42: Chapter 42 Royal Auction House

Jiang He stopped in his tracks.

[Rescue Zhang San's Brother].

Five-star mission.

The target is on the second floor.

Go? Or... just do it on the way?

Jiang He hesitated for three seconds.

"Mumu, go sit by the door for a bit. Ge will go in and do something, and be right back."

As soon as he entered the second floor, Jiang He's pupils constricted at the sight before him.

A dense crowd of players surrounded the center of the hall.

There, a strange black mist was gathering.

[Zhang Qiang, Evil Spirit Possessed (Mutated Elite)]

HP: 2200

Defense: 15000

Attack: 5000

"Evil Spirit Possession?" Jiang He's brows furrowed.

These stats were too strange. The HP was as low as an ordinary NPC, but the defense and attack... were ridiculously high.

Players rushed forward one after another, swarming him.

Damage numbers floated up sparsely, like insults:

-30

-10

-5

-15...

It wasn't that the players were too weak; it was that Zhang Qiang's defense was too high.

People who grind monsters in the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda are generally level 20 to 25.

Most attacks are around 1000 points, and those with good equipment can break through to 1500 points.

But the opponent's defense is directly 15000. How can they fight that?

Jiang He secretly hid to the side and cast a Blood Speech Technique at Zhang Qiang.

Crimson numbers floated up.

-1900.

"What the f***?" Incredulous exclamations erupted from the crowd. "Which great god has arrived?"

Everyone looked around, and Jiang He took advantage of the chaos to activate Invisibility Technique and sneak to the door.

As everyone's attention was drawn away, the second Blood Speech Technique was already cast.

The moment Zhang Qiang fell, Jiang He turned and fled the scene.

"Ge, you're back."

"Mm."

"Then let's go!"

"Wait a moment."

"Hm? What are we waiting for?"

Jiang He smiled, "Waiting for a friend."

About five minutes later, the now-sober Zhang Qiang walked out.

Seeing Jiang He, he immediately knelt and bowed in thanks: "Thank you, benefactor, for saving my life."

"Alright, come with me. I'll take you home."

City gate.

"No, this mission was completed in a team, so it doesn't count." The guard yelled loudly, as if venting his emotions.

Just now, he was secretly relieved that these two had taken on the mission to kill 100 Ghost Monsters.

But then, in just ten minutes or so, they came back to turn in the mission?

Jiang He frowned and walked over: "What's wrong, Mumu?"

"Ge, he said my mission doesn't count because it was completed in a team."

"Doesn't count?"

He clearly remembered that the city entry mission had nothing to do with teaming up.

Could it be that the rules changed after he hadn't played for a few months?

He walked over: "Brother, I remember it used to be possible to team up?"

"Before was before. Now, I say teaming up is not allowed, and it's not allowed."

Hearing the other party's tone, Jiang He guessed the reason.

This guy didn't get any benefits from him, so he's probably making things difficult for them?

Just then, someone inside the city gate shouted: "What's all the noise? What's the fuss about?"

A team of well-equipped city guards walked out.

The leading general was actually Jiang He's old friend, Zhang San?

"Big Brother." A choked cry suddenly came from behind Jiang He.

"Qiang... Qiangzi?"

Zhang San walked over step by step, disbelieving.

"Ge, it's me, I'm Qiangzi, I'm back."

The two brothers embraced, weeping.

After a long while, Zhang Qiang led Zhang San to Jiang He.

Zhang San clasped Jiang He's hand, his eyes teary, and said, "Thank you for saving my brother."

At the same time, a system prompt sounded:

[Completed a five-star difficulty mission, experience reward...]

A white light flashed, and Jiang He leveled up three times.

He was astonished.

He hadn't expected this mission, which he had casually accepted, to give so much experience?

Just then, Zhang Qiang whispered a few hurried words into Zhang San's ear.

After listening, Zhang San's face instantly filled with anger.

"Damn it." He turned and shouted at the guard: "Get your ass over here!"

The guard's face turned pale with fright, and he scrambled over.

...

Slap, slap, slap, slap.

A series of crisp, loud slaps rang out.

A minute later, Mumu received her Chang'an City identification.

Originally, Zhang San wanted to thank them, but Jiang He refused, saying he wanted to take his sister to explore the city.

Back in the familiar Chang'an City.

The streets and alleys were still as bustling as ever.

Compared to a few months ago, there were more players here, even more than half the number of NPCs.

On both sides of the road, shrewd players had already replaced some system shops, selling various low-level equipment, materials, and medicines at their stalls, their calls rising and falling.

"Wow, Gege, is this really a game world?" Mumu's eyes were dazzled, and she kept asking questions.

As they passed the public notice board.

Jiang He paused.

[Royal Notice: Urgent Search for a Person]

Mission Name: Search for the Missing Viscount

Mission Details: Months ago, Viscount Jiang He of Chang'an City mysteriously disappeared, his whereabouts unknown. Her Majesty the Empress has fallen ill with longing. This Royal Secret Edict is hereby issued, offering a reward for clues to his whereabouts.

Anyone who can provide definite clues about Viscount Jiang He will be heavily rewarded.

Mission Reward: 1000 Gold Coins, 500 Royal Reputation Contribution Points

Mission Hint: This person is tied to the fate of the nation. All citizens of our dynasty should make every effort to find him.

"What the f***?" Countless mythical beasts stampeded through Jiang He's mind.

He... became the item target of a royal mission?

And that mission description... the Empress is ill with longing, her jade body ailing?

These words... are too ambiguous and suggestive, aren't they?

He immediately understood everything. It must be his 30% Empress favorability at work.

A mischievous smirk played on his lips: "Mumu, accept the mission."

Mumu naturally knew her brother's real ID and couldn't help but giggle: "Ge, you're so naughty."

After accepting the mission, he planned to take Mumu around for another turn, then take her out of the city to grind monsters.

Just then, a group of players rushed past, heading towards a magnificent building not far away.

Jiang He walked over curiously.

A huge, glittering plaque hung high: Royal Auction House?

Jiang He's pupils constricted, his brain momentarily frozen.

He clearly remembered never seeing this plaque when he was a Viscount.

What had happened in Chang'an City these past few months?

The entrance to the auction house was already a sea of people.

Countless players desperately pushed forward, each clutching a silver coin.

"Don't cut in line, I've been queuing all morning."

"F***, who's touching my money bag?"

The chaotic and noisy scene was larger than imagined.

Jiang He frowned, grabbing a rushing player to ask about the situation:

"Bro, what's going on here?"

The player was grabbed, and angrily turned back, about to curse.

Their eyes met.

Both froze in place simultaneously!.

"What the f***? Li Qing?"

"Brother Jiang?"