Chapter 174 Aftermath

The clean desk reflected the cold, clear light of the fluorescent lamp. The air conditioner blew a pleasant breeze. Outside the window, the blood-red setting sun and azure sky mingled, and marshmallow-like clouds congealed, half golden sunset, half pure white.

Zhang Yuanqing sat at the desk, maintaining the posture he had assumed when entering the dungeon. His clothes were tattered, and he was grateful for the Yin-Yang Daoist Robe that prevented any accidental exposure.

"I'm back!" He stretched his waist and sighed with emotion.

Then he turned his head and saw Guan Ya standing by the bed, with Yin Yao, the Commandery Princess, clinging to her like a koala.

The Commandery Princess hugged Guan Ya's neck, her slender jade legs tightly wrapped around the old driver's waist. The King Cat speaker in her fanny pack emitted an audio clip: "I was so scared at the time!!"

The voice was cheap and sounded familiar. Zhang Yuanqing listened for a while before realizing it was a popular internet meme from a few years ago.

He figured she must have recorded it when she was with the Demon Lord.

"What are you doing?" Zhang Yuanqing asked, looking at the Commandery Princess.

The Commandery Princess's little loudspeaker emitted an extremely dissatisfied and displeased snort before dissolving into starlight and returning to the adjacent bedroom.

Zhang Yuanqing now lived in Guan Ya's room, and the Commandery Princess had taken over his original bedroom.

"What's wrong with her?" Zhang Yuanqing asked, puzzled.

"She's angry." Guan Ya pursed her lips, took off her coat, grabbed the hem of her tight vest, and pulled it up, exposing her pale body in a black lace bra to her boyfriend. "You didn't take her with you when you left the dungeon. She took the initiative to hug me, so she came back with me."

"I saw her next to you. I knew you'd bring her back." Zhang Yuanqing admired his girlfriend's full figure and clicked his tongue. "The Commandery Princess is getting more and more eccentric. I still prefer her original aloof demeanor."

Although he had seen it many times, the old driver's figure still had a huge attraction for him. Her skin was very good, delicate and fair, and combined with her unique body fat, she was incredibly alluring.

Her abdomen was flat and firm, with mermaid lines and abs that were enchanting and sexy.

"This Commandery Princess is very vicious. She always likes to instigate the Queen and Lingxi to go against me, without considering the consequences of their failure at all. She's purely in it for the fun, but she's still loyal to you." Guan Ya unbuckled her camouflage pants belt, and the loose trousers slid down her long legs, revealing the fullness of her hips and thighs.

She didn't take off her lace underwear, and swaying her hips, she walked to the bathroom. "I'm going to take a shower."

Zhang Yuanqing licked his lips. "Together, together..."

He quickly stripped off his clothes and chased after Guan Ya into the bathroom, butt naked.

The showerhead sprayed hot water, washing over their entwined bodies. Guan Ya's jade back pressed against the wall, and her fair legs wrapped around her boyfriend's waist, her pointed chin resting on his shoulder.

While enjoying the afterglow, she said:

"We were able to clear the S-level dungeon this time with a bit of luck. I don't recommend you drag them into another S-level multiplayer dungeon."

"Except for Tianxia Guihuo, these guys all have some kind of background. If they really die in a gang dungeon, their elders might not blame you on the surface, but wouldn't they hold a grudge in their hearts? There would definitely be resentment."

"They're more useful to you alive."

Zhang Yuanqing cupped the old driver's round buttocks, her soft flesh spilling from his fingers. He enjoyed his girlfriend's delicate body and replied, "I know, I know." Guan Ya slapped his back and scolded, "Don't be perfunctory."

Zhang Yuanqing laughed. "But the rewards are great if we survive, aren't they? The difficulty of the Lingjing will be adjusted according to the strength of the team. Every S-level dungeon is a test to stimulate their potential, but it won't be a guaranteed death. Speaking of which, thanks to you, otherwise, the main quest would have most likely failed."

The truth about the Demon Sect's destruction provided too few clues, only a few stone tablets and an impossible-to-find treasure.

With Zhang Yuanqing's brain, he would eventually figure it out, but the Lingjing didn't give much time, so the key to solving the main quest was actually Guan Ya.

Insight and logical reasoning ability are the exclusive talents of a Scout.

"Ah..." Guan Ya suddenly moaned softly and scolded, "Let me rest for a while... Um, multiplayer dungeons are like that, with various professional elements mixed in. I'm just bringing out the Scout's role. By the way, it's early September now. You're going to enter a solo Lingjing this month, right?" "Yes, it's September!" Zhang Yuanqing said softly.

He only had two months to live. According to the Magic Mirror's prediction, he would die at the end of October or the beginning of November.

Guan Ya couldn't see her boyfriend's face, or she would have seen the solemn expression on his face.

After showering, they changed into dry casual clothes and returned to the bedroom.

Zhang Yuanqing unlocked his phone screen, logged into the "Return of the Dead" chat group, and typed a message:

[Yuan Shi Tian Zun: Come over after showering, something's up!]

Except for Sun Miaomiao and Asano Ryo, everyone else replied.

After waiting another ten minutes, Sun Miaomiao and Asano Ryo came online one after another.

When everyone was present, Zhang Yuanqing sent a message:

[Yuan Shi Tian Zun: The second-level gang token dungeon has three instances. We've already cleared one. If you guys can still handle it, we'll continue exploring tomorrow.]

[Zhao Chenghuang: No problem!]

[Tianxia Guihuo: Okay!]

The two most ambitious members had tasted the sweetness and agreed without thinking.

The others hesitated for a few seconds before agreeing.

Although they wanted to slack off for a few days in reality, adjust their mentality, and enjoy life, the Mo Sect's Mechanical City dungeon was too tempting, allowing the gang members to visibly grow stronger.

No Lingjing Xingzhe could resist the temptation of leveling up.

[Yuan Shi Tian Zun: Okay, I'll activate the second gang dungeon in five minutes.]

After sending this message, Zhang Yuanqing clicked on Asano Ryo's avatar and typed a message:

[I've put the Eight-Span Mirror in the gang warehouse. Apply to use it later and return it to the Chizuru Group. For the second item, I'll choose the Kusanagi Sword.]

[Asano Ryo: The Kusanagi Sword is kept by the group leader. I heard that the group leader cherishes this item very much and regards it as important as life. No one has the right to use or touch it, but since Yuan Shi-kun has spoken, the group leader will definitely agree.]

Of course, they'll agree or they'll be breaking the contract. Your group leader doesn't have the guts... Zhang Yuanqing curled his lips and pulled Guan Ya from the side of the bed onto his lap.

"Guan Ya-jie, the sword Fu Qingyang gave you is damaged. The Japanese Kusanagi Sword is a Sovereign-level item for the Scout profession, with a usage period of one month. You can play with it first. I'll get you a top-quality sword later."

"Tsk, I thought you'd send it to Fu Qingyang." Guan Ya smiled sweetly. "You're finally acting like a boyfriend."

While chatting idly, Zhang Yuanqing opened the White Tiger Guard's gang warehouse and applied to retrieve his Sovereign-level materials, the Eight-Span Mirror, and the Five Elements Power Experience Card.

He put the Eight-Span Mirror into the "Return of the Dead" gang warehouse, and the next second, Asano Ryo sent a "Usage Application."

Zhang Yuanqing chose "Agree," then opened the gang interface and chose to generate a dungeon.

[Ding! The Lingjing is being generated, please wait...]

[The gang Lingjing has been generated.]

[Number: 367—Shadow of the Steppe.]

[Difficulty Level: B]

[Type: Multiplayer (Non-Death)]

[Main Quest: Repel the Mongol Scouts.]

[Note: Non-Lingjing items cannot be brought in.]

[Lingjing No. 367 Introduction: After the Jin Dynasty was destroyed, the Southern Song Dynasty wanted to take advantage of the Mongol army's retreat to recover the lost territory, but the Southern Song military was weak and failed. Using this as an excuse, the Mongols launched their first invasion of the South in 1235 AD. When the two armies fought, the scouts went first. Brave warriors, collapse them!]

"Oh, a non-death B-level, not bad." Zhang Yuanqing smiled.

He wasn't disappointed by the B-level dungeon. It was important to know that S-level dungeons were only matched with a very small number of monstrous talents. Most geniuses, such as the official Four Young Masters, entered A-level dungeons.

As for elites like Tianxia Guihuo and Zhao Chenghuang, the dungeons they matched with were mostly B-level, with an occasional A-level. In the chat group, Asano Ryo was the first to speak:

[Asano Ryo: Great, I like this kind of dungeon. High experience points and no death.]

[Sun Miaomiao: Just think of it as entertainment after the S-level dungeon. If a non-death B-level dungeon can be cleared perfectly, it should improve the experience value.]

[Zhao Chenghuang: Not bad.]

[Xiahou Aotian: Why isn't it S-level? I'm too lazy to even look at dungeons below A-level now. Um, what time will we enter the dungeon tomorrow?]

The gang members were slightly disappointed, but more relieved. If they were to enter another S-level dungeon, they would probably have goosebumps all over.

A non-death B-level dungeon meant they didn't have to worry about their lives and could also earn a decent amount of experience points. What's not to like? Even if they failed, they would only lose experience points.

[Yuan Shi Tian Zun: We'll still enter the dungeon at ten o'clock tomorrow, but I won't be participating this time.]

[Sun Miaomiao: Why?]

[Yuan Shi Tian Zun: I've never played a dungeon below A-level. I'm not interested.]

Everyone: ......

Wuhen Hotel.

In a small two-bedroom apartment, Xiaoyuan was wearing a bathrobe, sitting sideways at the desk, tilting her head. Her black hair flowed like a waterfall as she carefully dried it with a dry towel.

A computer was placed on the desk in front of her, and the screen displayed the "Return of the Dead" gang chat interface.

She would definitely participate in tomorrow's gang dungeon. The second-level gang could open three Saint stage dungeons, and she wouldn't miss a single one so she could return to her peak in the shortest possible time.

After the few Lawful Faction members in the group finished discussing business, they chattered about their gains in the Mo Sect's Mechanical City and casually talked about some official trivialities and interesting events.

Xiaoyuan closed her laptop, opened the wardrobe, changed into her uniform, and went to the first-floor lobby.

The time was 6:30 PM. Kou Beiyue was sitting on the rest chair at the front desk, operating the mouse and concentrating on playing games.

The hotel needed someone to look after it, so he didn't deliver food today.

Hearing the familiar sound of high heels, Kou Beiyue looked up in surprise. "Xiaoyuan, you're back!"

Xiaoyuan hummed in acknowledgement. "Go deliver food."

"That's not urgent." Kou Beiyue said, "How much experience do you have? Have you returned to Level 5?"

Xiaoyuan nodded. "Level 5, 22%."

Kou Beiyue was stunned for a moment. "Why so much?"

He knew that Xiaoyuan was at Level 4 with full experience points. What kind of dungeon could increase experience points by 22% at once? He, Kou Beiyue, was only at Level 4, 32% experience points, accumulated from three dungeons.

"S-level dungeon!"

"S-level..." Kou Beiyue widened his eyes in shock, then felt a wave of fear. An S-level dungeon meant that Xiaoyuan had struggled on the edge of life and death many times today.

"I'm going to enter the gang dungeon again tomorrow. This time it's a non-death B-level, but it might take a few days." Xiaoyuan said, "When I'm not here, you're responsible for looking after the hotel. If anything happens, find Master Wuhen."

Hearing this, Kou Beiyue slapped his forehead. "I almost forgot to tell you, Master Wuhen entered a dungeon today. He told me through a dream before he left." "Today..." Xiaoyuan realized. Master Wuhen had told them that he would be entering the Lingjing soon, and the return time was unknown. A powerhouse at the master level could be in a dungeon for a month or even longer.

"I know." Xiaoyuan walked to the front desk, closed Kou Beiyue's game, and said lightly, "If anything happens, find Yuan Shi Tian Zun. If not, take good care of the shop. Go deliver food now."

"I was about to push to the crystal..." Kou Beiyue grumbled. Under his mom's glare, he picked up the helmet on the table and left the hotel gate with a cheerful stride.

Taiyi Gate.

Zhao Chenghuang left the courtyard and rode his small electric scooter out of the gate, speeding through the old alleys toward his great-grandfather's residence one kilometer away.

The Taiyi Gate's high-ranking members lived in this old district, each family in a courtyard, with blue bricks, black tiles, red lacquered doors, and two small stone lions.

At the beginning of the founding of the country, the Taiyi Gate's headquarters was here. The elders lived in large courtyards, and the deacons lived in small courtyards.

Zhao Chenghuang and Sun Miaomiao grew up here, playing in the alleys with the other children of the sect. Today, they'd sneak into Elder So-and-so's place to steal martial arts techniques. Tomorrow, they'd go to Elder So-and-so's place to dance the Grand Sorcerer's Dance.

No matter where they ran, Yin corpse spirit servants would be protecting them.

With rapid economic development, the Taiyi Gate had a new headquarters. The courtyards became large apartments, and the old district became a high-end, fashionable residential area.

Everyone moved there one after another, but the older elders still lived in the alleys, in the historical courtyards.

They had lived here for almost a century, as old as the courtyards.

Zhao Chenghuang arrived at his great-grandfather's courtyard, braked, parked the small electric scooter at the door, and knocked on the courtyard door.

"Creak~"

The courtyard door opened automatically, and the spirit servant standing behind the door bowed to Zhao Chenghuang.

Night had fallen. In the old courtyard, which was filled with the atmosphere of the 1980s, Elder Zhao sat under a tree, playing chess with another white-haired old man.

"Great-Grandfather!" Zhao Chenghuang bowed.

Elder Zhao grunted in acknowledgement. "Lao Qian, you can go back inside first."

The white-haired old man nodded slightly and turned into a wisp of green smoke, drifting toward the house.

Elder Zhao pointed to the opposite side, motioning for him to sit down, but his eyes remained fixed on the chessboard. "You're back?"

Zhao Chenghuang nodded. "I gained a lot. I'd like to ask Great-Grandfather to prepare materials for me. I want to refine a Level 5 Yin corpse."

"What dungeon?"

"S-level!"

Elder Zhao finally looked up and smiled. "S-level dungeons are still too dangerous for you, but it's alright with Yuan Shi Tian Zun. Hanging out with a monster, you can absorb some of his monstrous aura."

In the past, Zhao Chenghuang would have been unconvinced if Great-Grandfather had praised Yuan Shi Tian Zun like this.

But gradually, he didn't feel anything anymore. Maybe he was used to it, or maybe their friendship had deepened, so he was no longer jealous.

Elder Zhao said, "Refining the corpse isn't urgent. We'll talk about it later. Look at Great-Grandfather's chess game."

He pointed to a black piece and asked, "What should it do? Should I continue to play it, or should I abandon it?"

Zhao Chenghuang looked closely. The black piece was surrounded by white pieces, leaving only one escape route, but it would be killed by the white pieces in at most two steps.

After thinking about it, Zhao Chenghuang said, "If you continue to play it, you'll probably have to lose two more pieces."

Elder Zhao sighed. "Yes, you'll have to lose two more pieces. Little Sun should be troubled by this too."

"Stay away from Yuan Shi Tian Zun!" Elder Sun scolded under the locust tree.

Sun Miaomiao held a little girl in her arms and held her phone in the other hand, chatting while retorting to her grandfather, "Mind your own business."

ps: I'll correct the typos later. This chapter seems to have triggered the river crab due to sensitive words, and I couldn't contact the editor in the middle of the night, so it wasn't released until now.