Lin Zuo observed Shen Jufeng’s stubborn attitude and thought to himself that it was no wonder everyone spoke of him the way they did. He was like a cold machine, managing the family business with rigid discipline.
The Lin family wasn’t much worse off than the Shen family, but they had entered the business world later.
“In that case, it’s a pity Mr. Shen doesn’t know the situation in Yanjing. I wonder if someone else is in charge of the Shen family now.”
Shen Jufeng shot him a cold glance. “You should worry about your own family.”
He didn’t care about the Shen family’s current affairs in Yanjing. Those power-hungry fools had once quarreled with him over positions.
He had been dragging the family forward while they clung to his legs, trying to hold him back. Now, he no longer had to struggle under their dead weight—he could finally relax.
The game world had shattered class barriers, but if wealthy families exchanged assets for gold coins, they’d still fare far better than ordinary people.
*
After sending Lin Zuo away, Shen Jufeng used a protective shield to help Lu Jiu fend off wild monsters.
In the city, Zhuang Antong had already learned about the monsters outside the walls. She went to see them during the day, and her friends fell silent after witnessing the chaos beyond.
Knowing her father was fighting those monsters, Zhuang Antong immediately rushed home. She wanted to craft better props to give him more protection in battle.
And this time, she succeeded in creating a new auxiliary prop:
[Morris Spirit Fox]
(Assistant Prop)
Effect: When equipped, the Morris Spirit Fox transforms into a fox with the strength of a bronze-tier BOSS, fighting alongside its owner until its HP is depleted. Cooldown: 30 minutes.
The prop took the form of an adorable puppet fox, curled up in its nest with squinting eyes.
Perhaps due to the intensity of her emotions while crafting it, the spirit fox could manifest as a bronze-tier BOSS.
At that moment, Zhuang Yun was preparing dinner in the kitchen when Zhuang Antong ran over, clutching the doll. “Dad, look! I made another new doll!”
Zhuang Yun wiped his hands and took the doll. After reading its description, he froze. Was his daughter becoming too powerful?
“An’an, you’re incredible. This doll is amazing.”
Zhuang Antong grinned and hugged his leg. “Then take it with you when you go out! The little fox can help you.”
Zhuang Yun felt both touched and exasperated. “Dad is strong enough on his own, but I’ll make good use of your gift.”
No matter how many times he assured her he could handle the monsters, Zhuang Antong still worried. This time, she’d crafted a combat prop—more advanced than her previous flying aid. If he used it outside, everyone would know it was her creation.
The two shared a warm meal, and afterward, Zhuang Yun tucked his daughter into bed, telling her a story.
“An’an, the story’s over. Sleep well. Dad’s been out day and night lately—you don’t need to wait up for me.”
Zhuang Antong nodded. *”I know. Just come back safe after fighting the monsters.”*
“I will. If you’re hungry, buy food from the street. Once this is over, I’ll take a few days off to stay home with you, just like before.”
After she fell asleep, Zhuang Yun left with the prop. Since his daughter insisted, he wouldn’t disappoint her—and the extra help against the monsters wouldn’t hurt.
Zhuang Antong had sewn a strap onto the fox’s nest, allowing it to be worn diagonally across the body. At a glance, it looked like a child’s toy, but Zhuang Yun could sense its latent power. With a thought, the fox would awaken and fight alongside him.
When he reached the city wall, the battle was raging. Just as he was about to join, a slow, grinding sound caught his attention.
He turned toward the noise. He stood on the eastern wall, but in the distance, the massive gates of the other three walls were creaking open.
Zhuang Yun immediately searched for Lu Jiu, but the battlefield was too chaotic. Even with torchlight, he couldn’t find her in the dark.
Suddenly, a system notification chimed. The other three gates could now be opened and would close automatically once the beast tide ended.
Most fighters were concentrated at the eastern wall, leaving the other three sparsely defended.
Lu Jiu approved the gate openings immediately. Even if they weren’t useful now, they’d allow easier cleanup once the horde thinned.
After slaying another monster, Lu Jiu retreated to the wall to catch her breath. Nearby, a group of players were marveling at the patrol NPCs.
“These patrol NPCs are insanely strong! Look at their archery!”
“That female NPC is stunning—and her aim never wavers!”
Lu Jiu glanced over. The archer NPC moved with mechanical precision, her bowstring taut in the same flawless arc every time.
The NPCs only paused to rest once, their stamina far surpassing the players’. Worried they might collapse from exhaustion, Lu Jiu had ordered that break herself.
Noticing her gaze, the chatterers turned—only to realize she was studying the NPCs, not them. They resumed their discussion.
As Lu Jiu debated whether to let the NPCs rest again, Shen Jufeng appeared beside her.
“I thought you said you’d fight more?”* He sheathed his sword, eyeing the three newly opened gates. “Can they be opened one at a time?”
Lu Jiu shook her head. *”No. They’ll close when the beast tide ends. After this, only the east gate will stay open.”*
“If they could remain open permanently, players wouldn’t waste time detouring,” Shen Jufeng mused.
Four gates meant four directions. Without detours, players could hunt more monsters in the same time.
“No way to keep them open yet,” Lu Jiu said. “But once the tide ends, four gates will make hunting much easier.”
Amid the roar of artillery, their quiet exchange went unheard by others.
The players who’d been gushing over NPCs turned back, now eyeing Lu Jiu and the striking man beside her.
Then—gasps.
“What the hell is that?!”
“A new BOSS?!”
Lu Jiu and Shen Jufeng followed their stares. A massive fox had appeared in the beast tide, its appearance bizarre.
When it turned, Lu Jiu saw its eyes—squinted, stitched with thread.
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