday I watched the boss play that 'Legend of Sword and Fairy 1'..."

"Legend of Sword and Fairy 1?"

"That new game?"

"Is it fun?"

"It is more than just fun!" Chen Yang said, "Moreover, the plot, the martial arts, and everything else can be called absolute classics!"

"Take the martial arts for instance, there is the Sword Controlling Technique, the Myriad Sword Torrent, the Heavenly Sword... incredibly powerful! When the Sword Controlling Technique is mastered to a profound level, whether you are a cultivator or a warrior, you can ride a sword and fly!"

"And as for the plot, it is truly magnificent! I, Chen Yang, have never been so captivated by a storyline before!"

"Is it really that amazing?!" Everyone asked in disbelief, "Doesn't it look about the same as 'Martial Immortal' just from the name?"

"Pshaw! What does 'Martial Immortal' amount to? Dull and tedious, it is a hundred thousand miles behind!" Chen Yang said, "If you don't believe me, I'll play it for you to see tomorrow!"

"Hiss—! You are going to play?" The crowd chimed in, "That would be excellent! If it's fun, we'll play it as well when the time comes!"

It was not just Chen Yang; at the Clear Wind and Bright Moon Pavilion, Song Qingfeng, Lin Shao, and the others were all gathered together at this moment.

An assortment of fine delicacies was laid out upon the table, with jade platters and rare treasures all worth ten thousand pieces of gold! Even for the Clear Wind and Bright Moon Pavilion, such a grand feast was a rare sight!

"Brother Song treats us so generously, I wonder what important matter is at hand?" The youths at the banquet each seemed to possess considerable status and elegant speech, yet facing such hospitality, they could not help but feel astonished.

"It is no grand matter." Lin Shao laughed heartily, "The reputation of the Origin Internet Club is something you all have surely heard of, so I won't introduce it further."

"I have heard a little of it, but have not yet had the honor of seeing it."

Lin Shao nodded and said, "The few of us have no other purpose, it is just that such a wonderful thing is truly something we cannot resist recommending to you all."

...

Not only at the Clear Wind and Bright Moon Pavilion, but even within the internet cafe itself, people began recommending it the moment they stepped out the door: "Brother Li, look, we have already cleared Resident Evil. How about tomorrow, we go play 'Legend of Sword and Fairy 1' too?"

"Brother Wang, let me tell you, I just watched this 'Legend of Sword and Fairy', and it is truly...! How about tomorrow... we change our flavor?"

"..."

Liang Shi was already a veteran Resident Evil player; after logging off, he looked strangely at the players who were walking out of the internet cafe while continuously recommending the game to others. Completely bewildered, he looked at Fang Qi and said, "This new game... what kind of magic does it possess...?"

Fang Qi rubbed his nose and said with deep meaning, "After all: since one has fallen into the pit, how can they be the only one trapped in it?"

"How can they be the only one trapped in it?" Liang Shi scratched his head, expressing his inability to understand.

"If you don't understand, won't you know once you try it." Fang Qi smiled.

"Boss... you are trying to drag me into the pit as well, aren't you?" Liang Shi was caught between tears and laughter.

...

Ji Wuyou reclined upon a nanmu chair in the small courtyard, a gentle breeze brushing past, softly stirring the corners of his robes.

In his hand, two milk-white round stone beads spun rapidly within his palm.

"This little shop is of unknown origin, yet whether it is the Nalan family, the dignitaries of Jiuhua City, or even the Cloud Ocean Sect located overseas, they all converge here." He lightly closed his eyes, seemingly in deep thought, "Inquiries only reveal... that they are playing a game. What kind of game could possibly possess such immense charm?"

"I, too, am quite curious. A mere game, where does it get such immense charm!" A dark shadow condensed into form within the small courtyard, "Does that Nalan Jie wish to back out now?"

"Nalan Jie?! Running to that little shop all day long, I see he cannot be counted on!" Ji Wuyou sneered, "Not only that, but he has also secretly swept all the incriminating evidence completely clean! Did he think I hadn't noticed!?"

"It seems he has likely found some other way out and wishes to harbor some petty designs." Ji Wuyou smiled faintly, "Dark Wolf, do you think it is possible?"

From within the darkness, a burst of sinister, cold laughter immediately drifted forth.

The dark shadow made a throat-slitting motion: "Do you want me to...?"

"No need for now." Ji Wuyou stood up from his chair; the edge of the courtyard turned out to be a precipice, and gazing far beneath the cliff, the entirety of Jiangnan lay in view!

Ji Wuyou extended his hand, as if to grasp everything before his eyes within his palm.

But very quickly, he loosened his grip again: "This region of Jiangnan is, after all, not yet fully within our control. Moving against him now would bring some trouble, and moreover, he is still of use."

"Then..." The dark shadow seemed to wait in confusion for what was to follow.

"Since that old fellow Nalan Hongwu has personally emerged into the world, he is not so easy to deal with." Ji Wuyou said indifferently, "That other one never leaves his side either, so we might as well consider other avenues."

"Other avenues?" The dark shadow sneered, "That little shop thinks it has disrupted our plans, and it is basking in the limelight right now. Are we to let it off? This is not your style."

"How could that be." Ji Wuyou smiled, "A small shop opened by a commoner has achieved such proud results, which likewise touches upon the interests of many. Inside and outside Jiuhua City, there are plenty of envious eyes watching! Why should we be the ones to strike?"

The dark shadow scoffed, "What do you intend to do?"

Ji Wuyou sat back down in his seat; at this moment, a butterfly with black wings gently flew before his eyes. He pinched the butterfly's wings and spoke with ease: "Fan the flames for him! I suppose this moment should be quite fitting."

"Running too fast will only make one take a tumble!"