Chapter 87: Lin Bai's Fairness

Lin Bai just kept making up stories.

He did not need to worry about the consequences this might trigger.

Players were daring and curious, full of a desire to explore the game world, and could stir up trouble even when there was none; expecting them to honestly beg for food was simply impossible.

If they really went to Xishan to find Demon Beasts because of this, finding them was their own ability, and not finding them meant their opportunity had not yet arrived.

Lin Bai had nothing to lose, and he might even get some basic information about the demons from them.

Within half an hour.

The players arrived one after another, basically sorted by their levels.

At this stage, what they had learned were all Basic Martial Arts.

The depth of their cultivation was only related to how much time they had spent grinding.

Without high-level Inner Gong to create a gap, naturally, those who entered the game earlier had deeper cultivation.

……

"Shopkeeper Lin, this is unfair," said 【Look-at-the-First-Number】. "This selection method clearly favors those who entered the game earli... those with deeper cultivation. Running a sect relies not only on martial power, but also on brains and personal prestige. Furthermore, Lao Feng and the others still have to serve as Dark Guards in the City Lord's Mansion; they have no energy or time to participate in sect affairs at all..."

【Madman Nan】 and the other Dark Guards glared at him.

【Gugao Laoren】 remained silent, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.

The isolated 【Lao Mi】 and 【Gengmi】 looked at the players, then at Lin Bai, feeling somewhat guilty and terrified that they would not be able to keep their positions as sect leaders.

The two had learned the Basic Martial Arts of the City Lord's Mansion, but they had left the City Lord's Mansion early to act as undercover agents, so they never learned the subsequent martial arts.

In this endurance race, the two had used all their strength but only managed a mediocre result; whether in terms of personal prestige or martial power, they were nowhere near the top...

【Lao Mi】's only advantage was perhaps his friendship with Lin Bai, but the "big brother" Lin Bai had acknowledged back then now looked like a joke no matter how one saw it...

"You're right," Lin Bai glanced at him. "Running a sect indeed cannot rely purely on martial power, but..." He paused, looked around at everyone, and showed a look of disappointment. "But, among all of you, not a single one of you even rode a horse. Even if you had pooled your money to hire a carriage, that would have counted as a display of wisdom!"

A gust of wind blew by.

All the players froze on the spot.

They thought Lin Bai would refute them, but they did not expect to hear such an answer.

【Resentment from Lonely Old Man, Madman Nan, Bitter Melon Vine, Silver, Look-at-the-First-Number, I Am Not a Small Number...; +1+1+1+1】

Damn it!

【Gugao Laoren】 was so frustrated he wanted to vomit blood. You damn well should have said there were no rules earlier! I spent so much money, would I care about the cost of a carriage?

"Bribing the soldiers at the city gate, tripping up your own companions... you didn't do a single thing that could have helped you secure a ranking. Now, you talk to me about talent and wisdom?" Lin Bai looked around at everyone with contempt. "Do you even have that stuff?"

【Resentment from Lonely Old Man, Madman Nan, Bitter Melon Vine, Silver, Look-at-the-First-Number, I Am Not a Small Number...; +1+1+1+1】

The group of players was dumbfounded.

Out of more than a hundred people, not one could find words to refute him.

……

"Confirmed, the Righteous Sect is definitely not some Righteous Sect."

"Are they crazy? Who encourages the disciples of their own protector sect to trip up their companions?"

"He didn't say this was an unrestricted competition either!"

"I also thought it was just a race of foot speed!"

"I think this is revenge, revenge for us surrounding and attacking him last night."

"I'm afraid this really isn't revenge. Shopkeeper Lin's rules of conduct have always been like this. Don't forget Deng Li Buduo, and don't forget his business model for Kitchen God Rice Divination."

"The longer we interact with Shopkeeper Lin, the more I feel that our loss wasn't unjust. In terms of shamelessness, he has already reached the pinnacle."

"The fifteenth-generation leader of the Righteous Sect must have been blind to have accepted such a villain into the sect..."

"I just want to curse right now..."

……

"Natural selection, survival of the fittest." Lin Bai took in their private chat words, stood against the wind, and said, "Everyone, the Beggar Sect has just been founded. If you don't know how to be flexible, I'm afraid you'll be crushed before you even make a splash. Where is that cleverness you used to ambush me yesterday? You are my protector sect; do you expect me to clean up your messes for everything in the future? You need to be clear: what is the definition of a protector?"

The group of players responded with silence, collectively providing resentment for Lin Bai.

He really didn't leave them any face at all!

At this moment, they finally understood the frustration of 【Deng Li Buduo】; it was the crushing feeling from both intelligence and strength.

Being mocked by an intelligent AI, and having nothing to say in response.

Truly frustrating.

In Lin Bai's arms, the little fox's eyes were wide round; as expected, he was a big villain!

"A protector sect, as the name implies, means that when I want to bully others, you have to help me take action; when others bully me, you have to help me get back at them." Lin Bai stepped on a treetop, looking down at everyone. "To borrow a phrase I taught Deng Li Buduo: the world of martial arts is not just about fighting and killing, it's about human relationships and worldly wisdom. When you can't beat someone, do you just sit there and wait for death? Everyone, take this to heart, otherwise, even if you have excellent talent, I'm afraid you won't be able to grow."

"Yes."

"Many thanks for the guidance, Shopkeeper Lin."

"Understood."

The scattered responses merged into one; every player had gained insight from Lin Bai's teachings.

"Shopkeeper Lin, I contribute three thousand taels of silver to the Beggar Sect; can I be the sect leader?" 【Gugao Laoren】's voice sounded very abrupt among the crowd.

【Lao Mi】 suddenly widened his eyes, holding his breath.

"A child who can be taught." Lin Bai looked at 【Gugao Laoren】 with appreciation. "See that? This is the wisdom of someone who is flexible. However, sect leader is unlikely, but deputy sect leader should be no problem. Congratulations, you are temporarily in first place."

【Madman Nan】 said anxiously, "Shopkeeper Lin, we were the ones who arrived first."

"Impossible, I saw with my own eyes that Gugao Laoren was the first to run to the foot of the mountain." Lin Bai looked at him, pointing at a tree nearby without changing his expression. "He was hiding behind that tree at the time; he must have gone to relieve himself..."

Holy crap!

There really is no fairness at all!

If you're willing to pay-to-win, you don't even need to find your own steps!

The Dark Guards of the City Lord's Mansion, who had finally won first place through their own strength, nearly vomited blood; the Game Company really had no shame at all!

Which dog of a game designer came up with Lin Bai? If I ever find the Game Company, I'll definitely challenge him to a real-life PK!

【Resentment from Crazy Man, Bitter Gourd Vine, To-be-or-not-to-be...; +1+1+1】

"Does anyone else want to fight for first place?" Lin Bai ignored the resentful gazes of 【Crazy Man】 and the others, and said with a smile, "I'll count to three. If no one does, the position of Left Deputy Sect Leader will belong to Gugao Laoren."

【Gugao Laoren】 looked down upon the crowd, and no one answered. He was the one who had orchestrated the assassination of Lin Bai, and who knew how much money he had spent on microtransactions; he was a bona fide tycoon.

Furthermore, he had been the main perspective for yesterday's livestream, and who knew how much money he had received in gifts? Trying to outspend him was like having one's head kicked by a donkey.

"Alright, Gugao Laoren is first." Lin Bai smiled, "Now, is there anyone who wants to fight for the position of Right Deputy Sect Leader?"

"I'll bid one thousand taels," said 【Look-at-the-First-Number】.

"Good." Lin Bai looked at 【Lao Mi】 and said, "Big Brother, record how much money everyone has contributed in a moment, and collect the money to use as activity funds for the Beggar Sect."

Having sold a pill formula to the City Lord for three hundred thousand, Lin Bai no longer cared so much about the need for silver.

The reason he was putting on this show was none other than to completely break apart this group of players who had banded together.

The sect he established could only be controlled by him; he wanted to use this method to tell everyone that in the sect he established, he was the rule.

Being called "Big Brother" brought tears to 【Lao Mi】's eyes, and 【Lao Mi】 immediately cast the thought of killing Lin Bai after achieving success and fame to the back of his mind.

Given Shopkeeper Lin's wisdom, he feared that when the time came, it would be he who was kneeling on the ground.

Calming his heart, 【Lao Mi】 said respectfully, "Yes, Boss."

You call me Big Brother, I call you Boss, absolutely no problem.

Is it this little brother that I cherish?

No.

It is this friendship that I cherish...

"Shopkeeper Lin, I wonder how much silver one must sponsor the Beggar Sect to become the Sect Leader?" 【Gugao Laoren】 asked.

One trick works for everything; since the power of money worked, then he would use the power of money to the end. Wasn't playing a game all about having a good time?

What was a little money?

If he could buy an official position from Lin Bai now, he could buy Skills in the future...

Is this a game?

When has it ever been fair...

"What do you take me for? Someone who only sees money?" Lin Bai's expression suddenly sank, "The Sect Leader is someone I have decided upon. Lao Mi is the Big Brother I swore a brotherhood oath with; how could I possibly replace him for a mere pittance of silver? Everyone remember this: I, Lin Bai, am a man who values friendship. Once I acknowledge a Big Brother, he is my Big Brother for life. You can sideline him, or even beat and scold him in secret, but you absolutely cannot replace him, and you must show him respect in front of outsiders. Do you understand?"

【Resentment from Lao Mi, Gengmi; +1+1+1+1】

【Joy from Gugao Laoren; +1+1+1+1】

"Many thanks for the instruction, Shopkeeper Lin." 【Gugao Laoren】 bowed to Lin Bai, then turned to 【Lao Mi】, "Sect Leader, I was wrong. Please, Sect Leader, do not hold a grudge and forgive your subordinate for his transgression."

【Lao Mi】 ignored 【Gugao Laoren】. At this moment, his overflowing joy had turned into resentment. He looked up at Lin Bai, unable to say a single word.

At this very moment, he felt endless resentment in his heart and wanted to go have a drink with 【Deng Li Buduo】; their lives were just too bitter.

Better to think about how to kill Lin Bai in the future!

If he didn't finish him off, his thoughts would truly not be at peace...

(End of this chapter)