Chapter Fifty-Five

With more people, many things became possible. First came the patrols: where once five men ventured out only in the afternoons, now ten patrolled morning, noon, and night. Cheng Yuan began expanding his sphere of influence, sending Helan Jia as a guide to sweep across the southern desert in search of herders. Upon finding them, he delivered just one sentence: join us or not. If they refused, he struck; should they persist, he killed them outright.

Yet, their numbers were still too few. At first, only thirty ventured out daily, but for nomads accustomed to living as families or individuals, this was a calamity beyond imagining. As more workers arrived, the search parties began to take on the semblance of an army, especially as players—resourceful and educated—joined the ranks, leaving the NPCs, who had relied on their sense of honor, questioning everything they thought they knew.

When you hesitated at the sight of a terrified enemy begging for mercy, a freshly graduated worker stepped forward and severed the head with a single stroke, then looked at you in confusion. “Why hesitate? He’s the enemy.” Asked why they acted so decisively, they replied with pride, “We’re doing something great. Let the stain of invasion follow us for a lifetime—our descendants will enjoy prosperity!”

And when they explained their reasoning, you realized your vision had been far too narrow. Descendants? NPCs had never considered such things—especially those unmarried, living day to day, suddenly feeling the urge to prepare for future generations.

In just a month, four hundred bow-wielding light cavalry and a hundred spear-bearing heavy cavalry waged war throughout the southern desert. To call it war would be misleading—it was a one-sided annihilation. A nomadic family rarely numbered more than five, and for people used to wandering with their herds, it was their first encounter with an army. And not just any army, but fully armored cavalry—like a hamster suddenly facing a tiger, especially when the tiger has its eye on the hamster.

Under such pressure, herders near Youzhou migrated en masse. Unable to win, they chose to flee. This migration brought resource scarcity to the desert for the first time. To protect their pastures from outsiders, the nomads began to form groups, and Yongzhou, adjacent to Youzhou, experienced its first large-scale nomadic raids, striking countless martial sects.

For Cheng Yuan, the troubles in neighboring Yongzhou were too distant. He made plenty of money, but spent just as much. With more people, the demands for food and logistics grew, and housing became scarce. Su Bing and the others watched thousands stream in and out of the stronghold each day, feeling, for the first time, that the era had changed—especially as so many addressed them as captains.

Even the daily raids on nomads proved insufficient. Cheng Yuan turned his gaze inwards, towards Youzhou. Determined to avoid heavy losses, he convened a grand assembly under the banner: Purge the sects of Youzhou, collect taxes, and develop.

The assembly lasted only half a day. Aside from Cheng Yuan, everyone had but one question: whom to attack? Cheng Yuan realized he should have done this long ago. Thus, Black Tiger Stronghold launched its first large-scale campaign, deploying an army for conquest.

Li Tianxiang was at Starwatch Gate, a hidden sect in Youzhou, famed for its unique spiritual artifact, the Starwatch Disk. Possession of this artifact meant near invincibility; unless a divine weapon appeared, its power of prophecy rendered its holder unassailable. In his previous life, Li Tianxiang had learned of the artifact only after it had gained its master.

As he approached the artifact as usual, hoping to gain favor, the Starwatch Disk suddenly radiated light, and an ancient voice spoke, “Never have I witnessed such a sight.” Li Tianxiang thought it referred to himself. “A strange star has suddenly blazed forth, with ominous stars clearing its path and auspicious stars at its sides. What star could hold such prominence?”

Li Tianxiang paused—was this a riddle? The concept of ominous and auspicious stars existed in his past life, but at most, ominous stars gathered for a contest over a divine weapon, under a full moon, with blades flashing and heroes converging.

At that moment, the ancient voice cried out in terror, “A massacre in the martial world! Such speed—Youzhou is in peril!” The Starwatch Disk’s words stunned Li Tianxiang. A massacre of the martial world—no one had ever managed that in his previous life, except perhaps with a divine artifact. But news of such artifacts only emerged late in the game; early on, no one possessed one. Who starts an online game with a shortcut to victory?

The Starwatch Disk’s warning stirred everyone present. “Starwatch—what does it mean?” The Disk’s voice trembled. “I don’t know. I only hear thunderous voices and see black smoke sweeping across Youzhou. Within the smoke, I see the Black Tiger banner. They have begun.”

Everyone at Starwatch Gate knew the artifact’s powers: it could foretell events a week in advance, which allowed the sect to endure for a millennium. Black Tiger? Li Tianxiang’s first thought was the beast tide event—a game opportunity where monsters in the deep forests yielded treasures and spiritual artifacts if defeated.

But Li Tianxiang quickly shook his head—it was too early; that event wouldn’t start until the next version. Black Tiger? He recalled slaughtering Black Tiger Stronghold with his sword a month ago, then dismissed the thought. They were just a rabble—he could clear them again without injury.

Nevertheless, Starwatch Gate quickly made preparations, deciding to head south to Quzhou. Li Tianxiang agreed, prioritizing the acquisition of the spiritual artifact, especially since it could be used until retirement from the game.

As they packed, Meteorite Sect was assaulted by Black Tiger Stronghold. For caution, and unfamiliar with the tactics, Cheng Yuan led a full-scale attack on Meteorite Sect.

Cheng Yuan worried about possible setbacks, but four hundred mounted archers unleashed a volley that left Meteorite Sect stunned. Chasing them with meteor hammers proved futile—the enemy was mounted, and even those who managed to mount horses were shot down, always within the enemy’s range. The hit-and-run tactics alone were torment enough, then came the heavy cavalry in full armor, charging madly into the crowd and dividing the battlefield.

Only the Meteorite Sect’s leader surprised Cheng Yuan—he managed to knock a charging heavy cavalryman from his horse with a single blow, an incredible feat. But it didn’t matter; there were plenty more heavy cavalry.

Under hooves and spears, the sect leader was skewered and trampled into pulp, dead beyond all doubt. The sight of a thriving sect slaughtered in its prime spread quickly. NPCs were shocked and terrified; players, too, were stunned—then immediately realized, “So the game can be played like this?” No wonder it boasted absolute freedom.

Soon, the players responded enthusiastically. If the game could be this dramatic, count me in. Before long, players working across Youzhou streamed toward Black Tiger Stronghold, leaving NPCs bewildered. Martial arts world’s number one? Does that compare to being a general or emperor? Everyone else was playing at city conquest, while you were still sparring in the dojo.