When He Wuning and the others returned to the safe zone, the aftermath of the thunderstorm hadn’t completely passed; dark clouds still lingered in the gloomy sky.
But the players were already used to scenes like this.
Everyone carried a rebellious air of “just mind your own business,” and the streets were even livelier than usual.
The Hundred-Person Squad received a warm welcome from the safe zone players. He Wuning and Yi Luo stayed curled up inside the milk tea car without showing themselves, only pushing the Luck Emperor’s head out the window to let a flustered Ji Ou accept the crowd’s cheers.
Ji Ou had probably never in his life been surrounded by screams like this, enthusiastically called “handsome” by so many people. His face wore a twisted expression that was half-smiling, half-embarrassed, looking almost ferocious.
The operations members of the Hundred-Person Squad following behind the milk tea car looked even more conflicted.
After all, they felt like they hadn’t really done much—just made up the numbers, and then everything was solved by nuclear explosions.
Xue Xun came out to meet them.
He got in the vehicle midway and directed everyone toward the trading center.
There had always been a trading center in the game, but the equipment inside had mostly been basic white-grade gear. Aside from newbies buying their first set of equipment or players clearing out useless items to empty their backpacks, almost no one visited.
But now things were different.
Equipment and items dropped from Level 10 dungeons had been added to the shop database. The shop refreshed once every hour, and each counter randomly displayed 20 items or pieces of equipment each time. The probability of good items appearing had greatly increased.
The Supreme Commander was currently camping at the shop, saying he wanted to buy some good items as rewards for them.
He Wuning actually felt it wasn’t necessary. They had probably already obtained most of the good drops from Level 10 monsters themselves.
Still, bringing the Luck Emperor along might lead to some unexpected gains.
He Wuning glanced at Xue Xun. “Wasn’t it said Zhao Yantong was targeted by assassins again? Don’t we need to go help?”
“No need.” Xue Xun waved his hand. “We’ve cut off the elevators in that building. They can’t get up from below now, and the surrounding buildings are all staffed by our people.”
“If it’s just those rookie assassins, they can’t stir up any real trouble—unless they manage to turn you against us.”
“Speaking of which…” Yi Luo pondered slightly. “When we slept together, I didn’t dream about any god trying to enlighten me. Did they not even bother trying to sway us? Or do we have some trait that blocks divine revelations?”
“What?!” Xue Xun was shocked. “Since when did you two sleep together?!”
Yi Luo: “……”
He Wuning took a deep breath. “We slept. Separately. At the same time.”
“Just at the same time. Not together.”
Q-chan chimed in, “Exactly! Don’t talk nonsense! Look at Yi Luo secretly smiling so happily!”
Yi Luo raised an eyebrow. “Where am I smiling?”
Q-chan snorted. “You’re definitely smiling on the inside!”
Yi Luo clicked his tongue and turned to He Wuning. “Control your system. Isn’t he being a bit unreasonable?”
“Ahem.” Xue Xun cleared his throat and brought the topic back on track. “Anyway, those assassins were all sent to the Princess in the end. Very fruitful results—we now have a very powerful summoner.”
“It’s just that the names of his summoned creatures are a bit hard to remember. We’re currently cramming C-language lessons.”
Yi Luo showed a trace of sympathy.
The new shop had attracted a lot of players. Besides the Supreme Commander, many ordinary players were also buying new equipment.
The Supreme Commander stood upright with a team of operators, maintaining order. He didn’t rush to buy anything himself, instead cheerfully giving others priority.
It was just past the hour; the items had just refreshed, and two had already been purchased.
The Supreme Commander stood straight but wore a smile, asking a somewhat hesitant player at the front, “Made up your mind? Buying it or not?”
He spotted He Wuning’s group from afar and waved at them. “You’re here!”
He pointed to an operations member still in the middle of the line. “Don’t worry, I’ve already had someone queue up for you. When it’s his turn, you choose.”
The player finally made up his mind and pointed at a sword in the middle. “I’ll take this one.”
Under the Supreme Commander’s kindly gaze, he completed the transaction with the system at the counter and left with the item. A player behind him let out a wail. “Ah! I wanted that sword too!”
The Supreme Commander smiled at him. “Well, can’t be helped. Bad luck. Try again next time. Come on, your turn—what’ll you pick?”
Yi Luo blinked, looking at the line as if his horizons had been broadened, then glanced oddly at the Supreme Commander. “What are you doing? Considering a second career as an auctioneer?”
The moment the Supreme Commander saw him, the smile vanished from his face. He glared at Yi Luo, tone displeased. “Talking to me? Don’t you know to call me Dad first?”
Yi Luo looked completely unconcerned about the attitude. “I was just afraid exposing that you’re my dad might embarrass you.”
Xue Xun was afraid the father and son would start fighting in public, so he immediately stepped forward to separate them. “Don’t argue, don’t argue. But what’s with this line exactly…?”
“Oh, that.” The Supreme Commander returned to his usual amiable demeanor. “When we got here, the shop had just refreshed. Everyone was curious about what was inside and wanted to go in, so there was almost a bit of friction.”
“So we helped set up some rules.”
“Since it refreshes 20 items every hour, people line up—first come, first served. Anyone beyond the first 20 can either keep waiting or go do something else.”
Smiling, the Supreme Commander gestured at the queue. “Players who make it in can only buy one item. If nothing they need appears, they can choose not to buy anything or just pick something else. After all, those at the front choose first. Whether you get what you want depends on luck.”
Yi Luo glanced at Ji Ou. “If Ji Ou started lining up now, I bet the people in front would suddenly all get stomachaches and have to leave.”
Ji Ou: “…I’m just a bit luckier than most. I’m not some all-powerful force of nature.”
“But we’ve also acquired quite a few items,” the Supreme Commander said with a smile. “The ones nobody wants are considered unsold. We buy them and put them in the trading center, or distribute them to other combat units. With so many people, even odd little props might turn out to be useful.”
“They’re only level-10 drop equipment anyway.” He Wuning glanced at the items. “Once most players have upgraded their gear once, there won’t be this many people here.”
“I think so too.” The Supreme Commander showed an approving expression. “The appearance of this shop essentially simplifies the game progression before level 10. You can get items to strengthen yourself without risking your life. But after level 10, the game’s danger level hasn’t really changed.”
“Everyone will calm down soon enough.”
“Oh, by the way, would you like to take a look at the ranch?” The Supreme Commander pointed in a direction. “It’s over there. We’ve already started arranging a breeding plan. The technical department is researching how to raise these monsters scientifically.”
Yi Luo couldn’t help laughing. “The tech department has it rough—they even have to learn animal husbandry.”
The Supreme Commander kept his pleasant smile and didn’t even look at him. “Science is interconnected. We’ve also gathered players with breeding experience. Professional technicians outside are helping on the forums too—we can ask questions anytime.”
“Let’s go take a look. Most of the tech department should still be there.”
He Wuning turned to follow, meeting Rong Jiu’s complicated gaze. Just as their eyes met, Yi Luo casually slung an arm over He Wuning’s shoulder. “So, Strategist, starting to think sticking with us was a good decision? If you’d stayed here, you’d be doing livestock work.”
Xue Xun tried to smooth things over. “What nonsense are you saying? Not everyone can secretly enjoy things like you.”
“Our comrades in the tech department are very willing to solve problems for everyone. Rong Jiu must be willing too.”
“You’re right.” Yi Luo nodded vigorously. “My awareness is too low. After we visit the ranch, let’s just leave him here so he can have a big reunion with the tech department.”
Rong Jiu slowly clenched his fists.
The monster ranch was right at the edge of the safe zone. A large area of wilderness had been fenced off, with an enclosure and an indoor breeding facility built inside.
Quite a few players curiously poked their heads around the edge of the safe zone. Curious as they were, they still remained wary of the monsters.
Xue Xun sighed. “I feel like our players have already forgotten we’re still in the middle of ‘Day of Divine Punishment,’ running around everywhere.”
“That’s good. It means they’ve got spirit.” The Supreme Commander smiled. “It’d be troublesome if everyone were cowering.”
From a distance, He Wuning spotted Zuo Qianming squatting on top of the fence like a scarecrow left out to dry, holding a book and muttering with a ferocious expression.
Yi Luo called out, “Zuo Qianming!”
“Who the hell—” Zuo Qianming turned back with a twisted expression, then immediately stammered when he saw the Supreme Commander. “I-I’m almost done reading—who called me? Oh, you’re back.”
Yi Luo chuckled without exposing him and shook the book in his hand. “What’re you reading?”
Zuo Qianming replied blankly, “Postpartum Care of Sows.”
He Wuning glanced into the ranch. Inside the building were little calves with bells running around. Their light brown fur looked soft, and the small horns on their heads were shorter and rounder than those of wild bison—like a chibi, harmless version of a wild bull.
He Wuning silently watched them as one energetic little fellow dashed out, personally demonstrating what “a newborn calf fears no tiger” meant, insisting on heading toward the crowd.
“Shoo, shoo!” Zuo Qianming reached out to drive it away, only to have it clamp onto his sleeve.
Man and calf tugged back and forth. He Wuning looked at the book in his hand, frowned slightly, and hesitated before asking, “But… isn’t this a cow?”
While trying to wrestle his sleeve back, Zuo Qianming turned his head and gave a sarcastic sneer. “If science and animal husbandry are interconnected, what’s wrong with pigs and wild bulls being interconnected too?”
Yi Luo turned to the Supreme Commander with schadenfreude. “He’s insulting you. You get it?”
Supreme Commander: “…I’m not deaf. No need for you to point it out.”
Yi Luo wasn’t intimidated in the slightest and even smiled. “Oh, I was worried you wouldn’t catch such subtle sarcasm.”
The Supreme Commander took a deep breath but couldn’t suppress his anger. Gritting his teeth, he said, “I should just throw you in here to feed the cows!”
Yi Luo laughed. “Do you mean put me in the trough, or have me lend a hand? You’ve got to be clear.”
The Supreme Commander fumed. “Do whatever you want!”
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The author has something to say:
Commander-in-Chief: Ungrateful brat!
Yi Luo: That’s right, it’s me. Proud.jpg
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