Chapter 10: Zhao Kai's Bill Exceeded, So I Rented the Entire Building as My Studio (Server-Wide Broadcast)

After dealing with the twenty-plus elites from the Heavenly Temple and returning to the Novice Village, it was almost dark. The sky in the game changed with real-world time; the setting sun painted the roofs of the Novice Village gold, which looked quite atmospheric.

But he wasn't in the mood for scenery; he still had a score to settle.

Opening his friend list, Zhao Kai's ID was still online—more accurately, he was trapped in the Creation Space, waiting for the 24-hour cooldown to end. Lin Ye glanced at the progress bar of the Social Death Package; it was only two levels away from unlocking the Server-Wide Mandatory Scrolling Announcement.

A wicked smile curled on his lips as he sent Zhao Kai a private message.

[Private Message] Ye: Master Kai, have you gathered the hundred thousand gold coins?

The reply came instantly, his tone humble to the extreme—

[Private Message] Master Kai: Brother Ye, I've gathered eighty-five thousand, still short by fifteen thousand. Can you give me a few days' grace? I promise I'll pay!

Lin Ye: "No. I said a hundred thousand, not a single coin less. However—"

He paused on purpose.

[Private Message] Master Kai: However what? Just say it, Brother Ye! As long as you can clear the debuffs on me, I'll do anything!

Lin Ye: "One hundred thousand gold coins, plus that purple gear you're wearing, [ring of triumph], and I'll clear a portion of your debuffs."

[Private Message] Master Kai: ...Fine! I'll give it!

Zhao Kai was now backed into a corner. Trapped in the Creation Space, he lost health when online and feared Lin Ye's new tricks when offline. Over the past dozen hours, he hadn't even slept well, logging on every ten minutes to check if the debuffs were still there; he was being driven insane.

Gritting his teeth, he took off his only remaining purple gear, the [ring of triumph], and traded it to Lin Ye along with eighty-five thousand gold coins.

[System Notification: You have received 85,000 gold coins and [ring of triumph] (Purple) from player [Master Kai].]

Lin Ye looked at the ring; its attributes were decent—Strength +20, Critical Rate +8%, Attack Speed +10%. He casually equipped it, and his stats boosted once more.

[Private Message] Ye: Money received. Now let's settle your debuffs.

Zhao Kai's heart leaped into his throat—

[Private Message] Master Kai: Brother Ye, you said you'd help me clear them!

Lin Ye: "I said clear a portion, I didn't say all of them."

[Private Message] Master Kai: ...You!

[Private Message] Ye: Don't be in such a hurry, let me finish. Regarding the debuffs on you, I can help you clear the health drain and the offline vibration effects. However—

He paused again on purpose.

[Private Message] Master Kai: However what?!

[Private Message] Ye: However, I will leave a backdoor. If you ever provoke me again or speak ill of me outside, the backdoor will trigger, all debuffs will return instantly, and this time—they can never be cleared.

The other side was silent for a full minute.

Lin Ye could imagine Zhao Kai's expression right now—he must be both furious and terrified, wishing he could tear him apart but not daring to.

[Private Message] Master Kai: ...Fine. I agree. I won't provoke you again.

Lin Ye smiled and began operating the Talent panel. He cleared the health drain and offline vibration effects from Zhao Kai but kept the core framework of the Social Death Package, plus a hidden "permanent backdoor."

[System Notification: Some debuffs on player [Master Kai] have been cleared. Remaining effects: None. Backdoor has been set; trigger condition: player [Master Kai] exhibits malicious behavior or speech toward player [Ye].]

Zhao Kai breathed a long sigh of relief as he watched his character finally stop losing health. But what he didn't know was that Lin Ye had left a time bomb on him—if he dared to cause trouble again, he could forget about playing this game properly for the rest of his life.

[Private Message] Master Kai: Brother Ye, then I'll log off for now. Let's play together if we get the chance.

Lin Ye almost laughed out loud at this message. Play together? This guy was probably traumatized.

He didn't reply, closed the private message, and checked the Talent panel—the progress bar for the Social Death Package was just one step away from unlocking the Server-Wide Mandatory Scrolling Announcement.

And Zhao Kai was the perfect test subject.

Lin Ye opened the World Channel and began typing—

[World Channel][Ye]: @Master Kai Brother Kai, I've received your hundred thousand gold Protection Fee. But it seems you still owe me fifteen thousand? Do you want me to put up an announcement so the whole server knows you're a deadbeat?

Zhao Kai almost spat blood when he saw this message—

[World Channel][Master Kai]: Brother Ye! I'll pay right now! Don't post an announcement!

[World Channel][Ye]: Too late.

Lin Ye raised his hand and activated the ultimate effect of the Social Death Package on Zhao Kai's ID—

[System Notification: [Server-Wide Mandatory Scrolling Announcement] has been applied to target [Master Kai]. Effect description: Target ID and debt information will be broadcast on all channels for 24 hours; no player can block this.]

The next second, a striking red announcement popped up on the screens of all players across the server—

[Server-wide Announcement · Forced Broadcast] Player [Master Kai] owes player [Ye] 15,000 gold coins in Protection Fees and refuses to pay; currently losing health continuously. Let all players take this as a warning: play with integrity, starting with me.

This announcement wasn't a normal system message; it was embedded directly at the top of the game interface. Whether you were running a dungeon, fighting a boss, browsing the Trading House, or looking at the scenery, you could see it. Furthermore, there was no close button and no block option; it broadcasted continuously for 24 hours.

The entire server instantly exploded—

[World Channel]

[Player 'Wocao Wuqing': Hahaha! What kind of god-tier operation is this? You can get a server-wide announcement for owing protection money?]

[Player 'Milk Tea Without Sugar': Isn't Master Kai the Vice President of the Heavenly Temple? How did he end up owing protection money?]

[Player 'Solo Player Old Li': I'm dying, Brother Ye's move is too brutal! A 24-hour broadcast, Master Kai has lost all face!]

[Player 'Little Prince of Pay-to-Win': Master Kai, hurry up and pay! Otherwise, this announcement will be up all day!]

Zhao Kai was stunned as he stared at the glaring red announcement on his screen. He frantically clicked the close button, the block button, and even tried restarting the gaming pod—it was useless. The announcement was like a persistent skin disease stuck to his game interface, impossible to remove.

He opened the World Channel, his voice trembling—

[World Channel][Master Kai]: Brother Ye! I was wrong! I'll pay the money right now! Please take down the announcement!

[World Channel][Ye]: Fine. Fifteen thousand, transfer it now.

Gritting his teeth, Zhao Kai transferred the final fifteen thousand gold coins.

[System Notification: You have received 15,000 gold coins from player [Master Kai].]

Lin Ye nodded in satisfaction as he received the money. But he didn't take down the announcement.

[World Channel][Master Kai]: Brother Ye? The money is sent! Take down the announcement!

[World Channel][Ye]: Oh, I forgot to mention. This announcement lasts for 24 hours and can't be removed. Just consider it paying to learn a lesson.

[World Channel][Master Kai]: ...You motherf—!

[World Channel][Ye]: Hmm? What did you say?

Zhao Kai quickly deleted the curse words he had typed. He remembered the "backdoor" Lin Ye mentioned and shuddered—

[World Channel][Master Kai]: Nothing, nothing! Carry on, Brother Ye! I won't disturb you!

Zhao Kai closed the World Channel and slumped in his chair, staring at the 24-hour continuous broadcast on his screen, wanting to cry but having no tears.

From today on, the name "Master Kai" would be the biggest joke on the server.

And at this moment, the players had already given Zhao Kai a new nickname—"Kai the Leek."

[World Channel]

[Player 'Bad at Naming': Let's call him Kai the Leek from now on! He's both trash and loves to show off, getting fleeced and still paying Protection Fees!]

[Player 'Onlooker': That nickname is perfect! Kai the Leek, hahahaha!]

[Player 'Yes Little Follower': Brother Ye is awesome! The first man on the server to fleece a pay-to-win tycoon into a leek!]

Lin Ye watched the excitement on the World Channel, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. The matter with Zhao Kai was completely settled.

He closed the game interface and exited the gaming pod.

The rented room was still dim and cramped, with that half-bucket of cold instant noodles on the table. But Lin Ye's mood was completely different from a few hours ago.

He picked up his phone and checked his bank balance—123,000 yuan.

This was what he had earned in a single day.

Lin Ye took a deep breath and dialed the landlady's number.

"Auntie, is it convenient for me to come over now? I'll pay the rent."

The landlady's voice immediately became enthusiastic: "Convenient, very convenient! You can come anytime, Brother Ye! Do you want me to pick you up?"

Lin Ye smiled: "No need, I'll walk over."

He put on his jacket and walked out of the rented room.

It was already dark outside, but the neon lights illuminated the entire street. As Lin Ye walked, his steps were much lighter.

Ten minutes later, he arrived downstairs at the landlady's house.

The landlady was already waiting downstairs. Seeing Lin Ye, she came forward to greet him, her face covered in smiles: "Brother Ye! Come, come, come upstairs and sit! I've made tea for you!"

Lin Ye followed her upstairs. The landlady ushered him into the living room, pouring tea and bringing fruit, being extremely attentive.

"Brother Ye, you really want to rent the whole building?" the landlady asked cautiously.

Lin Ye nodded: "Six floors, four units per floor, eight thousand a month, renting for a year first. Here's ninety-six thousand, you can count it."

He transferred the money. The landlady's eyes lit up as she looked at the payment notification on her phone.

"Brother Ye, don't you worry! I'll definitely have this building cleaned up for you! Do you need furniture? I have a few sets ready, you can use them for free!"

Lin Ye thought for a moment: "I'll take the furniture, but not for free; I'll pay what it's worth. Also, I want to turn the first floor into a studio. Can I renovate it?"

"Yes, yes, yes! You can renovate it however you like!" the landlady guaranteed, patting her chest. "Leave the renovation to me, I know a few renovation teams with good skills and cheap prices!"

Lin Ye nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Auntie."

"No trouble at all!" The landlady couldn't stop smiling. "Brother Ye, if you need anything in the future, just tell me!"

Lin Ye stood up, preparing to leave. The landlady saw him to the door and suddenly called out: "Brother Ye..."

"Hmm?"

The landlady hesitated for a moment and said, "What I said before... don't take it to heart. I was just scared of tenants being late on rent."

Lin Ye smiled slightly: "It's fine, it's all in the past."

He walked out the door and took a deep breath of the night air. After three months, he could finally walk with his head held high.

Returning to his rented room, Lin Ye began packing. Actually, there wasn't much to pack—a few changes of clothes, an old computer, and some miscellaneous items. The second-hand gaming pod was the most important; he carefully disassembled it, preparing to move it to the new building tomorrow.

After packing, he sat on the bed and opened his phone, seeing a message from Fatty—

[WeChat] Fatty: Bro, I heard you made a fortune in the game? Can you carry me? I want to farm too!

Lin Ye smiled and replied: "Sure. Come over tomorrow, I'll save a room for you. We'll work together from now on."

[WeChat] Fatty: Really?! Bro, you're too awesome! I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning!"

Lin Ye turned off his phone and lay back on the bed. He stared at the ceiling, his mind already planning the next step.

The gold in the game was still coming in; Zhao Kai's hundred thousand was just the beginning. Qin Wentian definitely wouldn't let things go easily, and there would eventually be a direct confrontation with the Heavenly Temple. And then there was that GM, who might come in handy later.

As he was thinking, his phone suddenly vibrated—it was a system notification from the game, synced through the app.

[System Notification: A large number of hostile players have been detected near your Wolf Kings Lair; please handle this promptly.]

Lin Ye frowned and checked the app—at the entrance of the Wolf Kings Lair, another twenty-plus players had appeared, but this time they weren't ordinary elites.

The leader was a player named 'Lingtian of Heavenly Temple,' shown as Level 18. His equipment was all glowing purple, and the weapon in his hand had a faint golden shimmer—the special effect of Epic-grade Equipment.

The elite captain of the server's number one guild, Heavenly Temple, and Qin Wentian's right-hand man.

Lin Ye's gaze turned cold. Right after he finished with Zhao Kai, the Heavenly Temple people arrived? Were they here to avenge Zhao Kai, or to snatch the Wolf King?

He checked the time: 11:00 PM. He had planned to rest, but it seemed that wouldn't be possible.

Lin Ye rolled out of bed and climbed back into the gaming pod.

The moment the pod door closed, his gaze became sharp—

Qin Wentian, you want to play? Then I'll play with you.