Section Forty-One: The First Assignment

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Garyville followed behind Yang Wentian as they headed toward Wang Luo’s camp, his heart uneasy. As an experienced contractor, he was acutely aware of the terror of having his attributes and defenses reduced by fifty percent. During the previous battle, he had taken pains to keep his team members close, doing everything in his power to protect their safety.

Until now, he had only one goal: to lead his team through this scenario alive—and he had prepared extensively for that. If he received any orders that were too dangerous, or if the contractors on the side of the Yellow Turbans made unreasonable demands, he planned to use Yang Wentian’s life as leverage against them.

When Mei Xiaosheng announced that cheap equipment exchanges were available, he nearly leapt for joy. He could hardly believe such good fortune could befall them.

On the way, many Yellow Turban soldiers were drilling.

“Overthrow the Han! Crush the tyrants! Divide the land equally!”

“Maintain strict discipline! Do not disturb the people!”

As they pressed forward, the banners changed. No longer did they bear the leader’s surname embroidered upon them; instead, two flags were raised above the camp—one with a red background and yellow script, bearing the word “Reform”; the other with a yellow background and red script, bearing the word “People.”

“What do you need us to do?” The five members of the Shadow Team—Garyville, Moronov, Mei Xiaosheng, Erik, and the Owen brothers—entered the tent and stood side by side before Wang Luo’s desk.

“Introduce yourselves first.”

“I’m Garyville, leader of the Shadow Team. Um… my skill is Shadow Bullet, which allows me to deal concealed damage to enemies. My highest-level equipment is level six, and it’s soul-bound.”

After this brief introduction, Garyville noticed Wang Luo still had his head down, writing something, so he shot a glance at his teammates.

They understood the signal. Each gave a similarly concise introduction: Moronov could temporarily reduce incoming damage; Mei Xiaosheng could obtain discounts via trade; Erik’s skill was casting nets; Owen specialized in setting traps.

“These are the tasks I’ve prepared. You may choose any you like.” Wang Luo, showing no dissatisfaction with the perfunctory introductions, handed Garyville a document. “The first few pages are preliminary tasks; the later pages list items available for exchange.”

“Once you accumulate ten thousand contribution points, you can exchange them with the revolutionary army’s quartermasters. Each exchange is capped at items, equipment, or goods worth up to ten thousand universal points.”

“All tasks and contribution points will be notarized through the spatial contract; contribution points can be traded.”

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“Task: Persuade Han army prisoners in the camp to surrender to the revolutionary army. Reward: 20 contribution points per person.”

“Task: Persuade Han soldiers who have not been captured to join the revolutionary army. Reward: 100 contribution points per person.”

“Task: Educate the revolutionary army to recognize at least three thousand Chinese characters. Reward: 500 contribution points.”

“Task: Recruit nearby vagrants and bring them to the revolutionary camp. Reward: 5 contribution points per person.”

“Task: Persuade contractors from the Han army side to join the revolutionary army. Reward: 1,000 contribution points per person.”

“Rewards are issued at the end of each task, with 24 hours’ advance notice; new tasks may be added at any time.”

There were no dangerous combat missions. Confirming this, Garyville relaxed a little.

He then glanced at the list of items available for exchange. There were no high-level objects like the Tiger Tally or the Governor’s Seal, but the prices… A tower shield, which could be taken out of the scenario and would sell for over 800 at auction, was available here for just 300. Even if resold outside, it would be quite profitable.

Garyville expressed his agreement respectfully and left. After he departed, Yang Wentian voiced his doubts.

“Letting them handle such tasks probably won’t have much effect.”

“I don’t expect much from them,” Wang Luo replied. “Anyone can do these jobs. If they do well, I’ll offer them exchange opportunities.”

“If people from the Han army surrender, can they also undertake these tasks?” The question came from Zhou Suyan, who had entered to pour tea just as Garyville’s team came in and had heard the whole exchange.

“They can,” Wang Luo said with a wave of his hand. “Of course.”

----

“Charles, old friend, we’ve made preparations for a celebration in the camp, just waiting for your return.”

“I trust you’ve already defeated the Yellow Turban forces and reaped enough benefits to cover the losses your plan brought upon the team. Let me see—eight transfer orders, over two hundred thousand; the value of the chain-exploding traps, also over two hundred thousand. Altogether, a mere four hundred thousand universal points.”

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“But of course, if—just if—you failed to defeat the Yellow Turban forces, that would mean the whole investment has gone down the drain. If things were as before, you’d only need to cover the losses, which I suppose you could still manage. But under your new plan, if it fails completely, the decision-maker must pay the team triple compensation. I doubt that’s a sum you could muster.”

“Still, we are old friends. I’ll be sure to speak well of you to the team leader. Shuffling positions isn’t the worst that could happen, right?”

Your old friend, Gru

Charles restrained himself from tearing up the letter.

There were still two hours left; perhaps he could launch another raid on the Yellow Turban camp, using up the value of these soldiers. Though the numbers were overwhelming, which might lead to disobedience…

Better to wait. Wait until Wright activated the remaining relays along the road and he received the latest news from Luo Xiaowan and Zhou Suyan, then make a decision.

Yes, they were communicating by cellphone. In this era, cellphone signal was limited to a few hundred meters. But Wu Zhou’s wealthy team had purchased the technology to build relay stations and extend their communication range.

The problem was, under the suppression of the era’s forces, the relay stations often malfunctioned and required frequent reactivation. Previously, the relays had remained operational. But after news arrived that the Han army’s main force was preparing to ambush the Yellow Turban commanders, the maintenance personnel had vanished without a trace.

Though his heart burned with anxiety, though he knew the situation was dire—no reinforcements, powerful enemies, Gru behind him doing everything possible to slander and accuse him—

Lin Feier seemed, on the surface, to appreciate and value him, but there was no doubt that woman cared more for money and status. If her own interests were at stake, he could not expect any help from her.

Then, he would have to pay off his debts little by little. In many future scenarios, he would gain nothing, subjected to the scorn, contempt, and rejection of all his teammates—just as he had once scorned them; perhaps only occasionally allowed into her room—when she wanted to provoke others. After that, greater humiliation and blows would follow.

Never. So, what about leaving the team?

She hadn’t set overly harsh penalties for quitting. Loss of all current universal points, and forfeiture of all mission rewards from the next three scenarios.

That was all.