Chapter 196: I Don’t Dare
This game could make the maimed whole again, and even allow the mute to speak.
Zhang Sheng had been unable to speak since birth.
Although not being able to speak might seem like a minor issue, Zhang Sheng had faced no shortage of discrimination throughout his life.
Unable to speak, he was born incomplete.
He had been sensitive and insecure since childhood.
He rarely had friends he could talk to, and the one or two he occasionally made would gradually drift away as they grew up.
He started gaming at a very young age. For someone like him who couldn’t speak, games were an excellent outlet, a way to release the accumulated stress of his life.
After graduating from college, he found a job that didn’t require him to communicate with other people. Even when communication was necessary, it was all done online.
It required no face-to-face interaction. Although the salary was a bit lower than the market rate, he was a reliable and diligent worker. He’d been there for many years, and his boss trusted him.
Besides work, playing games was his only way to relax.
A few months ago, as a member of a gaming group, he saw a recruitment link sent by Zhou Nvzi and clicked on it out of curiosity.
He never imagined he would discover a whole new world, let alone change his own life.
The moment he found he could speak in the game, he was moved to the brink of tears.
Having never spoken before, his pronunciation was halting and difficult to understand even though he now could. He also had some psychological barriers to overcome.
Being able to speak in the game, only to become that mute person again after logging off, created a sense of loss.
But at least there was a glimmer of hope.
He started practicing pronunciation after logging off, but his ingrained personality made him dislike interacting with others. He acted as a lone wolf in the game, so he had no one to practice speaking with, which was why he couldn’t answer Honghuang’s question.
Honghuang took a deep breath. If he’d had a cigarette right then, he would have taken a long, hard drag.
In that moment, it felt like his conscience had been slapped.
He said nonchalantly, "Well, just stick with us after we get to Liu Xian City."
Zhang Sheng: "Okay!"
But Honghuang couldn’t resist asking, "So you really can’t talk in real life? What’s it like, being able to talk in the game?"
An Xiu slapped Honghuang.
Honghuang ducked, covering his head, and yelled, "I was just curious...!"
Zhang Sheng didn’t mind. He knew it was only natural for people to be curious. He spoke slowly, "It’s... surprising. And happy. But... I have to slowly learn how to make sounds... In reality, I can... only make ’ah... ahh’ noises."
There was something wrong with his vocal cords, an issue that was nearly impossible to reverse.
He couldn’t make sounds the way he could in the game.
An expression of understanding dawned on Honghuang’s face. He clapped Zhang Sheng on the shoulder. "Don’t worry, buddy. Just stick with us and you’ll get plenty of practice."
"By the way, have you guys noticed that the more we play, the more energetic we feel? You think this game can affect our brains, like in those novels?"
He and An Xiu barely ever logged off.
Even if they logged off to sleep for three or four hours, they’d be full of energy when they got back in the game.
Zhang Sheng nodded as well. "A little."
As a wage slave, the feeling was particularly obvious to him.
Before, he would start getting tired before he’d even done much.
They chatted for a while longer, and after a bit, Su Huanli arrived.
"Fan Guzhou says the three of you are to go on ahead. Your senior brother, Han Tian, is still at the Liuyun Sect and can’t get back for now."
The three of them had no objections.
The road to Liu Xian City was still long. The three had assumed the Feique Sect would be escorting them.
But it turned out to be their old acquaintance, Zhai Xiaotian.
Compared to how she treated the disciples of the Longevity Sect, Su Huanli was utterly respectful toward Zhai Xiaotian. "We’ll be troubling you, Senior."
Zhai Xiaotian, who had just returned from the Taixue Sect: "..."
Still, he nodded. "To Liu Xian City?"
Su Huanli: "They’re going to participate in the tournament hosted by the Sea View Sect. Once they’re in the city, someone will be there to receive them."
"Fine."
In a way, Zhai Xiaotian was quite easygoing.
Honghuang and the other two hadn’t expected that even a trip to Liu Xian City would rely on Zhai Xiaotian, the guy in charge of smuggling.
Then again, it made sense. The Feique Sect didn’t have the ability to send them to Liu Xian City in a flash.
After all, the distance was what it was.
This was the first time the three of them had ridden Zhai Xiaotian’s Smuggling Gourd, and none of them said anything to him.
Two hours later, they arrived at Liu Xian City.
Although they had already seen the splendor of Liu Xian City in Han Tian’s videos and in the information on the website, the three first-timers were still stunned.
As Zhai Xiaotian was letting the three of them off the gourd, he suddenly said, "If you’re looking for Magic Treasures, there’s a place in Liu Xian City called the True Treasure Pavilion. You might want to check it out."
The three of them exchanged a look, then said, "Thank you, Senior."
The moment Zhai Xiaotian left, a disciple on a Flying Sword shot out from Liu Xian City.
The disciple had an arrogant expression. When he flew before Honghuang and the others on his glowing Flying Sword, the three country bumpkins who had never seen anything like it stared in a daze.
After all, this was the first time they had seen a true Flying Sword.
Seeing their expressions, a flicker of contempt crossed the disciple’s eyes. He asked coolly, "Where are you from?"
Following Su Huanli’s instructions, Honghuang stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed. "Senior Brother, we are from the Feique Sect, here to participate in the Sea View Sect’s tournament."
He also presented the Feique Sect’s Sect Token.
This wasn’t the *real* Sect Token, but it served as an identifier for the Feique Sect, good enough to pass an inspection.
Because the Longevity Sect had no reputation and wasn’t even registered with the Sea View Sect, they just said they were from the Feique Sect.
’This formal way of speaking is really hard to get used to.’
The disciple gave the token a casual glance, a scornful smile suddenly tugging at the corner of his mouth. "The Feique Sect? The same Feique Sect that hasn’t dared to send anyone for three years? And this year you actually sent people."
"..."
Before Honghuang could say anything, the disciple continued, "Find your own way into the city. The tournament starts in five days. Once you’re eliminated, you are not permitted to remain in Liu Xian City."
His gaze swept over the three of them. "Treasure your opportunity here. After all, this might be the only time in your lives you ever get to come. All this dense Spiritual Energy... I guess you’re getting it for free."
The way he said it, the sheer aggro, was enough to make Honghuang’s blood pressure skyrocket.
Even An Xiu and Zhang Sheng, standing beside him, were furious.
He used to read novels and think it was childish and ridiculous when villains made their threats.
But now that it was happening to him, Honghuang finally understood what it felt like to be personally humiliated.
That thrilling rush of having your blood pressure maxed out.
After saying his piece, the disciple let out a sneer, turned, and left on his Flying Sword.
’Man, I’m here to play a game, and this plot is way too immersive!’
Honghuang: "I’ll f—you%^$%^%&%^&*&^*..."
He cursed right then and there.
System: "? Say it to his face. Who’s going to hear you if you only curse him in your head, besides me?"
Honghuang: "I don’t dare."
System: "..."