Chapter Fifteen: The Five-Person Team

The task teleportation in the Origin Game was somewhat violent. Jiang He felt as if someone had kicked him hard in the back, a powerful force sweeping through his body, carrying him through space amid a dazzling array of shifting lights.

In the blink of an eye, Jiang He settled onto solid ground.

Before his eyes stood a square rosewood table, laden with delicacies still radiating warmth. Beyond, it was dusk; the molten-gold afterglow streamed in, particles of dust swirling in the air, imbued with a sense of faded opulence.

Five people sat around the table, each appraising their comrades.

At the head sat a burly man with a robust build, openly revealing his face. His trimmed beard left only a stubble of rigid blue-gray. Clad in armor etched with intricate patterns, his status was marked above his head as he was in team mode.

Leader of the He family, ID: Chu Fuqiang

Player Level: LV7

Title: The Unyielding Shield

To his left sat an old man, half his face obscured by a mask. His eyes were cloudy. In his hand, he held a fishing rod, its line sharp and gleaming coldly.

Uncle He of the He family, ID: Suo Li Weng

Player Level: LV6

Title: Crossing the River on a Reed

To the right, a slender woman wore a headpiece shaped like six mahjong tiles, only her eyes visible. A piece of yellow paper with haphazard crimson characters was pasted on her forehead.

Youngest sister of the He family, ID: Cangshan Fuxue

Player Level: LV7

Title: The Nine Laws of Command

At the far left, a man cloaked in black with deep red hands and thick knuckles lay exposed.

Third brother of the He family, ID: Luan Xiang

Player Level: LV6

Title: Inspector General

At the far right sat a figure disguised with golden hair and blue eyes, wearing a monocle.

Fourth brother of the He family, ID: Mo Ke

Player Level: LV3

...

A brief silence fell.

The burly man Chu Fuqiang spoke first: "Everyone, this is clearly a team survival-type dungeon, which means we will face great danger."

"According to the background given when the task started, this is likely the historical Yangzhou Massacre."

"The records show the city was littered with 800,000 corpses. Opposing us is King Iron Hat Tieduo, commanding 80,000 troops, including 30,000 elite full-time flag soldiers known for their martial prowess."

Beside him, the aged Suo Li Weng said with a frail voice: "A proper full-time soldier, especially one hardened by over a decade of fighting, likely possesses physical abilities far surpassing ordinary men. Fully armored flag soldiers in ancient times were walking tanks. Coupled with battle formations and cooperation, we must work together. Players below LV10 are no match for such an army. Of course, if anyone brings a heavy machine gun, I’ll risk my life alongside you noble fellows."

For now, Suo Li Weng expressed his support.

Chu Fuqiang continued: "I am the leader of Team A in the Southern Operations Division of the Good Order Company. Let me declare in advance that I will abide by the four great disciplines."

"One: Do not harm neutral players."

"Two: Do not offend innocent civilians."

"Three: Respect the natural evolution of the extraordinary."

"Four: Resolutely strike down players of the evil faction."

To his right, Cangshan Fuxue, wearing the mahjong tile headpiece, couldn’t help but ridicule: "Big brother, you’re too by-the-book."

Chu Fuqiang half-jokingly, half-seriously replied: "Orders from above, I have no choice."

The black-cloaked Luan Xiang remained silent.

Jiang He asked calmly, "How do we define neutral and evil factions?"

Suo Li Weng chuckled: "Their Order Bureau holds the legendary jade seal, a perfect artifact surpassing excellence, a treasure that controls fate. Once an edict is issued, the true nature of any faction is revealed. It all depends on whether the player’s usual conduct is humane."

Chu Fuqiang cleared his throat twice, signaling Suo Li Weng to not cross the line, then said: "In the Yangzhou Massacre, once the green soldiers enter the city, all hope is lost. We must quickly join the city’s defenders. According to historical records, General Shi commanded over ten thousand troops defending the city. Victory is not impossible. I specialize in defense and have considerable strength."

Suo Li Weng weighed his fishing rod and said: "I specialize in agility and am skilled in fishing."

Cangshan Fuxue produced a piece of yellow paper: "A talisman."

Luan Xiang flipped his hand and hoarsely said: "Palm technique."

Jiang He took out his crossbow hanging at his waist and said steadily: "I specialize in forging and know some gunmanship."

Chu Fuqiang looked gratified; everyone was cooperating well.

"Then let’s immediately—"

At that moment, a desperate cry rang from outside.

"The city has fallen!"

"General Shi is dead!"

"The green soldiers have broken through, run for your lives!"

Chu Fuqiang: "..."

No, this isn’t a game anymore.

"Damn it, they didn’t even give us a chance." Chu Fuqiang’s composure broke. Including the time spent talking, they had been here less than five minutes.

The group stepped onto the street. Dozens of tall horses crossed from the northern city gate, the leader dragging the corpse of a man in official robes southwards to claim glory from Tieduo. Onlookers were horrified, hastening to shutter their doors and windows. After all, a passing army is like a band of robbers—one careless moment could mean death.

Jiang He suddenly turned and found the black-cloaked Luan Xiang was nowhere to be seen.

"What are your missions?"

The others realized the question. Chu Fuqiang sighed: "Survive ten days. But Origin Game never said we couldn’t join the green soldiers. It’s just I can’t cross that line myself."

Cangshan Fuxue shook her head: "Survive ten days? A young woman running over there is just throwing herself into the trap. I don’t intend to test the enemy’s sanity."

Suo Li Weng looked hesitant but glanced at Chu Fuqiang and chose to stay. The enemy knew his real identity. To unite more extraordinary beings, the Order Bureau launched a bounty hunter system, adopting a limited cooperation policy.

Jiang He remained composed: "Our task is to survive ten days. Cooperation is most efficient, but we can’t stay in this house any longer. Luan Xiang might lead the army to besiege us."

Chu Fuqiang decided immediately: "Everyone, return to your rooms and pack. Take all the gold and valuables. In special situations, money can buy your life. Historical records show that on the first day of the city’s fall, the situation was not yet completely hopeless."

Jiang He strode away. The He family compound was large; every male had his own room. When the city was stormed and massacred, large households like this were primary targets of the green soldiers. But they did not kill at first sight; instead, they repeatedly plundered valuables to save time and effort searching everywhere.

In the room of the fourth brother, Jiang He found thirty taels of silver and some small coins, edges cut as if clipped. A box was full of copper coins. On the desk, conspicuously placed, was a letter with still-damp ink.

The letter mainly contained an invitation. As the green soldiers crossed the river, chaos and war raged, and a flood of refugees poured in. The fourth brother invited acquaintances to shelter at the house. The signature was from a woman.

After reading, Jiang He burned the letter. This likely involved a side quest, but he was burdened with the executioner’s assessment and had no energy to explore further. Two hundred flag soldiers were manageable, but killing Tieduo was fraught with danger, especially since powerful extraordinary beings might guard him. The power of King Iron Hat was immense.

...

At the same time,

The main force of green soldiers disguised as reinforcements entered the city. Minister of War Shi of the Southern Ming died for his cause, inspiring resolve. Yet the defending troops on the city walls, upon witnessing the fall of Yangzhou, instantly lost morale and fled in panic.

Previously, to counter the enemy, Minister Shi had ordered wooden planks to be built between the narrow city walls and houses to mount cannons. Now, the remaining green soldiers swarmed in a fierce assault. The crowded streets were chaotic, with close combat everywhere. Defenders crawled and fled upon the planks, which could not bear the weight. Most fell like leaves, dying from the fall—brains splattered, bones shattered, bodies reduced to a pulp.