Free Web NovelChapter 72: Completing the S-rank Task
"Wenyou, I command you to investigate thoroughly whether Long Chen is behind this!"
"Also, make sure to find out if the Young Emperor and the Empress Dowager are still alive!"
"If not, then so be it. But if they are still alive..."
Dong Zhuo made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand.
Li Ru’s face turned pale.
Damn, the Grand Tutor is ruthless!
Planning to assassinate the Emperor and the Empress Dowager... Well, this is the Grand Tutor I know!
Raising his fists, Li Ru respectfully replied, "Yes!"
...
Yangzhou, Jiujiang Commandery.
Long Chen sat beneath the map, his eyes scanning the familiar Prefectural Governor’s Mansion. He felt gratified.
This return had brought tremendous gains!
Although there were no immediate benefits in the short term, from a long-term perspective, it undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for Long Chen’s future ambitions.
Holding the former Emperor Liu Bian and the Empress Dowager as his trumps, once he developed them, wouldn’t he be unrivaled in the world?
Just then, a young man dressed in luxurious attire walked in. His features were delicate, and he appeared very refined.
Yet, he carried an aura of timidity, as if he had experienced painful hardships unknown to ordinary people.
The youth was extremely humble, almost submissive.
In a trembling voice, he said, "Lord... I-I have come."
"Quick, have a seat! Have a seat!" Long Chen graciously gestured for the Han Young Emperor Liu Bian to sit.
Then, he began a stern rebuke.
"Yo... Ahem, Liu De! How many times have I told you? When you’re here with me, those old habits must be changed!"
"Oh, yes, I understand, My Lord..."
Long Chen: ...
It seems this young man still doesn’t quite grasp it!
Then, in a more severe tone, Long Chen continued, "Remember! From now on, you are called Liu De. When in front of others, you must address me with respectful titles like ’My Lord’ or ’De,’ you got that!"
"Otherwise... Otherwise, I’ll send you to Luoyang and give you to Dong Zhuo!"
Long Chen threatened menacingly.
Knowing that a boy like Liu Bian, with a timid personality and a young age, would respond well to intimidation, Long Chen used his fears to dissuade him from doing certain things. This was a psychological strategy Long Chen learned studying psychology in his previous life.
Sure enough, when Liu Bian heard the name Dong Zhuo, his expression turned fearful, like a little lamb seeing a big bad wolf. He quickly sought refuge in Long Chen’s arms, sobbing and pleading:
"Wuwuwu! Don’t, don’t! General Long, as long as you don’t give me to Dong Zhuo, I’ll do anything!"
"Wuwuwu~~~"
Long Chen: ... Uh...
Seems like I went a bit too far. He quickly consoled, "Rest assured, rest assured! I won’t do that. As long as you obediently listen, nothing bad will happen!"
Looking at the weeping Liu Bian, Long Chen couldn’t help but sigh.
"In my previous life, boys at this age were usually mischievous troublemakers, stirring up trouble everywhere! I didn’t expect Liu Bian to live so miserably and humbly here. As the supreme emperor, he didn’t get to enjoy the rights and privileges that an emperor should have. He’s constantly worried about various issues, fearing that there are rebellious subjects plotting against him..."
Long Chen shook his head silently, bidding farewell to Liu De.
"Ding! The favorability of the Han Young Emperor Liu Bian towards you has increased to 76 (Attachment)."
"Ding! Congratulations to the player ’Sword Wind’ for completing the S-rank announcement task and the hidden S-rank task. Rewards: Royal Treasure1, Orange Title ’Loyal Minister of the Han Dynasty1.’"
"Ding! As you have not joined any alliances, additional rewards are granted: 500 gold, 50,000 silver, Experience Pack*1." freёwebnovel.com
"Ding! Please choose whether to broadcast the completion of the task to the chat room in Huaxia server for a global announcement three times. Yes/No."
Long Chen decisively chose "No." freewebnøvel.com
The purpose was still to stabilize his development. If this information was spread to all the strangers in the server, and then relayed to the NPC lords, things in Jiujang would become lively. They’d all come to attack him!
He wouldn’t engage in a losing deal like that!
But this time, the rewards were indeed generous!
So much money, chaching~
He could vigorously develop his own Dragon Town and Jiujang Commandery!
Long Chen’s main opponents had changed from these game players to the local NPC lords, the real formidable foes he had to contend with.
"Oh right, the system gave so many rewards, and I haven’t clicked to use them yet!" Long Chen thought to himself.
Apart from the real gold and silver, there was the orange title and the "Royal Treasure."
"Open the ’Royal Treasure’!"
"Ding! Congratulations on obtaining:
[Phoenix Feather Fan]: Orange Epic, with a chance to advance to the golden artifact — Floating Phoenix
Introduction: Carrying the phoenix bird with soaring wings, naturally graceful. Drifting feathers in the clear sky, mimicking the exquisite figure in the white snow. Tailoring light wings into a fan, unleashing a clear wind with powerful feathers. Washed with cloud essence, brushed with dew of immortal herbs. — ’Feather Fan Poem’
Effects: Prophet (Activated at level 60 Strategist), reduces strategy damage received by 5%; Ingenious Plan (Activated at level 70 Strategist), increases active strategy damage by 8%.
Advancement conditions: Phoenix Blood Essence*1, Mutated Feathers*5
Another piece of orange epic-level equipment! Truly deserving of the Royal Gift Pack, the prizes are generous!"
However, this piece of equipment is meant for the strategist’s use, and my subordinate Xizhichai happens to lack a powerful and rare weapon.
This "Phoenix Feather Fan" can be given directly to Xizhichai.
Just as Long Chen was silently pondering, the Royal Package once again produced an equipment item, enveloped in a purple aurora.
"Purple Gold Locking Armor": Purple-tier masterpiece
Defense attribute +61, with a 3% chance of completely nullifying damage...
This piece is considered a small masterpiece among purple-tier defensive equipment, with an added passive effect.
However, compared to Long Chen’s "Silver Kirin Armor" currently worn, it falls a bit short.
The Silver Kirin Armor boasts an increase of 82 in defense attributes, making it the top-notch masterpiece among purple-tier equipment!
Therefore, this "Purple Gold Locking Armor" is akin to a tasteless dish for Long Chen, a waste to discard. Instead, it could be given to his subordinates or his lawful wife, Diaochan.
Giving it to Diaochan might be better; having a piece of armor that closely protects her body would ease Long Chen’s worries about her.
Apart from these two higher-tier pieces of equipment, there have also been three or four consecutive blue-tier excellent-grade equipment drops.
They include the "Horse Slaying Blade," "Half Moon," and "Blue Light Locking Armor."
These pieces of equipment are not up to Long Chen’s standards, similar to how his original Blood Drinking Blade was left to gather dust in the backpack.
Now, these blue or lower-tier equipment items only have three possible paths in Long Chen’s eyes.
Firstly, they could be stored in the backpack and ignored, but Long Chen probably won’t choose this option, as it’s undeniably a waste, considering they are at least blue-tier excellent-grade equipment!
