"I... I..." The lackey threw away the steel pipe and turned to flee, abandoning the car.
But Chao Musheng was faster. He picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at the man’s leg. Already panicked and disoriented, the lackey stumbled and fell into the wild grass beside the road.
"You think you can rob people and just run away?" Chao Musheng dragged the machete closer as the lackey struggled in the grass. Seeing the glinting blade in his hand, the man cowered in fear, covering his head. For a moment, it was hard to tell who looked more like the ruthless highwayman.
"Mr. Chao!" The driver stepped out of the car, holding two lengths of rope. "Let’s tie them up first so they don’t escape."
No one knew where the driver had found the ropes, but Chao Musheng hauled Brother Liu and the lackey together, binding their hands tightly behind their backs. When he turned, he saw Su Chenzhu standing in front of the grimy van, staring through the window.
Noticing Chao Musheng’s gaze, Su Chenzhu spoke. "There’s someone else inside."
He reached to pull the door open, but Chao Musheng stopped him. "Let me."
The moment the van door swung open, a wave of sour stench hit them. But Chao Musheng barely registered it—his attention was fixed on the small child lying inside, bound and gagged.
The little girl’s face was streaked with tears. When she saw that the person opening the door wasn’t one of her captors but a stranger, her eyes filled with terror.
"Don’t be afraid, little one. I’m a friend of your mom’s." Chao Musheng peeled the tape from her mouth. The girl trembled violently, too scared to make a sound.
"It’s okay, it’s okay." He lifted her out of the van and untied the ropes, then pointed at the two bound men on the ground. "See? The bad guys who hurt you are already tied up."
Su Chenzhu handed her a bottle of water from the car, but she flinched away, too frightened to accept anything from strangers.
Seeing how wary she was, Chao Musheng took out his phone and called Factory Manager Chen on video.
The moment the call connected and the girl saw her mother’s face on the screen, she finally burst into tears. "Mommy!"
At the police station, officers were reviewing traffic footage frame by frame, tracking the van’s movements.
Factory Manager Chen was a prominent figure in Hanyue, managing one of the local factories. Just two days ago, the owner of Kunlun Group had attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new facility. If word got out that the daughter of Kunlun’s factory manager had been kidnapped, how would Hanyue attract future investors?
"Captain!" An officer rushed into the monitoring room, excitement in his voice. "The child’s been found!"
"What?!" The captain tossed aside his mouse in relief. "Is she hurt?"
"She’s fine. Our colleagues are already escorting Factory Manager Chen to the scene." The officer’s face lit up with joy. "What a coincidence—the kidnappers tried to rob some passersby, but they were overpowered. The same people rescued the girl."
"Good, good." The captain exhaled, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Let’s head over too."
As they stepped out of the traffic department, they saw the station chief waiting by a car, his expression grim, as if the sky had fallen.
"Chief?" The captain was surprised. "What’s wrong?"
"It’s not just me—higher-ups from every department are on their way." He glanced at the darkening sky. "Let’s go. It’s about to rain."
"Did something else happen?"
"The Kunlun Group chairman and his assistant were ambushed by armed robbers on their way back." The chief’s face was lined with worry. Kunlun had done so much for Hanyue—building factories, funding local projects. They were practically the town’s saviors.
Now, their benefactors had been held at knifepoint in their own territory. Who could stay calm?
Damn those robbers. Had they even considered what would happen if Kunlun pulled out? How many families would suffer?
The police car sped through the streets, but before they could reach the scene, the downpour began.
"Faster," the chief urged, anxiety tightening his voice. "It’s getting dark."
No matter what, he had to protect the people’s livelihoods.
By the time they arrived, several cars were already parked along the roadside. Factory Manager Chen, usually composed and dignified, was kicking and punching the two bound men in the pouring rain. Behind her, two men stood sharing an umbrella.
"Factory Manager Chen, you have to stop," a female officer pleaded, though she was busy holding an umbrella over the rescued girl and couldn’t intervene. Spotting the chief, she raised her voice. "The rain’s too heavy—please take your daughter to the car. She needs you right now."
At the mention of her child, Factory Manager Chen snapped out of her rage. She turned and pulled the girl into a tight embrace.
"Su—"
"First, make sure the mother and child are taken care of," Su Chenzhu said calmly, holding the umbrella. "This was just an accident. It doesn’t reflect on Hanyue or its people. Kunlun’s investment plans won’t change."
The chief blinked, startled by Su Chenzhu’s directness, then bowed gratefully. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Su. We’ll investigate thoroughly and leave no accomplice unpunished."
He glanced at the two battered kidnappers on the ground. They must have resisted arrest and taken a nasty fall.
"Advisor Chao." Factory Manager Chen staggered toward Chao Musheng, her legs giving way as she tried to kneel.
"Factory Manager Chen!" Chao Musheng caught her before she could drop. "Don’t do this. Get up."
Her face was drenched—whether from rain or tears, it was impossible to tell. "If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what those monsters would have done to my daughter."
Her little girl was so young, so innocent.
"We just happened to be in the right place," Chao Musheng said, hauling her upright. "Professionally, you’re a Kunlun employee. Personally, you’ve been nothing but kind to me since I arrived in Hanyue. Your daughter calls me ‘uncle.’ Of course I’d save her."
"Thank you… thank you…"
Overwhelmed by the mix of fear and relief, the usually eloquent woman could only repeat those words.
The female officer led Factory Manager Chen and the girl to the car while investigators documented the scene.
"Mr. Su, Advisor Chao," the chief said hesitantly. "Since you’re involved in the case, could you spare a few minutes to give your statements?"
"Of course." Chao Musheng was no stranger to cooperating with the police. Not only did he answer every question at the station, but he also provided the dashcam footage from the car.
"These two are very familiar with the road conditions around Hanyue. They must have accomplices and might have been tailing the kid for a while." Chao Musheng glanced out the window. The bodyguards were still helping Factory Manager Chen search for the child in the county town and hadn't returned yet. Their car had been wrecked—should they send a message to Brother Liu to come pick them up?
"We've got a lead!" A police officer rushed in. "This car has been frequently spotted around Kunlun Road recently. The suspect, known as 'Dog Brother,' often buys instant noodles at the convenience store. His strong body odor is so pungent that it bothers passersby, so nearby residents remember him well."
"Move quickly to arrest them before their accomplices catch on and flee!"
"President Su, Advisor Chao, since we’re heading near the hotel where you’re staying, why don’t we go together?" The station chief couldn’t help but wince at the thought of the wrecked car.
Chao Musheng turned to look at Su Chenzhu. Seeing no sign of reluctance on his face, he nodded. "Thank you, Chief."
"With such heavy rain, why isn’t Dog back yet?" The boss lit a cigarette, his nerves unsettled—perhaps due to the weather. "Did they fail again?"
"Boss, Dog and the others succeeded!" A lackey shoved his phone in front of the boss, showing a photo of a little girl tied up.
"If they’ve already got her, there’s no point wasting time outside." The boss frowned. "Tell him to come back immediately. Once we get the money, we’re leaving Hanyue County."
"Boss, Dog says he’s found a bigger fish—even fatter than Factory Manager Chen’s family."
"What fish?" The boss sneered. "What kind of big fish could there be in this backwater?"
"Kunlun Corporation’s technical advisor," the lackey said. "He’s been working on a project in Hanyue lately. Dog plans to ambush him on the road."
"Really?" The boss’s eyes gleamed, his breathing growing heavier. If they could get their hands on Kunlun’s advisor, what use was some factory manager’s daughter?
"Wait—if Kunlun’s advisor goes missing, the entire city will be locked down. They’ll turn every stone looking for him." The boss crushed his cigarette. "Get ready. Round up those pigs in the opposite building. Once Dog succeeds, we’ll leave Hanyue immediately with our captives."
"Got it, Boss." The lackey’s eyes burned with greed. "But Boss, one person from that building hasn’t returned yet—some woman carrying a bag of scrap metal. Should we wait to catch her too?"
"Wait for what?" The boss kicked him. "Grab the five we have now. What if that woman doesn’t come back tonight? Are we supposed to wait all night?"
"You’re right, Boss." The lackey scrambled up. "I’ll get the boys ready to strike—catch them off guard."
Feeling good, he even managed a proper idiom.
"Ugh, cooped up in this room all day, I feel like a penned pig." Peng tossed his watermelon rind out the window after finishing the fruit.
Not like anyone lived in this abandoned building—no risk of hitting someone.
"Ow!" The boss clutched his head, wiping watermelon juice from his face. "Damn useless freeloaders, throwing garbage from above!"
"Seriously, no manners at all!" The lackey swung his steel pipe. "I’ll crack their skulls open later."
"Cracked skulls aren’t worth selling!" The boss vented his anger on the lackey. "Stop yapping and just grab those pigs."
"You’re just bored from eating too much." Little Rou rolled her eyes. "Not being chased by NPCs makes you restless?"
"Peng, could you at least pretend to have manners?" Huaba scowled. "Stop littering. What if you hit someone?"
"Watermelon rind isn’t pollution. Besides, with this heavy rain and no one around, who’s gonna get hit?" Peng glanced at the darkening sky. "Xiaojuan said she’d be back before nightfall. Why isn’t she here yet?"
"Maybe something came up." Little Rou frowned slightly. "With NPCs backing her, she should be fine—"
She cut herself off and walked to the door.
"Someone’s coming up," she whispered. "From the footsteps, about five people."
The players set down their half-eaten watermelon and turned toward the entrance.
Two minutes later, the door was kicked open.
"Stay put." A lackey stepped in, slamming his pipe against the wall—sending mold and plaster flying.
He waved the pipe at them. "Men on the left, women on the right. All of you, line up against the wall."
Peng stared at his head. "Hey buddy, a spider just dropped onto your hair. Doesn’t it itch?"
What kind of weird NPC brings a steel pipe just to knock on walls?
The lackey twitched, scratching his neck. Was there really a spider crawling on him?
"What nonsense are you spouting?" The boss shoved the lackey aside, stepping in with a cigarette between his fingers. He exhaled smoke slowly. "I’ll give you two choices: die here, or come with me quietly. It’s windy and pouring outside, and no one’s around. Scream all you want—no one’s coming to save you."
"So you’re saying no matter what happens here, no one outside will know?" Little Rou flexed her wrist.
"Tch." The boss eyed the woman—pale face, delicate brows, pretty in a fragile way.
"Exactly." His gaze flickered, lips curling into a leer. "But don’t worry. I’ve got a soft spot for pretty women."
"Oh?" Little Rou strode forward, smacking the knife from the boss’s right hand before slamming her palm into his face. The boss went flying, landing hard—his cigarette still pinched between his fingers.
Crack.
The sound of breaking bones echoed in the silent room.
The four lackeys gaped at their boss sprawled on the floor. What just happened?
Did their boss just spin midair like a gymnast before face-planting?
"And you." Little Rou delivered two more slaps, sending the pipe-wielding lackey and his buddy flying. Another two cracks followed.
That’s it?
She shook her slightly numb hand. This is the level of NPCs in a 3S survival dungeon?
Who does the system think we are?
The remaining two lackeys finally snapped out of it, turning to flee—but before they could escape, hands yanked them back by their legs.
"Help!" They clawed at the doorframe, desperate to escape the nightmare room.
But the "homeless" people behind them only laughed cheerfully.
"You dared to come rob us, and now you’re running?"
The two were dragged back in, their struggling hands leaving deep trails in the thick dust.
"Please, spare us!"
"HELP!"
Their terrified screams were drowned out by the wind and rain, echoing endlessly through the dilapidated hallway.
"Boss, you're telling me this whole bag is only eighteen pounds?" Xiaojuan pointed at the numbers on the scale. "There's gotta be at least twenty-five pounds here."
"No way." The scrap yard owner shook the woven plastic bag. "If anything, your stuff's soaked from the rain—it's weighing down my scale."
"Look, my prices are the fairest around here. If you don’t wanna sell, go somewhere else." The owner stood his ground, glaring at the bag.
Xiaojuan scoffed. "Fine, I won’t sell then."
She, Wang Xiaojuan, had conquered countless dungeons—how could she tolerate such humiliation?
"Xiaojuan?"
A familiar, surprised voice called from behind.
Xiaojuan stiffened before turning. "Secretary Liu?"
Secretary Liu glanced at the scrap yard’s sign, then at the rust-stained plastic bag at her feet, quickly piecing together what she was doing.
"Don’t mind me, just passing through." He averted his gaze, adjusting his umbrella as he prepared to leave.
"Alright, alright, girl. You look like you’ve had a rough time." The owner, noticing Xiaojuan’s devastated expression, softened slightly. "Tell you what, I’ll throw in an extra five bucks. Still selling?"
"Selling!" Xiaojuan wiped the water from her face.
So what if it was embarrassing? She wasn’t the type to care about pride.
Hah! Those destined for greatness didn’t sweat the small stuff—she wasn’t embarrassed at all.
Pfft, so what if she ran into Secretary Liu?
Big deal. She bumped into acquaintances all the time—this was nothing!
Aaaaah, damn System Master—she wanted it dead!
"Secretary Liu," Assistant Yang, walking beside him, frowned. "Isn’t she Assistant Chao’s friend? Why’s she selling scrap?"
Secretary Liu smiled. "Perhaps she’s just… frugal by nature."
Really?
Assistant Yang glanced back at Xiaojuan, now accepting a few crumpled bills from the scrap dealer. Yeah, that was some next-level frugality.
The two walked further down the street when several police cars sped past, stopping outside a rundown alley.
So many cops?
Assistant Yang paused, curious, just as the boss stepped out of one of the cars.
The boss?!
Before he could approach, Assistant Chao also emerged from the car—with the boss holding an umbrella over him.
Yes, the boss was shielding Assistant Chao from the rain.
Then, Assistant Chao smiled and reached for the umbrella handle—or rather, for the boss’s hand holding it.
They… they were…
Dazed, he turned to Secretary Liu, only to find him intently snapping photos of the two with his phone.
Had he lost his mind, or had the world gone mad?
The boss and Assistant Chao were actually together?!
"President Su, Mr. Chao," the police chief addressed them. "The suspects are extremely dangerous. Please stay clear of the operation area."
Without waiting for a response, he led his team into the alley.
Once inside, they found themselves in a vast, overgrown wasteland—nothing like a residential area.
"Chief, there’s an abandoned factory and a couple of derelict buildings about 800 meters ahead. A murder happened here years ago, so locals avoid this place."
"Secure all exits," the chief ordered. "We’re short on manpower—call for backup from the local precinct."
These criminals had no qualms targeting children and were armed. Absolute scum.
"Pathetic amateurs."
Peng glanced at the row of NPCs sprawled on the ground, their legs twisted grotesquely. Using his skill to check their alignment, he confirmed: "All evil-aligned locals. Killable."
"Murder’s illegal!" The gang leader, trembling, had assumed these people were just down-and-out drifters—not cold-blooded killers. "We live in a society with laws!!"
Never had he loved the law more. He prayed everyone in the world would just obey it.
"Laws? You think we care about laws at this point?"
What kind of survival dungeon respected the law?
They were doomed.
The gang leader and his underlings despaired—these were true outlaws.
"Won’t the bodies stink in this weather?" Huaba sighed. Their movement range was limited; rotting corpses nearby would be troublesome.
The gang members nodded frantically—yes, yes, terrible weather for murder!
Their inventory was restricted—not even a shovel to bury evidence.
"Huh?" Little Rou frowned. "More people coming—about a dozen. Your backup?"
"Y-yes!" The leader bluffed. "Our guys are everywhere downstairs! Let us go now!"
"Annoying." Little Rou’s frown deepened.
Xiaojuan, having just bought jackets, turned into a narrow alley when someone called out.
"Xiaojuan." Chao Musheng eyed the red plastic bag in her hands. "Why so many jackets?"
"Brother Chao, President Su." Xiaojuan froze. "Some friends of mine are staying in the abandoned building up ahead. It’s getting colder, so I got them some extra layers."
Xiaojuan’s friends?
Chao Musheng understood instantly. "Your… colleagues?"
"Something like that." Xiaojuan avoided his gaze guiltily.
"It’s pouring, and the ground’s all mud. We’ll go with you." Chao Musheng eyed the dark alley uneasily.
After a pause, Xiaojuan nodded.
With Brother Chao here, maybe the five of them could break free from the dungeon’s confinement.
Squeak!
A fat rat scurried past, vanishing into a sewer grate.
"You all… really have it rough." Chao Musheng held Su Chenzhu’s wrist as they followed Xiaojuan through the overgrown wasteland.
Weeds choked the area, though traces of an old path remained.
"Your friends live here?" Chao Musheng stared up at the crumbling building, impressed.
Xiaojuan forced a laugh, leading them inside.
Su Chenzhu glanced at the surrounding thicket before calmly looking away.
"Chief, why are President Su and Advisor Chao here?" The officers hiding nearby broke into a cold sweat. "What do we do?"
"No time for backup—move now." The chief took a deep breath. "No matter what, protect President Su and Advisor Chao at all costs."
"Brother Chao, we’re here." Xiaojuan pushed open the battered wooden door—then froze at the sight of five motionless bodies lined up inside.
How was she going to explain this?!
"What’s wrong?" Chao Musheng leaned in—and locked eyes with five intensely alert pairs of eyes.
His gaze drifted downward to the five figures sprawled on the floor.
Were these… captured criminals?
"Freeze!"
"Police! Hands up!"
"Protect President Su and Advisor Chao!"
Two uniformed policemen burst through the door, their weapons trained on the people inside.
Peng stared in shock at the sudden intruders—Justice Level 80?!
He had never seen such a high justice value in a survival instance before!
And there were two of them!
What had they called themselves again?
