Driven by the system’s plot, Xie Shuangxue followed his role and immediately cried out for help. A Feather Clan member was drawn in and, sure enough, came over.

However, as the Feather Clan approached, he glanced suspiciously at someone standing nearby. He knew that this person was probably a mercenary sent by Penglai’s emergency call or, at the very least, someone here to help take down the Skeleton Ghosts. There was an ingrained hint in his mind, suggesting that it was perfectly normal for this unruly group of mercenaries to pull off strange stunts, so there was no need to be surprised by this person’s appearance here.

Yet, the Feather Clan member couldn’t explain it, but something felt off.

What he didn’t realize was that, in the original setup, he was supposed to be alone and die here. So, at this moment, no player was supposed to be present at all.

No one would witness this event firsthand; instead, the storyline had left clues to be discovered afterward, hinting to players that this seemingly harmless Young Master of the Xie family, saved from a tragic fate, might have a more complex side. But now, everything had changed.

The Feather Clan brushed off his unease, his attention drawn to the scattered bones of the Skeleton Ghosts. An indescribable sense of incongruity filled his mind. With a furrowed brow, he heard the faint sounds of knocking coming from beneath the rockery, signaling that someone was trapped inside. Shaking off his wandering thoughts, he reached out and exerted quite a bit of effort to pry open an entryway.

The narrow passage under the rockery could only fit one person, and indeed, a person was curled up inside.

But even with the daylight flooding in, this person didn’t rush out. Instead, he trembled even more when the opening was made.

“Are you Xie Shuangxue?”

The Feather Clan member asked, but there was no immediate response. The person inside seemed too frightened even to raise his head. Judging by his clothes and frame, though, he looked very much like the Young Master of the Xie family, as described by the late Lord Xie.

The Feather Clan member felt a bit of relief. To be honest, the entire Feather Clan had been searching for this young master for a while now, and their patience was wearing thin. The whole Feather Clan was known for its bravery, and even Lord Xie had fought to his last breath. Yet this young master had hidden somewhere, not daring to even show his face, appearing weaker than the common folk.

But now, looking at the scene, maybe there was a reason for it all.

They had underestimated the situation.

Just from observing the dead Skeleton Ghosts here, their bones had turned ink-black with a faint red glow, much larger than typical Skeleton Ghosts. It was likely that one of the leading Skeleton Ghost Generals had been lurking in the city, hiding here in ambush. Even an adult Feather Clan member would struggle if caught unprepared, so it was no wonder Xie Shuangxue had stayed hidden; any movement could have easily led to his death.

Realizing this, the Feather Clan member crouched down beside him, softening his tone. “Don’t be afraid, I’m from the Feather Clan, here to rescue you.”

Upon hearing the word “Feather Clan,” the curled-up figure finally stirred, slowly raising his head. His face was smeared with dirt and blood, but his eyes shone bright, his icy-blue gaze unmistakably a mark of the Xie family.

As soon as the young Xie Shuangxue raised his head, his youth was apparent, reminding the onlooker that he was just a sixteen-year-old boy.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but his throat seemed paralyzed. Tears welled up in his eyes as he stared up, speechless, as though he couldn’t believe someone had actually come to save him. With the city’s most formidable Skeleton Ghost guarding the outside, he had no other choice; it was lucky enough he’d survived at all.

Seeing the boy’s forlorn expression, the Feather Clan member’s resentment faded almost entirely. He reached out to pull Xie Shuangxue out, but then, the strange mercenary who had been silent until now suddenly sprang into action.

The man stepped forward abruptly, peering down the passage as though searching for something inside. Then he reached out and yanked Xie Shuangxue up, his movements far from gentle.

Moreover, he firmly held Xie Shuangxue’s wrists, flipping both his palms over as if inspecting them for some trace. All the while, he stared at Xie Shuangxue, his gaze unwavering. Xie Shuangxue’s hands were empty, only dirtied and covered in small cuts. He looked back at the man with a hint of mist in his eyes, as though on the verge of tears, looking pitiful.

“It hurts…” He spoke in a small voice. “Let… let go of me.”

But the man wasn’t swayed. He tightened his grip, grabbing Xie Shuangxue’s chin to study his eyes, seeming to want confirmation of something. Shocked, Xie Shuangxue flinched and tried to pull back, but he was no match for the man, who left red marks on his chin and wrist.

Seeing this, the Feather Clan member couldn’t bear it. He pulled Xie Shuangxue close, protectively shielding him behind his back, giving the so-called “hero” a wary glance.

He suspected these mercenaries had indeed slain the Skeleton Ghosts and had helped Penglai City, so he couldn’t be too harsh on them, nor could he start a fight. He spoke sternly, though, “Friend, he is the last of the Xie family, an unfortunate soul. Why are you making things hard for him?”

The man didn’t respond but gave Xie Shuangxue one last, deep look. The Feather Clan member heard him murmur, “Fine, delaying further will only cause more issues.” Not understanding his words and unwilling to engage further, the Feather Clan quickly led Xie Shuangxue away.

As they climbed over the wall, the strange mercenary vanished from sight.

Odd.

Oh well, that’s just how those people are.

The Feather Clan member softly reassured Xie Shuangxue, “Don’t worry, I’ll take you to meet Her Highness.”

Actually, this was exactly what Xie Shuangxue wanted.

Nestled against the Feather Clan’s wing, Xie Shuangxue lowered his gaze, thinking to himself that everything was falling into place.

That man was unlike other players. The moment Xie Shuangxue saw him, he recognized his uniqueness.

He, too, bore a small light—just a tiny glow, not as bright as the one around Yu Haiqing, yet it hovered beside him.

I want it.

But with his current limited energy, Xie Shuangxue could only manage a few actions like tossing stones or reaching out, already using up a fifth of his reserves. He had calculated carefully; any extra effort to approach the man would likely drain him completely, making it both inefficient and odd.

Originally, he planned to give up, but who knew the man would approach first?

As soon as they touched, that light transferred to him.

…Was that Yu Haiqing?

Xie Shuangxue pondered, pleased with his success. Even with a mask, the figure’s body shape and exposed features didn’t quite match, though in a game, such things could be adjusted.

But why would Yu Haiqing bring his authority into the game?

That grip on his hand was so similar to Yu Haiqing’s. Xie Shuangxue glanced at his own wrist, noting how unfazed the man seemed, even indifferent, just like him.

Never mind who he was.

What did it matter? Anyone with light was someone he liked.

Xie Shuangxue’s mind whirled with thoughts, but he maintained his quiet, shivering composure, making him seem even more pitiful to the Feather Clan member.

Since the Skeleton Ghosts were already dead, Xie Shuangxue had no need to use any more of his own light. All his reactions were now part of the system’s role: a cunning character, not a fool, skilled in pretending. Without any immediate threat, he had no reason to harm any Feather Clan member; of course, he would play the part of a victim.

Protected by the Feather Clan, he was escorted to the heart of the City Lord’s Mansion.

The central area, once guarded by Lord Xie, had suffered the least damage, and the few hundred survivors had been gathered here. Meanwhile, players who had completed most of their tasks gathered here too.

Among them, Xie Shuangxue even spotted a familiar face—the loud little streamer, identified by his pants and boisterous voice.

Qiao Zhihui, being a frontline player, had returned.

He had come to complete a quest.

Each player’s main quest line had assigned search areas and designated monsters. Stepping out wouldn’t result in losing their target, so long as they completed it in time. Earlier, while hunting a hidden boss, Qiao Zhihui had missed the plot point where Chun Yao and Luo Yin met, and would have to catch up by watching the replay.

If he had a choice, Qiao Zhihui wouldn’t bother watching plot scenes, but once word spread, players were camping out all over, hoping for a glimpse. Many players, upon finishing the main quest, immediately teamed up to rush to the little garden, though switching zones made it tough to get in.

Too crowded; he wouldn’t bother.

Today, his viewer count and tips had already increased several times over, and he was satisfied with the boss rewards, even if they weren’t as rare as the White Bone Token.

After taking the Penglai City quest, the countdown began, allowing him two hours. With the main task not too challenging, a quick sweep took just over ten minutes, giving players plenty of free time to explore.

Even those not skilled in combat could uncover clues in the main quest’s story through free exploration, earning points by piecing together the mystery behind the Skeleton Ghosts and discovering they might have been directed by someone.

Qiao Zhihui kept half an eye on the forums for story analysis while live streaming. Unfortunately, Chun Yao had taken Luo Yin into an inner room for emergency care, guarded by several Feather Clan members, so players couldn’t break through.

With nothing attention-grabbing, his live stream began to slow down.

Thinking of ways to spice things up, he noticed a Feather Clan member carrying someone approaching. The Feather Clan member was ordinary enough, but the person on his back stood out.

A new character?

From a distance, he could make out a young boy in a blue robe, already dirty and torn, with one sleeve ripped and his hair half undone.

Hiding behind the Feather Clan member, his face was smeared with dirt, obscuring his features. From afar, the boy looked a bit ragged, making him hard to identify.

Qiao Zhihui acted quickly, pushing his way over and adjusting his camera for a closer view.

The Feather Clan member folded his wings, fully revealing the boy. After some murmured conversation, someone handed him a clean handkerchief to wipe the blood and grime from his face.

The boy lowered his head, swiping the cloth over his face. Then, as if sensing something, he suddenly looked straight at Qiao Zhihui’s direction.

With his face now cleaned, his disheveled hair framing his cheeks, and his pale lips setting off his ice-blue eyes that seemed to hold winter itself, his spine straightened as he looked.

Their gazes met for a few seconds before the boy turned away.

Just then, the Feather Clan’s words drifted over.

“This is the last of the Xie family, Xie Shuangxue. I found him under the rockery. And about those Skeleton Ghosts… something’s different.”

Xie Shuangxue.

Anyone who’d seen the trailer would recognize him.

Qiao Zhihui held his breath as the chat was flooded with gasps, and viewers’ silent anticipation burst into excited screams.

The young Xie Shuangxue’s childish yet unforgettable beauty seemed even more striking, especially under the realism of Gods and Demons, entirely different from the trailer.

But no one had expected this segment, a twist in the original plotline.

Wounded, his face still smudged, Xie Shuangxue’s forlorn gaze tugged at their hearts, more heart-rending than before.

Though the live stream was impressive, nothing compared to seeing him firsthand. Gods and Demons was a new level of immersive experience.

Qiao Zhihui felt as if the boy’s gaze was directed specifically at him. The expression on his face seemed, behind its initial shock, to hold an unreadable smirk.

But was he just imagining things?

Startled, Qiao Zhihui caught the Feather Clan’s explanation, soon followed by the main quest update notification.

This seemed to be the last task: [Investigating the unusual Skeleton Ghosts and reporting back to the Feather Clan, completing the quest line and earning rewards.]

It seemed like a simple task, straightforward and routine.

But when he saw the designated location on the map, Qiao Zhihui paused, confused.

…Wasn’t that the little garden where the hidden boss was?

Had Xie Shuangxue been hiding there the whole time?

Qiao Zhihui couldn’t help but recall the question that still puzzled him.

At the time, who exactly had tossed that stone at him?