"Black Wind Village Chief actually issued a mission, asking us to burn our own grain warehouse? Pfft! Does he really think we’re such shameless players?"
"Exactly. He underestimates us players, thinking Black Wind Village’s influence could surpass our sense of belonging to our birth country?"
"Actually, this is good. He’s already exposed his true intentions, giving us the chance to report, and now we have this task to guard the grain warehouse."
"Haha, that’s right. The rewards for this mission are also substantial. As long as you participate, you’ll gain battle achievements and reputation with the official, regardless of the outcome, and there’s a reward of ten silver taels at the end. It’s worth it even if you die at the hands of the Black Wind Village Chief."
A large group of Ying Country players lay in ambush near the grain warehouse, discussing spiritedly, praising their own wit.
At the same time, a team of top experts from various Ying Country families, organized into an assistance group, arrived on horseback from multiple paths.
This group was divided into three teams, dressed in different family attire.
Among them were those with fierce expressions, people with cold faces carrying swords on their backs, and others wearing ninja masks and strong clothes.
The three teams met at the intersection, reined in their horses, and stopped.
The others responded immediately, coming to a halt.
After identifying each other and confirming their identities, they dashed toward the manor gate where the grain was stored.
The players who had already noticed these three groups were all startled.
Before they could stop them, a squad of leaders and soldiers rushed out of the manor, blocking the three groups and engaging in a seemingly familiar conversation.
Each of the three groups presented their family’s token and a secret letter to the leading officer.
Among them, a disheveled, burly man nodded solemnly, saying, "Jiangkou Qianhu, we’ve all received secret orders from General Yitian, learning that the Black Wind Village Chief intends to force his way into the grain warehouse and burn it to ashes today, so we’ve hurried here to help defend. This is General Yitian’s personal secret letter."
The leading officer, Jiangkou Qianhu, read through the three letters with doubt.
He confirmed they were indeed penned by General Yitian, with an official seal.
His face relaxed slightly, and he bowed to the group, "Thank you, esteemed guests, for coming to aid in the defense. However, General Yitian was killed by the enemy yesterday.
The letter is genuine, but the specific orders need further confirmation from General Jing Shen."
As soon as Jiangkou Qianhu finished speaking, a refined-looking individual coldly remarked, "Since the letter is real, what need is there for further confirmation?
Even though General Yitian sacrificed himself yesterday, the intelligence he provided is extremely urgent.
If we wait for Jiangkou Qianhu to reconfirm, even the slightest negligence outside will be seized by the Black Wind Village Chief, who will descend from the sky and burn the warehouse. Can you bear such a blame?"
Jiangkou Qianhu was taken aback, hesitantly saying, "This..."
The disheveled, burly man solemnly nodded, "Jiangkou Qianhu, Shuiyue Sect makes a strong point. In extraordinary times, we must do extraordinary things. The transmission time for this message could lead to changes.
Moreover, General Jing Shen’s safety is paramount right now.
If this message reaches him and is detected by the Black Wind Village Chief, it could expose the general’s whereabouts."
Jiangkou Qianhu frowned, still feeling uneasy.
Yet, at that moment, a loud hawk’s cry echoed from the sky.
A fist-sized black shadow appeared swiftly at high altitude, approaching rapidly like a terrifying nightmare.
Everyone looked up, their faces changing.
Nearby, many players exclaimed in alarm, as if facing a great enemy.
"Black Wind Village Chief!"
Jiangkou Qianhu’s heart skipped a beat, immediately becoming extremely vigilant.
Shuiyue Sect shouted angrily, "Qianhu, what are you waiting for? Quickly let us enter, guarding the grain warehouse is important; don’t let the villain succeed!!"
People from the other three major families were also urging continuously.
Jiangkou Qianhu gritted his teeth, quickly turned, and gestured, "Everyone, follow me inside to guard the grain warehouse."
The group promptly rushed through the opened gate, entering the manor.
Shuiyue Sect breathed a sigh of relief, a cunning smile flashing in his eyes.
Under the gaze that almost strained their necks from the three families and many players.
The Demon Hawk, representing the Black Wind Village Chief, circled several times in the sky, surprisingly turned and left, not immediately attempting to burn the grain warehouse as expected.
Such confusing behavior left everyone puzzled.
"Why didn’t the Black Wind Village Chief attack? This doesn’t fit his usual style! Could there be some sinister plot?"
Jiangkou Qianhu’s expression grew serious, feeling inexplicably uneasy.
Shuiyue Sect sneered, "What sinister plot could there be? It’s obvious the Black Wind Village Chief saw us reinforcements arrived, sensed the Qi Mechanism of all you esteemed guests as trouble, and temporarily retreated.
Jiangkou Qianhu, had you driven us away just now, the Black Wind Village Chief would have definitely invaded first. Thanks to all of you here, it formed a strong deterrence!"
Upon hearing this, while the top experts from the other three major families remained expressionless, they secretly felt content and proud from Shuiyue Sect’s flattery.
Jiangkou Qianhu, hearing this, found it reasonable and quickly apologized, "Shuiyue Sect, your lesson is right. Jiangkou nearly caused a major blunder; thanks to all your timely arrival.
But I don’t think the Black Wind Village Chief will leave so easily. He may come back with a vengeance, so I ask all of you to stay and ensure strict protection."