Chapter Sixty-Three: Entering the Blissful Realm

Bang! Bang!

The sudden explosion drew everyone’s attention, and as they craned their necks to see what was happening, two gunshots rang out beside their ears.

Immediately after, two bodies staggered forward and collapsed heavily onto the ground.

Gao Ning was momentarily stunned.

Staring at the corpse lying before him, its head smashed against the ground and blood flowing in a crimson stream, Gao Ning could hardly believe his eyes. “Is that Marx? The protagonist?”

Old Gao suddenly disengaged his cloaking, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he sauntered back lazily. The python revolver in his hand was still trailing wisps of gunpowder smoke.

Gao Ning glanced at him, a sudden realization dawning.

Liang Bing and Zhou the Mystic walked over, circled around the bodies for a closer look, and then motioned for two soldiers to turn them over.

When they saw the gaping hole blasted into the protagonist’s forehead, the three exchanged bewildered looks.

What just happened? Why did he suddenly charge out? And who was the second victim?

Meanwhile, chaos erupted around the exploding truck as soldiers rushed to restore order, prepared to resolve the incident by force if necessary.

Gao Ning merely furrowed his brow and did not intervene.

He trusted the Liberation Army’s intelligence—this was but a minor disturbance, easily handled. Besides, the resort’s security systems were comprehensive; now that an explosion had occurred, security would likely appear soon.

The main question now was: why had the protagonist suddenly charged out? And judging by his exoskeleton armor, his intentions were clearly not innocent!

At that moment, all three heard a mechanical voice in their ears:

“Eliminated one member of an opposing team.”

“Reward: 30-day stay card granted.”

“Cumulative points increased by one; points reset to zero; mission rewards restored to initial state!”

The three were all taken aback. Zhou the Mystic narrowed his eyes and chuckled, “No wonder every fortune I’ve cast these past days hinted at joy. I had no idea where the fortune would come from—who would’ve expected it to fall from the sky?”

Liang Bing’s face remained expressionless, her arms folded. It was clear she was thinking of Granny Liu.

Though Gao Ning also felt a twinge of sorrow for Granny Liu’s sacrifice, it was not overwhelming.

Previously, with negative points, Gao Ning had been troubled—he had no idea who the enemy even was, and the vastness of Earth made searching impossible.

He’d never expected the enemy to deliver themselves into his hands.

“It seems he didn’t know our identities, and he must have been a newcomer,” Liang Bing said coolly.

Zhou the Mystic asked, “How do you know?”

Liang Bing glanced at him. “After three worlds, everyone acquires a basic skill, which can be enhanced with time currency. If unsatisfied, you can use time currency to reselect. In short, veteran players always have some odd or extraordinary abilities.”

She paused, then added, “And abilities drop upon death.”

Gao Ning remarked, “So that’s one of the rules!”

After this experience, Gao Ning finally understood that the mysterious train was not an absolutely safe place. The real danger was not the missions, but hostile adversaries with ill intent.

There were those like Old Gun, who valued cooperation and mutual benefit, but there were just as many who relished slaughter and plunder.

Even fools like Bun and Sister Nine could sometimes ruin everything.

Most importantly, all information about the opposing side was an unknown.

It was somewhat like a miniature, diluted Black Forest scenario—you never knew who the enemy was or what they might do.

After this sudden incident, what had been an enjoyable journey became more somber.

Seated in the luxurious space chair, enveloped on all sides, Gao Ning felt a faint sense of acceleration. The shuttle made no sound at all; the world outside the window blurred, and in the blink of an eye, the ground was behind them as they pierced the atmosphere and arrived near satellite orbit.

Watching the rapidly approaching space station outside, the three were lost in thought.

The shuttle received clearance to enter, glided smoothly past the fire-lock zone, and gently landed on the Bliss Space platform.

The hatch opened, and the four of them disembarked in turn.

A middle-aged man dressed as a butler, smiling warmly, was already waiting on the tarmac.

Upon seeing Gao Ning, the butler bowed slightly. “Welcome, Mr. Gao Ning! This is the Bliss Space branch of the Resort Group. The chairman personally requested that you have full access to all hotel facilities. If you require anything, just let me know—I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you feel at home!”

“Thank you,” Gao Ning nodded, leading his group to follow the butler across a wooden bridge into a uniquely designed yet spacious villa.

This would be their private residence during their stay in Bliss Space.

For the price they’d paid, the resort’s hospitality was indeed comprehensive; not only was the villa stocked with every conceivable amenity, it also came with a full staff—maids, chefs, drivers, and more.

In the yard, two yellow puppies frolicked, adding a warmth reminiscent of a cinematic family idyll.

Zhou the Mystic gaped in wonder, looking everywhere with childlike fascination, just like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. Everything was novel to him.

After all, he’d come from the wartime era, when all of Asia endured scarcity. Even in the so-called paradise of America, most people lacked electric lights and telephones.

Though Zhou the Mystic had often visited the homes of dignitaries and the wealthy—thanks to his trickery and some real skill—he had never seen anything like this world of intelligent furnishings. It was simply beyond his imagination.

He wandered the villa in a daze, touching and examining everything, his curiosity boundless.

Liang Bing merely glanced around and then sat down, unfazed.

She was clearly the daughter of a wealthy family—she’d once flown to Japan just for a pudding. Money was never an issue for her, so no matter how advanced the smart home was, it held little interest.

As for Old Gao, he vanished without a trace.

Before the butler left, Gao Ning called him over.

“I mentioned to the reception earlier that we need four universal medical pods. When can you arrange that?”

“We’ve already prepared them and can install them at any time. However, your identity cards are still under review and it will take about three business days. Until then, even if we install the pods, you won’t be able to use them. Why the urgency?”

Gao Ning waved him off. “That’s not for you to worry about—just have them delivered as soon as possible!”

The butler bowed. “No problem, sir. If you need any physical adjustment, you can temporarily use the resort’s guest ID card.”

“I understand. Thank you for the reminder.”

Watching how a few simple words from Gao Ning had tasks executed and items delivered to their door, Liang Bing was at a loss for words.

Their last mission had failed; she had already given up hope. Yet at the last minute, Gao Ning had pulled off a miracle.

If the previous time was remarkable, this was truly incredible.

Recalling her own performance in her first world, Liang Bing’s expression darkened.

Was the gap truly so vast? Damn it—just what kind of man is this bastard, anyway?