Chapter Twenty-Six: Wei Xiong

After bidding farewell to Lean-Gun, I headed toward Dali to reunite with Dashan and the others. Along the way, players kept eyeing me with strange expressions. I know I’m handsome, but there’s no need to stare at me with such intense fervor!

"Honey, look! A yellow-named player! Should we go to that teahouse ahead and poison him while he rests to loot his gear?"

"You fool, don't you see his name? Is Blue Bat really someone you can just loot? If we approach him, we’ll only turn his yellow name red." Could this couple be the reincarnation of Sun Erniang and Zhang Qing, the pair who ran the black shop at Crossroads serving human-flesh buns?

"Sister, come quickly and look! It’s the legendary Blue Bat! Even with a yellow name, he remains so calm and composed, so dashing—he’s my perfect idol!" A female player, whose appearance made me lose my appetite for dinner just by looking at her, shrieked.

"You silly fangirl, you’re drooling all over your skirt! That’s called being skilled and bold. Even though he’s faded from the rankings, his strength is undeniable. I just admire his confidence and that air of aloof arrogance, as if he looks down on all of humanity!" They truly are a pair of "sister flowers"—they’ve saved me the trouble of eating breakfast tomorrow!

"Big brother, look, Blue Bat is traveling alone despite his yellow name. Should we rob him? The gear he’s wearing is all top-tier brand-name stuff!" a novice Taoist who had just left the starter village said to a level 12 warrior.

"Idiot, your fire poker isn't even thick enough to scratch his back," the leader scolded his underling while brandishing a rusty kitchen knife.

"Do you need a miraculous medicine to quickly clear your PK status? Guaranteed results, I’ll return you to a white name within a week!" an assassin whispered mysteriously as he ran up to me.

"No thanks, I have a better way. If you need it, I can help you clear your PK status in three days." It was laughable; just staying online and killing monsters clears one point of PK value every four hours.

After enduring endless interrogations and obstructions from curious players, I finally reached Dashan and the others safely. I let out a long sigh and said, "The feeling of being the center of attention is truly awful. Is everyone okay? Xiaoyue, A-Wei, I’ve avenged you, and I even managed to earn a yellow name in the process!"

"Brother Bat..." Seeing that I had attained a yellow name, Xiaoyue understood the danger and difficulty involved. Her crescent-moon eyes welled up with a faint mist. Gazing at me with gratitude, she rushed into my arms in an emotional frenzy, choking back sobs. "Thank you for caring so much about how I felt!" I felt a warm, moist touch on my face before she quickly pulled away, standing shyly beside Dashan, her cheeks flushed with a deep crimson.

Little girl, there was no need to express your gratitude in such a provocative way. Embarrassed, I turned to A-Wei, who was watching this scene with wide eyes. "A-Wei, how did it feel to get killed?"

Dashan looked at A-Wei with a complex expression and laughed, "He was just busy bragging about how heroic and fearless he was, saying that for you, he wouldn't even blink if he had to die eight or ten times a day."

"Is that so? A-Wei, I’m moved by your willingness to sacrifice yourself for me, but it also makes me furious. Do you know why?"

"Boss, I... I don't know." A-Wei saw my serious expression and realized I wasn't joking.

"You’re my subordinate, but you need to understand that this isn’t some mafia-like relationship. You’re my brother. I’ve always considered you a younger brother, and I have the responsibility and duty to ensure your safety. You must understand that you should protect your own life at all times. Seeing you get killed right in front of me, especially because you took a hit for me, makes me feel heartbroken, pathetic, and incompetent. If I can't even protect my own brother, what face do I have to comfortably accept the title of 'Boss'?" These thoughts had been swirling in my mind since A-Wei was killed; saying them out loud made me feel much better. "Believe in your boss; he isn't that fragile. And rest assured, whoever bullies my brother, even if they go to the ends of the earth or through mountains of blades and seas of fire, I will seek justice for you!"

"Boss..." A-Wei gripped my hand tightly, his voice trembling with emotion. "I’ll definitely listen to you from now on. Having a big brother like you, I..."

I patted his head gently. "A-Wei, this isn't like you! If you start crying in the middle of the street, you'll make me look bad. Don't say I didn't warn you if I stop calling you my subordinate."

"A real man doesn't cry, I promise. But... is it okay if I wipe my nose?"

"Damn it, don't run! You actually dared to use my hand as a tissue!" I was losing it! This troublesome kid was just acting all teary-eyed and pitiful, and now he’s back to his usual self.

Xiaoyue burst into laughter, and Dashan gave me a thumbs-up with an approving look. The heavy atmosphere was swept away by their antics, becoming lighthearted once more.

"A-Wei, look through the gear we looted from the ruins and see if there’s anything Dashan or Xiaoyue can use. You can handle the rest yourself." Since he had been killed for my sake for no reason, giving him the spoils of war felt like a small form of compensation.

"No! Boss, I told you when I joined you that I’m just here to pick up gear. You’re a professional player; the gear you get is your lifeline. I already feel guilty enough for eating, drinking, and wearing your gear for free. I know you’re trying to compensate me, but it’s really not necessary. Like you said, you treat me like a brother, and I’ve always seen you as my big brother. If you do this, I won't have the face to go leveling with you next time. I didn't do anything, I got the experience, and now you want me to take your gear? If there’s something here I can use, have I ever stood on ceremony with you?" A-Wei’s attitude was firm, lacking his usual playful craftiness.

"Bat, A-Wei is right! Things stay the way they’ve always been!" Dashan chimed in.

"Sigh, I can't win against you guys! My hunger meter is hitting bottom. Let’s head to the Yellow Crane Tower for a feast!"

"Yeah! Boss, your decision is truly brilliant. I long to hear the wonderful sound of you making such decisions every day. That crisp, bold demeanor of yours must be the most beautiful sight in this world..." Good grief, he’s starting to spout nonsense again.