Section 1
Players guarding the Sword Unraveling Pool were anxiously pulling at their hair. Leaving the confines of the Sword Unraveling Pool would certainly result in punishment, but the arrival of the renowned hero Yang Huai from Xiangzhong must indicate that something extraordinary is about to happen, and it would indeed be a pity to miss it
I have added kerosene! X means to continuously add for one hour, do you understand the concept?
There is no way around it; the task of guarding the Sword-Dispersing Pool is exceedingly inhumane. Enduring a duration of one hour, which is equivalent to two hours, is tolerable, as is the restriction of not leaving the platform of the Sword-Dispersing Pool. However, the ultimate reward for this task is determined by the events that occur during that one hour, a rule that players find utterly intolerable. Based on extensive exploration and research by numerous players, the most common occurrence during that one hour is that nothing happens at all. Yet, the final reward for this task still hinges on the events that transpire during that one hour, a rule that players find utterly intolerable. According to the long-term exploration and research by many players, the most frequent occurrence during that one hour is that nothing happens at all.
Disciples sent by the Wudang Sect, as well as players who have heard of this matter, may have already begun to search the valley below
After some interaction, everyone discovered that among them, even when it came to the unavoidable task of guarding the Sword-Resolving Pool, each of the seven trivial tasks had only been encountered by most of them two or three times at most. However, the guy squatting by the stone seemed to be well-versed in all seven of these trivial tasks. Could it be that he had experienced all of them? If so, what kind of dismal character must he possess? The players' expressions changed dramatically, as they regarded this individual with the same apprehension one would reserve for a plague. Yet, the guy squatting by the stone seemed to be well-versed in all seven of these trivial tasks. Could it be that he had experienced all of them? If so, what kind of dismal character must he possess? The players' expressions changed dramatically, as they regarded this individual with the same apprehension one would reserve for a plague.
Thus, Li Huang took a deep breath and stepped in
"Are you in charge of guarding the Sword-Disarming Pool?" The novice's words already implied, "What a coincidence, I am too"
Most players face penalties in the form of deductions from their faction reputation. Faction reputation is accumulated over time and is hard-earned, yet it can be easily lost. A single incident can render several days of relentless effort worthless
Li Huang walked quickly, yet he was not flustered. He carefully reviewed each step he had taken, confirming that there would be no issues. Especially the moment he threw the Tai'a Sword, he had mastered the force perfectly; the Tai'a Sword would never be thrown to a place he could not find.
However, before the Tai'a sword could fall to the bottom of the cliff, Li Huang's figure had already appeared at the foot of the mountain
However, no one is faster than Li Huang
Ah! I actually did that task of delivering a message to Su Wanyan. It was indeed quite a hassle. I thought it would just be a matter of running around the sect, but who would have thought that this person wasn't even in the sect. This task requires a round trip, and it definitely won't be done in less than two hours!
Thus, Li Huang chose the safest method—he quickly disconnected from the game
I have completed the task of erasing the words written by Gu Yunfei. That scoundrel, the characters were not written but engraved with a sword. How am I supposed to erase that? It has exhausted me completely
"We people..." This person raised his hand, gesturing around at those frantically playing the Wudang game, "Upon receiving this task, I only wanted to curse, yet you are still so excited?"
As it stands now, Yang Huai has joined the Wudang Sect, while his Tai'a Sword remains in the Sword Pool.
A fake letter was used to lure Yang Huai to Wudang, causing him to separate from his sword. Yang Huai's arrival, along with the deception that led many players away from here, is indeed a matter of concern for Li Huang and the information in the books. Players will certainly not miss such potential interactive events.
Li Huang cannot wait too long, for he knows that as soon as Yang Huai arrives at Wudang and meets Daoist Chongming, everything will be revealed. The letter inviting Yang Huai to Wudang was entirely a forgery he created.
Li Huang's hand darted like lightning, suddenly grasping the hilt of the Tai'a sword
Time and location were both grasped with great precision. Beneath the cliffs outside the Sword-Disentangling Pool, it was silent and still, with only the Tai'a Sword lying quietly there. Without hesitation, Li Huang stepped forward briskly and picked up the Tai'a Sword
Something must have happened," the person said
Daoist Chongming! Important matters to discuss!
Fourteen beams of cold light ignited, the azure wind stirred, and fourteen disciples of Wudang had already drawn their swords, striking without any warning. At this moment, Li Huang appeared to have only two choices: to keep his sword or to leave behind both his life and his sword
The helpless players can only entertain themselves, and fortunately, the scene created by the sword-clearing pool has never been dealt with by the rules of the game. After all, games are meant to be enjoyable; if they become too strict, who will bear the blame for that?
Without any obstruction, the fourteen disciples of Wudang merely fixed their gaze on his actions, showing no intention of coming forward to intercept him
No one dares to cause trouble at the Sword-Resolving Pool, and guarding the Sword-Resolving Pool has become a mere idle task. For an entire hour, nothing has happened; what rewards can one expect after such a duration? This utterly worthless task, if given a choice, no one would be willing to undertake it. However, guarding the Sword-Resolving Pool remains one of the routine tasks of the Wudang Sect
Is something about to happen
Players expressed their indignation, each voicing their opinions. These tasks, while simple in content and low in difficulty, are quite time-consuming, akin to the futile effort of guarding the Sword Unbinding Pool. Among these trivial tasks, guarding the Sword Unbinding Pool stands out as the number one—there is no escaping this routine task for players.
"Senior Brother, what are you doing here?" The novice stepped forward and asked this individual, who neither played wildly with other players nor adhered strictly to the Sword Unraveling Pool like those fourteen NPCs.
However, this is clearly impossible; even someone with S-level abilities cannot achieve it. This is a world of martial arts, not a world of immortals.
Li Huang knew that they would not take any action before he touched Tai'a
Interactive events like this are different from routine tasks such as guarding the Sword Pool, as participation is only possible when the event occurs. The game system of "People in the Jianghu" is not a pre-written script. Even the game designers do not know what will happen in the Jianghu each day.
Within the Sword Pool, the renowned hero of Xiangzhong's sword lies quietly across. Almost no player knows that this sword of the hero of Xiangzhong is one of the legendary Ten Famous Swords of antiquity—Tai'e
Indeed, I recognize him! !
In the virtual martial arts online game "People in the Jianghu," the two major sects each have a strict rule. Shaolin prohibits female players from entering m.hetushu.com, while Wudang forbids the entry of weapons. The rule of Shaolin stems from their status as a place of Buddhist asceticism, whereas Wudang's rule is a true reflection of their prominent position in the Jianghu.
These fourteen NPCs are merely the tip of the iceberg of the Wudang Sect's strength. Considering the Wudang Sect's top position and influence in the martial arts world, one must be quite reckless to attempt to target the Sword Pool.
The Wudang Sect is about to face a significant event, and naturally, every disciple of Wudang has a responsibility. From the perspective of the players, this means that everyone has the opportunity to reap benefits
Although this statement was directed at novices, many listeners were present. During the chess games and at the mahjong tables, numerous players began to engage in discussions accordingly
The novice has certainly learned a lesson, and just as he was about to seek further knowledge, he noticed that the gaze of the person before him had already turned towards the mountain path
In the Sword Pool, two swords lay horizontally like this
"Why?" the novice asked in confusion
Yang Huai returned to the mountain path and continued towards the Wudang Sect. Players coming from both directions on the mountain path gathered to follow and watch.
At the bend of the mountain path, a figure that had just emerged was swiftly ascending the stone steps with a lively gait. Passersby noticed this individual and paused, with some even immediately following behind.
Help to calculate the incense money for Chong Qian, deliver a message to Su Wanyan, search for the lost wooden planks of the suspension bridge in the back mountain, erase the words written by Gu Yunfei on the stone, add oil to the everlasting lamp at Zixiao Palace, clean the mountain gate and also keep watch over the Jie Jian Pool, these seven tasks are all utterly trivial, if you find you have too much time on your hands, feel free to go ahead and do them
Because this task is the worst of the worst. Among the seven most worthless tasks of the Wudang Sect, it is sufficient to rank first.
At this moment, exiting the valley may result in interception. Li Huang had previously studied the terrain of the valley; on both sides are sheer cliffs, and even the most skilled lightness martial arts cannot scale them.
The renowned hero of Xiangzhong is well-known, and the disciples of Wudang naturally do not guard against him as they would against any rogue of the martial world. Upon hearing that there was a matter at hand, they naturally ceased to obstruct him. Yang Huai also respected Wudang, and without needing any instructions from others, he took the initiative to step forward, unfasten his sword, and personally place it in the Sword Release Pool. The rules of the Sword Release Pool state that, apart from the owner of the weapon, even disciples of the Wudang sect are strictly prohibited from touching anything within the Sword Release Pool unless under special circumstances.
The Tai'a sword fell from the cliff, and Li Huang had already bled five steps.
Li Huang's choice was to keep the sword, not to spare a life
The disparity in strength is indeed too great; as long as the sword is in Yang Huai's possession, Li Huang has no chance whatsoever. Moreover, Yang Huai is the type who even sleeps with the sword under his pillow. Thus, the only place that could allow the Tai'a to leave Yang Huai is one location—the Wudang Sect, at the Sword Release Pool
Shaolin and Wudang have always been the towering figures in the martial arts world
A game is ultimately just a game; no matter how much one strives for realism, it is impossible to offer players only one opportunity to play.
How did the great hero from Xiangzhong come here
NPC ? Player ?
The great hero Yang Huai from Xiangzhong
Upon exiting the game, Li Huang removed his helmet. Looking around, he noticed that his three roommates in the same dormitory were still wearing their helmets, immersed in the game and the theatrical experience.
The renowned hero of Xiangzhong, Yang Huai, is not precisely a person, but rather an NPC in this world. However, as a well-known and reputable NPC, Yang Huai's influence in this martial arts world is far more powerful than that of any player.
The Sword-Removing Pool at Wudang's Half Mountain is a symbol of its prestigious status. All visitors to the Wudang Sect must remove their weapons here.
After all, the losses from this penalty can still be compensated, but if the benefits from the event are missed, there will never be a second chance.
Unless someone jumps down from the cliff beside the Sword Pool like the Tai'a Sword and survives
I have calculated the incense money before, and it was so tedious that my eyes became blurry
In "The Jianghu", tasks cannot be casually abandoned. If you dare to violate the task requirements, for instance, by spending an hour hunting monsters in the back mountain while on guard duty at the Sword Release Pool, just wait and see how the sect will deal with you upon your return
You will know soon enough. As he spoke, he stood up and walked towards the Sword-Resolving Pool. As a disciple guarding the Sword-Resolving Pool, he still had the qualification to approach it.
Tai A traced an arc as it flew off the cliff at the edge of the mountain. Although several Wudang disciples used their lightness skills to hasten their pursuit, they were ultimately a few steps too late. The strength of these Wudang disciples was at best B-level. While the formation of seven into a seven-section sword array could potentially unleash S-level combat power, the nature of lightness skills would not change due to a sword array.
Li Huang's hand slowly extended, and he gazed at the fourteen disciples of Wudang, who were merely looking back at him.
Li Huang was not surprised at all, for he had ceased to be a disciple of Wudang two hours earlier. He entered the forbidden area of the Sword Unraveling Pool to retrieve the weapon he had left there during his visit to Wudang.
This person smiled and looked up at the newcomer: "Are you a rookie?"
Upon resurrection at the revival point, Li Huang did not hesitate for a moment and immediately ran skillfully towards the valley. He had practiced this step more than once or twice. He was very clear about where the Tai'a Sword would fall. Moreover, items like the Tai'a Sword would certainly not be refreshed by the system. As long as no one touched it, it would remain there forever
The meaning of routine tasks is that they can unexpectedly fall upon you. In gaming terminology, this is referred to as randomness. If you inadvertently encounter this task while performing sect missions, you can only consider yourself unfortunate. The longest duration yields the lowest rewards, and there is no place to voice your grievances.
In such a serious place, it is surprisingly lively at this moment. Under the shade of a large tree to the east, three to five players are seated on the ground, surrounded by piles of silver coins as they play Dou Di Zhu. On a smooth, mirror-like boulder, two players are engaged in a fierce chess match, with neither side willing to yield. Further south, there is a large open space where stone benches are arranged around stone tables, accommodating at least three tables of Mahjong players, indicating the game's popularity. Looking further south, another open area reveals several individuals practicing their martial arts, exchanging punches and sword strikes.
Continuing deeper, indeed, there are unknown circumstances that no one is aware of
Li Huang secretly despised these duty-bound disciples of Wudang, yet his footsteps had already come to a halt. To proceed further would lead into the forbidden area of the Sword Release Pool, a place where even these fourteen disciples had not dared to step. Within this area, only the owners of the weapons from the Sword Release Pool are permitted to enter
How did you know this
This person casually lifted their eyelids and said
A group of players assigned to guard the Jianchi task had lost all desire to play, their tempers flaring as they cursed this frustrating task that caused them great distress. After some deliberation, one player finally gritted their teeth and stepped out of the designated area, heading up the mountain path. Once one person took the lead, the resolve of the others wavered even more. Before long, one, two, three... Everyone began to ignore the task at hand.
The hero of Xiangzhong spoke with great vigor, allowing the players to hear him clearly
The disciple guarding the Sword-Disarming Pool may have already reported the incident that occurred here to the sect
Upon reaching the halfway point of the mountain, this person immediately stepped forward towards the Sword-Resolving Pool. The playful players fell silent in an instant
If it were truly the real world, Li Huang might not be able to control his strength so precisely. However, this is a game. Although he has been expelled from Wudang and has lost all the martial arts skills he learned there, it does not diminish Li Huang's strength in the slightest. With his martial arts skills, it is not too difficult for him to master such a degree of force, especially since he has practiced it many times without growing weary.
At the edge of the Sword Release Pool, everyone was engaged in their own activities. The other Wudang players walking up and down the mountain path nearby were evidently accustomed to this scene. However, a novice player who had just joined Wudang, assigned the task of guarding the Sword Release Pool, arrived with great excitement but was somewhat bewildered by the situation. After looking around and failing to find a place to settle, his gaze shifted, and he finally spotted a figure dozing off while leaning against a peculiar rock beside the Sword Release Pool.
Two keywords instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the players
The arduous practice did not disappoint Li Huang
Guarding the Sword Unbinding Pool is of utmost importance concerning the dignity and reputation of Wudang, and naturally, it will not be taken lightly. The players undertaking this guarding task are merely embellishments; the true guardians of the area are the fourteen Wudang disciples who stand quietly around the edge of the Sword Unbinding Pool.
The renowned hero Yang Huai in Xiangzhong is not a simple character; he is classified as A-level in the task compendium on the official website. Currently, the highest level of players can at most compete with the D-level characters listed in the official character compendium.
Chongming Daoist is the chief disciple of Master Zihe, the current leader of Wudang. Nowadays, although Master Zihe is still the nominal leader due to his advanced age, it is Chongming Daoist who effectively manages the affairs both within and outside of Wudang. Any significant matters he discusses with others will undoubtedly pertain to the major affairs of the Wudang sect
"Senior Brother, what is going on?" The novice, new to the world, still does not understand the rules and intricacies of the game, completely unable to comprehend why these players suddenly disregard the tasks and leave in a rush.
By the time Yang Huai of the Wudang Sect arrives, he may have already realized that the letter is a forgery
These fourteen individuals are not players, but rather skilled NPCs from the Wudang Sect. Together, they can form two balanced Wudang Seven-Section Sword formations to confront the adversary.
The esteemed Daoist Chongming from the Gui faction has sent a letter requesting a meeting, stating that there are important matters to discuss
What remains now is merely a complete novice who is utterly confused about the situation. It is not a significant issue. What is more regrettable is that none of the fourteen Wudang disciples, despite the arrival of such a renowned guest as the hero of Xiangzhong, offered to send two disciples to guide the way or accompany him. This is truly impolite
"What event?" the novice asked
It is the great hero of Xiangzhong
In hushed whispers, the hero of Xiangzhong has arrived beside the Jianchi. One of the fourteen NPC disciples, leading the group, greeted him courteously and then inquired about his purpose for coming.
Li Huang originally did not know, but he inadvertently came across an event and received such a task. The task was to obtain the Tai'a Sword. Based on the initial clues, Li Huang conducted extensive investigations and finally confirmed that the sword carried by the great hero of Xiangzhong was indeed the Tai'a he was looking for
Online games are, after all, online games; logging off and retreating is always the safest and most invincible method of hiding
In a moment, the Sword-Resolving Pool regained its expected solemnity. The fourteen NPC disciples remained steadfastly stationed beside the Sword-Resolving Pool, while the remaining players included only the bewildered novice and the super pest who had summarized the seven most useless quests.
The poor players dare not slack off; they can only endure in this situation. Complaining to the game company? It is futile. "In the Jianghu" claims to be entirely virtual and fully intelligent, with the game's overarching background established from the very beginning. The named NPCs are all advanced artificial intelligences, each possessing their own personalities and ways of behavior. They interact with players and also assist one another. Both they and the players are integral parts of this Jianghu, with constant interactions influencing the operation of this world. A single word or thought from a significant figure may lead to earth-shattering changes in the Jianghu. Even the actions of minor characters can potentially trigger a butterfly effect. Countless changes present countless opportunities. In traditional online games, such changes are referred to as updates, and new elements only appear with each update. However, "In the Jianghu" is akin to being updated every moment. Therefore, the absence of events in the Sword Unraveling Pool now does not imply that there will be none in the future, nor that there will never be any.
"What are the seven major garbage tasks?" the novice continued to ask, puzzled.
On one side, there were loud shouts of "Bomb!" and on the other, cries of "General!" In between, there were frequent exclamations of "I ate too much!" and "Watch out!" The area around the Sword-Disarming Pool became the liveliest spot on the entire Wudang Mountain.
The novice pondered for a moment. Due to the exceptional realism of "People in the Jianghu," players sometimes find themselves confused between players and NPCs, leading to humorous situations. It is said that these have already been compiled into a collection of jokes, which will soon be published and available for sale.
That was merely an ordinary iron sword that could be purchased at any rural blacksmith's shop, yet the treatment received during the visit to Wudang was no different from that accorded to Tai'a
With a powerful swing of his right hand, he brandished the sword, not to attack anyone, but to hurl the Tai'a sword high into the air.