Chapter 318: Black Eats Black

Those four people also introduced themselves one by one.

Two men and two women; Yu Yanbin and Pi Xiong, the two men, were both relatively young, looking to be in their early twenties, with medium builds neither fat nor thin.

Both were God-Demon Walkers who had survived six missions; Pi Xiong had even heard the name "Master Xuanzang," though he didn't know the specifics.

Xiao Han appeared to be in his early thirties and had likewise survived six missions, possessing basic enhancements.

Dou Yiqing was around twenty years old, quite pretty in appearance, but her strength was the weakest of them all.

This was her sixth mission, meaning she would only receive enhancements after surviving it.

With her skills and equipment sealed, she could only count as a relatively ordinary person — though having survived six missions as a God-Demon Walker, she could never be truly ordinary.

All four were unaffiliated individuals, unlike Tang Luo who belonged to both Near Science and Martial Mythology.

Everyone present was experienced.

Initially, because of the skill and equipment seals, they panicked for a spell, but quickly returned to normal.

They agreed to meet back here in half an hour, then scattered to investigate the basic situation of this mission world.

"Little White Dragon, you go beg for alms; we'll change clothes." Tang Luo said to Ao Yulie while holding Xiaotian Quan.

The place they were in was a modernized city.

Judging by appearances, it was extremely close to the real world, with no discernible difference.

"Okay." Ao Yulie nodded; this used to be Eldest Senior Brother Chang Qian's job, now it was his turn, and he felt a little excited inside.

He recalled how Eldest Senior Brother used to beg for alms...

No, no, that's wrong!

After recalling, Ao Yulie realized that alms-begging method fundamentally didn't suit him; he couldn't learn it, couldn't master it.

As expected, he still had to rely on his peerless looks.

Ao Yulie's idea wasn't wrong; relying on his peerless looks, he soon begged a sum of money from people.

The specific method was very simple: just stand by the roadside and let people take photos with him; he was dressed in a full set of ancient costume.

10 yuan per photo, 50 with an expression, 100 with a pose, 200 for a bit of intimacy, intimate with a male — 5000!

The foot traffic on the street was considerable.

Ten minutes later Ao Yulie had earned over ten thousand yuan; he hurriedly left to avoid being followed by those two "rootless, backerless" men.

Then Tang Luo and he found a men's clothing store and changed into a set of clothes.

Precisely speaking, only Tang Luo changed into a black casual suit and shoes, no tie, the white shirt underneath with one button undone, suitable for most occasions.

It also happened to match the weather in this mission world at this very moment.

The original clothes were given to Ao Yulie to put away.

Ao Yulie's clothes were actually transformed from his "mane"; he didn't need to change, and when no one was looking he shifted into a white casual outfit of similar style.

Thus the two of them blended into this mission world.

Although the white hair was still a bit eye-catching, it didn't matter; both their looks were head-turning to begin with, one more head of white hair made no difference, nor would less.

At least it was better than being bald; and if he were bald, Tang Luo could downgrade to being Ao Yulie's bodyguard.

Tang Luo would shave Ao Yulie's hair off, then there'd be two bald heads, even more conspicuous.

"Master, what is the Book of Life and Death?" Ao Yulie asked.

"Don't know. How about we find an internet cafe, and while we're at it learn the basic situation of this world." Tang Luo said.

The advantage of a mission start in a modernized city similar to the real world lies right here.

One can grasp the basic situation at the fastest speed.

But there are also downsides; a mission world where technology has developed to this extent will certainly have relatively strict control over identities.

Come to think of it, this is still the first time Tang Luo has encountered a situation where he must handle his identity issue as soon as possible.

He has experienced relatively modernized technological worlds before, for example the second Station mission, but that mission was very "simple," and the time was extremely short.

No need to worry about identity issues.

The other two times, they were directly arranged with "legal identities," but this time is different; Tang Luo and the others appeared out of thin air — they are truly undocumented illegals.

If the identity issue isn't handled well, acting will be much more troublesome.

Fortunately, this city's internet cafes, or rather the ID verification aspect, aren't that strict.

After Ao Yulie claimed he forgot his ID, the net admin still gave him a machine; they browsed for a while, saw the time was about right, and Tang Luo's group left.

Returning to the vicinity of the alley where they had appeared, they waited a while until the other four arrived.

No situation of someone missing right from the start occurred.

Judging by feel, it was much safer than the first Jack the Ripper mission.

The several people exchanged the information and intelligence they had obtained.

They basically confirmed the general situation of this mission world: it was quite similar to the real world, with continents and oceans, many countries large and small.

The place they were in was a bustling city of a great nation that occupied an entire continent, called Xijing.

On the surface, there were no extraordinary powers; it developed technology.

Hmph, only on the surface.

Because everyone's mission is to seize the "Book of Life and Death"; from the literal meaning, it should be a special book — it can't possibly be "you thought I was a book, but actually I'm a nuclear warhead!"

Even the God-Demon Game wouldn't screw people over that badly.

According to common reasoning, since everyone appeared in this city, the Book of Life and Death is most likely also hidden somewhere in this city.

The specific location needs to be searched for.

And they can't search slowly; they must find it at the fastest speed — don't forget, this is a faction mission.

If the other faction finds the Book of Life and Death first, their mission cannot be completed.

That's still the better outcome; once the other side obtains the Book of Life and Death, the holder regains extraordinary combat power, enough to wipe out everyone on this side.

Let alone a camp mission that explicitly states only one side can complete it.

Even for ordinary shared missions, gods and demons walking among mortals killing each other for profit is not uncommon.

"We'd better get ourselves proper identities first," Xiao Han spoke up. She had a chin-length bob, an ordinary face, but a capable bearing. "I've noticed people who make fake IDs; we can try them."

"Can fake IDs work?" Yu Yanbin asked.

"They work," Xiao Han said. "The universal ID cards here are about the same as driver's licenses."

Staying at inns, buying tickets — just show them for a glance, and most people can't even be bothered to look.

A single fake ID is enough to handle most situations.

This country is a nation of immigrants, with all kinds of messy historical legacies, and no strong government. Various conglomerates and great clans control the nation's lifeblood; the household registration system is neither complete nor strict.

"How much does making IDs cost? We don't have any money right now," Dou Yiqing raised a rather practical question.

At these words, the other three all looked at her.

Dou Yiqing froze. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Not wrong, exactly. It's just that we're not ordinary people; extraordinary times naturally call for extraordinary measures," Yu Yanbin put it tactfully.

They are gods and demons walking among mortals — even with skills and equipment sealed, would they still fear ID forgers?

Naturally they'd get the IDs and leave; paying was out of the question — not robbing the forgers would be letting them off easy.

Would the forgers dare report to the police that they made fake IDs and the customers didn't pay?

"Master Xuanzang, what do you think?" Yu Yanbin looked at Tang Luo.

He'd heard that leather-bear say this was a monk; he hoped he wouldn't play at false benevolence. If he did, it would be trouble.

Without skills or equipment, every person's strength is extremely important.

Splitting up before finding the Book of Life and Death would be a bad omen.

Moreover, this monk looks quite formidable — not someone gilded on the outside but rotten within.

People like that usually don't survive past six missions.

"As you all wish, but be careful," Tang Luo said.

"Then let's get the IDs first?" Xiao Han said.

In back alleys and such places, ads for ID services are everywhere.

Two hours later, Tang Luo and the others left holding their respective IDs. Behind them, the locked room held a group of bruised and swollen men lying on the floor, groaning in pain to show they could still be saved.

Enhanced first-order gods and demons walking among mortals — one can fight ten.

Seven or eight local snakes — or people who merely think they're local snakes — pose no problem at all.

Because the other side tried to extort a sum and struck first, after the beating everyone still "righteously" took the money back.

Black eating black — the ID forgers wept bitter tears.

"Not this ruthless! They look like movie stars; we thought they were a scam ring, turns out they're a violence ring!"

With grain in hand, the heart doesn't panic.

Once survival was secured, everyone quickly shifted focus to the mission.

"I've looked into some news," Yu Yanbin said in the restaurant's private room. "I have a thought — has anyone read 'Little Booklet Fallen from Heaven'?"

"You mean the little notebook where if you know the name and face and write the name, they die?" Xiao Han asked.

"Yes," Yu Yanbin said. "Recently there have been constant news reports of bizarre deaths, all ruled myocardial infarction, yet many victims had no prior heart conditions. It's drawn significant attention. Combined with this mission — which strangely displayed our names outright — I think it's a hint."

"The Book of Life and Death should have a similar ability, killing across space; otherwise it wouldn't be called the Book of Life and Death."

"Wouldn't there be some high-IQ chuunibyou wanting to become the world's new god?" Pi Xiong shrank his neck, saying. His courage doesn't seem very great; he often makes a habit of shrinking his head and neck.

"That's a good thing."

Xiao Han said, "If someone really is using the Book of Life and Death and deliberately trying to convey a message, we'll get more clues."

"Exactly!" Yu Yanbin said. "That would mean the Book of Life and Death 'actively' appears before us."

"Of course, the same goes for our opponents. They entered a full five days earlier; the extra time means they've surely made many arrangements. Their advantage is huge." Xiao Han frowned.

She even exchanged a glance with Yu Yanbin, quite feeling like they'd found a kindred spirit.

After the glance, Yu Yanbin was about to say something when his expression suddenly changed. He sprang to his feet and barked, "Move!"

The other three were puzzled; Pi Xiong and Dou Yiqing still wore a hint of bewilderment — what happened all of a sudden?