Le City County Princess Ying Ru Shi

Chapter 8: "Le City County Princess · Ying Ru Shi"

They knew that "Yan San" had changed class?

Yan Qing was slightly startled, but quickly understood. Forget the fact that "Yan San's" health had instantly recovered to full, even "Health +4" alone was eye-catching—an ordinary level-one person only had 1 health, while most people had around 7 health even after reaching level 10. Even for a monster like "Yan San," who started with 11 health, "Health +4" was equivalent to becoming one-third stronger physically. It would be strange if nobody noticed the difference.

It might not have been clear enough on the screen, but in the real world, "Yan San's" muscles had probably swollen so much that they were about to burst out of his armor.

"That's right. I changed class to Herald."

As Yan Qing answered, he picked up Zheng Shan's drops. The surrounding Hundred Guard Cavalry erupted into an uproar. Apparently, even among elite soldiers, changing class to Herald was quite a rare occurrence.

Uwan Ryu stared at him. Even through the mask, Yan Qing could sense his shock. Although it felt somewhat abrupt, Yan Qing still chose to immediately walk over to Zheng Shan and pick up the drops, lest anything unexpected happen.

"You picked up Spirit Jade ×800"

"You picked up Blood Replenishment Pill ×2"

"You picked up 'Token · White Iron Straight Blade'"

"You picked up 'Basic Footwork Mastery Manual'"

When Yan Qing saw the last item, he was first stunned, then his eyes widened. He opened his personal inventory at top speed and transferred the "Basic Footwork Mastery Manual" to the public inventory!

It only took a few steps, but Yan Qing's palms were sweating, and he was as tense as if he had pressed a bomb detonator. The reason he was so nervous was that this item might directly reverse his current situation!

"Basic Footwork Mastery Manual"

"Source: Any elite humanoid enemy proficient in Basic Footwork"

"Usage conditions: None"

"Effect: Immediately grants you max-level Basic Footwork"

"Note: This manual records extremely detailed evasion and retreat techniques. Whether you are killing and robbing or upholding justice, it can provide tremendous assistance."

Clicking the "Basic Footwork Mastery Manual" in the public inventory brought up three options:

"Use"

"Transfer to another character's personal inventory"

"Discard"

Yan Qing swallowed and selected "Use" → "Used by Yan Qing."

Thump, thump!

His heart pounded with tremendous force. The vitality in every part of his body surged through his veins, while his legs grew hot as if they had been set on fire! Yet the strange phenomenon came and went even faster. By the time Yan Qing slowly took a deep breath, his body had already returned to normal.

He put down the Game Console and walked to an open space. Looking at the distance between the room's walls and ceiling, he did not need to think at all. Simply following his instincts, he leaped upward, first stepping on the wall to jump onto the ceiling, then kicking off the ceiling in the opposite direction and jumping onto the other wall. He repeated the maneuver, and in only three seconds, he had circled the room without his feet touching the ground. He was neither short of breath nor suffering from a racing heart, as relaxed as if he were stepping across squares on flat ground.

His knees seemed to have springs installed in them, so light that a casual jump felt as though it could send him flying.

It really worked!

Although there was no game-system notification, Yan Qing knew that his Basic Footwork had reached max level 10. His character level had also risen by roughly five or six levels, while his health and technique had increased by two or three points. Otherwise, his physical abilities could not have become this good. Judging by Yan Qing's estimate, his original frail body, tempered by years of cheap cafeteria food and corporate work, had probably only had around "1" health. The health gained from rising five or six levels was equivalent to multiplying his physical abilities several times over.

Yan Qing let out a long breath. The inexplicable transmigration, the approaching Thieves' Den operation, the unfamiliar world, and his own weakness—all the unease these things had brought him vanished at this moment.

He had finally found a way to become stronger!

"Herald" was recommended for veteran players starting alternate characters, and veteran players definitely did not want to grind levels. "Mastery Manuals" had been created to solve that pain point. They could not only rapidly raise an alternate character's level; if veteran players wanted to customize a character's class, they could also collect the corresponding skill manuals and skip the tedious leveling process.

Take the "Sword Dance Herald" that Yan Qing knew of, for example. As an extremely popular first-tier class, Sword Dance Heralds were practically limited to veteran players' alternate characters, because the class required Basic Sword Technique and Basic Dance. Sword techniques had a small attack range and low attack power in the early stages, while dance improved slowly. Relying solely on training those skills was simply torture.

Veteran players only needed to choose a popular weapon and reach their teens or twenties, at which point they could obtain various skill manuals. Then, going back to create an alternate character and changing to Sword Dance Herald would be far more comfortable.

Yan Qing could completely replicate the "main character carries alternate character" process. The only difference was that he himself was the alternate character, while characters such as "Yan San" were the main characters. The main characters would adventure outside and gather resources, while Yan Qing coordinated everything in the Thieves' Den. Once the main characters became strong enough to carry him, he would grow stronger as well!

When Yan Qing returned and picked up the Game Console, he discovered that the other Hundred Guard Cavalry were gradually leaving. Only Uwan Ryu and "Yan San" remained in the underground hall. Seeing "Yan San" move, Uwan Ryu suddenly said, "You can take some treasure before you leave. It's an unspoken rule. Nobody will hold it against you."

After saying that, he turned and left. As if to prove his own words, he casually picked up several pearl necklaces from the gold and silver treasures beside him as he went.

Treasure? Yan Qing looked at the treasure scattered across the floor and tried tapping it, but "Yan San" did not move at all. In the game system, all this treasure was merely background scenery and could not be touched. Besides, gold and silver treasures had no meaning in the game. The basic currency of Herald was Spirit Jade.

Just as he was about to leave, Yan Qing suddenly noticed a large chest placed in front of Zheng Shan's bed. He looked around. Uwan Ryu and the other Hundred Guard Cavalry had already left, so he went over and opened the chest.

A pickup list appeared on the right side of the chest:

"Spirit Jade ×1500"

"Blood Replenishment Pill ×10"

"Steel Ingot ×10"

"Leather ×10"

"Swift Thunder Saber Technique Beginner Manual ×1"

Huh!? When Yan Qing saw the last drop, his eyes immediately lit up.

"Swift Thunder Saber Technique Beginner Manual"

"Source: Any Swift Blade Herald may drop it"

"Usage conditions: Basic Saber Technique level 5"

"Effect: Immediately grants you level 1 Swift Thunder Saber Technique. After learning it, your saber attack mode will change."

"Swift Thunder Saber Technique: Increases the casting speed of saber-type tokens by 5% per level, up to level 10."

"Note: Eight out of ten Swift Blade Heralds will name their mediocre martial arts 'Swift Thunder Saber Technique.' In truth, the majority of the content in those eight 'Swift Thunder Saber Techniques' can be summed up in one word: fast."

Yan Qing naturally could not learn it. He did not even have level-one Basic Saber Technique.

But "Yan San" could!

Seeing this saber technique reminded Yan Qing that "Yan San" seemed to have picked up the straight-blade token dropped by Zheng Shan earlier. Yan Qing's attention had been completely occupied by the mastery manual, and he had actually forgotten about it.

In his personal inventory, a sharp straight blade radiated a biting chill. Its bright white name and designation represented that it was no ordinary item, but a token capable of containing tremendous power.

"White Iron Straight Blade"

"Rank: First-Tier Common"

"Durability: 50/50"

"Equipment conditions: 5 health, 5 soul"

"Basic attack power: 3–15 points"

"Effect · Moon Ring Slash: After briefly charging, instantly releases a circular slash centered on yourself, dealing 40 points of area damage. Requires 5 Spirit Power to activate. The initial attack radius is two meters; every additional 3 Spirit Power extends the blade arc by one meter, up to a maximum extension of ten meters."

"Effect · Armor Break: After using Moon Ring Slash, the blade arc of the moon ring clings to the blade, increasing the damage of the next Moon Ring Slash by 40 points. The blade arc dissipates after three seconds, but its effect can stack, and each stack refreshes the duration."

"Evaluation: 'You think you can avoid my blade by keeping your distance? What kind of inconvenient thing would a blade be if that were true?'"

Without a doubt, Swift Thunder Saber Technique and White Iron Straight Blade were fixed drops in this instance. Used together, they could immediately turn a newly advanced player into a professional saber user. If a player liked the saber-user style, they would continue playing until reaching level 20 and changing class to a related profession.

So, should he take it?

Uwan Ryu had said that they knew every chest drop in this instance by heart. If Yan Qing took the beginner manual, he would definitely be discovered. This was not a game world, where stealing loot and logging off meant nothing. If they discovered that he had stolen something...

After thinking it over, Yan Qing felt that stealing a mere Swift Thunder Saber Technique manual was not worth it. He had already obtained nearly 2,000 Spirit Jade in this instance alone, not to mention tokens such as the White Iron Straight Blade. Besides, judging from how skillfully Uwan Ryu and the others farmed instances, they clearly did so often. That meant that as long as "Yan San" stayed here, he could steadily level up and collect drops from this instance.

One full meal was better than eating his fill every day, and he knew which was more valuable.

On the way out of the instance, Yan Qing discovered that the outside was actually being dismantled. The Auxiliary Soldiers who had previously been waiting outside the instance entrance were now efficiently taking the "Zheng Residence" apart, breaking it into batches of bricks, tiles, and timber to haul away. Naturally, they did not overlook the food and treasures in the manor. Some people were even recording and counting things at the instance entrance: how many pigs the Zheng family had, how many quilts, how many chairs. The Hundred Guard Battalion had everything recorded clearly, without missing a single thing.

No wonder they had attacked first thing in the morning. Dismantling the place so thoroughly that they dug three feet into the ground and stripped it bare really would take an entire day.

Yan Qing suddenly thought of the Hundred Guard Battalion's abundant food, complete infrastructure, and luxurious barracks that gave each person their own room. He immediately understood—no wonder the Hundred Guard Battalion was so wealthy. It turned out that every time they cleared an instance, they plundered the Zheng Residence!

Although they could not pick up drops like players, it was precisely because they were not players that they could squeeze every last bit of value from the instance.

Yan Qing clicked his tongue in wonder. It felt as though the people in this world had formed a special ecological chain with the instances. When he emerged from the instance, the sky outside was already bright. The people of the Hundred Guard Battalion were all waiting outside, and their expressions were rather complicated as they looked at "Yan San."

"Once the treasures from the secret realm have been inventoried, the rewards will be distributed," Uwan Ryu said. "As usual, the participating squad will have the afternoon off and return to camp the day after tomorrow. Anyone who fails to return to camp on time should not blame my whip."

The exhausted and injured Hundred Guard Cavalry immediately cheered when they heard this. Yan Qing had not expected them to rest for two days, but after thinking about it, he realized that clearing an instance truly was a life-and-death battle for them. Even archers in the rear had to fire without interruption, so resting for two days was only natural.

But Yan Qing wanted to gather 9,000 Spirit Jade as soon as possible to pay his fine. Besides, running the instance a few more times might produce other skill manuals. He wished he could run it every day, one round after another. As he considered how to propose the idea of continuing to run instances, a quartermaster emerged from the instance and whispered a few words to Uwan Ryu.

Uwan Ryu nodded and raised his hand, making several gestures. Yan Qing naturally did not understand them, but the other Hundred Guard Cavalry waiting nearby all changed expression when they saw this. They immediately put down their weapons and crouched on the ground.

Clatter, clatter, clatter!

Dense footsteps rang out atop the fortress. Dozens of powerful crossbows wielded by the guards turned and aimed at everyone at the instance entrance!

"After the inventory, one Swift Thunder Saber Technique manual was found missing from the Demon King's room," Uwan Ryu said coldly. "I was the second-to-last person to leave just now. Before I left, nobody had touched the chest."

"The last person to leave the room was you, Yan San! I have repeatedly stated that privately taking loot is punishable by death. You actually dared to knowingly break the law. If you hand over the Swift Thunder Saber Technique manual now, you can still be spared!"

"You changed class to Herald at such a young age. I had originally intended to recommend you as a Hundred Guard Cavalry soldier. Do not ruin your future because of a moment of greed."

Looking at the dozens of powerful crossbows aimed at him from the fortress, Yan Qing understood everything.

Of course, he would not foolishly say, "I didn't take the Swift Thunder Saber Technique," in an attempt to prove his innocence. Uwan Ryu knew that he had not taken it, which was precisely why he was framing him like this. If he truly wanted to give Yan Qing a chance to return the manual, he should have questioned him privately, rather than setting up an execution ground and waiting for Yan Qing to fail to produce the item so he could shoot him dead.

The person who wronged you knew your innocence better than anyone.

Uwan Ryu's choice to frame him with the Swift Thunder Saber Technique manual was also ingenious. If Yan Qing had guessed correctly, the manual would disappear after being used, just as it did in the game, leaving no trace.

But the other Spirit Jade and pills would leave evidence even after being used. Thus, as long as Yan Qing claimed he had not taken the manual, Uwan Ryu could say that he had already used it. Killing him without finding evidence would then be perfectly reasonable. If he framed him with another item, everyone would know he had planted the evidence once "Yan San" was dead and nothing could be found on the corpse.

As long as "Yan San" died, the matter would naturally end there. And the "stolen" Swift Thunder Saber Technique manual would naturally end up in his pocket.

Yan Qing did not know why Uwan Ryu had set this trap. Perhaps he had wanted an opportunity to steal the Swift Thunder Saber Technique all along, and "Yan San" had merely happened to become the scapegoat. Perhaps he had felt that his relationship with "Yan San" had been poor, and after "Yan San" changed class to Herald, he had decided that the boy could not be allowed to remain and had snuffed him out before he could grow. Or perhaps he was simply jealous of "Yan San's" potential. Any reason was possible, but none of it mattered.

What mattered was that Uwan Ryu might be able to choose to let "Yan San" die here,

but Yan Qing could choose how "Yan San" would face death!

Yan Qing looked toward the item bar in the lower-right corner. The first item in the item bar was clearly Spirit Jade.

In the game "Herald," Spirit Jade was not only currency, but also the source of power for all Heralds. The primary way Heralds replenished their Spirit Power was by using Spirit Jade to charge it.

Besides that, if Heralds had not learned any special skills, their Spirit Power would not even replenish automatically.

At first glance, this seemed strange. Heralds clearly had Spirit Power, so why could it not replenish automatically? But if one viewed Heralds as cars, Spirit Jade as fuel, and tokens as engines, it became easy to understand. An ordinary person becoming a Herald was like a pile of steel becoming a car. A Herald's ability to contain Spirit Power was like a car's ability to hold fuel. Heralds and cars were merely vessels in which Spirit Power and tokens, like fuel and engines, reacted. But a car was ultimately just a pile of metal, while a Herald was still fundamentally a person.

So although Spirit Jade dropped in batches of hundreds or thousands, once he started spending it, it flowed away like a waterfall. With a single press from Yan Qing, twenty pieces of Spirit Jade were rapidly consumed, and "Yan San's" Spirit Power reached its maximum of 20.

Then he equipped the token, "White Iron Straight Blade."

The first skill slot displayed an available skill: "Moon Ring Slash"!

"Yan San" brushed his right hand across his belt, and an unremarkable blade appeared at his waist. Someone might have noticed this, but they would only assume that "Yan San" had hidden the blade earlier. It was normal for the Hundred Guard Cavalry to pilfer small things in secret realms. As long as they did not touch the treasure chests, everyone simply turned a blind eye.

"Yan San! Hurry up and hand it over!" Uwan Ryu shouted. The patterns on his Evil Spirit Mask seemed to burn as he stared fixedly at "Yan San's" every move.

"All right."

Yan Qing advanced on his own initiative, closing the distance between himself and Uwan Ryu. Moon Ring Slash had an initial attack range of two meters. It required 5 Spirit Power to activate, and every 3 Spirit Power extended its range by one meter. In other words, with 20 Spirit Power, he could slash four times within two meters, or twice within three meters.

Six meters, five meters, four meters...

"What are you people doing?!"

At the fortress gate, a black-haired young woman wrapped in fox fur walked toward them, surrounded by Evil Spirit guards. She raised her hand and shouted at the crossbowmen atop the fortress, "Great Qi's powerful crossbows are not meant to be aimed at our own people. Lower them!"

Everyone atop and below the fortress dropped to their knees in a great wave, including Uwan Ryu: "Greetings, Le City County Princess!"

"Yan San" naturally did not kneel. Instead, he took the opportunity to move two steps closer. The distance between him and Uwan Ryu was now less than three meters.

"What are you people doing?"

"Reporting to the Princess, this scoundrel entered the secret realm with us for the first time and stole the manual from the secret realm's treasure chest. I advised him to hand it over and avoid punishment, but he has refused to surrender it. I fear he has already used it in secret," Uwan Ryu immediately said. "Please pass judgment, Princess!"

The black-haired young woman neither agreed nor disagreed. She looked toward "Yan San," who had remained standing at the side, and said:

"I am Ying Ru Shi. Do you admit to Battalion Leader Uwan Huan's accusation? If there is anything improper, I can preside over justice."

At the same time, her name appeared above the black-haired young woman's head:

"Le City County Princess · Ying Ru Shi"

I fell asleep in the afternoon and forgot to send this on schedule. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.