Chapter 40

Where, where? Give me some action!

Chen Shicheng stood at the edge of the rooftop, squinting his eyes as he scanned the surrounding skyscrapers, muttering nonstop.

Without a specific address, he could only hope Shuigu Tang's IQ was normal, that she could cause a big commotion to point out his location; otherwise, he could only say at her grave, "You were destined for this calamity."

Found it!

Just as Chen Shicheng was still pondering what style of wreath to buy to visit Shuigu Tang, a dazzling flash of firelight flickered and flashed across the top of a residential building at the end of his sight, illuminating the night.

He immediately perked up, rushing downstairs at the speed of one step per stair; as he passed the front desk, the Guan Yu statue placed at the entrance caught his attention.

The inn's owner must have made a lot of money; the Guan Yu statue's Green Dragon Crescent Blade in its hand was purely metal forged, though not sharpened, it looked very sturdy.

Thinking he lacked a handy weapon, Chen Shicheng pulled out his phone and swept all the loose change from the Green Bubble to the front desk.

Then, in the astonished gaze of the young lady, he drew the Guan Yu's weapon, held it upside down, and rushed out of the inn's front door.

I've swept the money over; consider the item bought!

As his voice rang out, the young lady realized what had happened and hurriedly chased after him, but on the empty street there was no sign of Chen Shicheng; she could only lament, tears welling, wondering how to explain to the boss.

Meanwhile, after leaving the inn, Chen Shicheng did not choose to take a taxi toward that residential complex.

Instead, he used the Eight Steps to Chase Cicadas, pushing his speed to the maximum, evading omnipresent surveillance and night owls all the way, reaching the vicinity of the complex in time not much slower than by car.

Unfortunately, whether he hurried or lagged, he still couldn't match the speed of the firefighters.

When he reached the complex gate, fire trucks were already parked at the entrance, arranging personnel to clear vehicles blocking the fire lane.

Thanks for your hard work!

After giving a Young Pioneers salute to the anxious firefighter uncle, he found a deserted corner, scaled the wall into the complex, and began continuously circling.

The distance was too great; he could see the firelight had already taken its toll, and trying to pinpoint which building Shuigu Tang was in was pure fantasy.

Moreover, their battle seemed not confined to one spot; nearly half of the rooftops of the dozen or so high-rises in the complex were engulfed in flames, everywhere a sea of red.

Fortunately, the two hadn't stopped fighting; after just a few steps, Chen Shicheng heard the faint clang of weapons colliding.

After confirming the floor from which the sound came, he charged into the stairwell without pause, climbing the stairs upward.

This building stood 28 stories tall; its residents had all evacuated due to the fire, and he encountered no witnesses along the way.

Chen Shicheng ran up to the 27th floor before stopping, catching his breath, then took out an Illusion Body Talisman, infused it with vital energy to activate it, and affixed it to himself.

As the air twisted, his body instantly vanished into the hallway; aside from a faint breathing sound, there was no trace of a living person.

Indeed, it's a good thing!

Curiously examining his now-transparent body, Chen Shicheng gripped his Green Dragon Crescent Blade tighter, held his breath, and tiptoed toward the rooftop.

Upon reaching the top floor of the 28th level, there was still a short flight of stairs leading to a small room, with a theft-proof door tightly shut.

Chen Shicheng walked to the door, pressed his ear to it, and listened carefully for any movement outside on the rooftop, but aside from the sound of flames burning, he heard nothing.

No choice; he could only pinch his fingers like an orchid, gently turning the lock, striving to make no sound.

"Creak"— despite all his calculations, he hadn't anticipated that this dilapidated door, though the lock opened silently, would squeak when pushed open.

Seeing the narrow gap before him, Chen Shicheng simply gave it a light push, letting the door swing open slowly, hoping those outside would think it had been blown open by the wind and fail! Chen Shicheng originally believed he was in an invisible state; even if someone noticed the abnormal sudden opening of the door, being unable to see himself would cause them to overlook it.

But the moment the door opened, he saw Yu Wei standing on the right-side rooftop.

She wore a cyan warrior's outfit, her sword reflecting the firelight, her face covered with a pure-black Japanese-style demon mask, her body covered with wounds of varying lengths, none serious, merely oozing a little blood.

Most importantly, Yu Wei tilted her head to stare down the empty hallway, seemingly certain something was there, her gaze unwavering as it locked with his.

Damn!

Although I don't know whether Yu Wei located him by sound or discovered him via that new mask on her face, Chen Shicheng could be certain she could see him, given the blatant teasing in her eyes.

No time to think further; with a step of the Eight Steps to Chase Cicadas, he instantly accelerated, rushing toward Shuigu Tang on the left-side rooftop.

Yu Wei maintained that tilted-head pose, motionless.

Swish!

A tearing-through-air sound rang out, a strong wind sweeping in from behind.

Chen Shicheng immediately turned on the spot, holding his Green Dragon Crescent Blade horizontally before him.

A huge, ferocious ghostly hand slapped the broad blade, its mighty force transmitting through, hurling his whole body backward.

After the ghostly hand struck, it vanished instantly, its massive form likewise hiding in the air.

Though its appearance was brief, Chen Shicheng still made out that his attacker was a red-skinned Japanese demon, with interlocking fangs and two backward-curving horns, identical to the mask on Yu Wei's face.

Although he knew Yu Wei had slaughtered all players in C City and surely possessed many relics, seeing a new one still left him somewhat overwhelmed.

This is just too much!

First came his own Eye of Bai Ze that burst forth, then an unknown defensive relic, and now this mask—how many does he actually have?

This is only what we've seen so far; how many more remain unseen?

Rushing to avenge after obtaining a magical treasure in the game—is that perhaps too hasty?

Moreover, are relics really this random? Clearly we're on the Divine Land, yet there are Japanese‑style relics?

Could it be that Wa people settled here and then entered the game?

In that brief instant, countless doubts flashed through his mind.

But now is not the time to ponder these questions; Chen Shicheng lightly tapped the ground a few times to dispel the force, then retreated all the way to Shuigu Tang's side, asking without looking back.

Are you alright?

Shuigu Tang's reaction was somewhat unexpected; she actually retreated a step warily, raising her short knife in both hands, her face full of vigilance.

Is it you? Chen Shicheng?

(End of chapter)