Chapter 17: Leaving the City at Night

Chen Shicheng dragged his suitcase, strolling under the streetlights, watching the bustling night market and laughing couples by the roadside, he couldn't help but feel somewhat moved.

Since his parents passed away, he wakes up early and works late every day to pay off debts, returning home so exhausted he just wants to collapse and sleep.

It seems he has never before taken such a calm and leisurely stroll at night, admiring the crescent moon, feeling a gentle breeze, occasionally picking up a fallen leaf to examine its veins.

Only now did he feel that he was truly living in this world, rather than merely being a passerby.

Of course, all of this is inseparable from the game Mountains and Seas Deification.

But now this sense of ease seems to have been ruined by himself; although it may be an overreaction, as long as there is even a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he absolutely will not hold onto hope of luck.

Beep-beep!

Just as Chen Shicheng was still reflecting on himself, two police sirens suddenly sounded from behind.

Coming to his senses, he realized he had unknowingly walked into an extremely secluded alley, and the time had actually turned to past 11 p. m.

He nervously dragged his suitcase to the side of the road, making enough space for the police car behind him to pass.

It wasn't that he had done anything guilty; it's just that since childhood, seeing police or traffic officers made him nervous, and he didn't know why.

Chen Shicheng thought that after making way, the police car would soon leave, but unexpectedly, as it passed him, the car stopped and the driver's window rolled down.

Hello, officer.

I know, Uncle.

Chen Shicheng's nerves tightened further; having only played the game for two days, the police showed up—could they have discovered something? The officer addressed as 'Uncle' opened the car door with a forehead full of black lines, stepped out, and frowned while sizing up Chen Shicheng.

"May I ask what's the matter?" Chen Shicheng tried to act nonchalant as he asked.

"Don't be nervous, it's just a routine check. My surname is Song; you can call me Officer Song, no need to call me Uncle."

Song Bingyuan carefully examined Chen Shicheng's appearance, confirmed he wasn't a fugitive, then smiled and asked, "Are you here to visit? Haven't found a place to stay yet?"

"I'm a local." Chen Shicheng quickly shook his head, "My house's water pipe burst, and I'm just looking for a place to crash for the night."

"Water pipe... burst." Song Bingyuan looked at Chen Shicheng, who had paused, and gave him a meaningful smile.

"Come on, we're all guys—who doesn't understand whom? A burst water pipe is definitely an excuse; the most likely scenario is that he got kicked out after a fight with his girlfriend, trying to fool a officer's eyes—hehe, young people are still too naive!"

"Find a place to rest quickly, don't be wandering outside late at night." After giving Chen Shicheng that reminder, Song Bingyuan turned, got into the car, and started the engine.

Oh, by the way.

Before leaving, he seemed to recall something, pulled out a photo from the passenger seat, pointed at a somewhat blurry figure, and asked.

"Have you ever seen someone cosplaying in ancient clothing?"

No!

Chen Shicheng glanced at the photo, dazedly shaking his head.

He exerted all his effort to steady his qi and blood, so that nothing unusual showed on the surface.

But in fact his inner turmoil had already begun to churn like a stormy sea, and he was on the verge of losing control of his facial expression.

That photo looked like a screenshot from surveillance, thus a bit blurry, but at first glance he could tell the outfit worn by the back view was exactly the swordsman's battle attire he had seen in the game's clothing shop.

It seems his guess was correct—he who bears a weapon inevitably harbors killing intent.

A police officer holding a surveillance screenshot inquiring, surely it's a game player who gained power and started committing crimes in reality, leading to discovery and investigation. Although it's unknown whether he's a veteran or a newcomer, it's certain that a player will inevitably let loose, and immediately relocating after exposure is indeed a wise decision.

Song Bingyuan was just asking casually; seeing Chen Shicheng say he hadn't seen anything also had no disappointment, "Lately it's best not to go out at night; this vicinity might have vicious criminals lurking."

After giving that warning, he turned and drove off.

I understand, thank you, Officer Song.

Watching the police car disappear down the alley's end, Chen Shicheng clenched his fist, feeling his surging qi and blood, muttering to himself, "I don't even know if my current strength could beat him."

After a confident smile, he didn't linger outside but casually found a clean inn and rented a room.

However, sleeping was impossible, as he had to check out at noon tomorrow; if he didn't go into the game now, he'd likely have no time to play tomorrow.

After all, he wasn't planning to stay in one place for long; moving after a single shot gave him a sense of safety.

After simply washing off the dust on his body, Chen Shicheng put on a robe, lay on the hotel's big bed, and entered the game.

The moment he opened his eyes, he felt as if something was pressing on his body, making his breathing a bit difficult.

Looking down, La Tiao lay on his back on his chest, mouth slightly open, tongue hanging to one side, lower half already slid onto the bed, the whole marten stretched out long and sleeping soundly.

La Tiao, wake up!

Chen Shicheng shook its head, but there was no response.

He lifted its head, then let go, letting its head thump against his chest, which instead produced a faint purring sound.

What's the difference between your sleep and being dead?

Chen Shicheng wordlessly slipped La Tiao into his bosom, got up, opened the side room door, and came to the courtyard on the first floor.

It was already deep night, but the ancients' nightlife hadn't ended; from time to time, some NPCs were led by lackeys into the brothel, where after picking a satisfactory girl they either went straight to a room or enjoyed performances downstairs.

Afraid of returning to find no room, Chen Shicheng tossed a five‑tael gold ingot to the madam before leaving.

Keep my room for me, don't let anyone in.

Ah, young master, rest assured—no blind fool would dare enter; I'll personally break his leg. The madam took the gold bit, bit into it, and said with a beaming smile.

【Detected temporary respawn point, bind?】

Hmm?

It turns out that binding a respawn point requires long‑term residence; no wonder staying just one night last time didn't trigger this system prompt.

Chen Shicheng had no special need for a respawn point, but since the prompt appeared, he went along and selected confirm, then headed straight for the city gate.

After bribing the city guard with one tael of silver, he successfully slipped out through a crack in the city gate.

The night was thick; one could not see five fingers ahead when reaching out.

Ancient nights lacked modern light pollution; relying only on moonlight and starlight couldn't illuminate the world—once you stepped beyond the torch‑lit sections of the city wall, it was basically pitch black.

In such a situation, even if Chen Shicheng's current strength doesn't fear the wild monsters after they go berserk, it still amounts to being irresponsible toward himself.

Unfortunately, not knowing whether Shuigu Tang will meet him in person, he must raise his level in an extremely short time.

(End of chapter)