Cat 176: Master’s Updates

Chapter 176 Master’s Updates

Qi Feng rejected Qi Yunchu’s attempt at moral coercion and did not agree to his demands.

Yan Jiyun felt deeply gratified by this; it was a lesson learned the hard way, wisdom gained from failure.

At the same time, both man and cat gained crucial information about the top-tier field: players could seek help from outside the instance while in the copy.

For a top-tier field instance to reach the point of requiring outside help—just how hard must it be?

Yan Jiyun began checking the points amassed from his last instance; “considerable” did not even begin to describe it. The harder the instance, the greater the exposure; the rewards he gained from the live streams during the “Mermaid” instance were five times greater than all his previous points combined, pushing him past the five-million-point mark and putting him close to the ten-million-point threshold.

He wondered how many points Gu Wenzhu and Qiu Xi had earned in this instance. After experiencing the difficulty of level-four and level-five copies, he wanted to try for a mid-level field instance.

Mid-level field instances were just at the right difficulty—level three to four. If the two of them had exceeded 150,000 points, the three could still team up for the instance.

Qi Feng no longer attended the fleet meetings. Not that they were entirely pointless, but the purpose was clearly to get him to enter the top-tier field to save someone—someone who had once stabbed him in the back. They needn’t bother playing the emotional card.

If it were any of his own squad trapped today, he wouldn’t hesitate a second. But Su Qiuming—not a chance. Besides, who knew if this rule was a trap—maybe once a new player went in, the one asking for help would come out, making it a one-for-one swap.

Would Qi Yunchu be so kind-hearted? Most likely he just wanted a scapegoat. Why’d they call Qi Feng and no one else? Was it purely for his ability?

After leaving with Yan Jiyun, Lan Mo and the others trailed behind.

Qi Feng hurried back to their temporary base, relaying what he’d learned at the meeting. It wasn’t much different from what they already knew.

But as soon as they stepped outside the hotel, they were blocked.

The musclebound man at the front said, “Sorry, but please wait a moment—our guild president would like to meet with you.”

Lan Mo, at the head, sneered, “Some people really overestimate their own importance. We don’t even know your president. Out of our way.”

The overdeveloped muscleman stood firm. “We’re from Peakfire Guild.”

Lan Mo shot back, “I don’t care what fire you are, stop blocking our way.” Then he paused, realizing the name sounded familiar.

Peakfire Guild—wasn’t that—

Lan Mo looked to Qi Feng. “Feng, what do you think?”

Qi Feng asked the muscleman, “Who’s your guild president now?”

“Xu Xian is our president,” replied the muscleman.

“Then tell him this: I know what he wants from me. I will not agree. Solve your own problems.”

Sitting in the backpack, Yan Jiyun heard more footsteps approaching. He was still wondering how highly Peakfire Guild ranked. Among the top ten guilds at today’s meeting, none had “Peakfire” in their name.

Was it Maplefire or Peakfire?

Instantly, he realized this guild must have something to do with Qi Feng. After he’d left, Su Qiuming didn’t disband it?

After betraying Qi Feng, why keep the guild at all?

The Xu Xian in question soon appeared, his voice tinged with pleading. “Feng, I wouldn’t be asking for your help if I had any other option.”

Yan Jiyun thought to himself, Why does everyone run to Qi Feng? Can’t they go in themselves?

Qi Feng wasn’t even the one who received the card. The people trying to guilt him into action truly had no shame. When it benefits them, they go themselves; if not, they want someone else to go. As if people are fools? Even calling him “Feng-ge.”

Yan Jiyun didn’t know the specifics of their old grievances, but if roles were reversed, he’d have already socked the guy in the face, politeness be damned.

Qi Feng, at the center of all this, was calmer than anyone else. “If you didn’t hear me the first time, I can repeat myself.”

Xu Xian glanced around and said, “Feng, could I have a word with you in private?”

Qi Feng saw that they had no intention of making way—he relented, though mostly because he didn’t want pointless conflict to waste everyone’s energy.

“Fine. There’s a café over there. I’ll give you five minutes.”

“Ten,” Xu Xian countered.

“Three,” said Qi Feng.

Xu Xian was momentarily stunned; he’d seen Qi Feng’s forcefulness before and didn’t dare haggle. “Five minutes, then. I won’t take more of your time.”

From the sidelines, Yan Jiyun realized just how sought-after his owner was. This, in turn, confirmed that everyone in the guilds recognized his strength. He grew even more curious about what kind of player Qi Feng had been two years ago—how formidable must he have been? A man like that inspired a sense of security. If Su Qiuming had any sense, he’d have trusted Qi Feng rather than betrayed him.

What exactly had happened back then?

Yan Jiyun burned with curiosity. Yet Qi Feng seemed unwilling to speak of the past, and rumors from others could be embellished—nothing as trustworthy as the principal’s own words.

Everywhere Qi Feng went, people either badgered, pleaded, or tried to manipulate him. Yan Jiyun’s horizons were being broadened by the experience.

They sat in the café. Xu Xian spent points on a coffee—still in the mood for comfort even now. Qi Feng ordered only a glass of lemon water, clearly not intending to linger.

Xu Xian tried to appeal to old feelings, but Qi Feng mercilessly started the timer. “You have four minutes left. Get to the point.”

Xu Xian spoke, full of guilt. “Feng-ge, when we first entered the game as newbies, you looked out for us. I should really call you my shifu.”

Qi Feng didn’t interrupt, and Yan Jiyun listened with interest.

From what Yan Jiyun gathered, Xu Xian and Su Qiuming had joined the game at the same time, while Qi Feng had arrived earlier—making him a veteran among veterans.

Who could have guessed Qi Feng had once been so willing to mentor others?

No wonder he’d looked out for the “newbie” Yan Jiyun. Qi Feng merely seemed aloof. Perhaps it wasn’t until after being betrayed by someone he trusted that he’d pulled away from helping newcomers.

Tsk. To drive a man to that extent, the fallout with Su Qiuming must have been enormous.

Xu Xian kept reminiscing, but Qi Feng grew restless, reaching into his backpack to scratch his cat’s chin. Yan Jiyun luxuriated inside, relishing both the gossip and a feline massage—an unprecedented scene.

When Qi Feng remained silent, Xu Xian continued to wallow in his nostalgia. “Feng-ge, when you left the guild, I wanted to go with you. But both you and Ming-ge were my benefactors. I’m sure you know about Ming-ge’s situation—he’s in a top-tier instance, life or death uncertain. He sent me a request for help. I checked with Qi Yunchu, and he got one too.”

Qi Feng replied, utterly unconcerned, “Then why aren’t you in there saving him? The sooner you go, the sooner he’s rescued. Why waste time here with me?”

Xu Xian, throat packed with emotion, was left awkwardly suspended. Even Yan Jiyun felt embarrassed for him—but he still wanted to hear more of their story, since he was an utter novice himself.

Seeing Qi Feng unmoved, Xu Xian laid his card on the table. “Feng-ge, I know I’m not that strong. I want your help for Ming-ge’s sake.”

Qi Feng answered bluntly, “Not strong, or just afraid to die?”

Xu Xian froze. “You—have you always spoken so directly?”

Qi Feng remained cool. “Learned it from a newbie. Say what you mean; no need to beat around the bush. Otherwise, no one will understand you.”

In the backpack, Yan Jiyun straightened his chest. Was this about him? It must be. He was such a stellar influence on his owner.

Outstanding people grow together. That much, at least, was true.

Xu Xian persisted, “Feng-ge, just tell me—will you enter the top-tier field to save Ming-ge?”

Leaning back, Qi Feng looked calmly across at Xu Xian. “I’ve kept telling you: I won’t go. If the card was sent to you, it means Ming-ge trusts you. Don’t fail the faith Su Qiuming has in you. Xu Xian, you’re a guild president now. If you don’t take responsibility, how will your men see you?”

Under Qi Feng’s penetrating gaze, Xu Xian grew uneasy. Every time they met, he felt psychologically transparent. He could never emulate Qi Feng’s unique qualities.

The lecture irked Xu Xian. “Feng-ge, stop lecturing me. I’m not the rookie I was.”

Qi Feng, punctual as ever, reminded, “You have two minutes left.”

Whether Xu Xian had changed or not—Yan Jiyun could sense already that he wasn’t the responsible type. It was Su Qiuming, whom he’d never met, who seemed more respectable; what sort of person could have befriended Qi Feng?

Stung by Qi Feng’s calm tone—impervious to all tactics—Xu Xian dropped the nice-guy act. “Why are you so rigid? I admit Ming-ge made a mistake before, but can’t you be magnanimous and let it go?”

Qi Feng pushed away his lemon water. “Xu Xian, if Su Qiuming had sent the card to me, then it would be my concern. But as it is, you’ve benefited from him and owe him—this is your responsibility, not mine. Don’t shift the risk to someone uninvolved.”

Xu Xian said, “You’re not uninvolved!”

Qi Feng laughed, standing up. “Time’s up.”

Xu Xian remained seated. “Feng-ge, can’t you reconsider, for the sake of how Ming-ge once saved you? Just this once?”

Qi Feng shot him a look. “As I said, if he’d sent the card to me, it’d be my decision. He sent it to you—it’s your problem, not mine.”

Yan Jiyun admired Qi Feng’s decisiveness. He was right—so what if he was called cold or heartless? If Su Qiuming gave the card to someone, it was their problem, nothing to do with Qi Feng.

“Just this once”—so Qi Feng had already saved Su Qiuming before?

Xu Xian’s selfishness was chilling. Even Qi Yunchu hadn’t dared use violence to detain Qi Feng, but Xu Xian was bold enough to try.

Qi Feng didn’t spare another word; he slung his nearly fifteen-pound backpack on his shoulders and left without a backward glance.

Xu Xian didn’t stop him, but members of Peakfire Guild blocked Qi Feng’s path.

Xu Xian, all faux-charm, said, “Feng-ge, I really have no other way. This is the only method I have left.”

Surrounded, Qi Feng grabbed a chair and smashed it into the café window. Outside, Lan Mo and the others heard the commotion and broke in to join him.

Qi Feng stared at Xu Xian. “Why are you so insistent on dragging me in?”

Yan Jiyun suspected the card had secret rules. Otherwise, why would both Xu Xian and Qi Yunchu focus on Qi Feng?

The façade dropped from Xu Xian’s face as he revealed his true self.

Bing Jie said, “Feng-ge, enough talk. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Qi Feng’s strict five-minute limit had been to prevent Xu Xian from attempting something, but it seemed unavoidable—the once-rookie, now old hand, was as scheming as any.

“Was it you who gave Qi Yunchu the card?” Qi Feng asked Xu Xian.

“I’m not afraid to admit it. Yes. Out of the blue, Su Qiuming sent me ten cards from inside the instance. I distributed them to other guild leaders he knows. Whoever gets a card will be drawn into the instance at the right time to enter with Ming-ge. But Feng-ge, you’re the most cautious; you didn’t even touch the card.” Xu Xian sounded regretful.

Qi Feng, too, was seeing the card for the first time. If Qi Yunchu had evil intentions, Qi Feng would already be trapped. If Xu Xian hadn’t shown up, he might have wrongly blamed Qi Yunchu. As ever, Xu Xian couldn’t hide his nature.

Lan Mo, Shi Yan, and Bing Jie were separated from Qi Feng and Yan Jiyun by a distance. Xu Xian’s whole plan revolved around Qi Feng.

Yan Jiyun wanted to help, but stuck in the backpack, he’d only be a deadweight if he left it and exposed himself, making things harder for Qi Feng.

Qi Feng kicked off a Peakfire member who tried to restrain him, but more surged forward. His skill was impressive, but with Xu Xian bringing upwards of fifty men, he aimed to wear Qi Feng down with sheer numbers.

Inside the backpack, Yan Jiyun was nearly shaken sick. Someone even tried to tear open the backpack, prompting him to slash three deep marks into a hand with unsheathed claws.

With a yelp of pain, the attacker dropped the bag, assuming it held weapons, not a living thing.

“Watch it—Qi Feng’s backpack has something sharp in it!”

Yan Jiyun, now an official secret weapon, was flush with adrenaline: Good! Bring it on, I’ll handle you all, one or two at a time!

But Qi Feng, surrounded by dozens, saw that Lan Mo and Bing Jie could barely hold their ground. With no ability to use in-game equipment outside an instance, it was all down to barehanded combat. Even if they won, they’d finish exhausted.

Cool-headed, Qi Feng made a decision. He swung off his backpack and tossed it to Lan Mo. “Lan Mo!”

Lan Mo, being closest, knew exactly what the bag held. At that moment, what struck him was how much Feng cared for his cat. All four of them, including Yan Jiyun, understood instantly—Qi Feng was surrendering.

Xu Xian said, “Feng-ge, now we can talk this out, right?”

Qi Feng replied, “Fine. Hand me the card, and let my friends go.”

Xu Xian waved his hand, signaling his people to back away from Lan Mo and the others. “Sure, keeping them here only complicates things.”

Lan Mo hugged the bag. “Feng-ge, you’ve never been in a top-tier field. You can’t go!”

Qi Feng’s expression was steady. “Don’t worry about me. Go back.”

None of them had entered a top-tier field before—who knew what awaited them?

Yan Jiyun wanted desperately to leap from the backpack. Damn that bastard Xu Xian for pushing Qi Feng to this point.

Xu Xian, willing to send the person who’d once led and saved him to his death, showed his ruthlessness.

He slammed the card toward Qi Feng.

Qi Feng knew the trap. As Xu Xian’s hand went to the activation button, Qi Feng swiftly grabbed his wrist!

Yan Jiyun faintly heard Qi Feng tell them, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back alive. There are other guild leaders with me, too.”

Immediately afterward, under Xu Xian’s look of horror, a beam of light shot out from the card and enveloped both of them.

“Qi Feng, you—!”

Xu Xian vanished mid-curse, confirming the old adage: those who trouble others will themselves be troubled.

Yan Jiyun frowned; even at the crisis, Qi Feng remained unshaken. Xu Xian tried a trick, so Qi Feng just brought him along. Now Xu Xian must be regretting bitterly—who’d have guessed a single card could drag two people in at once?

There was an impression that perhaps Qi Feng had done this intentionally.

With their guild leader gone, the Peakfire men were momentarily confused.

Bing Jie and Shi Yan acted quickly, pulling Lan Mo through the broken window.

Qi Feng had gone willingly; all they could do was wait for his return—not even knowing what instance he’d entered.

Usually entry was a planned affair; this time, they’d been backstabbed, their fate in doubt.

Lan Mo raged, “That bastard Xu Xian! Feng-ge should never have rescued him in the first place; he’s out for Feng-ge’s life!”

Bing Jie replied, “No use complaining. He can’t hear you now, since he’s gone with Feng-ge.”

Shi Yan added, “Feng-ge isn’t stupid. Xu Xian thought he’d won, now he’ll pay for it.”

Bing Jie, calmer than Lan Mo, said, “No time to rehash this—Qi Yunchu was also pulled into an instance. Let’s see if the other guilds know which instance it was.”

Yan Jiyun shared their confusion. Did every card recipient end up in the instance? He agreed with Bing Jie’s approach.

The three returned to Central City’s most luxurious hotel and ran into Sister Jixiang.

She saw their grim faces. “Qi Feng went in, didn’t he?”

Lan Mo nodded miserably. “Yes, Xu Xian tricked Feng-ge into a top-tier field instance.”

Sister Jixiang cursed, “I knew Xu Xian was trouble, a two-faced villain!” Then she added, “A few other guild leaders suddenly vanished in the meeting room—most likely dragged into that summoning instance.”

So Xu Xian had told the truth: cards were distributed among several guild leaders.

Lan Mo asked, “Sister, did anyone from your guild get pulled in?”

Sister Jixiang shook her head. “Not that I know of. So far, none of ours are in the top tier.”

Yan Jiyun found himself anxious, genuinely worried for Qi Feng.

Just how impossible were the top-tier instances?

Wait.

He suddenly noticed a red dot in the master-pet system panel. His compulsiveness made it impossible not to click.

The trust built in the previous instance finally showed its effect: the master-pet system notification bar displayed three new messages.

[Your master has entered the top-tier field instance “Sweet Christmas.”]

[Your master has received a mission and is struggling through it.]

[Your master is currently fighting a mutated Santa Claus.]

Yan Jiyun: “…”

So that’s what the increased trust level was for?

He suddenly recalled that Qi Feng always knew when he, as a cat, had gone through an instance—maybe he’d always had this function as a master, with no need to grind approval.

What a trashy game, always with the tricks!

Did that mean Qi Feng knew everything he’d done in-game?

Damn, damn, damn, damn!

Calm down, calm down, calm down!

Yan Jiyun reminded himself not to think about destroying the system—not yet, not now!

Damn! Who would have expected such a notification system? It was no different from raising a virtual pet.

He could no longer dwell on how many embarrassing updates Qi Feng might get about him, or he’d turn from a black cat to a bright red one.

Seeing the system’s updates about Qi Feng, he felt a surge of anxiety.

What did a mutated Santa Claus look like? He’d never celebrated Western holidays. All he recalled was that Santas were always depicted as jolly.

At least, for now, Qi Feng was alive; in the master-pet status bar, Qi Feng was listed as “in instance.”

Now that he could follow Qi Feng’s status, Yan Jiyun’s worry didn’t ease—this was a top-tier field, not any of the so-called advanced fields they’d entered before. The risk had to be much higher.

He knew worry was pointless; all he could do was wait for Qi Feng to reappear, and in the meantime, follow Lan Mo and the rest as they tried to glean details about “Sweet Christmas,” or top-tier fields in general, from other guilds.

Gu Wenzhu had explained before that the difference between field levels was enormous. Advanced fields were already rare, and those qualifying for the top-tier were true elite players; a guild could boast of real strength if it had more than three such members.

As Yan Jiyun pondered the top-tier fields, the system dinged again.

[My goodness, your master is amazing—he’s defeated the mutated Santa Claus!]

Yan Jiyun: “…”

His master was battling for his life, and the trash system used such a chirpy tone for a notification?

Bah! He had no master—he nearly let himself be confused by the wretched system!