Qi Xu immediately handed over 200 Survival Coins to Thorny Treasure and added the little hedgehog as a friend.
"I’ll go ahead and book in advance—we’ll be back at the end of next month. But don’t worry about giving us too much of a discount. We can’t let you take a loss just for our gathering. Hurry up and take it. Things are a bit messy here, so sorry to trouble you with more work, Thorny Treasure."
The little hedgehog hesitated, reluctant to accept the coins. Thanks to Master Chef, they felt like this group was already their friends...
In the end, Master Chef took the coins and stuffed them into the hedgehog’s pocket. "If the boss gives it, we take it. Got it?"
"Mhm, got it! Hehe."
That "mhm" suddenly reminded Qi Xu of the silly giant black serpent.
She immediately pulled out a huge cotton candy and sent it over.
"Look, my good friend! I got this from a loot box—I know you’ll love it. It’s for you!"
When the notification chime rang on the black serpent’s screen, the entire snake froze.
It had been so many, many years since they’d last received a message. That’s why, when they met someone who wasn’t annoying and was actually interesting, they couldn’t help but chat for a while...
But after that human left, the dullness of life felt even more unbearable. And then, right at that moment, Qi Xu’s cotton candy arrived.
A faint warmth flickered in the black serpent’s cold heart.
"Thank you... but I don’t really like sweets. You don’t have to send me things—keep it for yourself."
Invincible Black Tornado: "Don’t worry, I’ve got my own! That’s what friends do—share! Oh, and this boba tea too. All my monster friends love it—Little Monkey, the goblins, the hedgehog, they’re all fans!"
Qi Xu never neglected any NPC she’d befriended. She’d gotten into the habit of sending group messages now and then to stay in touch.
The black serpent said wistfully, "I envy you... You have so many friends."
"Relax! I’ll introduce you to some!"
On a whim, Qi Xu remembered she still had a Large Group Chat Card unused.
She tried adding all four NPC friends into the chat.
Welcome to the group chat: White Powder Three-Tailed Fox (Monster Shop Owner), Little Monkey (Princess Dungeon), Black Frost Python (Assassin Hall), and Little Hedgehog (Buffet Attendant)!
As soon as they joined, Qi Xu sent a red packet stuffed with 100 Survival Coins.
"Hey everyone! Hahaha, I’m so happy today—I made new friends! Let’s have some fun! Quick, grab the red packet and share in my joy!"
After watching everyone claim their share and chatting a bit more, Qi Xu closed her screen. Since they were all together, she had something else to take care of. She gathered Luo Xinpan, Dongfang Yuan, Zhu Fu, 009, and Egg Seven onto her vehicle.
Egg Seven gasped the moment they boarded. "Holy crap, boss! Your ride is insane! So much space!"
Zhu Fu drooled with envy. "Damn! I’m literally salivating!"
"Eh, it’s nothing special. Just threw it together without much effort," Qi Xu said smugly, earning a round of exasperated glares.
"Alright, serious talk now."
Qi Xu first explained the recent conflict with HappyEnding, then brought up the Assassin Hall situation.
Zhu Fu was right—calling for backup wasn’t shameful. Having teammates but fighting alone? That was just stupid.
Sister Slasher cut straight to the point. "Got it. I’ll be with you before 6 PM!"
"Hell yeah! Finally fighting side by side!"
Zhu Fu proudly displayed all the guns and ammo strapped across his chest. "Check it out—now you can relax! Two assassins? Pfft. Throw in a couple more, no big deal! Though... they’re only B-rank? Tsk tsk."
Everyone was hyped for the evening showdown.
But then Luo Xinpan suddenly asked, "Boss... are you sure HappyEnding hired those assassins?"
Qi Xu paused. "Well... maybe? Probably? I can’t say for absolute certain. But we did just clash, and they ambushed me, tried to kill me, failed, and ran off like cowards.
Wouldn’t they want revenge? Eliminate the threat completely?"
War Wolf 009 nodded. "Yeah. If it were me, I’d do the same."
Dongfang Yuan and Zhu Fu stayed quiet. When it came to strategy, better leave it to the brains of the group.
Luo Xinpan mulled it over. "No. There’s an 80%—no, 90%—chance HappyEnding didn’t hire them. First, they know you’re loaded. They’re patient, rational—not some reckless idiot.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have backed off during the auction. And that ambush? Probably just testing you. Kill if possible, retreat if not—that’s why they left so cleanly.
If they really wanted you dead, knowing your strength, they wouldn’t send just two B-rank assassins. At your level, who doesn’t have a trump card?
Two B-ranks wouldn’t kill you—they’d just make you angrier. If HappyEnding decided to move, based on their profile, they’d go all out—at least four A-ranks."
Qi Xu reconsidered. That did make sense. When she decided to wipe out HappyEnding, she had hired four A-rank assassins.
Well... this was awkward. But hey, they ambushed her first. Sending four A-rankers their way wasn’t undeserved. She wouldn’t call it off now.
Zhu Fu frowned. "Then who did hire them? Who’d dare? Two B-ranks still cost 1,600 Survival Coins."
After three seconds of silence, the group chorused, "That mysterious guy!"
Player 0229—the one who’d used the Stripped Bare Card on Comrade Song—had leaked intel about the district and even signed a master-servant contract with someone from another zone. He had plenty of nasty tricks up his sleeve.
Some people’s vile actions didn’t need a reason. Born wicked, they didn’t play by logic—and the Survival Highway only amplified their cruelty.
After finalizing battle plans, everyone dispersed.
Before 6 PM, Qi Xu, Dongfang Yuan, 009, and Egg Seven regrouped at Zhu Fu’s place. The Golden Group Chat Card allowed admins to teleport to any member—saving resources was key.
Earn where you can, save where you must!
True to his word, the black serpent delivered. Right at 8 PM sharp, the two assassins appeared—flashing into existence with a dramatic teleport!
.........
