90 Persistent Pestering

Zhan Xiaobai, accompanied by the recently awakened NPC little beggar Letian, arrived at the East Gate post station. After paying 200 copper coins, they received two relay horses and set off outside the city, planning to return to Xiaobai Village that very day. (The post station operated one-way transport, with the system’s coachman automatically regulating the number of horses.)

The little beggar was ecstatic; it was his first time riding a horse. Grasping the reins eagerly, he leapt onto the horse and looked down upon the bustling street crowds with a commanding air. “Sir, are we heading straight back to Xiaobai Village now? How far is it?”

“Not far, just half a day’s journey.”

Suddenly, Zhan Xiaobai noticed Letian sitting astride the relay horse. He hurriedly warned, “Get down quickly! No riding horses inside the city. Be careful not to get arrested by the soldiers.”

Startled, the little beggar hastily slipped off the horse.

The two then led their horses out through the city gates guarded by soldiers.

Though it was early morning, the broad road outside the city was already crowded with nearly a thousand players jostling to secure prime spots for their stalls. Some had traveled from nearby villages to sell goods, while others were bound for other towns to trade. The bustling crowds flowed endlessly.

From time to time, merchant players stopped Zhan Xiaobai, trying to peddle their wares, but he kept shaking his head. He had only a little more than a hundred copper coins left in his pocket. Cheap items were of no use, and valuable goods were beyond his means.

...

Outside the city, the lone swordsman and the aloof ginseng hurriedly exited, quickly gathering a close-knit group of nearby players. They stationed themselves outside the East Gate, preparing to intercept Zhan Xiaobai and avenge the humiliation suffered in the brothel.

The two haughtily scanned the NPCs and players coming in and out of the gate. Suddenly, the lone swordsman’s eyes lit up as he pointed ahead. “Look, Third Brother, there he is! Let’s go block him right now.”

The aloof ginseng quickly cautioned, “No, this is the city gate. Don’t start trouble here; the city guards might misunderstand. Besides, we don’t know how tough this guy really is. Our leader has gone to recruit some expert players. We’ll act once he returns.”

The lone swordsman nodded repeatedly, “True. Let’s quietly follow him for now. Once we’re a bit away from the gate, we can surround him. Damn it, how dare he disrespect the Three Heroes of Wuwei. Let’s see what happens to him today.”

“Let’s go!” “Brother, you’re right!”

The group of players began tailing Zhan Xiaobai.

...

Zhan Xiaobai and the little beggar squeezed through the crowded market outside the city, just about to mount their horses when suddenly a group of over twenty players surged forward. Each brandished weapons, encircling their path.

“Stop right there!” “Brothers, tighten the circle. Don’t let him escape!”

Nearby merchant players quickly scattered to avoid getting caught in the brawl, while onlookers gathered to watch the commotion.

Zhan Xiaobai was taken aback. He recognized the two leading the group as the arrogant lone swordsman and aloof ginseng. He immediately understood the situation — after two months of playing, this was his first encounter with player thugs seeking to provoke him.

Frowning, Zhan Xiaobai quickly devised a strategy. He carried a precious weapon blueprint, which was likely to drop upon death, so dying was out of the question. Yet, he was neither a combat-class player nor accompanied by guards, making a clean getaway quite tricky.

The lone swordsman laughed upon seeing Zhan Xiaobai’s furrowed brow. “Ha! Didn’t expect it to be us! Less than ten minutes, and here we meet again. You were quite proud in the brothel earlier, weren’t you? Let’s see how proud you feel now! Haha, no way out this time. There are no NPCs outside the city to help you. Here, the biggest fists rule.”

Zhan Xiaobai glanced around the crowd and smiled. “Amazing. I didn’t expect the three of you to have such influence, gathering this many people so quickly. I’m not some great figure; this seems a bit of an overkill.”

The lone swordsman sneered coldly, “Now you see what we’re capable of. Too bad it’s too late. Hmph, on Wuwei’s turf, who dares disrespect the Three Heroes of Wuwei? Don’t think just because you’ve got a county magistrate backing you, you’re all that. Even a mighty dragon crossing the river must bow to us three brothers.”

“That’s right!”

The eldest of the Three Heroes of Wuwei, Sword Madman, finally appeared. He brought along a skilled player with him into the circle. His companion was unusual, wearing multiple pieces of equipment: a level 10 yellow headscarf [+1 defense], a level 10 cloth belt [+1 storage], a level 20 iron sword [+2 attack], and a pair of level 10 white rabbit fur boots [+1 defense].

The mismatched gear looked odd, but none of the players dared mock him. Equipment was scarce, especially defensive gear. Anyone who owned more than one piece and dared to wear them openly was a formidable expert; otherwise, their gear would have long been looted.

“This is ‘Eight Winds,’ ranked thirty-eighth on the Xiliang player strength list,” Sword Madman explained. “He possesses a unique sword technique and is exceptionally skilled.” He then looked disdainfully at Zhan Xiaobai. “Hmph, even if you’re a top player, with Brother Eight Winds backing me, you won’t escape!”

The third brother, Aloof Ginseng, quickly praised, “Big brother’s plan is flawless. I admire you. Now we’re certain to capture him. With over twenty of us plus the thirty-eighth ranked ‘Eight Winds’ from Xiliang, even the top Xiliang expert couldn’t slip through our grasp.”

Eight Winds remained modest, bowing to the admiring players around him. “Not at all. If the top Xiliang expert shows up, I’ll bow out immediately. But if it’s the second or third best, I’m willing to give it a try.”

He then addressed Zhan Xiaobai with the demeanor of a seasoned master. “May I ask, brother, are you the number one expert in Xiliang? If so, I will yield and let you pass.”

Zhan Xiaobai smiled. “I’m neither first, second, nor third on the expert list. But you won’t be able to trap me. Want to try?”

He deftly mounted the horse, signaling the little beggar to do the same.

The lone swordsman lunged to block him but was stopped by Sword Madman, who had sealed off all escape routes. There was no chance for Zhan Xiaobai and the little beggar to flee.

Sword Madman laughed uproariously, “Good! That’s the spirit. I’ve been in Wuwei for over two months, and this is the first time I’ve seen someone dare to challenge a whole group alone. Let me fulfill your wish and see how you fare against us.” He drew his blade.

The other players also drew their swords, ready to strike the moment Zhan Xiaobai tried to break through.

Zhan Xiaobai settled firmly on the relay horse and glanced back at the little beggar, whose face had turned pale with fear but who was already mounted as well.

“Go!” Zhan Xiaobai shouted, suddenly tossing a handful of copper coins into the air. A dazzling shower of bright, clinking copper rained down in all directions, dazzling the eyes of the players.

“Wow—copper! Copper coins!”

Quick players leapt forward, frantically grabbing at the airborne coins.

“Damn it, that’s mine!”

“Over my dead body! Even if you’re my father, I won’t stop snatching.”

“Those are mine! Hey! How dare you sneak attack me? I’ll kill you!”

“Stop fighting!” came a frustrated voice.

Chaos erupted as not only Sword Madman’s men but also nearby spectators surged forward to snatch the coins.

Seizing the confusion, Zhan Xiaobai tightened the reins and found an opening to leap past the crowd, already outside the circle. He looked back to see the little beggar anxiously clinging to the horse’s back, following closely.

Quietly, Zhan Xiaobai thought, “Good, he’s keeping up. At least those hundred copper coins weren’t wasted.”

Not daring to linger, he urged the horse forward, preparing to gallop at full speed.

Sword Madman, furious, burst through the chaotic crowd, searching frantically for Zhan Xiaobai. Seeing him trying to escape, he lunged desperately, shouting, “Trying to run? Get down!”

Though he missed grabbing the horse itself, he seized tightly onto the horse’s tail, slowing its pace. (A relay horse ridden by one person travels at normal speed; adding a second rider cuts that speed in half.)