https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-9-The-Danger-of-the-Outsider-Bandits/13030699/
Chapter 8: Zhao Yue'er
Chapter 8: Zhao Yue'er
March 31st, 2027
Lu HaiKong turned around and saw a girl in a green sports outfit, riding a fine horse, wielding a long sword, and with a snow-white, delicate face that lit up with excitement as if she'd spotted a fun toy. She looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, her face flushed with enthusiasm.
Lu HaiKong felt a bit dazed. He'd seen this expression somewhere before, and then it hit him—it was the same look he got every time he stole food!
"Oh no, this girl's here to muscle in on my business!"
Determined to protect his grand scheme of thievery, Lu HaiKong decided to strike first. He shoved the giant axe handle into the back of the man behind him, Wang Danyi, who was threatening him with a dagger. Wang Danyi flew forward, chest smashed by the axe handle. The other two hooligans, still unsure of what was happening, were swiftly knocked down by Lu HaiKong's swinging axe, each struck by the flat side of the blade.
The entire encounter lasted less than three seconds, and the three menacing hooligans were felled by this seemingly delicate and gentle youth.
"You three, young and able-bodied, should know better than to resort to robbery and harm others," Lu HaiKong lectured, his voice filled with righteousness. "Your actions are despicable. If everyone acted like you, how could society progress? How could we live in harmony and strive for a better life? Have you ever considered the feelings of those you've robbed?"
They understood, they really did. The three hooligans, led by Wang Danyi, looked on with teary eyes as Lu HaiKong scolded them, all the while collecting every copper coin from their bodies. They shed tears of anger and frustration, unable to protest.
Lu HaiKong weighed the stolen copper coins in his hand and frowned, "Just over a thousand coins? Sigh, you guys really don't put in any effort. Wait, that's not right."
He paused, realizing that this statement didn't quite fit with his previous lecture. So, with a righteous expression, he added, "These coins are ill-gotten gains. I'm taking them without any guilt, driven by a sense of justice and a desire to help the poor. You should understand this. From now on, strive to be good people, to be useful members of society, do you understand?"
The three hooligans nodded vigorously, their heads bobbing like little chicks, too afraid to argue with Lu HaiKong. They'd seen the error of their ways, and with Lu HaiKong's axe still twitching with eagerness, they knew better than to provoke him.
Satisfied with their sincere apologies, Lu HaiKong felt like he'd saved three lost youths from a life of crime. Proudly, he walked off with their money, ignoring the green-clad girl who had been staring at him with wide eyes since his outburst. To Lu HaiKong, she was clearly here to muscle in on his 'business'.
Lu HaiKong's sharp sixth sense told him that if he didn't hurry, he'd be entangled in trouble.
Indeed, his sixth sense was spot-on, but he was a bit slow, and no matter how fast he ran, four legs always outpaced two.
As Lu HaiKong walked, the green-clad girl on horseback quickly caught up, circling around him curiously.
After a while, she spoke up, "Hey, wasn't that robbery?"
Lu HaiKong's face darkened, but he replied firmly, "They started it. I was defending myself, serving justice, and helping the poor!"
The girl paused, then laughed, her voice like a silver bell. "Haha, you're quite a character. Admit it, you robbed them. Why not say you're a Liangshan hero?"
Hearing this, Lu HaiKong froze. Liangshan heroes? This was the Three Kingdoms period. How could someone know about Liangshan heroes? He stopped in his tracks and, looking at the girl in confusion, asked, "Are you an 'Unusual Individual'?"
Lu HaiKong had learned from Wang Fatzi that 'Unusual Individuals' were 'Descended Ones', their origins unknown, but they were protected by the Heavenly Dao. With his extensive novel-reading experience, Lu HaiKong suspected they were players. He'd been wanting to learn more about this group, and here was a girl, an 'Unusual Individual', right in front of him.
"Yes, I am. Aren't you one too?" The girl's eyes sparkled, and her smile was sweet and charming.
Realizing she was also an 'Unusual Individual', Lu HaiKong immediately forgot his suspicions that she might be a rival. He eagerly approached her, his attitude warm and eager to please.
"Oh, wonderful! I've finally met a fellow townsfolk. My name is Li HaiKong, what's yours? Zhao Yue'er, what a beautiful name."
"Are you thirsty? Would you like some water?"
"No, I'm not thirsty. Are you hungry? How about a steamed bun? You don't want one? Oh, that's too bad. I mean, it's such a pity."
Li HaiKong waved the water flask and bun in front of Yue'er, then quickly pulled them back. She hadn't even said whether she wanted it or not, but the foodie tightly hugged her bundle, as if afraid someone might snatch it away. She put on a show of being generous and regretful, secretly proud of her act. She had played the part of a gracious host while safeguarding her food supply.
"Sorry, I actually think the meat bun smells delicious," Yue'er said, eyeing the half-eaten bun in Li HaiKong's hand and then glancing at his tightly held bundle. Her shy and hungry expression spoke volumes.
Li HaiKong's smile froze, then he nonchalantly finished the bun in his hand. He secured the bundle on his back and strode forward, ignoring Yue'er's hint completely! This foodie was so focused on his food that he ignored her subtle invitation.
This guy was the epitome of a single dog with maxed-out passive skills. Even if all the men in the world perished, he'd still be a loner.
Yue'er rode her horse closer, grabbing the foodie's collar from behind. "Hey, I said the bun looks delicious!"
"Yes, it's very tasty!" Li HaiKong nodded, about to walk away. Suddenly, he felt a chill on his neck as Yue'er's longsword rested there.
The foodie clutched his bundle, tears welling up as he turned to look at Yue'er, her eyes curving like crescent moons. "That bun looks really good, Li HaiKong."
Minutes later, Li HaiKong watched through tears as Yue'er happily devoured his meat bun, finishing it in one bite after another. She even drank all the water he had brought. The foodie felt like the world had gone dark; he had never hated a foodie this much before.
"Wonderful! Thank you, Li HaiKong. I sneaked out and forgot to bring money. This female hero has been hungry for ages."
Li HaiKong took the empty bundle and water flask from Yue'er, his face showing resignation as he ignored the person who had taken all his food.
"Hey, Li HaiKong, why are you ignoring me? I'm talking to you, the female hero."
Yue'er dismounted her horse and approached Li HaiKong, leading her horse. "Don't ignore me. You called me an unusual individual earlier. Are you a newcomer who just descended? I can guide you, and if all else fails, I'll treat you to a meal in the county town."
"Is that so?" Li HaiKong's spirits lifted at Yue'er's words, though it was unclear whether it was her offer of guidance or the promise of a meal that caught his attention.
Yue'er was thrilled to have Li HaiKong's attention. She patted her soft chest, indicating it was just a meal, and playfully suggested that he hug her, the female hero.
Yue'er continued, seemingly to distract the foodie and also to show off her knowledge of the game world. She explained the origins and layout of this virtual reality to Li HaiKong.
This game was developed by the Union in 2899 AD. It wasn't a traditional game but a true second world.
In 2899, Earth was destroyed due to unknown reasons, forcing some humans to seek a new home in space. However, the resources on the spacecraft were insufficient for the millions of people. As a result, they implemented the Universal Cryopreservation Program.
This program involved freezing the biological functions of everyone on 1,350 spaceships and guiding their consciousness into a game called 'Strife' to prevent mental decay during the long freeze.
Soon after the program began, significant issues arose, though these were unknown to Yue'er, a regular player.
PS: This setting is just to provide a framework for the world, and the real-world details can be largely ignored.
Chapter end
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