He Yucheng followed Recomposed Words toward the Han Manor. As one of the main quest hubs in the Radiant Imperial City, the place bustled with players—mostly newcomers. He Yucheng didn’t worry about Butterfly Shadow Guild scouts monitoring the area for his wanted status. Still, given that guild’s… *admirable* track record, caution was wise. If trouble came, he could hide. If not… well, they couldn’t do much to him anyway.
Inside the sprawling Han Manor, ancient pavilions and courtyards twisted like a maze. After endless turns, He Yucheng finally snapped. "Song Qian," he called out, "why drag me here? The only way out is the teleport array—and even that only reaches the city gates."
Recomposed Words snorted. "Low!"
He Yucheng clenched his fists, fighting the urge to throttle him. *Wasn’t escaping through the gates the obvious move?*
"Kid," Recomposed Words said, noticing his darkening expression, "ever heard of ‘emergency escape tunnels’ in big clans?"
"Oh?" He Yucheng’s tone stayed flat. "And?"
"This one leads straight to Ghostweep Forest in the southeast! Pretty slick, huh?" Recomposed Words puffed out his chest. He Yucheng merely asked, "How’d you know?"
"Duh! It’s in the game’s original storyline, and players have exposed it publicly. How could I *not* know?" He beamed as if he’d discovered it himself.
He Yucheng’s expression didn’t soften—it hardened. "If it’s public knowledge… do you think Butterfly Shadow *wouldn’t* know?"
Recomposed Words froze mid-step. He Yucheng stopped too.
"…"
"…"
Watching Recomposed Words scratch his head sheepishly, He Yucheng covered his face. He was utterly done with this idiot.
"*Ahem*. Miscalculation… total miscalculation…" Recomposed Words grinned awkwardly.
"…Let’s just check it out." Even if Butterfly Shadow guarded the tunnel, fewer guards might lurk there. Better than charging the gates to die repeatedly.
…
…
…
Crouched low in the pitch-black tunnel, He Yucheng and Recomposed Words squeezed among crowds. The "secret" passage had become a public highway.
Just as He Yucheng predicted, guards blocked the exit.
Butterfly Shadow. Cold Moon Pavilion. Listening Snow Tower. The three guilds stood united. Players queued like airport security lines, submitting to inspections before release. Charging the gates meant constant deaths—a headache. This tunnel? Just a check, then freedom. (Those who resisted fell within seconds, respawning back in the city.)
"One… two… three…" He Yucheng counted under his breath.
"You planning to rush them?" Recomposed Words whispered.
"Not suicidal. See their titles? All top-tier PvP players." He kept counting.
"Then why count? Calling Queen Xiaoye for backup?"
He Yucheng sighed. *Fifteen guards.* Every single one ranked within the server’s top 500 PvP players.
Gaps between top 500 players were slim—just nuances in skill execution. Xiaoye might hold her own one-on-one. But against two? She’d struggle to escape alive. Against *fifteen*? Impossible.
"*Ugh*. What now?" They retreated to a garden in the Han Manor, slumping onto a bench.
Recomposed Words spread his hands. "Don’t ask me. I didn’t stir this hornet’s nest."
"Lichou’s really pulling out all the stops for me," He Yucheng muttered, chin resting on his palm. "Playing both sides like this… doesn’t he fear player backlash against his guilds?"
"So what? Only top guild alliances can challenge them now." Recomposed Words shuddered—his custom weapon design scroll’s price would skyrocket if he kept provoking trouble.
"Right now? I just want to crush Lichou completely." He Yucheng gave Recomposed Words a faint, icy smile. As a senior guild elder, Lichou’s pettiness—and his unhinged actions—had crossed He Yucheng’s line. Games were meant for fun, not misery.
"Pfft. I’m a PvP player too. With your current skills? You couldn’t beat a top 100 player. Struggling against top 500s, yet dreaming of crushing Lichou? Even with a max-level account, you’d lose." Recomposed Words knew He Yucheng was skilled, but gear gaps, level gaps, stat gaps… and raw skill disparity? Unbridgeable.
He Yucheng couldn’t claim top 100 strength himself. He knew the abyss between ranks. Recomposed Words was right: even if his skill reached top 500 level, his 20-level character couldn’t win. Top 100? Out of the question.
Even with endgame gear and maxed skills, breaking into the top 100 wasn’t guaranteed. Until tested, it was just talk.
**[Private Chat]**
**Coldshoulder:** QAQ Husband~ Where are you? It’s scary out here!
**He Yucheng:** Back garden of the Han Manor.
…
He Yucheng chuckled softly. Lengjiang clung to him whenever she was online—his shadow. She’d turned grinding levels from tedious to joyful.
But trapped in the city, he worried she’d grow bored.
"What’s with the dumb grin?" Recomposed Words squinted. "You were gloomy seconds ago. Plotting something?"
Before He Yucheng could reply, Recomposed Words cut him off: "Stop! I know what you’ll say. Hand over that design scroll. I’m out."
"Huh? Not brainstorming an escape?" He Yucheng blinked.
"*You’re* the one wanted, not me. I can walk right out. Why stress?" Recomposed Words flexed his biceps, grinning smugly.
A vein throbbed on He Yucheng’s forehead. *Why was this a safe zone again…?*
Still… alone time with Lengjiang sounded perfect. He found a storage NPC nearby, pulled out a flawless custom weapon design scroll, and shoved it at Recomposed Words. The man’s hands trembled as he took the ultra-rare item.
"Bill me later. Now *go*." He Yucheng shooed him away before he could launch into a teary kiss of gratitude.
After ushering Recomposed Words out, He Yucheng waited alone in the garden. A soft rustle came from behind.
"Hm?" He turned.
Lengjiang slipped into his arms like a kitten, settling beside him.
"(￣▽￣)／ Good afternoon, husband~" She’d clearly seen the chaos outside the gates, yet her smile was carefree. As if none of it mattered.
"You little rascal…" Warmth spread through He Yucheng’s chest at her playful obedience.
Memories surfaced—meeting Song Qian for the first time. Back then, his face had been a mask. Only after befriending Song Qian did expressions return.
And now, Lengjiang… it felt like that day reborn.
"Wife," he said gently, "let’s take a walk. Maybe we’ll find a way out." The Radiant Imperial City was vast—arenas, mercenary guilds, districts he’d never explored. Leveling was his priority now, but the *real* game began at max level.
"(>^ω^<) Okay!" Lengjiang’s joy was a constant glow beside him. *This* was how an MMO should be played.
Hand in hand, they left the garden. As they walked, He Yucheng recalled Lengjiang’s rough real-life situation. Maybe… he could help her beyond the game too.
He opened his friends list, eyes lingering on the ID: **Nai Xiaodu**.
Only one person could fix this mess. He’d think of a plan by afternoon. If all else failed… he’d have to ask her.
