270: Chapter 270 The whole city was in an uproar, completely driven mad!

City Lord Meng's commands echoed through the empty main hall.

The expression on Chen You's face cracked inch by inch.

What on earth is going on?

A city-wide honor guard?

Digging up ritual vessels buried with the dead to use?

The City Guard changing into their highest-specification armor?

All just... to let me observe a ceremony?

Big brother, do you have some kind of misunderstanding about me?

I'm just an ordinary player who wants to grind mobs and level up!

"City Lord Meng, calm down, calm down for a moment." Chen You tried a final attempt at salvage.

"There's really no need for this. Keep everything simple. It's the thought that counts, the thought..."

"No!"

City Lord Meng flatly refused. He took a step forward, staring intently at Chen You with burning eyes, his emotions reaching a fever pitch.

"Brother Chen, you keep declining—do you look down on me, Meng De?"

"Or do you think my little Thousand Light City can't even put on a ceremony worthy of your presence?!"

"..."

Chen You opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.

God damn 'look down on you.'

I just have social anxiety and don't want so much unnecessary drama!

Looking at City Lord Meng's face, which practically screamed "if you don't agree today, you're slapping my face," he finally gave up resisting.

There was no reasoning with an NPC stuck in a logic loop.

He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and put back on that mask of unruffled indifference.

"City Lord Meng..."

"Whatever makes you happy."

"Good!" City Lord Meng was overjoyed upon hearing this, as if he had received an imperial decree. He clapped his hands sharply. "I knew Brother Chen understood me!"

He turned around and roared toward the door with overwhelming momentum.

"What are you still standing there for! Do as I said! Quickly!!"

The guards outside jumped, scrambling and crawling to deliver the orders.

[Ding! The quest 'the heros orphan' has been updated!]

[Current Stage: Attend the Ancestral Sacrifice Ceremony (Observation)]

[Description: Your extraordinary sincerity (financial power) has deeply moved the Meng De of Thousand Light City. He has decided to hold the Ancestral Sacrifice Ceremony with the highest specifications and has invited you to observe as a supreme guest.]

[Please follow the Meng De's honor guard to the Tomb of Thousand Lights.]

Chen You looked at the quest description, his eyelid twitching uncontrollably.

This damn system, even the notes in the parentheses are so precise.

...

The Source Realm was a game, after all.

A top-tier ceremony that would require months of preparation in the mortal world was nothing more than a few streams of data here.

Less than three minutes after City Lord Meng's order was issued.

Dong—!!

A distant and resonant toll of a bell rang out from the bell tower in the center of Thousand Light City, spreading to every corner of the city.

Then came the second toll, the third...

The bell tolled nine times!

Since the founding of Thousand Light City, this was the highest etiquette, used only when facing the destruction of the city or the coronation of a new king.

In an instant, the players throughout Thousand Light City exploded in a frenzy.

"Holy crap? What's the situation? The bell tower rang?"

"Nine times! It was nine times! I counted! Is this the highest alarm or what?"

"Did the anniversary celebration add a new event?!"

"Look at the sky! Over by the Meng De's Manor!"

Countless players looked up.

Above the Meng De's Manor, streaks of flowing light soared into the sky, exploding and turning into a golden rain of light that showered down.

Immediately after, squads of City Guards wearing brilliant golden armor and holding halberds poured out from various barracks like a tide.

They quickly occupied all the main roads from the Meng De's Manor to the West Gate leading to the Tomb of Thousand Lights.

Iron horses and golden spears, their armor gleaming in the sun.

The 'Thousand Light Gilded Armor' they wore was a special honor guard cosmetic that players had only seen in quest descriptions, rumored to be the Meng De Manor's ultimate treasure.

But now, along this long street, it was densely packed with golden armor!

A post every hundred paces, a sentry every ten.

On both sides of the road, musicians in classical robes stood solemnly, holding ancient-looking instruments.

This display directly stunned everyone who saw it.

"My god, this spectacle! Even the Meng De's inspection wouldn't be this exaggerated, right?"

"It's definitely a hidden world-class quest! Quick, go to the Meng De's Manor entrance and see who triggered it!"

"Stop pushing, stop pushing! Brothers in front, make some room!"

Countless players flooded toward the main road from all directions. The sides of the street were a sea of people, everyone craning their necks, waiting for the protagonist to appear.

Under the gaze of the expectant crowd, the gates of the Meng De's Manor slowly opened.

City Lord Meng, wearing deep green sacrificial robes, walked out with a solemn expression.

Behind him were Du Chedi in a wheelchair and Cai Wenjuan in plain clothes, while little Meng Xiao tugged at City Lord Meng's hem, curiously eyeing the surroundings.

"It's City Lord Meng! As expected, there's a quest!"

"What's he going to do? Sacrifice to the heavens?"

While the players were buzzing with discussion, a figure slowly walked out from beside City Lord Meng.

The person wore a black robe, his face calm, with starlight flowing around his body.

As soon as this unique combination appeared, the noisy street fell silent for exactly half a second.

Then, an uproar ten times more intense than before erupted.

"Holy shit! Big Shot Chen You!!"

"It's him! The ruthless guy who split the dungeon stone tablet with one sword!"

"I knew it! I knew that for such a world-class scene, who else could it be but him!"

"Wait a minute... so you're saying this spectacle isn't some anniversary event... it was prepared for him?"

A player stared blankly at the gilded honor guard stretching for miles, then at Chen You, who was surrounded in the center with a face full of despair, and murmured:

"Disperse, everyone disperse."

"There's no world quest, it's just a big shot going out for a stroll."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding players didn't disperse; instead, they became even more excited.

"A stroll? You call this a stroll? This is a damn parade!"

"I'm salty, I'm really salty! Is this the prestige of a big shot?"

"You're all too shallow. Money is too vulgar. What I see is the kindness in his heart! I'm in love."

"Beautiful lady, I'm kind too, why don't you look at me?"

"Beat it!"

Listening to the noisy discussions of the players around him, Chen You felt his head hurt even more.

He could feel countless gazes, mixed with envy, jealousy, shock, and worship, focusing on him like searchlights.

Social death was nothing more than this.

"Brother Chen!"

City Lord Meng beside him was clearly very satisfied with this scene. He straightened his back, his face glowing, and whispered excitedly:

"Look! This is the foundation of my Thousand Light City! This is the sincerity of me, Meng De!"

"Today, all the soldiers and civilians of the city will witness our friendship!"

Chen You looked forward expressionlessly, squeezing a few words through his teeth.

"Yes, it's great..."

"Let's just hurry up and go."

He just wanted to end this public execution as quickly as possible.

Under City Lord Meng's enthusiastic "support," Chen You half-reluctantly boarded an outrageously luxurious exclusive carriage.

City Lord Meng, Cai Wenjuan, Du Chedi, and Meng Xiao, as a member of the Meng Family bloodline, also boarded the carriage one after another.

"Depart—!"

With a long command, the Meng De's exclusive band, which had long been prepared, began to play a powerful and ancient musical movement.

Dong—! Dong—! Dong—!

The heavy sound of war drums beat, as if striking everyone's heart.

The melodious sound of horns soared into the sky, dispersing the clouds.

Eight Unicorn Spirit Horses started their pace, and the precious carriage slowly set off.

Escorted by hundreds of golden-armored guards, it drove along the street packed with players toward the Tomb of Thousand Lights.

"Godfather," Meng Xiao tugged at Chen You's hem, her large eyes full of curiosity.

"Are they all here to see you off? You're so amazing!"

"Cough!" Chen You almost choked on his own saliva and hurriedly corrected her, "Xiao Xiao, you can't call me that randomly."

He really didn't want to take on this title.

City Lord Meng laughed heartily from the side: "Brother Chen, don't mind it. Children speak without restraint! Besides, you are worthy of being called 'Godfather'!"

I am not worthy, thank you!

Chen You forced a smile and turned his head toward the window, deciding to stop communicating with this family.

However, the scene outside the window caused his newly calmed emotions to surge again like a tidal wave.

The players on both sides of the street had gone completely mad.

Countless people held up various glowing staves and weapons.

"Big shot is awesome!!!"

"Big Shot Chen You! The eternal god!"

"Waaa, I finally saw him in person. This life is worth it!"

"Move aside in front, let me get a whiff of that lucky aura! Maybe I'll pass that class advancement quest I've been stuck on for half a month!"