Qiao Rui and Qiao Jingting both nodded slightly toward Zhao Monong. “Mr. Zhao, we’ve heard of you for a long time,” their demeanor exuded the refined elegance of privileged young men.
Zhao Monong furrowed his brow and glanced at them before shifting his gaze to behind them. His eyes turned sharp. “Brother Yang, what brings you to this humble place?”
Qiao Jingting followed his gaze and saw another level 10 player, a mutant class.
Yang Tailin appeared to be in his forties, of medium build, with a handsome face and an extraordinary presence. The conspicuous number “10” next to his name exuded a palpable aura of intimidation. The people around him dared not even breathe too loudly.
In the game, everyone understood that the higher the level, the harder it was to level up. Although the difference between levels 8, 9, and 10 might seem small, the gap could be significant. Higher levels meant players were more cautious about leveling up to avoid losing their hard-earned progress. This was the reason why there were only five attendees at the moment.
Yang Tailin nodded to Zhao Monong and politely said, “I brought a newly joined junior brother here to spar a bit. I hope we’re not disturbing you.”
Zhao Monong smiled, “Jiaomu Jiao is open for business. You’re not disturbing us. We’re just handling some internal matters. Brother Yang, please feel free.”
“Internal matters?” Qiao Rui smiled, “But these two aren’t members of the Masked guild. How does that count as internal matters?”
Zhao Monong slowly explained, “As long as they’re within the territory of the Masked, it’s considered internal matters.”
“Rule 1 of Jiaomu Jiao: All legally entered players in the city are under absolute protection as long as they follow the city rules. Rule 4: Players are free to spar outside the city at their own risk. No guild or individual is allowed to seek revenge within the territory of Jiaomu Jiao.” Qiao Rui looked at Zhao Monong, “Mr. Zhao, as the manager of Jiaomu Jiao, you should be familiar with the city rules.”
Zhao Monong’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
Qiao Rui smiled, “If Mr. Zhao were to punish them here, it would be a violation of the rules in front of everyone, damaging your credibility. Just because the deceased is from your own guild doesn’t mean you can show favoritism. If news of this spreads, the Masked guild’s reputation will suffer.”
Yang Tailin shifted his body slightly, not saying a word or making any moves, but his presence felt like a mountain behind Qiao Rui, adding an invisible pressure to the level 6 player.
Zhao Monong looked deeply at Qiao Rui, then laughed nonchalantly, “I temporarily forgot in the heat of the moment.”
Qiao Rui glanced at Qiao Jingting with a look of disdain, then signaled with his eyes, “Let’s go.”
Qiao Jingting pulled White Er’s arm, walked through the crowd, and headed towards the city.
A faint voice came from behind, “Brother Yang, no more gambling for today?”
“The stones aren’t going anywhere. I’ll come back another day.”
The four of them entered the city and returned to the inn.
Qiao Jingting threw White Er onto the sofa, turned to Qiao Rui, and said with a complicated expression, “You’re doing well.”
“Always better than you.” Qiao Rui glanced at White Er, then coldly smirked, “The new junior brother you’ve taken in has fallen to the point where he’s bossing around a disabled minor.”
White Er stared fixedly at Qiao Rui, a downturned mouth revealing his displeasure at the term “disabled minor.” His gaze looked as though he were observing a dead person.
“Why did you suddenly help me?” Qiao Jingting felt that Qiao Rui not turning against him was already fortunate.
Qiao Rui’s gaze darkened. He grabbed Qiao Jingting’s collar, forcefully pinning him against the wall. His wrist pressed down on Qiao Jingting’s artery, his voice icy, “You wild seed, you’re never a harbinger of good things. Bringing me into this damn place, I’ll make sure you die comfortably.”
Qiao Jingting’s face turned red from the exertion, and he could barely breathe. He clutched Qiao Rui’s wrist, forcefully pushing it away from his neck. The two of them struggled in a silent battle of strength. “I was going to find Qiao Yunkai. Who asked you to provoke me.”
White Er’s fingertip glittered with the metallic sheen of a pocket knife as he stared at Qiao Rui, while Yang Tailin looked on with a curious expression.
“Who allowed you, this despicable bastard, to walk into my home? I’m not watching you. What if you steal something? Weren’t you in juvenile detention?”
“Quit your damn nonsense. Nobody wants to step into your home.” Qiao Jingting forcefully pushed Qiao Rui away.
Qiao Rui adjusted his collar, his gaze resentful and chilling. “You must be delighted to have pulled me into this abyss.”
“I didn’t intend to drag you in.” Qiao Jingting stared coldly at him. “When the day comes for me to become a ‘Respected,’ I’ll take you out, and then we’ll settle things.”
“Settle things?” Qiao Rui sneered, “Of course, I’ll leave the game. But contrary to what you said, I’ll step over your corpse and become a ‘Respected.’ I’ll make sure you’re forever stuck in the abyss. Isn’t that a perfect ending for a bastard like you?”
Qiao Jingting, considering that Qiao Rui had just saved him and White Er, refrained from swinging his mace at that repulsive face. He hadn’t encountered Qiao Rui many times in his life, but almost every time he wanted to kill him or tear his mouth apart. The last time he had practically fulfilled that wish, albeit unintentionally, and the result had been far from satisfactory.
Yang Tailin seemed to find it amusing. “Like real brothers, there’s no need for this.”
Qiao Jingting “spat” and looked at him with disgust.
Qiao Rui, with a smile that didn’t match his sophisticated appearance, said, “Brother Yang, he’s just a wild seed. My father had a dalliance with his mother. I don’t have any brothers.”
Veins bulged on Qiao Jingting’s forehead. He clenched his fists, his gaze fiercely locked onto Qiao Rui. Sooner or later, he would crush this man underfoot.
White Er looked at Qiao Jingting with inquisitive eyes, as if asking whether he should take action.
Qiao Jingting shook his head. “Let’s go.”
Qiao Rui’s voice came coolly from behind Qiao Jingting. “Live well. When you’re plump and ready, I’ll personally kill you.”
Without looking back, Qiao Jingting raised a middle finger in response and left with White Er.
Under the hostile gazes of the Masked guild players, the two of them arrived at the Tree of Life and teleported to Doumuxie.
The coldness of Doumuxie’s environment made them shiver, and it seemed to clear their minds. The area was still sparsely populated, especially on a day like today when a blizzard raged. There were hardly any people in the village.
But perhaps this was currently the only safe place. Staying in Jiaomu Jiao might expose them to Zhao Monong’s covert intentions. Doumuxie was different; it didn’t favor any specific guild. Whether it was the Peak or Masked players, if they caused trouble here, the city guards would surround and attack them. In short, they didn’t have a better option.
They bought warm clothing and put it on before heading towards an inn.
Once in their room, Qiao Jingting brewed a pot of hot tea. He absentmindedly sipped while enjoying the warmth, then suddenly had a thought. “Did we just make enemies with the three biggest guilds in the game?”
White Er fixed his gaze on him and nodded.
The two of them locked eyes for a few seconds and burst into laughter together.
It was the first time White Er laughed, revealing two small tiger teeth. His smile carried a hint of childlike shyness.
“Hahaha!” Qiao Jingting laughed heartily, “When heaven tasks a great mission, a hero must rise even from level ground.”
“You’re quite confident.” White Er’s agile fingers toyed with a pocket knife, “About that Qiao Rui, if the opportunity arises, can I kill him?”
Qiao Jingting stirred the spoon in his tea for a moment, then said, “No, you can’t.”
Later in the evening, Zou Yidao and Shu Ai also arrived at Doumuxie.
