Chapter 95

"Is there any need to say? The mission was discovered by Su Peng, so of course Su Peng should lead the reputation for this side mission."

Qin Xiaoyue, hearing this, immediately spoke up to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng snorted and said, "We are working for the company, not playing games for fun. Don't forget that! Since we are all working for the company's benefit, we should consider the maximum benefit. Su Peng is a new employee and doesn't have much reputation in the game. I, on the other hand, although not as well-known as Peng Zhen and Zhao Qiu, still have a solid foundation. If I complete this mission under my name, I can boost my reputation to Zhao Qiu's level. That way, the Dark Falcon team will have three solo players, which is better than having two mediocre ones."

"What are you talking about? You're clearly fighting for your own interests, yet you speak so grandly!" Qin Xiaoyue, as if Liu Feng were trying to take her reputation, argued on behalf of Su Peng.

"I won't argue with you. Team Leader, what do you think? You should know that what I said is more practical and in the company's best interest." Liu Feng knew that Qin Xiaoyue's opinion didn't matter much; the key was what Ning Cai would say. He turned to look at Ning Cai and asked.

Ning Cai had a blank expression, closed her eyes, and seemed to be thinking. After a while, she opened her eyes and asked Su Peng, "Su Peng, what do you think about this? After all, it's your mission, and we should also ask for your opinion."

"Ha ha..."

Su Peng smiled first and said, "Actually, I'm a new employee and still have a lot to learn. It seems reasonable to let the more experienced members of the team take the lead..."

Hearing Su Peng's words, Liu Feng laughed heartily and said, "Good! You're very sensible... and considerate of the company. I see potential in you."

"Why are you saying that..." Qin Xiaoyue's face fell, and she pulled on Su Peng's sleeve, whispering to him.

"I didn't say 'but' yet..." Su Peng inwardly found Qin Xiaoyue's reaction amusing and said, "But... everything has a 'but.' Although humility is good, there's also a saying that one should not yield when it comes to righteousness. I've also inquired about the team's situation. Although Liu Feng has more reputation than me, he hasn't reached the required points for a solo player in six months. I, on the other hand, already have 750 points and surpassed this requirement in the first month. So, I think I might be more suitable for the solo player role, which requires reputation. Everyone seems to know this... So, I hope the reputation from this mission can be credited to me."

"You!" Hearing Su Peng's words, Liu Feng glared at him. The fact that he hadn't reached the required points in nearly six months was a sore spot for him, and Su Peng had just rubbed it in.

"Good job, Su Peng!" Qin Xiaoyue beamed and said to Su Peng.

Ning Cai nodded and said, "That's a valid point... From what I can see, Su Peng seems to have more potential. Since he developed the mission, it makes sense to consider this..."

Ning Cai paused and then glanced at Zhao Qiu, who was drinking from a silver flask. She said, "The reputation from this mission will be credited to Zhao Qiu and Su Peng."

Hearing this, Su Peng looked at Zhao Qiu. Ning Cai, perhaps fearing Su Peng would misunderstand, explained, "Su Peng, to complete this mission and gain reputation, we need to invite some NPCs from the game. Zhao Qiu knows the most and has the best connections, so he will be the main organizer. However, he can introduce you, and the amount of reputation you gain will depend on your performance in the mission."

Su Peng nodded. Zhao Qiu had been famous in the game longer and had more connections. Since he was leading the effort to gather the NPCs, it made sense that he would share the reputation.

"Alright, I'll invite those friends in the game to join us," Zhao Qiu said, taking a sip from his silver flask.

Su Peng found Zhao Qiu's use of the word "friends" rather than "NPCs" a bit odd but didn't dwell on it. He quickly focused on Ning Cai's instructions.

Ning Cai assigned tasks to the other members of the Dark Falcon team, such as gathering information about the Ancient Sword Manor and collecting internal building plans. Su Peng watched quietly from the side. He noticed that Ning Cai had changed, becoming more efficient and professional, almost glowing with confidence in her work.

"Alright, that's the general plan..." After assigning the tasks, Ning Cai glanced at her watch, which read 8:30. She said, "It's getting late. Everyone, get to your stations and try to complete the tasks within a day. We also need to send the report to the Dragon Tooth team."

Everyone acknowledged and headed to their workstations.

Su Peng and Qin Xiaoyue also went to their workstations. As Su Peng entered the game pod, he saw Qin Xiaoyue give him a thumbs-up and wink, saying, "Good job!"

Su Peng smiled, knowing that he had embarrassed Liu Feng, which made Qin Xiaoyue happy. He nodded to her and logged into the game.

In the game world, it was morning, and the city of Jiangning was bustling. Su Peng spent a few copper coins on some snacks and headed toward the city hall.

He wanted to meet Ling Xiaoyu to find out how the city lord, Mo Tianqing, had reacted to yesterday's events, to determine how much Mo Tianqing knew about the Ancient Sword Manor.

After all, if Mo Tianqing knew about the Ancient Sword Manor's atrocities, the situation would become more complicated.

Su Peng had just reached the center of Jiangning, where the city hall was located, when he saw Ling Xiaoyu, looking a bit upset, come out of the city hall.

"Xiaoyu!" Su Peng called out to her.

"Big Brother Su!" Ling Xiaoyu's face lit up when she saw Su Peng, and she walked over to him.

"I brought you some roasted chestnuts, bought at the west gate of the city. They're quite authentic," Su Peng said, handing her a paper bag. The young girl smiled sweetly and took it.

"What happened just now? You seem a bit upset," Su Peng asked her.

Hearing this, Ling Xiaoyu's expression turned sour. "It's my cousin. After he brought back a man called the 'Killer Doctor,' he told my uncle about our encounter on the street. My uncle scolded me for it."

Su Peng couldn't help but laugh. It was because of that. He shook his head and focused on another piece of information from Ling Xiaoyu. "The Killer Doctor Lu Sanping? He's in Jiangning?"

"Yes... He came two days ago. My uncle met him last night and asked him to treat my grandfather. He's a strange man, looking at people as if they were prey or meat on a chopping board, which is quite uncomfortable... But his medical skills seem to be very high. My grandfather had been coughing for days, and no doctor in the city could help, but Lu Sanping cured him with just one dose of medicine."

Ling Xiaoyu, holding the bag of roasted chestnuts, told Su Peng.

Su Peng nodded, thinking about the black palm print on his chest.

"Although my current internal skills can control the injury from the poison palm, it's not a permanent solution. The sooner I deal with this, the better. The black mark seems to be getting darker every day when I see it in the mirror."

Su Peng thought to himself. With this in mind, he asked Ling Xiaoyu, "Lu Sanping is quite famous in the game. I also plan to see him. I was injured earlier and want him to take a look."

"Big Brother Su, you're injured?" Hearing this, Ling Xiaoyu let go of the roasted chestnut she had been peeling and looked at Su Peng. "You must see him; otherwise, it might leave a hidden problem... But Lu Sanping has a strange personality. It's not easy to get him to treat you. Even my uncle had to pay a high price to bring him here. Given his temper, he might not treat you..."

"Ha ha, I'll give it a try. How will I know if I don't try?" Su Peng smiled.

After saying this, Su Peng probed Ling Xiaoyu about the city lord Mo Tianqing's reaction to yesterday's events. Ling Xiaoyu recalled and told Su Peng that her uncle seemed to be his usual self, just warning her not to get involved in dangerous adventures, as it would be hard to explain to her parents if she got hurt.

Hearing this, Su Peng felt there was no problem and spent some time walking around with Ling Xiaoyu, during which he learned where the Killer Doctor Lu Sanping was staying.

"Ah! I didn't realize it was already noon... My aunt said I must return to the mansion for lunch... Big Brother Su, I'm really sorry... I have to go back," Ling Xiaoyue said, looking at the sun as they neared noon.

"It's fine. I have some things to do too. You go ahead," Su Peng said to Ling Xiaoyue, who nodded apologetically.

After watching Ling Xiaoyue leave, Su Peng stood there for a moment and then headed to the place where Lu Sanping was staying, as Ling Xiaoyue had described.

Lu Sanping was staying in a high-end guesthouse near the city hall, which was considered one of the best in Jiangning. The compound was large, and there were Black Water Army guards outside. Su Peng showed his Black Water Army badge and entered the guesthouse, heading to the west wing as Ling Xiaoyue had instructed.

The guesthouse consisted of eight quadrangle courtyards. Su Peng walked to the two western courtyards, stopped at the bottom of the western wing, and then knocked on the door of the small building.

"Come in, the door is not locked," a middle-aged man's voice came from inside. Su Peng pushed the door open and saw a man with a stern, unsmiling face and a small goatee looking at him... (To be continued. Search for Piaotian Literature for faster updates and better quality!)