Chapter 5

【Main Quest Initiated: Survival! (Newbie Trial)】

【Quest Objective: Survive for more than seven days in Daqing Village! Upon completion, reward: 100 minor merits! Note: Within seven days, you must not leave the three-mile radius around Daqing Village, violators will be eliminated!】

【Scene Introduction: In the ninth year of the Taihe era of the Great Xia Dynasty, the northern barbarians invaded, causing widespread suffering. At this time, a group of barbarian cavalry broke through the defenses and reached the vicinity of Daqing Village, about to attack. Survival or death, you must make a choice!】

【Side Quest: Slay the Invading Enemies! In the face of great enemies, each barbarian cavalryman slain rewards 50 minor merits, each Tulun warrior slain rewards 100 minor merits, and each shaman slain rewards 300 minor merits!】

【This Quest Scene: Small! Quest Difficulty: Desolate!】

"Great Xia?!"

Kang Shouli exclaimed, "Before the Great Zhou was the Great Shang, and before the Great Shang was the Great Xia! Could it be that we have returned to history? How is this possible?"

'Going back in history is impossible, but it's highly likely that a small world has been created, capturing a part of that great battle.'

Wu Ming's heart stirred slightly as he looked at the others.

Upon hearing the quest about the barbarian invasion, Huang Ying and the others all showed signs of shock, especially Xiao Yu, who let out a low exclamation, "Shamans are the combined title of healers and priests on the grasslands, capable of using witchcraft! And Tulun warriors are the top-tier fighters in the barbarian tribes... we..."

It seemed that this woman was gradually accepting the reality and even thinking about the possibility of completing the quest.

"The barbarian cavalry is brutal, leaving nothing but scorched earth in their wake! They are also unmatched in archery and horsemanship, so it might take the two of us working together to take down just one!"

Qin Hu took a few steps forward, clearly wanting to team up with Wu Ming.

'Sure enough!'

Wu Ming glanced at Huang Ying, who looked expectant, and even Kang Shouli said nothing more.

In times of disaster, obeying the strong is an instinct.

The previous minor grievances were quickly buried by these few people, like dust.

Seeing this, Wu Ming shook his head inwardly.

Originally, these few people from different backgrounds and who didn't trust each other, how could they possibly unite to face a powerful enemy?

Therefore, he had little expectation of these 'teammates' from the start. Now, hearing that it was a survival quest, his heart tightened, but then relaxed a bit.

He was tense because the Main Hall estimated their strength to be far inferior to the barbarian cavalry, which is why they were given a survival quest with no other requirements, making it even more challenging.

However, he was relaxed because there was no overall evaluation, so he wouldn't be dragged down by a weak teammate.

But at this moment, maintaining surface unity and combining everyone's strength was better than going alone.

Wu Ming pointed to the village in their line of sight, "Daqing Village, is that it? Should we go and scout the situation first..."

Suddenly, his expression froze.

Because the smoke that had been half-rising in the air began to rise again, the breeze blew, and the leaves rustled, making the entire world seem to 'come alive' instantly.

[Ding! Main Quest Initiated, Immediate Task Released!]

[Immediate Task: Arrival! You need to reach Daqing Village within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, otherwise, the task is considered a failure!]

A message appeared in Wu Ming and the others' minds, and even a sundial-like timer appeared, with the needle spinning rapidly.

Wu Ming and the others were momentarily stunned; the words 'task failure' gave them a very bad premonition.

"Go!"

Qin Hu was the first to rush out. He was a gang member, very pragmatic, and believed that might was right.

Now, whether this was a joke or a conspiracy, just the fact that the information could be sent directly to his mind meant that even if they were playing with him, he had to accept it!

"The Main Quest has no penalty for failure, because those who fail will die... but now..."

Xiao Yu and Huang Ying exchanged glances, looking at Qin Hu's retreating back, and both smiled bitterly.

Huang Ying's eyes sought help, and Kang Shouli's resolve wavered, "If Miss Huang doesn't mind..."

"Lord Kang's willingness to help is greatly appreciated, how could I possibly mind?"

Huang Ying gracefully took Kang Shouli's arm, her soft voice instantly filling him with valor, "Miss Huang, rest assured, with Lord Kang here, no one will dare to harm you!"

Although he was a playboy, comparable to the previous Wu Ming, and indulged in wine and women, he had at least reached the second level of martial arts, the Muscle Tissue Realm, with well-developed muscles, more than enough to carry someone.

"It looks like I'll have to carry you!"

Wu Ming rubbed his nose, then grabbed Xiao Yu by the collar and strode forward, quickly overtaking Kang Shouli and catching up to Qin Hu.

"Big Brother Wu, thank you so much!"

Although she was being carried by the collar like a child, Xiao Yu's face was filled with a sweet smile.

Observing her closely, Wu Ming noticed that her breath was as fragrant as orchids, her skin was fair and smooth, even better than the finest porcelain doll.

"Miss Xiao Yu, you haven't told me your full name yet!"

Wu Ming, while running, still had the breath to ask.

Xiao Yu's mischievous eyes twinkled, mimicking Wu Ming's previous tone, "The world is dangerous, I never reveal my true identity! Ouch..."

Before she could finish, she received a tap on the forehead from Wu Ming, causing her to cry out in pain.

The girl, now aware of his strength, became much more obedient, though she mumbled, "If I had brought my treasure pouch, it wouldn't have been like this..."

Suddenly realizing her mistake, she stopped talking.

Wu Ming was not bothered by this. From her speech, he knew she came from a distinguished background. But hearing about her supposed magical item, which was also excluded like his, a thoughtful look flashed across his face.

The time it takes to burn an incense stick is neither long nor short. For ordinary people, especially for a woman like Huang Ying who couldn't even defend herself, reaching Daqing Village might be as difficult as climbing to the sky, but for Wu Ming and the others, who had practiced martial arts and had several levels of skill, it was not a problem.

Passing the boundary stone marked "Daqing Village," Wu Ming received a message in his mind that the immediate task was completed.

Wu Ming slowly exhaled and then put Xiao Yu down.

"Thank you, Big Brother Wu, you're such a good person!"

Xiao Yu smiled and thanked him, then looked anxiously in Kang Shouli's direction, "Hurry up, time is running out!"

At this moment, the sundial in their minds had only a few seconds left before it reached zero!

Seeing the two figures and the obvious strain on Kang Shouli's face, Wu Ming's eyes gleamed, "At Kang Shouli's speed, he can barely make it, but should we..."

Qin Hu, however, sneered and suddenly stood up, blocking the boundary stone.

"What are you doing?" Xiao Yu's face was full of caution.

"What am I doing?" Qin Hu coldly laughed, "Naturally, I want to test whether this task is real or just a deception..."

As he spoke, he picked up a few stones and made a gesture to aim.

"Wait!"

Wu Ming suddenly spoke.

"What? Isn't this what Brother Wu also wants to try?" Qin Hu coldly said, "I'm just being more direct..."

"True, but there are many opportunities to test, not just now!"

Wu Ming shook his head.

Qin Hu stared at Wu Ming, his eyes almost glowing with cold light, then suddenly laughed loudly, "Fine! Today, I'll give Brother Wu some face!"

"Phew..."

With the two of them standing aside, Kang Shouli finally crossed the boundary stone with Huang Ying just before time ran out, his face showing relief, "Thank you, Brother Wu!"

"Hmph!"

Especially Kang Shouli, who had seen Qin Hu's actions, his eyes were almost on fire.

"What? Are you不服 (unwilling to accept it), do you want to challenge me? I've had enough of you, a nobleman's son!"

Qin Hu sneered, his fierce gaze making Kang Shouli's forehead tingle, and he retreated, almost hiding behind Wu Ming.

"Is this guy... thinking that in this new world, he can do whatever he wants?"

Wu Ming watched coldly, grasping Qin Hu's psychology.

At this moment, the benefit of maintaining a calm exterior became apparent. Qin Hu's actions were clearly pushing the others toward him.

Of course, perhaps Qin Hu saw everyone except Wu Ming as a burden, but Wu Ming did not agree. After all, everyone had their strengths and value.

Therefore, he immediately took on a mediator's attitude, "Let's not argue, we need to consider how to interact with the locals here..."

He pointed around them.

Only then did Qin Hu and the others realize that their group, standing outside the village, neither moving nor stopping, had already attracted the attention of the villagers, and some strong men were quickly gathering.

In times of chaos, the people of any place are always fierce and good at fortifying themselves, or they would have been swallowed up by various forces long ago.

"In my opinion, they are very wary of outsiders! They are just waiting for the person in charge to arrive..."

Wu Ming glanced at the pointing villagers and lowered his voice, "Before that, we need to unify our story! After all... if we are hostile to Daqing Village and are driven out, we will truly be in a desperate situation!"

Under the pressure of life and death, even Qin Hu had to bow his head and cooperate with Kang Shouli, who felt deeply humiliated.

"Ha... Honored guests have come from afar, I am truly remiss!"

Sure enough, a moment later, an old man with a ruddy face, white hair, and vibrant spirit, accompanied by several young men, came forward, bowing, "I am Wang Qiao, the village head. May I ask your names and where you are from?"

The group exchanged glances, and Wu Ming stepped forward, "Old sir, I am... "

After a hurried discussion, Wu Ming and the other four finally had a story. In Wu Ming's account, he and Kang Shouli were young masters from another county, traveling with their concubines and maids, but unfortunately encountered barbarian cavalry and were separated from their group, leaving only these few.

Huang Ying and Xiao Yu were naturally concubines and maids, while Qin Hu, due to his unappealing appearance, was only a bodyguard.

"What? Barbarians?"

Wang Qiao's face changed, and there was a commotion behind him, which he quickly calmed, "Honored guests, I apologize! The barbarian threat is growing, and the young men are like startled birds, I apologize for the rudeness. Please come in for tea, and let me entertain you properly..."