Three Towers Game

Chapter 350 The Divine Functions of the Scorpion Knife

Without a doubt, this was Wen Xishu's strongest start yet.

The leader of the martial arts alliance, top-tier martial arts techniques, top-tier companions, top-tier equipment... all you need to do next is find the newbie in the beginner village... that original demon king whose power has been replaced, kill him, and you will achieve victory.

And it was a victory of the highest degree. The game's difficulty was so low that even Wen Xishu was not used to it.

"By the way, if I want to know everything in the world, what do I need to do?"

After eating the grapes offered by the woman whose clothes were practically nonexistent, Wen Xishu asked a question.

The woman smiled sweetly:
"Alliance Leader, you've forgotten. All we need to do now is head to the former Heavenly Mystery Pavilion and find the All-Knowing Elder. He knows everything in this world."

"Although the old man who knows everything charges a lot, he wouldn't dare to compete with you."

"You are the best in the world, the undisputed best in the world."

Wen Xishu nodded.

In other words, to find the target, you first need to find a guy called the "Old Man of All Knowledge," which should correspond to the "All-Knowing Scholar" in the martial arts world.

This is truly a chaotic battle in the martial arts world of Dragon Summer.

"Are there four famous constables?" Wen Xishu asked casually.

"Of course, they all have a good relationship with you. The Six Doors and our Martial Alliance have always been allies."

Collusion between officials and military personnel?

This world does seem a bit chaotic.

Wen Xishu had no intention of delaying and was ready to set off immediately to find the "Tower Climber".

But just as he was about to do so, he suddenly remembered that he had forgotten something.

Scorpion Knife.

Wen Xishu summoned the Scorpion Knife.

This startled the alluring beauty.

"This...this sword looks quite impressive. Alliance Leader, when did you acquire another divine weapon?"

Wen Xishu did not answer, because he was somewhat surprised that the Scorpion Knife had such a strange function.

This time, Xiaodao introduced some extremely interesting game features. The fun and practical effects of these features gave Wenxishu the feeling that Scorpio had secretly unleashed its full potential.

Of all the game attributes of Scorpion Knife, this one is comparable to world chat and save/load.

This attribute is called text deduction simulation.

In short, Scorpio Knife can deduce the next simulation based on the current situation and translate it into text.

Wen Xishu had played this kind of text simulator game in his previous life. The game had almost no gameplay; it was just about randomly generating a bunch of text.

All you need to do is click the mouse.

Goblin simulator, female knight simulator, cultivation simulator, turtle simulator...

Wen Xishu decided to give it a try.

But then he suddenly realized... that he wasn't the protagonist.

"strangeness."

This is how the words appeared in Wen Xishu's eyes.

[Analyzing enemy strength in the area.]

Analysis complete. ID: Liu Jianxin.

[Martial Arts: Beginner Swordplay Level 4 (Elementary Martial Arts)]

[Equipment: A wooden sword that seems like anyone in the village could make (Grade: Basic Equipment).]

[Coins: 13 coins.]

Current location: Niujia Village.

The simulation will begin over the next three days.

[Liu Jianxin, a newcomer to the martial arts world, has dreamed of becoming a martial arts hero since childhood and plans to leave Liu Family Village. Outside the village, Liu Jianguo gives Liu Jianxin an ordinary wooden sword and gives him some instructions before Liu Jianxin embarks on his martial arts journey.]

Liu Jianxin soon encountered people from a security escort agency. They seemed to be transporting something called the "Birthday Tribute," which Liu Jianxin knew contained a considerable amount of gold.

Liu Jianxin quickly informed the nearby bandits of the route to the birthday tribute convoy, requested to join them, and devised a plan to rob the convoy.

[Liu Jianxin exploited the brutality of the transporters, successfully infiltrating the merchant's network and sowing discord between the head of the escort team and the rest of the group.]

[Liu Jianxin successfully used the bandits' wine to drug the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) and steal the birthday gifts.]

Liu Jianxin received 1000 taels of gold.

Liu Jianxin learned the martial art: Water Margin Swordplay Level 1 (Intermediate Martial Art)

[Liu Jianxin's Beginner Swordplay level has decreased by one level. His current swordplay level is Beginner Swordplay Level 3.]

Having acquired ample starting resources, Liu Jianxin decides to head to the black market to purchase more martial arts techniques and weapons. Simultaneously, he plans to visit the Six Doors (a government agency), betray bandits, and provide information about the whereabouts of the birthday gifts in exchange for increased favor with the Six Doors.

[Should we continue the simulation? Continuing the simulation will decrease accuracy.]

what?
Wen Xishu was a little confused.

But soon, he understood...

Scorpion Knife is very strong this time, but Scorpion Knife still thinks he is a "tower climber".

The underlying logic of Scorpion Knife seems to be that the tower climber is its master.

Therefore, Wen Xishu launched a simulation and discovered that the target of Scorpion Knife's simulation was not himself, but the tower climber "Liu Jianxin".

What made Wen Xishu feel a bit out of place was the name Liu Jianxin.

Not very much a martial arts story.

It sounds like a name that people in their 30s or 40s used in my past life.

In particular, Liu Jianxin's father is also named Liu Jianguo.

You should know... In ancient times, no commoner would dare to use such a name, as if they were ashamed of having too many relatives.

Wenxi Tree has a very peculiar feeling.

Liu Jianxin...

Perhaps it comes from modern times?

Of course, he has now discovered something fun.

He can predict Liu Jianxin's behavior over the next three days through simulation. Yes, the above is just a projection, meaning it hasn't happened yet.

“I don’t need to look for Elder Baixiao anymore… I just need to go to Liujia Village, find Liu Jianxin, and I can kill him.”

"Or, I can go directly to the Six Doors."

It has to be said that Liu Jianxin's actions were quite unconventional, not at all like the starting point of a martial artist with a chivalrous heart.

The game begins with you becoming an outlaw, robbing the birthday gifts, learning intermediate martial arts from the bandits, and obtaining starting capital. Then you report the bandits and cultivate a good relationship with the authorities...

That was such a flashy move, so flashy it felt like it was me.

Ke Wenxishu just found it strange.

"How can he be so unethical? Where is his chivalry and justice? Where is his willingness to help the weak and punish the strong?"

Wen Xishu realized something was wrong.

Scorpion Knife was a godsend this time, providing Wen Xishu with a wealth of information.

The most important information, on the surface, is Liu Jianxin's itinerary simulation, but Wen Xishu always felt that there was even more important information hidden inside.

"Liu Jianxin has learned an intermediate-level martial art, the Water Margin Sword Technique."

"But why did his innate martial art... the Beginner's Sword Technique, drop from level four to level three?"

Beginner's Swordplay?

As Wen Xishu murmured the name, he seemed to have a hunch about the whole story. He decided to continue the simulation to see what Liu Jianxin would do next.

[Simulation begins. Due to the duration exceeding three days, the accuracy of simulations from the fourth to the sixth day will decrease.]

[Liu Jianxin purchased a "Sharp Sword (Grade: High)" and a "Sleeping Pill," a dangerous item used in the martial arts world, on the black market.]

[Liu Jianxin traveled to Linjiang City and encountered a burly man with a somewhat northern barbarian appearance at the Linjiang Xian Restaurant. Liu Jianxin drank with the man, having given the waiter a silver ingot beforehand, instructing him to serve him plain water while the man received fine wine.]

The burly man and Liu Jianxin drank eighteen bowls of wine together, but Liu Jianxin remained completely sober, earning the burly man's admiration and leading to a sworn brotherhood.

[Liu Jianxin, however, mocked himself, wondering what he had done to deserve the acquaintance of such a heroic figure as this strong man. He also lamented that in today's martial arts world, his skills were too weak, and he was utterly unknown.]

[Liu Jianxin stated that he knew the whereabouts of the stolen birthday gifts, but he had been pursued all the way and only found safety in Linjiang City, but dared not leave.]

The burly man admired his courage and taught Liu Jianxin a move or two.

[Liu Jianxin acquires the martial art: Dragon-Capturing Claw Fragment Level 1 (Top Level)]

Liu Jianxin acquired the martial art: Beggars' Sect Inner Strength Technique Level 1 (Intermediate)

Liu Jianxin and the chivalrous Xiao Jianglong became sworn brothers.

Wen Xishu felt that this simulation exercise gave the impression that Liu Jianxin had read the script beforehand.

This world is undoubtedly treacherous, but to Liu Jianxin, it seems even more so. But the simulation isn't over yet; what follows is Liu Jianxin's most outrageous act.

[Liu Jianxin followed Xiao Jianglong to Xingzilin, where they witnessed Xiao Jianglong being reported by members of the Beggars' Sect and learned that Xiao Jianglong was not Han Chinese, but rather a Northern Hu person.]

The outcry against Xiao Jianglong grew louder, and the Beggars' Sect could no longer tolerate him. Xiao Jianglong left the sect and was seriously injured in a conflict with its members.

As Xiao Jianglong was heartbroken, Liu Jianxin still insisted that they were brothers. That night, Liu Jianxin and Xiao Jianglong drank together.

Having already gained Xiao Jianglong's trust, and with Xiao Jianglong currently preoccupied, he didn't notice the sleeping potion in the wine.

[Xiao Jianglong was drugged, and Liu Jianxin severed the tendons in his hands and feet, crippling his martial arts skills, and obtained the complete Dragon Subduing Palm and Dragon Capturing Claw techniques from him.]

[Acquired martial art: Dragon Subduing Palm Level 1 (Divine Rank)]

[Martial Arts: The incomplete Dragon-Capturing Claw technique has been upgraded to "Dragon-Capturing Claw".]

[Achievement: Betray your brothers.]

The level of the Beginner Swordplay has been reduced to level two.

Wen Xishu was stunned.

This isn't just being cheeky, it's downright insane.

Unexpectedly, Liu Jianxin acquired divine-level martial arts skills and killed a highly influential figure in the martial arts world in just a few days.

The underworld is dark, but nothing is darker than Liu Jianxin.

Wen Xishu understood somewhat.

“If I didn’t have ‘Peak of Madness’, then the leader of the martial arts world would be Liu Jianxin.”

"Liu Jianxin's path to becoming the leader of the martial arts alliance is very likely the first one where he constantly betrays his friends, abandons his original camp, and pursues his own selfish interests."

"He eventually became the leader of the martial arts world, relying on his insidious and ruthless nature, and a heart more cruel than the world itself, to reach the top of the martial arts world."

Thinking of this, Wen Xishu asked:
Do you think I'm a good person?

The woman was taken aback; the question was somewhat amusing. The leader of the martial arts alliance was a good person? Did you think this was a martial arts movie?

But she quickly composed herself.
"Of course, you are the best person in the world. You decide what is good and bad, right and wrong in this world."

"If you want, killing someone in the street can be considered an act of charity, and stealing someone else's wife can also be considered an act of charity. Look, didn't you steal mine?"

Wen Xishu clicked his tongue inwardly.

So, the original Great Demon King was actually a "traitor"?
He probably realized that he was playing the role of a villain who had done all sorts of evil deeds, but he had succeeded and reached the top of the martial arts world. Now, the victor was writing the story of good and evil.

He replaced Liu Jianxin.

But Liu Jianxin should not be underestimated. Even though he has nothing and has returned to the beginner village, his kingly potential is still there.

He was vicious and ruthless. Even though many things had changed and were completely different from what he was like back then, he could still reach the top.

With the head of "Xiao Jianglong, the Northern Hu spy," Liu Jianxin will likely gain a lot of prestige in the martial arts world.

Of course, this is a chaotic mix of martial arts worlds, and there are many unexpected encounters waiting for Liu Jianxin to trigger.

Wen Xishu could imagine... the speed at which Liu Jianxin sprang up would be astonishing.

"Logically speaking, Liu Jianxin is an absolute scoundrel..."

"He constantly betrays his friends, is ruthless, and has no sense of martial ethics..."

"But when I ask myself this question, shouldn't I be asking someone with a chivalrous heart?"

Wen Xishu sensed that something was wrong.

This world of martial arts is fucking too dark. The new protagonist of this world is even darker than the world itself.

He suddenly spoke:

"What was this martial arts world like before I became the overlord of the martial arts world?"

The woman found it strange, thinking, "Shouldn't you be the one who knows the answer to this kind of question best?"

But she knew that these top masters sometimes became delusional when practicing their divine skills. For example, Mr. Ouyang, one of the Five Greats, became mentally unstable because of his practice.

She said:
"Back then, because Ye Jianxin hadn't retired yet, everyone in the martial arts world followed the rules. The martial arts world back then was just a huge game of make-believe."

"Everyone is clearly full of bad intentions, but because of Ye Jianxin's restraint, they have to act as chivalrous heroes and help the weak and oppressed."

"They are really naive, and therefore, you can manipulate them at will."

Ye Jianxin?
This is indeed a name with a strong martial arts flavor.

Some clues gradually came together.

"Ye Jianxin has gone into seclusion? Did I fail to defeat him?"

The woman knew she couldn't show any mockery at this moment, so she simply said:
"You did have a duel with Ye Jianxin."

"But for various reasons, Ye Jianxin was unable to accept the invitation and soon after, at the Heroes' Gathering, he announced that he would retire from the martial world and never ask about its affairs again."

“In my heart, you are a hundred times stronger than him. After all, you have the ability to win without fighting. Faced with your methods outside the battlefield, he doesn’t even dare to draw his sword against you.”

"Without Ye Jianxin, the martial world has become your martial world, a true martial world."

Wen Xishu asked again:

"If it were me now, could I kill Ye Jianxin?"

The woman said playfully:

“You have a hundred ways to kill him, but first you have to find him.”

Wen Xishu was a little annoyed:
"Just tell me, in a head-on confrontation, without resorting to underhanded tactics, am I his match?"

When the woman saw the martial arts alliance leader unleash his power, she immediately lost her fawning demeanor, but she dared not speak the truth.

Wen Xishu didn't blame her.

Because I dare not answer, that is the answer.

"So, it turns out I'm just the second best in the world. There was a former defender of the martial arts world who I forced into retirement."

"His strength is probably unmatched."

Without a doubt, Liu Jianxin followed a wicked path of cultivation, and the facts proved that he succeeded. Through fraud, betrayal, and treachery, he rose to the top of the martial arts world.

But this is not the martial arts world in people's minds. In fact, there is a more correct but despised path to victory, a difficult one.

As Ye Jianxin's Initial Heart Sword Technique continued to be downgraded...

Wen Xishu seemed to have figured out what the real plot of the game was.

"Now that I'm here, Liu Jianxin, don't expect to be able to walk your path so smoothly again."

(Thank you all for your blessings, thank you so much!)

(End of this chapter)