Chapter Summaries

Zhang Heng and Old Cowboy searched for a way to ambush Cook’s gang at a hunter’s cabin, then prepared a plan to draw the bandits outside and target Cook. Zhang Heng insisted on taking Wendy home before the battle, despite her plea to fight.

• Zhang Heng estimated Cook’s shooting and riding skills and learned the gang might reach Lincoln County within a day.
• Zhang Heng told Old Cowboy where Cook was likely headed, and they identified a hunter’s cabin in the forest as a likely meeting place.
• Zhang Heng, Old Cowboy, and Wendy inspected the cabin and discussed the difficulty of attacking Cook’s men if they barricaded themselves inside.
• Old Cowboy said he could devise a way to lure the gang outside and asked to use Zhang Heng’s people for the plan.
• Zhang Heng’s group withdrew to rest near the forest, and Zhang Heng told Wendy he would take her home before the battle, rejecting her offer to fight.

Zhang Heng returned Wendy to her family, then rejoined Old Cowboy as they prepared to draw the Cook Gang out of the hunter’s cabin by disguising themselves as Major Wade’s soldiers. After scouts confirmed the gang had arrived, Old Cowboy ordered everyone to get ready for the nighttime operation.

• Zhang Heng brought Wendy back to her mother and told them to keep her at home before riding away.
• A beer wagon arrived in Lincoln County, and its driver claimed that Baggett had fallen ill with chickenpox.
• Old Cowboy explained to Zhang Heng that he planned to disguise their group as Major Wade’s soldiers to make the Cook Gang abandon the cabin.
• Zhang Heng and Old Cowboy waited through the night and into the next day, while the townspeople grew anxious about leaving their homes undefended.
• A scout reported that the Cook Gang’s main force had reached the cabin and was searching the area.
• Old Cowboy told everyone to wait until sunset, put on their uniforms, and prepare for battle, then instructed the man who would impersonate Major Wade.

Zhang Heng and the others prepared to infiltrate the forest and attack the Cook Gang. After learning why the Old Cowboy still wanted to settle his debt with Cook, Zhang Heng quietly eliminated a sentry, and the group advanced toward the hunter's cabin.

• The Old Cowboy told Zhang Heng that Cook had once beaten him and left him tied to a tree for a week, giving him a personal debt to settle.
• Zhang Heng and the others set out at night, moving slowly and muffling their horses' hooves to avoid detection.
• Zhang Heng used the Filter Lens to spot a Cook Gang sentry in a tree and led the group in a different direction.
• Zhang Heng silently shot another sentry in the heart with the Arrow of Paris and retrieved the arrow.
• Zhang Heng and the others continued through the forest and approached the hunter's cabin.

Zhang Heng and Old Cowboy led an attack on the Cook Gang's camp, where Zhang Heng's extraordinary marksmanship inflicted heavy losses. The gang escaped from the cabin with Cook apparently wounded, but Matthew's whereabouts remained unknown.

• Zhang Heng and Old Cowboy launched a nighttime attack on the Cook Gang's camp, killing a bandit outside the tents.
• The Cook Gang returned fire in the darkness, but Zhang Heng's group suffered only one minor injury.
• Zhang Heng memorized the bandits' positions and killed them one by one, driving the survivors into the hunter's cabin.
• Old Cowboy surrounded the cabin and tried to persuade the Cook Gang to surrender while leaving an escape route open.
• The Cook Gang rushed from the cabin toward their horses, and Zhang Heng spotted their covered leader but could not find Matthew.
• Zhang Heng shot Cook after killing two men guarding him, and the gang fled into the night with Cook wounded.

Zhang Heng and Old Cowboy routed the Cook Gang, and Zhang Heng believed he had killed Cook, but the main quest showed no progress. At home, Wendy secretly prepared to ride out and join the fight, then froze when someone knocked at the door.

• Old Cowboy asked Zhang Heng whether he had killed Cook, and Zhang Heng said he had shot Cook in the head while also taking down other bandits.
• Old Cowboy worried that Matthew might be in danger without Cook protecting him, then rode after the fleeing bandits while Zhang Heng stayed behind.
• Zhang Heng questioned why killing Cook had not advanced his main quest or earned him Game Points.
• Wendy pretended to behave at home while planning another escape with her father's Hunting Rifle, intending to reach the battle on Lightning.
• Wendy searched for ammunition, learned her mother had locked it away, then stole the key and took two boxes of bullets from the cabinet.
• As Wendy returned the key to her mother's room, someone knocked at the door downstairs, and she wondered whether the battle was over and Matthew had returned with Zhang Heng.

Matthew reunited with Jane and Wendy after twenty-one days away, bringing Cook and three of his men to their home. Once alone with Matthew, Cook revealed that he was dying and wanted Matthew to take over the Cook Gang.

• Jane opened the door and embraced Matthew, then met Cook and his three men, who had accompanied Matthew home.
• Cook entered the house with Matthew, gave Wendy a gold bar, and asked Jane and Wendy to prepare food and tea.
• Matthew confronted Cook for visiting his home after they had agreed only to scout the town.
• Cook explained that Morris had already investigated the town and said he had wanted to see how Matthew had lived.
• Cook told Matthew he was dying and asked him to become the next leader of the Cook Gang.

Cook threatened Matthew’s family and explained that he wanted Matthew to inherit the Cook Gang and eventually hunt him down. The standoff escalated when Cook aimed guns at Jane and Matthew, but Wendy secretly raised a hunting rifle at Cook.

• Matthew threatened to kill Cook if he harmed Jane or Wendy, and Cook welcomed his anger.
• Cook told Jane and Wendy a story about salmon losing their instincts, warning that laws, money, and God could not save people from danger.
• Matthew asked Jane and Wendy to leave so he could speak privately with Cook, but Cook drew a revolver and aimed it at Jane.
• Cook told Matthew he would kill Jane, take Wendy after the events in Lincoln County, and leave Matthew the Cook Gang to use in pursuing him.
• Matthew and Wendy threatened Cook, and Wendy revealed a hunting rifle she had secretly taken from behind a cabinet and aimed at Cook’s heart.

Cook cornered Wendy and her parents, forcing her to choose between surrendering and watching them die, while Wendy’s unloaded gun left her bluffing. Gunshots outside interrupted Cook’s countdown, and he shot Wendy’s hand before turning toward the door.

• Wendy threatened Cook with the Hunting Rifle, but privately knew it was unloaded.
• Cook described how Wendy and her parents would die if she resisted, then gave her until the count of ten to lower her gun.
• Matthew offered to go with Cook, but Cook refused and insisted on killing Matthew’s wife and taking Wendy.
• Gunshots and screams sounded outside as Cook reached nine, distracting him and Wendy.
• Cook shot Wendy in the palm, dropped her Hunting Rifle, and aimed his gun at the front door.

Zhang Heng killed Cook and rescued Wendy's family from the Cook Gang. After the main quest was completed, he reassured Wendy that the danger had passed and Sheriff Dolan was pursuing the gang's remaining members.

• Cook emptied his pistol at the door, then sent Matthew to check outside while forcing Wendy to give up the Hunting Rifle.
• Matthew reported that the bodies outside were Cook's men, and Cook prepared to confront the unseen attacker.
• Zhang Heng shot out the lamps, plunging the room into darkness as Cook took Wendy's mother hostage and demanded a conversation.
• Wendy crawled toward the Hunting Rifle and its shells while Zhang Heng waited for an opening.
• Zhang Heng shot Cook in the head, completed the remaining part of the Lucky Horseshoe quest, and told Wendy her family was safe.

Zhang Heng killed Cook and ended the gang’s attack on Matthew’s family, then accepted Wendy and Matthew’s offer of half the ranch. The Drunk Sheriff welcomed him to Lincoln County and promised a reward once Cook’s identity was confirmed.

• Zhang Heng sneaked into the house through Wendy’s room and shot Cook, finishing the fight in less than a minute.
• Matthew thanked Zhang Heng and agreed to pay the contract, while Wendy reminded them she had promised him half the ranch land and cattle.
• Matthew accepted Wendy’s offer and invited Zhang Heng to settle nearby, offering to teach him ranching and horsemanship.
• The Drunk Sheriff arrived, learned Zhang Heng had killed Cook, and welcomed him to Lincoln County while warning him to obey the law.
• The Drunk Sheriff told Zhang Heng that officials would verify Cook’s identity in two weeks, after which Zhang Heng could collect the bounty.

Zhang Heng finished building his new home and returned to Matthew’s stable to try once more to tame Bad Boy. He avoided the horse’s attacks but waited for another chance to ride him.

• Zhang Heng completed a sturdy iron-and-brick house, earning a level 0 construction skill and 20 game points.
• Zhang Heng rode Radish to Matthew’s house, where Wendy was waiting to watch him try to tame Bad Boy.
• Zhang Heng entered Bad Boy’s stable with a lasso, while Matthew and Wendy waited outside.
• Bad Boy charged, swung his head, tried to bite, and kicked at Zhang Heng, who dodged each attack instead of attempting to lasso him.
• Bad Boy finished his attack combo and looked smugly at Zhang Heng as he waited for his next chance.

Zhang Heng lassoed and subdued Bad Boy through several exhausting rounds before riding out across the grasslands. Bad Boy carried him at full speed into the sunset, leaving Zhang Heng to savor the sensation of freedom.

• Zhang Heng lassoed Bad Boy's foreleg and brought him down after dodging his Death Stomp.
• Bad Boy repeatedly sprang back into the fight, but Zhang Heng subdued him twice more and caught his leg with the lasso again.
• Zhang Heng mounted Bad Boy, held on through his bucking, and Wendy opened the corral gate at Matthew's instruction.
• Bad Boy galloped across the grasslands with Zhang Heng on his back as the sun set.

Zhang Heng settled the Cook Gang affair, learned new skills, and helped end the Lincoln County War before preparing to leave the West. On a final hunting trip with Wendy, they talked about how they met and the role she played in saving her family.

• Zhang Heng collected his bounty, tracked down the four remaining Cook Gang bandits, and finished dealing with the gang.
• Zhang Heng spent months practicing horsemanship, cattle driving, and shooting while searching unsuccessfully for game items.
• Zhang Heng joined the Lincoln County War, helped the ranchers defeat Major Murphy's gunmen, and learned quick-draw techniques from Billy the Kid.
• Zhang Heng raised his shooting skill to Level 3, gained the Level 2 Cowboy skill, and buried two bags of his remaining money near the horse pens.
• Zhang Heng went hunting with Wendy, and they discussed where he came from and how Wendy's courage had helped save her family.

Zhang Heng helped Hayase Asuka win the most valuable prizes at a night-market Ring Toss stall after she failed to land any rings. The disgruntled stall owner accepted the loss and pointed Zhang Heng toward a rival vendor’s stall.

• Hayase Asuka chose to play Ring Toss and aimed for a Kingston USB drive, but her throws missed or bounced away.
• After Hayase Asuka used her rings without winning, Zhang Heng took her final two rings and landed one around the USB drive and one around the Xiaomi Smart Band.
• The stall owner retrieved the prizes and congratulated Hayase Asuka, recognizing Zhang Heng as an expert.
• The stall owner told Zhang Heng that another Ring Toss stall nearby had even more valuable prizes.

Zhang Heng met Fan Mei Nan to retrieve the game items he had left with her and noticed she was injured and unusually frail. Fan Mei Nan refused his offer of help, while Zhang Heng remained uncertain about Kronos’s motives and the connection between him, his missing emotions, and the Greenland expedition.

• Zhang Heng sent Hayase Asuka back to the international student dormitory, then drove to McDonald's to meet Fan Mei Nan.
• Fan Mei Nan arrived with the game items Zhang Heng had left in her care, which he needed to help repay the cost of reforging Ordinary Sword.
• Zhang Heng noticed Fan Mei Nan looked unwell and had a bandaged hand, but she brushed off his concern and said she had to handle her troubles herself.
• Fan Mei Nan told Zhang Heng to focus on his Proxy War and asked him to have the rich lady take back the Lexus she had given her.
• Zhang Heng reflected on his uncertainty about Kronos and the old man's connection to his disappearing emotions and the Greenland expedition.
• Fan Mei Nan took Zhang Heng's hand and softly reassured him that everything would be all right.

Zhang Heng and his friends watched Django Unchained before Zhang Heng received an email from the Game Organizing Committee about the Proxy War’s second phase. The email announced that agents would soon enter more dangerous, elimination-based instances to determine a final victor.

• Chen Huadong, Wei Jiangyang, and Zhang Heng went to the film club’s screening of Django Unchained, where Chen Huadong failed to find a girl to sit beside.
• During the movie, Chen Huadong talked about wanting to become a bounty hunter, and Zhang Heng explained the dangers of the work.
• After the screening, Zhang Heng saw a new email from the Game Organizing Committee and opened it in a secluded spot.
• The Organizing Committee congratulated Zhang Heng on reaching the second phase and announced that the Proxy War would begin in one week with dangerous, unpredictable elimination instances.

Zhang Heng entered the Proxy War’s first assessment instance, “Other Species,” and found himself in a replica of his high-school bedroom. After preparing for the unknown challenge, he left his room to investigate what counted as an other species.

• Zhang Heng chose Simon as his display codename on the new Proxy War website and made no special preparations during the five days before the event.
• Bartender Lady explained that Zhang Heng had forty-five days to clear three assessment instances and earn enough points to rank among the top five hundred.
• Zhang Heng entered the solo instance “Other Species,” where he could earn five points for each other species he found and killed.
• Zhang Heng recognized the bedroom as a replica of his high-school room and heard his grandfather leave to buy fish.
• Zhang Heng hid several difficult-to-carry items under the bed, gathered his other equipment, and went into the living room to investigate.

Zhang Heng explored his old neighborhood in the instance and found a newspaper report about three children who had drowned by the riverbank the day before the game began. He prepared supplies to investigate that night and encountered a troubled acquaintance at a convenience store.

• Zhang Heng left home despite his grandfather's instructions and ran into his childhood friend Qin Zhen, who invited him to play basketball and reminded him about Sunday.
• Zhang Heng bought a newspaper and recognized a report about three children who had drowned, an incident he remembered from his past.
• Zhang Heng suspected the drownings might be connected to the instance and saved the newspaper page for further investigation.
• Zhang Heng bought mosquito repellent, batteries, water, and biscuits to prepare for visiting the river that evening.
• Zhang Heng saw a recently discharged acquaintance struggle to pay for cigarettes and offered to cover the missing yuan.

Zhang Heng investigated the riverbank where three children had drowned, looking for clues that the deaths were not accidental. He encountered a masked figure who fled into the river, but Zhang Heng recognized him and decided to find him later.

• Zhang Heng searched online for reports about the three drowned children but found no suspicious details in the news footage.
• Zhang Heng waited until his grandfather was asleep, then drove to the riverbank with his investigation gear.
• Zhang Heng examined the slippery shore and the area where the girl’s shoe had been found, considering whether the children’s deaths were really an accident.
• Zhang Heng spotted a figure near a bridge pier and pursued him after the figure fled.
• The masked man jumped into the river to escape, and Zhang Heng stopped at the shore because he already knew who the man was.

Zhang Heng spent his first full day back in high school while remaining wary of the dungeon and putting off investigating the man beneath the bridge. After borrowing Bai Qing’s homework, he left school with his plan to avoid doing assignments only temporarily settled.

• Zhang Heng received a system notification in his sleep that extended his mission time from 20 days to 140 days.
• Zhang Heng went to school by bus and rode beside a braided girl he recognized but had never spoken to.
• Zhang Heng endured a full day of classes and brushed off teachers who summoned him over his missing homework.
• Bai Qing asked Zhang Heng if Teacher Song had scolded him, and he admitted he had falsely claimed to have a fever.
• Zhang Heng asked to copy Bai Qing’s homework, and she lent him her work in exchange for milk tea and help with English and biology assignments.
• Bai Qing agreed to help for one week, while Zhang Heng said he would look for another solution afterward.