Ten Thousand Ways To Eliminate Players
Chapter 42 - 042 Temptation from the City Lord

Chapter 42: 042 Temptation from the City Lord

After Luo Congwen agreed, Song Qing and Zhu Huan also did so without hesitation. Previously, Luo Congwen had casually given Lin Bai two hundred taels. Those who could mingle with him naturally had similar wealth; five thousand taels was not a large sum to them.

What they valued was Lin Bai himself and the intriguing Chef’s Divine Food Stall. Many people knew how to do business, but few, like Lin Bai, had innovated in such a manner.

Besides, Lin Bai had also managed to create the Heavenly Remnant Collection. Investing in him was a guaranteed profit. Lin Bai repeatedly claimed to be a businessman, yet none of his actions were things a typical businessman would dare to do. The young lords trusted their judgment.

That the three readily joined was within Lin Bai’s expectations. Moreover, he valued not their money, but the wealth and connections behind them. In any world, one could never succeed alone. The game could be released at any moment. In this world where chaos might erupt at any time, all NPCs were his natural allies. Therefore, he would diligently cultivate relationships with those from the lower classes, like blacksmiths and carpenters, while also nurturing his ties with noble scions like Luo Congwen. Lin Bai was rapidly integrating into this unfamiliar world through various means. Faced with the disorderly players, all the world’s NPCs should unite and become like family.

Lin Bai smiled. "Gentlemen..."

"Brother Lin, calling us ’Gentlemen’ sounds distant. You can just call me by my name," Song Qing, now completely relaxed, said with a wave of his hand.

"Old Song is right. Once we’ve invested, we’re partners," Luo Congwen chuckled. "Speaking of which, this is my first time doing business!"

"First, find me a pair of pants to change into, then we can discuss everything else," Zhu Huan said, glancing at them and gritting his teeth threateningly. "Also, no one is allowed to talk about what happened today."

The group exchanged knowing smiles.

Jimmy Navada floated before Zhu Huan, saying respectfully, "Young Master Zhu, please follow me upstairs."

A short while later, Zhu Huan returned, freshened up. Lin Bai then said solemnly, "Brothers, the evening service begins tonight, and many people outside are waiting to see us make fools of ourselves. You’ll need to make an appearance later to drum up some business for the shop."

"Of course," Luo Congwen replied, now completely amenable to Lin Bai’s suggestions.

"I’ll give them a night they’ll never forget. After all, happiness shared is happiness amplified, right?" A cruel glint flickered across Zhu Huan’s face. "Brother Lin, you’ve prepared enough pants, haven’t you?"

"Plenty," Lin Bai affirmed with a nod.

"Good. Tonight, no matter what, we have to sell more pants," Zhu Huan harrumphed. He then turned to Jimmy Navada and the others, instructing, "Later, when I go out to solicit customers, you three put some real effort into it. Don’t let them off too easily; remember your duty is to make sure the customers feel their money was well spent!"

Jimmy Navada and the other two nodded, their gazes towards Lin Bai filled with admiration. Good heavens, he hadn’t even recovered yet, and already he was thinking of tricking others! The boss has such a subtle grasp of human nature.

"Brothers, tonight’s operation of the Chef’s Divine Food Stall will still rely on your cooperation with Old Song and his family. I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany you," Lin Bai said with a smile. "You’ve been through it once, so you know the drill."

"Does Brother Lin have something else to attend to?" Luo Congwen asked.

"Indeed, I do. Actually, I should stay and enjoy a drink with you all, and also discuss the future of the Chef’s Divine Food Stall’s evening services. After all, Old Song and his family’s scare tactics are a bit monotonous. After experiencing it a few times, people will find it boring. We should brainstorm more scenarios or ’scripts’ to keep the stall popular," Lin Bai explained. "However, an agent from the City Lord’s mansion just came to summon me."

"A Hidden Guard?" Luo Congwen frowned.

"Brother Luo, you didn’t go out today, so I suppose you don’t know what happened in the city!" Song Qing chuckled. "The City Lord’s Hidden Guards were supposed to be a clandestine matter, known only among a few powerful families. But today, a group of people rushed to the City Lord’s mansion, clamoring to enlist as Hidden Guards. These fools effectively turned the Hidden Guards into Mingwei, making it public knowledge. Who knows who’s behind this, trying to trip up the City Lord?"

The Hidden Guards show up openly at your door, and you still can’t guess who’s pulling strings against the City Lord? Your brain really isn’t working too well. Lin Bai shot Song Qing a sidelong glance, thinking critically.

"Brother Lin, why did the Hidden Guard look for you?" Luo Congwen asked.

"Perhaps I’ve been causing too much of a stir lately!" Lin Bai said. "Although I have some skills, the City Lord is, after all, an official. Maybe he intends to rap my knuckles a bit."

"Hmph," Luo Congwen snorted. "Brother Lin, just go. If the City Lord gives you any trouble, mention our families’ names. In Jiamucheng, he can’t quite call all the shots."

This is exactly why I invited you to invest! Lacking in Martial Power? Compensate with social connections! More friends mean more avenues for survival!

Lin Bai smiled, stood up, and cupped his fists. "Brothers, I’ll have to entrust tonight’s evening service operations to you. After I return from the City Lord’s mansion, we’ll discuss the future development of the Chef’s Divine Food Stall in detail."

Everyone stood and returned the gesture.

After giving a few instructions to Jimmy Navada, Lin Bai turned and walked towards the door, with the others following.

Outside, Hidden Guard Zhou Jiang watched as Luo Congwen and the others—who had been wailing in terror just moments ago—emerged with Lin Bai, laughing and joking amicably. Zhou Jiang’s breath caught in his throat. What kind of bewitching potion had Lin Bai fed them to make them so chummy after such an ordeal?

"You’re a Hidden Guard from the City Lord’s Mansion?" Luo Congwen’s gaze fixed on Zhou Jiang as he asked, "Do you carry an official order or an identification token?"

Zhou Jiang glanced at Luo Congwen but remained silent.

"Brother Luo, let’s not make things difficult for our Hidden Guard friend here," Lin Bai interjected with a smile, helping Zhou Jiang out of the tight spot. "Hidden Guards, as the name implies, undertake tasks that cannot see the light of day. If they were to unfortunately die during a mission carrying a token, wouldn’t all their secrets be exposed? Unmarked, nameless, only in death are they truly clean. Even if they did carry an identification token, it would be someone else’s. Brother Hidden Guard, am I correct?"

[Resentment from Zhou Jiang; +1]

Zhou Jiang glared at Lin Bai and snorted inwardly. It sounded like Lin Bai was explaining things for him, but all this talk of death, death, death was truly unsettling. Damn it, I’m a Hidden Guard, not a death warrior!

He looked at Lin Bai coldly and said, "Lin, the Storekeeper, we should depart. We’ve already delayed quite a bit; the City Lord must be getting anxious."

"Alright, let’s go!" Lin Bai exclaimed with a smile and a nod.

"Master, I want to go with you," Dumbelldore suddenly stepped forward.

Lin Bai said, "There’s no need. Little Deng, you stay here and help Young Master Luo and the others manage the shop. I forgot to tell you that Young Master Luo, his companions, and Daoist Priest Qingfeng are now also shareholders in our shop. You must respect them just as you respect me. If there’s anything they’re unclear about, please assist them."

[Resentment from Dumbelldore; +1]

Dumbelldore gazed at Lin Bai despairingly. "Master, I still want to go to the City Lord’s Mansion with you and see the world."

At that moment, Dumbelldore felt on the verge of a breakdown. It had been two days, and he had barely left the shop. If this continues, what’s the point of playing this game? Am I really going to be a shop assistant for life? A renowned Player like me, living a life less exciting than the Shopkeeper’s? Is Lin Bai the real protagonist here?

"Little Deng, only by respecting the master can one honor the Dao," Lin Bai said, shaking his head, his gentle gaze resting on Dumbelldore. "Don’t be willful. Stay here and temper your spirit. I have high hopes for you."

Respect my foot! Dumbelldore roared inwardly but reluctantly stepped back. "Yes, Master."

At that moment, he felt utterly constrained by this nonsensical concept of ’gentlemanly virtue.’

Watching Lin Bai and the Hidden Guard from the City Lord’s Mansion disappear into the darkness, Dumbelldore felt a twinge of regret. If he hadn’t met Lin Bai at the Blacksmith Shop back then, perhaps he’d still be happily forging iron now!

The night was deep. A crescent moon hung high in the sky, faintly illuminating the road. Perhaps because the Hidden Guard was accustomed to operating in darkness, he carried no lantern, merely following Lin Bai step by step without saying much.

As they reached a secluded area, the faint sound of rushing air suddenly reached Lin Bai’s ears.

Sigh! Lin Bai thought, then sidestepped and spun around. His right palm shot out from under his arm, executing the "Divine Dragon Shakes its Feathers." A semi-translucent dragon claw flew from his palm, striking Zhou Jiang’s Dantian heavily and sending him flying backward.

Zhou Jiang crashed into a wall, spewing mouthfuls of blood. The dagger he had intended for a sneak attack clattered to the ground.

Lin Bai frowned. "Why does the City Lord want to kill me?"

Zhou Jiang’s Physical Constitution was clearly inferior to Daoist Priest Qingfeng’s; a single blow had incapacitated him. Slumped on the ground, he spat out another mouthful of blood and asked, "How did you find out?"

"First, he shouldn’t have sent a Hidden Guard. Second, you were too calm. I deliberately dawdled for so long, yet you didn’t rush me even once," Lin Bai stated. "That’s too abnormal."

"Heh!" Zhou Jiang spat out more blood, a wry smile on his face. "Lin, the Storekeeper, you are indeed as astute as expected. Go directly to the City Lord’s Mansion; the City Lord truly wishes to see you."

"You still haven’t told me why he wants me dead," Lin Bai inquired calmly.

"The City Lord said that if you defeat me, you can go see him. If I kill you... you can also go see him. Either way works," Zhou Jiang explained, spitting out blood intermittently.

Damn it! The City Lord is treating me like a Player! Lin Bai cursed inwardly. In an instant, all the hazy details clicked into place, forming a clear picture.

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