Chapter Forty-Nine: A Friendly Wager for Pleasure

Ye Yu went straight to Nine Mountain Ridge and entered Nine Mountain Village, where he sought out the village peddler.

“If you wish to purchase figs and tea eggs, first do me a favor: head southeast of the village, to a region that is home to the Nine Mountain Gray Wolves,” the peddler said with a slight smile. “If you can slay those wolves and bring me their meat, I will gladly trade you figs and tea eggs.”

The six companions exchanged no objections. At once, they set out for the southeastern outskirts of Nine Mountain Village. The monsters inhabiting these areas posed no threat to them; only the bosses of Nine Mountain Village were worth any concern.

The task ahead was, for Ye Yu’s party, but a matter of sweeping aside with ease.

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“Ordinary monsters really are much simpler. Perhaps it’s because we’ve spent so much time in dungeons, but these regular creatures are pathetically weak,” Luo Feng remarked offhandedly. There was a trace of pride in his eyes, but no arrogance.

Ye Yu nodded in agreement. “Yes, our time running dungeons has put us a bit ahead in level compared to the main storyline quests, so it’s only natural these fights feel easy. Still, I must admit I’m curious—this main story quest feels much more considerate toward the players. I hadn’t expected a storyline revolving around gambling. It seems like things will get interesting.”

Having returned to Nine Mountain Village, they found the peddler, handed over the wolf meat, and traded for figs and tea eggs. With their task complete, the group set out for Hero Town, their next destination.

Clearly, their goal was to deliver these items to Shangguan Kaicheng.

Upon their arrival in Hero Town, they found Shangguan Kaicheng and handed over the figs and tea eggs, thus completing the quest.

Yet, unexpectedly, the next instruction required them to remain in place for ten minutes. During this interval, Shangguan Kaicheng had already vanished, but the main storyline quest remained active—it was not yet complete.

“What’s going on? The quest isn’t finished? Why is it still in progress?”

“I suppose we have to wait for this ‘Shangguan Kaicheng’ NPC to return,” Ye Yu explained, settling the group’s doubts. Not long after, Shangguan Kaicheng reappeared, tears streaming down his face as he looked at the six of them with watery eyes.

“Heroes, please help me once more! That rascal has won away all my figs and tea eggs!” Shangguan Kaicheng exclaimed, his anger barely concealed beneath his sorrow.

“Who is this rascal you speak of? And how could you lose the figs and tea eggs we worked so hard to get for you?” Luo Feng scolded, folding his arms over his chest, his expression tinged with annoyance. “Don’t expect us to go all the way back to the village peddler again.”

The lifelike personalities of the main storyline NPCs in “Divine Sorrow” truly drew players in, making every exchange feel real.

Hearing Luo Feng’s words, Shangguan Kaicheng managed a bitter chuckle before lowering his head and muttering, “I couldn’t resist and ended up gambling with Ji Hongguang. At first, I won a couple of rounds, and he gave me some things. But after that, I didn’t win again.”

“So, Ji Hongguang ended up winning the figs and tea eggs?” Ye Yu pressed, frowning slightly. He recalled reading about the evolving main storyline quests.

Ji Hongguang—once a master thief, he had since retired to live as an ordinary tavern worker. Later in “Divine Sorrow,” he would shine again.

“Take us to Ji Hongguang,” Ye Yu said.

Immediately, the quest list for the six changed subtly.

Quest Level Requirement: 34
Quest Giver: Shangguan Kaicheng
Quest Description: A Little Gambling for Amusement
Quest Target: Ji Hongguang
Quest Turn-In: Ji Hongguang

Following Shangguan Kaicheng, the party found themselves in an alley, where a well-dressed Ji Hongguang awaited. He was the very image of rakish charm: his black hair danced in the breeze, his fair skin unblemished, and his calm expression spoke of many years’ experience.

Ji Hongguang glanced at Shangguan Kaicheng, the corners of his mouth quirking up. In his hand were the figs and tea eggs he had won.

“Well, well, my chubby friend, you’re really helping me out here. Lost your own wager and now you’ve brought your friends to try your luck?” Ji Hongguang said with a cheerful grin, showing not the slightest fear at the six newcomers; in fact, he seemed all the more entertained.

“Gambling is a fool’s game—bad for the body and the mind,” Ye Yu remarked.

“Young hero, that’s hardly fair. A little gambling for amusement, that’s all it is—no one’s wagering their fortune, so how could it be harmful?” Ji Hongguang replied with a raised brow, his gaze flicking to Ye Yu. “I sense you have a taste for this as well. Why not try your luck?”

“How do we play?” Ye Yu asked.

“It’s simple—five dice. Step by Step to Fortune. Ever played?” As Ji Hongguang finished, rules for “Step by Step to Fortune” appeared before the party’s eyes—a game akin to the popular Liar’s Dice in the real world.

“I see you’re no stranger to a wager, my friend. Since you wish to win back this fellow’s goods, let’s have a game,” Ji Hongguang said.

“With pleasure,” Ye Yu responded.

Both produced dice cups, shaking them simultaneously so that five dice rattled noisily inside.

Each placed their cup on the table before them.

“Well then, you go first,” Ji Hongguang invited.

“In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Ye Yu replied with a slight smile, glancing down at his dice:

One, one, one, four, five.

“I’ll play pure dice—no objections?” Ye Yu’s tone revealed a hint of amusement, his lips curving up as if victory was assured.

“No objections, so long as you enjoy yourself,” Ji Hongguang returned the smile, apparently unconcerned.

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