Lin Zhao looked at Chen Xue's ID and found it rather interesting.
[Bitter Melon on Earth] (Novice Templar)
Level: 37
Squad: None
Position: None
…
To be frank, a level 37 Templar was definitely top-tier in Cloud Top County. Chen Xue herself was quite skilled, it was just this ID that was a bit puzzling.
At this moment, Chen Xue felt that her chosen ID was spot on; she was indeed the bitterest melon on earth.
"What do you suggest?"
Zhang Jun asked, "We can't just stand here, can we?"
"Mm…"
Chen Xue turned, her beautiful eyes looking at the three of them. "We have two options. One is to relocate. You can follow me to Han Tai County through the main city's teleportation array to level up. However, the teleportation fees are exorbitant, costing 10 gold per trip. Furthermore, the Azure Dragon Guild has a presence in Han Tai County, so leveling resources are already scarce. Moving there will only make our situation more difficult."
"What's the second option?"
Lin Zhao inquired.
Chen Xue frowned. "We could try to negotiate peace with the Ghost King, or rather, sue for peace. This stalemate isn't ideal. We're few in number and can't fight against a larger force. It's not wise to engage in conflict with the vastly superior 'Flourishing Peony' guild right now. We can wait until we recruit a substantial force before engaging them. Rome wasn't built in a day, after all."
Lin Zhao nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly with Chen Xue. The Crimson Moon Knights only had a handful of members; it was indeed unwise to make enemies during the early stages of establishing the guild. It would significantly slow down their progress and be detrimental to the entire Crimson Moon Knights guild. Their previous impulsive decision to fight was somewhat rash. However, negotiating peace with Flourishing Peony now wouldn't be easy either.
"Difficult."
Lin Zhao shook his head. "The Ghost King despises us and is gnashing his teeth. He will absolutely not let this matter rest."
"Is that so…"
Chen Xue's delicate brows furrowed. "Then I'll think of another way."
…
She stood at the gate, gazing at a group of Flourishing Peony players in the distance. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. The ID of one of their squad leaders looked familiar. He was a Swordsman named "Luan," whose real name was Lin Qi. He was a former colleague from where Chen Xue used to work. They had some contact before, but then lost touch. However, Lin Qi had always been very enthusiastic towards Chen Xue. Even a blind person could see he liked her, but Chen Xue never paid him any mind.
Amidst the Flourishing Peony players, Lin Qi was being doted on by the crowd. As a squad leader with over 50 people under his command, seeing the beautiful Templar at the city gate once again stirred the sweet memories deep within his heart.
Chen Xue, it was really her!
"Beep!"
Lin Qi sent a stranger message first. "Chen Xue, is that really you? Why did you change your ID? Weren't you called Xue Qian Cheng when you were the chief knight in Azure Dragon? That was a beautiful name. Why change it to Bitter Melon now?"
"Because it's bitter," Chen Xue replied. She didn't want to talk to him much and got straight to the point. "Lin Qi, I'm with the Crimson Moon Knights now. Can you do me a favor and let your people show some leniency, allowing the Crimson Moon Knights to pass through the city? After you help me with this, I'll find an opportunity to treat you to a meal. What do you say?"
Lin Qi's heart skipped a beat. Back at the company, he had asked Chen Xue out countless times without success. Now, she was主动 asking him to a meal? This… felt somewhat surreal.
"Deal!"
Lin Qi agreed without a second thought. "However, letting you pass openly isn't feasible. I'm drawing my king's salary here. How about this: you lead the Crimson Moon Knights to make a feigned charge, and my side will pretend to be scattered. We'll try to minimize casualties on both sides and let you pass. As for that meal… when shall we have it?"
"No rush for the meal."
Chen Xue said, "Let's get this favor done first, and I'll definitely treat you."
"Alright!"
…
Chen Xue turned to the group. "Replenish your potions, and make sure your equipment is repaired. Once everything is done, follow me and charge out. We've found an insider."
"Ah?!"
Ding Chi was taken aback.
Lin Zhao smiled faintly. "We're ready. Chen Xue, will you join the Crimson Moon Knights' squad first?"
"Mm."
The next moment, Chen Xue joined the Crimson Moon Knights.
"Let's go!"
Chen Xue, clad in armor and brandishing a long spear, charged at the forefront. Lin Zhao and Ding Chi flanked her, with Zhang Jun covering the rear. The four of them charged out in a diamond formation. The reaction of Lin Qi's squad in the distance was strangely exaggerated. The moment Lin Zhao raised his sword, the entire group began to fall back as if terrified of being hit by Lin Zhao's sword aura.
"Act a little more convincingly, idiot!"
Chen Xue exclaimed, speechless.
Lin Qi immediately stepped forward, took a hit from Chen Xue's spear, and endured two of Lin Zhao's sword strikes. He retreated with low health, in pain. Wasn't that white-clothed guy being too uncooperative? Those two sword strikes had nearly depleted his health bar. Chen Xue's spear thrusts were much gentler, as expected of the goddess of his dreams. She was holding back so much, surely it meant she liked him…
Thinking this, Lin Qi sat on the ground, a flush of joy spreading across his face.
…
Once outside the city, the four of them galloped into a wilderness. Under Chen Xue's guidance, they traveled far north before stopping. They chose a leveling area for levels 40-45 and began hunting monsters.
As a Templar, Chen Xue's primary role was to tank damage. After a charge that attracted a horde of monsters, she activated her Templar's Aegis and used her main damage skills, Heavy Slash and Dual Strike, to attack. Lin Zhao then took advantage of the situation, sweeping through the monster pack with his sword and continuously hacking with his Qing Lu sword, unleashing splash damage. Ding Chi and Zhang Jun provided auxiliary attacks, contributing to the overall damage output. The four heavily armored players could only level up in this somewhat awkward manner.
…
Chen Xue, while continuously thrusting her spear through monsters, observed everyone's performance. Lin Zhao's strength greatly pleased her; he was proficient in both offense and defense, and his personal maneuvers were impressive. But this was normal; Xue Yu Tian Chi's Lin Bai Yi should possess such strength. Moreover, as Murong Fei Yue's younger brother, it wouldn't be normal if he weren't outstanding.
As for Ding Chi and Zhang Jun's strength, it could only be considered passable. According to the tiered ranking system for individual player strength in the Chinese servers, if they were classified as T0, T0.5, T1, T1.5, then Lin Zhao's current displayed strength was infinitely close to T1. Ding Chi was roughly T2, and Zhang Jun was approximately T2.5. However, it was fine; personal strength could be honed gradually. The foundation of all of them was quite good, which finally brought a hint of relief to Chen Xue's heart.
"Lin Zhao,"
Chen Xue asked, "How is the studio's financial situation?"
"It's quite good. Ding Chi was in charge before. Do you want to take over?"
"Mm."
Chen Xue nodded. "Before I came, Fei Yue asked me to manage the finances. I need to know the studio's current income situation before I can determine which direction to develop in."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao replied without hesitation. "Ding Chi, share the studio's accounts with Chen Xue. Also, transfer all the studio's operating funds to her. From now on, Chen Xue will be in charge."
"Understood."
…
Not long after, Chen Xue received over 200,000 gold from Ding Chi. She couldn't help but smile faintly. There was indeed some money, which was reassuring. After some thought, she said, "Crimson Moon Knights will begin recruiting new members. Recruitment means paying salaries. Based on the current situation, let's offer 5,000 general currency per month. I'll recruit based on this standard, and if the applicant is exceptionally strong, the salary might be higher."
"Okay."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Regarding this, you know, we few aren't too sensitive about money."
"Mm."
Chen Xue began her online operations.
…
Around 3 PM.
"Rustle…"
Footsteps from the grass signaled the appearance of a level 37 Swordsman and a level 36 Archer. The Swordsman was an acquaintance, Rong Xing, formerly one of the top ten experts in Cloud Top County, whom Lin Zhao had met once. His ranking was still high. The Archer was called "Monster Who Eats Hearts," a cute-looking girl holding a war bow, with a sweet smile on her lips.
"They've arrived."
Chen Xue, brandishing her spear, walked forward and said with a smile, "Lin Zhao, these are the first new recruits for our Crimson Moon Knights: Rong Xing, a level 37 Swordsman, and Monster Who Eats Hearts, a level 36 Archer. They are siblings."
Lin Zhao was slightly startled. He hadn't expected Chen Xue to bring these two into the Crimson Moon Knights, and their salary was only 5,000 general currency per month. She had quite some influence!
"Rong Xing, we meet again!" Lin Zhao smiled.
"Mm."
Rong Xing laughed heartily. "From now on, we're comrades fighting side-by-side!"
Monster Who Eats Hearts smiled faintly. "White Robe, Ember, Ling Feng, your names are legendary. My ID is a bit long, you can just call me Monster for short."
"Okay, Monster."
Lin Zhao and Ding Chi nodded with smiles.
Rong Xing said, "From now on, my sister and I are joining the Crimson Moon Knights. Please take care of us!"
"Of course!"
Chen Xue nodded with a smile.
At this moment, footsteps came from the nearby woods. The Phantom Assassin Mo Yin also appeared, smiling. "Brother White Robe, I'm here."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "Mo Yin is also a member of the Crimson Moon Knights, our only Assassin for now."
Rong Xing and Monster nodded with smiles, while Mo Yin bowed respectfully, fearful of any transgression.
At this point, the Crimson Moon Knights now had a seven-person squad!
…
In the evening, their leveling session concluded, and they went offline for dinner.
Xiao Juzi was picked up around 4 PM and was diligently doing her homework in the downstairs living room. She had just started learning to write, and her handwriting wasn't very neat. Chen Xue sat beside her for a while and said with a smile, "Xiao Juzi's handwriting isn't very good yet~~~"
Xiao Juzi looked up and smiled. "Sister Chen Xue, is your handwriting good?"
"Much better than yours."
Lin Zhao sat beside them, feeling a bit lost. For some reason, he particularly missed Su Qing Jiu. That little girl would surely be a young lady after a hundred years. He wondered how she was doing. He didn't know where Mount Chang Ming was, and he couldn't even leave Cloud Top County, let alone reach Mount Chang Ming. As for Baidi City, it was the only main city in the national server and hadn't been opened yet. Although he really wanted to visit the Prime Minister's mansion to see Little Stone, he couldn't now. He could only wait.
At this moment, he was filled with anticipation for the future.