Yu Haiqing walked forward and saw Xie Shuangxue take something out of his pocket—a small token etched with Feather Clan symbols.

“My senior brother gave me this, a Feather Clan token. With this, if anything happens to me, you can come to my aid anytime,” Xie Shuangxue said with a smile, “Brave wanderer of the continent, would you be willing to keep helping me?”

Without hesitation, Yu Haiqing took the token and replied, “Of course I’m willing.”

“My honor.”

Despite the calm exchange, an undercurrent of tension flowed between them, both fully aware of each other’s unusual nature. Yet, to the other players watching, it merely looked like a friendly interaction between a player and an NPC.

Completely clueless, Qiao Zhihui, watching from the sidelines, practically drooled with envy.

Xie Shuangxue’s smile deepened as he politely saw them off, keeping his eyes fixed on that figure’s back until he disappeared from sight.

He was well aware this person was likely an undercover from Endless Sea. At first, it made him nervous, but he soon realized that this undercover agent hadn’t caused any trouble—in fact, he’d actually helped him on more than one occasion.

Whatever the reason, as long as he could benefit from the connection, that was enough for him.

The idea for this particular quest reward came to Xie Shuangxue after observing Qiao Zhihui’s reaction. He’d realized he didn’t have player currency or much equipment to give out, but his skills could be valuable.

These weren’t entirely his inventions. Hidden quests and skill specializations had long been features in Gods and Demons. Xie Shuangxue’s time reading the forums was not wasted; his abilities paralleled those of player assassins. He knew there were even some famous assassin-streamers who had been lobbying for class buffs.

So, why not align his approach with player interests? If he managed to launch this quest successfully, it would mean the system accepted it. This way, he could train players, only costing him some “light.”

He thought he would fail initially, but just when all seemed lost, a way through appeared.

Since then, Xie Shuangxue had relaxed, no longer as cautious as in the beginning.

With no one around, he let out a sly smile.

Progress had reached a point where SEA could only raise alarms, and Endless Sea’s backend had likely checked repeatedly for anomalies in his data without finding any.

Who cared if there was an undercover? They couldn’t just delete him—he still had to be obediently clothed and well-dressed!

Xie Shuangxue knew Qiao Zhihui’s camera was rolling live. When he woke up earlier today, the buzz from last night’s incident had nearly replenished his light consumption.

Since he couldn’t go big with it yet, he decided to test the waters with a few players first. High-level players were few, and the task locations were restricted to the City Lord’s Mansion, a rarely visited area. Thus, a single storyline would play out there, ensuring a stable narrative.

But thanks to the livestream, word quickly spread. During the day, while Xie Shuangxue rested in his room, even Chen Xin, who came to take care of him, couldn’t help but talk about it.

“Lots of wanderers are trying to get into the City Lord’s Mansion, but that’s not allowed. Even we have people sneaking over the walls,” he said, puzzled, “What’s gotten into these people?”

Most didn’t succeed, being repelled by the mansion’s protective formations before they could get close.

That night, Xie Shuangxue returned to the bamboo forest, where an additional player, Bai Qiuheng, had joined the previous ones. Those who managed to enter yesterday were already present.

Most were members of the three major guilds, and nearly all were assassins. After using the five items to break the formation, Xie Shuangxue led only those who completed the task inside, as promised.

The formation absorbed the five elemental treasures, and suddenly, a narrow path appeared in the bamboo forest. A few steps along the path revealed a bamboo house. Xie Shuangxue led the way, pushing open the door, where they saw someone seated on a small bed inside.

Yun Panshan.

He appeared to be meditating, but as they approached, it was clear he bore a visible wound stretching from his shoulder to his chest. The dried blood was an unusual shade of dark purple, a telltale sign of poison.

Xie Shuangxue called his name a few times but received no response.

As expected, Yun Panshan had been sabotaged.

Yu Haiqing observed closely, though his perspective was based on the “Floating Dreams” script and he hadn’t seen Yun Ruowei’s storyline. Still, he immediately understood this was a second checkpoint set by the game department.

Players wanting information about Yun Ruowei wouldn’t get it easily. After breaking the formation, they would need to detoxify Yun Panshan.

Typically, players would search the bamboo house, find clues about the antidote, and follow these to obtain an item to treat the poisoning. This act of detoxifying the target would naturally foster goodwill, encouraging Yun Panshan to divulge information about Yun Ruowei.

It was a common game tactic—this hidden quest carried significant rewards, and the logic was sound. Yun Panshan had no reason to spill everything to strangers upon first meeting. Resolving the poison issue first helped establish a positive connection.

So, players had no choice but to jump through hoops for Yun Ruowei’s sake. Bai Qiuyan frowned, itching to curse aloud.

This process was way too tedious!

He instinctively began searching the bamboo house, and the other players reacted similarly, but Xie Shuangxue called them to stop.

“Come here and help me with something,” he said. “Help me sit up Yun Panshan.”

The players paused, then complied.

Xie Shuangxue placed two fingers on specific points, seemingly sealing Yun Panshan’s pressure points, then applied force, causing Yun Panshan to shiver.

He then drew a silver hairpin, making a small cut on his arm to draw blood. Pouring an unknown potion into Yun Panshan’s mouth, he added a couple of his blood drops as well. Yun Panshan shuddered more violently and, after a moment, woke up.

Huh?

Did Xie Shuangxue just resolve the problem on his own?

Had Endless Sea really changed, offering a lenient three-year anniversary update that didn’t torment the players?

Even Yu Haiqing, as Endless Sea’s president, was taken aback. Xie Shuangxue had anticipated the game department’s design and came fully prepared.

The medicine had been obtained from Chen Xin; the Feather Clan typically kept temporary antidotes in stock. With the added effect of his blood, Xie Shuangxue could awaken someone temporarily, and he discreetly added a bit of light essence. When Yun Panshan awoke, he glanced between the players and Xie Shuangxue, a wary look in his eyes. “Who are you?”

The players were stumped for a moment, unable to answer, but Xie Shuangxue reacted swiftly.

“Uncle Yun, it’s me, Xie Shuangxue of the Xie family. My father is the City Lord of Penglai and Lord of Zi Yue Isle, both vassals of the Feather Clan. I often visited Zi Yue Isle as a child. You don’t remember me?”

Yun Panshan: …

He was dumbfounded, trying to recall based on Xie Shuangxue’s words.

Zi Yue Isle… Yun Panshan did indeed visit frequently.

This detail came from Ling Luo, who’d mentioned Yun Panshan’s friendship with the Isle’s City Lord. One missed visit was enough to raise alarms.

The rest, of course, was fabricated.

Events from Xie Shuangxue’s childhood were mere backstory, only vaguely remembered by NPCs unless critical to the plot. Xie Shuangxue was no exception; the same went for other NPCs.

This vagueness suited him well, providing ample opportunity to improvise.

Holding the blood-stained silver hairpin, he turned it into a longsword, letting a single tear fall.

“This was my father’s sword; you even sparred with him. Don’t you remember?” Xie Shuangxue’s voice trembled. “Penglai City is gone. Everyone in the Xie family is dead. Dead. I’m the only one left. The City Lord of Zi Yue Isle said you knew something. That’s why you were targeted. Uncle Yun, I’m here to ask you for answers. Please, tell me.”

If Yu Haiqing hadn’t seen the script, he would have been convinced. The other players, too, found themselves unable to doubt it.

Even knowing, Yu Haiqing’s heart clenched when he saw Xie Shuangxue’s wide eyes brimming with tears.

In reality, Yun Panshan’s backstory only noted that he was skilled with a sword—something Xie Shuangxue would have easily found out since it wasn’t a secret in the City Lord’s Mansion.

Yun Panshan had known about Penglai’s tragedy before falling unconscious. The hilt of Xie Shuangxue’s sword bore the Xie family crest, and a single glance at the sword—a fine blade with a faintly repaired crack—told him everything.

The youth before him, weeping, needed no further questioning. Yun Panshan looked at him with sorrow, entirely convinced by his earlier words.

“Don’t cry,” he sighed, his gaze tinged with complex emotion. “It’s my fault. I couldn’t keep an eye on Panlong, and…”

He coughed heavily, aware his time was short. “The Feather Clan must be here by now. Ask them to stop Panlong; he’s in the City Lord’s Mansion, and there’s demonic qi…”

Xie Shuangxue knew Yun Panlong had fallen to darkness. Seeing Yun Panshan faltering, he quickly asked, “I also need to know about someone named Evil Sword…”

Bai Qiuyan feared Yun Panshan would faint before answering and added, “Yun Ruowei, do you know this person?”

At the mention of Evil Sword and Yun Ruowei, Yun Panshan’s eyes widened, a flash of panic in them. His hand lifted slightly, instinctively reaching for his wound.

“How do you know? Did you see her? Ruowei, she didn’t mean to… Please, give her a chance. It’s my fault…”

His hand moved to a hidden mechanism in the bed, triggering a compartment in the wall. Inside were two items: an old sword tassel and a golden lock with the name “Ruowei” inscribed on it.

Xie Shuangxue, closest, quickly grabbed them. The other players reacted a moment too late, allowing him to take possession.

Unfortunately, Yun Panshan’s poisoned body couldn’t last much longer. Just before he lost consciousness, he looked at Xie Shuangxue, mouthing his final words: “I’m sorry.”

His gaze was distant, as if looking beyond him.

Xie Shuangxue understood at a glance: Yun Ruowei was most likely Yun Panshan’s hidden child. This so-called unmarried, childless City Lord indeed had a direct descendant.

No wonder she could rightfully inherit the city.

The players, including Bai Qiuyan, grew anxious—Yun Panshan hadn’t fully explained. Their guesses aligned with Xie Shuangxue’s, but they had no clue where Yun Ruowei was or why she’d attempt to sink the entire city.

Would they have to keep running back and forth?

Even Xie Shuangxue had no patience for that.

“Search the room for anything else,” he said, “and then, take him with us.”

“…Huh? Take who?”

“Obviously Yun Panshan,” Xie Shuangxue replied. “Why wouldn’t we? Just leave him here?”

Yun Panshan wasn’t dead; he could still talk if he regained consciousness. Xie Shuangxue couldn’t take him alone, but with the players’ help, they could smuggle him into the Feather Clan’s quarters in the City Lord’s Mansion.

Hidden right under their noses—an ideal plan.

Bai Qiuyan was dumbfounded.

As a player, he’d never considered directly “kidnapping” a key NPC. His instinct was to find an antidote, but Xie Shuangxue had come up with a whole new approach.

Bai Qiuyan was about to raise concerns—there were too many guards outside, and it had been hard enough for them to get in. Getting out with an unconscious man seemed impossible. If they got caught, the players would just respawn, but if Xie Shuangxue was harmed, it would be a massive loss.

But before he could say anything, a task notification sounded for all present.

This time, SEA didn’t delay.

Opening the interface, they saw it was indeed a new hidden quest!

[Assist Xie Shuangxue in transporting the unconscious Yun Panshan out of the bamboo forest formation to the designated location]

Reward: 5 Bond Value points.”

[Task limit: 22 players]

With that, Bai Qiuyan and the others immediately fell silent.

Why waste time asking questions? Time to rally the troops!

As long as they could earn Bond Value, they’d follow any command!