Chapter 29: The Overlord

Fan Yong considered himself a seasoned veteran of the streets with a decent network of connections. On the very day the government released the official announcement, he sent a mass message to four or five people, inviting them to "join forces and achieve greatness!" In his mind, he had long been fantasizing about reigning supreme in the game and becoming the king of a new world. Having read *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, he knew full well that the first step was to assemble his own band of followers. Liu Bei had his sworn brothers in the Peach Garden and the brilliant Zhuge Liang; even if he lacked such elite connections, surely he could manage a small crew. A group of strong, able-bodied men would surely be unstoppable in the game!

Yet, he waited from noon until afternoon, even taking a nap, only to find that none of his lackeys had arrived. "What is going on? Is no one interested in accomplishing something big anymore?"

He called lackey number one. "I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is out of credit." Damn it, can't even afford phone credit? Pass!

He called lackey number two. "I'm sorry, the phone you have dialed is powered off." What the hell? Forget it, he would send a WeChat message instead. The little red exclamation mark that appeared seemed to mock his wishful thinking. "Damn it, Gou Dan, I’ll remember this! We’re from the same village, and you’re this unreliable."

Next, he called lackey number three. This time, it finally connected. "Hello? Da Tian, didn't we agree to meet at two o'clock? Where are you? Did you fall into a latrine?"

The other side stammered, "Uh, Boss, I’ve got something urgent come up here, it’s not really convenient. I am truly sorry." Fan Yong faintly heard his wife’s voice in the background: "If you dare step out that door, don't you ever come back!" Then, the sound muffled, as if he had covered the receiver. "Tch, a grown man, afraid of his own wife." Fan Yong hung up and crossed lackey number three off his list as well.

Now, only one person remained. Fan Yong had high hopes for lackey number four; this was someone who had followed him around since childhood. The very reason he had ended up in the detention center this last time was because he had gotten into a fight while standing up for this kid. In the end, Fan Yong had won the fight, but he was the one who ended up behind bars. He dialed the number, full of expectation.

"Beep—"
"Beep—"
"Beep—"

A long time passed, but no one answered. "Damn it!" Fan Yong was so furious he nearly threw his phone. "Jiang Ming, you brat, how dare you ignore my call? Don't let me catch you!"

None of his lackeys were worth a damn. Fine, he would have to scout for new recruits. As it turned out, luck seemed to be on his side. While walking along the main road, he spotted a few lads, not very old, gathered together smoking. Fan Yong curled his lip into a grin—these were familiar faces. "Xiao Wang!" he shouted from a distance. The boys turned around, but because of the distance, they couldn't quite recognize him. As Fan Yong approached and waved, he called out, "It’s me! What, it’s only been a few days and you don't recognize me?"

The boy known as Xiao Wang finally realized who it was. "Brother Yong! When did you get out?" They all ran in the same circles, so everyone was familiar with him. Fan Yong touched his head. "Just got out, and I caught the start of something huge. This must be the luck Lord Guan is bestowing upon me." He was a devotee of Lord Guan, even having a tattoo of him on his back. "So, what are you boys doing standing around here?"

Xiao Wang signaled to the others, and they, understanding his hint, promptly made excuses and left. Soon, only Fan Yong and Xiao Wang remained. Xiao Wang’s eyes darted around, checking his surroundings, before he leaned in and whispered to Fan Yong, "Brother Yong, we’re going into the game in a couple of days. There’s no way I’m going home, so I was discussing forming a team with the guys."

Ha! This was exactly what he needed. Fan Yong’s eyes lit up. He grabbed Xiao Wang by the shoulder and pulled him close. "How many of you are there?" The *Survival Manual* stated that a team could have no more than eight people. Xiao Wang gave a shy smile. "Counting me, there are six. Brother Yong, do you want to join us?"

This was exactly what he wanted to hear, but Fan Yong put on a troubled expression. "I’ve already promised three other guys that I’d team up with them." He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. "Besides, you’re all just kids, and my guys are all strong, young men." Though Xiao Wang was thin and small, he was quick-witted. He immediately came up with a solution. "Brother Yong, my brothers are a bit young, but could you think of a way to help us out?"

Fan Yong hadn't actually found any other teammates; he was just playing hard to get. He took a heavy drag of his cigarette and said with feigned reluctance, "We’ve known each other for years, and since you’ve asked, fine. Take me to see them. If they’re reliable, I suppose I could join you." Xiao Wang was overjoyed. "Great, Brother Yong, I'll take you to my place." Fan Yong felt triumphant, though he tried his best to keep his expression neutral as he followed Xiao Wang.

As they walked, however, he sensed something wrong. Wasn't this the road to the local police station? "Xiao Wang, did you move?" He remembered Xiao Wang’s home being in the other direction. Xiao Wang, who had been walking ahead, didn't say a word and took off running. Fan Yong immediately realized something was wrong, but as he turned, he saw two familiar faces.

"Fan Yong, you’ve got some nerve."

Damn, a sting operation! Fan Yong realized he had been played. Once again in the police station, seeing the familiar Officer Liu, Fan Yong simply slumped in his chair, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression. Officer Liu was well-acquainted with Fan Yong and didn't waste words. "You’re a grown man. Instead of going home to be with your family, you’re out here forming gangs. What is going on in that head of yours?"

Fan Yong had given up on resisting. "I’m trying to achieve something great, Officer Liu. You wouldn't understand."

The officer cut him off immediately. "I don't need to understand. Get yourself home immediately. I’ve already contacted your village." And just like that, Fan Yong was sent packing in disgrace.

Another officer, seeing Officer Liu so irritated, poured him a glass of water. "Relax, it’s not that bad." Officer Liu drained the glass in one go. "I tell you, I don't get these people—not wanting to go home, just causing trouble here. But these thugs aren't that bad, really. They have no backbone; scare them a bit and send them home, and they won't dare do anything else."

Just today, he had lectured quite a few of these hooligans; Fan Yong was merely one of many. Blue Star was on the verge of the apocalypse, and all the monsters and demons were crawling out of the woodwork. Theft and robbery cases were spiking, and the precinct was overwhelmed. No sooner had he sent Fan Yong away than a group of merchants came in to report crimes. Someone had smashed their shop doors in broad daylight and looted the place. Doing nothing wasn't an option, but they were critically short-staffed, and he had to consider the feelings of the victims.

After dismissing the complainants, Officer Liu finally sat down to catch his breath. These petty disturbances weren't what worried him most. What truly weighed on his mind were the truly heinous criminals out there.