Chapter 52: Crimson Moon Mountain (Happy New Year!)

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Outside the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall in the City of Light.

Three large tricycles slowly moved along the dilapidated street, each loaded with ores and logs in their rear compartments. Following alongside were more than a dozen players, each carrying a log on their shoulders.

Yet this grand procession failed to attract any attention from the nearby vagrants; or rather, for those living here, such scenes had dulled their senses.

Indeed! Dulled!

For three days straight, this group of gray-clad lunatics had been tirelessly shuttling between the Gray Bear Mine, making at least four trips a day. Now, this vast convoy had become a fixture in the abandoned district, leaving other alien-race vagrants dumbfounded. They never expected a wild faction could exploit its members to such an extent.

They weren’t even allowed to ride in the vehicles; they had to carry the logs back themselves. This hardly resembled a faction member—more like prisoners, and not even treated as humans. At least prisoners were still regarded as such, but these Gray-Clad Gang members were stripped of even that dignity.

Because of this spectacle, the nearby human vagrants who had thought about joining a faction now hesitated. They concluded it was better to remain vagrants, enduring only the uncertainty of their next meal.

“Sister Wu, a new mission has triggered inside the hall!”

“A new mission? What kind of mission?”

“Three NPCs of the Feather Clan have arrived; they’re a new faction called the Azure Sparrow Gang. It seems they’re here to discuss cooperation with the hall leader.”

“Cooperation with a new faction? Could it be that the game developers are testing new gameplay again?”

Lu Wuzhang glanced at the newcomer from Tianwei who had rushed over to report, then immediately began directing those present.

“Everyone, move quickly! Return the borrowed tricycles to the other two teams and gather at the martial arts hall immediately!”

“A new mission is rare. If we miss the chance to accept it, our new weapons and armor will be wasted.”

Hearing this, the Tianwei members, still carrying their logs, swiftly picked up their pace, following the tricycles straight toward the training ground of the martial arts hall, eager not to miss the new task.

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Inside the training ground of the martial arts hall, the three members of the Azure Sparrow Gang grew increasingly surprised and puzzled as they observed the scene.

“What’s wrong with these people from the Gray-Clad Gang?” The graceful Feather Clan woman looked at the ever-growing crowd of players, especially noticing the strange gazes they cast upon her and her companions. “Why do I feel like these people are eagerly awaiting our arrival? And their looks... it’s as if they’re seeing a delicacy.”

As a faction ranked within the top one hundred in the wilderness, the Azure Sparrow Gang had long been feared across the abandoned districts. Members of various wild factions and even blacklisted vagrants who had achieved apprenticeships avoided them at all costs, fearful that crossing them would mean death in the wild.

Yet this was the first time she had encountered such weak humans, whom she could kill with a single punch, staring at her as if they were prey, utterly indifferent to their own survival, showing no reverence for the strong.

While the three Feather Clan members were observing, Lu Wuzhang and her party arrived at the training ground, causing the three to feel a subtle pressure.

“Fourteen apprentice-level experts—this Gray-Clad Gang is stronger than we estimated,” Flo glanced at Lu Wuzhang and the others who had arrived, acknowledging the Gray-Clad Gang more seriously than before.

Though the Gray-Clad Gang in front of them still couldn’t defeat the three of them and might even be killed by them, fourteen apprentice-level experts represented a formidable force in the wild faction scene.

“Are you the ones looking for me?”

Just as the three were observing, Lin Qi also emerged from the rest room, prompting the players in the training ground to clear a path.

“Respected leader of the Gray-Clad Gang, I am Flo, the deputy leader of the Azure Sparrow Gang. You can call me Flo. We have no hostile intentions in coming here,” Flo said as he sized up Lin Qi carefully while introducing himself.

“Gray-Clad Gang?” Lin Qi frowned, uncertain where that name had spread from, but he showed no desire to explain and instead asked, “What brings you here?”

“We represent the Azure Sparrow Gang, here to discuss a deal with the Gray-Clad Gang,” Flo smiled amicably. “I believe those who attacked the White Feather Gang won’t refuse our cooperation.”

“Are you threatening me?” Lin Qi’s expression darkened as he looked at Flo’s smile that hid a knife.

Though the offer was framed as cooperation, it was clear they were the ones who had assaulted the White Feather Gang. If they refused to cooperate, the outcome was predictable.

“Respected leader of the Gray-Clad Gang, please don’t misunderstand,” Flo explained with a smile. “Regardless of whether this cooperation succeeds, the Azure Sparrow Gang will not reveal any information to the White Feather Gang. In fact, I have arranged for some minor issues with your gang to be taken care of. For example, the Azure Sparrow Gang voluntarily spread word that Miss Luo Qi was freed thanks to a ransom we provided.”

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“With my testimony, I believe the employees of the Crystal Weapon Shop will no longer discuss Miss Luo Qi’s safe return. They might even suspect that it was our Azure Sparrow Gang who destroyed the White Feather Gang’s base.”

“Now, tell me—what sort of cooperation do you have in mind?”

Flo’s proactive goodwill slightly softened Lin Qi’s expression; he realized Flo likely harbored no ill intent.

“There is an old saying: the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Flo said slowly as he pulled out a stack of A4 papers from his clothing. “Our Azure Sparrow Gang has long been at odds with the White Feather Gang, mainly because of the Chiyue Mountain located a hundred kilometers away. Within that mountain lies an energy mineral vein.”

“Though it’s only a small energy vein, capturing it would mean a long-term, stable source of wealth for both our factions. Yet, despite our prolonged contention, neither side has claimed it.”

“So, under the witness of a prominent figure from the city outskirts, we have decided to settle this with a high-stakes gamble: fifty apprentice-level experts from each faction will engage in a deadly battle twelve days from now. The victor will claim ownership of Chiyue Mountain, while the loser must cease any claims.”

“And what does this have to do with our Gray-Clad Gang?”

“Fifty apprentice-level experts is no small number for either faction, especially since it’s a deathmatch. Both sides will seek external assistance, and we believe your gang would make an excellent ally.”

“You want the Gray-Clad Gang as your ally? What’s in it for us?”

“We only ask that your gang send ten apprentice-level experts. Should we win, the Azure Sparrow Gang is willing to grant your gang 5% ownership of the Chiyue Mountain mineral vein. Here is a contract recognized by the City of Light Martial Arts Association. The consequences of breaching it, I believe all residents of the City of Light understand.”

“If your gang is interested, we can sign the contract now and it will take immediate effect.”