Chapter 152: When Bullied, One Should Immediately Report to the Parents

"Ugh, my old waist…"

Struggling to move his steps, the pale‑faced Ji Ming leaned wearily on the sofa.

Although it was still a high‑end few‑against‑many match, the wild monsters were truly dull, and the players were still fairly clever.

Originally, with my help, tonight should have passed peacefully.

But misfortune struck; I had promised Bai Yesheng that I would help her restore the levels she lost during the day.

Actually it wasn't a big deal at first, since modern players can be clueless about anything, but they just can't be clueless about being the ultimate loser.

The goblins and ogres were locked in fierce battle; the two of us slipped to the outskirts of the smoke zone to pick up a drop, which was no difficulty.

Who knew that the ogre chieftain was so overconfident, fighting three goblin warriors at the same time.

Fortunately, in the midst of life and death, his own axe was knocked out of his hand and flew away during the clash.

"Huh? Why do I suddenly have yet another ominous premonition?"

Although by the time it spun and struck Ji Ming's waist and back it was no longer a sharp axe blade but the flat back of the axe, the brute force still left him gravely wounded on the ground.

"Ah, I'm splitting…"

Even worse, the SpiritGathering Liquid in his pack was almost used up; the remaining two sips he poured in didn't help at all.

—Even though the external wound was gone, his muscles still ached faintly, forcing him to lean on his old waist and walk with difficulty.

"Rebellious son, your father does all this for you! You must know how to be filial."

With a sorrowful expression he patted Bai Yesheng's shoulder; he pretended to go offline, but actually the time had come, and he needed to rush back behind the curtain to ring the bell.

"My lord, shall I cast a healing spell for you?"

Upon learning that the Supreme Deity had been seriously injured, Chief King of Grinding Xi Er Wei Ya of the project team quickly arrived and offered to use magic to heal.

But Ji Ming thought it over and ultimately gave up.

An De Lu must already know that I defeated five bandits; it's a bit too exaggerated for me, a weakling, to claim I emerged completely unscathed.

Because of overexertion, after waking up I felt my back uncomfortable, with minor muscle strains—just the right amount of illness.

After all, a character design is something that must be continuously maintained; a competent actor should be performing under the camera at every moment.

"…That's enough, Xi Er Wei Ya, no need to take notes on this."

Facing such a ten‑thousand‑year‑old "elder", Ji Ming has actually been teaching her some modern ideas.

And her eagerness to learn is still quite strong, so Ji Ming is willing to say more.

He dispatched the archangel to swiftly patrol the closed‑beta area, opened the monitors and map, and began inspecting the two battlefields from last night.

Lake‑heart Island needs no further comment; the power of the toxic‑gas bomb was evident to all, and the bridge was unsurprisingly blown apart.

【Supreme Deity, can the players just burn the bridge directly? That's a bit too disgusting…】

On the other side, after the battle ended, the smoke on the small platform gradually dissipated.

As a training ground commonly used by players, this place had actually been deliberately leveled by them.

But now the small platform resembled a field plowed by a storm, utterly chaotic, with overturned soil and rubble filled with monster corpse fragments.

Among them, the tallest was the heavily scarred ogre chieftain, whose arm was broken and belly slit open, his death looking quite tragic.

One can only say he truly was the weakest of the three dungeon chieftains, since whether it's the kobold chieftain or the Mad King, they either have many troops or defend from a stronghold.

As for him, he had nothing at all, not even a half of a magic skill; a pure physical warrior.

And the chieftain's death meant that after Ji Ming meticulously tallied everything, he discovered that the entire ogre Tribe had unfortunately been completely annihilated.

Today is already the thirteenth day of the closed beta, and he doesn't intend to resurrect them; instead, he placed them all as reserves into the corpse vault.

After all, the greatest purpose of the closed beta is probably to give Ji Ming a completely new perspective on the players' mental state.

—They really are sick,

In‑game and out of game, countless people have DM'd him asking if he could play a goblin and brutally take down the female knight.

Although such a thing is not allowed, it still represents a demand from the players.

It makes a good Easter egg, to see which lucky—or unlucky—person draws this strong yet terribly ugly opening.

But having only ogres is still a bit monotonous; I wonder if the players would be willing to role‑play some weird creatures…

Ji Ming rolled up his sleeves, ready to do what every game designer loves to do—testing the players' limits.

"Heh heh heh, let me see how the players will scream and claw!"

But before he even opened the public screen to start typing, he saw the players already going berserk inside.

"No, I haven't acted yet, why are you already…"

He quickly scrolled up and down, finally understanding what had happened.

Intelligence, that kind of thing, is just a circle, a big circle encompassing a smaller one.

From Ji Ming's point of view, after the Mad King lost his sanity, he chose a path he believed to be correct.

From the Mad King's perspective, however, it was merely a final desperate struggle made by a loser in fear.

But caught between the two layers of the intelligence web, the players who can neither ascend nor descend only see—

【It's over, it's over, it's over, the Mad King discovered Dog Village!】

【I just tallied the casualties: about a thousand yesterday, about a thousand today, so the Mad King still has at least a thousand goblins in hand.】

【When they launch a full assault on Dog Village, what are we supposed to do? Should the million we just got fly away?】

【Hua Kai Fu Gui: "Everyone, let's calm down first; I think this can still turn around."】

【Right, right, fundamentally, we still have too few bed crossbows; today we have to scramble to make a couple more!】

【@But Seek Death @Ao Li give @Da Pen Gu, good brother, could you make a few more nuclear weapons, please please please】

【Enough, at 10 p. m. tonight I want to see a fortress‑like Dog Village!!!】

In their self‑perceived peril, the players suddenly awakened the path dependence inherent in Huaxia people.

—The root cause of all these issues is ultimately the shortage of seeds.

Alpaca, you messed up my liver!

At this rate, Ji Ming dares to say that if we give them another month, they might actually be able to form a line infantry.

Faintly, a few strands of sympathy for the Crazy King rose in his heart.

—What exactly did he do wrong? Isn't it just that he declared war before the players could attack?

How can that unlucky big green‑skinned one keep getting hit with misfortune over and over?

Thinking of that, he switched perspective, adjusting the view to Ge Rui Sen's eyes inside the Ruined Castle.

He found the Crazy King slumped in a high‑backed chair, his vacant eyes drooping, continuously sighing and gasping.

The strange bell that had spiked his blood pressure yesterday turned into his lifeline today.

Although the five warriors and a thousand goblins suffered heavy losses, each bearing wounds, at least none were completely wiped out.

Even so, after a quick tally, he saw that the number of Tribe members now, compared to the start, had already been reduced by more than half.

At that thought, the Crazy King slowly waved his hand, dispersing the warriors beside him.

He covered his face with a piece of velvet cloth, shrinking behind his throne, which the cloth could not conceal.

As long as I quietly wipe away my tears, no one will notice I'm crying.

"Wuwu, I am the worst chief in the Tribe's history..."

He was still earnestly shedding tears when the decayed great gate suddenly rang.

After wiping his cheek, the Crazy King stood up and lowered his voice.

"Come in."

A goblin warrior entered the council hall, beginning to gesture at him nonstop.

"Gua, gua gua..."

Damn, what does this mean?

The Crazy King tilted his head, struggling to understand, and finally grasped the other's expression.

"You mean a tribe member has extremely important intelligence to tell me? Where is it?"

The goblin warrior let out a snort, clearing the silhouette behind him.

But what he brought in was a timid little goblin.

What use could such a tiny thing have, teasing me?

The irritated Crazy King initially wanted to drive it away, but suddenly noticed that although the little goblin's eyes were also blood‑red, they seemed to retain a hint of clarity.

Could it be that this goblin still possesses a bit of intelligence?

He gestured, signaling it to come closer.

"Child, what intelligence do you wish to tell me? Speak."

The little goblin shakily approached the throne and began its gibberish gesturing.

Although it also could not speak, the meaning it tried to convey was clear, complete, and logical.

This confirmed the Crazy King's conjecture, and he quickly understood the other's meaning.

When the little goblin finished its exposition, he was already laughing heartily and clapping his hands.

Even the wisest have a slip.

Multi‑threaded tactics are good, but inevitably some fish get caught.

The little goblin before him is exactly such a fish!

It turned out that because of its frail body, it fell out of the formation after following the main force out.

Yet by a twist of fate it evaded all human obstacles, and in the darkness saw a high wall standing apart from the platform.

Subconsciously it tried to find a gap in the wall, but after countless turns it never succeeded.

Instead, while watching, it noticed that from time to time a few beings with animal heads appeared atop the wall.

The little goblin, with its scant life experience, didn't understand, only knowing that these must be intelligence.

But the well‑read Crazy King had already spotted the key point.

The so‑called high wall should be the surrounding city wall, leaning on a high platform, forming an isolated space.

And the animal‑headed humans on the ramparts should refer to beastmen.

So within this space, there is actually a tribe composed of beastmen?

His heart stirred, and he went to the dust‑covered table, beginning to write and draw on it.

"Where is the village you mentioned? Point it out."

The little goblin was a bit bewildered, but still sketched the general direction.

Ruins, plain, lake, village...

The Crazy King's fist gradually tightened, and his eyes grew brighter.

It's all clear, everything is clear!

Why do humans always keep themselves at Sacred Tree Lake?

Why do humans work so hard to block themselves from obtaining intelligence from other directions?

Why do they appear so panicked after we leave?

Because the direction I'm heading to is exactly where that village lies!

"Hahaha, that is their true vital point!!!"

The Crazy King's gaze, like blazing fire, shot toward the bookshelf beside him.

Most of the books here have been ground to dust by time, but a few still retain legible text.

"Come, child, come here."

He brought the little goblin here and took a book from the shelf.

Help me take a look—how should we make these humans pay the price?

Good, good, good!

You stand on the bridge looking at the scenery, while the person looking at the scenery is watching you from upstairs.

Under Ji Ming's nose, there was clearly no communication, yet the players and goblins coincidentally set the final showdown location in Dog Village.

Now the wall Sylvia created with magic won't go to waste, and tonight there will be a big show to watch.

Marvelous!

【Grissen, arrange a few more camera positions tonight for the live broadcast.】

【Sylvia, help me prepare another spell; we need to create a lively big scene.】

【Bu Long Fei Er De, can you demonstrate your ability as the 'White Mist Guardian'?】

【Hawk, during the day you can do more practical combat drills with the players to warm up; get ready to go out tonight.】

【Cloi, you've been doing well lately; you can also prepare your debut in front of the players.】

【The players have been helping hype it up for two nights; tonight's final showdown, we must seize the hype!】

After arranging everything else, Ji Ming also supported his waist and returned to the clinic.

"Doctor, what's wrong with your waist?"

Starting from AdaiEr knocking on the door, everyone who came to the clinic greeted him with this as their first words.

Ji Ming then explained patiently.

"I fell in the bathroom last night."

"I accidentally bumped it."

"Since I just started working in the Inner City, the pressure is high, and my mind feels a bit fuzzy at midnight."

When he had finished treating the morning rush and was preparing to rest, Cooper ducked low and slipped through the gate.

Seeing him hesitant to speak, Ji Ming sent AdaiEr away and closed the clinic's door.

"Doctor, I followed up on last night's leads, but the results weren't great."

Ji Ming didn't speak, but gestured for him to continue.

This half‑giant, instead of explaining directly, first asked.

"Do you know the Black and White Pavilion?"

"I recall it's an assassin organization?"

"More precisely, it's an assassin organization under the Mercenaries' Alliance, specializing in dirty work."

Cooper supplemented while pulling a document from his pocket and handing it over.

Ji Ming opened it and roughly flipped through; it was a collection of case investigations on that organization.

Poisoning, assassination, revenge, plunder—it amounts to a notorious rap sheet.

It's practically the kind that especially loves to call others terrorist organizations while being one itself.

Having said all this, Ji Ming could no longer pretend not to understand.

"So the assassin who came last night was hired from this special mercenary unit?"

Cooper nodded.

"Only this answer is possible."

Ji Ming fell silent for a moment, then probed with a question.

Although there are not few professionals above level ten in Sunshine City, in fact there aren't many; can we infer from this clue who the assassin is?

In return, all we got was Cooper shaking his head.

"Doctor, although I don't want to, I suggest you stop here."

He sighed.

"When I had investigated this far and was preparing to go further, my superior sent someone to warn me."

"He said: 'Don't let me, over some trivial matters, damage my relationship with important allies.'"

"You may not know that behind the Black and White Pavilion is actually the lord of the Mercenaries' Alliance, and also the chieftain of the Mountain Folk Wild Wind Mercenary Corps—Fee Man."

Now Sunshine City faces troubles inside and out; although feral beasts haven't yet broken into the Inner City, they run rampant in the Outer City.

All three families have been sending people to put out fires and investigate, yet all they get is complete darkness from start to finish.

Although there are surely some fishing in troubled waters, some colluding, and some profiteering from the city's misfortune.

But in this situation, over a little doctor standing in the middle, what friction could arise between them…

Even if Ji Ming himself were to judge, it would really be rather stupid.

Perhaps this is why Andrew would hire a Black and White Pavilion assassin; even if you have the ability to investigate, once you reach this point you would stop due to self‑awareness or external interference.

But no matter how I say it, I was personally pulled in by Mr. Suo La; even if I didn't agree, I didn't refuse either.

Moreover, Cooper went from being a top‑rank debt handler to a tax handler; from the titles of those handlers yesterday, his standing isn't bad.

His superior should be that arrogant centaur, the Tax Department Head Kristin.

Although, but after just a slight setback, he already fled at the first sign of wind.

Is this perhaps a bit…

"May I ask, Department Head Kristin, is her clan surname Zhao, later changed to Wanyan?"

???

"Although the department head is indeed a fallen noble, her surname is also Pearl—I don't recall such a rumor."

"All right."

Since this road is blocked, Ji Ming can only use this occasion to reiterate his wish for peace.

I understand, friend—you've done enough; let's leave it at that.

Grandma's, next time I go to Dean An's house I must bring two more bags.

No, we also have to swing by Minister Ke's house; only then can it be called sound!

"There's no need for regret; just fulfill your duties properly."

After seeing off the apologetic Ku Po, Ji Ming pounded his subtly aching waist at the Clinic doorway.

Just as he was about to turn back, he noticed the shop opposite seemed already finished.

He thought, then took two bottles of third‑generation medicine from the cabinet that held only four, and walked over carrying them.

Sigh, the rejuvenation elixir used today is all early‑stage product; I must go back to Outer City at noon for herbs—can't delay any longer!

While pondering, he suddenly realized this shop seemed as poor as Lao Nv Shi's material store.

Inside it was clearly draped in black cloth like winter, yet the lights were not properly lit, as if fearing any customers.

"Um... anyone there?"

Stepping inside, not only were the shelves on both sides crowded, but the floor was also piled with many items.

Fearing he might actually stumble, Ji Ming snapped his fingers, igniting a fire‑starting technique at his fingertips.

By the faint flame, he vaguely saw a person seated behind the counter.

"Sorry, so you were here after all."

He squinted, trying to see clearly, and discovered it was also an elderly half‑elf with so many scars it looked like a stamp collection.

……

"Ms. Buluowa, how did you end up here?"

"Ha, how could I be here?"

Buluowa closed her eyes and let out a gentle sigh.

"After all, I'm old and no longer useful; after finally teaching a student, when danger strikes, they only want to flee with a young, beautiful assistant, completely ignoring this old thing..."

"Please, which rampaging creature would be so short‑sighted as to dare attack a hidden master of over thirty levels?"

Although he ranted wildly in his mind, Ji Ming quickly explained aloud.

"I just wanted to come to Inner City to scout the way; once I settle a bit, I will…"

"Lying!?"

Before the words finished, a strong gust blew in and a cane slammed hard onto his head.

"Ah!"

It was called fierce, but it wasn't heavy when it fell.

—After all, if this truly were her full‑power strike, Ji Ming could instantly switch to the Headless Knight skin.

"You've only been in Inner City three days, yet you're already renting rooms with young girls and flirting with succubi."

"Do you think your body is healthy? Having to lean on your waist to walk in broad daylight—utterly shameful. Is this what you call settling!?"

Although Lao Nv Shi didn't speak much, she was seasoned and sharp; when she was truly sarcastic, her lethality was also quite strong.

Ji Ming could only pretend the blow hurt greatly, and while dodging, said.

"These are just misunderstandings from the outside; I've been diligently working and pulling overtime."

"Fine, then let's discuss another matter."

She retracted the cane, and Buluowa's aura returned to a dead‑gray state as she asked in a low voice.

"I told you to inform me the moment danger arises; why didn't you?"

"Uh... I think I can handle it..."

"Handle it!"

Buluowa raised the cane to strike again, and Ji Ming, frightened, stepped back a few more paces.

"Come back!"

……

"Reasonably speaking, why are you so violent the moment we meet..."

"Shut up!"

Lao Nv Shi tossed the cane and massaged her temples.

"The thugs looking for trouble with you crossed paths with An De Lu's men, including those who attacked your Clinic last night, all on his orders."

"As for the young man who later entered the Clinic to silence witnesses, he was B‑grade assassin Dans from the Black‑White Grid, directly hired by An De Lu himself."

"So the one looking to trouble you is simple: it's An De Lu."

"No, what's with this atmosphere of obviousness you claim to know?"

Although Ji Ming knew the teacher was strict in intelligence work, he didn't expect her to have investigated last night's events so thoroughly.

"Your handling is actually not bad; you wanted to pre‑emptively sell a tragedy, spread a rumor, and swing the opponent's suppressing hand away."

"Unfortunately you're just too weak; they treat you as a clown and won't buy your bill at all!"

"Stop scolding, stop scolding, why are all your skills true damage, Grandma!"

Ji Ming could only quickly apologize.

"I know I'm wrong; from now on if I'm bullied I'll immediately report to my parents!"

Buluowa finally ceased her resentful rambling and let out a light hum.

"That's more like it."