Chapter 17

At the North Gate of the City of Divine Protection, it was morning. A level 13 human knight player had just walked through the city gate, intending to go to the northern plains to fight monsters and earn some money and experience. Although the monsters in the northern plains were harder to defeat, there were fewer players leveling up there, and he was not used to competing for monsters, so he always chose to level up near the North Gate.

With a "swish," Li Huailin jumped out of the grass for the second time, blocking the knight player and shouting, "This mountain is mine, this grass is mine. If you want to pass, leave your money behind!"

"Robbery?" The knight player was a man in his forties and laughed heartily. "Young man, you're learning to rob at such a young age. You might as well spend your time fighting monsters and leveling up. The money may be less, but it's earned honestly, which is more comfortable than the money from robbing."

"Damn, it's none of your business that I like robbing," Li Huailin said, then realized something was off. What did he mean by liking to rob? Was he crazy or something? After thinking for a moment, he added, "I urgently need money. If you know what's good for you, hand over your money."

The knight player was taken aback, then frowned and sized up Li Huailin, who was wearing a set of beginner's gear. He seemed to understand something and nodded in agreement: "You're right. We're all out here trying to make a living. Who doesn't have a tight spot now and then?"

With that, the knight player took out 20 silver coins: "Here, I don't have much on me, but here are 20 silver coins. It's not much, but it's something."

"Ah?" Li Huailin stared at the knight player in disbelief.

"Although I don't know what you're going through, crime is never the right path," the knight player said earnestly, patting Li Huailin on the shoulder. "Young man, life is long. I hope you find the right path."

"I..." Li Huailin was almost driven mad by this guy.

"Alright, I need to go level up. I'll be on my way." The knight player patted Li Huailin on the shoulder again and walked off toward the leveling area to the north.

Watching the knight player's back, Li Huailin really didn't have the heart to stab him. He looked at the 20 silver coins in his hand, feeling both amused and exasperated, "Do I really have a talent for robbing..."

Just as he was thinking this, he heard footsteps behind him. Without even looking, Li Huailin turned and shouted, "Robbery! Men to the left, women to the right, get down!"

"Ah!" A delicate cry. It was a female player. Li Huailin was taken aback because this female player was quite beautiful, young, probably around 15 or 16, with a fresh and adorable appearance that made one want to pat her head.

"Ah, Brother-in-law!" The girl shouted before Li Huailin could say anything.

"Brother-in-law?" Li Huailin was taken aback. "Miss, I'm not married yet. You must have the wrong person."

"Oh, Brother-in-law, you haven't met me yet. I'm Hongyan Heishui, Cousin Hongchen Yan's cousin," Hongyan Heishui said with a smile.

Li Huailin immediately remembered the exposé post he had read last night. Although he had noticed it yesterday, he didn't expect to actually meet her here.

"Hey, don't go around claiming relatives. You should know that I have no relationship with your cousin. Calling me 'Brother-in-law' is a bit much," Li Huailin quickly explained.

"That's right, I know you only met my cousin yesterday, but didn't you get hooked by her stunning beauty? Why else would you pursue her so aggressively? Hmph, don't think I can't see through you," Hongyan Heishui said with a mischievous smile, as if she had seen through him.

"Who would be hooked by that?" Li Huailin was truly wronged, feeling very wronged.

"Brother-in-law, don't worry. I've checked, and you are the most promising among the thousands of men pursuing my sister," Hongyan Heishui said confidently. "Yesterday, my sister even agreed to let you touch her chest. She's never let anyone touch her, even in the game. You're the first man I've seen in 17 years to touch my sister's chest. How was it? Is my sister's chest big and comfortable?"

"Yes..." Li Huailin nodded subconsciously, then immediately realized it was wrong. "I don't care if it's big or comfortable. Please help me explain to your cousin that I have no intention of pursuing her..."

"Oh, I understand." Hongyan Heishui suddenly punched her hand. "I've read about this in books. It's called 'playing hard to get,' one of the advanced tactics for men to pursue women. Brother-in-law, you're really good. You confessed in front of thousands of people yesterday, and today you're using the 'playing hard to get' tactic. No wonder I recognize you as my brother-in-law."

"You're reading all sorts of unhealthy books at your age. Can you think about things normally?" Li Huailin couldn't help but say.

"Ah, Brother-in-law, don't get upset. We're on the same side," Hongyan Heishui said, seeing Li Huailin's urgency. "I don't oppose you pursuing my cousin, and I won't tell her about your 'playing hard to get.' Brother-in-law, I'll help you!"

"..."

"Brother-in-law, are you moved?"

"I want to cry..." Li Huailin held his forehead.

"Brother-in-law, you don't need to cry. Although I'll help, I can only provide information about my cousin and report her movements to you. You still need to put in the effort. My cousin has many suitors," Hongyan Heishui kindly reminded him.

"..."

"Brother-in-law, since you're so nice to me, shouldn't you repay me?" Hongyan Heishui looked at Li Huailin with expectation.

"Fine, what do you want?" Li Huailin wanted to get rid of her quickly because she was really driving him crazy.

"Do you have any top-tier priest equipment or skill books...?" Hongyan Heishui asked, as she played a priest.

"Are you kidding? Look at me, do I look like I have money?" Li Huailin showed his beginner's gear. "If I were that rich, do you think I'd be robbing here?"

"Robbing? Brother-in-law, you really are robbing here." Hongyan Heishui was taken aback. Although she had heard Li Huailin say he was robbing, she thought he was joking. She didn't expect it to be true.

"Yes, I'm so poor that I have to rob. What can I give you?" Li Huailin spread his hands. "I'm busy robbing. Go level up on your own. I won't..."

"Robbing is fun!" Before Li Huailin could finish, Hongyan Heishui's eyes sparkled. "I've never robbed before. Brother-in-law, take me with you."

"I..." Li Huailin really wanted to slap himself.

"Haha, Brother-in-law and I will form the 'Dynamic Duo.' Robbing will be smooth sailing..." Hongyan Heishui was already fantasizing about her great future.

"Hey, Heishui, listen to me." Li Huailin quickly tried to dissuade Hongyan Heishui from joining him in robbing because he wasn't really planning to rob. He just wanted to die, but he couldn't say that, so he had to explain the dangers of robbing. "Robbing is a highly technical job. It requires skill and carries a certain level of danger."

"Don't worry, Brother-in-law, I'm very smart. I'll learn quickly if you teach me once," Hongyan Heishui said immediately. "Besides, I'm not afraid of danger. I'm already level 15, and only the guild leader and my cousin are higher than me in the guild."

"What kind of trouble am I in? Why can't I get rid of this girl?" Li Huailin was speechless.

After some thought, he realized he couldn't talk her out of it. He decided to let her accompany him and die a few times, and she would probably give up.

"Fine, since you really want to learn, I'll teach you the secrets of robbing," Li Huailin said, giving in.

"Great, great!" Hongyan Heishui shouted happily.

---

End of the page.