Scourge Messenger

Chapter 40 Shelter
After returning to the carriage, Qian Gongyu remained silent. The look he gave Jiang Shi was one of wanting to speak but hesitant, wanting to speak but still wanting to, with a thousand twists and turns, and a thousand lovesicknesses.

"Nothing, I went out to practice. I just saw a martial arts training ground outside."

"You're still going out? What if you run into Luo Weijin and the others again? Even if they beat you to death, they'll just have to pay you some money!"

"oh."

Seeing Jiang Shi so calm, Qian Gongyu suddenly felt a little regretful and muttered, "I'm not blaming you... You offended Luo Weijin because of me. I just don't want you to be in danger..."

She paused. "Next time you encounter this kind of situation, don't take action. It's okay for them to just say a few words. I'm used to it. Right now, the Qian family is enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens. As the head of the Qian family, I should bear this pressure—"

"There won't be a next time."

"Huh?" Qian Gongyu was startled, her mood instantly sinking. "That's right. Fourth Miss Shang values ​​you so much, and she can help you avoid the punishment of entering the Mansu Forest and give you a better future. In comparison, the Qian family is indeed too small... I have no reason to stop you from pursuing a better future. We've only known each other for a day... If I were Fourth Miss Shang, I would definitely recruit you. You just showed your brilliance. Even surrounded by so many imperial guards, you showed no fear..."

Qian Gongyu lapsed into a long, rambling rant. Yan Qing wanted to explain that he wouldn't be joining the merchant, but he felt that explaining that would only create unnecessary expectations in Qian Gongyu, as he planned to leave after completing the Mansu Forest dungeon. However, Qian Gongyu was a bit difficult to communicate with in this state. Fortunately, he had already mastered how to use Qian Gongyu.

"Shut up, Miss."

Qian Gongyu immediately shut up and looked at Jiang Shi pitifully, just like a chick begging its mother hen not to leave.

"Tell me about the Mansu Woodland. Why is entering the Mansu Woodland considered a punishment?"

"Mansu Woodland..." Qian Gongyu's expression grew serious as she spoke of business. She gathered her thoughts briefly and spoke slowly, "Mansu Woodland has been a trial site in the Jiangnan region since ancient times. It was once monopolized by two or three families until the founding of the Daliang Kingdom. Emperor Taizu of Liang designated Mansu Woodland as a national secret territory. Anyone can participate in the trials there in mid-March each year."

"However, the rich and powerful rarely attend this event. The main participants are the children of prominent families and their followers. For example, the fourth daughter of the Shang family and the eldest daughter of the Jie family are here this time... Once this news spreads, the number of people here will probably double in a few days."

Yan Qing was a little surprised.

"Didn't they say that anyone can come to the Mansu Woodland? Why are only the rich and powerful families here? And why are the poor and the poor families here?"

"How could a humble family know about the Mansu Forest?" Qian Gongyu raised her head proudly. "Even a newly promoted blue-ribbon family might not have access to such information. Only my Qian family, with its 33-generation history and rich history, is aware of the situation in Mansu Forest."

Although my Qian family is only a blue-ribbon family, we are the top level among the blue-ribbon nobles!

However, Yan Qing didn't care at all whether the Qian family was a beggar or an emperor among the blue-ribbon noble families, and hurriedly urged Qian Gongyu to tell her the information she knew.

According to Qian Gongyu, the Mansu Forest is a three-day continuous copy. The earliest entry time is the 15th and the latest entry time is the 21st. No newcomers will be allowed to enter after the 21st.

After someone enters the Mansu Forest, two lists will appear on the periphery, namely the "Personal Score List" and the "Total Score List".

Everyone can stay in the Mansu Woodland for six hours every day, but can leave early. However, they must enter the Mansu Woodland for three consecutive days, otherwise it will be regarded as giving up participation in the activity, and they will not be able to enter the Mansu Woodland again even before the 24th.

The rewards for the Mansu Forest differ from other secret realms, with two payouts. The first occurs after the courier completes the three-day trial, when a treasure chest reward is generated based on their individual score. The second payout occurs after the event ends, on March 24th, when ten large treasure chests are generated based on the overall score leaderboard.

According to the rules established by the State of Liang, individual treasure chests belonged to the individual, but the ten large treasure chests were shared by all the children of the participating aristocratic families—note, only the children of the aristocratic families; black belt guards like Jiang Shi were not eligible for a share. This rule might seem discriminatory at first glance, and indeed it was, but its essence was that the court was encouraging the children of the aristocratic families to actively participate in the Mansu Forest, rather than just sending guards and servants to do the work.

Yan Qing suspected that in-game, the ten large treasure chests generated by the total score calculation were likely the PVP component of this limited-time event, with whoever grabbed them first getting them. However, in reality, there would naturally be no PVP component. The royal court and the aristocratic families had already agreed on the distribution plan, and there was no way a stray dog ​​would get a piece of the spoils.

As for the most important secrets of the Mansu Forest, Qian Gongyu naturally knew everything about it.

"I don't know the specific details." Qian Gongyu said honestly, "Because I haven't been there either."

"But from what I understand, the Mansu Forest is more of a trial than a secret realm. Everyone inside will experience terrifying hallucinations. Those with weaker resolve will quickly succumb to the pressure and quit early. Those who can persevere longer will naturally receive higher scores."

"Unlike other secret realms, anyone entering the Mansu Forest will be teleported to their own trial site, so there's no way to join together. However, trials don't necessarily have to be conducted alone. As long as enough people enter at the same time, they can often form a four-person team to take on the trial together."

"In our aristocratic circles, the most important reward from Mansu Forest isn't the reward chest after the scores are tallied, but rather its ability to screen talent. Anyone who achieves a high score in Mansu Forest is considered mentally resilient and possesses immense potential, and every clan will prioritize their development with resources. Generally speaking, anyone who can persist in Mansu Forest for three hours is considered a talent worthy of being named a Potential Dragon."

"The imperial court also hopes to use this method to select pillars of talent, and will even award corresponding contribution points to each family based on their scores in the Mansu Forest."

"In the past, I probably wouldn't have come to Mansu Forest. After all, I'm the sole heir of the Qian family, and I don't need to prove my potential. But ever since... the Qian family's situation has deteriorated, its contribution points have been declining year by year. If this continues, we might fall out of the ranks of the prestigious family. I can only seize every opportunity to increase my contribution points to maintain the Qian family's status as a prestigious family."

Having said that, Qian Gongyu secretly glanced at Jiang Shi, bit her lips lightly, and kept intertwining her fingers, as if she was struggling internally.

"Sister Jiang Shi, you should go and seek refuge with the merchants now to avoid punishment." She lowered her head and said slowly, "The reason I'm trying to win you over is because I think you'll definitely score high in the Mansu Forest. This will also allow my Qian family to gain a lot of contribution points."

"If I hadn't deliberately used you, you wouldn't have offended the Luo family, and you wouldn't have been punished for it... I harmed you."

The carriage fell silent for a long moment, the only sound being the rustling of birds and insects in the jungle outside. After a moment, Qian Gongyu spotted Jiang Shi standing up and immediately lowered his head even lower, almost wanting to hide his face in his chest.

Whew, Whew, Whew…

A rhythmic sound of breaking air came from the carriage. Qian Gongyu looked up and saw Jiang Shi standing in the open space and practicing boxing.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Didn't you say it's dangerous to go out? Then I'll hone my boxing skills here."

"Aren't you going to join the merchants? You don't have to worry about me. After all, I can't protect you—"

"I don't worry about you, but I won't turn to the merchants either."

"But without the protection of the merchants, how can you escape punishment? The one responsible for the caning is Luo Weijin's people, he will not let you go!"

"It's simple. I won't give them the chance to punish me."

Qian Gongyu stared blankly at Jiang Shi, who practiced his boxing skills oblivious to the world around him, not knowing what to say. If he wasn't given the opportunity for punishment, he would have to stay in the Mansu Forest for a full six hours—she didn't even know if anyone had ever achieved this theoretical record before.

Even Shang Xinlei, Jie Yuanshao and others wouldn't dare to say such big words.

Arrogance? Ignorance? Pride?

She wanted to emphasize the dangers of the Mansu Forest once again, to let Jiang Shi know how fantastical her ideas were. But whether it was because she was reluctant to throw away this treasure she had so luckily found, or because Jiang Shi's confidence, surpassing even that of a noble family, was too dazzling, she ultimately said nothing and went back to change into a more comfortable training suit.

"You want to practice boxing? I'll go out with you for a sparring match. Don't underestimate me, I became a messenger thanks to my boxing skills!"

"Your punches and palms are pretty average. It seems you haven't practiced much before. I'll teach you when I have time."

"I was careless this time. Now..."

"You're making pretty fast progress. I guess I need to get more serious..."

"You were lucky just now, but from now on I'm going to use my full strength!"

“It hurts—”

When the two returned to the carriage, Qian Gongyu was already in tatters, dirty from head to toe, and it was obvious that he had been knocked to the ground more than once.

"Jiang Shi, Jiang Shi, I just practiced boxing with you. Now you can take a bath with me!" "Yes."

"Don't practice boxing after you've showered, or you'll sweat again. Go to bed quickly. We have to go to Mansu Woodland early tomorrow morning. Come, sleep with me. My bed is still a little more crowded."

"Um."

"This is my first time sleeping with someone my age. Hey, Jiang Shi, what do you usually do?"

"train."

"Let me tell you, the chicken in my hometown is especially delicious. You must go back with me to try it someday."

"Um."

"Shang Xinlei's dress is so beautiful. I want to make one myself when I get home. How about I order one for you? What color do you like?"

"Go to sleep, my lady."

"oh."

Yan Qing put down the game console and looked at the notes about Mansu Woodland on the desk.

A random team dungeon for up to four people, lasting three days, with a maximum stay of twelve hours each time. It involves hallucinations and mental stress, and the longer you persist, the more points you'll earn...

I always feel that this copy is... so boring.

After all, players aren't actually in the dungeon, so why should they care if the dungeon uses illusions to put pressure on their characters? And this is the limited-time dungeon that only appears once a year in The Courier, so how can this be played?
You still have to enter the dungeon to know what the mechanism is.

……

...

The next morning, the sky was clear and the air was fresh. The imperial guards had already gathered and were guarding the entrance to the Mansu Woods. After breakfast, the sons of the noble families gathered in groups of three or five on the grass to chat. When Shang Xinlei and Jie Yuanshao appeared, they immediately swarmed over and formed a social circle with the two of them as the core.

Qian Gongyu and Jiang Shi were naturally marginalized people who had no right to get involved, and Qian Gongyu was visibly nervous, rubbing her hands together like flies.

"Jiang Shi, they're almost inside...why don't you go find Shang Xinlei...If you can't hold on, don't force it. I heard some people went crazy after staying in the Mansu Forest for too long...How about we just stay until the end and leave as soon as they go in? Uncle Lin is on standby in the carriage anyway, so we can leave anytime!"

"My lady..."

"I won't say anymore."

At this time, Luo Weijin came over, followed closely by his elderly guard, who stared at Jiang Shi with a pair of weathered but still sharp eyes.

"I've prepared a sharkskin whip. One lash can rip the flesh apart. It's very powerful and very pretty." Luo Weijin said sinisterly, "You'd better pray that you can last a little longer in there."

"It's you who should pray."

"what?"

"If I have to leave Mansu Glade early, the first thing I will do is kill you. I will not be humiliated, only killed."

"Hahahaha, with you—"

The moment Jiang Shi's left thumb pushed the sliver blade an inch further out, the elderly guard behind Luo Weijin immediately pulled him behind him, gripping the hilt of his sword with a serious expression. Luo Weijin chuckled dryly, then, seeing Jiang Shi's expressionless face, realized he wasn't joking. He called him "madman" and fled.

Qian Gongyu became nervous again.

"You were just joking, weren't you?"

At this time, the call to assemble sounded, and everyone gathered at the entrance of Mansu Woodland. Although it was called an entrance, it was actually a jungle shrouded in thick fog. There was no specific entrance at all. Anyone who walked into the thick fog could enter the secret realm of Mansu Woodland.

The security officer offered some encouraging words and gave them a quarter of an hour to enter the jungle. According to Liang State's test, if participants entered within a quarter of an hour, they could form different teams to resist the illusion together. However, if they entered within a quarter of an hour, they might be left behind.

Although all the intelligence indicated that the teams were randomly formed, after Shang Xinlei and Jie Yuanshao entered, countless others followed them in. What better way to bring people closer than to experience adventure together? If they could team up with these two nobles to adventure in the Mansu Forest, they would be willing to marry them!
The only two exceptions were the Luo and Qian families. Luo Weijin seemed worried they might slip away, so he stayed until last. Qian Gongyu gritted her teeth and took Jiang Shi's hand as they walked into the foggy jungle.

But such tactics were clearly no match for the dungeon's mechanics. As they entered the jungle, the dense fog washed away Qian Gongyu's lingering hand like a stream. Jiang Shi continued walking through the fog for about five minutes before it slowly dissipated.

The screen showed a clearing in the jungle, and within it sat a simple wooden hut, rickety and leaking, as if it would collapse at the slightest gust of wind.

"Jiang Shi! Come quickly!"

Qian Gongyu poked his head out of the cabin and waved frantically, a sly grin plastered across his face. Yan Qing had assumed the dungeon illusion had already begun, but upon entering the cabin, he understood why Qian Gongyu was grinning so greedily. Besides Jiang Shi and Qian Gongyu, the other two teammates in the cabin were all familiar faces.

Business heart tears and the world far away!
The two most prestigious connections in the entire camp are both in this team!
No wonder Qian Gongyu was drooling. Now she would be willing to take the beating on behalf of Jiang Shi.

"It's you." Jie Yuanshao had already entered the state, sitting cross-legged on the ground, and said calmly: "Then let's work hard together."

"Jiang Shi, you can come to me anytime." Shang Xinlei said with a giggle.

Qian Gongyu walked over to Jiang Shi and whispered in his ear, "This might be our only chance in this lifetime. As long as we become friends with them, the Qian family won't have to worry about anything. You have to help me behave well later, so they can see the style of the head of the Qian family... Hey, hey, Jiang Shi, please pay attention to me."

In the eyes of everyone, "Jiang Shi" seemed to be in a daze, standing motionless at the door, his eyes unfocused as he stared into the void.

In the thieves' house, Yan Qing didn't bother to pay attention to what the three of them were thinking. He was concentrating on studying the new information that appeared on the screen.

"Cabin"

「Shelter Level: 0」

Maximum duration of shelter: 12 hours

「Buildable capacity: 0/6」

"Shelter supplies: 0 wood, 0 stone (more resources need to be collected to unlock) (Gather resources around the cabin to become shelter supplies)"

"You can choose to upgrade—"

Shelter Upgrade: Stone House: Requires 15 Wood, 5 Stone

"Defense Wall: Requires 20 stones"

[Attack Facility: Crossbow Mechanism: Requires 10 Wood (Can be built multiple times)]

(End of this chapter)