34: Qian Miaomiao's request

“You were the one who cleared Dongshan Lake?”

“That was me.”

Wang Dapao nodded.

“How difficult was it?”

Qian Miaomiao quickly pressed him for details. Dongshan Lake was ranked fifth, and Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture was ranked fourth. With only one rank separating them, the difficulty was likely similar.

Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture should be a bit harder.

“It was very difficult, I almost failed. If I had to do it again, I can’t guarantee I’d pass. If given another chance, I’d choose to sell the treasure map,” Wang Dapao said with a wry smile.

Only after clearing Dongshan Lake did he learn that a single treasure map could sell for a million RMB, which filled him with regret. A million RMB, he’d never even seen that much money.

Unlike Li Si, who hadn’t yet entered the workforce, Wang Dapao had been in the workplace for many years and knew how incredibly difficult it was to earn a million RMB.

“Is that so?”

Qian Miaomiao hesitated.

“Big sis, why don’t we just find Lawless Outlaw? It’s guaranteed to clear,” Qian Duoduo said, scratching the tip of his nose.

“Don’t I know that?”

The crucial point was that she didn't want to. Qian Miaomiao didn't want to share the rewards with other players; she wanted to enjoy the treasure map all to herself.

“Then you’ll have to bear the risk of keeping it to yourself. But if you fail, you’ll waste the entire treasure map.”

“You don’t need to remind me.”

Qian Miaomiao glared at Qian Duoduo and reluctantly opened her friend interface.

“Lawless Outlaw, interested in entering Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture?”

At the same time, inside the blacksmith shop.

Li Si received her private message.

“Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture?”

Did he even need to ask? He quickly replied, of course he was interested.

Qian Miaomiao: “I have a proposal.”

“Speak!” Li Si replied instantly.

“Let’s enter Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture together, but you don’t need to do anything. Of course, you won’t share in the treasure map rewards. After we clear it, I’ll give you 1 million RMB.”

“Alright.” Not sharing the rewards was fine; Li Si agreed instantly. To delay even a second would be disrespectful to RMB.

“There’s also a second scenario, where you’d need to assist, and the treasure map rewards would be split equally.”

“In the second scenario, there’s no RMB?” Li Si felt he could try to negotiate, after all, the person on the other side had daily pocket money of up to 5 million.

Qian Miaomiao: “Split the treasure, plus RMB.”

“Coordinates.”

“Black Flame Valley, (4321, 1234).”

“Please wait, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Li Si immediately put down his forging hammer and found Wang Shi.

“Master, may I choose a set of bright moon armor?”

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Damn it, at this moment, Li Si felt like he was experiencing a 996 overtime shift, and the evil capitalist boss was none other than Wang Shi.

“Hey!”

But who could blame Wang Shi for giving so much?

It was always a mythical sub-profession, or a treasure map ranked first in the hundred thousand Novice Villages, or a skill expansion crystal.

What would Wang Shi give him when Blazing Sky Craftsman leveled up to LV3?

Li Si was already looking forward to it.

[mingyue garment] (Purple)

Level: 1

Armor + 5

Health + 200

Health + 2%

[Mingyue Pants] (Purple)

Level: 1

Armor + 4

Health + 200

Health + 2%

[Mingyue Boots] (Purple)

Level: 1

Armor + 4

Movement Speed + 2

Movement Speed + 2%

He casually picked three pieces from hundreds of sets of bright moon armor.

Li Si immediately put them on.

15 points of armor: Physical damage taken reduced by 13%.

In addition, his health and movement speed also increased somewhat.

Not an extreme amount, but not insignificant either.

Because bright moon armor had a noble percentage bonus.

“Master, I’m going out for a bit, I’ll be back soon.”

......

“Outlaw!”

Qian Duoduo started shouting from a hundred meters away.

“So many people?”

Li Si felt confused.

A treasure map could only accommodate one full team, which was seven players at most. Why was Qian Duoduo bringing so many people?

For moral support?

“Dapao received a main quest,” Qian Duoduo said.

“I see.”

Li Si glanced at Wang Dapao, noting his appearance. He was around 30 years old, with a heavy beard, thick eyebrows and large eyes, and a sturdy build.

“Boss, who’s going into Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture?”

“Just you and me.” Qian Miaomiao tore the treasure map without warning.

In an instant, an endless crimson light surged, outlining a glowing portal.

“Is he not coming in?”

Li Si asked, pointing at Wang Dapao.

Being on the level leaderboard proved his strength wasn't weak, so why not bring him along?

“I’m not taking the blame.” Upon hearing this, Wang Dapao quickly retreated to Qian Duoduo’s side. He had just secured a stable job with food, housing, and a monthly salary of fifty thousand. He didn’t want to take any risks; he just wanted to keep his job.

The ultimate principle for a worker: take no risks.

“Alright!”

Li Si said nothing more.

“We’re going in. Duoduo, you take the team and find the entrance to the main quest first. Don’t start the boss until I come out.”

“Got it.”

After explaining everything clearly, Qian Miaomiao stepped into the bloody light portal.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The two figures vanished from their original spots.

The view darkened then brightened, and Li Si found himself in a mansion.

The mansion was enormous, filled with soldiers wearing armor. The armored soldiers were ready for battle, rushing south at high speed. There, smoke billowed, and crimson flames surged, dyeing half the sky red.

Was the south a battlefield?

Li Si looked at the crimson flames on the horizon, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

[Beep!]

[Congratulations on entering the hidden area - Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture Lv20.]

[Current area remaining entries: 0.]

[Description: Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture, a human military prefecture that resisted the invasion of the Flame Demons in the past, boasting a million soldiers.]

“...Flame Demons?”

At this moment, Li Si understood the source of the familiarity.

The crimson flames on the horizon were similar to the environment of Black Flame Valley.

What was the connection between the Flame Demon invasion and Black Flame Valley?

“Let’s go, follow the soldiers south.” Qian Miaomiao said with a solemn expression, her waist-length crimson hair swaying in the wind, complementing the fiery clouds on the horizon.

“Mm.”

Li Si nodded in agreement.

The direction the Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture armored soldiers were heading was 100% the location of the Flame Demon invasion.

The atmosphere was heavy and desolate.

Tens of thousands of armored soldiers poured out of Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture like a steel torrent.

The two followed behind on the right, reaching the thick smoke.

It was a defensive line stretching for a hundred miles. Endless Heavenly Policy armored soldiers fought bloody battles, desperately clashing. But the number of Flame Demons was too great; they surged from the edge of the visible area, like boundless crimson flames, threatening to engulf everything on the earth.

[Beep!]

[Hidden Area - Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture main quest triggered.]

[Please destroy the -- Trans-dimensional Teleportation Array within 2 hours.]

...Main quest?

Li Si was astonished by this, turning to look at Qian Miaomiao, who was equally surprised. A level 20 hidden area actually had a main quest?

“Where’s the Teleportation Array?”

“I don’t know, it should be at the edge of the visible area.”

Li Si said, pointing in the direction from which the Flame Demons were attacking.

“.....” Qian Miaomiao fell silent. Facing the endless Flame Demons, even a knight couldn't hold out, let alone her, a swordswoman. At this moment, she was glad she hadn't acted alone and had rationally listened to Qian Duoduo's advice to bring the grand master.

“Lawless Madman, please make your move. After clearing, 1 million RMB, and we’ll split the treasure.”

Qian Miaomiao faced the situation calmly, accepting it. Splitting half the treasure map reward was better than failing to clear. Weren’t there two typical examples on the Top Ten Treasure Rankings? The sixth-ranked Wild Ruins and the seventh-ranked Ghost Cry Abyss.

“Okay!”

Li Si smiled cheerfully.

He rushed into the battlefield without hesitation.

Heavenly Policy Army Prefecture was a level 20 hidden area, which meant the Flame Demon army’s level did not exceed 20.

And what he feared least were low-level monsters.

100% reduction in physical damage below 600 points.

100% reduction in magic damage below 600 points.

These two attributes alone were enough for him to run rampant among the Flame Demon army, freely unleashing his temper.

- 0!

- 0!

- 0!

......

Dense damage numbers popped up, all of them zero without exception.

Haha....

So satisfying!

Besides Dynasty Warriors, this was the most satisfying moment. Li Si laughed heartily, sweeping with the Great Wilderness Sun-Shooting Bow, slaying the Flame Demons blocking his path.

With so many monsters, it was perfect for grinding experience and leveling up skills.

Shooting them one arrow at a time was too slow; it was better to use the bow as a sword, hacking and slashing with wide, sweeping motions.

Kill! Kill, kill!

Li Si's experience bar soared. Killing monsters 19 levels higher made his experience bar skyrocket even more. And his Limiter was also activating, constantly increasing his overall attributes.

“This... he...”

Qian Miaomiao was dumbfounded.

This scene before her exceeded her understanding. Why could he be immune to damage? Had Lawless Madman activated an invincible state?

......