CHAPTER 111: 111 DRAWING CIRCLES

Nothing else unusual happened on the way.

The bandits who had long lived by this road naturally understood who they could rob and who they could not.

Lin Bai and Jiang Qingqin, a handsome man and beautiful woman, rode at the head of the group. Along with the Beggar Gang’s carriage convoy displaying its banner, they presented such an organized spectacle that no bandit would be foolish enough to attempt a robbery.

During their journey, they camped in the forest overnight, allowing the players to log off and rest.

Lin Bai taught the Beggar Gang’s core members a few Dragonfall Palm techniques as a reward for securing the advertisement. This was something he had initially promised, so he naturally fulfilled it. He wanted to be an NPC who kept his word, making every Beggar Gang disciple feel that following him offered a bright future.

When they set off again the next day, Lin Bai, from the conversations among the Beggar Gang disciples, learned about everything that had happened on the forum. He even heard about the rallying cry: "The game can be lost, Lin Bai must die."

At that moment, Lin Bai was bewildered for quite a while.

What the hell was going on? Didn’t I just guide the Beggar Gang disciples to get rich? How on earth did I offend you all? Did I have it easy? Alone in a strange world, struggling to survive, caught between unfamiliar natives and players who seemed to thrive on chaos... I worked so hard to establish a foundation, so how did I end up annoying you all? This hatred is baffling! Jealousy! That bunch is just jealous—jealous I didn’t include them in whatever they think I’m playing... Players are truly unreasonable!

Lin Bai grumbled inwardly, not taking the players’ declaration of war to heart.

If I can take over Jiamucheng, I can take over Qian City. If I can take over Qian City, I can take over Taiyi Country. Who will have the last laugh is still uncertain! If players could actually stick together, they wouldn’t be called players anymore.

Besides, panicking was useless; after all, a journey had to be taken one step at a time.

「The next day at noon, Qian City came into view.」

Travelers on the official road began to increase in number, including merchants, soldiers, and caravans. No matter who they were, they all cast strange glances at the Beggar Gang’s convoy.

The players, however, didn’t mind. They chatted excitedly about how they would expand in Qian City. Along the way, they eagerly greeted every NPC and proudly showed off the Beggar Gang’s milk to everyone they met.

Jiang Qingqin, however, couldn’t stand it anymore. After a word with Lin Bai, she leaped through the air and entered the city ahead of them.

Watching Jiang Qingqin’s retreating figure, Lin Bai guessed, Her shyness is just an excuse. It’s highly likely she went into Qian City first to report my situation to her sect. That young woman still isn’t truly on my side.

The Beggar Gang stopped outside the south gate of Qian City, lining up to enter. Many other merchant caravans were also waiting there. Apart from their slightly unusual carriages and attire, the dozens of Beggar Gang members didn’t stand out among the other merchants.

Qian City was huge; its city walls alone stretched for an unknown number of miles, patrolled by soldiers on duty. There was a moat outside and a barbican within its gates. This was clearly a strategic city.

Compared to Qian City, Jiamucheng was truly nothing more than a Novice Village.

「While they waited under the shade of some trees,」

Player Lonely Old Man approached Lin Bai and asked, "Lin, the Storekeeper, what’s our next step?"

"After entering the city, our first priority is to find and buy a courtyard estate to establish our base. Then we’ll consider other matters," Lin Bai instructed, expertly petting the Little White Fox. "Dispatch a group to scout Qian City: map out the streets, and pinpoint the locations of pharmacies, Weapon Workshops, and medical clinics. Also, purchase all the necessary tools for blacksmiths and carpenters. Get me a good Pill Furnace set. Buy as many herbal medicines and food ingredients as you can. Every time we enter a new city, we must establish a Beggar Gang branch there." He glanced at Crispy Rice beside him and chuckled, "The Beggar Gang is destined to become the world’s largest gang."

"Lin, the Storekeeper," Crazy Man interjected, "players from the four cities—Jiamucheng, Yimu City, Bing Fire City, and Ding Fire City—will all converge in Qian City. Sects like Jiang Qingqin’s Hundred Flower Valley are recruiting these players. If they’re recruited by sects and go to the mountains to cultivate while we remain in the secular world, spending money to hire instructors from martial arts schools to teach our disciples, won’t we fall further and further behind?"

He had learned a move, ’Overbearing Dragon has Pride,’ but with his current Inner Strength, he could only execute it twice. His question also carried an undercurrent of complaint against Lin Bai.

The discussions on the forum were right. We came here to play a game, not to be Lin Bai’s cheerleading squad. What’s the point of watching him hog the spotlight all the time?

Players like Crispy Rice and Dumbelldore all turned to look at Lin Bai in unison. This was a concern shared by everyone. Once they left the Novice Village, the importance of Skills and Martial Arts became starkly apparent. If others pulled ahead, the Beggar Gang’s financial advantage would also vanish.

"Don’t worry. First, let’s establish a solid footing. Then, I’ll teach you advanced Martial Arts," Lin Bai said, looking at them with a laugh. "The Righteous Door won’t be inferior to anyone; I can tell you that in advance. The secular Beggar Gang is our foundation, responsible for networking talent from all over the world. Separately, I will also choose a location with beautiful mountains and clear waters to establish a public-facing mountain gate for the Righteous Door, where we can interact with other Cultivators. There will be no shortage of Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Taoist law, or Martial Arts."

The Everything has Shortcomings System and the Emotional System both frequently demanded large quantities of things. These two systems alone meant Lin Bai couldn’t just abandon the secular world and take the players off to cultivate in some remote mountain forest.

Therefore, the Beggar Gang’s base was essential.

Lonely Old Man, Crispy Rice, Crazy Man, and Bitter Melon Vine exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with excitement. Isn’t this exactly what they had hoped for when they joined the Beggar Gang?

"Master, doesn’t our Righteous Door already have its own mountain gate?" Dumbelldore asked in confusion.

"I am a contemporary disciple of the Righteous Door, currently out in the world undergoing trials. I haven’t yet met the requirements to return to our sect’s mountain gate myself, so how could I possibly take you there!" Lin Bai glanced at him and chuckled. "You follow me to cultivate, but I also have to cultivate myself! We look to be about the same age. The only advantage I have over you is the sect’s secret manuals and knowledge stored in my mind. But all of that must be converted into actual abilities through practice. My skills in Alchemy and Artifact Refining, for instance, were things I developed myself in Jiamucheng.

"So, everyone, don’t rush. Let’s take it slow. If we lack resources, we’ll buy them. If we lack weapons, we’ll buy them. If all else fails..." Lin Bai paused, a glint in his eye, "...we’ll steal them. As long as you’re loyal enough, you won’t lack for anything. Besides, even if you join other sects, you’ll still have to cultivate step-by-step according to their rules. Your progress won’t necessarily be any faster than with us."

His words sounded reasonable enough!

But wait... Wasn’t there something... unusual mixed in there? Stealing? Is that something a respectable sect does?

Lonely Old Man looked at the animated Lin Bai with surprise. His unease instantly settled. Indeed, Lin, the Storekeeper never plays by the rules. Following an NPC like this is much more interesting!

"Of course," Lin Bai said, addressing everyone, "you’ve all suddenly come from Jiamucheng to such a large city, where renowned sects are actively recruiting players like yourselves. It’s understandable that your resolve might waver. If you feel that joining those sects offers a more promising future, I won’t stop you. The Beggar Gang has only just been established; even if we part ways now, none of us stands to lose much. Let’s part amicably! Anyone who wants to quit can do so now."

Are you kidding? If Lin Bai hadn’t demonstrated such overwhelming power on the road, some of them might have genuinely considered quitting. But those seven from the Blood Shadow Sect were thrashed by Lin Bai as if they were mere children! Even Jiang Qingqin from the Hundred Flower Sect couldn’t protect herself when facing three opponents... Couldn’t they tell who was superior? Besides, staying in the Beggar Gang meant they could still earn money! Only a fool would leave! At least, they wouldn’t leave the Beggar Gang until Lin Bai was actually killed by the other players...

"Since no one is quitting, then it’s settled," Lin Bai declared, looking around at the assembled players with a smile. "But let me be clear: if anyone learns the arts of the Righteous Door and then has second thoughts, don’t blame me for being impolite. While the Righteous Door doesn’t abandon anyone, we do have rules..."

As he was speaking, a loud voice suddenly erupted from behind the Beggar Gang disciples, "Lin, the Storekeeper, WTF!"

A surge of heat gathered from Lin Bai’s Dantian and flowed towards his palm. His words caught in his throat. He looked towards the source of the sound. A player named ’Professional Mage’ stood there, gazing at him triumphantly and muttering to himself, "Brothers, the verification is here!"