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Chapter 3 Lin Jun
The so-called gallbladder test is nothing more than three things.
He drew his knife, examined the blood, and severed the chicken's neck.
He was so shaky he'd roll away, so eager to vomit at the sight of blood he'd roll away, he wouldn't even dare touch a chicken, let alone...
Mochin's team has passed.
But the border troops clearly did not trust the new recruits.
They didn't believe this group of soldiers, who were half refugees and half desperados.
The group was not taken into the central camp, but instead was herded to a sheltered mountain valley outside the main camp. A piece of land was set up, some firewood was thrown in, and two old soldiers were assigned to guard it. This was considered their resettlement.
This is normal.
Anyone who has been in a war knows that new recruits are the easiest to die and the easiest to become disorganized.
If we really put them in the central military camp, and something happens at night, our own people will start fighting.
After the fire was lit, the distant sound of drums from the main camp could still be heard.
Further away, the sounds of the night scouts changing horses, the gunners cleaning their weapons, and the old patrolmen cursing could be heard.
Those people from the daytime were also trapped in this group.
A burly, dark-skinned man called himself Liu Gao. He was quite strong, and his face was fierce, which suited his name well.
Another hunter carrying a short bow was named Yan Qi. He was thin, with steady hands, and had been sharpening his arrowheads ever since he sat down.
As for the woman surnamed Lin, she sat neither too far nor too close, wrapped in an old coat, occasionally glancing up at people.
After Liu Gao and the others finished their porridge, they slumped over and began snoring.
Mochin, however, did not sleep.
Then there was some commotion in the amusement park.
Current Reputation: 51.
[The unlock conditions have been met.]
[One-time name change function is now enabled.]
[Friends and private chat features are now enabled.]
He read it twice before finally uttering a curse.
"So you're still alive."
Mo Qin opened the channel first.
The commotion inside was even greater than during the day.
"How many people died in front of Lijia Camp tonight?"
"There must have been at least a dozen, some trampled to death, some hacked to death, some beaten down by rioters."
"I heard a newbie killed a player who was trying to sabotage the game, is that true?"
"Really, I wasn't far away, I saw it."
"Receive information on Commander Li's central army's movements! Whether they will split into separate camps or advance north tomorrow; once this information is verified, it can be exchanged for intelligence!"
Mo Qin's gaze immediately fell upon seeing this message.
The person who spoke, nicknamed Wolong, was from Chengdu.
The next instant, another message immediately appeared.
Dongguan Akhal-Teke Horse:
"You dare to receive news from the Li family? Back in the capital, the Ministry of War just had a big argument today about the troop quota in Liaodong. You wouldn't be trying to steal Marshal Li's route north, would you?"
The channel was silent for a moment, then exploded.
Wolong is in Chengdu:
"You sleek, blood-sweating horse, you still have such a foul mouth. The capital is the central government; who isn't watching? Are you the only ones allowed to eat meat?"
Dongguan Akhal-Teke Horse:
"If you're so capable, then rely on your own information and stop talking about who came first."
Mo Qin watched the two arguing, but remained remarkably calm.
This illustrates at least two things:
First, the capital city is a hot spot, and things there are indeed in complete chaos.
Secondly, the Li Rusong storyline is valuable in the eyes of veteran players.
This is consistent with his judgment.
There are many opportunities in the capital, but there are also many people.
For a newcomer like him, going to the past wasn't about finding opportunities, it was about courting death.
The borderlands are harsh.
But in harsh places, it is often easier for real things to grow.
After thinking it through, Mo Qin didn't hesitate any longer and opened the name change interface.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime privilege; it shouldn't be used carelessly.
He thought for a moment, then typed five words: Central Nine-Headed Bird.
The moment the name change was completed, the park added a line of text.
[The name change only applies from the player's perspective.]
The characters in this world will still recognize you according to your existing identities.
Mo Qin nodded.
That makes sense.
To the players, he is the nine-headed bird of the central region.
Towards the people in the camp, he was still Mochin.
He then sent a friend request directly to Wolong, who is from Chengdu.
The other party did not immediately accept the request, but instead replied with a verification message.
Wolong is in Chengdu:
"Inspect the goods. Are you really in Lijia Camp? Tell me a detail that no one else could make up."
After reading it, Mo Qin felt even more at ease.
He's not stupid.
They're not the kind of people who just give out information for free.
Central Nine-Headed Bird:
"Recruiting soldiers outside Guangning Garrison. The camp is on night duty tonight, with firearmsmen guarding quick-firing guns and three-barreled muskets. New recruits will first receive porridge and then be tested for courage. The leader is Battalion Commander Han, a dark-faced man on horseback with a stern voice."
There was a few moments of silence on the other side before they passed.
Wolong is in Chengdu:
"Okay, it's true. As per the rules, one question equals one answer."
Mochin didn't waste any words and first asked the question that concerned him the most.
Central Nine-Headed Bird:
"Is there anything in this world that truly defies common sense? Such as sorcery, supernatural powers, or the methods of immortals?"
The other side was clearly taken aback for a moment.
After a while, he replied:
Wolong is in Chengdu:
"To my knowledge, no."
"This world is about swords, horses, armor, guns, and provisions. If we're talking about those who come closest to being extraordinary, they're the ruthless ones. Household servants, night watchmen, veteran generals—when they get strong, one can take on ten, and a very few can take on a hundred. But no matter how ruthless they are, they're still human."
Mo Qin stared at these words, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.
It's good that there are no supernatural beings or ghosts.
What he fears most is not difficulty, but chaos.
Central Nine-Headed Bird:
"My message is: Commander Li's actions are not just for show. Tonight, there are scrambled soldiers returning to camp, the artillerymen are cleaning up the poison, and the new recruits are being given porridge before their courage is tested. Tomorrow, they will likely be divided into separate camps again. They are truly preparing for war."
After this message was sent, the other side remained silent for a long time.
Wolong is in Chengdu:
"value."
"The second question."
Central Nine-Headed Bird:
"Will everyone make it out of here alive?"
This time, the other side responded extremely quickly.
Wolong is in Chengdu:
"no."
"In a multiplayer war world, the first hurdle is not to die first. The second hurdle is to check your reputation at the end of the game."
"Veteran players have a saying among themselves: the 'cut-off line.' It's not an official rule, but rather an experience gained through countless trials."
"Ranked by reputation. The top five survive, the bottom five die."
Mo Qin stared at the message, remaining motionless for a long time.
Central Nine-Headed Bird:
"One last question. If someone dies here, does that mean they're truly dead?"
Wolong is in Chengdu:
"Yes."
"Therefore, don't take chances."
After a pause, the other side sent another message.
"Also, don't easily reveal your player identity to locals. Especially avoid mentioning the amusement park, quests, or other worlds."
"Don't treat them like data. If you let a single slip of the tongue, they'll think you're possessed by an evil spirit or a demon."
"A long time ago, a player let slip that he was kidnapped and taken to the temple that very night to be bled dry. The one who did the most brutal thing was his own father."
Central Nine-Headed Bird:
Thanks.
Wolong is in Chengdu:
"You're welcome. Here's another half-sentence for you, though it doesn't count as intelligence."
"There are too many people in the capital. Now that you've sided with Marshal Li, it might not be a bad thing."
After reading it, Mo Qin closed the private chat.
This was exactly what he wanted to hear.
As I was sorting out my thoughts, a shadow stopped at the edge of the firelight.
She is a woman surnamed Lin.
"Still not asleep?"
She spoke first.
"You weren't asleep either," Mo Qin said, looking up at her.
The woman smiled and simply sat down by the fire.
"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Lin Jun. Jun in 'gentleman'."
"Mo Qin".
"I know that."
Lin Jun looked at him. "Commander Han wrote your name down during the day."
Without beating around the bush, she said directly:
"I've come to ask you to be my dining partner."
Mochin looked at her: "Reason?"
Lin Jun reached out to warm his hands by the fire, his tone calm.
"My reputation is over fifty now. I just opened a private chat and asked some questions."
Mo Qin didn't respond, but looked at her, indicating that she should continue.
Lin Jun continued:
"I'm not afraid of going it alone. What I'm afraid of is being dragged into the bottom 50% of a game that I could have won because everyone around me is an idiot."
She looked up at Mo Qin, her eyes bright.
"I'm not as strong as you, and I might not be as fast at killing as you. But I can judge people."
"You can most likely survive on your own. But if you want more, it won't be enough on your own."
The fire crackled.
"so,"
Lin Jun said, "I'm here to find a partner."
Mochin paused for a moment, then asked her:
Do you understand me?
Lin Jun answered quickly.
"A little bit, because you're neither stupid nor arrogant."
After hearing this, Mo Qin twitched the corner of his mouth.
"You have a really good eye for people."
"Let's just say it."
Lin Jun looked at him and said, "I'm looking for a partner, not a father figure. You take the lead, and I'll cover the side. If we really want to split the profits, we can talk about it later. Let's make it clear first, I won't hold you back."
Mo Qin wiped his face and nodded.
"OK."
"Let's build it."
Upon hearing this, Lin Jun smiled slightly.
"Then it's settled."
She got up, took two steps, and then turned back.
Oh, and one more thing for you.
"Those two moves you made during the day were really beautiful."
"But if you rely solely on your fists, you'll suffer sooner or later. In this area, the best tool is your brain."
After saying that, she turned around and went back to her seat.
The next day, before dawn, the old soldier's shouts and curses rang out from outside the mountain valley.
"Get up, all of you!"
"Feed the livestock! Wash the pots! Take attendance!"
"If you keep playing dead, I'll kick you!"
A group of newbies got up, grumbling and cursing.
Mo Qin got up quickly, and Lin Jun was not far behind.
The two followed the group to the riverbank, where several skinny packhorses and mules were tethered.
Newly recruited soldiers are certainly not qualified to handle warhorses right now; these animals are mostly just for them to learn how to care for, and incidentally to screen out the recruits.
Moqin led over a packhorse and bent down to splash water on its hind legs.
The mud was washed away, revealing a clear brand mark.
It was a military seal, with a small battalion number knife mark next to it.
"Do you know what this means?"
Lin Jun had appeared beside them at some point.
"Military assets."
She whispered.
"Um."
"No wonder."
Lin Jun sighed. "Last night, some idiot on the channel was yelling about stealing horses and running away in the middle of the night. If he actually led the horse out of camp, wouldn't every garrison, fortress, and patrol post along the way have noticed?"
Mochin remained silent, continuing to splash water on the horse's legs.
Then he handed over the reins.
"More saliva than tea, let's get to work."
In the camp, the bugle call had already sounded.
A new day has begun.