The limit of 22 players was set because Xie Shuangxue had counted carefully—only that many could currently enter the bamboo forest area.

Yesterday, there were 20 players when he entered, then Qiao Zhihui was brought in, and today Bai Qiuheng joined, making it a total of 22, the maximum number of players he could command for this operation.

Taking an unconscious Yun Panshan out was definitely not in the game department’s plans, but Yu Haiqing glanced at the task and accepted it first.

Fine, let’s change things up.

After all, the Yun Ruowei storyline was a hidden plotline with no quest guidance; if everyone was enjoying it, then that was what mattered. And now, with each player more eager than the last, maybe this was exactly what made the game exciting.

The leaders of the three guilds were busy rallying their members. Those who hadn’t completed the previous task couldn’t enter the bamboo house, so they were waiting outside. Qiao Zhihui, Xie Shuangxue’s loyal follower, was busily searching the house as per his orders, while Yu Haiqing’s attention was focused on the wound Xie Shuangxue had made on his own arm.

The cut wasn’t deep and had stopped bleeding quickly, merely for blood collection, something that didn’t bother Xie Shuangxue in the slightest. A minor injury like this was nothing to him; Gods and Demons had given him this design, so of course, he would make the most of it.

Still, Yu Haiqing couldn’t take his eyes off it.

He couldn’t help but feel that Xie Shuangxue was carrying endless wounds that never seemed to heal.

Sadly, the potions held by players had no effect on NPCs. For Xie Shuangxue, empty words of comfort or a simple bandage were meaningless. To stop hurting, he had to reach his own goals.

Soon enough, all 22 spots were filled, and the bamboo house was packed with players. They began discussing how to get Yun Panshan back. It wasn’t easy, given he was unconscious, and a failed attempt could make things extremely challenging.

With three guilds gathered in one place, everyone was talking over each other. Within minutes, they were on the verge of an argument, wasting time without agreeing on a single approach.

In the end, everyone, regardless of alliances or grudges, turned to look at the player standing quietly nearby—Jiu Shen.

In situations like this, his leadership was usually unchallenged, even by his rivals.

“Listen to me,” Yu Haiqing said, ending the debate, “I know how we can get him out.”

“Every part of the City Lord’s Mansion has its own checkpoints, but I need everyone’s cooperation.”

Xie Shuangxue had a map of the mansion and had memorized the layout yesterday, but Yu Haiqing seemed to know it even better.

These details weren’t visible in the game department’s script, as they were auto-generated by SEA. Yet, a world this close to reality would inevitably have its flaws, and Yu Haiqing knew this game better than anyone.

Yesterday, he’d entered as a lowly sorcerer without decent gear, albeit with a bit more effort.

If Gou Yuan saw this, he’d be utterly shocked.

—The president of Endless Sea himself was changing the storyline and exploiting bugs!

Most of the plan was Yu Haiqing’s design, using a feint strategy that required full cooperation from the players. They’d need to distract the guards, hit specific timing and positioning cues, and eventually face the guards head-on, fully expecting to die and respawn.

No wonder the quest required 20 players—it was just barely enough. Fortunately, they were Gods and Demons’ top players; with anyone else, the plan wouldn’t have worked.

Naturally, Xie Shuangxue had to be involved, tasked with carrying Yun Panshan on his back, while Bai Qiuheng, the top assassin, provided close escort. Everyone was clear on their roles, and they wasted no time. As soon as Xie Shuangxue gave the signal, the operation commenced from within the bamboo forest.

Although the formation had been broken, the surrounding area remained unchanged, retaining the same protective properties. Only someone who had broken through to the center could enter, so the guards outside were unaware of any difference. When wanderers appeared nearby and were captured, it didn’t raise any suspicion.

These strange continental wanderers kept charging toward the City Lord’s Mansion as if they didn’t care for their lives. The guards were almost used to it. The first few would sometimes plead with shouts of “big bro, spare me!” but the ones now had become bolder, provoking the guards with mocking laughter as they darted through, twisting and turning.

Commander Yun had already issued orders: no need to interrogate, just kill them on sight. The NPCs weren’t surprised by the players’ death-and-respawn behavior—it was a programmed reality for them, etched into their minds: that’s just how continental wanderers were.

Oddly enough, though, these wanderers died not with regret but with smug smiles of satisfaction.

Because, unseen by the guards, Xie Shuangxue had slipped past with Yun Panshan on his back.

Success.

The players embraced death with laughter and enthusiasm, fully aware of their sacrifice. Those who understood the respawn mechanics knew they were headed back to the revival points, but to the guards, it looked like some bizarre, blood-soaked battlefield.

To the NPCs, it was eerie and unsettling.

For the City Lord’s Mansion guards, whose lives were usually a dull routine, tonight’s events left them uneasy.

Xie Shuangxue noticed that the players seemed even more fired up than he was.

Kidnapping an NPC—who’s ever done that?

At first, it felt tense, but once they got going, the thrill was undeniable.

These guards were designed to be unbeatable for players, mere foils for them to evade, and nearly everyone had been killed by them at some point. Even Bai Qiuyan had died once, and players typically feared them like mice feared cats.

But now, dying felt different.

Hah, got you, didn’t we?

Stabbing me won’t help because we’ve already succeeded! You fools have no clue!

The plan was going smoothly. One by one, the players with Xie Shuangxue vanished, each reaching the revival point, and they were nearing the destination.

Yu Haiqing was the first to go, leading by example.

As the plan’s creator, he accepted the penalty for dying at the guards’ hands, which reduced his credibility score. He didn’t dodge it, setting an example and inspiring the others. By taking on the penalty first, he earned their respect and boosted morale.

Though there were some unexpected setbacks along the way, such as Bai Qiuheng having to die once despite his role as the main escort, Xie Shuangxue couldn’t dwell on it. He was now the last one left.

As an NPC, he had abilities that players didn’t, enabling him to carry Yun Panshan alone. Only one wall remained, with guards patrolling back and forth on the other side.

With all the players gone, he could only rely on himself. Xie Shuangxue readied a small stone to throw as a distraction and was about to take his final shot when he heard a soft voice behind him.

“It’s me. Go, now’s the time,” said the voice, which Xie Shuangxue recognized instantly, even though he didn’t turn around.

The two worked in seamless harmony. The figure darted out alongside Xie Shuangxue’s stone, catching the guards’ attention.

Since returning to the City Lord’s Mansion was nearly impossible for the players who’d respawned, they hadn’t been expected to come back. But he had come back.

With that final distraction, Xie Shuangxue managed to slip over the last wall, reaching the Feather Clan’s quarters, where Bai Qiuyan and the others were waiting to catch him.

Only then did Xie Shuangxue fully relax.

He scanned the players, eventually spotting one he was looking for, and overheard someone asking him how many times he’d died. He simply shook his head, saying nothing.

“Just on the red line of credibility points,” he replied casually.

To the players, this small penalty was insignificant compared to the five Bond Value points they had gained.

For Bai Qiuyan, who had also died yesterday, the experience felt completely different today. Yesterday, he’d felt frustrated, but today, dying in battle for the mission was a death worth dying.

If anything, he felt triumphant!

After claiming the Bond Value points from Xie Shuangxue, he felt even more exhilarated.

Frankly, after three years of playing Gods and Demons, top-tier players like them faced fewer and fewer challenges. It no longer felt like the early days of the game, when every day brought new experiences.

That’s inevitable; after all, a game thriving for three years has exhausted most tricks. Gods and Demons had held up well, compared to other games that barely maintained a year’s freshness. Gou Yuan, known for his cautious personality, was hesitant to introduce new features in an established game, which had made the game slightly monotonous for some.

This third anniversary had sparked his interest with the hidden boss, but after defeating it and showing off, it quickly lost its charm. The Yun Ruowei plot was a new challenge, but upon entering the City Lord’s Mansion yesterday, Bai Qiuyan had initially felt it was just another routine puzzle.

It had been exciting the first time, but by the second or third attempt, the novelty wore off.

Then Xie Shuangxue arrived and changed everything.

He’d expected the old formula, but tonight had brought unexpected thrills.

Finally, Ling Luo and Chen Xin arrived, and Ling Luo looked at the unconscious Yun Panshan for a long time before saying, “You really are… gutsy beyond words!”

“Senior Brother, if you’re angry, direct it at me,” Xie Shuangxue replied calmly. “I’ve done this, and I don’t regret it. If there’s punishment, I’ll accept whatever it is.”

Chen Xin seemed about to speak when someone cut him off.

Bai Qiuyan immediately stepped forward with a group, placing himself in front of Xie Shuangxue. “No, blame us!”

They couldn’t let Xie Shuangxue take the blame! The Feather Clan had a habit of locking people up, and if they confined Xie Shuangxue, what would the players do?

No punishment! Absolutely not!