Chapter 212: Super-Large Dungeon Task Issued

Right now, the Yuanlin Estate—now the Current Luo Estate—was hosting a Bianliu County "gathering" the likes of which hadn't been seen in nearly ten years.

The Young Master of the Luo Family sat at the head of the table. Standing behind him were Old Master Liu, Fei Yu, and Tiger. Seated on his left and right were Bi Jie and Liu Ye, and further down sat the abbot of Feinan Temple and a carving cultivator artisan from West Street.

The seating arrangement had nothing to do with status, but hinged on one single point:

The more heavily injured someone was, the further back they sat.

This was the straightforwardness unique to Minhu.

"For all of you distinguished guests to come here today gives me, Luo Sheng, face."

Yan Jing raised his wine cup. "I'll drink first as a sign of respect."

He downed it in one gulp, grimacing and smacking his lips several times.

Seeing this, the others graciously raised their own cups and drained them.

For a moment, the sound of pained lip-smacking echoed through the room.

That was because the cups didn't contain wine, but Fei Yu's brewed Herbal Tea.

"Now that we've drunk this tea, everyone here is a friend."

Yan Jing waved a hand. Immediately, a group of eldritch creatures walked in, carrying piles of gui yuan.

"You all traveled a long way to get here. Just a small gift to show my respect."

Aside from Liu Ye and Bi Jie, the abbot and the artisan exchanged a glance, both seeing the joy in each other's eyes.

This was one of the main reasons why neither faction had caused any trouble in the few days since Yan Jing took office.

Aside from the fact that several of them were injured and Yan Jing wasn't stirring up trouble, there was one more point: this new county magistrate was generous. Extremely generous.

At the very least, he was much more generous than Lin Changgui and Bai Qiu.

With the money distributed, it was time to talk business.

"Everyone, the problem is right in front of us."

Yan Jing smiled. "Once this Prohibited Item takes effect, how should we handle what comes next?"

"..."

As his words fell, everyone at the table shifted their eyes. No one answered.

Finally, the abbot, who was over seventy years old, spoke up first.

"I am but an old, untalented man, but I witnessed the scene the last time a Prohibited Item was activated. When the time comes, people like us will have our movements restricted, while someone like you, Magistrate, must choose a side to join."

"Can I choose not to join?"

Yan Jing's eyes flickered.

"Naturally, that's also possible. Given your current status, you could establish your own faction. But by the same token, as a leader, your movements will also be restricted," the abbot explained.

After the abbot finished, the others all looked toward Yan Jing.

Naturally, they hoped Yan Jing would take that option.

Because Yan Jing's existence was an extremely unstable factor.

Liu Ye and Bi Jie, who had seen it with their own eyes, especially knew what a combatant who could match a peak Third Tier expert meant for the battle.

It would be fine if Yan Jing joined their side, but if he didn't...

"Alright, I understand."

Yan Jing nodded. He didn't say he would join, nor did he say he wouldn't.

Just like that, he moved on to the next topic.

"Everyone, does anyone know where Bai Qiu has been recently?"

Yan Jing scanned the crowd.

"He probably isn't in the county anymore. As for outside the county..."

The West Street artisan said, "That's out of our jurisdiction."

The abbot chuckled.

"But the area isn't that big. If Magistrate Luo wishes, I can join in and help you find Bai Qiu's location."

"To tell you the truth, those factions outside the county city have been an eyesore to me for a long time."

"I don't have a problem with it either."

The artisan nodded, agreeing very readily.

"Good!"

Yan Jing raised his wine cup and drank another large mouthful.

This time, the others looked troubled. No one joined him. Fei Yu's skill at brewing Herbal Tea had truly taken a massive leap forward, making it unbearable even for several Fourth Tier experts.

Yan Jing lowered his cup, slamming it heavily on the table. He wiped the corner of his mouth and asked the final, most crucial question:

"If the Prohibited Item takes effect, it's possible that everyone at this table won't be in the same camp, right?"

"There's that possibility."

Liu Ye nodded.

"..."

The harmonious atmosphere at the table chilled slightly at that answer.

"That shouldn't be a big problem, right?"

The West Street artisan didn't know much about Prohibited Items.

"After all, as leaders, we won't need to—and won't be able to—directly participate in the slaughter. As long as we make an agreement beforehand to maintain peace—"

"It's basically impossible."

Bi Jie interrupted the West Street artisan. "According to past experience, the losing side in this competition will face severe punishment."

"Just like those humans."

As Bi Jie's words fell, the atmosphere at the table grew even colder.

"Putting it that way, this Prohibited Item is really quite interesting. It's almost as if it's intentionally throwing us and the humans into the exact same competition."

Yan Jing laughed.

"I heard that was the original design intention behind this item."

Bi Jie said.

"Very good. Not bad at all."

Yan Jing smiled and said, "Then let's all eat first. After the meal, we can discuss finding Bai Qiu like we just talked about. How does that sound?"

Although he said 'everyone,' Yan Jing's eyes were clearly directed toward the artisan and the abbot.

"..."

Unlike their decisive nodding just moments ago, the artisan and the abbot now seemed quite hesitant.

"Uhm... I completely forgot. The temple is practicing fasting and abstinence right now; taking life is strictly forbidden."

"Me too. I have an unfinished wood carving at home. I just remembered that I have to calm my mind and concentrate these days; I can't be tainted by too much karma."

"Once the duration of this Prohibited Item is over, we'll definitely go."

"Yes, yes, yes. We'll definitely accompany Magistrate Luo."

Hearing this, Yan Jing laughed.

"Alright, alright. That's fine too. Then everyone, enjoy the meal. After we finish eating, we can all head home."

"Great! Head our separate ways!" Both the artisan and the abbot smiled.

Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, the four guests took their leave, leaving only Yan Jing's large household behind.

Yan Jing pulled up a chair and sat in the courtyard, chatting with Fei Yu, while the old man and Tiger played Chinese checkers off to the side.

"Xiao Yu, the heat on the Herbal Tea was too high today."

"It wasn't too high. The tea is just heavy."

"That's why you have to wash the leaves first."

Yan Jing lay back on the chair, pursing his lips and swallowing hard repeatedly. "Your young master drank so much that even my heart is bitter."

"I did wash them. It's just that the tea is heavy."

"Even then, it shouldn't be this heavy. You steeped it for too long, didn't you?"

"No more, no less, exactly ten minutes. The tea is just heavy." Fei Yu stood behind Yan Jing, massaging his shoulders.

"Wait, where did you even get this tea?"

Yan Jing turned his head in astonishment. "This is way too heavy!!!"

"I dug it out of the ground a few days ago."

Fei Yu's expression was calm, the corners of her mouth curving slightly due to her baby fat, as she earnestly massaged his shoulders. "It does have some years on it."

"That's more than just some years!!!"

Yan Jing's eyes widened. He quickly realized what was going on and said indignantly, "I see! You're deliberately getting back at your young master because I wouldn't show you the portrait I drew of you the other day!"

"I'm not."

Fei Yu replied.

Her tone was so soft and gentle that it was impossible to refute.

A gentle, lilting murmur—that was probably the best way to describe such a voice.

Yan Jing's anger deflated. He lay back on the reclining chair and closed his eyes.

"I'll show you the drawing one day, but not now."

"If you draw another one for me, then it really doesn't matter what the previous one looked like."

Fei Yu spoke softly.

"..."

Yan Jing didn't answer.

After a while, once Fei Yu had gone to boil hot water, he spoke up.

"Master Liu."

"I'm here, Young Master."

Old Master Liu answered.

"You've been wearing thicker and thicker clothes lately."

"Young Master, the weather has turned cold."

"Every night when you sleep in your room, I can always hear roaring."

"I'm afraid I've been having nightmares and getting startled."

"You... never mind."

Yan Jing stopped talking. Sitting in the courtyard, he naturally wasn't just there to enjoy the breeze.

About an hour later.

A figure vaulted over the wall into the courtyard.

Bi Jie looked at Yan Jing on the reclining chair and chuckled.

"Was Magistrate Luo waiting for me?"

"I was."

Yan Jing smiled.

"Magistrate Luo is an excellent schemer."

Bi Jie reached out a hand. "Then it's agreed. If the Prohibited Item takes effect, as long as we aren't on opposing sides, we will cooperate first."

"It's a deal."

Yan Jing smiled and shook his hand.

Having received the answer he wanted, Bi Jie left satisfied.

Right at that moment, Fei Yu walked out carrying a hot towel. Seeing the main door left ajar after Bi Jie's departure, she asked in confusion, "Was that Inspector Liu again? Didn't he just leave? Did he forget something?"

She had clearly seen Liu Ye jump the wall and visit just ten minutes earlier.

"No, that was Inspector Bi."

"Oh, I see."

Fei Yu understood. Taking the towel in her hand, she gently wiped Yan Jing's face.

"Why does this towel smell like Herbal Tea...?"

"We didn't finish the tea we just brewed. It's fine, it's all medicinal herbs anyway."

"...Xiao Yu, I didn't say I wouldn't draw for you."

...

...

Over the next few days, Bianliu County maintained an eerie calm.

Everyone was waiting for the moment the Prohibited Item would take effect.

But before that moment could arrive, our Young Master Yan ended up waiting for something else.

He waited until a Dungeon notification arrived:

[Super-Large Dungeon location confirmed]

[Bianliu County and its surrounding territories, as well as the peripheral areas]

[Now issuing the Stage A task for the Super-Large Dungeon]

[Because this task is extremely, extremely, extremely complex, Stage A of this Dungeon will only feature one task]

[Task: Claim the Territory as King]

[Task Description:

As a remote corner of the massive Domain of Minhu, Bianliu County is filled with a chaotic mix of factions and has been in a state of constant turmoil for years.

But the intervention of a human player has changed all of this.

The originally chaotic Bianliu County seems to have gained quite a bit of Order as a result... hasn't it?

Regardless, at the very least, we know that there is currently a lot of empty territory in Bianliu County and its surrounding areas.

For certain reasons, a massive battle in Bianliu County is now inevitable. Claiming more territory seems to offer an advantage in this battle, so please seize as much land as possible.

Note: Because there is an equally radical human Across the Lake, items from the Heavenly Kingdom have been activated on this side of the Lake. All Minhu Dungeons, including this one, have been gamified.

Results of this Dungeon's gamification:

The game area is divided into:

Bianliu County, surrounding territories, and peripheral areas.

Players may choose their own drop locations.

If choosing [Bianliu County], the player may select a faction to join.

Please note: Each faction in [Bianliu County] has a player limit. If this limit is exceeded, a reverse-selection by the faction leader will occur. Screening methods may include slaughter, luck, personal preference, and other various possibilities.

Players who drop into Bianliu County and have no faction to attach themselves to will automatically become a Red Name. Their Mental Immunity Value will drop to 0, and they will draw the gazes of the surrounding inner world residents.

If the drop location is [Surrounding Territories], players may still choose a faction to join.

However, compared to Bianliu County, the surrounding territories belong to heretical factions. Therefore, players from the surrounding territories will automatically draw the hostility of all Bianliu County factions upon entering the county (regardless of this game's main quest).

If the drop location is [Peripheral Areas], players may form their own factions without player limits, but they will not have any starting Regional Grids or assistance.

Bianliu County has been divided into 500 Regional Grids in total. Each block in the surrounding territories is 100 Regional Grids. Except for special factions, every faction will start with 50 Regional Grids in their hands.

Every player will receive five Flags. The first player to plant a Flag in a Regional Grid will leave behind a clone on the spot with strength identical to their original body.

If a latecomer plants a Flag in a territory that already has a Flag, the clone will engage them in an uninterrupted duel within that area. The victor will use their Flag to replace the old Flag.

Stage A will end twenty-four hours after all territories have had Flags planted in them.

Note: Every time a Flag you placed is replaced, you will suffer a severe injury. If you suffer five injuries, your game will forcefully end.

Note: During Stage A, the more Regional Grids a faction occupies, the higher the rewards. The more Regional Grids an individual occupies (up to a maximum of 100 grids), the higher the rewards.

Note: In this Dungeon, the inner world residents also have their own tasks, which includes snatching your Flags. Inner world residents above the Third Tier will be unable to participate directly in this task.

Note: This task is extremely dangerous.]

[The Super-Large Dungeon will officially begin in three days. Patches may be applied at any time.]

[Welcome to the gamified Inner World, dear players.]