Chapter 2: Secret Layout
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Ankhun Street is located on the east side of Cold Wind City.
Although no one understands why Cold Wind City has such a name that makes it sound like a haunted place, Strong Brother and the others can’t waste time thinking about it as they hurry towards the mission’s designated location.
There’s less than an hour until the players’ free activity period ends.
“One, two, three… eleven, twelve, uh, it’s this door.”
Strong Brother, Cold Little Rain, and Si Yan stood at the entrance of a low bungalow.
Just as he was about to raise his hand to knock,
“Creeeak,” the door swung open from the inside.
A gust of chilly wind rushed at them, and the interior was pitch black, almost devoid of light.
Strong Brother hesitated.
Is this really the place?
“Come in.”
A low female voice echoed from inside.
Strong Brother gritted his teeth, feeling a bit anxious as he stepped inside.
The two girls followed closely behind.
“Bang,” the door shut tightly behind them.
Only then did the trio realize there wasn’t a single window in the house. No wonder the outside was sunny, but inside it was dark as night. They could only peek through the sliver of light coming from the door crack to take in the sparse furnishings.
Just some simple furniture, really.
He ran his finger across the surface and found it covered in dust.
“Very nice to meet companions here in Cold Wind City,” the voice rang out again.
Strong Brother felt her voice nearby, yet he couldn’t spot her anywhere in the dimly lit room.
This gave them the bizarre impression that the room was actually having a chat with them.
But then again, those from the Extermination of Immortals were known for being elusive, so this wasn’t too shocking.
Strong Brother took a deep breath, trying to act calm.
“I am the twelfth little Strong under the Demon-Slaying Squad. I’m honored by your summons; may I ask what your orders are?”
“I am Yue Tian, one of the four pillars of the Eight Great Vajras…”
One of the Eight Great Vajras?
Upon hearing that name, the three all gasped.
Before entering Ankhun Street, Cold Little Rain and Strong Brother had discussed whether to go live and attract more viewers in the name of Extermination of Immortals.
Normally, it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but considering the war situation and that players siding with White Feather City were no pushovers, if they went live now, it’d be like revealing their entire strategy, possibly even jeopardizing Extermination of Immortals’ secret layouts.
They weren’t mindless players.
So they had agreed that matters regarding this secret operation must not be disclosed, even if it meant losing followers.
When they heard the voice reveal her identity, Strong Brother and Cold Little Rain secretly rejoiced that they hadn’t gone live. If that information got out, the carefully laid plans of Extermination of Immortals would be utterly ruined.
Those players had aligned themselves with White Feather City, which in Strong Brother’s eyes made them basically enemies. They must not give them any chance to probe into the military situation of Cold Wind City.
Though they could only hear her voice without seeing her, the trio couldn’t help but feel more respect toward her.
“Regarding the upcoming battle in Cold Wind City, Princess Witch is very concerned. Besides myself, several members of our organization have entered Cold Wind City.”
“Princess Witch has directed that we may influence the course of the battle at the appropriate times to ensure Cold Wind City survives this conflict.”
Fantastic.
The three had initially thought they’d be fighting alone, but now they found they had multiple supports. Wouldn’t this totally change the game for Cold Wind City against White Feather City?
“Yes, my lord. What do we need to do next?”
“Just follow the arrangements in Cold Wind City. At critical moments, Extermination of Immortals will lend our support.”
“Got it.”
“Go now; you shouldn’t linger here too long. If anything changes, I will contact you.”
Strong Brother and Cold Little Rain couldn’t hide their delight. They never expected to receive help from Extermination of Immortals in this battle.
Looking back, their initial choice seemed wise after all.
If they hadn’t held on and ventured into Small Cave Heaven with Little Musashi at Mirror Mountain, everything that followed wouldn’t have occurred.
They wouldn’t have connected with the Extermination of Immortals and thus moved into a completely different storyline than the average players.
That sense of achievement, the intense immersion, made their gaming experience peak to levels they never thought possible—even making them feel a sense that this second life was the real one.
In contrast, the real world seemed dreadfully dull.
Just as Strong Brother and the others prepared to bid farewell, the usually quiet Si Yan suddenly “thud” fell to her knees.
“Please, my lord, save my sisters.”
“Si Yan, right? We already know about your situation.”
Si Yan looked up in surprise, her big eyes showing nothing but astonishment.
She had followed Strong Brother without revealing her identity, and her joining the rebellious sect was only a couple of days ago.
Yet, how could this Yue Tian from Extermination of Immortals know all about her?
“Since you were at Yihong Courtyard, we have been watching you, so please do not be surprised.”
Si Yan’s estimation of Extermination of Immortals’ capabilities shot up another notch.
She quickly replied, “I know where the Ji Shen headquarters is. Please report to Princess Witch that I can lead Extermination of Immortals at any time.”
“Alright, I’ve noted that. We’ll discuss Ji Shen later.”
Si Yan clenched her fingers and ultimately relaxed her fists.
She understood very well that Extermination of Immortals, a mysterious organization existing for at least several hundred years, only recently began to show its claws. It has survived precisely because it hasn’t had fundamental conflicts with other powers or organizations.
Right now, she was merely a traitor of negligible status in Ji Shen. Joining the rebellious sect just days ago did not earn her any leverage.
What could Extermination of Immortals possibly do for her just because she knew the location of Ji Shen’s headquarters?
Maybe they already knew all of that.
Besides, before Extermination of Immortals and Ji Shen got into a knockout elimination match, why would they think of attacking Ji Shen’s heavily fortified headquarters?
So, it was completely understandable that Yue Tian turned her down.
But why did Extermination of Immortals save her back then?
Wasn’t it to learn secrets about Ji Shen from her?
Yet after saving her, that swiftly departing swordsman never appeared again, as if they didn’t care about her at all.
Considering the present situation, Si Yan felt thoroughly confused.
However, Yue Tian didn’t seem inclined to grant her more thinking time. A cool breeze swept through as the door slowly opened.
Strong Brother knew they had to leave.
Cold Little Rain hurried to help the somewhat dazed Si Yan and stepped out of the door in quick succession.
“Bang!”
Just as their heels left the threshold, the door slammed shut violently behind them.
The three turned back, their thoughts tangled up.
They suddenly wondered if there were other hidden hands behind the decisive battle between the monster race and the two cities.
Otherwise, how could they explain why Extermination of Immortals suddenly broke their usual silence and actively intervened in this war?
Recalling the title of the expansion pack, The Rise of the Monster Race,
Strong Brother suddenly had a premonition that the secret hidden behind this battle might be far more complicated than they had imagined.
……
P.S.: Please support! This battle concerns the overall situation, so there’s a lot of setup. Don’t rush, big shots!
