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Chu Liuxiang asked solemnly, “Jiuli, has anyone ever done such a thing before? Staying at your place and having you chop bamboo to build their house?”
The silver-haired woman replied emphatically, “Yes!”
Zhang San chuckled, lamenting, “Taking both food and labor, huh!”
The cold and aloof Yidianhong from the Central Plains wasn’t nearby, but holding a sword, he swiftly sliced bamboo. Yet his ears were sharp; he heard the conversation and, for the first time ever, turned around, glanced at Jiuli, furrowed his brow, and let out a cold “tsk.”
Chu Liuxiang was silent for a long moment, utterly speechless.
To think such shameless people existed in this world…!
They had just met and barely knew each other’s backgrounds, yet Jiuli had the courage to shelter three men, showing a sincerity and innocence bordering on naivety… And yet, such shameless people could still be so audacious, pushing their luck and shamelessly taking advantage.
He couldn’t help but glance at Jiuli again.
Her face had returned to that indifferent expression, inscrutable as ever, but for some reason, Chu Liuxiang felt she found their attitudes amusing… Or rather, she found their reactions to this matter amusing?
Chu Liuxiang: “…………”
He seriously told her, “If you ever meet such people again, just tell them to get lost.”
Jiuli’s indifferent expression softened with a subtle desire to keep the peace, and she nodded kindly, “Mm-hmm!”
Chu Liuxiang: “…………”
He rubbed his forehead.
For some reason, he suddenly felt as if he was talking to a brick wall…
Forget it, Jiuli’s way of thinking wouldn’t change overnight. He’d have to patiently reason with her…
He sighed deeply.
Jiuli kept staring at him with eyes as pure and genuine as a primitive soul.
Chu Liuxiang: “…………”
He sighed even longer.
Jiuli didn’t know what he was sighing about. She pulled an axe from her sleeve and handed it to Chu Liuxiang.
As for how she could hide an axe in her sleeve… it was because it was a stone hand axe.
Stone. Hand. Axe.
…Which made her look even more like a caveman now!
Chu Liuxiang: “…………”
Suppressing the urge to sigh again, he spoke gently, “You can keep it, Jiuli.”
[Quest: Deliver an Axe to Chu Liuxiang (NEW!)]
[Description: After completing the quest, you may keep this axe.]
[Jiuli] gave [Stone Hand Axe] to [Chu Liuxiang]!
[Chu Liuxiang] refused [Jiuli]’s [Stone Hand Axe]!
Player: “?”
What’s up with this NPC?
And for some reason, the player felt the NPC was looking at her with great tenderness, very tenderly, extremely tenderly…
Why all this tenderness…? Does the player need your pity?!
Not even releasing quests, yet teaching the player that NPCs who do are bad… Reversing the natural order, it’s like a traitor among men, but here, an NPC traitor…
Still, this feeling was so novel!
Undeniably, this novelty completely captivated Jiuli, making her enthusiastic and utterly absorbed in the game… As for how a game where NPCs don’t release quests keeps players engaged, that’s a problem for the game’s creator!
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Players only need to enjoy the game!
Jiuli wasn’t too bothered by the NPC refusing the stone axe; the refusal now meant there would be plot developments later.
The aloof and cold Yidianhong had already left for the back mountain. After finishing this part of the story, Chu Liuxiang and Zhang San also set off, following a path into the bamboo forest on the back mountain, beginning to chop bamboo with hearty “ho ho ha ha” sounds.
Chopping bamboo directly with their palms! The bamboo shattered as if the air itself was cleaved!
Wow~ this really had the vibe of a martial arts game~~
The NPCs worked so hard chopping bamboo that the player felt a strange sense of belonging. Everyone united with a common goal, building a new home together—what a joyous thing!
Today, the player was also going to chop bamboo!
Jiuli eagerly pulled out her stone hand axe and dashed forward, chopping bamboo wildly with “bang bang bang”!
Chu Liuxiang, standing beside her: “…………”
He seemed hesitant to speak...
He kept glancing back...
Why was Chu Liuxiang so fond of rubbing his nose…?
Finally unable to hold back, he turned to Jiuli and said, “Jiuli, give me your hand axe.”
Jiuli: “?”
Is the plot about to unfold?
[Jiuli] gave [Stone Hand Axe] to [Chu Liuxiang]!
This bronze-skinned pixel figure accepted the stone hand axe gladly this time and walked deeper into the back mountain.
What was he going to do?
The player was curious.
The player chose to follow him.
Chu Liuxiang: “…………”
He took a few steps, then looked back.
Jiuli had just taken a few steps as well; when he stopped, she naturally stopped too, meeting his gaze calmly.
Forget it...
Chu Liuxiang sighed with a hint of helplessness and said, “The mountain paths are slippery; watch your step.”
Jiuli: “Mm-hmm!”
He turned away and continued deeper into the back mountain, alert and attentive.
Those who roam the martial world are unlike scholars and poets; climbing mountains isn’t for sightseeing or composing verses, but often out of necessity, enduring hardships. So those who live the martial life often have some wilderness survival knowledge.
Chu Liuxiang became famous early, earning the nickname “Fragrance Fills the World” at seventeen or eighteen. Over the years, traveling south and north and settling in the southeastern seas, he became familiar with the vegetation and herbs of this hot region.
Others might only see lush greenery, but Chu Liuxiang saw countless useful things—this is thatch grass, its roots edible; this is mugwort, good for herbal insect repellents; this is hog plum, this is fig, this is coral tree… Ah, here it is.
He found what he wanted—a particularly straight and thick wooden branch!
Looking for a straight stick… certainly not out of boredom.
Chu Liuxiang brought the wood to a pond in the back mountain and found a stone to work with. He first measured a spot on the stick, then struck it with the hand axe. Somehow, one end of the axe firmly embedded itself in the wood.
He then found two pieces of vine and tightly wrapped the axe head to the handle, ensuring it wouldn’t fall off with use.
He tried swinging it once… very good. Compared to the hand axe, this stone axe with a handle was easier and more efficient.
Jiuli stood not too near nor far, quietly observing him.
Chu Liuxiang couldn’t help but smile, “I can’t conjure up a refined steel axe for you now, but this will have to do for now!”
[Chu Liuxiang] gave [Basic Axe] to [Jiuli]!
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[Quest: Deliver an Axe to Chu Liuxiang (Completed!)]
[Reward: Basic Axe]
[Basic Axe: An improved stone axe, lighter and more convenient]
Player: “!!”
The axe actually upgraded! Oh my!
In the main game, upgrading tools is a key feature. Players must mine ores, smelt ingots, then pay blacksmiths to upgrade their tools.
After starting the new DLC, the player had wondered. This installment felt more like a deserted island survival mode, and after days of play, no mines had been found. How to upgrade tools?
Turns out, it's through NPC-driven storylines!
—Should I say something about this?
(Player inputs text)
Jiuli: “Chu Liuxiang, I won’t call you an NPC traitor anymore!”
Chu Liuxiang: “?”
Chu Liuxiang: “...What?”
Jiuli: “Nothing, you’re really kind!”
Chu Liuxiang chuckled softly.
Looking into Jiuli’s eyes shining with surprise, he was a little helpless but held back laughter: “That I, Chu Liuxiang, would give such a gift to a lady… Good girl, don’t spread this around, or I’ll die laughing.”
Jiuli: “What gifts do you give other ladies?”
Chu Liuxiang suddenly said, “Hmm?” His gaze fell behind Jiuli, frowning: “What’s that?”
Jiuli: “?”
She instinctively turned to look.
At that moment, Chu Liuxiang moved.
Tall and muscular, he exuded a primal pressure even standing still. But when he moved, he was like a wisp of smoke.
Jiuli’s hair fluttered—it was like smoke passing by.
Her hair was soft, like melting moonlight.
Moonlight’s strands fall so swiftly…
But someone was even faster than moonlight!
A bronze hand flicked suddenly; between two long, strong fingers, a delicate little flower appeared.
With another gentle flick, the flower was placed at Jiuli’s ear, like a drop falling into a silver pool.
Jiuli hadn’t even blinked before Chu Liuxiang returned to his original spot.
He stood with hands behind his back, admiring the tender yellow flower by her ear, smiling, “At least it should be a flower.”
[Chu Liuxiang] gave [Camellia] to [Jiuli]!
Player: “??”
A flower! Can you eat it? How much stamina does it restore?