Chapter Sixty-Six: The Unpredictability of Human Hearts

Hanmei Aoxue's greatest fear was that, just like last time, experts would show up to sabotage their pioneering plans. So she released the news in advance, hoping to dissuade interference. In truth, this was a warning: anyone who dared cause trouble this time would be met with ruthless vengeance.

After all, Blue Ocean Company’s reputation was well-established—few players dared provoke them. Rumors circulated that the company’s Seven Fairies were each more formidable than the last, and this time two of them had been dispatched—a sign that only the most important missions warranted the presence of two top-tier experts.

Yet the third-ranked Yueying Qiusha was so mysterious that no information about her could be found on the forums. This added an extra layer of intrigue.

Wu Hua suddenly realized that a company as powerful as this would never reveal its secret objectives in such a setting. Hanmei Aoxue’s real purpose was now obvious—she was warning him specifically.

His presence here today was no coincidence. Long Zhan Xingye knew full well about his grudge with the Blue Ocean Company, yet insisted on inviting him—not to show support, but to let Hanmei Aoxue deliver her message directly.

Hanmei Aoxue had a close friendship with Long Zhan Xingye’s wife, so it was natural for her to take advantage of this connection. In the game world, human motives were just as complex. On the surface, everyone was fighting monsters and collecting gear, but in truth, it was all a pursuit of profit. When maximizing benefits, even the thinnest bonds of friendship could be sacrificed.

Wu Hua was not the type to seek out conflict, but his principle was simple: “If others do not trouble me, I will not trouble them; if they do, I will make them regret it.”

The problem was that one of the materials Master Monica had asked him to collect was located in the Ayat Ruins. It seemed inevitable that he would clash with the Blue Ocean Company once more.

“Heh, in this world, there are things as dramatic as any play,” Wu Hua said with a smile.

Hanmei Aoxue fixed her eyes on him. “Brother Bao, it seems you’re interested in the Ayat Ruins as well?”

Wu Hua replied, “To be honest, I’ve never even been there. Where would the interest come from?”

Hanmei Aoxue seemed to relax, a trace of a smile appearing on her face.

Wu Hua smiled too. “I’ve always been a lone wolf. I don’t like meddling in others’ business, and I don’t appreciate others meddling in mine.”

Hanmei Aoxue laughed. “And if someone insists on interfering?”

Wu Hua chuckled, “Then there’s nothing to be done. Only one kind of person won’t meddle.”

His answer was evasive, but Hanmei Aoxue understood nonetheless. What kind of person never meddles?

The dead.

Only the dead.

The tension in the air was palpable. Though both kept smiling, Long Zhan Xingye and She Ni Wu Zui could sense that neither was holding anything back.

“Ahem, ahem!” Long Zhan Xingye coughed, forcing a smile. “It’s an auspicious day for the grand opening. We’re all friends here—let’s have another drink and enjoy ourselves.”

Wu Hua suddenly set down his glass, sneering, “Brother Long, I appreciate your intentions. Next time, just be direct. If it’s inconvenient, a text would do—no need for all this ceremony. I’ll be off; you all enjoy yourselves.”

With that, Wu Hua stood up and walked toward the restaurant’s main entrance without looking back. Long Zhan Xingye’s face paled—not from anger, but because he was never one for beating around the bush. Wu Hua’s words had struck a nerve, leaving him embarrassed.

“I’ll go check on him,” She Ni Wu Zui said, rising to follow.

Hanmei Aoxue watched Wu Hua’s departing figure and chuckled, “He’s quite an interesting friend you have.”

At the entrance of Yunmeng Center, She Ni Wu Zui stopped Wu Hua. “Brother, it’s just a woman—why take it so hard?”

Wu Hua smiled at him, realizing She Ni Wu Zui was unaware of the deeper stakes.

“Brother, Old Long’s just like that—a little henpecked, and his wife happens to be close with the Blue Ocean folks,” She Ni Wu Zui explained.

Wu Hua sneered inwardly. If a man couldn’t even manage his own wife, how could he expect to be a reliable partner? The idea was naive.

“Brother, if you run into any trouble, just say the word. If I can help, I absolutely won’t refuse,” She Ni Wu Zui said, thumping his chest.

Wu Hua gave his shoulder a meaningful pat, then turned and hopped into a cab.

The Ayat Ruins were the remnants of an ancient civilization on the edge of Phantom Moon City. The official photos made it look like the charred remains of the Old Summer Palace, only much larger. It was said that even a high-agility gene warrior could wander inside for a whole day and still not reach the end—it was easy to get lost.

Countless rocks and weeds made it ideal for ranged combat, but that wasn’t the main point. The true challenge was that the Ayat Ruins hid an underground dungeon with a difficult-to-find entrance, its structure entirely medieval—filled with traps and dangers.

That was all Wu Hua could glean from the forums—a mere five hundred words, yet he sensed this journey would prove even more treacherous than the Mulin Tomb. It wouldn’t be a task completed in a single day, perhaps not even in two—he needed to prepare for a prolonged campaign.

Early the next morning, Wu Hua visited the Star Dream Shopping Center, buying everything he needed: rope, grappling hooks, binoculars, a tech tent, antidotes, compressed biscuits, jerky, mineral water, a gas mask, flashlight, and a host of other supplies. By the end, he’d spent nearly ten thousand credits.

“Sigh, I’ve really gone all out for this operation,” Wu Hua lamented.

A high-end fighter jet soared through the sky, carrying him toward Phantom Moon City. It was Wu Hua’s first time traveling so far in Star Battle, and for some reason, he felt a surge of excitement. He sincerely hoped to run into Snowy Night Fairy—he was eager to see who was stronger now. Wu Hua was confident that even if they did meet, his chances of victory were over seventy percent.

After all, the gap in level and gear had closed, and as for skill—back when Wu Hua first picked up a gun, Snowy Night Fairy barely knew what one was. Surely she’d learned by now; after all, her husband had a gun, didn’t he? Heh.

Lost in thought, Wu Hua barely noticed the female player dressed as a gunner seated across from him. She pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “Hey there, got a light?”

Wu Hua hesitated. Smoking wasn’t forbidden on in-game fighter jets, but he rarely saw female players smoke. Still, he pulled out his zippo and tossed it to her.

“Thanks.” The female gunner lit up expertly and offered him the pack. “Want one? Custom blend.”

“Thanks,” Wu Hua said, taking a cigarette and lighting up. The two of them smoked together, filling the air with clouds that made the two warrior players nearby frown.

The female gunner laughed heartily. “What’s wrong, boys—can’t handle a little smoke?”

Her laughter was as bold as any man’s, and Wu Hua couldn’t help but find her likable—women like her were rare.

“Heading to Phantom Moon City, little brother?” she asked, seeing how quiet Wu Hua was.

“Something like that,” he replied.

“Interested in teaming up for a run at the Ayat Ruins?” she asked.

Wu Hua was taken aback. “What a coincidence.”

(Author’s note: Dear friends, this novel was released on the 13th of last month, which means in seven days it will be off the new releases list. At the current pace, I’ll hit 200,000 words in two or three days, so it’ll be truly ‘naked’ on the rankings. I’d planned to update twice daily this week to stretch my time on the new releases chart, but that felt unfair to those of you who’ve already been voting and supporting every day. So, after much thought, I’ve decided to stick to three daily updates. As you can see, I’ve only just returned to Qidian, with little popularity, and my results are poor. I rely on your steady support—each bit adds up. So let’s give the new releases rankings one more push this week, even if the odds are slim. Even one day on the charts would make me happy. If you have votes, please use them; if you don’t, just show up and lend your support. Thank you!)