Chapitre 17: Chapter 17: The Direction of the Reinforcements
"Whoosh!"
Zhao Haiping released his bowstring, and the arrow flew, striking down a pursuing northern Di soldier from his horse.
The suffering in the third phase was progressing faster than he expected.
This was likely because his previous efforts had built a solid foundation, especially in archery. So, when he entered the third phase with the "Mounted Archery Proficiency" talent, he quickly adapted.
But Zhao Haiping soon encountered a new problem.
Even with his excellent riding and archery skills, allowing him to shoot down or evade the pursuing Di soldiers, he still couldn't complete the level.
Because after riding through the snowstorm for a long time, he found no sign of reinforcements!
His best attempt saw him riding southeast for ages until he spotted a lone fortress through the snow.
Excitedly, he shouted and approached, only to see Di soldiers in traditional garb on the walls. They responded with a hail of arrows and a charge from the gate.
Zhao Haiping was exasperated.
This was a trap!
It turned out that General Geng Zhong's city was the only one still resisting in the area. All other towns and strongholds had long since fallen.
In such circumstances, where could these so-called reinforcements be coming from?!
Zhao Haiping felt utterly lost, like a headless chicken, making several circles in the snow. But with his stamina draining and the relentless Di soldiers in pursuit, he could only fail.
At that moment, his vision began to blur with mist, a familiar sensation indicating he was about to wake up, ending his night's adventure.
Moments later, Zhao Haiping woke up in reality.
"Whew… three days have passed already.
"I'm close to finding the way to clear this.
"But… where are those reinforcements?"
Zhao Haiping quickly got up to wash up.
Since he started playing this game, he noticed his biological clock had become more regular.
Before, he would only wake up when his alarm went off close to work time, but now he found himself going to bed at 10 PM and waking up at 6 AM, feeling refreshed and full of energy.
From 6 AM, all the beta players of Dark Sands would share their insights.
Zhao Haiping immediately found Chu Ge in the chat app and shared the issue he encountered in the third phase.
He knew Chu Ge would be online, as all players were kicked out at 6 AM, and those hooked on the game couldn't help but get up early.
As expected, Chu Ge responded quickly.
"I see… so you have to go find reinforcements yourself…
"It's harder than we thought.
"Hold on, let me check some records."
A few minutes later, Chu Ge replied.
"According to historical records, the Chu army dispatched troops from four surrounding counties, totaling over six thousand men, to attack Chehe City. They killed over three thousand enemies, and the Di forces in the city fled in panic.
"After capturing Chehe City, heavy snow fell, and the Chu general hesitated to advance, fearing an ambush. But a military officer who had once served under General Geng insisted on going to his aid.
"The Chu army then dispatched two thousand troops along the Beishan route for the rescue.
"If your guess is correct, and you are playing the role of that officer, then you shouldn't head southeast. You should go northeast, along the Beishan route towards Chehe City.
"General Geng likely assumed that Chehe City was still under Di control, but in reality, the Chu army captured it while you were besieged."
Zhao Haiping was overjoyed. "Got it!"
Chu Ge was indeed reliable.
He'd quickly found the relevant information.
But this wasn't enough. While he now knew the general direction, where exactly was the "Beishan route"? Which way should he head after mounting his horse?
Chu Ge did more research, providing a rough direction and route based on historical maps and even marked the location using a satellite map.
Zhao Haiping mentally noted all the information.
He was as prepared as he could be, but once in the game, the snowstorm might still make navigation difficult.
But at least he had unlimited chances to try.
Zhao Haiping asked, "How's your progress in the Scholar trial?"
Chu Ge replied, "Making progress; I think I'll clear it in about a day."
Zhao Haiping asked, "What's the main challenge in the Scholar trial? I'm thinking of trying other trials once I finish the Soldier one."
Chu Ge responded, "It's hard to explain briefly. Basically, you have to use period-accurate reasoning to refute the arguments of officials and even the emperor. It's not just about content; your expressions have to be convincing…
"Honestly, the acting requirements aren't lower than the Assassin trial.
"But trials like this should be easier to strategize once someone clears it. With a script, you just have to memorize and practice, and you should be able to clear it.
"The hard part is being the first to break through.
"But that's also where the fun is."
Zhao Haiping replied, "Okay, I'll be ready to copy your notes."
...
At 9 AM, Zhao Haiping arrived at work.
Since playing Dark Sands, it felt like he'd gained two extra hours.
From 6 to 8 AM, he mostly spent his time studying Dark Sands strategies.
Or rather, he'd gained nearly a whole extra day, as his nights were spent in another world, experiencing a different life.
After quickly reviewing his tasks to ensure nothing was missed, he opened the forum to check on other players' progress.
Three days into the Dark Sands beta, online discussions were heating up.
The beta access for Dark Sands was being sold for astronomical prices online, but those who tried to sell it discovered that the access was non-transferable!
Even if they traded accounts, others couldn't log in!
No one knew how Dark Sands' developers managed to detect different players on the same account, but given the game's use of cutting-edge neural technology, it didn't seem that far-fetched.
Scalpers initially thought Dark Sands would be a cash cow, only to be disappointed.
Beta players were racking their brains to clear the game, and the initial content of all four trials had been posted online. Players without beta access also pitched in, but so far, no one had completed any of the beginner trials.
There was progress, though.
In the Assassin trial, some players had refined their acting skills enough to get close to Yan Lingdi to present a gift. Unfortunately, their execution skills were lacking, and they were killed by Yan Lingdi before they could draw their sword.
Zhao Haiping searched for updates on the Soldier trial and found that most players were still stuck in the second phase, struggling against the Di soldiers, with many not even realizing the connection between the second phase's start and their performance in the first.
This made Zhao Haiping all the more eager to secure his first clear.
...
At 10 PM, Zhao Haiping eagerly re-entered Dark Sands.
Like before, he went straight to General Geng Zhong and volunteered to seek reinforcements.
In the midst of a heavy snowfall, Zhao Haiping once again set out alone on horseback.
Meanwhile, the Di soldiers launched their assault.
General Geng Zhong, while directing the defense on the walls, glanced in Zhao Haiping's direction.
Several Di soldiers spotted the departing adjutant and gave chase.
The soldiers on the walls held their breath, watching as Zhao Haiping turned, drew his bow, and shot down the pursuing Di soldiers one by one!
"Yes!"
The soldiers cheered, their morale soaring.
But before Zhao Haiping disappeared into the blizzard, one soldier exclaimed, "General! He's not heading southeast!"
At this, the flicker of hope in the seasoned soldiers' eyes dimmed.
They all knew that, in this weather, facing the Di soldiers' blockade, breaking through was difficult. And even if he succeeded, finding reinforcements would be near impossible, and even then, they might arrive too late…
Still, they clung to a sliver of hope.
But seeing Zhao Haiping heading not southeast, but towards Di-occupied Chehe City, their hearts sank.
It seemed the blizzard had thrown off his sense of direction.
General Geng Zhong looked away. He had fought alongside this adjutant for decades and felt deep affection for him. But he also knew that this parting might be final.
There was nothing left to do but accept their fates.
Drawing his sword, he shouted, "Soldiers of Chu!
"With me, to the death!"
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone