Chapter 99: The Strange P

The expressions of the surrounding players could only be described as one thing: dumbfounded. No one had expected that this delicate-looking "scholar" possessed such formidable strength.

Because Cheng Ling had just unleashed her current top-tier skill, she was somewhat exhausted, having depleted three times her usual internal energy. After confirming that the bandit leader was dead, she retrieved her steel spear with one hand and walked back before the crowd could even react. Accompanied by the village official, she was the first to return to Yanhuang Village.

It was only after Cheng Ling and the official had moved well into the distance that the players gradually came to their senses. As of yet, no heroes had appeared in the entire China region. Having witnessed Cheng Ling’s prowess, many players naturally associated her with a hero. They began chasing after her, disregarding the spoils of war scattered across the ground. They hoped to speak with her, perhaps strike up a conversation; if they were lucky enough to accept a quest or even become friends, that would be perfect.

More rational players understood that even if this "scholar" were a hero, her cold and arrogant demeanor meant it would not be easy to get close to her. Moreover, the official website had made it clear: heroes generally only show affinity toward lord-class players, and it is difficult for ordinary wandering players to engage them. Every hero carries a quest of a certain difficulty, which they only entrust to lords with whom they share a compatible temperament. Because these quests are typically high-difficulty, even if a lord player and a hero are compatible, success is not guaranteed—and without completing the quest, one cannot gain the hero's favor.

Aside from the small group of players eagerly chasing after Cheng Ling, the vast majority remained behind to clean up the battlefield. Seeing their leader killed, the Red-Haired Bandits were in disarray and fled in all directions. The players, naturally, would not let this opportunity to grind experience slip by, pursuing and attacking the fleeing bandits in small groups. The four sword-wielding guards were around level 25, and while stronger than the average bandit, they had been left near death by Cheng Ling’s shockwave attack. When the players swarmed them, they were dispatched in moments.

Once the bandits were wiped out, it was time to collect the loot. Since the players had formed parties, the dropped items could only be picked up by members of the respective groups before disappearing, and they were distributed within those groups. This avoided the chaos of general looting. After all, players and NPCs were different.

Because the number of players far exceeded the number of bandits, there were not enough spoils to go around. As players complained about coming up empty-handed, a quick-witted player spotted a cave in the distance and sprinted toward it. Others followed, turning the cave inside out. Arrows, iron blades, deer hides, long forks—even tables and chairs were hauled out. Every player returned satisfied and fully loaded.

The bandit leader had been killed by an NPC, so after his long staff dropped, any player could pick it up. During the cleanup, the party led by "Cure the Disease" (Yao Dao Ming Chu) retrieved the staff, and they subsequently handed it over to Li Zhan.

Li Zhan held the staff with both hands and found it surprisingly heavy, estimating it to be forty or fifty pounds. After weighing it, he handed it to the two swordsmen beside him. According to the party leader, the pitch-black staff was too heavy and, more importantly, unidentified. None of the twelve players in that party wanted it. First, it was too heavy, and even if identified, it would likely require level 30 or 40 to wield. Second, the cost of identifying weapons was usually around 100 gold—an astronomical figure for wandering players. Furthermore, identified weapons were not always top-tier; many had garbage attributes. This staff looked like a mere iron rod with no special qualities. Thus, none of the players wanted to risk financial ruin by choosing this over iron blades or crossbows.

Once the battlefield was cleared, Li Zhan had the players assist Ruo Yan and the others in herding the forty or fifty wild oxen back to the village. He promised that because of their excellent performance, the village would provide them with rewards. Encouraged by this, the players worked with enthusiasm, shouting and herding the cattle toward Yanhuang Village.

An hour later, the herd was driven into the village. Suddenly, the entire settlement was filled with the lowing of oxen, mixed with the shouting from the marketplace, creating a lively scene. Li He ran over from the cattle pen, his mouth agape with excitement; he couldn't even speak. Forty-some oxen! That was a massive amount of experience. Taming them would raise his level by at least five and likely bring his taming skill to the intermediate level with 80% experience.

Li Zhan ordered the five builders to put aside their current work and immediately expand the space next to the cattle pen to build a larger structure with six sections, each capable of holding ten oxen with independent gates. The old pen would be demolished once the new one was finished.

The builders worked quickly, and a sturdy, larger pen was soon completed. The players helped Li He drive the oxen inside before dispersing, waiting for the awards ceremony before dinner.

Li Zhan inspected the new pen, satisfied with its structure and capacity. He glanced toward the horse stables, which seemed crowded with over a dozen wild horses, and ordered one of the builders to remain and construct an identical six-section stable next to the cattle pen.

After some time, the new stables were complete. The wild horses were moved in, but when it came to the final red horse, Li He and Jin Xue tried several times, yet the animal would only hiss and jump in its stall, refusing to cooperate. With no other choice, they sought Li Zhan’s help, hoping to use a dozen villagers to tie up the beast and move it by force.

Li Zhan nodded in agreement. While Li He and Jin Xue went to fetch the villagers, Li Zhan strolled over to the stables to observe the fiery horse.

As he approached, his gaze did not fall on the red horse, but on an NPC standing outside the stall, staring eye-to-eye with the animal.

This NPC’s appearance and attire were unremarkable. Li Zhan had seen him in the village yesterday but hadn't paid much attention. Now, he realized he had frequently seen this man near the stables—specifically, right by this stall.

Li Zhan recalled that since yesterday, he had seen this NPC multiple times, always standing in the same spot, ignoring the other horses. The man and the horse would lock gazes; the NPC would nod slightly, and the red horse would unusually cease its rearing and hissing.

Li Zhan felt he needed to learn more about this NPC. He was clearly not simple and might have a talent for communicating with horses. If so, he could help Li He and Jin Xue tame the beast.

He walked up to the NPC, who remained oblivious to his presence. "Excuse me, I am the mayor of this village. May I ask your name, honored guest?"

The NPC didn't seem to hear him, continuing to gaze at the horse. After one more faint, smiling nod, he turned to look at Li Zhan, his expression somber.

"My name is not important," the NPC replied. "But has anyone ever considered whether this wild horse might also have a name?"

Li Zhan was stunned. A wild horse with a name? If it had a name, would it still be a wild horse? Was this NPC a lunatic? Why did his village seem to attract nothing but madmen?

Suppressing the thought, Li Zhan smiled. "You jest, sir. This is but a wild horse, roaming the mountains and fields until now. Who would bother to name a wild beast of the wilderness?"

The NPC smiled noncommittally. "Mayor Li, isn't that a bit absolute? I intend to give this horse a name, but as it belongs to your village, I must ask if you would allow it."

Li Zhan shook his head slightly, thinking, *You really have plenty of time on your hands to be naming horses.* Still, he smiled and said, "Since you have such a kind intention, how could I refuse? I would like to hear what name you have chosen."

The NPC nodded in approval, turned back to the red horse, and murmured, "As red as burning charcoal, moving as swift as a clever rabbit. How about 'Red Hare'?"