Chapter 542: Good News

"You speak lightly. You think Black Feather lives off dry rice? Kill Lao Da, and the others will let you go?"

"A common man is innocent, but one who covets treasure is guilty! Even if the ambush succeeds and you get those ten million Game Coins, you'll still have to pay with your life, right? With so many strong people in this world, do you really think anyone will let you ambush them?"

Cheng Shuili looked at those messages, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

Rebellion?

She shifted her gaze from the screen to the office door.

Outside the door were members of Black Feather. Xinxue went out with Ailin and Qin Wen to investigate the people who posted the news first.

Wan Yi was busy preparing dinner, Jiang Tang was helping with the paperwork of all sizes that Black Feather needed, and Chen Qing Shan went to Qing Shan Car Shop to earn money.

There were others as well.

Guard Team members, logistics, and combat squad members were scattered in various corners of the Hei Yu An Quan Qu, each performing their duties.

Cheng Shuili closed her eyes.

Could anyone inside Black Feather be swayed?

She didn't know.

But she knew one thing: ten million is indeed a lot. Enough to make a person forget loyalty, forget friendship, forget everything.

Cheng Shuili opened her eyes, her gaze landing on the ceiling.

For some reason, she suddenly recalled the voice message Guang Hui sent before dying.

"…Lao Da… I'm sorry. All this time I've been thinking about my identity before joining Black Feather, unintentionally helping the War Wolf, I…"

Guang Hui must have known at that moment that he was about to die, right?

So with his remaining time, he gave her this old apology, gave her an explanation.

Although Guang Hui acted like that before death, his heart was indeed leaning toward the War Wolf side.

Cheng Shuili didn't believe everyone would be loyal to her.

But she also didn't believe everyone would betray her for money.

Human nature, she's seen too much of it.

The good, the bad, and the in‑between, she's long been accustomed to them.

But now, in Cheng Shuili's mind there are only four words—

Adding frost to snow.

The Rat King really knows how to pick timing; after Cheng Shuili spent so many Game Coins, finally breaking through that assassination round, a new crisis arrived.

Cheng Shuili could have, with righteous confidence, declared war on the mastermind Xinxue uncovered, personally leading Black Feather's members to avenge Guang Hui.

Now, as it stands… ten million Game Coins hanging over her head, players worldwide are watching her, and also watching these top officials of Black Feather.

That's also why Cheng Shuili sent Qin Wen to follow Xinxue and the others.

Xinxue always stays within the faction's territory, rarely being targeted with duel cards.

But it's not the fear of ten thousand, it's the "what if"—if it's only Xinxue and Ailin, and they run into the one who killed Guang Hui…

Cheng Shuili sighed, letting her body sink into the sofa.

The few who have been with her from the start, it would be best if none of them get into trouble.

【Xin Xue Chuji】: Lao Da, we have the evidence. We weren't wrong; it was done by someone from Xi Da Qu. The one who contacted those people is the deputy of the New Federation faction in Xi Da Qu, ID named Mingri.

New Federation?

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: What's the evidence?

【Xin Xue Chuji】: Screenshots of chat logs, plus recordings. Ge Lei Ke Si left a trace; although the other side made him delete it, he saved a copy beforehand. The ID called Mingri is crystal clear, along with gift records. Put together, this is enough to declare war!

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Send it over.

A few seconds later, Xinxue sent over several screenshots.

Cheng Shuili examined them one by one; the ID of the person who dealt with Ge Lei Ke Si was indeed Mingri, but…

In the chat logs, just stating his identity, Mingri said it three times.

That's very suspicious.

This isn't a glorious matter; an ordinary person would definitely do it covertly.

Even… if Cheng Shuili handed similar matters to Xinxue…

【Xin Xue Chuji】: I definitely won't appear in person. Lao Da, half of Black Feather's affairs are handled by me; to some factions, seeing me is no different from seeing you. What's the difference between me doing it and you doing it yourself? How could I allow this mess to be pinned on Black Feather?

Indeed.

That's the crux of the problem.

That person named Mingri either has a brain full of water, or… is doing it on purpose!

If Mingri wants Cheng Shuili to know that he did it, that the New Federation did it, and hopes Cheng Shuili will lead Black Feather to retaliate against the New Federation…

The situation has become complicated again.

Cheng Shuili took a deep breath and resignedly stood up.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Notify the others, come to my office. Hold a meeting.

【Xin Xue Chuji】: Got it, Lao Da!

…

Unnoticed, the night outside the window had deepened.

The campfire went out, and the Hei Yu An Quan Qu fell into silence. Only a few lights remained on, scattered in every corner, like eyes in the night.

Cheng Shuili watched those lights, her fingers lightly tapping the window frame.

Mingri, the New Federation, Xi Da Qu, a ten‑million bounty, and the Rat King.

These things spun in her mind, like a tangled mass of yarn.

But Cheng Shuili knew that within that tangled mass there must be a loose thread. Find that thread, and the whole knot can be untied.

Everything has been arranged; as for what the situation actually is, we'll just see if the New Federation makes any moves tomorrow.

Cheng Shuili returned to her vehicle again, flopped onto the sofa, lay there for a while, and when she opened her eyes once more, 001 had already moved onto her head, its simple line expression gazing at her.

"Anything up?"

If it's not something serious, Cheng Shuili would definitely give it a proper talking-to.

001's line expression twisted slightly, as if it were hesitating.

"Um..." Its voice was tiny, a bit tentative, "Lao Da, are you alright?"

Cheng Shuili looked at its face made of simple lines and suddenly felt like laughing.

Was this little AI showing concern for her?

"Of course." Cheng Shuili answered lightly.

She has never been bothered by pressure; in fact, the more external pressure there is, the faster her mind works.

Just like when she faced the Puppeteer head‑on during the last Instance she participated in.

If the Puppeteer weren't strong enough, Cheng Shuili wouldn't have come up with that tactic.

001's lines twisted again, forming a smile; it struggled to raise its voice, as if trying to infect Cheng Shuili with happiness.

"Lao Da! There's good news today."

"Good news?"

Cheng Shuili became interested; after the rankings were made public, she really hadn't heard any good news.

That thought popped up, as if a key had been unlocked, and Cheng Shuili suddenly felt a sudden enlightenment.

Unfortunately, before she could work out the conclusion, 001's voice cut in:

"The materials you asked me to find earlier, Lao Da—energy crystals, secret silver, eternal gold ingots, precision components, and runes—I've located them all today on the World Channel! The speaker said they came from treasure chests opened on the road."