Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Who Are These People! (Third Update)
「Inside the Great Hall.」
Xu Nian smelled the stench and realized that he too had been poisoned. He quickly swallowed a Top-Grade Detoxification Pill.
Good heavens. What in the world was this? It could even poison him, a first-grade expert!
「Outside」
The players had already scattered, each heading to the Back Mountain and the Medicinal Field for fresh air and to detoxify. Even the Blood Demoness was forced to leave the Entrance of the Contribution Hall—a place she was usually loath to depart—with a book in her hand.
It was just too disgusting!
Xu Nian knew this disciple named Dung Beetle liked to mess around. But this time, the concoction isn’t just horrifically smelly, it’s also poisonous! Even I, a Grandmaster, am struggling to withstand it!
Xu Nian walked out of the Great Hall. He saw Dung Beetle standing there alone, and beside him, the unconscious Guan Guan Jujiu, whom the disciple had dragged up.
"Sect Leader, I captured a woman and brought her up!" Dung Beetle hastily claimed credit. "This woman was wandering around at the entrance of our Profound Yellow Sect. She’s quite pretty—just like the one you described."
Xu Nian: ??? What in the Nine Hells did I tell you? Do you have some sort of misunderstanding about my words? I sent you down the mountain to annoy Shen Rongyin a bit. This young lady isn’t that old. Could she possibly be Shen Rongyin? You’ve really gotten me into trouble this time!
"AHEM—You... did well. You can go down first," Xu Nian coughed dryly. "Leave this woman to me. Continue to stay alert at the foot of the mountain."
As soon as he finished speaking, Dung Beetle received a reward of Ten Contribution Points!
Finally! He had actually received a reward. It was a reward from the Sect Leader; at last, he had gained his recognition. Luckily, his previous actions hadn’t lowered his Affinity too much.
Overjoyed, Dung Beetle said, "Thank you, Sect Leader! I’ll definitely do my best!" Then, he left Guan Guan Jujiu there and headed down the mountain.
"Wait a minute!" Xu Nian suddenly stopped him.
"What’s the matter? Does the Sect Leader have further instructions?" Dung Beetle turned, confused.
"What you’re carrying on your back is..." Xu Nian narrowed his eyes, staring at the Cyan Dragon Crescent Moon Saber tied to Dung Beetle’s back!
That’s right! It’s the Cyan Dragon Crescent Moon Saber! One of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasures. Isn’t this the weapon of the Female Knight-errant Guan Guan Jujiu? How did Dung Beetle end up with it? Could this unconscious young lady be Guan Guan Jujiu?
"Oh, this Great Saber is very sharp. It’s this young lady’s weapon. I captured her alive, so this weapon became my spoils of war," Dung Beetle chuckled. "Sect Leader, do you want it too? Or, next time, I could stink out... I mean, knock out another one, and then the spoils will be yours, Sect Leader!"
Stink out? Are you really stewing dung again?
Xu Nian scowled and waved his hand. "Never mind, just go on down. Take this saber down the mountain and study it; it will be beneficial for you."
"Yes!" Dung Beetle responded, then sashayed flamboyantly down the mountain.
He left, but the stench remained.
Looking at Guan Guan Jujiu lying on the open ground, reeking of a foul odor, Xu Nian felt a major headache coming on.
What should I say when she wakes up? ’You were knocked out by the stench created by one of my disciples?’ Saying it like that would be rather inappropriate, wouldn’t it?
"COUGH COUGH—"
Suddenly, Guan Guan Jujiu coughed weakly and began to stir. She looked around with confused eyes.
"I... where am I... GAG..." Before she could finish her sentence, she began to gag violently again.
Before she could fully regain consciousness, the overwhelming stench caused her to faint once more.
It’s hopeless. Xu Nian didn’t know what to do either.
Currently, Guan Guan Jujiu was covered in whatever vile stuff Dung Beetle had concocted and smeared all over her. God only knew how he had managed to create it. The current state of Guan Guan Jujiu was utterly pitiful. There was sticky, black gunk in her hair, and some had even reached the corners of her mouth.
Such a fine young lady, utterly ruined by Dung Beetle.
What a terrible sin.
Xu Nian was out of options. He could only go to the Back Mountain and ask the Blood Demoness for help cleaning Guan Guan Jujiu. Otherwise, the young lady might remain unconscious for who knew how long.
Upon hearing Xu Nian’s request, the Blood Demoness shook her head vigorously.
"No, absolutely not! I’m not touching that disgusting stuff! Find someone else!" The Blood Demoness simply rolled her eyes at him.
How could I possibly touch something like that?
Seeing that the Blood Demoness wouldn’t help, Xu Nian had no choice but to pin his hopes on the five female players.
Upon learning they were to rescue an NPC, the female players were somewhat excited. But as soon as they saw Guan Guan Jujiu’s condition, all five female players immediately backed away, each running farther than the last.
This game is way too realistic! they thought. The smell alone was almost unbearable.
With no other option, Xu Nian had to post a task.
[Task: Rescue Guan Guan Jujiu.]
[Description: Help cleanse Guan Guan Jujiu of the filth covering her. Restricted to female players.]
[Reward: Contribution Points * 100.]
One hundred Contribution Points was not a small amount. For players in the Second Test, this was quite a windfall. But for the female players, even if it were 100 Contribution Points, let alone 1,000, they wouldn’t want to do it.
Junlin spoke up from behind, "Sister Zhou, why don’t you take this task?"
"Why should I? I don’t want to do something like that!" Sister Zhou shook her head persistently.
Do these people really not see me as a normal woman? That persona is just for the live stream! In reality, I’m a true lady, you know!
"Too bad only female players can accept it, or I’d do it right now."
"This young lady looks so pretty; how did she get so unlucky as to run into that Dung Beetle fellow?"
"Good lord, someone’s actually taking this task?"
"For Contribution Points, I even joined Dung Beetle’s recruitment drive the day before yesterday. This smell is nothing! Child’s play!"
"..."
Seeing that none of the female players were willing to take the task, Xu Nian didn’t hold out much hope.
After all this, it looks like I’ll have to do it myself.
With no other choice, he had some players bring a large tub of water. Then, he grabbed Guan Guan Jujiu by her clothes, gave a hard yank, and tossed her straight into the tub.
SPLASH!
Guan Guan Jujiu fell into the tub of water.
She was instantly jolted awake. Having fainted twice already, she felt incredibly weak. Blearily opening her eyes, she found herself in a large tub of water. A handsome young man stood beside her, and quite a few other people were standing behind him.
What’s happening? Where am I?
Just as she was wondering, the sticky black gunk in her hair began to slide down her face from the water. Sensing something, she looked down at the substance now floating on the surface of the water in the tub.
Huh???
In the next moment, she remembered the madman she had encountered at the entrance of the Profound Yellow Sect and everything that had happened.
"AAAAAH—!"
Her shrill scream pierced the heavens. The sound was so piercing that everyone reflexively covered their ears.
Xu Nian, also wincing and covering his ears, said with a sigh of resignation, "Stop screaming! Just wash yourself quickly. I’ll have someone bring you another tub of fresh water."