Chapter 395: Plague

Cheng Shuili listened, unable to keep from curling the corners of her mouth, "It's good that he has this confidence."

This counts as an agreement.

As soon as this sentence was spoken, the surrounding core members all became excited, even Zhou Zhuxing, who usually had no expression, pushed up her glasses, clearly anticipating.

Cheng Shuili was also pleased; the group bustled, preparing to eat when 001 suddenly came out to remind:

"Lao Da, the Great Prophet God's gift cooldown is over, it can be used!"

That's right, today is Saturday.

Tomorrow is the last day of this week.

But……this guy 001 actually said the full name without changing expression, truly worthy of being a robot.

Cheng Shuili briefly explained things to Xinxue and a few others, then returned alone to the vehicle.

Actually this thing can be used within the territory, but the item's shape is too much like a magical girl's transformation wand; holding something like that in front of those subordinates……

Cheng Shuili thought her current image was still somewhat dignified, but after using this thing it might not be.

Returning to the vehicle, Cheng Shuili first glanced outside; the sky indeed hadn't fully darkened yet, and Su Rui……

She was actually driving.

Cheng Shuili curled her lips, intending to call her to eat together, then remembered it wasn't a day off; this person currently had no sense of taste, and even if she went she probably wouldn't enjoy it.

She paused, took a bottle of drink from the fridge and placed it at the cockpit door.

Then the prediction can be used.

Cheng Shuili took out the item, completed the procedure, and saw next week's disaster information.

【Plague.】

Plague?

Cheng Shuili's pupils contracted slightly; how would this disaster manifest?

This is unlike any previous natural disaster; it cannot be resisted by strong defenses or powerful firepower.

It is invisible, permeating, targeting the most fragile bodies of life.

Cheng Shuili immediately realized that the just‑on‑track Black Feather Safe Zone would soon face an unprecedented severe test.

Crowded crowds are the perfect breeding ground for plague.

What Cheng Shuili can do now is prepare sufficient medical supplies in advance.

Fortunately, the batch of goods from the Beastman Town has already been retrieved; although the safe zone's hospital hasn't opened yet, the faction's medical station is already operating normally and still has some response capability.

Cheng Shuili did not send out the message.

Saying it now would only increase anxiety; better to eat first, be happy, then talk about what comes next.

Dusk gathered, the Black Feather Territory did not fall silent.

The bonfire in the central square crackled, illuminating the excited expressions on passersby's faces.

Cheng Shuili descended the main building's steps; the aroma of food rushed toward her.

Lao Chen Cu sweated profusely at the makeshift stove, the spatula and iron pot clashing in a rhythmic rhythm.

"Lao Da, hurry over!" Wan Yi looked up and saw her, waving quickly, "Master Lao Chen's craftsmanship is amazing!"

Cheng Shuili walked over and sat by the bonfire.

The flickering flames reflected two points of wavering light in her eyes; Cheng Shuili curled her lips into a smile and sat in the midst of the crowd.

From sometime onward, the only place where she could sit was this spot.

The food's fragrance mingled with the unique scent of burning firewood, spreading in the cool evening breeze, bringing a comforting warmth.

They ate without too much formality; dish after dish of color, aroma, and taste were placed on the long table, and a few people began to eat.

Xinxue first picked up a piece of bright‑red braised pork, put it in her mouth, her eyes instantly lit up, and she mumbled praise: "Mmm! So delicious! Master Lao Chen, your skill is amazing!"

The surroundings immediately echoed with agreement; even the usually silent Zhou Zhuxing silently sped up her dish‑picking, clearly acknowledging Lao Chen Cu's cooking skill.

Cheng Shuili sat in the main seat, watching the lively scene before her, the corners of her mouth holding a faint smile.

She picked up her chopsticks, tasted a stir‑fried unknown wild vegetable; the texture was crisp, with a hint of just‑right bitter aftertaste, the heat perfectly controlled.

She looked toward the busy Lao Chen Cu at the stove, that slightly thin yet spirited middle‑aged man, and nodded: "Master Lao Chen, your shop will be located in the very center of our safe zone; your skill deserves it."

Lao Chen Cu, flattered, wiped the sweat from his forehead and repeatedly waved his hands: "Wuya Dalao overpraises me; as long as everyone enjoys the food, I am content."

This person seems not bad; Cheng Shuili felt even more satisfied, pondering the safe zone's layout when Wan Yi beside her suddenly tugged her: "Lao Da, someone is looking for trouble."

Cheng Shuili paused, swallowed the food in her mouth, and followed the sound.

Wan Yi stared at the area channel, obviously having seen something unpleasant, her brows tightly furrowed.

Cheng Shuili thought for a moment, then simply moved over to look at her page.

The speaker was a player with the ID "Tiao Jiao Zha".

【Tiao Jiao Zha】: Isn't Wu Ya awesome? Come out and speak?! We've been shouting here for so long, staying silent means what? Usually everyone lifts you up high, now that there are benefits you want to profit alone?! How can there be such selfish people!

Below, some people were flattering his stinky feet, while others who loved drama didn't mind the fuss:

"They just built the safe zone today; tonight might be a celebration feast! If you're capable, go inside the safe zone to find her!"

"Exactly, if you want to find someone just go in directly, you can also use the Designated Player Duel Card, why not……haha, everyone surely knows the answer in their hearts."

Such situations have happened far too many times; Cheng Shuili felt puzzled, looking at Wan Yi and asking: "What's wrong?"

Wan Yi was also puzzled; realizing the boss's angle couldn't see all the content, she immediately understood, moved closer to Cheng Shuili, raised her hand to point: "Lao Da, this."

At this moment Cheng Shuili still didn't understand why Wan Yi insisted on showing her; after all, there are too many such people, having Ailin sanction them would be enough, no need for her to act personally, but after reading that message she subconsciously furrowed her brows.

【Tiao Jiao Zha】: Who dares?! I'm now inside Black Feather's safe zone! Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji, do you dare show your face? Dare to face everyone?

Ha?

Cheng Shuili really fell silent.

Saying this person is brain‑damaged, he actually came to the door; saying he's not brain‑damaged, he still came to the door.

Cheng Shuili furrowed her brows, looked for a moment, then let out a cold laugh and said, "People seeking death are a dime a dozen, but this is the first time I've seen someone so afraid of dying that they actively walk right up to me."

She set down her chopsticks and slowly wiped her mouth with a napkin.

The firelight danced in her eyes, yet carried a hint of chill.

"001, find where that person is."

Her voice was calm, revealing no joy or anger.

001 immediately began searching.

Cheng Shuili now has to admit that 001 is indeed worth 60 energy stones.

It can not only connect to vehicles, to private chats, and to factions, but now it can also monitor the entire safe zone.

Its usefulness goes without saying.

After a moment, 001 reported: "At the east entrance, about a dozen or so people have gathered, with the leader being that Tiao Jia Zha, who's shouting there."

Cheng Shuili stood up, smiled at the people gathered around the fire, and said, "Continue, I'll go check out this... enthusiastic visitor."

Xinxue was a little worried: "Lao Da, should we bring a few more people? This might be a deliberate lure to draw you out."

"On my own turf, do I still need to fear a few fleas?" Cheng Shuili said calmly, "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

She went unarmed, empty-handed, walking unhurriedly toward the east entrance.

The closer she got, the clearer the noisy sounds became.

"... Everyone, judge for yourselves! What gives Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji the right to monopolize the loophole? The system is the enemy of us all! We share blessings and hardships alike! She must give us an explanation today!"

A sharp voice was shouting loudly, with scattered echoes of agreement around.

As Cheng Shuili approached, she saw about a dozen or so people gathered there, the leader being a thin-built man, presumably the Tiao Jia Zha.

Around him were several players similarly showing excitement or greed, while further out were some onlookers drawn to watch the spectacle, their expressions varied—curious, disdainful, or indifferent.

Tiao Jia Zha was speaking with spit flying when he caught sight of Cheng Shuili approaching; his voice cut off, a flicker of panic crossed his face, but was quickly replaced by a reckless excitement.

"Wu, Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji! You finally dare to come out?!"

Strange.

Cheng Shuili thought few people recognized her face; she had never interacted with this person before, yet just from this glance he managed to recognize her.

She had originally thought it was just a fool causing trouble, but now it seemed this person definitely had others behind him.

Whether or not he intended to reveal how to find the loophole, this guy probably doesn't care about that either; he's just looking for an excuse to cause trouble for Wu Ya and for this newly established safe zone.

Tiao Jia Zha's shout drew the attention of all the onlookers around.

"Who? Has Wu Ya really appeared?"

"Is that really Wu Ya?!"

"I can't breathe—I actually got to see my idol in person!"

……

Cheng Shuili ignored the noisy chatter, stood firm five steps away from Tiao Jia Zha, her gaze calmly sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on Tiao Jia Zha.

"Did you say you were looking for me?"

Her voice wasn't loud, yet it miraculously quieted the originally somewhat noisy scene.

Tiao Jia Zha swallowed, forced himself to calm down, and said, "Exactly! I'm here on behalf of everyone to ask you: what's the deal with that system loophole? How did you get so many Game Coin? Benefits can't be hogged—you have to share them!"

"Representing everyone?" Cheng Shuili repeated lightly, the corner of her mouth twitching into a half-smile, "Who chose you as their representative? The dozen or so people behind you? Or those in the regional channel who only dare to type on their keyboards?"

She turned her gaze to the onlookers on the periphery, raised her voice slightly, and it rang out clearly all around: "Among you, who agrees that he can represent you?"

The crowd of onlookers stirred, most shaking their heads or stepping back instinctively, clearly drawing a line.

What a joke—to risk a vague, illusory benefit by openly confronting Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji?

They haven't had enough of life yet.

Tiao Jia Zha's face flushed pale and red, he stiffened his neck and snapped, "Cut the crap! Just tell me—are you handing over the loophole or not?!"

Cheng Shuili looked at him: "First, you're not worthy of asking me for anything."

"Second," she paused, her tone dripping with undisguised mockery, "you idiot, even if you knew, you couldn't pull it off."

"You!" Tiao Jia Zha's face turned crimson with anger as he pointed at Cheng Shuili, "Don't be so arrogant! This is a safe zone—you can't attack! Everyone look! This is the so-called Wuya Dalao! Selfish to the core, utterly indifferent to the lives of us ordinary players!"

"What you say is right," Cheng Shuili suddenly laughed, that smile icy, "This really is a safe zone."

Her smile widened: "But have you forgotten? This safe zone is mine, the rules are set by me. And among those bound by the rules, I, the rule‑maker, am certainly not included."

"What, what are you trying to do?!"

Tiao Jia Zha's voice trembled noticeably; he instinctively stepped back and shouted in a blustering manner:

"What do you mean by not having you as the rule‑maker? You, the leader, don't even follow the rules—who will follow them from now on?!"

Cheng Shuili seemed to have heard something amusing and let out a light laugh.

She didn't move closer, merely raising her hand casually.

The next second, the ground beneath Tiao Jia Zha and his loudest companions instantly turned into a sticky mire; their bodies began to sink uncontrollably, their calves swallowed up in the blink of an eye.

"Ah!"

"What's going on?!"

"Help! Pull me up!"

Altering the terrain is also one of the privileges of Cheng Shuili as the creator.

Several people screamed in terror, struggling desperately, only to find that the harder they struggled, the faster they sank; an invisible force bound them tightly, and soon their waists and below were swallowed by the ground.

This is the absolute prerogative of the safe zone's leader!

The onlookers burst into an uproar, their gazes at Cheng Shuili filled with shock and fear.

Only now did they truly grasp what "my turf, my rules" meant, and they suddenly dimly understood why Wu Ya was laughing.

Looking at it this way, the provocation of those few people is downright laughable—indeed, it could be said to be a literal case of showing up at one's doorstep to seek death.

Everyone's gazes were extremely complicated; these few people deserved it, no doubt, but the means Wu Ya displayed...

Is that really something humans can do?

Among the crowd, a few blond, blue-eyed people exchanged a glance, and each saw shock in the other's eyes.

Having a safe zone, can one wield such formidable power?

Not just them; the players who witnessed this scene felt a burning fervor, thinking that if the safe zone could change hands, or they could also establish a safe zone…

People are like that; no matter what happens, the first thing that pops into their mind is whatever benefits them most.

But the next moment, a basin of cold water poured down over their heads.

Cheng Shuili glanced around, taking in everyone's reactions. Her voice was calm, yet it clearly reached each person's ears:

"The announcement didn't mention it, but I'll tell you now. The first rule of the Black Feather Safe Zone is that all rules only protect those who follow them, and not those who don't…"

Her gaze fell back onto the still-struggling jumping-foot zorilla: "Take your little thoughts and go underground to reflect slowly."