Different Choices, Strange Items

And at this time...

In Wolf Snake Village.

Qingcheng*Bored, Xu Gou, "Dragon Fruit", and "Puppet Best" arrived at the Elder Council Hall to see Gao Linzhi.

Finding the other person wasn't online, I logged off to send a message.

Not long after, Gao Linzhi's Game Character returned to the Council Hall.

Only one Substitute Puppet was left on the Capital Island.

"You want to participate in the Dynasty Hegemony?"

"Yes, boss, we want to join the imperial court. After all, the imperial court has great power and is the legitimate government. Although the rewards are less, it's safe. If we can get an official position, it will be easier for us to develop." Bored offered his opinion.

Gao Linzhi was speechless.

This person is a proponent of appeasement.

He turned to Xu Gou: "And you guys, what are your thoughts?"

"Boss, I think we should join the Great Ying Dynasty. Although the Great Ying Dynasty is weak, it's the one stirring up trouble, which is perfect for us to fish in troubled waters. Besides, since they are rebels, they will definitely offer higher prices and be generous with their promises of official positions." Xu Gou held the opposing opinion.

Gao Linzhi found it very interesting.

Virtual games often reflect real human nature.

Boredom comes from a powerful family, while Xu Gou is used as a scapegoat by the company.

The former naturally leans towards orthodoxy, while the latter leans towards savagery.

This tendency is not noticeable in normal times, but it becomes apparent in crucial moments.

The two immediately started arguing.

Xu Gou was the first to launch a sarcastic attack. "You, a proponent of surrender, never have a good ending when you surrender!"

Haven't you read Water Margin?

"What is the imperial court? It's a people-eating machine that spits out the bones!"

Bored, he immediately retorted, "What do you mean by the 'recruiting faction'?"

"Let me tell you, the imperial court is already the most trustworthy among all the entities!"

"Do you really think that bandit groups, powerful families, and local forces are more trustworthy?"

"To put it bluntly, the imperial court is more reliable than most biological fathers and sons!"

"Many hereditary nobles owe their positions to the imperial court's favor!"

"Most people can still rely on the imperial court for their old age!"

"On the contrary, you will not have a good end if you oppose the imperial court!"

"The Water Margin is full of misleading stories. In reality, most of those who were granted amnesty had good endings. Do you really think the novel is reality?"

Upon hearing this, the other two nodded in agreement.

"Boring is right."

Xu Gou retorted sarcastically, "You think I don't understand?"

"That's on the condition that you pose no threat to the imperial court, and that no one in the court covets your wealth."

"But we are players. Do I need to explain how much of a threat players pose to the imperial court?"

"Old Xu is right."

The two women beside them agreed.

It seems like they're stirring things up.

"Hey, which side are you on?" Bored and speechless.

The Puppet Best chuckled, "Which side we stand on depends on who speaks last."

"All right."

At this moment, Dragon Fruit suddenly said, "Ah, you young people are really ignorant. In my opinion, we should cooperate properly with the imperial court."

Even a broken ship has three nails left.

"Yes, cooperating with the imperial court is the only way forward," Wu Liao said with satisfaction. "What good would it do to go against the imperial court?"

"There's no benefit to it, brother. You should cooperate with the imperial court."

"Hmm, if you want to cooperate, then you can cooperate yourselves. Anyway, I don't trust the imperial court. Everyone knows how bad the imperial court is, given all the bad things it has done." Xu Gou surprisingly objected firmly.

Gao Linzhi also felt curious.

Xu Gou has always been a follower of the crowd, rarely holding firm to his opinions.

The most common phrases they say are "Yes, sir" and "Yes, sir".

But now the other side is resolutely opposing cooperation with the imperial court.

This suggests that the other party likely has a secret that belongs exclusively to them.

And he didn't tell his boss.

If it were another owner, they would definitely be furious and suspicious.

But Gao Linzhi didn't care.

He knew all along that no one could be truly loyal to another person.

Everyone has their own secrets, and everyone wants to one day decide their own destiny.

Even if he were a slave, it would still be the same.

Gao Linzhi guessed that Xu Gou must have received a personal mission, such as "to overthrow the Sky Wolf Dynasty," with the restriction that he "absolutely will not join the Sky Wolf Dynasty's camp."

"Why?" Sure enough, even Wuliao began to wonder why Xu Gou was so resolute today.

"In short, we absolutely cannot trust the imperial court."

"The imperial court always goes back on its word, abandons those who have served their purpose, and discards those who have served their purpose. We are all modern people, don't we know this kind of thing?" Xu Gou said firmly.

The boredom seemed increasingly suspicious.

"It's one thing to not trust the imperial court, but it's another to exploit it."

"This time, we are merely using the imperial court."

Soon, the two sides were embroiled in a heated argument.

Neither side was willing to concede, nor were they willing to yield to the other.

What should we do then?

If they split up and each form their own team, then they can only play one match.

Clearly, parting ways is one solution.

Although doing so would cause a conflict between the two teams' missions.

But you can also have your cake and eat it too, trying both at the same time, and profiting from whichever bet works out.

Gao Linzhi did not want to judge them.

What are your subordinates thinking?

This is actually a great opportunity to understand what your subordinates are thinking.

"What do the other villagers think?"

At this point, bored, he quickly added, "Most of the villagers just want to live a good life."

"They were thinking of avoiding a falling out with the imperial court."

"Everyone still wants to continue living a peaceful life."

Gao Linzhi nodded. "That idea is not wrong."

"In that case, you will split into two teams."

One team joined the imperial court, and the other joined the rebel army.

"Anyway, for players, they can choose the right path or the wrong path."

Xu Gou was a little unwilling, but he didn't say anything more.

Bored, I didn't say much.

Because he knew that Gao Linzhi's words meant he was biased towards him.

Since most people support joining the imperial court, his tasks will be much easier.

In terms of resource and manpower allocation, he definitely has the advantage.

Without Gao Linzhi's endorsement, Xu Gou could only mobilize a small number of people who were inclined to support him.

He also found Xu Gou strange.

This guy always follows the boss's orders, so why is he being so assertive today?

Could it be that it's possessed by a strange entity, or has it discovered some great secret?

The two then left one after the other.

Bored, he left the Elder Council Hall and didn't go far, waiting for Xu Gou nearby.

"Old Xu, have you gone mad today?"

"Do you really want to argue with me?"

"You clearly know that joining the imperial court is the best solution."

Xu Gou shook his head and said, "That's because I know the boss means joining the rebels."

"Ridiculous! Do you think you can read the boss's mind? What makes you think you know what the boss is thinking?" he said dismissively.

"You don't need to worry about that, I just know it anyway," Xu Gou said, shaking his head.

"Hmph, I've disliked you for a long time. You're always so self-righteous. Today I'll show you what it means to be outmatched!" Bored suddenly erupted in anger.

"Hehe, very good. I also want to see what kind of skills you, an outsider, have."

The two couldn't agree on anything, and after a few words, they immediately started arguing.

They started punching and kicking each other.

Fortunately, it was just a physical attack; no magic was used yet.

Gao Linzhi frowned.

These two started fighting right at the door?

Good grief, who are they trying to impress?

He stood by the window, looking outside.

Xu Gou was seen using advanced combat techniques.

A swift and deadly strike, like "Pushing Open the Window to Gaze at the Moon," aimed directly at boredom's chest.

The opponent, however, used a move called "Grasping the Sparrow's Tail" to deflect the attack.

It has to be said that this game's skills are quite impressive, realistically incorporating some fighting techniques.

After playing for a short while, I got so bored that I couldn't keep going.

Before either side used any mysterious powers, in a purely physical combat, Wuhu was surprisingly at a disadvantage.

Xu Gou launched one attack after another, like a boxer, seizing the initiative, always making sure the enemy defended their own position, using feints and diversions to attack their most vulnerable spots.

"Depend on!"

"It's all because I'm usually busy with company management that you got the better deal," Bored said, feeling embarrassed.

Xu Gou sneered, "Hmph, that's because you indulged in pleasure and didn't train, just consuming Skill Stone."

"You really think you can become stronger just by using stones?"

"How can you transform it into muscle memory without going through countless hours of practice?"

And at this time...

The single-player game on my back, seemingly bored, was there, mocking me mercilessly:

"Oh, how ridiculous and boring!"

"So weak!"

"You can't even beat a newbie, what kind of person are you!"

"Quit the game now!"

"He ran headfirst into this rock and died."

Boredom is depressing.

Suddenly, he realized something was very wrong.

Why did I end up fighting with Xu Gou?

He took a deep breath and calmed himself.

First, I cast a damage reflection skill on myself, Thorn Spell.

Then they continued to pursue them step by step.

The two went back and forth.

Finally, out of boredom, he struck Xu Gou on the shoulder again, making the man stagger.

Of course, both sides are using techniques right now, not physical strength.

Xu Gou took three steps back, rubbing his shoulders, and said, "Good heavens, you actually meant it!"

"Is this a case of being a sore loser?"

"We're brothers, inseparable friends and family, and you're actually serious about this?"

"Have you no shame?"

Bored immediately retorted, "Hmph, what do you mean by 'shameless'?"

What nonsense are you spouting?

"You started it!"

"Do you think this is a casual dinner party? This is a life-or-death struggle!"

And at this time...

The two people with Dragon Fruit were also watching from the side, and were even stirring up the fire.

"Stop fighting! You won't kill anyone by fighting like this!"

"Use weapons! Use spells!"

"Don't just use your fists and feet."

Gao Linzhi sensed that something was wrong.

He used his Appraisal Skill to observe the two individuals.

[Alluring Beauty * Boredom]

[Negative Buff: Killing Intent]

[Xu Gou]

[Negative Buff: Killing Intent]

Sure enough, there was something fishy about those two.

No wonder they were clashing today; there's a serious problem.

This is clearly because they are under some kind of curse.

This made Gao Linzhi realize that danger was lurking nearby.

This is what I saw with my own eyes; how many dangers are there that I didn't witness?

He looked across the entire Wolf Snake Village.

The village is currently in a relatively peaceful state.

Because of the game's Safe Zone.

In the past, according to village records, there was a minor disaster every ten years, a medium disaster every thirty years, and a major disaster every hundred years.

The population has plummeted to one-tenth, or even one-hundredth.

Ancestral halls can protect one-tenth of the population.

But if you stay in the ancestral hall all the time, you'll starve to death.

Humans also need to eat, wear clothes, and seek medical treatment.

One can only seek refuge in an ancestral hall for a short time; it is not a place to live for long.

Grain reserves have a limited lifespan. Even if staple grains are stored for a long time and are kept dry enough, they can be stored for more than ten years, or even thirty to fifty years, if they are made into compressed dry rations.

However, vegetables, vitamins, and medicines have a shorter shelf life.

The people here haven't learned how to make vitamin pills yet.

Modern people have long since escaped the problem of vitamin deficiency.

Little did they know that this was the root cause of many illnesses in ancient times.

Now, Gao Linzhi is determined to force out the monster that has been causing trouble for both sides.

Who exactly is it?

If this continues, the two of them will definitely run into big trouble.

At that point, it won't just be a matter of losing levels; things could easily escalate to the point of going crazy.

Once someone goes mad, even if they are resurrected, they are still a madman.

A madman is someone who is mentally unstable.

It's hard to imagine that resurrecting someone in a game could restore your mental consciousness.

At this point, the outcome of the battle was also revealed.

The two sides engaged in several more fierce battles.

The result was that "boredom still won."

It's not that he's more capable, it's just that he's more willing to spend money.

He bought himself a set of luxurious gear.

These were all custom-made for themselves, with a lot of materials paid for.

But Xu Gou was reluctant to spend money.

So in the end, Xu Gou was still suppressed by Wuliao.

In terms of pure combat ability, Xu Gou is not bad.

This made Gao Linzhi realize a problem: his combat strength still needed more training.

He then called the two of them over.

Have you come into contact with anything unusual recently?

"Something special?" Bored reacted quickly. "You mean, what happened just now was related to something strange?"

"Yes, your behavior just now was very different from before, so I took a look and found that you all had a Killing Intent about you," Gao Linzhi, shaking his head.

Xu Gou was immediately shocked. "The Killing Intent? I seem to remember, one day we went to the ancestral hall to investigate."

"Some things about the previous dynasty were mentioned. An old man from that time said that the previous dynasty, also known as the Great Ying Dynasty, was once infamous for its killings."

"People are born guilty easily. For example, if you see someone stealing on the street but dare not stop them, then you are guilty."

"Or if someone in your nine generations of family commits treason, you will also be guilty."

"Or if your house isn't properly repaired, then you're guilty too..."

"In short, the previous dynasty imposed too many crimes on the people, and they spent their entire lives struggling to atone for those crimes."

"Back then, out of boredom, I even read a book that was supposedly banned, <The Book of Great Ying>."

"It detailed five methods for controlling the people. After reading it, I left because I was bored. Now it seems that the book was definitely problematic."

Gao Linzhi nodded.

This is the treacherous nature of the Skyfall World.

Any